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News18
7 hours ago
- News18
India's Alert Leads To Cambodia's Largest Cybercrime Raid, 3,075 Arrested Across 138 Sites
Last Updated: Cambodia's raids exposed transnational scam hubs where trafficked victims were coerced into running cyberfraud rackets targeting users across Asia In one of the largest coordinated crackdowns on cybercrime in Southeast Asia, Cambodian authorities have arrested more than 3,000 individuals from over a dozen countries. The operation, which targeted online fraud networks, took place between June 27 and July 22, 2025, and covered 138 locations. According to Business Today, the action followed requests from Indian agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). 'This was a big step by the Cambodian government on the request of MHA, Ministry of External Affairs and I4C," Home Ministry sources said, as reported by Business Today. The raids targeted cyberfraud compounds across Phnom Penh and 16 other provinces, uncovering transnational scam networks powered by forced labour, trafficking, and torture. Cambodian authorities said a total of 3,075 suspects, including 606 women, were arrested. Those detained included: The suspects are currently being processed for legal action, deportation, or further investigation. Officials of the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs are taking steps to deport Indians arrested in Cambodia, as reported by Business Today. The crackdown was launched under direct orders from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who issued strict instructions to law enforcement and military officials. Any failure to act, the directive warned, could result in termination. The operations began shortly after the first meeting of Cambodia's National Anti-Money Laundering Commission on June 27 and were accelerated after the Prime Minister's order on July 15, as noted in an official statement by the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Fraud. Forced Labour, Crypto Scams And 'Digital Arrests' The raids exposed a grim underworld of digital fraud compounds, many allegedly backed by Chinese organised crime groups, where victims were lured via fake job offers, then held captive and forced to operate call centre-style cyber scams. The United Nations estimates that over 100,000 people are currently trapped in such scam compounds across Cambodia. These illegal operations fuel global frauds, including investment scams, crypto cons, romance baiting, and even law enforcement impersonation. Some scam centres reportedly conducted 'digital arrests," posing as police or tax officials to extort money from unsuspecting online users across Asia. Fake Indian and Chinese police uniforms were among the materials seized during the raids. Seizures And Court Action Cambodian police recovered hundreds of digital devices used in the operations, along with weapons, bullets, drug processing equipment, ecstasy powder, white powder suspected to be narcotics, and forged law enforcement paraphernalia. Khmer Times reported that 'the perpetrators were sent to court to carry out procedures," with Phnom Penh alone forwarding 11 accused and evidence to the court, which ordered temporary detention for eight. Additionally, 17 Chinese nationals have been moved to a deportation staging facility in Preah Sihanouk province, with preparations underway to send them back. After the raids, locations were sealed off by authorities to prevent re-entry or destruction of evidence. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
16-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Amitabh Bachchan And Jaya Bachchan's Net Worth: Rs 1,578 Crore Empire And Luxury Cars
New Delhi: Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, one of the rock-solid couples in the industry, boast of an empire Rs 1578 crores as per a 2024 Business Today report. Jaya's income primarily comes from film roles, endorsements, and her salary as a Member of Parliament. Amitabh's income has multiple resources, including earnings from acting, endorsements, interest, rent, dividends, capital gains, and revenue from a solar power plant. What's Happening According to a 2024 Business Today report, as per the latest figures for the financial year 2022-23, Amitabh Bachchan's personal net worth stands at around Rs 273.74 crore, while Jaya Bachchan's is Rs 1.63 crore. Their combined net total stands at a huge Rs 1,578 crore. In 2024-25, Amitabh reportedly earned Rs 350 crore, making him one of India's highest taxpayers. According to a 2024 Siasat report, Mr Bachchan owns 16 vehicles that showcase his taste for luxury and style. His impressive lineup includes a Bentley Continental GT, Range Rover Autobiography LWB, Lexus LX 570, Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes GL63 AMG, Mercedes Benz S 350, Porsche Cayman S, Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Mini Cooper S, and a vintage Ford. Each car reflects his choice of fine things and luxury. Big B's iconic residence Pratiksha in Mumbai's Juhu is estimated to be valued at around Rs 50 crore at the current market price, according to reports. He and his son Abhishek Bachchan jointly own a property in Juhu's Kapol Housing Society worth Rs 45 crore. The Kalki 2898 AD actor has residences at Oberoi Seven in Goregaon, Mumbai, priced at Rs 20 crore and Rs 9.5 crore. Also, he has some property in his name in Pawna, Pune, as well as outside India, like France. In A Nutshell
BusinessToday
16-07-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
TVB Charts New Course in Malaysia's Streaming Era
TVB, the Hong Kong-based broadcasting giant, is sharpening its focus on the Malaysian market as it navigates the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. In a recent interview with BusinessToday, Desmond S.H. Chan, General Manager of TVBI Company Limited (TVBI), the overseas arm of TVB outlined the broadcaster's strategies, challenges, and ambitions as it seeks to deepen its presence among Malaysian audiences. Chan highlighted several hurdles facing the company, chief among them piracy and economic downturns. 'Unlike Hong Kong, where we are a free-to-air broadcaster relying on advertising, our Malaysian service is subscription-based. If viewers turn to illegal set-top boxes, we lose a crucial source of income needed to sustain our business here,' Chan explained. Meeting Challenges with Strategic Shifts He also cited the rise of alternative entertainment options and changing viewer habits, particularly among younger generations, as significant challenges. This includes investing in social media strategies and partnering with both its own artists and local Malaysian influencers. TVBI is working to enhance the viewing experience by introducing subtitles in Bahasa Malaysia and English, which are currently available on the TVB Xing He channel- ensuring that programming resonates across ethnic lines. Despite these challenges, TVBI is positioning itself for long-term growth by leveraging four core strengths: a vast library of intellectual property built since 1967; an established global distribution network; a wide roster of contracted artists; and robust in-house production capabilities. These assets allow TVBI to adapt its content into new formats such as short-form dramas and e-sports integrations, while also exploring new revenue streams through licensing and brand collaborations. Nurturing the Market and Building Cross-Border Careers Market-wise, TVB identifies Malaysia as one of its primary overseas markets due to the sizable Cantonese-speaking Chinese population, which mirrors Hong Kong's demographics. Many Malaysian viewers are already familiar with TVB's content, often crediting the broadcaster's dramas for their fluency in Cantonese. With local production costs being lower than in Hong Kong, TVB sees Malaysia as a strategic location for both audience expansion and operational efficiency. Looking ahead, TVB is keen to nurture local talent and foster cross-border opportunities. Chan cited the recent success of a Malaysian contestant Rax Teh in TVB's 'Midlife, Sing & Shine!' competition, who has since been signed as a management artist and is being groomed for an international music career. 'Malaysia has many talented performers. What they often lack is a platform to showcase their skills beyond national borders. TVB can provide that platform through our global network,' he said. Chan concluded with a call for audience support, urging viewers to choose legitimate TVB services over illegal alternatives. Related
Mint
15-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
8th Pay Commission: Will your salary hike outpace inflation? A comparison with previous avatars
As India steps into a new fiscal era, the buzz around the 8th Pay Commission has reignited hopes among central government employees and pensioners. With inflation soaring and living costs escalating each year, the next pay revision could be a game-changer, not just for the lakhs of employees it directly affects, but for the broader Indian economy too. But how exactly will this new commission improve their lifestyle? And how does it compare to the previous commissions that shaped India's public sector workforce? Pay Commissions have always been more than just salary revision exercises, they reflect the country's changing economic realities, inflationary pressures, and social aspirations. From 1946 to 2025, here's how each commission contributed to shaping the lives of government employees: Pay Commission Period (Formed – Reported) Chairman Minimum pay ( ₹ /month) Maximum pay ( ₹ /month) 1st May 1946 – May 1947 Srinivasa Varadachariar 55 2,000 2nd Aug 1957 – Aug 1959 Jaganath Das 80 – 3rd Apr 1970 – Mar 1973 Raghubir Dayal 185 – 4th Sept 1983 – Dec 1986 P.N. Singhal 750 – 5th Apr 1994 – Jan 1997 Justice S. Ratnavel Pandian 2,550 – 6th Oct 2006 – Mar 2008 Justice B.N. Srikrishna 7,000 80,000 7th Feb 2014 – Nov 2016 Justice A.K. Mathur 18,000 2,50,000 8th Announced Jan 16, 2025 To be appointed TBD TBD Although the final report is still awaited, initial proposals from the 8th Pay Commission point towards a massive salary hike of 30–34%, potentially the highest percentage increase ever seen. According to Business Today, the minimum basic salary could be hiked to ₹ 51,480 from the current ₹ 18,000. The new pay scale will adjust for inflation, economic growth, and aim for more equitable compensation across roles. Fitment factor : Likely to be between 2.28 and 2.86, compared to 2.57 (7th CPC) and 1.86 (6th CPC) : Likely to be between 2.28 and 2.86, compared to 2.57 (7th CPC) and 1.86 (6th CPC) DA, HRA, and transport allowances : Set to be restructured to reflect current inflation and cost-of-living indexes : Set to be restructured to reflect current inflation and cost-of-living indexes Effective date : Tentatively January 1, 2026, though delays may occur due to implementation logistics : Tentatively January 1, 2026, though delays may occur due to implementation logistics Simplification: May continue the trend of streamlined pay structures as seen with the 6th and 7th CPCs Arvind Vasant Shukla, Retired Senior Branch Manager, says 'The 8th Pay Commission for Central Govt Employees is reportedly expected to drastically increase the salaries of the employees by as much as 30–34%, which is the highest so far. However, its recommendations are not yet finalised. The implementation date is likely to be 1/01/26 but may get postponed. The 8th commission will take care of inflation, economic growth, and ensure equitable compensation.' Shukla, who has witnessed multiple pay commissions during his service, adds that the increased take-home pay could improve housing quality, healthcare access, and leisure activities. He emphasizes how the 7th CPC changed the grade pay structure, and how the 6th introduced pay bands — structural reforms that didn't just impact earnings but also administrative efficiency. Let's map the average inflation rates of the times against the commission years and see how much 'real' income changed for employees: Commission Implementation year Min pay ( ₹ /month) Average inflation Lifestyle impact 5th 1997 2,550 7% (1996–2000) Moderate relief, limited real growth 6th 2008 7,000 8–10% (2007–2011) Major boost, introduced Pay Bands 7th 2016 18,000 5–6% (2015–2020) Significant raise, Pay Matrix enabled better progression 8th (proposed) 2026 (tentative) 51,480 (expected) 6–7% (projected) High relief, aims to surpass inflation curve With inflation expected to hover around 6 to 7%, the proposed salary hikes under the 8th Pay Commission could significantly improve purchasing power, which has been steadily eroded in recent years. Each Pay Commission has mirrored India's economic journey: 1st Commission : Introduced the idea of a 'living wage', just enough to survive : Introduced the idea of a 'living wage', just enough to survive 2nd & 3rd Commissions : Focused on aligning with cost of living and private sector parity : Focused on aligning with cost of living and private sector parity 4th : Introduced performance-linked pay and Rank Pay for defence — a move that sparked decades-long debate : Introduced performance-linked pay and Rank Pay for defence — a move that sparked decades-long debate 5th : Simplified pay scales and offered dearness relief, but inflation soon caught up : Simplified pay scales and offered dearness relief, but inflation soon caught up 6th : Structural revolution — Pay Bands + Grade Pay, leading to sharp salary jumps : Structural revolution — Pay Bands + Grade Pay, leading to sharp salary jumps 7th: Flattened hierarchies using a Pay Matrix, improved pension formulas, and introduced work-life balance discourse Now, the 8th Pay Commission stands at a new inflection point — not just revising pay but potentially reshaping the very idea of government employment in India. While the finer details of the 8th Pay Commission are still under wraps, one thing is certain: it has set the stage for a transformative leap. If executed on time and in full spirit, the commission could empower government employees to lead a lifestyle that not only matches but outpaces inflation, ensuring dignity, motivation, and long-term economic stability. Whether you're a newly recruited officer or a retired veteran like Mr. Shukla, the 8th CPC is more than a pay-check revision — it's a promise of better living in a changing India.
Mint
13-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
8th pay commission: When is hike likely? How much will salaries rise? — All your questions answered
8th pay commission, all your questions answered: The Centre's has approved the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission, which is set to revise allowances (including Dearness Allowance or DA in line with inflation), pensions, and salaries for present and retired central government employees, union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in January. Since then, there has been much buzz about what benefits are likely and when it will be implemented. A big concern for many is the fitment factor, and how this will impact salary and pension. According to Vaishnaw, the commission will likely be formed by January 2026, with close to 1 crore central government employees and pensioners awaiting the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Pay Commission. Earlier this year, Shiv Gopal Mishra, secretary, staff side of the National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery, told NDTV Profit, that they expect the ToR to be 'approved at the earliest'. The recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission are expected to be submitted by 2025-end, and is scheduled to come into effect from January 2026, according to a report by Ambit Institutional Equities. However, the actual rollout will depend on the completion of the report, its submission to the government, and the approval of its recommendations. Per the process of proposal-submission-approval, the actual implementation is likely to be in FY27, with an expected hike of around 30-34 per cent, the Ambit report said. A report by The Economic Times, citing precedence to report that since ToRs are not yet finalised, the 8th Pay Commission may be delayed beyond the expected timeline of January 2026 — till late 2026 or early 2027. For reference, the 7th Pay Commission, which was announced in February 2014, came into effect almost two years later in January 2016. As many as 50 lakh central government employees, including defence personnel, are the beneficiaries of the 8th Pay Commission. Further, close to 65 lakh Central government pensioners, including defence retirees, are expected to benefit due to the latest Commission. While the government has not given official numbers on the percentage of salary hikes under the 8th Pay Commission, according to estimates, the fitment factor, the salary of employees could be hiked. The minimum basic salary could be hiked to ₹ 51,480 from ₹ 18,000, according to Business Today. 51,480 from 18,000, according to Business Today. A report by Ambit Institutional Equities said that the 8th Pay Commission's recommendations are expected to hike salaries of government employees and pensioners by 30-34 per cent. It rationalised that this would be in line with the Centre's earlier decision to cut taxes amounting to ₹ 1 trillion in FY26. Notably, the 8th Pay Commission salary hike would cost the Centre around an additional ₹ 1.8 lakh crore when implemented at this rate, as per the report. Over the three decades of pay commissions, the government has experimented with its structure – Grade Pay, Pay Bands, and the Pay Matrix. Each of them have set a norm for how salaries have been revised through the decades. Before 6th CPC, there were over 4,000 disparate pay scales across roles, which complicated salary calculations. That comission however introduced Pay Bands and Grade Pay, simplifying the payment process for each role. The 7th CPC brought the real gamechanger — the Pay Matrix. The commission created a 24-level Pay Matrix, with each cell representing unique salaries. Under the 7th CPC, the fitment factor was revised at 2.57. To understand how the new salaries for central government employees will be calculated, here's a look at their salary structure — Basic Pay: The fixed core component of the salary, determined by the employee's pay level, reflecting their role and seniority. The basic salary of employees constitutes 51.5 per cent of their total income. Dearness Allowance (DA): This is a cost-of-living adjustment. It is a percentage of the basic salary designed to neutralise the impact of inflation and maintain purchasing power. DA rates are revised periodically, typically twice a year, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For instance, if basic pay is ₹ 18,000 and the current DA rate is 50 per cent, then DA equals 50 per cent of ₹ 18,000 = ₹ 9,000. This ₹ 9,000 is added to the basic pay, making the total pay higher to offset rising living costs. DA accounts for approximately 30.9 per cent of the total income. House Rent Allowance (HRA): A portion of basic pay to cover rental housing expenses, varying by location. HRA accounts for about 15.4 per cent of the total income. Transport Allowance (TA): A fixed monthly amount to cover commuting costs, based on pay level and city type. This accounts for around 2.2 per cent of the total income. The 7th Pay Commission set the fitment factor to 2.57 per cent, hiking the basic pay to ₹ 18,000 minimum. However, DA was reset to zero at the start of the new Commission. Consequently, the actual increase in the salary component was 14.3 per cent. Therefore, a 2.57 fitment factor does not mean a 2.57 times increase in salary, as the hike was only implemented on the basic pay. As soon as a Pay Commission ends, the DA becomes zero as the index is re-based. A similar effect is expected to happen under the 8th Pay Commission. The central government constituted a pay commission typically once every 10 years to review and recommend changes to the salary structure of government employees. The government has established seven pay commissions since 1946. Factors including inflation, the state of the economy, income disparities, and related indicators are considered by the Commission. Additionally, it reviews bonuses, perks, allowances, and other benefits provided to government employees. The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, formed in 2014 by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, are currently being followed. The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission were implemented on January 1, 2016.
