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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Shark Tank judge Aman Gupta once said his home was run on his wife's money. Who is Priya Dagar? A look at their 'DDLJ' like love story
The panel of judges on Shark Tank India comprises individuals who have each faced significant adversity before achieving success, and Aman Gupta's story is no different. Known today as the co-founder and chief marketing officer of boAt, Aman walked a challenging path before becoming a household name in the Indian entrepreneurial world. Overcoming Early Financial Struggles In a candid conversation on Prakhar Ke Pravachan, Aman Gupta revisited his difficult years following his exit from a chartered accountancy role. He shared how this phase of his life was marked by financial instability. For years, he earned little to no money and relied heavily on his wife, Priya Dagar, for financial support. Despite the emotional toll, Aman kept pushing forward. He recalled travelling on local buses, strategically boarding them from the first stop to secure a seat so he could catch up on sleep or use the time to study. His dedication to growth meant working long hours—sometimes up to 16 hours a day—and switching between multiple jobs. While his peers seemed to be thriving in their careers, Aman often found himself questioning his decisions. It wasn't until he turned 40 that his professional journey began gaining the momentum he had always aspired to. He openly acknowledged that up until that age, it was his wife who carried the financial burden for the household. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo A Love Story Straight Out of a Film While Aman's career graph saw numerous setbacks, his personal life blossomed with romance and resilience. His love story with Priya Dagar is heartwarming and dramatic, almost like a plot from a romantic film. During an interaction with content creator Ranveer Allahabadia, Aman compared his own story to the Bollywood classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. When Aman was heartbroken about Priya, his father encouraged him to go after her—mirroring the supportive father figure played by Anupam Kher in the movie. Desperate to see her one last time, Aman searched multiple train stations, trying to find where she was headed. Eventually spotting her name on a train chart, he boarded the train without a ticket, approached her, and simply said hello before walking away. That moment was enough to spark a deeper conversation between them. Since then, they've been inseparable for the last 18 years, standing by each other through thick and thin. Multiple Ventures Before boAt Aman's meteoric rise didn't happen overnight. In the same interview, he admitted that boAt wasn't his first attempt at entrepreneurship. Before this massive success, he had launched five other ventures—all of which failed to take off. However, each setback taught him valuable lessons, ultimately contributing to the brand boAt's current popularity. His Current Financial Standing Today, Aman Gupta enjoys remarkable financial success. According to a report by GQ India, his current net worth is estimated at around Rs 720 crore. From taking buses to save money to building one of India's most recognized audio tech brands, Aman's journey is a testament to perseverance, humility, and the unwavering support of a loving partner. Who Is Priya Dagar? As per her LinkedIn profile, Dagar is a professional who works in the field of venture philanthropy and investments that are sustainable and have a social impact. Earlier, she worked as a senior policy advisor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for energy, environment, and climate change. Her professional journey spans over 15 years, during which she has fulfilled several important roles, such as Research Associate at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Consultant at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. She holds an MS degree from Symbiosis International University.
Scottish Sun
26-04-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Dreams of Brits recreated with AI after ‘sleep census' reveals most common nightmares – with a big difference for women
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE secret dreams of Brits have been revealed in a bizarre 'sleep census' – and then recreated with AI. It reveals common themes that keep popping up, including in the 'primal fears' in our nightmares. 8 The 'Sleep Census' revealed how Brits share common dream locations Credit: Simba / The Sleep Charity 8 Common dream themes included reuniting with people from the past, intimacy, or flying Credit: Simba / The Sleep Charity 8 Flying was a common theme among British dreamers Credit: Simba / The Sleep Charity Thousands of Brits had their dreams tracked and logged over the course of a week. And a quarter of the participants found themselves 'trapped in anxiety-driven dreams'. That included being chased, finding themselves lost, or running late for something important. 'Dreams are the brain's way of processing emotions, memories, and stress,' said Lisa Artis, deputy chief at The Sleep Charity, which helped organise the probe into Britain's dreams. 'The fact that so many people are dreaming about being late, being chased, or feeling trapped suggests that high levels of daily anxiety and stress are carrying over into sleep.' SLEEP SPLIT The investigation also found that women appeared to be more likely to experience high-stress dreams – at 30% to men's 20%. But men were 'more prone to surreal or fantastical dream worlds' at 19% versus 12% of women. It also showed that the most common UK nightmares 'reflect deep-seated anxieties and primal fears'. As well as being chased, lost, or trapped, a further 16% of British adults experienced nightmares about falling or their teeth falling out. Financial stress was listed as affecting a nearly a quarter of Brits in their dreams. Mobile phone users never have to make calls AGAIN as Google launches bizarre new tool for appointments and more And 19% had their dreams influenced by TV, films, and books viewed before bed. There was also a phenomenon dubbed a 'Dream Surge', where Saturday had the highest volume of recalled dreams. That meant more people remembered their dreams on Sunday morning compared to any other day in the week. 'Dreams are a reflection of our deepest subconscious,' said Steve Reid, chief of sleep-tech firm Simba. 8 Being lost, chased, or trapped was one of the most common nightmare types for Brits Credit: Simba / The Sleep Charity 8 Brits also shared common nightmares including being chased, falling, or being unable to move Credit: Simba / The Sleep Charity 'Now, by bringing this research to life with cutting-edge AI, we can start to make connections to our lives out of bed. 'Ultimately, being more aware about what fuels our dreams helps us understand ourselves and how we can better protect our sleep quality.' Around 2,000 UK adults took part in the Dream Census, which also reported that 13% of Brits recall a dream almost every night – though a third 'rarely remember them at all'. NIGHT FRIGHTS According to the NHS, night terrors and nightmares can be caused by a whole host of things. SLEEP TECH TRICKS REVEALED Here are some smartphone tricks to help with sleep... Background Sounds This little-known iPhone feature plays soothing noises in the background – handy if you struggle to sleep in total silence. Just go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Background Sounds. "These sounds can minimise distractions and help you to focus, calm, or rest," Apple explained. You can choose sounds like Rain, Ocean, Stream, Fire, or Dark Noise. It can play in the background of other media (like a podcast), and you can add it to your Control Centre for quick activation by swiping down from the top-right and adding the icon. You can also go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut > Background Sounds, which lets you turn it on or off just by triple-clicking your iPhone's Side Button. Sleep Focus Another great trick for bedtime is Sleep Focus. It limits the amount of distractions you get at night – including from annoying notifications. This will filter out texts and calls in the night, for instance. But you can set it so that certain apps or contacts can break through – like a partner, parent, or child. If someone tries to text you over iMessage while you've got Sleep Focus on, they'll be warned that you're in the land of nod and might not see the text right away. You can set Sleep Focus to a schedule (with different times for weekdays and weekends), or manually turn it on or off. You can find it in Settings > Focus > Sleep Focus, or you can quickly switch it on from the Control Centre. Picture Credit: Apple / The Sun 8 Nightmares can interrupt a good night's sleep Credit: Getty 8 Visiting fantasy worlds was very common, especially for men Credit: Simba / The Sleep Charity That includes: Being tired or unwell Sudden noises at night Needing to pee during the night Something that's frightened you (like a scary film) Something that's made you stressed, anxious, or worried But the NHS also noted that nightmares can be caused by certain medicines (like anti-depressants), conditions that affect sleep like restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea, mental health conditions, and conditions that affect the brain like dementia. "Night terrors are more common in people with family members who have had night terrors or who sleepwalk," the NHS added. 8 Try turning on Sleep focus on your iPhone to reduce distractions during the night Credit: Apple / The Sun The Sun recently revealed some clever iPhone sleep tricks worth trying if you're struggling to nod off. And last year, we tested an AI smart bed that tracks your sleep.
Memri
11-02-2025
- Business
- Memri
The Axis Of Evil China, Russia, Iran, And North Korea: A Partnership Based Not On Principles But On Sheer Spite For The United States
China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are colluding to disrupt the peace and security of the world; they are actively destabilizing their respective regions as they carry out their individual agendas. China is the sole cause of tensions in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, West Philippine Sea, India, Tibet, and Bhutan; Russia's invasion of the Ukraine has destabilized Europe; Iran has wrought havoc in the Gulf through its proxy militias; and North Korea threatens nuclear attacks on South Korea. The members of this axis each have their own agendas – among them territorial expansion, pursuit of hegemony, and jihad. But what they have in common is the desire to upend the current world order. (Source: X) The Four Countries Began Cooperation To Thwart Isolation As we all know, the world order was designed by the U.S. after World War 2 with these characteristics: a rule-based global regime based on laws, treaties, and agreements provided for by the United Nations and its attached agencies; Liberal democratic values such as human rights and free-market capitalism; Globalization or linking economies through trade and investments; the containment of communism; and multilateral cooperation to address global challenges like arms control and climate change. Having the largest economy and for being the architect of this world order, the United States holds the strongest influence in global affairs. Hence, the U.S. dollar has become the base currency for international trade and government reserves. Due to their bad behavior in the realms of trade, territorial disputes, and military conduct, China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have been, to varying degrees, on the receiving end of sanctions. The four face trade sanctions (e.g., tariffs, trade restrictions, and embargoes), financial sanctions (e.g., asset freezes, banking restrictions, and investment bans), military sanctions, (e.g., arms embargoes) and diplomatic sanctions. The United States has led this charge. In recent years, the four countries have begun to cooperate to circumvent these sanctions, thwart isolation, and forward their respective ambitions. They also seek to undermine the U.S. dollar as the de facto currency for trade. For example, neither China, Iran nor North Korea fully condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Rather, they pinned the blame on NATO. In Ukraine's battlegrounds, you will find artillery shells and soldiers from North Korea, drones from Iran, and radar technology from China. China has become Russia's economic lifeline. Beijing has ramped up its imports of Russian oil and gas, pumping billions of dollars into the Russian economy. This has allowed Russia to finance its war. For its part, some 83 percent of China's advanced weapons are imported from Russia. Trade between the two has increased two-fold in the last decade, topping $244.8 billion in 2024. Both countries have begun to trade in the Russian ruble and Chinese yuan. Russia has been transferring technology to China. According to media reports, Moscow is committed to providing Beijing with technologies relating to nuclear submarines, fighter jets, and remote-sensing satellites. [1] As for North Korea, Iran gives Pyongyang the same missile technologies that it gives its terrorist proxies. Russia moved to unlock part of the frozen North Korean assets. [2] Speculation is growing that Russia provided North Korea with military technology to advance its intercontinental ballistic missile program. [3] As for Iran's terror campaign in the Middle East, neither China, nor Russia, nor North Korea denounced the October 7 terror attack on Israel. Russia is Iran's largest source of foreign investment, [4] which helps keep its economy alive. Meanwhile China is Iran's largest market for oil and manufactured goods. More significantly, Russia is Iran's staunch defender in the UN Security Council. In 2024, China, Iran, and Russia have held their fifth joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman. By joining forces, they amplify their power beyond what they are capable of on their own. Moreover, by instigating multiple conflicts in multiple geographic locations, they dilute the military potency of the U.S. and her allies. On October 18-19, 2024, videos allegedly depicting North Korean soldiers undergoing training and receiving equipment at one of the military training grounds in the Russian Far East began to circulate in media and Telegram channels. Some analysts believe that the location depicted on the video is the "Sergeyevsky" training ground, located in Primorsky Krai (Russia), not far from the border with the DPRK. The video was distributed on several media outlets, including by SPRAVDI, a portal publishing material by Ukraine's Stratcom Center. (See MEMRI Video clip n. 11501, North Korean Soldiers Reportedly In Russia , October 18, 2024). On November 30, 2024, Russia's Ministry of Defense published a video on its Telegram channel, showing Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and Chinese PLA H-6K strategic bombers carrying out air patrols over the waters of the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the western part of the Pacific Ocean. The joint patrol flight lasted approximately eight hours. During the patrol, Russian Su-30SM and MiG-31 VKS jets flew alongside Chinese Jian-16 jets in order to provide air cover. Russian aircraft landed and took off from Chinese airfields, and during certain parts of the route, the strategic bombers were escorted by foreign fighter jets. In addition, the patrol involved a nighttime aerial refueling of a Russian Tu-95MS. The Russian Ministry of Defense has stated that the patrol was conducted in accordance with international law and did not violate any country's airspace. (See MEMRI Video clip n. 11621, Russian, Chinese Strategic Bombers Patrol Sea Of Japan, East China Sea, Western Pacific Ocean , November 30, 2024) Iran, China, and Russia fifth military drill in Gulf of Oman in March 2024. (Source:Youtube) A Fragile Partnership Anti-American sentiment is what binds the four nations together and fuels their call for an alternative world order. It is no surprise that many nations, among them Venezuela, Cuba, and Eritrea, want to join the group if only to circumvent sanctions. What we see is a classic "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" scenario even if the four have opposed each other on many occasions. It will be recalled that in 1941, the USSR invaded Iran and employed separatists to create puppet states. Russia also had a long-standing dispute with China for the Amur and Ussuri River areas, among others. Russia and China opposed Iran's nuclear program in the early 2000s. Russia, China, and Iran participated to isolate North Korea from the world. Even today, Russia and China are competing for influence over Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, China and Iran are competing for influence over Pakistan and Afghanistan. That said, we can safely conclude that the "partnership" is a fragile one, at best. Meanwhile, the U.S. has employed a host of strategies to blunt the efforts of this axis, preserve the peace, and maintain the status quo. These include: strengthening alliances, partnerships, and intelligence sharing with like-minded countries, especially in geopolitical hotspots; disrupting military cooperation (e.g., intercepting weapons transfers and blocking the flow of dual-use technologies) and exploiting divergences and existing conflicts between the four ; employing diplomacy to further isolate the four; and reducing dependence on their exports. Time will tell if the axis will manage to succeed in disrupting the status quo and upending the world order. My bet is that it will dissolve as soon as conflicts of interest arise between them. After all, this is a partnership not based on principles nor ideology but for sheer spite for America. *Andrew Masigan is the MEMRI China Media Studies Project Special Advisor. He is a Manila-based economist, businessman, and political columnist for The Philippine Star. Masigan's articles in MEMRI are also published in The Philippine Star. [1] November 23, 2024. [2] February 14, 2024. [3] November 12, 2024. [4] March 23, 2023.
CBC
30-01-2025
- CBC
Saskatoon police say at least 10 GPS devices still unaccounted for after man accused of illegal tracking
Saskatoon police say they believe they haven't found all of the GPS trackers a man is believed to have planted on vehicles in the city. Saskatoon police say Marty Schira, 46, is in custody and facing 36 charges: several each of harassment, intimidation, mischief, fraudulent use of a computer system and fraudulent concealment of a computer system. Police say each tracker located results in at least an additional five charges. Police say that in each of the seven cases of trackers discovered on vehicles so far, the devices have been found underneath the vehicle, inside the rear fender wall, near the tire. Police believe there are at least 10 more trackers still out there, though the number could be higher. "We don't know," Staff Sgt. Brett Maki said when asked how many. "That's why we're trying to enlist the public's help in trying to recover these before they all die, the chargers lose their energy from the batteries. We'd like to recover as many as we can." The trackers are installed with magnets, wrapped in black tape and will look out of place, Maki said. If people are not sure where to look, Maki suggested taking their vehicle to a mechanic. The investigation began on Sept. 6, 2024, after a citizen reported having found two GPS trackers on his vehicle. It led officers to search an apartment in the 2000 block of 20th Street West, where officers found more trackers. Some victims unknown to Schira: police Maki said the trackers are owned by a subscription-based company and that's how officers learned there are additional trackers allegedly under Schira's name. Maki said Schira knows some of the people who were being tracked, but not others. He added that similar issues with people's locations being tracked have been reported before, but not to this extent. Maki said it is not illegal to own such trackers, but that Schira is alleged to have been using them unlawfully. Couple discover trackers on truck When Daelyn Boettcher found taped devices planted in the rear end of his truck, he said he knew what they were "right away." Boettcher said he had been working on the truck's brakes when he saw the equipment on the corner of his eye. "My first reaction was I thought somebody was trying to steal my truck," he said. Boettcher said police hinted the devices had likely been attached to the vehicle for several months. "He knows everything there is to know about us." His girlfriend, Mackenzie Hanson, said they reported the trackers to police after determining neither of them had planted the devices. Hanson later learned Schira was alleged to have planted the trackers. She searched his name and learned Schira had previously been convicted of sexual assault and kidnapping. "I felt super uncomfortable and uneasy," Hanson said. "I don't go anywhere alone anymore, pretty much, and I just watch over my shoulder a lot more." Schira's previous convictions In May 2004, Schira pleaded guilty in a Calgary provincial courtroom to sexual assault and kidnapping. According to an agreed statement of facts, Schira abducted a woman at gunpoint as she was walking in her hometown of Rosetown, Sask., in June 2003. Court documents say Schira drove her to Calgary, sexually assaulting her both in his vehicle on the way to the city and inside his apartment. He was originally sentenced to 14 years in prison. However, later that year, the Alberta Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to 13 years. According to documents from the Parole Board of Canada in 2017, Schira stabbed a correctional officer with a protractor in June 2013, resulting in two years being added to his sentence. The document quotes Schira's case management team, saying he has made little progress addressing his offending behaviour, including violence, sexual deviancy and mental health deficiencies. The parole board said at the time that if Schira was released he was likely to reoffend, causing serious harm to another person, before the end of his sentence. A psychological risk assessment completed in December 2016 said Schira presented features of various schizophrenia spectrum disorders. GPS tracker technology has pros, cons University of Manitoba computer science professor David Gerhard said there are both beneficial and nefarious uses for trackers. He gave examples like people using trackers to follow their vehicles or possessions in case of theft, or for safety if they are hiking in the backwoods, as positives. "But, of course, if you take one of these little boxes and put it on somebody else's vehicle instead of your own vehicle, then you can know their location without their consent," he said. "And that's a bad thing." Gerhard said that with some trackers that use cellular networks, like Apple Airtags, people with Apple phones or certain apps can be notified if a tracker is nearby and moving when they do. Other trackers that use satellite signals do not have similar notification forms, he said.
