How glib talk, social media reels & smalltown dreams fuelled a big scam in UP

Long Reads February 12, 2026

Amit Kumar Gautam, a young man from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, started a company called Senemi Consulting Pvt Ltd that promised high returns on investments. Through multi-level marketing, social media, and a shopping mart, he attracted 50,000 investors and raised Rs 123 crore. However, the company collapsed, leading to Gautam's arrest for fraud.

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The press conference will be held in New Delhi as the terms of these Assemblies end in May and June.

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Election Commission to announce Assembly poll dates today

Political Pulse 48 min ago

The Election Commission will soon release the schedule for Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry. The polls are likely to take place in fewer phases compared to the previous eight-phased elections. This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accusations against the ruling Trinamool Congress of sheltering "infiltrators."

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Trump urges China, UK and other nations to send warships amid rising oil prices

World 14 hr ago

Amid rising tensions with Iran, Trump calls on UK and other countries to send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. The strait sees 20 million barrels of oil pass through daily, but recent attacks have caused disruptions and economic concerns.

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Kim Jong Un, teenage daughter watch rocket test: What is happening in North Korea?

World 9 hr ago

Kim Jong Un oversaw a live-fire test of multiple rocket launch systems, accompanied by his daughter. The test involved twelve 600mm rocket launchers and violated UN resolutions. It was a provocation amid tensions with the US and South Korea's joint military exercise.

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain in February. (AP Photo)

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Bahrain and Saudi Arabia GPs in Formula 1 called off amid war in West Asia

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The Formula One Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will not take place in April as was previous scheduled, the governing body International Automobile Federation (FIA) has said. The international body also said in its statement that the races won't be replaced by any other next month.

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Air India, Air India Express cancels ad-hoc flights from India to UAE

India 10 hr ago

Air India and Air India Express have cancelled flights to and from the UAE due to instructions from authorities amid escalating tensions in West Asia. IndiGo and Qatar Airways have also restricted their flight operations in Dubai, while Air Canada has cancelled its Toronto-Dubai flight until May 1.

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Ethnic minority delegates arrive to attend the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 4.

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What China’s new ‘ethnic unity’ law reveals about its shrinking tolerance for diversity

Explained 55 min ago

China's new law promotes unity and harmony among ethnic groups, outlawing discrimination and promoting inter-community marriages. It emphasises Mandarin as the common language and references historical struggles and the Communist Party's role in maintaining unity. It also addresses foreign interference and the need for assimilation. This law aligns with Xi Jinping's vision for China.

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Former England international Kevin Pietersen will not be returning as mentor for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming Indian Premier League season. The franchise thanked him for his time and announced his departure due to time constraints. Delhi Capitals will be aiming for a better performance and a spot in the playoffs this year.

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It was renowned filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery, who eventually saved Midhun Manuel Thomas' Aadu by assisting in re-editing it for a smoother flow.

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How Aadu that bombed in theatres became a pop-culture phenomenon after leaking online

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Aadu, the 2015 action comedy directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, follows the misadventures of a group of idiotic gangsters led by Pannimattathil Shaji Pappan (Jayasurya). Despite its chaotic and nonsensical narrative, the film's clever dialogue and satirical take on mainstream cinema have made it a cult classic. The movie initially bombed at the box office, but later became a pop-culture phenomenon.

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Told Abhishek that you are not out of form, you are just out of runs: Gambhir

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India head coach Gautam Gambhir said that he drew on some of his own experience as an opener to get Abhishek Sharma up and running in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Abhishek's tournament had been thrown into disarray after he was forced to pay the hospital a visit due to a severe stomach infection.

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MotoGP postpones Qatar Grand Prix due to Middle East conflict

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The MotoGP race in Qatar has been postponed to November 8 due to safety concerns. The championship leader is Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi, with upcoming races in Brazil and the United States. Changes have also been made to the Portuguese GP and season finale in Valencia. CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta guarantees a successful updated schedule.

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15 most unforgettable Oscars looks over the years

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The Academy Awards' red carpet has been a stage for iconic fashion moments, from Mary Pickford's beaded gown in 1930 to Mikey Madison's modern Dior design in 2025. With bold experiments and timeless elegance, stars have always brought their A-game. As the 98th ceremony approaches, let's revisit some of the most memorable looks.

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Sanju Samson's sparkling 89 powered India to a giant 253 against England at the Wankhede Stadium. (Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar)

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Gambhir reveals Samson’s reaction after getting to know he’ll play vs Zim in T20 World Cup

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Gambhir praises T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament Sanju Samson, expressing confidence in his talent during a casual conversation. Samson's explosive performances in the Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe solidified his worth. Gambhir clarifies that Samson's inclusion was not to break the left-handed combination, but to add more firepower to the team.

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India’s final 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification match to be played in Kochi

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The Indian men's football team last match of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi on March 31, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Sunday. It will be the first Indian men's football match to be played in Kochi in a decade.

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How Iran’s response upset US-Israeli calculations, what it means for the Gulf’s future

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Efforts by the American and Israeli military to overthrow the Iranian regime and stop their nuclear program have backfired, leading to a destructive regional war. The international community supports preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, but the US and Israel's extreme tactics have caused mistrust and strained relationships. A new security strategy is being sought by Gulf nations.

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How an Australian techie used ChatGPT to design customised cancer vaccine for his dog

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Paul Conyngham took help from several AI platforms such as ChatGPT and AlphaFold, developed by Google DeepMind, to design a personalised treatment after his dog was diagnosed with cancer.

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Challenge to Shariat Act: Inheritance law as civil statute v religious instrument question

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The Supreme Court is considering a petition that challenges the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act in India, arguing that a woman's inheritance should not be determined by her address or faith. The petition calls for a Uniform Civil Code and a secular approach to inheritance laws for Muslim women. Concerns are raised about the potential consequences of striking down the 1937 Act.

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Watch: Real Madrid’s Arda Guler breaks record by scoring goal from his own half

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Real Madrid's Arda Guler scored from a record-breaking 68 metres away from goal during their La Liga match against Elche. Real won the match 4-1, with Guler's standout strike being the last strike of the match in the 89th minute.

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Spinach ‘helps regulate blood sugar levels,’ but experts warn you against having it raw

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Hardik Pandya buys swanky Ferrari worth Rs 12 crore

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Divya Agarwal confirms turning down Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, slams Prince Narula for The 50

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Ex-Uber CEO launches robotics startup ‘Atoms’ for mining, transport, and food automation

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Gianni Infantino jab British fans FIFA World Cup

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Will Football AI Pro offer same analytics to all 48 teams?

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Avimukteshwaranand vs UP govt: How tussle escalated from Sangam standoff to ‘Dharma Yuddh’

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Meta unveils new Facebook tools to help creators report copycat content more easily

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Daniil Medvedev returns a shot against Carlos Alcaraz during a semifinal match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Indian Wells. (AP Photo)

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Samsung’s Galaxy S26 bets big on AI agents: Apps on home screen may never be the same

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Cong, AAP fuelling kattarwaad in Punjab, says Jakhar, urges Shah to ‘save Punjabi youths’

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uzvendra Chahal added to the excitement, enthusiastically grooving alongside friends during the celebrations

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Dhurandhar 2 advance booking report: Ranveer Singh's film earns over Rs 50 crore.

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Meta delays rollout of new AI model after performance concerns

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The Geometry of Truth

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Lakshya Sen lost 15-21, 20-22 in the final of the All England Open to Chinese Taipei's Lin Chun-Yi. (AP Photo)

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Lakshya Sen’s All England title miss has a silver lining

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attempt on Farooq Abdullah life, probe attempt on Farooq Abdullah life, Jammu, Farooq Abdullah, jammu Inspector General of Police, Indian express news, current affairs

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SIT formed to probe attempt on Farooq Abdullah’s life

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Jammu and Kashmir Police has formed a seven-member SIT, led by SSP Sanjay Sharma, to investigate the attempted assassination of former CM Farooq Abdullah. The accused, Kamal Singh Jamwal, has confessed to targeting Farooq for 20 years due to his alleged involvement in terrorism.

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Kerala highway murder, kerala Gang leader revenge murder, kerala revenge murder, murder unfolds on Kerala highway, murder unfolds on busy Kerala highway, kerala Gang leader hacked to death, Indian express news, current affairs

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Gang leader who ‘killed’ rival in front of latter’s mother hacked to death by armed men

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A gang war on a national highway in Kerala resulted in the death of a history-sheeter, Halwa Athul, who was allegedly involved in the murder of rival gang leader Gym Santhosh Kumar in 2025. CCTV footage showed Athul's SUV being rammed and him being attacked with swords by a group of armed men. Police suspect it to be a revenge attack by Santhosh's gang.

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