Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) honored women achievers Jammu and Kashmir And Gujarat, for the first time, recorded a profit of Rs 4,585 crore in its 55th annual general meeting and announced incentives for employees.IFFCO Sahakari Ratna Award for 2024-25, carrying an honorarium of Rs 11 lakh, was presented to Shakeela Akhtar for her contribution in strengthening the cooperative movement and empowering women in agriculture, especially in Jammu and Kashmir.Bhavana Gondalia received the IFFCO Sahakaritha Bandhu Award for 2024-25 along with a cash prize of ₹11 lakh for her work in the cooperative sector and efforts towards women empowerment in agriculture.IFFCO said that in line with the United Nations declaring 2025-26 as the “Year of Women Farmers”, the awards were presented to women achievers for the first time in the history of the organisation.Addressing the gathering, IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani said that the continuous support of cooperatives, farmers and employees has helped make IFFCO one of the leading cooperative institutions in the world. He said the organization reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “prosperity through cooperation”, which aims to empower farmers and rural India through the cooperative movement.IFFCO Managing Director KJ Patel announced that the cooperative has recorded a profit of Rs 4,585 crore. He also said that employee incentives worth Rs 490.65 crore have been approved for the year.The organization announced a minimum wage of Rs 20,000 for lower level employees with an additional budget allocation of Rs 140 crore.The AGM saw the participation of over 850 cooperative leaders, member committees, farmers’ representatives and stakeholders from across the country.During the event, IFFCO showcased initiatives and investments in sectors including Indian Seed Cooperative Society Limited, National Cooperative Exports Limited, IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance Company, Cordet, IFFDC, IFFCO Bazaar, IFFCO-MC and Kisan Rural Finance.IFFCO reiterated its focus on sustainable agriculture, including widespread adoption of nano-fertilizers and supporting small and marginal farmers to improve productivity and income.

Riz Ahmed has played all kinds of roles in his career, including a corporate fixer, a tech millionaire, and even a villain bent on using aliens to become stronger. However, the actor’s real life has been equally surprising and thrilling. In a recent interview, the actor revealed how three attempts were made to recruit him to become a spy.

Riz Ahmed almost joined the secret services

Talking about his latest project, Relay, Riz Ahmed revealed that there were three attempts to recruit him into the Secret Service. Speaking to Mehdi Hassan on his social media platform, the Venom actor shared that a top executive from a media company was also among those who tried to recruit him.He explained, “Well, it’s happened three different times, and they’re all a little ridiculous, and what I mean by that is it’s inherently humorous.” He further revealed that he was even put in a chokehold the first time this happened.When asked for more details, he said, “One thing is when I came back from my first film, The Road to Guantanamo. We landed at Luton Airport celebrating. They took me to a side room, locked me in an armlock, threatened to break my arm, took my phone, pretended to press a button, accidentally changed the language to Danish, and then said something like: ‘Are you going to advance the Muslim struggle? Have you become an actor for?'”He said they then asked him if he wanted to keep track of the events for them, but he refused.The second time, he said, a family friend contacted him. The third attempt came through a high-ranking executive of a media company, which took her by surprise. Speaking further about it, the actor joked that if he had actually become a federal agent, it would have made a “sick biopic”.

Pope Leo XIV on Monday laid out his vision for the preservation of human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence by releasing his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas” or “Magnificent Humanity.”“The document presented at the Vatican with Anthropic founder Christopher Olah highlights how the Catholic Church continues to use one of its oldest forms of communication to address modern social and ethical challenges.An encyclical is a formal letter written by the Pope, usually addressed to bishops around the world. These documents are used to provide authoritative teachings on important moral, social, or political issues. Although they do not have the legal status of papal bulls, Catholics are encouraged to use them as guidance in their daily lives.Although Popes have written letters to the faithful since the early days of the Church, Pope Benedict XIV, who led the Church from 1740 to 1758, is credited with shaping the encyclical into the form recognized today.“According to its etymology, an encyclical (from the Greek agkyklios, kyklos meaning a circle) is nothing more than a circular letter. In modern times, usage has restricted the term almost exclusively to certain papal documents which differ in their technical form from the usual style of Bulls or briefs, and which in their superscriptions are clearly addressed to the patriarchs, primates, archbishops and bishops of the Universal Church. Do. Apostolic See. Exceptionally, the encyclical is also sometimes addressed to the archbishops and bishops of a particular country,” according to the Catholic Encyclopedia.Leo XIV’s “Magnifica Humanitas” now joins a long series of influential encyclicals that shaped debate both within and outside the Catholic Church.

Five encyclopedias that matter

1. “Rerum Novarum” (1891) – On the rights of workersIssued by Pope Leo XIII during the Industrial Revolution, “Rerum Novarum”, meaning “Of New Things”, became the foundation of modern Catholic social teaching.The document rejected both socialism and laissez-faire capitalism and defended workers’ rights, including the right to form unions and earn a living. According to the New York Times, it also inspired a broader social justice movement within the church.It is also the encyclical that inspired the current Pope to choose the name Leo XIV. The Pope formally signed the “Magnifica Humanitas” on May 15, 2026, the anniversary of “Rerum Novarum”, even though it was publicly presented 10 days later.2. “Pacem in Terris” (1963) – On world peaceWritten by Pope John XXIII during the Cold War, “Pacem in Terris,” or “Peace on Earth,” was addressed not only to Catholics but to all humanity.The encyclical called for a ban on nuclear weapons and proposed the idea of ​​a global public authority working for the “universal common good”, seeing the United Nations as a first step.It also urged people to participate in public life and “work together for the benefit of the entire human race.”When it was released, The New York Times published the full text.3. “Humane Vitae” (1968) – On birth controlPope Paul VI’s “Humanae Vitae”, meaning “of human life”, reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s opposition to artificial birth control.The central teaching of the document states that every act of sexual intercourse must be free from deliberate efforts to prevent pregnancy.The encyclical immediately sparked debate among Catholics, a discussion that has continued for decades. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center poll, a majority of Catholics in the United States and Latin America believe the church should allow artificial birth control.To help stop the spread of AIDS, many bishops later offered qualified support for teaching about condoms.4. “Caritas in Veritate” (2009) – on economicsIn “Caritas in Veritate” or “Charity in Truth”, Pope Benedict XVI called for a massive rethinking of the global economy following rising economic inequality.The encyclical criticized the growing gap between rich and poor, urged ethical behavior in finance and called on businesses to take greater social responsibility.According to the NYT, like “Pacem in terris”, it also argued for a global political authority to help regulate the economy.Many scholars praised the document for its reflections on love, truth, and justice, although critics described it as difficult to read due to its dense language and broad themes.5. “Laudato Si'” (2015) – On the environmentPope Francis’ ‘Laudato Si’, meaning ‘Praise You’, was the first encyclical to focus solely on the environment.The document defines care for the planet as a moral and spiritual duty rather than simply a matter of politics, science or economics. Francis also highlighted the links between climate change, poverty and social instability.The encyclical became influential in the global environmental movement, although Francis later expressed regret in the 2023 document that little progress had been made on ecological issues.With the “Magnifica Humanitas”, Leo XIV has now placed workers’ rights, peace, economics, birth control and climate change, as well as artificial intelligence, as issues addressed through the papal encyclical, continuing a tradition that has shaped Catholic teaching for centuries.

Marco Rubio’s Taj Mahal visit

New Delhi: The Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad on Monday took a dig at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over his visit to the Taj Mahal, saying the iconic monument was built by the “talent of Iranian architects”, while accusing the United States of endangering Iranian civilization.Rubio, who is on a four-day visit to India, visited the Mughal-era monument in Agra on Monday with his wife Zeenat Rubio and described the Taj Mahal as “one of the world’s love treasures.”Soon after the visit, the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran-Hyderabad posted a scathing message on Twitter targeting the US administration.“If Rubio had any knowledge of history or architecture, he would not have posed here. This monument was built because of the emperor’s love for his Iranian wife, designed by the talent of Iranian architects – meanwhile, his government today is threatening to destroy Iranian civilization while insulting other civilizations,” the Iranian Consulate said in its post.The post also included a photo of Rubio and his wife posing in front of the Taj Mahal.

Trump’s warning comment during Iran conflict

The statement from the Iranian Consulate appears to reference comments made by Donald Trump during the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict.Trump warned on April 7 against Iran amid growing hostilities: “If there is no deal, an entire civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back.”

The US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks and increasing tensions across the Middle East.

Rubio’s visit to India

Rubio’s visit to India comes ahead of the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting to be held in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Quad group includes India, America, Australia and Japan.Rubio also visited the Amer Fort in Jaipur with his wife and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore.During his visit to the Taj Mahal, Rubio wrote in the visitor’s book, “Thank you for allowing us to visit one of the world’s love-filled treasures.”Security around the Taj Mahal was tightened during Rubio’s visit, with tourists temporarily moved out of parts of the monument complex.

Iran rejects Rubio’s recent comments on energy markets

The Iranian Consulate’s latest comments come a day after Iran rejected Rubio’s comments in which he accused Tehran of “holding the global energy market hostage.”In a statement issued by the Iranian Embassy in India, Tehran accused Washington of attempting to “distort the realities of the region” and defended its role in global energy trade.The statement said US sanctions on Iranian oil exports have disrupted global energy markets and were imposed “in violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations”.Meanwhile, Rubio said the US would not allow Iran to “hold the global energy market hostage” and stressed that Washington wants the Strait of Hormuz to remain open without tolls.Speaking on the ongoing negotiations with Iran, Rubio also said, “It’s still a work in progress. We thought last night, maybe today, we might get some news.”

New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dubke took this step on Monday. Delhi High Court Days after the satirical online movement went viral, the Center was challenged over blocking the group’s social media accounts.According to ANI, Dupke has challenged the suspension of the party’s X account, which was allegedly blocked by the government on national security grounds. He had earlier also claimed that the party’s Instagram and X accounts were hacked before being suspended.Internet-based movement, which has recently gained popularity through memes and comments on unemployment, education policy and alleged exam paper leaks. Within days of its launch, the campaign became one of the most talked-about online trends in the country.The controversy escalated further when Deepke alleged on Saturday that several social media accounts linked to the movement had suddenly become inaccessible. He further claimed that the group’s backup account was deleted for some time and his personal Instagram account was also hacked.“Action on Cockroach Janata Party. Instagram page hacked. My personal Instagram hacked. Twitter account blocked. Backup account also deleted,” Dupke wrote on Twitter.He said, “Please note that we currently do not have access to any of our platforms. Any posts made thereafter should not be considered as an official statement of the Cockroach Janata Party.”The original X handle of Cockroach Janata Party was stopped on 21 May. The group later resurfaced with a new handle, “Cockroach Is Back”, which currently has over 2.27 lakh followers.Dupke had earlier also claimed that the party’s official Instagram account was hacked and later suspended. “The official Instagram account of Cockroach Janata Party has been hacked. We have lost access to the account,” he wrote in another post from his personal X handle.Dipke, Boston University student and former colleague Aam Aadmi Partyhad launched the digital campaign barely a week ago. Since then, he has reportedly crossed 19 million followers on Instagram before the platform restricted his accounts.Online trend explodes after controversy over “Cockroach Janata Party” comments Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s comments during a hearing on 15 May were widely interpreted as comparing unemployed youth to “cockroaches” and “parasites”.The Chief Justice later clarified that he was misquoted and that his comments were directed only at people obtaining “bogus and bogus degrees”.According to the now blocked CJP website, to become a member a person needs to be “unemployed, lazy, constantly online” and have “the ability to boast professionally.”The movement also launched a campaign demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged failures in the education system and the claimed NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court declined to grant urgent hearing to a plea seeking investigation into allegations related to fake advocates and activities linked to the Cockroach Janata Party.“Don’t take it so sentimentally,” a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi told lawyer NK Goswami, appearing for the petitioner.Goswami argued that despite the CJI’s clarification, a “distorted and malicious narrative” continued to circulate online. Another lawyer demanded a CBI probe into the alleged misuse of fake law degrees and exchange of courtroom for commercial purposes.The petition also sought action against those allegedly involved in “commercial exploitation” of oral comments made during court proceedings and an investigation into fake advocates practicing with fake degrees.Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee expressed support for the movement online. Derek O’Brien said in a post on X that both Mamata and Abhishek expressed “their affection and full support for the cockroaches”.

Far-right American political activist Laura Loomer sparked controversy after she said she wanted to return to India after the US Secretary of State marco rubioRecent visit to the country.Loomer started reacting after posting on X: “Seeing all of Marco Rubio’s pics from India makes me want to go back to India!She added, “I love India. It’s such a beautiful country. So glad that our Foreign Minister and his supermodel wife were able to visit India and meet the same people I met while I was there.”“She shared the post along with a picture of herself wearing Indian attire.Many users revisited Loomer’s past controversial comments about Indians and immigration. He was accused of trying to soften his image after earlier making racist remarks and offensive remarks towards Indians.Loomer traveled to India in March this year, where her visit attracted attention due to old social media posts in which she criticized and attacked Indians. H-1B visa Program. During appearances and media interactions in India, journalists confronted him over those comments.He later apologized for some of the posts but continued to oppose the H-1B visa system, arguing that it allows companies in the US to hire foreign workers at lower wages, which he claims hurts American jobs.Despite the controversy, Loomer later praised India after spending nine days in the country. He described India as “incredible” and said it could become “the next big superpower”.His comments come days after Rubio completed his first official visit to India as US Secretary of State. During the visit, Rubio spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi.The discussions focused on trade, defence, energy cooperation and Indo-Pacific security, while both sides also discussed strengthening Quad ties and expanding bilateral economic cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and tariff disputes.Rubio also visited Kolkata, Agra and Jaipur during the trip and reportedly extended a White House invitation to PM Modi from US President Donald Trump.

doctors are struggling Ebola outbreak The Democratic Republic of Congo faces growing challenges as attacks on health facilities and patients fleeing the country are hampering response efforts in the north-east, Reuters reports.At least three such incidents have so far been reported in Ituri province, where Ebola cases were first detected. Two attacks over the weekend targeted the Mongbavalu General Referral Hospital, causing more than two dozen patients to flee.Dr. Richard Lokodu, medical director of Mongbavalu General Referral Hospital, told Reuters there was widespread disbelief and denial about the outbreak.“There is denial of the disease within the population, with some members wanting to claim the bodies of suspected and/or confirmed cases,” he said.According to Lokodu, 18 Ebola patients fled on Saturday when unidentified persons set fire to tents set up by the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontieres to isolate patients. Test results from four of those patients later came back, one of which confirmed Ebola infection.“So we have a confirmed case of Ebola that is spreading in the community and evading response,” Lokodu said.On Sunday, the hospital faced four more waves of attacks allegedly led by youths mobilized by relatives of a Christian religious leader Who Died of Ebola. Seven additional patients escaped during the unrest, while a critically ill suspected Ebola patient suffering from bleeding died while trying to escape during a second attack.Police fired shots into the air after an angry mob in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo attempted to take back the bodies of relatives killed at an Ebola treatment center in Mongbvalu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local media reports, the BBC reports.Recent events have revived memories of the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, during which more than 25 health workers were killed in attacks targeting treatment centres.Frontline doctors are also struggling with a shortage of basic supplies as the virus spreads rapidly across the region. Lokodu said the attackers wanted the bodies of Ebola victims to be left for burial and warned that unsafe burials, where family members handle bodies without protective equipment, are a major driver of transmission. Earlier this week, a mob in the town of Rwampara, about 85 km south-east of Mongbavalu, set fire to a tent isolated at a hospital after they were prevented from taking the body of a man who died of Ebola for burial. World Health Organization The current outbreak has been described as the third largest outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain on record and has been declared a public health emergency of international concern.WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 900 suspected cases have been recorded so far, including 101 confirmed infections and at least 220 suspected deaths.Earlier on Monday, Congo’s neighbor Uganda reported two additional Ebola cases, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to seven.

New Delhi: Captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Rajat Patidar the opening batsman said Phil Salt He is fit ahead of the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 clash against Gujarat Titans in Dharamshala on Tuesday, but said the team management has not yet decided whether he will be part of the playing eleven or not.Salt missed the latter half of the league stage due to injury after appearing in the first six matches of the season. Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, Patidar said that the England batsman is under observation. “Salt is fit, he is under observation. But we have not decided on our playing XI yet. We will look at the wicket and then decide.”RCB topped the points table with 18 points from 14 matches, with GT getting the edge on net run rate after both teams finished level on points. The winner of Qualifier 1 will directly advance to the IPL final, while the losing team will have another chance through Qualifier 2 against the winner of the eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals on Friday.Patidar said that RCB is directly focused on qualifying for the finals.“Win and go to the final. That’s what we’ve talked about since day one. Topping the table was something we demonstrated. If we win this match, we’ll be relaxed,” he said.Despite being on top in the points table, Patidar described the match against GT as a draw.“On any given day, the team that performs better under pressure will win. We just need to keep our composure.”RCB will face Gujarat’s bowling attack which has been one of the most consistent this season. However, Patidar backed his own bowlers to mount a strong response after a forgettable outing against SRH in the last league game.Bhuvneshwar Kumar His performance in that match was costly, but Patidar said the experienced fast bowler remains vital to RCB’s plans.“He is an experienced bowler. The last game didn’t go the way we wanted but bowling is our strength and the way we bowled in the powerplay, I think it will be very important (against GT). So we are looking for early wickets and that is what we have done so far. Bhuvi, Hazlewood and Rasik are doing the same. So we hope to continue the same process.”

Rating: 4/5 As the large-screen TV segment continues to expand, mini-LED technology is no longer limited to flagship price points. Xiaomi’s new TV S Mini LED (2026) series steps into this arena with QD mini-LED panels, Google TV powered by Dolby Vision, HDR10+ support, DLG 120Hz, and PatchWall interface.

With this combination, the company is targeting this TV lineup at users who like to not only watch streaming content and sports but also play casual games on their TV. Starting at Rs 51,999, this TV series promises to be a viable option for buyers looking for a larger display without paying a premium price. We tested the 75-inch model (priced at Rs 99,999) in streaming, daily viewing and gaming scenarios to understand how it performs. Here is our experience:

design and construction

The Xiaomi TV S Mini LED (2026) follows a practical design approach with thin bezels around the 75-inch display. Narrow borders help keep attention on the screen while maintaining a clean appearance suitable for larger living spaces. The black finish keeps the overall look understated.At 83mm thick without the stand, the TV maintains a relatively slim profile for wall mounting. 400 x 300 mm wall mount support adds flexibility depending on the setup preferences of the room. During use, the included stand kept the TV stable despite the large display size.

The unit weighs 22.7 kg without the base, which gives the impression of a sturdy structure. The construction focuses more on functionality than decorative elements. The ports for accessibility are distributed and include three HDMI ports, two USB ports, Ethernet, optical output, AV input and other connectivity options.

Display and Audio

The Xiaomi TV S Mini LED (2026) uses a QD mini-LED panel with 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), paired with a 34W speaker system that includes two tweeters and two full-range drivers. Support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Audio, DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X promises to create a more immersive viewing experience in movies, TV series and sports content.

During testing, the display delivered sharp visuals with good detail retention. The brightness level which can reach a peak of 1200 nits helps maintain visibility in well-lit rooms. Color reproduction appeared balanced, supported by Xiaomi’s Vivid Picture Engine 2 and DCI-P3 coverage of up to 94%, with skin tones generally looking natural.The Last of Us showed how TV handles darker scenes. Shadow details remained visible without making bright highlights appear harsh, while quiet dialogue sequences remained clear against environmental sounds. In Sandman, dimly lit settings preserved texture detail in costumes and backgrounds, while dialogue and background music remained distinguishable.

While watching Squid Game Season 3, we noticed the panel’s ability to handle bright color contrasts and layered scenes. Crowd scenes and fast-changing sequences maintained separation between foreground subjects and background, while the audio setup kept background effects and conversations fairly distinct.Movies like Dune: Part Two benefited from the TV’s HDR handling, with desert landscapes showing visible texture and balanced transitions between brighter and darker parts of the frame. The accompanying soundtrack had enough depth for everyday viewing, although users expecting strong low-frequency output may still prefer an external sound system.

Similarly, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning highlighted the TV’s motion handling during high-speed chase sequences, where fast-moving scenes remained relatively smooth with MEMC and DLG 120Hz enabled. Engine sounds, background effects and dialogue maintained reasonable separation through the built-in speaker setup.Portrait mode also made a noticeable difference depending on the content. Filmmaker mode slowed down processing and provided a more natural appearance when watching movies like Dune: Part Two, preserving color balance and contrast closer to the source material.

The Standard mode worked better for everyday streaming and news content, while the Brighter preset made sports broadcasts and live events appear brighter, especially in well-lit room conditions.We also spent time watching IPL matches to assess live game performance. Fast ball movements, camera transitions throughout the stadium and replay sequences remained smooth, while team jerseys retained distinct colors under different lighting conditions. Score overlays and on-screen graphics appeared sharp without affecting overall clarity. Commentary remained clear against crowd noise, and heightened moments like the boundary ceremony made enough of an impact for casual viewing, though users who frequently watch games may still benefit from a dedicated soundbar for wider sound output.

Viewing angles remained stable, with limited variations in brightness or color when viewed from the edges. The Dynamic Backlight System and built-in light sensor further adjust brightness based on surrounding conditions, helping to maintain consistency in different viewing environments. For movies, streaming content and games, the combination of display performance and built-in audio provides a balanced everyday experience, while eARC support allows easy integration with external sound systems.

Software and other features

The TV runs Android 14 TV OS-based Google TV with Xiaomi’s PatchWall interface on top. Navigation remained stable during use, backed by a quad-core A55 processor, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Apps opened without noticeable delay in regular use.PatchWall focuses on content discovery and includes Xiaomi TV+ for access to free live channels. Universal search and Kids Mode with parental controls add family-oriented functionality.Voice commands through the built-in Google Assistant worked reliably to launch apps or adjust settings. Casting support is extensive, including AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Miracast. Streaming content from smartphones and tablets remained fairly simple during our testing.

Gaming and Connectivity

The TV also includes gaming-oriented features like ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and DLG 120Hz. Smooth gaming sessions benefited from smooth transitions and responsive controls. While the native refresh rate is 60Hz, DLG support provides additional motion management capabilities in supported scenarios.Connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, three HDMI ports with one supporting eARC, two USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, and optical audio output. The range of ports should accommodate gaming consoles, streaming devices, and external storage without any major limitations.

decision

Priced at Rs 99,999, the Xiaomi TV S Mini LED (2026) 75-inch combines mini LED display technology, HDR support, smart features, and gaming tools in a larger screen format. The display offers balanced colors and brightness levels suitable for mixed use, while the software experience remains stable during daily operations. Audio performance is adequate for regular viewing, although enthusiasts may still prefer dedicated external speakers. Features like Dolby Vision, PatchWall, Google TV, and casting support make the package practical for streaming-focused homes. For users considering a 75-inch TV with Mini LED technology and modern smart TV capabilities, Xiaomi’s offering at under a lakh is worth considering, as a feature-focused option in the premium large screen category.

Ex-SNP chief Peter Murrell

The former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12-year period, in one of Scotland’s biggest political finance scandals in recent years.Murrell appeared before the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, where prosecutors said she spent party funds between 2010 and 2022 on a lavish lifestyle, including luxury cars, a high-end motorhome, jewellery, cosmetics and expensive personal purchases.The 61-year-old, who is also the estranged husband of Scotland’s former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, agreed to reduced charges after reaching a deal with prosecutors.

luxury spending exposed

According to court documents, Murrell used SNP money to buy a Jaguar, a VW Golf, a luxury motorhome worth approximately £124,000, designer items, electronics, gardening tools, binoculars, Kindle devices and women’s cosmetics.Investigators alleged that he submitted false bills, manipulated party accounts and used SNP credit cards to conceal spending, some of which were allegedly issued in the names of party staff.Judge Lord Young described the crimes as a “gross breach of trust” and remanded Murrell in custody immediately after the hearing. He is due to return to court on June 2 and will be sentenced on June 23. He may face a long prison sentence.

Who is Peter Murrell?

Born in Edinburgh in 1964, Murrell has been one of the most influential people behind the scenes in Scottish politics for more than two decades. He joined the SNP in the late 1980s and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Chief Executive of the party in 2001.Murrell was widely credited with helping to modernize the SNP’s organization and election machinery, playing a major role in the party’s rise to power and its historic victory in the 2007 Scottish Parliament election.His position was under scrutiny after his wife Nicola Sturgeon became SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland in 2014. Critics within and outside the party questioned whether it was appropriate for a married couple to hold the two most powerful positions in Scottish politics.Murrell resigned as chief executive of the SNP in March 2023 amid controversy over misleading membership figures during the party’s leadership contest following Sturgeon’s resignation.

operation branchform check

The case emerged from Operation Branchform, a long-running police investigation launched in 2021 following complaints of missing SNP funds and concerns over donations raised for a second Scottish independence campaign.Questions were raised over donations of more than £660,000 allegedly earmarked for the independence campaign which did not clearly reflect in the party accounts. The controversy triggered resignations within the SNP, including among its finance committee members and party treasurer Douglas Chapman.Police Scotland said Murrell went to “great lengths” to conceal the fraud, which ran for more than a decade.Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said Murrell “abused his privileged position” and spent party funds “to support the lavish lifestyle he wanted but could not afford”.

Sturgeon distanced herself

After the guilty plea, Sturgeon said she had no knowledge of the misuse of party funds.“I am completely shocked that he did this and can’t understand why,” she said. “These are not my crimes. Like others, I too was misled,” he said.Sturgeon herself was arrested and interrogated during the investigation in 2023, but was later acquitted without charge. Former SNP Treasurer Colin Beattie was also investigated and released without trial.Murrell and Sturgeon separated following his arrest and later revealed divorce proceedings.The scandal is expected to deepen scrutiny of the SNP’s internal governance and financial oversight as the party attempts to rebuild credibility ahead of future elections.Murrell, once considered the architect of the SNP’s political machine, now faces the prospect of prison after admitting one of the most damaging financial scandals in the party’s history.