Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<br />
<br /> If you are one of those who think girls cannot break barriers in male-dominated professions, <keyword id="3359337" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anam-Hashim">Anam Hashim</keyword> is going to crush your perspective under the wheels.<br />
<br />
Meet 21-year-old Anam, who is India’s first female stunt rider and scaled the highest motorable road-Khardungla Pass-on her scooty.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /> Stunt riding is one the extreme sports in the world but Anam does it like a piece of cake. You have to see her popping up a <keyword id="1606108" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="wheelie">wheelie</keyword> on her bike, to believe it.<br />
<br />
“A bike doesn’t know your gender,” said Anam.<br />
<br />
<strong>How it started</strong><br />
<br />
Anam’s father taught her how to ride a bike but was little skeptical about stunting. But now, he is a proud father.<br />
<br />
“I always had a thing for two-wheelers and used to go gaga over motorbikes and engines since childhood. During my school days, I used to get thrilled watching guys doing biking stunts on roads,” said Anam, adding “When I used to see guys doing wheelies and performing stunts, I used to think why I can’t do this? I began my research and decided to take up this sport professionally.”<br />
<br />
<strong>Challenges</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anam’s stunt riding career started with a stunt-‘christ’- that on an <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Activa&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Activa</a> scooty, which went viral on YouTube.<br />
<br />
She was able to do that without a crash in the first go.<br />
<br />
“I was very much fascinated by stunts and I decided to go for it on my Activa. I did a ‘christ’ and was able to pull it off in first go and that’s when I thought that if am able to do it on a non-gear, which is far more difficult than doing it on a motorbike, I will opt for this career,” she said.<br />
<br />
However, it was a tough road for her but she rode smoothly on it too.<br />
<br />
“Initially, my father was not able to gulp the idea of me buying a bike. I somehow convinced him,” she said, who bought a Honda Stunner.<br />
<br />
Anam has been doing stunts for the past three years and has faced many challenges. Belonging to a middle class family, she faced a lot of resistance from the society.<br />
<br />
“Everyone told me stunt riding was a male dominated profession and it was nearly impossible to convince my parents for stunting. My mother still doesn’t approve of it. But, now when I see myself standing at such great heights, I feel it was all worth it,” said Anam.<br />
<br />
<strong>Peaks conquered</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /> Anam drove to <keyword id="3832819" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Khardungla-Top">Khardungla Top</keyword> on TVS scooty Zest-the highest motorable road-that too with only technical support and when she went for the second time, Anam led a group of 10 girls.<br />
<br />
“It was difficult for me to ride to Khardungla….I wasn’t used to such low temperatures and rocky terrains and I had <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=TVS+&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">TVS </a>scooty Zest. Still, the ride was not that rough and I could easily finish it. It was fun at the end of the day,” she said.<br />
<br />
<strong>Future plans</strong><br />
<br /> Anam is now learning <keyword id="1459986" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="dirt-biking">dirt biking</keyword>. She wants to stunt on super bikes and hopes to compete in the international stunt riding championships. Anam also wants to promote stunt riding in India and make a platform for Indian stunters.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /> She along with DreamsMotorsports is now looking forward to take a group of 250 people to Khardungla for the ‘<keyword id="3852716" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ride-for-records">Ride for Records</keyword>’ as many records will be broken in just one ride.<br />
<br />
She is currently sponsored by Sena Bluetooth, Ikon Motorsports, THH Helmet, SignODesign, Woodium etc. She is also endorsing TVS Scooty Zest 110.<br />
<br />
When not stunting, Anam likes to sing and sketch.<br />
<br />
(images: Facebook)<br />

Meet 21-year-old Anam Hashim, India’s first female stunt rider who rode a scooty up the highest motorable road

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Cheetahs are being reintroduced to India after being declared extinct in the country in 1952. </li><li>The reintroduction effort is aimed at creating a viable population of wild cheetahs.</li></ul><p>In mid-September, eight African cheetahs were airlifted from Namibia and brought to India, marking the first time the big cat stepped foot in the wild in the country since being declared extinct more than 70 years ago.</p><p>The reintroduction, which was years in the making, was celebrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on whose 72nd birthday the cats arrived, as well as by other cheetah advocates and scientists.</p><p>"When the cheetah will run again … grasslands will be restored, biodiversity will increase and eco-tourism will get a boost," <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/cheetahs-reintroduced-to-india-after-going-extinct-in-the-country-70-years-ago">Modi</a>, who released the cats into their temporary enclosure, said, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/16/world/asia/cheetah-relocation-india.html">adding</a>: "Along with these cheetahs, the nature-loving consciousness of India has also awakened with full force."</p><p>However, some big-cat experts told Insider while they support the idea of reintroducing wild, free-ranging cheetahs to India, the current effort seems more like a marketing stunt — one that's not sufficiently based in science.</p><h2>Saving cheetahs from extinction</h2><p>Cheetahs, the world's fastest land animal, were once widespread in India. They were declared extinct in the country in 1952 as a result of hunting and habitat loss.</p><p>"It is the only large mammal that India has lost," S.P. Yadav, secretary of India's National Tiger Conservation Authority, said, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/16/world/asia/cheetah-relocation-india.html">The New York Times</a>. "It is our moral and ethical responsibility to bring them back."</p><p>Cheetah populations worldwide are also on the decline, with the total number in the wild estimated to be about 6,500, according to the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/219/124366642">International Union for Conservation of Nature</a>. The big cats now occupy just 9% of their historical range. The vast majority of the remaining cheetahs are in Africa, while a small amount of the <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-asiatic-cheetahs-environment-/31646781.html">critically endangered Asiatic cheetahs</a>, the same subspecies that used to prowl India, remain in Iran.</p><p>"To save cheetahs from extinction, we need to create permanent places for them on Earth. India has areas of grassland and forest habitat, which are appropriate for this species," Laurie Marker, founder of the <a href="https://cheetah.org/">Cheetah Conservation Fund</a>, which has helped coordinate the reintroduction, told <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/17/india-cheetahs-kuno-namibia/">The Washington Post</a>.</p><p>The relocated cheetahs include five females and two males between the ages of two and six. The eight cheetahs were dropped off at Kuno National Park, south of New Delhi, where they are being quarantined and observed. The plan is to release the cheetahs into the larger national park, where they can prey on animals like deer and antelope, within a matter of months.</p><p>The <a href="https://wii.gov.in/images//images/documents/publications/action_plan_cheetah_introduction_jan_2022.pdf">reintroduction plan</a>, which is estimated to cost about $11 million, aims to establish a viable, free-ranging population of cheetahs. The <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1788373">plan</a> involves ultimately relocating around 50 cheetahs to the country in the coming years.</p><div type="image" title="Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi watching a cheetah after it was released in an enclosure at Kuno National Park, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022." height="2925" width="1777" msid="94743678" hostid="261" sizebytes="305334"></div><h2>A 'larger version of a zoo'</h2><p>There are major challenges with reintroducing a large predator to an ecosystem it has been absent from for decades. The cheetahs could face conflict and competition for food with other predators, like leopards, and there may not be enough natural prey to sustain the planned population size.</p><p>Arjun M. Gopalaswamy, a wildlife and statistical ecologist who researches big cat and large mammal ecology, told Insider that as the plan currently stands, there's not enough space for the cheetahs.</p><p>Gopalaswamy noted a paper he published in the journal Ecography in 2020 that found the density of a cheetah population, or the number of cheetahs per the amount of space, to be one per 100 sq km. The amount of space set aside for India's cheetahs is 750 sq km. With those numbers, the area would be large enough for only 7-8 cheetahs, not the dozens that are planned.</p><p>"This simply means that the Cheetah Introduction Action Plan has overestimated the number of cheetahs India's reserves can hold by several fold," Gopalaswamy, who is the founder and chief scientist of Carnassials Global, which provides science consulting to governments and NGOs, said. </p><p>He added that he supports reintroduction efforts, but that the current plan in India "appears to rely almost completely on the cheetahs and their charisma" and that instead, he would like to see "a fully science-based approach."</p><p>K. Ullas Karanth, the emeritus director of the Bangalore-based <a href="https://cwsindia.org/">Centre for Wildlife Studies</a>, agreed that the current plan was not grounded in science and told Insider it "will not lead to a restoration of a viable population of wild cheetahs, sustaining itself naturally in the long run."</p><p>Karanth said the population would be augmented by bringing in additional cheetahs and other animals in order to boost the supply of available prey. Such a system, he said, "cannot be called reintroduction at all."</p><p>"That would be simply a captive population of cheetahs in a larger version of a zoo," he said, calling it "largely a gimmick and a colossal waste of money."</p><p>Karanth noted that cheetahs have naturally low reproduction rates and even in the best habitats in Africa the vast majority of cheetahs die before reaching breeding age. He said in India the cheetahs will face denser populations of humans and livestock, dogs, and predators like leopards, making their survival even more challenging. </p><p>"I think the Indian bureaucracy and the 'foreign experts' have sold a 'creaky used car' to the gullible Indian public, media, and political leadership," Karanth said.</p><p>Some conservationists have also noted that effort would be better spent trying to first save cheetah populations where they are already established but on the decline, before focusing on reintroduction.</p><p>Still, proponents of the project are optimistic. Yadvendradev V. Jhala, dean of the Wildlife Institute of India and the lead scientist of the reintroduction effort, pointed to the success India has had in boosting other big cat populations, such as <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-019-03267-z">tigers</a>.</p><p>"The cheetah is a magnificent animal, it's a big magnet for ecotourism," Jhala told <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalgeographic.com%2Fanimals%2Farticle%2Finside-the-controversial-plan-to-reintroduce-cheetahs-to-india">National Geographic</a>. "If you bring in cheetah, the government will put funds into rehabilitating and rewilding these systems, and all the biodiversity will thrive."</p><p>Marker, the founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, believes that despite potential challenges, she believes the big cats can adapt, <a href="https://cheetah.org/press-releases/cheetah-conservation-fund-and-namibian-government-to-send-eight-cheetahs-to-india-for-introduction-on-17-september/">noting</a> her group has spent 12 years consulting with the Indian government on how to reintoduce the cheetahs.</p><p>"Cheetahs are very adaptable and [I'm] assuming that they will adapt well into this environment," she told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/17/india-reintroduces-cheetahs-to-wild-after-big-cats-airlifted-from-namibia">AFP</a>. "So I don't have a lot of worries."</p><p><em>Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at </em><a href="mailto:kvlamis@insider.com?inline-read-more"><em>kvlamis@insider.com</em></a><em>.</em></p>

India reintroduced 8 cheetahs after the big cats were wiped out 70 years ago — but some scientists say it's more of a PR stunt than a conservation effort

<br /> <keyword id="6354925" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kolkata">Kolkata</keyword> <keyword id="655681" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Knight-Rider">Knight Rider</keyword> skipper <keyword id="13839" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gautam-Gambhir">Gautam Gambhir</keyword> is a serious man. No matter how much captain cool he is, you would never find Gautam <keyword id="17803" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="gambhir">Gambhir</keyword> tapping his foot during any of the <keyword id="6354312" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword> afterparties. But thanks to <keyword id="3133036" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="VIVO-IPL">Vivo IPL</keyword>, Gambhir actually danced some steps.<br />
<br /> In his column on <keyword id="6518498" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindustan-Times">Hindustan Times</keyword>, Gambhir wrote, neither his wife <keyword id="11285" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Natasha">Natasha</keyword> nor Team owner <keyword id="6357753" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="shahrukh-khan">Shahrukh Khan</keyword> has been able to make Gambhir dance ever.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/vivo-ipl-2017-injury-is-the-main-concern-for-todays-delhidaredevils/articleshow/58078710.cms">ALSO READ: Vivo IPL 2017: Injury is the main concern for today's Delhi Daredevils</a><br />
<br /> "Let me share a little story," wrote Gambhir. "I am a quintessential Punjabi who loves his butter chicken and daal. I love my Punjabi music but not those DJ kinds. But I never dance which is very un-Punjabi and akin to an Aussie cricketer who doesn't sledge! I never ever have, not even to please my wife or erstwhile female interests. Not even Mr. <keyword id="6355601" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Khan">Khan</keyword> (Shah Rukh) could make me dance at any of <keyword id="6354544" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="KKR">KKR</keyword>'s IPL after-match parties.”<br />
<br /> "But then there is always a first. <keyword id="51958" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="YES">Yes</keyword>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/vivo-ipl-2017-injury-is-the-main-concern-for-todays-delhidaredevils/articleshow/58078710.cms">yours truly</a> shook his leg and that too for a sponsor's shoot. Yes, I did. I know my wife Natasha will kill me for this as I have turned down her demands, instructions, and even appeals to shake a leg with her. I didn't even dance at my brother-in-law's bachelor's party which Natasha says is "criminal"."<br />
<br />
"Anyways, post my debut gig, my <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/vivo-ipl-2017-injury-is-the-main-concern-for-todays-delhidaredevils/articleshow/58078710.cms">KKR mates </a>are out to get me. That smirk never leaves <keyword id="18938" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Yusuf-Pathan">Yusuf Pathan</keyword>'s face, <keyword id="1013835" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Surya-Kumar-Yadav">Surya Kumar Yadav</keyword> is offering me dance tips in exchange of batting tips. One other gentleman has quietly told me never to dance again. Well...”<br /> Gambhir, like a true captain, has pushed KKR to a 10-wicket victory against <keyword id="1641060" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat-lions">Gujarat Lions</keyword> last night.<br />
<br />
(Image: India Times)<br />

Gautam Gambir is quite tensed as his wife might kill him.
Here’s why

She has body doubled for Alia Bhatt in Udta Punjab, Kareena Kapoor in Singham Returns and Udta Punjab, Deepika Padukone in Chennai Express, Malaika Arora Khan in India’s Got Talent and Konkana Sen Sharma in Ek Thi Dayan and has an inspiring and motivating story to share.<br />
<br /> <keyword id="2038104" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Geeta-Tandon">Geeta Tandon</keyword>, who is a <keyword id="3387892" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="stuntwoman-in-bollywood">stuntwoman in Bollywood</keyword>, is a badass on celluloid and in real life too as she never gave up and sailed through choppy waters of life.<br />
<br />
Geeta, who aspires to be India’s first female action director, spoke about how she left her abusive husband, raised two children as a single mom, worked for umpteen number of hours just to make a paltry sum of Rs 1800 and how being a stuntwoman happened, in Blush Originals, a YouTube channel.<br />
<br />
The story this woman, who drives through fire, breaks glass ceilings, depicts that It is not easy but not even impossible to stand up the eighth, when you have already fallen seven times in life.<br />
<br />
Her soul-stirring story is motivating. Watch here:<br />
 <br />
<br />
<br />
(Image/Video: YouTube)<br />

Story of this woman who does stunts for Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone will anger, inspire and empower you

In a patriarchal society, women are told to cook and feed the family and stay confined within the four walls. So much so, they are told to cover their faces and remain under a veil. However, Roshni Misbah has smashed all these <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=stereotypes+&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">stereotypes </a>and has carved a niche for herself.<br />
<br />
Even in today’s world, when most men frown upon the idea of women riding bikes, 22-year-old Misbah is teaching them a thing or a two. Well, this doesn’t mean she is not following her religious beliefs. Misbah attracts eyeballs as she rides a bike wearing a hijab.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
“My bike doesn’t know my gender. It only knows that a person is riding it, irrespective of the gender,” says Misbah. She is currently pursuing Arab Islamic Culture at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Jamia+Millia+Islamia&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Jamia Millia Islamia</a> in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=New+Delhi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">New Delhi</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Misbah rode a bike for the first time when she was in the ninth standard. “I always had a thing for bikes. The sound of the exhaust would make me go gaga and I just loved it,” she said.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Meet-21-year-old-Anam-Hashim-Indias-first-female-stunt-rider-who-rode-a-scooty-up-the-highest-motorable-road/articleshow/55454313.cms">Also read: Meet 21-year-old Anam Hashim, India’s first female stunt rider who rode a scooty up the highest motorable road</a><br />
<br />
Initially, she tried her hand on her friend’s and her father’s motorcycle for years, but then after getting into Jamia, Misbah bought her first bike- Bajaj Avenger Cruiser 220. But that wasn’t enough, in a few months, Misbah was talking to the wind and driving at 100kmph and that was when she decided to upgrade.<br />
<br />
“I bought the Avenger thinking that I will improve my riding and will use it for at least two years, but before I could even notice, I was talking to the wind and that’s when I bought the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Royal+Enfield&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Royal Enfield Bullet</a>,” said Misbah.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
When asked about her motivation, she said that her father, who is also a badass rider, was her motivation and she has been following his footsteps.<br />
<br />
“I feel riding is in my genes. My father taught me how to ride and has supported me in pursuing my passion. I really don’t care about the society and what they think and as long as I am happy and doing what I want to,” said the biker.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
However, she doesn’t like people calling her as the ‘Hijabi Biker’ as religion has nothing to what she is doing.<br />
<br />
“Religion is a part of me and riding is my passion. People are just mixing these two up and I really can’t understand why,” she said.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Misbah wants to do a PhD in Arab culture, help her father in the family business, and continue to ride motorcycles. She has already set her sights on her next steed, a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Triumph&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Triumph</a> rocket 2300 cc.

Meet 22-year-old Roshni Misbah, the Hijab-clad biker, who is breaking patriarchy like a boss

NEW DELHI: India has become the biggest two-wheeler market in the world for Japanese major <keyword id="20630" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Honda">Honda</keyword>, nearly three years after it decided to go solo following the split with Munjals of Hero.<br />
<br />
Sales in India have emerged as the highest for Honda across its global operations, led by a strong demand for its scooters and a slow-but-gradual pick-up in motorcycle volumes.<br />
<br /> Honda's fully-owned Indian subsidiary, <keyword id="153241" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Honda-Motorcycles">Honda Motorcycles</keyword> and <keyword id="149019" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Scooter-India">Scooter India</keyword> (<keyword id="121221" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="HMSI">HMSI</keyword>), emerged as the top-seller for the company in July, and followed the feat in August. The leadership assumes significance considering HMSI was at the fourth place in Honda's twowheeler pecking order just three years back with top three ranks being occupied by <keyword id="8692" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Indonesia">Indonesia</keyword>, <keyword id="13486" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Vietnam">Vietnam</keyword> and <keyword id="3739" type="COUNTRY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Thailand">Thailand</keyword>.<br />
<br />
"The high demand in India has helped us achieve an aggressive growth rate, which has taken us to the top position in Honda's two-wheeler business," Keita Muramatsu, president &amp; CEO of HMSI, told TOI.<br />
<br />
Indonesia had been the top market for Honda in two-wheelers till India displaced it in July.<br />
<br />
HMSI - the second-biggest two-wheeler maker in India behind Hero MotoCorp - sold 3.8 lakh units in July (up 33% y-oy) and 3.9 lakh units in August (26% up y-o-y).<br />
<br />
HMSI's strong run will mean the company will contribute 25% of Honda's global two-wheeler sales this fiscal against 22% in the previous fiscal. HMSI expects to sell 45 lakh units this fiscal against 37 lakh units it sold in 2013-14.<br />
<br /> Muramatsu said strong performance of scooters, especially the 'Activa' model, has played a key part in fuelling the company's growth. Scooter sales have been the backbone of HMSI's operations in India and have single-handedly worked at reviving the dying segment after the exit of <keyword id="6358511" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bajaj">Bajaj</keyword> Auto.<br />
<br />
"Changing lifestyles, rising number of female riders and increased demand from semi-urban regions have led the growth in scooter sales," Muramatsu said.<br />
<br />
Y S Guleria, VP (sales &amp; marketing) of HMSI, said the company is now boosting vehicle production as well as presence in the market as it plans at least one new model every quarter. "We have an annual production capacity of around 4.6 million units. The new factory in Gujarat, which should be operational by the first quarter of 2016, will add an additional 1.2 million units to our capacity." The company, which has invested around Rs 6,200 crore, is rapidly expanding its presence in India and getting deeper into smaller towns and rural areas.<br />
<br />
Image: Zigwheels

India Largest 2-Wheeler Market For Honda In The World

<div type="image" title="mulan 2020" height="2000" width="3000" msid="77916929" hostid="261"></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>"<keyword id="3026859" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Mulan">Mulan</keyword>" is finally being released on <keyword id="46161" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Disney">Disney</keyword> Plus and in some theaters worldwide September 4, after <a href="https://www.insider.com/disney-postpones-mulan-new-mutants-antlers-coronavirus-2020-3">being delayed</a> due to the coronavirus pandemic.</li><li>It's Disney's best live-action remake because of the performances from Liu Yifei in the lead and the action sequences. </li><li>"Mulan" honors and expands upon the original with new characters to deliver something both nostalgic and new<em>.</em></li><li>If you love the original, the use of "Reflection" in the film will hit you emotionally.</li><li>The film's main villain and some of the side characters could have been explored further.</li></ul><p>"<a href="https://insider.com/category/mulan">Mulan</a>" is <a href="https://insider.com/category/disney">Disney's</a> latest remake of one of its beloved animated movies. It also happens to be its best.</p><p>As <keyword id="6356021" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="movie">movie</keyword>s slowly begin to return to theaters worldwide, the film, based on the 1998 animated movie of the same name, is among the first big releases. If there was any movie to wait months for, it's "Mulan."</p><p>Like the original, the film follows Hua Mulan (Liu Yifei) as she disguises herself as a man, Hua Jun, to take her father's place in war while a mysterious villain, Bori Khan (Jason Scott Lee), threatens to invade China and kill the Emperor. Not only is Liu the perfect embodiment of the heroine, but the cinematography and action sequences deliver a spectacle that feels reminiscent of 2002's "Hero" and as captivating as "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon."</p><p>If you're worried about this just being another shot-for-shot remake of a Disney classic, that's not what you're getting here. While the film pays homage to the original, it stands on its own and feels more like a superhero movie about a young woman embracing her power than a film about a Disney princess. </p><p>If you grew up loving the animated film and teared up watching the trailer's instrumental use of "Reflection," you'll surely lose it when you see how it's utilized in the remake.</p><h2><strong>What you should know: The film stars an Asian cast and is based on a poem in addition to the Disney animated classic. It brings back Christina Aguilera to perform two songs.</strong></h2><div type="image" title="mulan world premiere" height="2000" width="3000" msid="77916933" hostid="261"></div><p>Instead of a simple rehash of the original Disney movie, the new film is more connected to "<a href="http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/china/mulan.pdf">The Ballad of Mulan</a>." The poem, from the fifth or sixth century, describes a young woman who fought for her country for more than a decade before returning home.</p><p>Liu, a popular actress in China, is joined by an impressive cast that includes Donnie Yen ("Ip Man," "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story"), Jet Li, Gong Li ("Memoirs of a Geisha), Tzi Ma ("The Farewell"), and Jason Scott Lee ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny").</p><p>In addition, the film brings back Matthew Wilder, who worked on the music in the 1997 film to bring new versions of "Reflection" to life, including one sung by Liu. Aguilera performs a new version of "Reflection" and a new song, "<a href="https://www.insider.com/christina-aguilera-new-mulan-song-loyal-brave-true-2020-3">Loyal, Brave, True.</a>" The film is directed by Niki Caro ("Whale Rider"). </p><h2><strong>What's great: Some changes from the original movie, a new female character who will break your heart, Liu's performance, and the music, which serves as the emotional compass for the film</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="mulan training scene" height="2000" width="3000" msid="77916937" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>Instead of following its predecessor closely as some of the other Disney remakes of the '90s have done ("Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King"), "Mulan" sets out from the start to be vastly different. </p><p>In the live-action film, Mulan is bestowed with powers in the form of "Chi." When she channels this inner energy, she's an unstoppable force, gliding across rooftops, firing off arrows with precision, and a formidable foe for any opponent. If it sounds like you're reading about a superhero, you're right. Mulan feels like she's a character straight out of a Marvel superhero movie. This is her origin story.</p><div type="image" title="mulan chi powers" height="346" width="800" msid="77916940" hostid="261"></div><p>However, since Mulan was born a girl, she's told a woman's place is to bring honor to her family and get married. And so she hides her Chi from the world, which is meant for warriors, not daughters. Otherwise, she'll be called a witch.</p><p>Liu encapsulates what it means to be Mulan. Unlike the original character, this Mulan isn't clumsy, adding an enviable confidence to her. She's both a fierce fighter when necessary (cinematographer Mandy Walker told Insider the <a href="https://www.insider.com/cinematographer-mulan-said-that-liu-yifei-actress-90-own-stunts-2020-2">actress performed 90% of her own stunts</a>.), but also has a sense of humor. The actress gets a few key laughs early in the film when heading to the matchmaker and later on during a running gag while trying to keep her disguise hidden.</p><p>More time is spent building the core relationship between Mulan and her father (Tzi Ma), expanding upon their small amount of time on screen in the original. While sending an empowering message to young women, the film is also a perfect father-daughter watch.</p><div type="image" title="mulan father tzi ma" height="1182" width="2858" msid="77916944" hostid="261"></div><p>However, the best addition to "Mulan" is Gong Li's character, Xianniang, a character unique to the remake. One of the film's most fascinating characters, she's positioned as a perfect foil to Mulan. To say much else would be a spoiler. She'll likely become a new favorite.</p><p>Xianniang and Mulan share some of the film's strongest and most captivating scenes together. The film itself is just visually impressive. There are several moments shot with Mulan on horseback or in deep reflection that are gorgeous. One shot, in particular, will draw comparisons to a popular image from the final season of "Game of Thrones."</p><div type="image" title="Xianniang mulan movie" height="1255" width="3000" msid="77916950" hostid="261"></div><div type="image" title="mulan gliding over horse" height="1168" width="2726" msid="77916960" hostid="261"></div><p>The work of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa ("Seven Samurai") along with 2002's "Hero" (also featuring Donnie Yen and Jet Li) inspired the massive battle sequences in the film. And it shows. Fans will get a kick out of seeing warriors run vertically and horizontally across walls, and perform fight sequences on roofs.</p><div type="image" title="mulan racing up wall" height="320" width="800" msid="77916964" hostid="261"></div><p>If you're upset the remake isn't a musical, you'll be happy to learn the film still incorporates some of the original's iconic music. No one's breaking out in song, but the music for "Reflection" and "Honor to Us All" is used cleverly, along with a nod to "A Girl Worth Fighting For," that will satisfy any '90s kids who grew up with the film. </p><p>The use of "Reflection," is a huge anchor and anthem for the film. If you became emotional watching the full-length trailer which unveiled the song's return, buckle up. Don't be surprised if the waterworks start when the full extent of the song hits during a pivotal moment in the movie. This is one where you'll want a few tissues on hand.</p><div type="image" title="mulan disney live action" height="1061" width="2242" msid="77916965" hostid="261"></div><p>As for Jet Li? He doesn't simply play a passive, fragile version of the Emperor here. Li gets his own small moment to shine. In addition, one of the best surprises, a well-guarded secret on Disney's part, comes late in the film. The small moment received some of the biggest cheers at the film's premiere. </p><div type="image" title="jet li emperor mulan" height="1170" width="2846" msid="77916968" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>What's not: The main villain feels a bit underdeveloped along with the majority of Mulan's male comrades. There's little reason for the phoenix to be a part of this movie.</strong></h2><p>While "Mulan" delivers a refreshing new foil for the title character in another warrior woman, the main bad guy is the most generic, one-dimensional villain of any live-action remake.</p><p>He's still more menacing than Jafar in Disney's new "Aladdin," but other than that, Bora is a one-note character who we're told is waging war against China to avenge the death of his father. That's it. No more backstory. The only other thing we learn from the film's production notes is that he's a "mysterious," "embittered Rouran fighter from the North." Scary!</p><div type="image" title="mulan villains" height="1017" width="2149" msid="77916972" hostid="261"></div><p>Some of the men, with the exception of Ma, who plays Mulan's father, and Mulan's Commander Tung (Yen), aren't fleshed out well.</p><p>Ling, Chien-Po, and Yao, Mulan's comrades in war, are some of the most memorable characters in Disney's 1998 film. So it's a bit disappointing there isn't a great distinction between them here. A fourth character, named Cricket, is added to the mix as well to give a nod to Mulan's sidekick in the animated film, but they just feel like fan-service.</p><p>Mulan doesn't interact with them much, but they're still all supposed to be good pals. By the film's end, you're not convinced Mulan is actually that close with any of these men except Yoson An's Chen Honghui who she harbors feelings for.</p><div type="image" title="mulan yao ling po" height="1176" width="2856" msid="77916977" hostid="261"></div><p>That's the main issue with "Mulan." It seems like the film tried to just push all of the men aside to make sure they had fully-fledged female characters. While it's great to have the latter, it shouldn't be at the expense of the former. An outstanding film should be able to strike a balance between both. The lack of character depth in the male characters doesn't weigh down the overall movie, but it's something older fans may think of long after exiting the theater.</p><p>Though the remake got rid of Mulan's sidekick dragon/protector Mushu (Eddie Murphy) to ground itself in reality a bit more, it adds an unnecessary, voiceless phoenix in its place.</p><div type="image" title="mulan phoenix" height="1076" width="2816" msid="77916986" hostid="261"></div><p>We're told early on in the film the phoenix is a protector and guardian to the emperor, but here it comes to the aid of Mulan when she needs it most and seeks guidance. Though visually beautiful, it seems like it was introduced for the sake of looking cool and adding something that could be <a href="https://www.insider.com/disney-mulan-limited-edition-doll-2020-2">featured in merchandise alongside Mulan</a>. </p><h2><strong>Overall: This version of Mulan honors the past while carving its own niche that new and old fans will love</strong></h2><div type="image" title="mulan sword phoenix" height="1180" width="2856" msid="77916988" hostid="261"></div><p>"Mulan" is more than another adaptation of a beloved Disney classic. It feels like the first great superhero movie of 2020.</p><p>Different enough from the animated film with great action sequences, it still manages to capture the heart of the original. It doesn't even matter that it's not a musical. If you're a fan of the animated film, there are subtle nods for diehards. For children and families, the movie encourages you to embrace your differences and be true to yourself. </p><p>When director Niki Caro introduced the film at its world premiere in Los Angeles at California's Dolby Theatre on March 9, she said, "At this difficult time, we hope that Mulan's fighting spirit continues to inspire the world." The film's message is what the world needs right now. </p><h2>Grade: A</h2><p>You can watch a trailer for the movie below. "Mulan" is on Disney Plus <a href="https://www.insider.com/mulan-is-coming-to-disney-plus-rent">for an added cost of $29.99 in the US</a> and in some theaters on September 4, 2020.</p><p><em>Insider reviewed "Mulan" on March 9 during its world premiere in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre.</em></p>

'Mulan' is Disney's best live-action remake to date and well worth the wait

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>Uber actually has a policy for when babies are born in the back of its vehicles. Customers whose newborns see their first glimmer of light in the back of an Uber are gifted an "Uber Rider Onesie," while drivers are given tickets to a sports match and have their cars cleaned for free.<p><a href="http://uberpeople.net/threads/cop-is-sorry.17231/#post-236802">One driver on the Uberpeople forum</a>, an online discussion board for drivers and employees, explains:</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">It's standard practice in NYC. If we hear of a baby born in a car or someone requesting an Uber to get to the hospital and give birth, they'll get a onesie. Some even send in pictures of the baby afterwards, and all of us female CSRs get all mushy over it.</p><p>Uber rewards drivers who encounter these (probably quite stressful) scenarios. Also <a href="http://uberpeople.net/threads/cop-is-sorry.17231/#post-236802">on the Uber forum</a>, a member says that the driver involved in a recent birthing event was given a pair of tickets to see the NY Knicks basketball team.</p><p>The car-booking app,&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-kitten-delivery-2013-10">renowned for its fluffy PR stunts</a>, sends customers (a select few, nowadays) its "Uber Rider Onesies" if a baby is born in an Uber, but also, on occasion, if soon-to-be-parents simply choose Uber rather than an ambulance to get them to/back from hospital.</p><p>Uber's dip into the fashion industry has resulted in a black and white onesie that displays the company's now-famous "U" on the front. They look like this:</p><div><div></div></div><p>People really do travel in Ubers to give birth. Actress Jaime King did, and last year she recalled her story to US TV presenter Conan O'Brien. <a href="http://teamcoco.com/video/jaime-king-uber-hospital">According to the show, she thought taking an ambulance was "too melodramatic" so opted for Uber instead.</a>&#xa0;Soon, there were calls to get King one of Uber's coveted onesies.</p><div><div></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Uber has revealed how the idea was first </span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">born&#xa0;</em><a href="http://blog.uber.com/2012/07/31/uber-rider-onesie/">on its blog</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">: CEO Travis Kalanick and Nirav Tolia, CEO of Nextdoor, were on a plane together talking about how Tolia was expecting his first child. Kalanick also mentioned stories of expectant mothers using Uber to go to hospital, or coming home from them with their newborns - and that's when the lightbulb moment happened.</span></p><p>"You should give those babies onesies!" <a href="http://blog.uber.com/2012/07/31/uber-rider-onesie/">Tolia told Kalanick.</a></p><p>Tolia's newborn, Deven, was given one of the first. Kalanick had managed to make the clothing line a reality in a matter of weeks, and the Tolia family used Uber to get home after the birth with a driver called Kamal.</p><p><strong>Here they are about to go home after the birth:</strong></p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><p><strong>And here's a great picture of Deven in his onesie:</strong></p><p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><br /></strong></p><p>When Uber first launched its range of onesies, people could <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1x1QpLqkVEWKovN5YS1HO3uVOmFxjuAi4zkBO2Wq6tmg/closedform#gid=0">request them via a Google Doc.</a> But it seems they quickly got far too popular, because that service is now unavailable and the onesies now appear few and far between. There are a few public exchanges between Uber and customers, usually in the US - but not many.</p><p><strong>A US keynote speaker called Mark Jeffries managed to bag one back in 2013:</strong></p><div><div></div></div><p><strong>Here's someone in Seattle, who looks happy to be in the #Uberfamily</strong></p><div><div></div></div><p><strong>And here's a woman from London whose baby has an Uber Rider Onesie. It looks like she's an Uber employee, though:</strong></p><div><div></div></div><p>Earlier this month a new father in Brooklyn, New York, tweeted a photo of his wife giving birth in the back of an Uber, <a href="http://nypost.com/2015/03/30/baby-born-in-back-of-uber-on-way-to-hospital/">the New York Post reports. </a></p><p>The couple were in an Uber on the way to hospital, but they weren't going to make it, so the driver pulled up by the side of the road and that's where the baby was born. On Twitter, <a href="https://news.artnet.com/art-world/moma-fellow-zanna-gilbert-gives-birth-in-uber-283706">Artnet writes</a>, Horvitz posted an image of the slightly bloodied back seat of the car and commented, "have you ever delivered a baby in the backseat of an<a href="https://twitter.com/Uber">@uber</a>? I have."</p><p><strong>Oh look, another Uber Baby:</strong></p><div><div></div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-versus-taxi-best-deal-cheaper-2014-10">We Did The Math: Is Uber Really Cheaper Than A Taxi?</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="Zmc3Z1cDoefsaxh4d9RwdpJj_TkDZlTs" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Uber has an official policy on what to do when a baby is born in the back of a car

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Jitendra Prakash</span></p><p class="caption">A potter makes earthen lamps, which are used to decorate temples and homes during the Hindu festival of Diwali, outside his house in Allahabad, India October 18, 2016.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Hello! Here's what you need to know on Wednesday.</p><p><strong>1. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/clinton-campaign-last-debate-change-las-vegas-donald-trump-2016-10">When Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton's family members enter the event hall at the final US presidential debate, they will not shake hands as they've done in the past</a>.</strong> The change was made at the request of the Clinton campaign, "given [Trump's] penchant for dramatic stunts," according to The New York Times.</p><p><strong>2. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/russia-ceasefire-aleppo-syria-2016-10">Russia announced that it would halt airstrikes on Syria's largest city, Aleppo</a>.</strong> Some experts think the proposal is designed to force rebels to either surrender the city or be killed in airstrikes after the cease-fire ends.</p><p><strong>3. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/russia-has-muscled-the-us-out-of-syria-2016-10">The US and larger international community have been muscled out of Syria by Russia</a>.</strong> The US's clout in Syria has been undermined to the point that there are no longer any good options there for the US to pursue.</p><p><strong>4. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/alphabet-stock-hits-all-time-high-2016-10">Everyone loves Google's new phone, and the stock has hit an all-time high</a>.</strong> The Pixel is just the first device of a slew of new hardware products from Google.</p><p><strong>5. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ecuador-is-restricting-julian-assanges-access-to-the-internet-2016-10">Ecuador has "temporarily restricted" WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's internet access at its embassy in London</a>,</strong> after the whistleblowing site published documents from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.</p><p><strong>6. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-shiite-militias-say-will-support-iraqi-army-offensive-on-mosul-2016-10">A Shi'ite paramilitary force will support the Iraqi army's offensive on ISIS-controlled Mosul</a>,</strong> raising the risk of sectarian strife in the mainly Sunni region.</p><p><strong>7. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ivanka-donald-trump-tape-2005-women-2016-10">Ivanka Trump has broken her silence on the leaked tape of her father, US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, making lewd remarks about women in 2005</a>.</strong> "My father's comments were clearly inappropriate and offensive," she said.</p><p><strong>8. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/students-abducted-by-boko-haram-radicalized-refusing-to-leave-captors-2016-10">More than a third of almost 300 female students abducted from a school in Nigeria by Boko Haram may have been radicalized</a>,</strong> and are now refusing to leave their captors.</p><p><strong>9. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/galaxy-note-7-might-be-last-galaxy-note-from-samsung-2016-10">The Galaxy Note 7 might be the last Galaxy Note</a>,</strong> as Samsung is reportedly ditching the Galaxy Note line to focus its efforts on the Galaxy S flagship line to "ensure quality control."</p><p><strong>10. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-chaos-ridden-libyas-economy-on-the-brink-say-experts-2016-10">Political stalemate and the conflict rocking Libya are preventing the North African country from taking advantage of its vast oil resources</a>,</strong> and experts say the country is headed for economic collapse.</p><p><strong>And finally ...</strong></p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-cities-to-travel-to-in-2017-lonely-planet-2016-10">The 10 best cities to visit in 2017, according to Lonely Planet</a>.</strong></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bass-pro-shops-buying-rival-cabelas-55-billion-2016-10">Bass Pro Shops is buying its rival Cabela's for $5.5 billion</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="J5Y2s4NjE6cl-EmryVMlvHqpc9eW4zeu" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

The 10 most important things in the world right now

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Reuters/Rafael Marchante</span></p><p class="caption">Dockers hold up flares during a protest against what they say is a lack of job stability in Lisbon, Portugal</p></div><p></p></div></div>Good morning! Here's what you need to know in markets on Monday.</p><p><span><span><strong><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-britains-rival-eu-camps-battle-into-final-stretch-2016-6">Britain's referendum on European Union membership is in the final stretch before Thursday's vote</a>.</strong></strong> The Leave and Remain sides have battled each other to a stalemate with each on exactly 50% support.</span></span></p><p><span><span><strong><a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/b0037028-34c9-11e6-ad39-3fee5ffe5b5b.html#axzz4C5zGzVuC">Brexit fears are stunting Britain's M&amp;A market.</a></strong> Britain's share of global merger and acquisition activity has fallen to a record low, amid the uncertainty over the <keyword id="6354868" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="UK">UK</keyword>'s membership of the EU, according to a Financial Times report which cites data from Thomson Reuters.</span></span></p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com.au/fx-traders-have-been-piling-into-the-japanese-yen-ahead-of-this-weeks-uk-brexit-vote-2016-6">Investors are piling money into the yen ahead of Britain's EU referendum.</a> </strong>According to ANZ, citing data released by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) late last week, net long positioning in the yen surged by US$2.2 billion to US$5.3 billion, the highest level seen since early May.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-asia-stocks-gain-as-brexit-fears-ebb-slightly-pound-surges-2016-6"><strong>Asian stocks are jumping on Monday. </strong></a><span>Asian stocks gained early on Monday as rising expectations of Britain voting to remain in the European Union lifted risk sentiment. At around 6:50 a.m. BST (1:50 a.m. ET) Japan's Nikkei is 2.4% higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng is 1.1% up.</span></p><p><span><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-asia-stocks-gain-as-brexit-fears-ebb-slightly-pound-surges-2016-6">The pound is charging.</a> </strong>R<span>ising expectations of Britain voting to stay in the European Union, helped by three opinion polls <span>showing the 'Remain' camp recovering some momentum, have pushed sterling higher. <span>At around 6:50 a.m. BST (1:50 a.m. ET) it is 1.48% higher against the dollar to $1.4569.</span></span></span></span></p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com.au/japanese-exports-tumbled-in-may-particularly-to-china-2016-6">Japanese exports fell in May.</a> </strong>Japanese trade data for May has missed expectations, led by a steep contraction in the value of exports to China. According to the Japanese government, the value of exports fell by 11.3% in the 12 months to May, slightly undershooting forecasts for a smaller contraction of 10.4%.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-antitrust-regulators-worry-about-proposed-cigna-anthem-merger-wsj-2016-6">US antitrust regulators are concerned about health insurer Anthem's proposed acquisition of Cigna</a>,</strong><span> according to the Wall Street Journal.</span></p><p><span><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-rome-elects-populist-raggi-as-first-female-mayor-exit-polls-2016-6">Rome elected populist Virginia Raggi as its first female mayor</a>,</strong><span> a win for Italy's anti-establishment Five Star Movement.</span></span></p><p><span><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/sandy-jadeja-interview-technical-analysis-dow-jones-market-crash-forecasts-2016-6"><strong>The man who accurately predicted four market crashes says these are the days in 2016 to worry about.</strong> </a>Sandy Jadeja is a technical analyst and chief market strategist at Core Spreads, and says that b</span>etween August 26 and August 30, September 26, and October 20 are the days we should be worried.</p><p><span><strong><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-india-central-bank-chief-rajan-says-not-seeking-second-term-2016-6">Indian's central bank chief abruptly left his position.</a> </strong>Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan will return to academia when his current term ends on September 4, he said in a message to central bank staff on Saturday.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/most-interesting-men-world-watches-rolex-breitling-jorg-gray-2015-8">These are the watches worn by the smartest and most powerful men in the world</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="N3NGJ0djpb_DdQzkXVopAvbq5AmmiuOx" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

10 things you need to know in markets today

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>The past few months have been a PR nightmare for Uber.</p>
<p>In November at a dinner for "influencers," an Uber exec named Emil Michael suggested the company could theoretically dig up personal information on reporters who are critical of the company. BuzzFeed's editor-in-chief Ben Smith <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/bensmith/uber-executive-suggests-digging-up-dirt-on-journalists">reported on the comments</a>.</p>
<p>BuzzFeed also reported that a New York City Uber executive had tracked one of BuzzFeed's tech reporters without her permission, a breach of Uber's <a href="https://www.uber.com/legal/usa/privacy">privacy policy</a>, which was posted to Uber's website in light of these incidents. The executive in question, Josh Mohrer, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-disciplines-new-york-manager-for-tracking-a-buzzfeed-reporter-2014-11">was investigated for spying on the BuzzFeed reporter</a>, and according to Uber has since been disciplined for his actions, but has kept his job. </p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">And then there was more troubling privacy news: An Uber interview candidate in Washington, D.C. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-reportedly-gave-an-interview-candidate-access-to-the-companys-rider-database-2014-12">was reportedly given access to Uber's rider database</a>, which is full of sensitive information, for hours after his interview was over, the Washington Post reported. <span>While researching for a story about the company, San Francisco magazine editor Ellen Cushing </span><span></span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-employees-allegedly-warned-journalist-ellen-cushing-uber-could-look-at-her-rider-info-2014-11">was allegedly warned by Uber employees</a><span> that Uber might look at her rider logs, too.</span><span><br /></span></span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.), chairman of the subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/senator-al-franken-has-some-uncomfortable-questions-for-uber-2014-11">voiced privacy concerns about Uber</a> in an open letter to CEO Travis Kalanick. Cult of Mac reported that <a href="http://www.cultofmac.com/304401/ubers-android-app-literally-malware/">Uber's Android app could be collecting an alarming amount of users' personal data</a>. New York City tech startup founders and serial entrepreneurs who spoke to Business Insider in the days following BuzzFeed's reports <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-new-york-tech-scene-thinks-uber-should-fire-emil-and-travis-2014-11#ixzz3LPWtPrkC">were adamant about Michael or Kalanick stepping down</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">But Uber hasn't just upset press and people concerned about user privacy - drivers across the country <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-drivers-across-the-country-are-protesting-tomorrow--heres-why-2014-10">have also protested the company</a> since September. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">They're upset by Uber's competitive pricing, which affects drivers' incomes. Some say <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-drivers-say-theyre-making-less-than-minimum-wage-2014-10">they're barely making minimum wage</a>. They don't understand why Uber hasn't integrated a feature to let them accept tips from customers. They're terrified of Uber's five-star rating system, and say that even one bad rating could be enough to knock them out of Uber's driving system and prevent them from driving for the service in the future.</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">At the end of November, Uber quietly pulled a blog post on its website <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-quietly-removed-blog-posts-examining-link-between-prostitution-and-rides-2014-11">that examined a link between prostitution and Uber rides</a>. The post examined how Uber's ride data <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-quietly-removed-blog-posts-examining-link-between-prostitution-and-rides-2014-11">meshed with crime statistics</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Some of Uber's customers aren't very happy, either. An Uber customer </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-uber-ceo-must-turn-over-emails-in-gratuity-lawsuit-us-judge-rules-2014-11#ixzz3LPc0isHP">filed a class-action lawsuit against the company earlier in 2014</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">, alleging that Uber misleads its customers about how it shares tips with drivers. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Complaints about Uber's surge pricing model - in which the company charges a fare multiplier during Uber's busiest hours - </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-gets-an-f-from-better-business-bureau-2014-10">has caused the Better Business Bureau to give the company an 'F.' </a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Most recently, Uber has had trouble in terms of national and international growth. Amid regulatory concerns, Nevada </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/r-ridesharing-firm-uber-suspends-operations-in-nevada-2014-11">became the first US state to suspend Uber's operations</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. Portland, Ore., </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/portland-sues-uber-after-four-days-of-operation-2014-12">is suing Uber after four days of illegally operating in the city</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. Portland declared Uber an </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"illegal, unregulated transportation service."</span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Uber's having a different set of challenges in other countries, especially Germany: Uber's services aren't taking off there in part because the country's taxis are Mercedes, and thus are much nicer than a typical taxi. Germans <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-the-real-reason-uber-is-having-a-tough-time-in-germany-2014-12">don't seem enticed by a service like Uber</a> even if it's much cheaper. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 15px;">In addition, </span><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/26/us-uber-germany-bans-idUSKCN0HL23320140926">courts in Hamburg and Berlin</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 15px;"> upheld a ban on the service in September, saying that Uber doesn't comply with German laws. </span></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 15px;">A Dutch court also </span><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/uber-loses-preliminary-suit-netherlands-27439643">ruled this week that in the Netherlands, Uber can't work with unlicensed drivers</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 15px;"> (drivers with licenses and drivers who don't seek payment can still legally operate, however).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Sometimes, Uber's drivers are a liability to the company, too. An Uber driver in San Francisco </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/an-uber-driver-has-been-charged-with-killing-a-six-year-old-2014-12">has been charged with vehicular manslaughter</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> after killing a six-year-old girl in San Francisco on New Year's Eve last year. In September, an Uber driver </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-driver-accused-of-smashing-a-passenger-with-a-hammer-and-driving-away-2014-9">was accused of smashing a passenger in the head with a hammer</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> and driving away. That same month, an Uber driver in Orlando </span><a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-uber-driver-arrested-touched-breast-20140925-story.html">was accused of groping a female passenger</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> and then blaming it on the way the woman was dressed.</span></p>
<p>Uber <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-banned-in-delhi-india-after-alleged-rape-2014-12">was also banned in Delhi</a> this week after an Indian driver allegedly raped and beat a female customer. The driver had been arrested three years ago for another sexual assault and was later acquitted, but he was still allowed to drive for Uber. In light of the allegations in India, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/thailand-bans-uber-in-light-of-india-rape-claims-2014-12">Thailand decided to ban Uber's operations too</a>.</p>
<h3>Despite all this, Uber is not down and out. In fact, there has probably never been a better time to be Uber than right now.</h3>
<p>Just last week, Uber <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/09/didi-dache-700-million/">announced the company had raised a $1.2 billion round of funding at a $41 billion valuation</a>. Since its founding in 2010, Uber has raised an astounding $2.7 billion. By comparison, Uber's closest competitor, Lyft, <a href="http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/lyft">has raised $332.5 million</a>.</p>
<p>And Uber is playing this car service startup game for world dominance. The company <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2014/08/david-plouffe-uber-campaign-manager-110149.html">hired David Plouffe</a>, who headed up Obama's presidential campaign in 2008, to oversee Uber's city-by-city regulatory battles. Uber is now available in over 250 cities worldwide.</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">With its latest round of funding, Uber has two main goals: to create a million new jobs next year, and to set its sights set on Asia, where competitors like the </span><a href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/03/softbank-invests-250m-in-grabtaxi-ubers-archrival-in-southeast-asia/">SoftBank-backed GrabTaxi</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> and </span><a href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/09/didi-dache-700-million/">Singapore's Temasek Holding-funded Didi Dache</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> are also trying to take advantage of a relatively untapped market.</span></p>
<p>Uber has made some smart hires besides just David Plouffe. Brad Moore, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/one-of-the-men-in-charge-of-apple-maps-has-left-for-uber-2014-11">who brought Apple Maps to the iPhone and the Apple Watch</a>, was hired by Uber in November and serves as the engineering manager for the "Mobile Core Experience," according to his LinkedIn page. Uber also hired former Lyft COO Travis VanderZanden in October <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-hires-former-coo-of-its-biggest-competitor-lyft-2014-10">to help oversee Uber's international growth</a>. <span>Lyft's former VP </span><span>of operations, Steve Schnell, also defected to Uber.</span><span><br /></span></p>
<p>Still, Kalanick is aware of his company's reputation. In Uber's most recent funding announcement, he said as much, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-culture-change-2014-12#ixzz3LPjtohri">addressing Uber's recent controversies</a> by saying:</p>
<blockquote class="blockquote">
<p>This kind of growth has also come with significant growing pains. The events of the recent weeks have shown us that we also need to invest in internal growth and change. Acknowledging mistakes and learning from them are the first steps. We are collaborating across the company and seeking counsel from those who have gone through similar challenges to allow us to refine and change where needed.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><span>Investors are going crazy for Uber. Some of Uber's earliest markets are basically minting money, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually. In November, Business Insider obtained an internal Uber presentation that was created in early 2014. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Most of the data is just from December 2013, but even so, the data within the document gives every indication that Uber is far from being done growing. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">In its biggest cities - Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles - Uber had more than 100,000 trips per week as of last December. Here's </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-revenue-rides-drivers-and-fares-2014-11?op=1#ixzz3LPo6Wtwp">Business Insider's Alyson Shontell</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">:</span></p>
<blockquote class="blockquote">
<p><span>In December 2013, Uber generated about $11.7 million in Washington, D.C. (a ~$141 million annual run rate). It generated $26 million in New York City, or an annual run rate of $312 million. In Chicago, Uber generated $12.7 million for a run rate of $152.4 million. In San Francisco, Uber generated $17.7 million, a run rate of $212.4 million. Los Angeles generated somewhere between the revenue of New York and San Francisco. </span><span><br /></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p><span>These run rates would generate about $1 billion a year, and that figure is derived without taking into account Uber's growth in 2014. Year over year from New Year's Eve 2012 to New Year's Eve 2013, Uber's growth rate was a whopping 369%.</span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ubers-revenue-2014-11">Sources close to the company</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> have said Uber's gross revenue is expected to hit about $10 billion by year's end. Since Uber keeps 20% of gross profit and the rest goes to its drivers, Uber would be netting about $2 billion in net revenue.</span></p>
<p>Business Insider's Henry Blodget adds that Uber's revenue growth rate is 300% this year, and next year it's expected to be another 300% gain. Blodget also says investors expect the company to IPO at a valuation of $50 billion to $100 billion in the next few years. For comparison's sake, Facebook <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-uber-valuation-ahead-of-facebook-in-early-years-2014-11#ixzz3LPmD9F3c">achieved Uber's $41 billion valuation in its seventh year</a> - which was two years before Facebook went public in 2012.</p>
<p>Besides disrupting the transportation market, Uber has a huge opportunity to break into other on-demand services. For instance, Uber launched <a href="http://blog.uber.com/uberFRESH">UberFRESH</a>, a meal delivery service, in Santa Monica in August. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">This summer, Uber announced it would be testing an on-demand convenience store goods delivery service called "</span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/uber-corner-store-on-demand-product-delivery-service-2014-8">Corner Store</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">" in Washington, D.C. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Uber also launched "</span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-uber-rush-works-2014-4">Uber Rush</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">" in New York City this year. It's a courier service not unlike Postmates that relies on on-foot and bike messengers to get your packages from point A to point B. </span></p>
<p>Uber has had its share of negative press recently. But if the company can overcome regulatory hurdles, privacy concerns, its often problematic company culture, and lawsuits - and it certainly can - Uber is poised to become one of the most successful tech startups of all time.</p>

You Searched For "India s first female stunt rider" and got 11 results

Meet 21-year-old Anam Hashim, India’s first female stunt rider who rode a scooty up the highest motorable road

Hasan Babar

India reintroduced 8 cheetahs after the big cats were wiped out 70 years ago — but some scientists say it's more of a PR stunt than a conservation effort

Kelsey Vlamis

Gautam Gambir is quite tensed as his wife might kill him. Here’s why

Suchayan Mandal

Story of this woman who does stunts for Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone will anger, inspire and empower you

Akanksha Jain

Meet 22-year-old Roshni Misbah, the Hijab-clad biker, who is breaking patriarchy like a boss

HASAN BABAR

India Largest 2-Wheeler Market For Honda In The World

Times Of India

'Mulan' is Disney's best live-action remake to date and well worth the wait

Kirsten Acuna

Uber has an official policy on what to do when a baby is born in the back of a car

Joshua Barrie

The 10 most important things in the world right now

Peter Jacobs

10 things you need to know in markets today

Will Martin

Uber Is An Unstoppable Force

Maya Kosoff

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides