Today’s Cache | Meta follows the Twitter Blue roadmap, Ukraine’s Starlinks under pressure, and crypto crime stats
The Hindu
Facebook-parent Meta appears to be adopting the Twitter Blue method of monetising its services, as C
Facebook-parent Meta appears to be adopting the Twitter Blue method of monetising its services, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the upcoming launch of Meta Verified. The new service will be rolled out first in Australia and New Zealand before coming to other countries. Those who want verified accounts will have to pay $11.99 a month (on iOS) and they can enjoy verification with a government ID, a blue badge, extra protection against impersonation, and direct access to customer support. However, the option will only be open to account holders above the age of 18.
The U.S. government has spoken with Tesla billionaire and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk about the presence and use of his company’s Starlink satellite internet service in war-torn Ukraine, confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Mr. Blinken would not divulge the direction the conversation took or what decisions were made. However, SpaceX has said that it was managing Ukraine’s use of the Starlink service to deter it from controlling drones. Russia has also tried attacking SpaceX’s internet infrastructure in the past, according to Mr. Musk.
Crypto and blockchain analytics platform Chainalysis’ 2023 Crypto Crime report revealed that the value of cryptocurrency sent to addresses that were associated with illicit activity reached a new all-time high of about $20.6 billion in 2022. One major reason for this was the growing number of sanctions against crypto entities imposed by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). However, the report noted that illicit crypto transactions make up only a very small fraction of total crypto transactions.

Thousand Lights MLA from the DMK N. Ezhilan, in an interview to The Hindu, observes that any popular personality entering politics will attract the limelight. But only a structured party machinery combined with popularity can ensure success. In this interview, he speaks about his tenure as first-time MLA from Thousand Lights Assembly constituency in Chennai, Vijay’s political entry shaping the 2026 elections, redressal of key grievances and more.

Against the backdrop of intense poll activity, a 400-metre stretch of an arterial road in the outskirts of Chennai (technically in Madurapakkam panchayat under Tambaram assembly constituency) presents a salute to the idea of res publica, which underpins India’s system of governance, where citizens have a say, at least before a government is securely ensconced in the seat of power. A Republic Day initiative shines bright every night

Set to unfold as a one-day pop-up on April 5, the Easter Sadya brings together both vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus, offering a peek into the food traditions of the Syrian Christian (Nasrani) community. While the traditional Sadya is often associated with dishes such as sambar, avial, and rice, this version expands to include community-specific festive dishes.

Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat has rolled out digital mode of water bill generation and collection in 23 gram panchayats on a pilot basis for the first time in Karnataka. This is set to be extended to the remaining 200 panchayats shortly, according to the Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Narwade Vinayak Karbhari.









