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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Plaintiffs in 14 lawsuits call Sean Combs a rapist, including eight who sued in the past two weeks.</li><li>Credible plaintiffs can help prosecutors win the Combs criminal case, legal experts say.</li></ul>The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-diddy-combs-arrested-grand-jury-indictment-2024-9">sex-trafficking indictment</a> against Sean "Diddy" Combs mentions a single cooperating accuser, a former longtime girlfriend referred to only as "Victim-1."Legal experts believe she won't be alone for much longer.Plaintiffs from Combs' growing number of sexual abuse lawsuits may soon join her, as "Victim-2," "Victim-3," and beyond, in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/diddy-case-sean-combs-next-court-date-2024-10">an updated indictment</a>, veteran New York defense attorneys predict."You can bet the US Attorney's Office is interviewing the attorneys, if not the clients themselves," attorney Michael Farkas, a former New York prosecutor.While strong civil accusers — those offering proof, corroboration, and believable testimony — can help prosecutors win a criminal trial, their financial stake in the outcome of the case makes them vulnerable to cross-examination."If they are credible, they could amount to very powerful evidence against Mr. Combs, either as additional charges or as witnesses called to the stand to show a pattern," Farkas said."But the US attorneys will use caution in all these plaintiff interviews, entertaining at least the possibility that these are claims of opportunity," he said.Defense lawyers have already signaled that this will be a line of attack against "Victim-1." While she is not identified by name in court papers, her details in the indictment match those in a quickly settled $30 million lawsuit brought in November by Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura, the rap mogul's longtime girlfriend.Ventura's attorney, Douglas Wigdor, declined to comment on this story."There's 30 million reasons" to doubt her credibility, Combs attorney Marc Agnifilo told a judge during bail arguments last month. "One for each dollar that was being sued for."Any dent in a witness's credibility can damage a case, said Stacey Richman, a Bronx-based attorney who has represented rappers including Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Ja Rule."If they believe a witness has intentionally testified falsely as to any material fact, the jurors may disregard the witness's entire testimony," said Richman. "And if there is enough momentum with multiple witnesses, it can destabilize the whole case."Farkas, Richman, and other criminal defense lawyers with federal experience told BI prosecutors will be especially interested in the most serious of the two dozen civil claims brought in the year since <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-combs-diddy-sex-trafficking-rape-abuse-lawsuit-cassie-venutura-2023-11">Ventura's lawsuit</a> opened the Combs litigation floodgates.So far, 11 women and three men allege they were raped by the music mogul after being beaten or drugged at parties he threw in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas over the past three decades. Nearly a dozen additional plaintiffs allege sexual abuse without using the word rape.In a lawsuit filed this week, a Jane Doe from Alabama said<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-diddy-combs-lawsuit-mtv-vma-afterparty-2024-10"> she was 13 years old</a> when Combs and an unnamed "Celebrity A" raped her at an after-party for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.The lawsuit was one of 13 cases <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-combs-diddy-new-allegations-lawsuits-2024-10">filed in the last two weeks</a> by The Buzbee Law Firm in Houston. Founding attorney Tony Buzbee says he'll file 120 in total."We expect to be filing cases weekly naming Mr. Combs and others as defendants as we continue to gather evidence and prepare the filings," he told BI.Combs remains in a federal jail in Brooklyn as he appeals his denial of bail and awaits trial. His indictment alleges he engaged in a decades-long pattern of physical and sexual violence, including during elaborate dayslong sex performances called "freak-offs." He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have said that the charged behavior was consensual.In court papers relating to the criminal case, defense attorneys have used the words "false" and "outright absurd" in referring to the lawsuits' allegations. Members of the defense team declined to comment for this story.A spokesman for the US attorney's office also declined comment.<h2 id="86735765-745d-412a-8591-f8240b1d03e2">The vetting will be rigorous</h2>The vetting of these potential plaintiffs-turned-federal-witnesses will be rigorous, said Michael Bachner, a former New York prosecutor who was part of Combs' defense team in 2001, during a Manhattan guns and bribery trial that ended in the rap mogul's acquittal."They'll want to know, is there corroboration or proof?" Bachner said of federal prosecutors. "Many of these allegations are decades old — are there hospital records? Is there an explanation for a 13-year-old going to a VMA party? Why was she alone?"This vetting is already well underway.Federal prosecutors have been interviewing plaintiffs for months in a less-than-secretive process, defense lawyers complained recently, in asking Combs' Manhattan judge to gag potential witnesses and their attorneys.Combs producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-prince-harry-was-mentioned-in-sean-diddy-combs-lawsuit-2024-3">filed a $30 million lawsuit in February</a> alleging sexual assault and harassment, allegations Combs has denied and is seeking to have dismissed.Last week, Tyrone Blackburn, an attorney for Jones, told a federal judge in Manhattan that he and his client have met repeatedly with prosecutors, with Jones drawing a map of Combs' home and sharing photos, according to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.law360.com/media/articles/1890836">Law 360</a>.Blackburn, who also represents <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/diddy-lawsuits-celebrities-list">Combs accuser Liza Gardner</a>, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Blackburn dropped Jones' claims against UMG Recordings, Motown Records, and Universal Music Group in May after the music companies' attorneys complained of inconsistencies in the lawsuit.Another of the Combs lawsuits, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/timeline-sean-diddy-combs-sexual-misconduct-timeline-2024-2#july-3-2024-another-woman-files-a-lawsuit-against-combs-17">filed in July by adult film actress Adria English</a>, similarly hit legal shoals this month when her attorneys successfully asked to withdraw from the case, citing "irreconcilable differences" with English, according to court filings. The attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Experts said Combs' defense lawyers will try to impugn the financial motives of not only any plaintiffs who take the stand in May but also their lawyers.In a motion seeking a gag order last week, the defense accused plaintiff attorneys of using "publicity stunt" tactics to drum up a "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/timeline-sean-diddy-combs-sexual-misconduct-timeline-2024-2">torrent of allegations</a>."They singled out Buzbee for live-streaming a press conference last month where anyone with claims was advised to call a "1-800" number. The hotline received 12,000 calls in its first 24 hours, he told the New York Post."We will let the allegations in the filed complaints speak for themselves and will work to see that justice is done," Buzbee told BI this week.

Plaintiffs in 14 lawsuits call Diddy a rapist. These accusers can clinch or crash his criminal case. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Sex-trafficking fugitive Michael Pratt vanished for 3 years — until a data leak led to his capture.</li><li>The leak involved cryptocurrency "wallets" he used to secure his bitcoin passwords.</li></ul>Four days before Christmas in 2022, Michael James Pratt — a New Zealander accused of running the most prolific sex-trafficking ring in US history, with at least 400 young victims — was thrown to the floor of his Madrid hotel room and handcuffed by Spanish police.As Pratt awaits trial in a Southern California jail, facing a possible life sentence, little has been revealed about how police located and captured him after three years on the run.But video of his arrest, tweeted afterward by Spain's Policia Nacional, shows the precise instruments of his undoing: four gunmetal-silver cryptocurrency flash drives.<div type="image" title="This image from Spanish police shows the Bitcoin hardware wallets that led to the 2022 capture of sex-trafficking fugitive Michael Pratt." height="1906" width="3360" msid="112444044" hostid="261" sizebytes="175268"></div>The four pieces of hardware held the passwords for $500,000 in bitcoin that federal prosecutors say he earned during his decade of running the notorious Girls Do Porn trafficking ring.Here is the story of Michael Pratt, the Girls Do Porn ring, and how a team of civilian supersleuths followed a twisty trail that began with these pocket-sized crypto hard drives and ended on that hotel room floor.Here, too, is a story of justice. Last month, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25022769-sdca-v-gdp-michael-pratt-bill-of-particulars">federal prosecutors said</a> that the trafficking proceeds they seek to recover include the bitcoins protected by those four hard drives. The money would be returned to the ring's victims."If there's a hero, it's certainly them; it isn't me," Charles DeBarber, a civilian cyber-intelligence analyst who spent eight years chasing Pratt, told Business Insider of the Girls Do Porn victims. <h2 id="eb5ec67d-c645-494b-8c02-b6bdf0a5d8c7">Fraud, coercion, threats</h2>The Girls Do Porn conspiracy ran from 2007 to 2019, and worked like this, according to federal prosecutors and victim testimony:Cash-strapped college students were pulled into the ring's web by answering bogus fashion modeling ads on Craigslist. "Cute Teen Girls Make $5,000 Today," one typical ad read, above photos of smiling young models in swimsuits and athletic wear. A series of friendly emails from "Jonathan@beginmodeling.com" eventually revealed that the job was for an "adult" shoot.When a prospective recruit demurred, "Jonathan," a fictitious name, would make a series of false promises. The job paid $5,000 cash up front for a 30-minute shoot with "an attractive male actor," the women would be promised. The video, they'd be assured, would be DVD-only, for the exclusive use of private collectors in Australia. It would never go online or be seen by anyone they knew.If a prospect still hesitated, she'd be offered more money, more false assurances. "Jonathan" would forward her the phone numbers of "former models" who were paid to say whatever it took to reel in a victim."No no no you're totally fine!" a fictitious former model named "Kailyn" texted one victim. "That's what I was worried about but there is absolutely no way anyone will find out."<div type="image" title="This image shows the original FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive poster for Michael Pratt, accused ringleader of the Girls Do Porn trafficking ring; the image shows three photos of Pratt and has been stamped &quot;CAPTURED.&quot;" height="2608" width="2500" msid="112444047" hostid="261" sizebytes="250368"></div><h2 id="afb077a7-7ae2-4e1f-b3ed-827e55f8c1a9">The video shoot</h2>Once a victim agreed to do a shoot, "Jonathan" — prosecutors believe several in the ring took turns using the name — would immediately send a one-way plane ticket. She would be flown alone to San Diego before she could change her mind.Victims remember being picked up at the airport and chauffeured to an upscale hotel. One thought it odd when the child safety locks were engaged during the ride.At the hotel, these young women, barely out of high school, suffered the first hours of what would be a decadelong nightmare.Of at least 400 women who recorded Girls Do Porn videos, more than 100 have told their stories in civil and criminal cases. Some describe being raped in their hotel rooms by their male actor before the shoot started — a "test drive," they were told.<div type="image" title="An excerpt from from Michael Pratt's 2019 sex-trafficking indictment describes how prospective victims would be lured by promises their videos would never go online." height="431" width="2500" msid="112444046" hostid="261" sizebytes="61726"></div>"Jonathan's" lies quickly unraveled. The promised pay would be docked by thousands of dollars for small imperfections in their appearance. And instead of 30-minute shoots, the women would be forced to film for six or more hours — however long it took to get five uninterrupted minutes of footage for each of five sexual positions.Heavy equipment blocked the hotel room door, trapping them inside with men who warned that if they didn't finish the shoot, they'd be sued for breach of contract and left to buy their own flight home.Victims describe violent ordeals that left them bleeding, vomiting, and sobbing. Their distress would be edited from the final video, though the editing was imperfect."I'm now known on the internet as the GDP girl with the tear tracks in her makeup," a victim who'd been filmed at age 18 said in March at the sentencing of Girls Do Porn webmaster and cameraman Matthew Isaac Wolfe, now serving 14 years in federal prison for sex trafficking"Stop being a whiny little bitch!" another victim recounted porn actor Ruben Andre Garcia shouting as she begged to leave. Garcia is now serving 20 years for sex trafficking.<div type="image" title="This image from the arrest of Michael James Pratt shows the accused sex-trafficking ring mastermind being handcuffed on the floor of his Madrid hotel room." height="1415" width="2500" msid="112444041" hostid="261" sizebytes="115340"></div><h2 id="51595724-4c1f-4cae-8a9c-1c93a943086f">A million views in just days</h2>Months after the filming, these graphic, hardcore productions went live. Videos went viral in as little as 48 hours, as 700,000 subscribers to Pornhub's Girls Do Porn channel clicked on 5-minute teaser clips that drove traffic to Pratt's site, where 100,000 subscribers paid $30 a month for the full videos.Federal prosecutors say Pratt increased traffic by forwarding each victim's video link to her school, work, family, and social connections. Victims attempted suicide after finding themselves fired from jobs, hounded from school, and shunned by loved ones."Before I knew it, my video had millions of views, and all my friends, family, acquaintances, and distant relatives knew," one victim said.Prosecutors say Pratt also uploaded details from victims' original "Begin Modeling" applications — names, emails, family addresses, and even their height, weight, and favorite color — to websites he controlled that catered to so-called porn trolls.The trolls churned up still more traffic and attacked "without mercy," as one victim described it."My mom would walk out of church and come back to her car to find notes in the window shield calling me a whore, slut, prostitute," another victim testified at Wolfe's sentencing.Even now, long after the 2019 demise of the Girls Do Porn website and its Pornhub channel, the videos remain. Victims say they still pop up when they Google their names."Ten years later, I am still receiving harassing text messages," one said in March at Wolfe's sentencing. "I received one yesterday evening while nursing my newborn."<h2 id="cb4cf0e5-5f06-4228-b203-e84fde0f1dfb">Unmasking the traffickers</h2>But while its victims were humiliated publicly and by name, those running Girls Do Porn remained anonymous for most of the years the ring operated.A tangle of fake phone numbers, addresses, and shell companies thwarted anyone seeking legal action. When the father of one victim emailed "Jonathan@beginmodeling.com" — the only contact his daughter had — he didn't reach Jonathan at all. Instead, he received a lawyer's cease-and-desist letter with naked photos of his daughter attached, federal prosecutors in California said in Pratt's 2019 criminal complaint.This is where a former US Army cyber-intelligence analyst named Charles DeBarber arrived.In early 2016, DeBarber was asked for help by a victim who wanted to know: Who had done this to me? Using publicly available data —including 2010 domain-name registration records and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-the-panama-papers-2016-4">the Panama Papers</a> — DeBarber unmasked Pratt, Garcia, Wolfe, and the underlying corporate entities. All were sued in state court in San Diego later that year."This is a very large, weird true crime story you kind of need a chart to explain," DeBarber said."We were able to find Garcia through his Facebook page, by reverse-imaging a tattoo that appeared on his shoulder" in the videos, he told Business Insider. Garcia was the actor who victims said told them to stop being "whiny bitches."<h2 id="ba4b8f40-8882-445c-9497-4e6e9b509bb9">A walk to Tijuana</h2>Girls Do Porn raked in some $17 million in subscriptions and content deals, federal prosecutors say."He would constantly punch holes in the walls and break computer monitors," Wolfe said of Pratt in his March sentencing statement, describing his "manic" and "terrifying" boss.Pratt "was making millions of dollars and was driving around in a Lamborghini, living in a multimillion-dollar house in Rancho, Santa Fe," Wolfe's defense lawyer, Jeremy Warren, said at the sentencing.Then, in the fall of 2019, Pratt fled his life of luxury, crossing into Tijuana on foot. Weeks later, a federal grand jury in San Diego indicted him, Wolfe, and Garcia. He was still missing months later, when a state judge <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25022749-girlsdoporn-original-2016-verdict">awarded $13 million to the 22 victims</a> in the 2016 lawsuit.In pleading guilty, Wolfe, Garcia, and three other Girls Do Porn employees implicated Pratt as the ring's mastermind. He faces 19 felony counts, including conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.<div type="image" title="This image shows the first page of the federal indictment of Michael Pratt and three employees of the Girls Do Porn sex-trafficking ring" height="988" width="1770" msid="112444038" hostid="261" sizebytes="105734"></div><h2 id="c3b67f32-4fc1-470f-864e-3c65fd461402">Finding Michael Pratt</h2>Pratt vanished for three years.Federal investigators believe he quickly boarded a flight to his native New Zealand, where he visited family members and made quick stops in Hong Kong and Cypress in unsuccessful attempts to sell the still-profitable Girls Do Porn operation.He was somewhere in Europe when the indictment dropped at the end of 2019. "He didn't have any fake papers at the time," DeBarber told BI. "He was just Michael Pratt."But Pratt began using an alias and the trail went cold — except for one key clue.In the summer of 2020, the cryptocurrency world was rocked by a major data breach. Hackers exposed the names, addresses, and phone numbers of more than 700,000 customers of a company called <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.ledger.com/">Ledger</a>.Ledger makes <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/best-bitcoin-wallet">cryptocurrency "wallets,"</a> small USB or Bluetooth devices that look like little metal thumb drives. They safely store and protect the lengthy digital passwords that cryptocurrency owners need to access and move their money.<div type="image" title="A Ledger cryptocurrency wallet." height="686" width="998" msid="112444042" hostid="261" sizebytes="46892"></div>Pratt, DeBarber discovered, was one of the Ledger customers whose data was hacked.He had used his real name to have a hardware wallet shipped to the W Hotel in Barcelona shortly before the indictment, the breach revealed. After the indictment, in the spring of 2020, Pratt used the alias "Mark Williams" to have another hardware wallet shipped to a Mailboxes, Etc., also in Barcelona."We decided, you know what? Let's go there and see," DeBarber said.The cyber-sleuth and the victims' lawyer flew to Barcelona in July 2022 — a trip DeBarber described earlier this year <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hunt-michael-pratt-phoenixsafe-ai-20zde/">on LinkedIn</a>.They had precious little to go on besides those long-cold locations — the W Hotel and the Mailboxes Etc. They also knew that Pratt liked American hip hop and collected pricey, vintage Air Jordans, based on what federal investigators had found searching Pratt's luxury apartment in San Diego.Once on the ground, the pair connected with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-owen-94b278156/">Ben Owen</a>, a cyber-security expert DeBarber had met when they worked together in 2017 on the CBS show "Hunted." Owen's partner, intelligence expert <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/danni-brooke-a794083a/">Danni Brooke</a>, and their daughter Amelia Brooke, joined them.<div type="image" title="This image shows, from left, Charles DeBarber, Ben Owen, Brian Holm, Amelia Brooke, and Danni Brooke." height="1855" width="2500" msid="112444048" hostid="261" sizebytes="89892"></div>Owen located one of the few people in Barcelona who sold vintage Air Jordans. Her face turned pale when shown Pratt's picture. She had spoken to him recently about a $50,000 pair of size-11, 1985, 1st edition high-tops.Then a bouncer at one of only five nightclubs that played American hip hop said he'd seen Pratt there just a few weeks prior. Both the sneaker vendor and the bouncer described the fugitive the same way."They said he was portly and that he wears clean clothes but doesn't wash," DeBarber said. "And they said he carries a Versace bag full of money around his neck."He was living pretty recklessly," DeBarber added. "Who goes to a club with a Versace bag full of money, flashing it around? He's obviously not a Spaniard. That's not the kind of behavior I would expect from a talented fugitive."<div type="image" title="A photo of the Barcelona Mailboxes Etc. store where investigators found Michael Pratt's Swiss ID." height="856" width="642" msid="112444049" hostid="261" sizebytes="22712"></div><h2 id="c89f151f-ca77-45f0-b462-b2f78ba5e5bf">The best clue of all</h2>But the crucial tip DeBarber and his partners in crime-fighting uncoverd — and passed along to the local FBI consulate — came from that Mailboxes Etc.There, a very helpful clerk showed them the Swiss ID and contract Pratt had used to open his account two years prior. Pratt would use the ID — which featured his photo and the alias Mark Williams — just before Christmas when he checked into that Madrid hotel.There at the front desk, Pratt's ID triggered an Interpol alert, sending authorities directly to his door. Inside were Pratt's laptop, two cellphones, a stack of 50-Euro notes, and four of those Ledger wallets.<div type="image" title="Michael Pratt's Swiss ID and Barcelona Mailboxes Etc. contract." height="1601" width="2500" msid="112444051" hostid="261" sizebytes="79394"></div>Pratt was finally extradited from Spain in March. His next court date is September 6, when a trial date may be set. His defense lawyer did not respond to requests for comment on this story.These days, DeBarber runs the Baltimore-based <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7163927968531120128/">Phoenix AI </a>cybersecurity firm with cofounder Justine Li, a Girls Do Porn victim and plaintiff.Li's video was filmed in 2007 when she was still in high school. It was "Video Number One" when Girls Do Porn launched in 2009. Their company builds tech solutions for finding and removing non-consensual sexual abuse materials on the internet."I will be at his sentencing and I will be grinning," DeBarber said recently of Pratt. "I'm really, really excited where he is right now, and Dre, and Wolfe," he added, referring to co-defendants Matthew Wolfe and actor Reuben "Dre" Garcia."I hope they spend their time in prison wondering how did the women we thought we broke ever manage to do this to them."

A crypto data leak led the FBI to America's most wanted sex trafficking fugitive. Now, the victims want his bitcoins.

Most of us think of India as a young country. And as home to one-fifth of the world's young population and with an average age of 29, you're right. But did you know India's elderly population is set to double from its present 153 million to a staggering 347 million, in just 30 years? Moreover, by the end of this century, the population of <keyword id="19894991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="senior-citizens" source="keywords">senior citizens</keyword> in India will surpass the population of those aged under 14, as per a report by the United Nations Population Fund and the International Institute for Population Sciences. As such, with <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">budget 2024</keyword> looming on the horizon, what is it that this burgeoning section of our population wants? We take a look : <h2>Wish 1: Raise deduction threshold for <keyword id="22285655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mediclaim-premium" source="keywords">mediclaim premium</keyword></h2>At present, senior citizens (aged 60 and above) and super senior citizens (aged 80 and above) can claim a deduction of up to Rs 50,000 on health insurance premiums they pay during the year. For those aged below 60, the annual deduction limit is of Rs 25,000. But, as Tarun Mathur, CBO, Policybazaar.com notes, "There’s a need for an increase in the tax deduction limit for health insurance premiums, to raise the same to Rs 50,000 for individuals, their spouses, and dependent children, and to Rs 1 lakh for senior citizen parents". With insurance regulator <keyword id="6361421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IRDA" source="Orion">IRDA</keyword> removing the age cap (which was previously 65 years) for buying new insurance policies, health insurance for senior citizens becomes far more accessible. Given that only 20% of India's population aged 60 have any kind of health insurance, a comprehensive insurance coverage with low tax liabilities becomes a necessity for our senior citizens. At present, the government is mulling extending the <keyword id="22285657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ayushman-Bharat-Pradhan-Yojana" source="Orion">Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Yojana</keyword> to provide crucial, free healthcare support for India's senior citizens aged above 70. But only time, and July 22nd will tell. <h2>Wish 2: Offer similar tax benefits to pension products as NPS </h2>NPS, or <keyword id="475509" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Pension-System" source="Orion">National Pension System</keyword> is a lucrative retirement planning scheme. And it comes with many tax benefits. For instance, if you withdraw up to 60% of your accumulated pension as lumpsum once you turn 60, your withdrawal is tax free. Similarly, if any amount you receive from NPS is reinvested in the annuity plan, it remains tax exempt. However, income from annuities is taxed as per your regular income tax slab. And any early withdrawals that you make (before 60 years) will attract taxes. A standard deduction of Rs 50,000, or amount of annuity income (whichever is lower) can be claimed. But under regular annuities or pension products, senior citizens pay a 10% tax on total taxable income over Rs. 3 lakhs , Rs 20,000 + 20% over amount exceeding Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 1.2 lakh+ 30% on amount exceeding Rs 10 lakh. As Mathur notes, "Pension products like annuity plans should be given the same tax benefits as NPS, since the current taxation does not encourage investment in retirement planning. It’s also necessary to expand Section 80C deductions and add a dedicated category for term insurance because the existing limit of Rs. 1,50,000 is insufficient". Even retirement planner Sanjeev Dawar notes that income from annuities is a primary source of income for retirees. "As such, tax relief is expected since returns, although assured for life, are relatively low. Moreover, they remain fixed and have no sensitivity to inflation". Additionally, Dawar also advocates for special financial considerations for eligible individuals who are compelled to stay in old-age homes in their twilight years. It is also needed that travel concessions, that have been withdrawn, are restarted". <h2>Wish 3: Lowering lock-in periods for elderly </h2>Many schemes like national savings certificate (NSC), unit-linked insurance plans (ULIP) and senior citizen savings scheme (SCSS) are subject to tax deductions, provided they are redeemed after their specific <keyword id="20792448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lock-in-period" source="keywords">lock-in period</keyword>. For instance, tax-saver FDs, ULIPs and NSC have a lock-in period of 5 years, while equity-linked savings scheme (ELSS) have a lock-in period of 3 years. It would help senior citizens if this lock-in period is reduced, so that they have some liquidity and cash handy during medical or other such emergencies. Additionally, withdrawals should be allowed within lock-in period sans hefty penalties, as is the case right now. <h2>Wish 4: Lowering GST on health insurance premiums </h2>Currently, GST on health insurance premium is payable at 18%, which can translate into a hefty levy, especially since senior citizens end up paying significantly higher premiums to get insurance coverage. For a premium of Rs 30,000, the GST could go as high as Rs 5,400. As per Prasun Sikdar, MD &amp; CEO, Manipal Cigna Health Insurance, "lowering the GST burden on the health insurance premiums will be a huge respite for missing middle and senior citizens to get access to quality healthcare they need and help to significantly boost insurance penetration across India by driving affordability.” <h2> Wish 5: Reduce tax on <keyword id="21695681" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="passive-income" source="keywords">passive income</keyword> sources for aged</h2>For most senior citizens, rental income from house, pension and other such passive sources turn into a major income avenue, once they retire from active employment. As such, these should be taxed at a lower slab, and not considered as regular salary. Or else, higher exemption limits should be introduced to allow them to save more. At present, the basic exemption limit for senior citizens between 60-80 years is Rs 3 lakh, while the exemption limit for citizens above 80 years is Rs 5 lakhs. The limits should be revised, keeping in mind how expensive medical care is in current times.

Budget 2024: Here's what India's elderlies want

Cocktails to prasads: What Indians wanted to cook and brew in 2023

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Sean "Diddy" Combs' famed parties are being looked at in a new light after his federal indictment.</li><li>Celebrities who partied with Combs may want to consult their lawyers, entertainment attorneys told BI.</li></ul>Celebrities who attended <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-diddy-combs-arrested-grand-jury-indictment-2024-9">Sean "Diddy" Combs'</a> parties should consider lawyering up, even if they attended one of his more high-profile soirees.Several entertainment attorneys told Business Insider that any celebrities who may have been involved in Combs' alleged <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-diddy-combs-indictment-allegations-freak-off-sex-performances-2024-9">drug-fueled sex parties called "Freak Offs,"</a> in which prosecutors say the hip-hop mogul "used force, threats of force, and coercion" to get female victims to engage in sex acts with male commercial sex workers, should be especially worried and immediately consult an attorney.And while Combs' <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-cuban-glad-he-never-hung-out-with-diddy-2024-9">extravagant, star-studded </a>White Parties, which were thrown in the late 1990s and early 2000s, were not mentioned in the 14-page federal indictment against the entrepreneur, those who attended may also want to touch base with their lawyers, they said."The likelihood that prominent persons known to have attended these parties will be contacted by law enforcement personnel is very high," said Wayne Dennison, a partner at the firm Brown Rudnick who was part of the team that successfully represented <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/johnny-depp-amber-heard-verdict-legal-team-hugs-2022-6">Johnny Depp</a> in his defamation lawsuit against <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/johnny-depp-amber-heard-relationship-timeline-2020-7">Amber Heard</a>.There is "no downside" for celebrities who attended Combs' ritzy parties, thrown at glitzy locales like the Hamptons, Beverly Hills, and St. Tropez, to be "proactive about potentially being interviewed by law enforcement personnel with respect to this matter," Dennison, who is co-chairman of the firm's brand and reputation management team, said.On the other hand, Neama Rahmani, the president and cofounder of West Coast Trial Lawyers, said: "If I were a celebrity who participated in one of Diddy's 'Freak Offs,' I would be shaking in my boots.""At best, they're a witness in a case that is very likely going to trial," Rahmani said. "At worst, they're a codefendant."<div type="image" title="Sean &quot;Diddy&quot; Combs at one of his white parties." height="1763" width="3000" msid="113939127" hostid="261" sizebytes="267334"></div><h2 id="5474f25f-a61d-49ef-83d4-c10dd6218ae3">Celebrity guests may have 'relevant information' and be summoned to testify</h2>Combs' lavish shindigs are being viewed in a new light after the 54-year-old rapper and businessman was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-diddy-combs-bond-court-jail-trial-2024-9">indicted by a Manhattan grand jury</a> last month on federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation for the purposes of prostitution.Combs, who <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-diddy-combs-metropolitan-detention-center-brooklyn-jail-indictment-2024-9">remains locked up at a Brooklyn jail</a>, has vehemently denied the charges and has pleaded not guilty.Some of the entertainment attorneys told BI that celebrities who attended Combs' A-list parties could be summoned to testify at a trial, even if they don't think they witnessed anything nefarious.Jurors tend to view well-known people as credible witnesses, Dennison said."By all accounts, Mr. Combs threw very large parties, which likely had some form of guest list that may now be available to prosecutors," Dennison said. "The only way for the prosecution to determine who knew what and when is to talk with those in attendance."Rahmani added that stars who attended Combs' high-profile parties could have "relevant information" and be compelled to testify.Rahmani, a former federal prosecutor, said he would advise these individuals to consult with their lawyer and their publicist "because a lot of dirty laundry" could soon be made public.Camron Dowlatshahi, a Los Angeles entertainment attorney with Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP, agreed, saying it's possible prosecutors may bring in celebrities for witness interviews.However, Tre Lovell, an attorney and the owner of the Los Angeles-based Lovell Firm, told BI that he wouldn't rush to call a lawyer simply for attending one of Combs' parties as doing so "does not suggest unlawful or criminal activity.""He's a very famous celebrity and has been for decades before his recent indictment," Lovell told BI. "He's had many legitimate parties over the years and, chances are, most celebrities and guests were not aware of his sex parties."However, if a celebrity actually participated in any of the "Freak Off" parties, "then that would be something different, and I would suggest contacting your attorney" to "strategize how best to deal with any potential criminal investigation," Lovell said.<div type="image" title="A courtroom sketch of Sean Combs next to his defense lawyer, with security personnel in the background." height="2000" width="3000" msid="113939125" hostid="261" sizebytes="624808"></div><h2 id="ab007a3a-1abb-4846-8523-c5f1fad2c8b1">'Freak Offs' are at the center of Combs' indictment</h2>Federal prosecutors allege that for decades Combs "abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct."Combs and his associates "wielded the power and prestige" of the rapper's success to "intimidate, threaten, and lure female victims" into his orbit "often under the pretense of a romantic relationship," prosecutors say in the indictment.The "Freak Offs," prosecutors say, occurred regularly, often in hotel rooms, and sometimes lasted multiple days. During these events, prosecutors say Combs would give out a variety of drugs to the victims to keep them "obedient and compliant."Members of the Combs' enterprise, including high-ranking supervisors, security staff, household staff, and personal assistants, helped host the "Freak Offs" by booking hotel rooms, according to prosecutors. The staff stocked the parties with the "required" supplies, including drugs, baby oil, and lubricant, prosecutors say in the indictment."Combs subjected victims to physical, emotional, and verbal abuse to cause the victims to engage in Freak Offs," the indictment says.Combs' lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has sought to portray the so-called "Freak Offs" as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-combs-diddy-appeal-jail-conditions-trial-prep-2024-9">consensual acts</a>.In a statement to BI, a Combs spokesperson drew a distinction between the "false allegations" against the hip-hop mogul and his famed parties."Sean Combs' white parties and other events were iconic, a true convergence of hip-hop, Hollywood, and Black excellence. His parties were a 'who's who' of A-list celebrities, with an endless stream of people vying to attend," the spokesperson said."It's disappointing to see the media and social commentators twist these cultural moments into something they were not," the spokesperson continued. "Shaming celebrities who attended, taking video clips and photos out of context, and trying to link these events to false allegations is simply untrue."<div type="image" title="An image of Sean &quot;Diddy&quot; Combs in an all-white suit at his famous &quot;white party&quot; in 2006." height="2000" width="3000" msid="113939124" hostid="261" sizebytes="386774"></div><h2 id="8b2c355a-46ee-4947-84a3-3666dc148e6b">A woman recently sued Combs, alleging she was forced to have sex with guests at the White Parties</h2>In one of a slew of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/timeline-sean-diddy-combs-sexual-misconduct-timeline-2024-2">civil lawsuits against Combs</a> accusing him of sexual misconduct, the former porn star <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sean-diddy-combs-lawyer-nyc-sex-trafficking-charges-2024-7">Adria English</a> alleged Combs hired her as an entertainer for his White Parties at his Hamptons and Miami homes between 2004 and 2009 and forced her to have sex with guests.In the lawsuit, filed in July in Manhattan federal court, English said that during one White Party, she was required to wear a black dress "to denote her capacity there as an employee, but more sinisterly as a sex trafficked sex worker."In response to the lawsuit, Combs' attorney Jonathan Davis said: "No matter how many lawsuits are filed it won't change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone. We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason and without any proof."Rahmani told BI that if there was "overlap and there were sex workers" at Combs' parties, celebrity attendees should most definitely consult a lawyer.If the "Freak Offs" that prosecutors allege Combs held were completely separate from his star-studded bashes, then guests who attended should have nothing to worry about, he said.

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<ul class="summary-list"><li>India wants to unseat China as the new factory of the world.</li><li>Modi is set to stay in power for another five years, but the results of the election are going to make it harder to beat China.</li></ul>India's economy is on a roll, chalking up <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/press_release/PressNoteGDP31052024.pdf">8.2% GDP growth</a> in the last fiscal year and a boom in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/india-eyes-100-bln-annual-foreign-direct-investment-coming-years-it-minister-2024-01-17/">foreign investments.</a>The growth is in part thanks to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-india-supply-chain-covid-sanctions-manufacturers-relocating-tariffs-options-2022-12">shift in supply chains</a> and investment flows as companies try to stop relying solely on China.This has boosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal, sending him to a historic third term as the country's prime minister in the country's general election.But Modi's win this time around also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/indian-election-results-shocking-blow-narendra-modi-2024-6?mrfhud=true">comes with a huge loss</a>.While Modi is still hugely popular in India, his party — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/indian-election-results-shocking-blow-narendra-modi-2024-6">Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP</a> — lost its majority in Parliament, reflecting resentment among voters amid rising <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-richest-1-has-highest-concentration-wealth-decades-study-shows-2024-03-20/">inequality.</a>"The problem is most Indians have not adequately participated in the fruits of an economy with gaudy headline numbers," wrote Atman Trivedi, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react-modi-loses-ground-electoral-surprise/">Tuesday note.</a> "Growth is unequal, and jobs are few and far between."India's unemployment rate rose to 8.1% in April from 7.4% in March, according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://cmie.com/kommon/bin/sr.php?kall=warticle&amp;dt=20240502160006&amp;msec=476">Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy,</a> a private think tank. The country has a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=881bbd696b99c4065e343b97a60624443ddd9aabed87bc59213e9c4e53b5de60&amp;postID=665fc5bbe01a10ede1be40ec&amp;postSlug=india-election-results-complicates-plans-unseat-china-modi-bjp-2024-6&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-023-03915-5">longstanding brain drain issue.</a><h2 id="2c7371a5-8197-477c-a8db-86744aed6de4">India wants to unseat China as the factory of the world</h2>BJP's likely loss of its majority is a testament to India's political system — but it will also make the dream of becoming the next China harder to achieve.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-business-market-entry-barriers-tariffs-supply-chain-china-2023-6">Decision-making and policy changes</a> in the world's largest democracy, after all, can take far longer than they do in Communist China — a one-party state."Coalition governments require compromises. That reality could complicate any plans for ambitious structural reforms on land, labor, or opening India's markets to unfinished and intermediate inputs," wrote the Atlantic Council's Trivedi, who is also a partner at Albright Stonebridge Group.India's stock markets tanked on the shock election results, with the benchmark <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/index/sensex">Sensex</a> index crashing over 5% in one day on Tuesday following the news. It rebounded on Wednesday.Despite the knee-jerk reaction, most analysts are optimistic about India's economic outlook given that Modi is still in charge."Modi's broader economic reform agenda is likely to remain intact. And so, fears of India's key economic reforms unraveling are overdone," wrote Vishnu Varathan, the chief economist of Asia excluding Japan at Mizuho Bank.<h2 id="d51e0b52-c0b2-432c-977a-5640abaef074">India needs to get rich before it gets old</h2>But India has a longer-term problem: aging.India is the world's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-overtake-china-worlds-most-populous-nation-2023-un-2022-7">most populous country</a>. With a 1.4 billion population, it has a huge pool of young people; <a target="_blank" href="https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/special-reports/look-forward/india-s-demographic-dividend-the-key-to-unlocking-its-global-ambitions">65% of its population</a> is under the age of 35.But aging is "rapidly progressing," according to the <a target="_blank" href="https://india.unfpa.org/en/news/indias-ageing-population-why-it-matters-more-ever">United Nations Population Fund.</a> By 2050, one in every five persons in India will be 60 years old or above, the fund wrote in a <a target="_blank" href="https://india.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/20230926_india_ageing_report_2023_web_version_.pdf">report last year.</a>So, even though India has grown rapidly in recent years, it will need to grow much faster to get rich before it gets old, Raghuram Rajan, a professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/sections/planet-money/2024/06/04/g-s1-2226/india-election-democracy-china-economy-manufacturing">NPR's "Planet Money"</a> in a podcast.It's not enough to power up India's manufacturing sector in the wake of China's breakneck growth — because so many other countries are doing the same thing, added Rajan, who is a former head of the Central Bank of India and a former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund.He said India will do better to capitalize on its services industry, especially since so many Indians are English speakers.Despite its challenges, India is still expected to post healthy growth in the near future. The IMF <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/IND">forecasts</a> India's economy will grow by 6.8% this fiscal year and 6.5% next fiscal year.

India wants to be the new China. Modi's shock election result shows it won't be easy.

<div type="image" title="Indians are getting fancy, and they don&amp;#39;t mind paying a little extra if it means quality and luxury. Most consumer brands are witnessing an uptick in their premium product segment" msid="115018213" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Indians are getting fancy, and they don&amp;#39;t mind paying a little extra if it means quality and luxury. Most consumer brands are witnessing an uptick in their premium product segment&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> It's time to move over from plain, vanilla budget basics! Indians are no longer looking for “best purchases and value buys under Rs 1,000”—at least not as much as before. <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s getting fancy, and how! From gold-flaked chocolates to swanky SUVs that look like they’re wheeled straight out of a Bollywood blockbuster, Indian companies are rapidly jazzing up their product lines, even faster than you can say the word "premiumization." But what does this mean for Indian companies and consumers? What is this jazz about premiumization all about? Is it just urban India that’s riding this wave, or has rural India also joined the bandwagon? We decode for you. <h2>What's premium, really?</h2>Imagine you’re eating Pav Bhaji at a roadside thela. Later during the day, you decide to dine out at a fancy, upmarket cafe, only to find Pav Bhaji Fondue on the menu. Same same, but much more expensive—often 5 to 10 times higher—for a little more hygiene and some better ambience! Think of premium products as this fondue. They are a notch up your regular, daily-use products soaps or shampoos, and even cars, all packaged luxuriously, offering just about the right touch of quality. The main differentiator, though, would be the price range. <h2>Driving home premium wellness</h2>A recent report by Nielsen suggests that over 70% of urban Indians are okay with paying a premium for their products. And companies are cashing in on this sentiment like never before. This explains why 58% of new products launched so far this year have been in the premium+ segment, as opposed to just 38% of new launches in regular, traditional trade. Take cars, for instance. Indians are no longer vying for a good old <keyword id="19950117" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maruti" source="keywords">Maruti</keyword> 800 or <keyword id="20400567" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="alto" source="keywords">Alto</keyword>, traditionally known for their healthy mileage, but are rather happy investing in more swanky features that come along with high-end cars. In October 2024, India’s largest car manufacturer, <keyword id="19909974" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maruti-suzuki" source="keywords">Maruti Suzuki</keyword>, sold 65,948 units of its compact cars like Swift, WagonR, Dzire, and more. Compared to the year-ago period, which saw sales of 80,662 units, this was an 18% dip. But take a look at their SUV (sport utility vehicle) sales for the same period. Cars like Brezza, Ertiga, and Grand Vitara sold about 70,644 units, a 19% uptick from the sales made in October 2023, i.e. 59,147 units. Simply put, when it comes to cars, Indians are saying the bigger, the better! The same is true for India's second biggest automobile manufacturer, Hyundai. Its SUV lineup made up a staggering 68.2% of the firm's total sales made for October 2024. What's more, SUV demand remained largely consistent across urban and rural markets. <h2>Consumers are inching up</h2>FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) are also riding the premiumization wave, with Indians prioritizing their health and wellness and not bothered about dishing out a few extra bucks for the same! You’ll find no dearth of words like organic, vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free, peppered generously over every product you’ll see today, be it soaps, juices, or more. No wonder then, sales from premium segments in 2024 make up around 27% of all FMCG sales and even contribute a massive 42% to the sector’s value growth in India. Nielsen report further adds that luxury brands that position themselves at twice the price of their category’s average are even witnessing stellar growth. In fact, for most FMCG brands like Tata Consumer Products, <keyword id="20002610" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hindustan-unilever" source="keywords">Hindustan Unilever</keyword> (HUL), Dabur, and Nestle, it is this premium segment that is growing much faster than their regular ones. And it's not just about daily-use products; Indians are also taking their celebrations a step over. Spirits manufacturer <keyword id="20125704" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="radico-khaitan" source="keywords">Radico Khaitan</keyword> highlighted that for the first half of 2024, their prestige &amp; above segment made for 88.4% of its net sales value. In the same period, the regular popular segment accounted for just 9.1% of their net sales. From Hindustan Unilever, which saw its premium products grow 30% over the last quarter, to <keyword id="20521971" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kingfisher" source="keywords">Kingfisher</keyword> beer's parent company, <keyword id="20124009" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="united-breweries" source="keywords">United Breweries</keyword>, whose premium product sales volume jumped by 27% during the quarter as opposed to just a 5% rise in overall volumes, everyone is seemingly taking their lifestyle a notch above. Per the Nielsen report, in 2024, a typical global consumer spends about $13.7k per year. This is set to grow by around 2.4% to $14k as early as next year. Even a report by Goldman Sachs also highlighted a similar trend, noting that India’s affluent class, or those earning over $10,000 (Rs 8,42,694.97), is set to reach 100 million in the next 3 years. And where will this consumer spend? On premium products! <h2>Online shopping shifts from mass to class</h2>Amazon’s Great Indian Shopping Festival, which was live between September 27 and October 29 this year, saw 140 crore customers, more than 85% of whom came from non-metro Indian cities. On the site, there was a 400% spike in sales in premium sales across categories like watches, fragrances, handbags, jewelry, and more. Rival <keyword id="19896939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flipkart" source="keywords">Flipkart</keyword> noted a similar trend, recording 1.8x growth in premium beauty and personal care products during the first half of this year. <h2>Dialing in premiumness</h2>The Indian smartphone ecosystem has always been dominated by basic phones, or those entry- and mid-range phones that are priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 6,000. But that has changed in recent times, with premium smartphones (i.e., those priced over Rs 60,000) registering 20%+ growth in 2024. During the first quarter of this year, sales of mass phones (priced between Rs 10,000 and 20,000) reached 44%, compared to 51% in the year-ago period. But it's all sunny and shiny in the mid-premium (priced between Rs 40,000 and Rs 60,000) and super-premium segments (priced above Rs 60,000). Sales growth has burgeoned by as much as 27% and 86% in these categories, respectively. As India continues its march toward becoming the world's third-largest economy by 2027, the premium party is just getting started. Industry experts predict that premium segments will grow faster than you can say "sustainable organic handcrafted artisanal batch of coffee." So the next time you see someone dropping serious rupees on a fancy bottle of black water that also somehow plays music and tracks their hydration (yes, that's a thing), remember: This is just the trailer. Picture abhi baaki hai, mere dost! Do you have a topic in mind you'd want a simpler explanation for, or insights or experiences to share on personal finance and more? Contact us at businessinsider@timesinternet.in.

Simply Put: From Dal to Dolce—India is loving its luxury life

<ul><li><keyword id="19897633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Telegram" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Telegram" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Telegram">Telegram</keyword> has come under the scanner of the Indian government for gambling and extortion.</li><li>The messaging app is being investigated over its alleged misuse in criminal activities.</li><li>Telegram founder <keyword id="21332555" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pavel-Durov" source="keywords">Pavel Durov</keyword> was recently arrested in Paris by the French authorities.</li></ul>Pavel Durov, the co-founder and the chief executive officer of popular messaging platform Telegram was arrested in Paris earlier this month. The app has now come under the scanner in India. According to a <a href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/telegram-being-investigated-in-india-over-extortion-gambling-concerns-article-12806508.html">report</a> by Moneycontrol, Telegram is being investigated by the government over its alleged misuse in criminal activities such as gambling and extortion. The ongoing investigation could also end up with Telegram being banned in India as per a government official. "The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) and MeitY have been looking into P2P communications on Telegram," said a government official to Moneycontrol. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112798622" title="Upcoming IPOs to look out for this week – Premier Energies, ECO Mobility and more" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> According to the report, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is investigating criminal activities such as extortion and gambling on the platform. <h2>Why has Telegram come under the scanner now?</h2>While Telegram has been blamed for such activities in the past, the investigation might have gained steam as the UGC-NET exam paper was reportedly being sold on Telegram for ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 after being leaked. Durov, 39, was detained by the French authorities at the Bourget Airport. Durov was wanted under a French arrest warrant due to the lack of moderation on Telegram, which allegedly led to the platform being used for money laundering, drug trafficking and sharing pedophilic content. The arrest was criticised by several people, including Tesla cofounder Elon Musk. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/premier-energies-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112803763.cms">Premier Energies IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/upcoming-ipos-to-look-out-for-this-week-premier-energies-eco-mobility-and-more/articleshow/112798622.cms">Upcoming IPOs to look out for this week – Premier Energies, ECO Mobility and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/govt-warns-about-fake-sms-warning-users-to-update-their-pan-what-it-is-and-how-to-stay-safe/articleshow/112795812.cms">Govt warns about fake SMS asking users to update their PAN – what it is and how to stay safe</a>

Telegram comes under the scanner in India for extortion and gambling – will it be banned in India?

<keyword id="20017832" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Skyscanner" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Skyscanner" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Skyscanner">Skyscanner</keyword> has recently launched its annual "<keyword id="23717519" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Travel-Trends-2025" source="keywords">Travel Trends 2025</keyword> Report" and it shows that <keyword id="20183888" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-travellers" source="keywords">Indian travellers</keyword> are eager to explore destinations other than Europe. The report also shows a change in travel preferences, shedding light on the fact that many Indian travellers want shared experiences. It also reveals that 66% of Indians plan to travel more in 2025, looking for adventures that help build community connections. For the unversed, Skyscanner is a travel search engine that helps you find and compare prices for flights, hotels and car rentals, making it easier to plan and save money on your trips. <h2>Spending for experiences</h2>No matter the economic situation, Indian travellers are eager to invest in experiences. Recent data shows a significant increase in spending, with 58% planning to spend more on flights, 45% on accommodation and 34% on car rentals. While people are willing to spend, budget still plays a crucial role in choosing a holiday destination. The top considerations are: 65% look at hotel costs, 62% prioritise flight expenses and 54% consider food and drink prices. This focus on budget has led to lower airfares for destinations like Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Singapore, making travel more affordable. <h2>The rise of <keyword id="23717520" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lesser-known-destinations" source="keywords">lesser-known destinations</keyword></h2>The report also says that travellers are exploring options beyond the usual European destinations. Shillong, India, is currently the most searched destination, with an impressive 828% increase in searches over the past year. Baku, Azerbaijan, follows closely with a 744% rise, and Langkawi, Malaysia, has seen a 433% increase. <h2>Embracing nature and tangible experiences</h2>There’s also a noticeable shift towards experiences that connect travellers with nature and offer a break from our tech-heavy lives. The report mentions that 90% of travellers enjoy visiting gardens and activities like dining around a campfire, sleeping under the stars and horse trekking are becoming more popular. <h2>Rise of <keyword id="19984369" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sports-tourism" source="keywords">sports tourism</keyword> and other adventures</h2>The data also reveals a strong preference for shared experiences and immersive adventures. Trends include a growing interest in live sports events, immersive art experiences, stargazing and holistic wellness. Sports tourism is also on the rise, with 63% of respondents travelling for entertainment, 59% motivated by excitement and 50% hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite sports stars. Astro-adventure tourism is also gaining traction, with 56% of travellers interested in night sky photography, 53% wanting to sleep under the stars and 44% hoping to see the <keyword id="20079917" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="northern-lights" source="keywords">Northern Lights</keyword>. This shift shows that many are looking for meaningful experiences. Another interesting trend is game-themed travel, with 88% of travellers inspired to visit locations from their favourite video games. Leisure travel and art-focused trips are also becoming popular. Apart from this, health and wellness tourism is also growing, especially among older generations. The data shows that 71% of those aged 45-54 prioritise health-conscious choices while travelling, compared to 54% of younger travellers (18-24 years old). Overall, 70% of Indian travellers report being more mindful about their health and well-being than ever before. This report thus highlights an exciting year ahead for Indian travellers, marked by a strong focus on shared experiences, immersive adventures, and wellness. As travel preferences evolve, destinations offering unique cultural experiences and good value are likely to attract more interest. Plus, the use of AI tools in travel planning is making it easier for travellers to fulfil their dreams of exploration and connection.

Europe is no longer India's favourite, we are up for experiences now, says Skyscanner report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Nan Ray moved from India to live with her son and his wife in America when her granddaughter was 2.</li><li>While the cultural shock was huge, she felt it was her duty as a grandmother to provide childcare.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nan Ray, 73, of Minnesota. It has been edited for length and clarity.My granddaughter was a toddler when my husband and I moved permanently from India to the US.We got our green cards in 2010 when she was 2 years old. The sole reason was to take care of her — and, subsequently, her brother, who was born in 2012.We decided to leave our native country after one particularly fraught phone conversation with our only child, my son, who had stayed in America working after graduating from college in India."Mom, I need your help," he said. He and my daughter-in-law had full-time jobs and were under much stress <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moms-stressed-juggle-family-work-kids-spouse-home-labor-2023-5">juggling careers and parenting</a>.They'd <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nanny-who-worked-for-billionaire-families-shares-experience-2022-11">employed a nanny</a>, but it hadn't worked out. When you're in a high-stress profession, you don't want to keep dashing home from work to fill in the gaps in childcare. You need support and a buffer."I'm his mom," I thought. "Even though he's grown up now, it's my responsibility to look after him and the rest of his family."To be honest, I didn't consider the consequences of leaving my old life behind. It just felt like the right thing to do. In India, it's relatively common for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/living-multigenerational-home-lessons-pateince-openness-death-2024-3">generations to live together</a>, and everybody does their bit to help out.<h2 id="70bf4995-4451-4f67-b229-a611cc5973ff">My son and daughter-in-law trust us</h2>My husband, now 82, had already formed a particularly strong bond with our granddaughter during the extended vacations we'd spent with her.She didn't go to sleep easily. But when my daughter-in-law put her in my husband's arms, she'd drift off hearing his heartbeats. She and my son trusted us entirely.When we arrived, I was 59 and still had a lot of energy. I did everything from changing <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-potty-train-children-following-the-montessori-way-2021-9">diapers and potty training </a>to cooking and taking the kids to fun places like the zoo.I'm a former teacher who ran a school in Delhi. I took pride in teaching my grandchildren their first words in English and then a smattering of my mother tongue. We introduced them to Indian cuisine, but there was also the occasional McDonalds.<h2 id="af3fe168-6ef7-46e4-b7bb-a316dc1661c9">My husband and I have made sacrifices by leaving India</h2>As for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/parenting-style-break-generational-curses-raise-child-parents-2023-8">parenting style</a>, we were mostly on the same page as my son and daughter-in-law, who was born in the US. The techniques we used reflected the way we raised our son when he was growing up.It never occurred to us or my son and daughter-in-law to pay us even the smallest amount for childcare. They pay us in love. We preferred to think of their salaries going toward their future as they progressed in their careers as tech executives. It has helped them reach their potential; we're so proud they've come far.We live in a big house where everyone has their own space. We share a kitchen, though, and eat together. We celebrate all the holidays and festivals, whether Indian or American.Still, I feel I've sacrificed for our philosophy of having a village to raise children. I don't have much of a network of friends in Minnesota. I miss my relatives in Delhi.But I tell myself, why have a family if you don't want to be with them every step of the way?Do you have an interesting story to share with Business Insider about grandparents and childcare? Please send details to <a target="_blank" href="mailto:jridley@insider.com">jridley@businessinsider.com</a>

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