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Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Ather 450S launched with larger battery and 161 km of range, priced at ₹1.45 lakh
Ather Energy has introduced a new variant of its 450S electric scooter that promises to deliver more distance on a single charge—without dialing down the fun. Powered by a 3.7 kWh battery pack, the updated 450S now boasts an IDC (Indian Driving Conditions) range of 161 km. Priced at ₹1,45,999 (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), the scooter is aimed at riders who want the sporty character of the 450 platform, but with the added confidence of extended range. This launch is part of Ather's continued focus on expanding its 450 series. While the 450X remains the flagship with top-tier software features, the new 450S bridges the gap between the entry-level 2.9 kWh version and the premium 450X. It brings the same performance DNA to a wider audience at a more accessible price. The battery pack continues to be positioned in the floorboard. The new variant sticks to Ather's signature sporty design—sharp lines, sleek LED lighting, and a sturdy build quality that riders have come to expect. The company says that despite the larger battery pack, the scooter maintains its light and agile handling. The Ather 450S gets DeepView display instead of a TFT instrument cluster. The 450S 3.7 kWh retains its 5.4 kW motor delivering 22 Nm of torque, allowing a 0-40 km/h sprint in just 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 90 km/h. It also offers four ride modes—Smart Eco, Eco, Ride, and Sport—so riders can toggle between efficiency and thrill, depending on their needs. The scooter doesn't skimp on features either. It comes equipped with a 7-inch DeepView display, Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, and a host of safety features like AutoHold, Fall Safe, Emergency Stop Signal, and theft alerts. OTA software updates ensure the vehicle stays up-to-date with the latest improvements. Also Read : Ather Energy ties up with DPIIT to boost EV manufacturing and clean mobility ecosystem Charging is handled through Ather's fast-growing Grid network with 3300+ points nationwide, or via a home charging setup that powers the battery from 0 to 80 per cent in 4.5 hours. For long-term peace of mind, the 450S is covered under the 'Ather Eight70' warranty—offering 8 years or 80,000 km of battery protection. Bookings are now open, with deliveries set to begin in August 2025. City-wise pricing places it competitively across major metros: ₹1,48,047 in Delhi, ₹1,48,258 in Mumbai, and ₹1,47,312 in Chennai. Check out Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date:
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Why Goa homestays for tourists are in minister's line of fire
Unregistered homestays have become the latest flashpoint in Goa's tourism debate. At the heart of the issue lies residential apartments that were purchased during the Covid pandemic by people from Delhi and other parts of the country, and are now being rented out to tourists in violation of state Minister Rohan Khaunte, speaking in the Goa Legislative Assembly on July 29, said such properties were never meant to operate as commercial holiday turning them into unregistered homestays, he warned, owners are "misusing and renting" residential spaces to visitors, undermining the formal hospitality sector and creating social tensions within local ILLEGAL GOA HOMESTAY ISSUE WAS RAISED? The matter came up during Zero Hour when BJP legislator and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo flagged what he described as a growing menace of illegal pointed out that many apartments, initially purchased as "second homes" within gated complexes, have since been converted into holiday rentals through online units, he alleged, often attract "unruly" tourists whose behaviour causes constant inconvenience to permanent argued that the unchecked rise of such rentals is disturbing the delicate social balance in Goa's neighbourhoods."There is a growing concern among Goans regarding illegal homestays in buildings and unregistered homes and estates. This unregulated activity is causing anxiety among the residents and raising concerns of safety, security and infrastructure strain. In buildings, if there are 50 flats, ten are given on rent for short-term holidays. No one keeps a track of who moves in and out. They drink in the common spaces [of the building complex]play loud music," Lobo said, according to a report by The Indian Express."I urge the government to take decisive action to crackdown against unauthorised homestays and ensure strict enforcement of registration norms and protect the interests of residents," he MINISTER 'S RESPONSE TO THE CRISISIn his reply, Tourism Minister Khaunte defended the government's monitoring mechanism, insisting that only verified and registered establishments are officially recognised on Online Travel Aggregator (OTA) urged locals to assist the government in identifying violators. "The department is taking steps to ensure compliance. We urge citizens to report unregistered or illegal stays so action can be taken," he told Herald further stressed that the state maintains constant oversight over listings on OTAs. "Regular watch is kept on accommodations listed on OTAs."They are actively monitored. The government has ensured all inventory of hotel rooms, guesthouses and other stays linked with OTA platforms are registered with the tourism department," he said, according to debate comes against the backdrop of the Goa government's regulatory framework for December 2023, the state notified its Homestay and Bed and Breakfast Policy, and set service benchmarks, mandated registration, and sought to streamline the mushrooming of small-scale tourist accommodations across the state.- EndsTrending Reel
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First Post
2 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Are homestays becoming trouble-spots for Goa? Minister blames ‘people from outside'
Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced tighter enforcement on illegal tourist accommodations and updated the state's Homestay Policy to support rural women read more Multiple second residences and residential structures in Goa are being utilised for tourist stays by people from outside the state without informing the Goan authorities, state tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said in the assembly on Monday. He also stated that the Goa government is regularly monitoring lodgings offered on online travel agency (OTA) platforms to ensure they are legally registered with authorities. His statement came when BJP MLA Michael Lobo raised the matter in the House, claiming that homestays functioning in residential communities are causing difficulty for locals by attracting disruptive tourists. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Responding to the Zero Hour mention, Khaunte stated, 'Regular watch is kept on accommodations listed on OTAs. They are actively monitored.' He said, 'The government has ensured all inventory of hotel rooms, guesthouses and other stays linked with OTA platforms are registered with the tourism department.' 'Many second homes and residential buildings are being misused for tourist stays without informing the authorities. The people who come to these second homes and operate as tourist accommodations often do so without proper registration,' he added. 'The Goa government will work towards finding a sustainable solution that protects the interests of both residents and the tourism sector,' he assured the assembly. Later, addressing the reporters, Khaunte stated that the Goa government has updated its Homestay Policy to address critical difficulties confronting local people working in the hospitality business in the coastal state's rural regions. A direct grant of Rs 2 lakh will now be provided to eligible applicants to establish homestays, replacing the previous reimbursement-based model that posed financial challenges for many rural households, he said. 'The original policy required beneficiaries to invest first and claim the amount later, which was not practical for women in rural households,' he told reporters on the margins of the state assembly's ongoing monsoon session. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Based on their feedback, we have made the necessary changes to ensure the policy is inclusive, accessible and truly empowering,' says Khaunte. The updated legislation would apply to homestays with one to six lettable rooms within the owner's property, particularly in rural regions, according to the ministry. 'While the registration is permitted across Goa, incentives will be limited to non-coastal, non-urban zones to ensure the policy's rural focus is preserved,' added the official. Khaunte stated that the project is profoundly founded in women's empowerment, since homestays would be administered mostly by household women. 'This is not just about adding inventory to our tourism ecosystem, it's about creating livelihood opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, and giving rural women a leadership role in community-based tourism,' he said. The tourist department will launch the application procedure for taking advantage of this program once the current assembly session ends on August 8, he added. 100 homestays will be supported under the scheme in the initial phase, the minister said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Webjet fined $9m for misleading Aussie travellers after the ACCC took the online travel agency to Federal Court
A major Australian travel company has been fined $9m for misleading Aussies about the price of flights and booking confirmations after an investigation from the consumer watchdog. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in November took online travel agency (OTA) Webjet to Federal Court for misleading advertisements it ran between 2018 and 2023 that excluded compulsory fees. Webjet also admitted it misled 118 customers between 2019 and 2024 by providing flight bookings for travel plans it had not actually confirmed. The OTA then asked for additional payments upwards of $2120 for customers to complete the booking. Webjet has since handed back this money. ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said the investigation into Webjet began after a traveller complained about a ticket price advertised as 'from $18' ended costing three times as much after fees were added. 'We took this case because we considered that Webjet used misleading pricing by excluding or not adequately disclosing compulsory fees in its ads,' Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. 'Seeking to lure in customers with prices that don't tell the whole story is a serious breach of the Australian Consumer Law.' The OTA hit customers with a 'servicing fee' and a 'booking price guarantee' fee ranging between $34.90-$54.90 per booking. These additional fees were not disclosed in Webjet's social media posts and varied depending on where the traveller was heading. Some users had to scroll to the fine print near the bottom of the screen in their booking to see information about the fees. 'Retailers must ensure their advertised prices are accurate,' Ms Cass-Gottlieb said. "They should clearly disclose additional fees and charges." These fees made up 36 per cent of Webjet's total revenue from November 2018 to November 2023. The consumer watchdog noted that Webjet had co-operated with the ACCC throughout the investigation, admitted liability and agreed to make joint submissions to the Court about orders, including the penalty.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin reports to camp despite ongoing contract dispute
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Wide receiver Terry McLaurin reported to Washington Commanders training camp on Sunday morning following a four-day holdout, but the 2024 second-team All-Pro and the team have yet to agree on new contract terms. The Commanders removed McLaurin from the reserve/did not report list for camp and placed Washington's leading receiver on the active/physically unable to perform list due to an ankle injury from the previous season, according to head coach Dan Quinn. 'I'm really pumped that he is here,' Quinn said before Sunday's practice. The coach said he spoke directly with McLaurin on Saturday. 'He is such an awesome competitor. At his core, that's who he is.' McLaurin did not report on Tuesday along with his teammates and incurred a $50,000 daily fine for skipping the first four official days of camp. The seven-year veteran has one year remaining on a three-year, $68.2 million extension signed in 2022, but has been seeking a new deal. He set a career-high with 13 touchdown receptions and had 1,096 yards last season on 82 receptions. The PUP list designation forbids McLaurin from participating in on-field activities, but he can join teammates and coaches in meetings and now counts toward the 90-player roster limit. With fans in attendance for practice, McLaurin will work with the training staff on the side field during Sunday's practice, Quinn said. McLaurin participated in early portions of Washington's offseason program, but skipped the on-field portions of Organized Team Activities (OTA) and mandatory minicamp. Teammates have supported their absent teammate during camp. Quarterback Jayden Daniels and McLaurin fueled an offense that was central to Washington's surprising run to the NFC Championship game last season. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'Just business in the NFL,' said Daniels. 'We know Terry's working … at the end of the day, he's still one of our brothers.' AP NFL:
