Sunday, 18 October 2026

Kochi Mini Cooper crash: Driver’s mother appeals for privacy, extends condolences to victims’ families

Suhail Sajeev’s mother said the investigation into the Mini Cooper crash must proceed in the right direction and that the truth must prevail

Hindustan Times

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Kochi Mini Cooper crash: Driver’s mother appeals for privacy, extends condolences to victims’ families Suhail Sajeev’s mother said the investigation into the Mini Cooper crash must proceed in the right direction and that the truth must prevail Updated on: Oct 18, 2026, 21:02:21 IST By Vishnu Varma Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link

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Study on Internet use flags emotional and physical impact on children

The majority of children, irrespective of their perceived digital skills, struggled to stop using the Internet even when they wanted to, reflecting signs of addiction, the study’s author says

The Hindu·2 hours ago·3 min read

Technology

Airtel launches voice-only prepaid plans

New Delhi, Bharti Airtel has become the first telecom operator to roll out voice-and-SMS-only prepaid plans, in line with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) new norms, according to sources.The three plans are priced at Rs 185, Rs 203 and Rs 206. Each offers unlimited local, STD and roaming calls and 300 SMS, but no bundled mobile data. The plans are now listed on the Airtel app and website.The Rs 185 plan, the cheapest of the new offerings, is valid for 28 days. The Rs 203 plan runs for 30 days, giving two extra days for Rs 18 more. The Rs 206 plan is valid for one month, which differs from a fixed 30-day cycle as it renews on the same date each month. All three include free HelloTunes, allowing a new tune to be set every 30 days at no extra cost.Airtel could not be reached for comments on the new voice-only plans.Sources said the offerings are aimed at users who mainly need calling and messaging. These could include feature phone users, people holding a secondary connection for calls and those who depend largely on Wi-Fi for internet access. The logic is that bundled data may add little value for such customers.Sources said shorter-validity packs also let customers make smaller recharge commitments rather than paying upfront for a longer-duration plan. The new offerings give calling-focused users more flexibility within Airtel's prepaid portfolio, according to sources.The launch follows TRAI's direction that operators expand their voice-and-SMS-only options with a corresponding reduction in tariffs.In September, the regulator mandated operators to issue special tariff vouchers for voice calls and SMS at a lower cost as they will not come bundled with data services.Under TRAI's Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, telecom operators were asked to issue special tariff vouchers (STVs) for voice calls and SMS only, similar to the existing ones that come bundled with data, voice calls and SMS carrying validity of 30 days or less."Provided also that the service provided shall offer special tariff vouchers (STVs) with appropriate reduction in tariff, exclusively for voice and SMS," TRAI had said. PTI

Economic Times·3 hours ago·2 min read

Technology

Karnataka extends ration card e-KYC deadline to November 10

You don’t have any Active Subscription. Subscribed with another email? Logout and Login with that one. Your active subscription(s) Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription Products you've access to Additional Subscription Benefits Need help with your subscription? Published - October 18, 2026 08:58 pm IST - Bengaluru All these beneficiaries must complete the e-KYC by November 10, either through the ‘Anna Seva’ mobile application or at fair price shops using the AHARA software. | Photo Credit: Getty Images The Karnataka government has extended the deadline for e-KYC verification of ration card beneficiaries to November 10 from October 20, according to a press release from the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs. The extension follows an order requiring 1,15,87,298 beneficiaries who completed e-KYC more than a year ago to undergo the verification again. The department said 3,82,362 beneficiaries who have never completed e-KYC and 54,27,396 whose last verification was more than five years ago also remain to be verified. All these beneficiaries must complete the e-KYC by November 10, either through the ‘Anna Seva’ mobile application or at fair price shops using the AHARA software. Failure to comply could invite further action under the rules, the release said. The department has extended the availability of the Anna Seva app across the country to help Karnataka ration cardholders who have moved to other States for work complete the process without returning to Karnataka. Such beneficiaries can download the app and complete the e-KYC from their current location. An updated version of the app is available on the Google Play Store. Those who have already downloaded it can update it to the latest version, the department said. Published - October 18, 2026 08:58 pm IST Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments. We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.

The Hindu·4 hours ago·2 min read