Latest news with #Nord
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Online safety laws behind surge in VPN use
Apps offering VPNs, which are commonly used in authoritarian countries to get around internet censorship, made up half of the top 10 most popular free apps on the UK's App Store this weekend, according to the latest Apple rankings. Proton VPN overtook ChatGPT to become the top free app in the UK. The Swiss-based company said it had seen a more than 1800 per cent increase in daily sign-ups from UK-based users since Friday. On X, Proton said: 'We would normally associate these large spikes in sign-ups with major civil unrest. This clearly shows that adults are concerned about the impact universal age verification laws will have on their privacy'. Nord, another VPN provider, said there had been a 1000 per cent increase in UK purchases of VPN subscriptions since the new rules kicked in. Data from Google Trends also showed a significant increase in search queries for VPNs in the UK this weekend, with up to 10 times more people looking for VPNs at peak times. Rules 'not foolproof' for teenagers Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom group director for online safety, told the Financial Times that the watchdog's age verification rules would not be 'foolproof' for a 'determined teenager', just as under-18s are sometimes able to buy alcohol in UK stores. Mr Griffiths said: 'There are opportunities for people to use VPNs, but this is part of a broader system approach.' Opposition to the new rules has grown in recent days, with a petition submitted through the UK Parliament website attracting more than 280,000 signatures. The petition demands that the Online Safety Act be withdrawn, with a surge of signatures being added to the document in the past week. Under the Online Safety Act, websites that ignore the new laws could be fined up to £18m, or 10 per cent of worldwide revenue.
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
How to watch ‘The Assassin' online from anywhere
"Are you really not going to tell me why you're some kind of perimenopausal James Bond?' asks Edward (played by Freddie Highmore), the estranged son of Keeley Hawes' character Julie. And that is not even the most difficult question the retired hitwoman has to answer when her past resists her and the two of them are forced to go on the run. Below, we reveal where to watch 'The Assassin' online and from anywhere with a VPN. "The Assassin" premieres on Friday, July 25.• UK— Amazon Prime (FREE 30-day trial)• Aus — Stan Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free Ok, it might sound a bit contrived but it actually works. Hawes seem to have the most fun as the kick ass middle aged woman called out of retirement for the inevitable "one last job" while Highmore follows behind trying to assemble what he can of his own back story through the smokescreen of secrecy laid by his mother. A great supporting cast including Gina Gershon, Jack Davenport, Richard Dormer and Alan "Jim from Neighbours" Dale plus dramatic action scenes and crazy plot twists provide plenty of reasons to suspend disbelief. Set on a beautiful Greek Island, it's not exactly "Mamma Mia" but it does have a similar vibe. With added sniper rifle. Below is our full guide to how to watch 'The Assassin' online with an Amazon Prime Video 30-day FREE trial. "The Assassin" is available to stream in the U.K. on Prime Video from Friday, July 25. There's good news for new and eligible returning Amazon subscribers. They'll be entitled to a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime, which includes perks like free delivery, ad-free music, and access to thousands of hit films and TV shows. After the free trial, a Prime Video subscription costs £8.99 per month or £95 per year. In addition to 'The Assassin', Prime Video is also home to hit originals like 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power', 'Fallout', 'My Lady Jane', 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' and 'The Boys'. If you try to access your Amazon Prime account from abroad, you might find that your access is restricted – and some titles might be unavailable until your return home. The solution? A VPN, which lets you access your Prime Video content as if you were in your regular region of the world. Our all-time favourite is NordVPN (save up to 70% with this deal). Here's why it's the best: NordVPN deal: FREE $50 / £50 Amazon gift card Boasting lightning fast speeds, great features, streaming power, and class-leading security, NordVPN is our #1 VPN. ✅ FREE Amazon gift card worth up to $50/£50✅ 4 months extra FREE!✅ 76% off usual price Use Nord to unblock Amazon Prime and watch The Assassin online with our exclusive deal. "The Assassin" is available to stream in Australia on Stan from Friday, July 25. A Stan subscription starts at $12 per month for a Basic plan, with features like HD/4K quality and additional devices available at higher price points. Abroad? Don't panic. If you're outside Australia make sure to use NordVPN to catch the show. There is no release date for "The Assassin" in the U.S. as yet. We'll let you know here if that changes. If you're a Brit or an Aussie traveling in the US, however, a VPN will help you tune in. We recommend NordVPN. As with the U.S., there is no release date in Canada as yet and we'll let you know here if that changes. If you're a Brit or an Aussie traveling in the Great White North a VPN will help you tune in. We recommend NordVPN. Before reading our guide to "The Assassin", you might want to check out the full series trailer, below. The show was written and put together by Harry and Jack Williams. Their Two Brothers Pictures production company was also responsible for Boat Story, Dinosaur, Baptiste, The Missing, and The Tourist. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Mint
6 days ago
- Mint
OnePlus Nord 5: A solid mid-range phone held back by two missteps
I'd like to rephrase the famous phrase 'two steps forward, one step back" to 'many steps forward, two crucial steps back." That sums up OnePlus' latest mid-range beast, the Nord 5 ( ₹29,999). OnePlus has had a remarkable few years, launching powerful flagships like the OnePlus 12 and 13 series. Meanwhile, the Nord lineup has built a reputation for delivering solid value—often challenging even OnePlus' own cut-down flagships like the 13R. The Nord 2, 3 and 4 were all standout mid-range phones. With the Nord 4, OnePlus introduced a bold new all-metal design. With the Nord 5, however, they've reversed course—ditching the unique design and ceding some ground on specs to rivals like the Poco F7. These are the two crucial steps back that slightly mar an otherwise excellent device. Design: Safe, but still premium While the Nord 5 loses the all-metal construction of the Nord 4, its new glass-back design doesn't feel any less premium. It comes with a matte finish and in-glass pattern in the Marble Sands colourway. If you prefer a cleaner look, there are also Dry Ice (Blue) and Phantom Grey (Black) options. It's comfortable in the hand, but its 8.1mm thickness and 211g weight are noticeable—thanks to a massive 6,800mAh battery inside. Still, it fits well and feels like a performance-focused device. If you're coming from the OnePlus 13s, the size increase is apparent. But once again, OnePlus has ensured that 'battery anxiety" is a thing of the past. Unless you're heavily gaming, the Nord 5 easily lasts through the next day. A display made for bingeing The 6.83-inch flat 1.5K Swift AMOLED display (144Hz refresh rate, 1800 nits peak brightness) with slim bezels and Gorilla Glass 7i is perfect for content consumption. I watched Wimbledon, Tour de France, and several cricket matches, and the screen consistently delivered excellent colour reproduction and sharpness. Gaming benefits from the added real estate and 120fps support in titles like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile. The stereo speakers (with a down-firing main driver) get decently loud with minimal distortion—great for casual YouTube viewing, though not immersive enough for movie nights. New to the Nord 5 is the Plus Key—OnePlus' answer to Apple's Action Button—which adds a layer of customisation. However, I do miss the classic alert slider. OnePlus also adds its AI Mind Space (note-taking, screenshot search, and more), which feels more like a filler feature than a must-have. Biometrics—under-display fingerprint and face unlock—work quickly and reliably. Camera performance The Nord 5 sports a dual-camera setup: a 50MP Sony LYT-700 primary sensor and a basic 8MP ultra-wide, alongside a 50MP Samsung JN5 selfie shooter. The primary sensor (same as on the OnePlus 13R) is excellent in daylight, offering vivid, detailed images with accurate skin tones. It competes well with devices like the Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro. Unfortunately, the ultra-wide camera is a letdown. It lacks detail, especially in dynamic range, and doesn't complement the primary sensor well. Surprisingly, the 50MP selfie shooter is the real standout. With mechanical autofocus and a physically larger sensor than most in this price range, it shines even in low-light conditions. Nord 5 vs Nord CE 5 The Nord CE 5, in contrast, feels like a compromise. I've never understood OnePlus' CE lineup—it cuts too many corners for the savings it offers. Let's look at a few comparisons: u Display: The Nord 5 offers a 6.83-inch AMOLED (144Hz) vs. the Nord CE 5's 6.77-inch AMOLED (120Hz). u Chipset: The Nord 5 has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a flagship-grade chip. The CE 5 settles for the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex—capable, but clearly inferior. u Storage: Nord 5 goes up to 512GB UFS 3.1; CE 5 caps at 256GB. u Camera: Nord 5's main and selfie cameras outperform the CE 5's 50MP LYT-600 and 16MP selfie shooter, which produced flat, unimpressive photos. u Battery: The CE 5 does pull ahead slightly with a 7,100mAh cell versus Nord 5's 6,800mAh—but both perform admirably in real-world use. Verdict The Nord 5 may have lost its iconic all-metal identity and trails behind some rivals on raw specs, but it still leads the pack in software experience, battery life, camera performance (barring ultra-wide), and display quality. Yes, the Poco F7 is catching up—especially for gaming—but the Nord 5 is still one of the easiest smartphones to recommend in the ₹30K price range. Just make sure to get the 12GB/512GB variant. Avoid the CE 5 unless your budget is truly inflexible and you're committed to staying within the OnePlus ecosystem.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Explained: What are EU's fresh sanctions on Russia? Here's what they mean
The European Union unveiled its 18th package of sanctions against Russia, aiming to further squeeze Moscow's oil revenues and financial networks over its ongoing war in Ukraine. Approved on Friday, the new measures include a series of toughened restrictions focused largely on the energy sector, shipping, and financial dealings. Here's a what the latest sanctions include: 1. Russian oil: A fresh price cap At the heart of this package is a new price cap on Russian oil. The EU plans to impose a moving price ceiling, pegged at 15% below the average market price of Russian crude. Currently, that would put the cap at around $47.60 per barrel, a significant drop from the $60 limit introduced by the G7 in December 2022. This lower threshold is designed to curb Russia's energy income while avoiding a shock to global oil supplies. The measure takes effect from 3 September, with a 90-day transition period for existing contracts. Under the new rules, any crude purchased above the cap cannot be shipped, insured or reinsured by EU firms, as per a Reuters report. The European Union and Britain had been urging the G7 to reduce the existing $60 price cap on Russian oil, arguing that falling oil futures had rendered it ineffective. However, opposition from the United States stalled any collective action, prompting the EU to act independently. Still, the bloc faces limits in enforcing the measure, as oil is predominantly traded in US dollars and payment clearing is largely controlled by American banks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2 BHKs starts at ₹ 72.6 Lakh | No Floor rise | Zero PLC Mahindra Happinest Tathawade Get Quote Undo After a six-month grace period, the EU will no longer import petroleum products made from Russian oil, even if they're refined elsewhere. This rule excludes imports from Norway, Britain, the US, Canada, and Switzerland. The EU is ending the Czech Republic's exemption from the bloc-wide seaborne Russian oil ban, after the country shifted entirely to alternative suppliers. The EU sanctions package also targets India's Nayara oil refinery, in which Russia's largest oil producer, Rosneft, holds a major share. 3. Targeting the 'Shadow Fleet' In an effort to disrupt Russia's workaround using ageing tankers: 105 additional ships have been banned from EU ports and waters. These include vessels engaging in ship-to-ship transfers, a common method used to mask the origin of Russian oil. The total number of sanctioned ships now exceeds 400, according to Reuters. The EU also blacklisted a private operator of an international flag registry and an entity involved in Russia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, though it did not disclose their names. 4. Nord Stream: Total cut-off The EU will ban all transactions linked to the Nord Stream gas pipelines, which run under the Baltic Sea. This includes the provision of goods and services to the infrastructure. 5. Financial sector: A blanket ban In a major escalation, the EU will now prohibit all transactions with Russian financial institutions, many of which are already cut off from SWIFT. The ban also targeted Russia's sovereign wealth fund, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). EU countries agreed to lower the threshold for penalising foreign financial entities found to be helping Russia evade sanctions or fund the war effort. 6. Export restrictions and new blacklist entries The bloc will bar exports of certain chemicals, plastics and machinery to Russia. 26 new entities have been added to the sanctions list for circumventing restrictions, including, 7 in China, 3 in Hong Kong, 4 in Turkey. 7. Delays and diplomatic hurdles The approval of this package wasn't smooth. Slovakia and Malta initially delayed the rollout: Slovakia objected due to concerns about an upcoming EU plan to ban Russian gas imports by 2028. It lifted its veto earlier this week after receiving guarantees from the EU to mitigate potential losses. How did India react? The ministry of external affairs on Friday hit out at the European Union's 'unilateral' sanctions on Russia, criticising the bloc's 'double standards' in energy trade. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement in post on X, "We have noted the latest sanctions announced by the European Union. India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures. We are a responsible actor and remain fully committed to our legal obligations." The MEA further emphasised that ensuring energy security is a top priority for the Indian government to meet the essential needs of its citizens. 'We would stress that there should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade,' the statement added. The EU's latest sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine war include measures targeting an Indian refinery partly owned by Rosneft. The Russian energy giant holds a 49.13% stake in Nayara Energy Ltd, formerly Essar Oil. Nayara operates a major refinery in Vadinar, Gujarat, with an annual capacity of 20 million tonnes, and runs over 6,750 fuel stations across India. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MEA criticises EU sanctions on Russia that include Gujarat refinery
The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said it does not support "unilateral sanctions" by the European Union, after Brussels imposed penalties on Russia that included a Rosneft oil refinery in Gujarat . The "India does not subscribe to any unilateral sanction measures. Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. We would stress that there should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade, he added. — MEAIndia (@MEAIndia) The EU has imposed sanctions on the Indian oil refinery of Russian energy giant Rosneft and lowered the oil price cap, as part of a new raft of measures against Russia over its war in Ukraine. The fresh sanctions package on Russia included new banking restrictions, and curbs on fuels made from Russian crude oil. The lowered oil price cap - currently set at $60 per barrel - means Russia will be forced to sell its crude at reduced rates to buyers like India. As the second-largest purchaser of Russian oil, India stands to benefit from this move. Russian crude currently accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India's total oil imports. Rosneft owns 49.13 per cent stake in Nayara Energy Ltd, formerly Essar Oil Ltd. Nayara owns and operates a 20 million tonne a year oil refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat as also over 6,750 petrol pumps. An investment consortium SPV, Kesani Enterprises Company holds 49.13 per cent stake in Nayara. Kesani is owned by Russia's United Capital Partners (UCP) and Hara Capial Sarl, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mareterra Group Holding (formerly Genera Group Holding S.p.A.). EU sanctions means Nayara cannot export fuel such as petrol and diesel to European countries. Among the sanctions announced were ban on Nord Stream pipelines, and a lower cap on price at which Russian can export oil. In December 2022, the Group of Seven (G7) nations imposed a $60 a barrel price cap on Russian oil sold to third countries. Under this mechanism, Western insurance and shipping services could only be used if the oil was sold at or below the capped price. The goal was to restrict Russia's oil revenues while maintaining stability in global energy supplies. However, the cap faced criticism for being largely ineffective in achieving its intended impact. The European Union and Britain had been pushing to lower the price cap after a fall in global oil prices made the current $60 cap nearly irrelevant.
