Latest news with #Aga
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
FIR lodged over ‘violations' during Muharram procession in Srinagar
The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday (July 5, 2025) lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against Shia mourners who allegedly 'intended to provoke unrest and disturb public order' during a Muharram procession on Friday. According to the police, the accused were identified and legal proceedings were underway. 'FIR No. 41/2025 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at the Police Station Kothibagh,' the police said. A Muharram procession was carried out by Shia Muslims from the city centre Lal Chowk on Friday amid tight security. It's for the third time that the authorities allowed the Muharram procession in the area, which was barred since the 1990s in Kashmir. The police did not divulge any details about the actions for which the FIR was lodged. However, the police have clamped down on those who erected banners carrying the pictures of Hezbollah commander Hassan Nasrallah. After the Iran-U.S. war, posters and banners of Iranian and Hezbollah commanders and pro-Palestine slogans have surfaced in Kashmir. 'Disturb public order' 'These actions were intended to provoke unrest, disturb public order, and disrupt communal harmony, posing a serious threat to the security and integrity of the nation,' the police said. National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah has defended those who hoist pro-Palestine banners, saying 'it goes as per the Constitution and the country's official stand'. During the month of Muharram, Shias across the world mourn the death of close relatives of Prophet Muhammad during the battle of Karbala.
India.com
04-07-2025
- India.com
Traveling Pune Is Expensive? Not If You Know These Secret Budget Tips
Pune, popularly referred to as the Oxford of The East, is a place where history and a modern youthful scene exist in harmony. If you are a student, history lover, or just wish to visit a vibrant city on a budget, Pune has it all. One does not need to sacrifice experiences just to stay within a budget. Here, simultaneously, smart decisions still mean broadening your horizons. Here are some budget friendly Pune travel tips. Plan Your Transport Smartly With some planning, you can significantly cut back on your travel expenses while in Pune. The city has a comprehensive and cost effective system of public transportation, including bus and shared auto-rickshaws. Getting around is as easy as using PMPML and Uber. If you want to see multiple sights in one day, renting a shared bike or scooter is recommended. Additionally, Pune's smaller size is perfect for two-wheeled modes of transportation. PMPML buses operate on set schedules and cover almost every area of the city. Shared autos have fixed routes and operate at a lower price than private autos. Bike rentals start from 300 Rs. and discounts are available by some companies for long time rentals. Choose Budget-Friendly Stays Accommodation in Pune is easy on the budget. The city has an ample selection of hostels, guest houses, Airbnb's, and other budget friendly stays. While certain places like Koregaon Park and Baner tend to be on the pricier side, Swargate, Shivajinagar or Kothrud have more economical options that are not very far from the main attractions. Pune has backpacker hostels available for as cheap as ₹500 per night. Budget hotels and guesthouses cater to the affordable crowd with prices ranging from ₹800-₹1500. For added savings, look for accommodations that provide free breakfast. Enjoy Street Food and Local Delicacies You don't have to go to high-end places to get a sense of Punekar hospitality. Pune is a foodie's utopia and an endless supply of street food wait for you at JM Road, Camp and FC Road. Some amazing foods you can get include vada pav, misal pav, and Mastani which is a rich milkshake served by small food stalls. Mastani has many local outlets with prices starting at ₹50. Most vendors charge around ₹10 to ₹20 for vada pav. Misal pav is another staple with an average price of ₹40 to ₹60. Visit Free or Low-Cost Attractions You should not miss out on these inexpensive embraceable features of Pune that should definitely be a necessity on your itinerary. The landmarks Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, and sinhagad Fort cost a mere few bucks for maintenance which seem worth every penny as they are steeped in breathtaking history. On the other hand, Pashan Lake and Vetal Tekdi are completely free making them affordable for nature lovers. Do take the time to enjoy the unique cultural programs and celebrations in Pune which do not require tickets. Entry fee for Shaniwar Wada: ₹5 (Indians), ₹125 (foreigners). Entry fee for Aga Khan Palace: ₹25 (Indians), ₹300 (foreigners). Many parks and trekking spots like Taljai Hills are free to visit. Shop Smart at Local Markets Pune's bustling markets are perfect for budget-friendly shopping. Whether you're looking for clothes, accessories, or souvenirs, places like Tulsi Baug, Laxmi Road, and Hong Kong Lane offer great deals. Bargaining is a must to get the best prices. Cotton kurtas and sarees start at ₹200 in Laxmi Road. Trendy accessories and bags can be found for as low as ₹50 at Hong Kong Lane. Local handmade items and trinkets make for affordable souvenirs. Make Use of Discounts and Offers Make sure you get the student rates, group discounts, or off-season promotional prices. A lot of cafés and museums such as the Pune cafes will readily give student ID holders a discount. In addition, there are platforms such as BookMyShow, Nearbuy, and Groupon that give deals on food and different events or activities in the city. You can purchase tickets to museums at half the normal cost! Cashback and coupon deals are often available for dining and entertainment. Some hostels and hotels offer discounts for group bookings or extended stays. Explore Pune by Walking or Cycling For those economical to walk, and cycle, this is one the great ways to get to know the city of Pune as these methods to reserve fuel at the same time provide a great experience. Baner and Koregaon Park are very friendly for walking as their streets are lined with trees and there are many quaint cafes. You can hire bicycles at cheap rates to roam around the city. Taking the bus from PMPML to Lonavala costs around ₹150 for one person. Access to the Bhaja Caves and Karla Caves is only ₹50. You will encounter many hidden gems such as book shops and bakeries when you try walking the city. Opt for Affordable Day Trips It is easy to organize day trips from Pune for a low cost because there are so many places to visit. Template, Lonavala, Khandala, and Lavasa are easily reachable too. Use public transport like shared cabs or buses and rent bikes to minimize spending. It is more economical to bring your own snacks and water too. A PMPML bus ride to Lonavala costs about ₹150 per person. Entry to Bhaja Caves and Karla Caves is just ₹50. Group bookings for bike rentals can save you additional costs. Final Thoughts One does not have to sacrifice memories in order to travel economically. For those who have tight budgets, Pune's culture and rich history ensures that there are diverse opportunities for you. With these tips, one is able to freely navigate the city without overspending. So make sure to choose your itinerary prudently and you will be able to have a fulfilling trip to Pune.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Got air con or a south-facing garden? This is how much extra buyers will pay for your house in summer
As much as home buyers might try to keep a level head when viewing properties, superficial factors can have a huge impact on their perception. Estate agents might advise sellers to light a scented candle or bake some fresh bread, but the biggest influencer is out of their control: the weather. In the current sunny spell, walking into a property that is perfectly chilled with air conditioning, or has a glorious south-facing sun terrace, will inevitably put it higher in buyers' estimations. And in the winter, a roaring fire or Aga range cooker might generate the same feel-good factor. But how much do these features really add to the price of a home, and is it worth timing a sale to make the most of them? New research by Zoopla has revealed how much popular summer and winter features can boost a home's value. Its research found that a home with a home with a range of sought-after outdoor features like a nice garden, swimming pool, outdoor entertainment space and air conditioning would be worth around £22,000 more if sold during the summer months. The study was based on recommended asking prices from more than 100 estate agents from across the country. They were asked how much they would market homes with certain features for in the summer months, May to August, versus other times of the year. The experts based their valuations on a three bed property, which currently has a median asking price of £324,000. Individually, it said a south-facing or sunny garden could add 1.8 per cent or £5,832 to a home's value in summer. A balcony could add 1.24 per cent or £4,018, while air conditioning could persuade hot and bothered buyers to part with an extra £4,925 or 1.52 per cent of the average sale price. Swimming pools are divisive among buyers, as some see them as a recipe for sky-high energy bills and annoying upkeep. However, Zoopla found homes with pools could fetch an extra £5,897 or 1.82 per cent of the typical sale price in summer, while a hot tub would add about £2,819 or 0.87 per cent. On the other hand, buyers of homes with these features could get a bargain by snapping them up 'out of season' in the winter. Warm and cosy features which could see prices hot up in the latter part of the year include a fireplace, which could add £4,568 or 1.41 per cent to the average home's value, and under-floor heating which would command an additional £3,985 or 1.23 per cent. An Aga-style range cooker which could increase it by £3,337 or 1.03 per cent, though this is less than the cost of purchasing a new Aga which can be more than £10,000 for the top models. Good energy efficiency measures such as double glazing would add £3,402 or 1.05 per cent. Additional findings from a survey of 1,000 homeowners shows that 48 per cent would be prepared to pay more for a swimming pool if they were buying a home in the summer months, and 49 per cent would be persuaded to part with more cash for a home with a nice garden. Meanwhile a similar number (49 per cent) would be prepared to pay extra for a house with air conditioning. Likewise in winter, 38 per cent say they would be prepared to pay more for a home with a traditional fireplace, 41 per cent would pay more for a home with good energy efficiency and 26 per cent would pay more for an Aga-style range cooker. Daniel Copley, consumer expert at Zoopla, said: 'The research clearly demonstrates that homebuyers are swayed by the season, and in some cases, certain features can help sellers achieve more for their home. 'While it is human nature to be drawn to features like a stunning garden or cool pool in summer, or underfloor heating during winter, homebuyers should bear in mind that they will also face ongoing running costs for these items, especially with regards to energy usage. Buyers should therefore factor this into their budget.' Amongst home-buyers who purchased during spring or summer, two thirds (65 per cent) say they were drawn to seasonal features, compared to 47 per cent of those that bought in winter. Of those, the vast majority (85 per cent) say they feel they paid more for the home as a result. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Calandagan back in search of elusive Group One gold
The Aga Khan Studs-owned gelding excelled last season when winning a pair of Group Threes at ParisLongchamp before a hugely impressive six-length triumph in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. But his step up to Group One level has so far seen a series of near-misses, with second-place finishes in the Juddmonte International, Champion Stakes, Dubai Sheema Classic and Coronation Cup. Nemone Routh, manager for the Aga Khan Studs in France, said: 'He worked on Tuesday morning and worked well. He took his run at Epsom very well and he's going to run in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on Sunday. 'It's going to be a very hot race this year, but he's in great form and I think he'll get his ground.' Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is also set to be represented by last year's King George winner Goliath, who returned to winning ways in the Group Three La Coupe at ParisLongchamp last time out. The six-strong possibles list is completed by Joseph O'Brien's Al Riffa, Andre Fabre's Junko, the Christophe Ferland-trained Aventure and Iresine, representing the stable of Jean-Pierre Gauvin.
North Wales Chronicle
25-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Calandagan back in search of elusive Group One gold
The Aga Khan Studs-owned gelding excelled last season when winning a pair of Group Threes at ParisLongchamp before a hugely impressive six-length triumph in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. But his step up to Group One level has so far seen a series of near-misses, with second-place finishes in the Juddmonte International, Champion Stakes, Dubai Sheema Classic and Coronation Cup. Nemone Routh, manager for the Aga Khan Studs in France, said: 'He worked on Tuesday morning and worked well. He took his run at Epsom very well and he's going to run in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on Sunday. 'It's going to be a very hot race this year, but he's in great form and I think he'll get his ground.' Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is also set to be represented by last year's King George winner Goliath, who returned to winning ways in the Group Three La Coupe at ParisLongchamp last time out. The six-strong possibles list is completed by Joseph O'Brien's Al Riffa, Andre Fabre's Junko, the Christophe Ferland-trained Aventure and Iresine, representing the stable of Jean-Pierre Gauvin.
