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It's Akhilesh vs Baghel in UP; EC extends ban on public rallies; Manipur BJP MLA join Cong

2022-02-01T15:14:00.002+05:30

Election Commission once again extended the ban on public rallies due to Covid. SP's Akhilesh Yadav will face BJP's SP Singh Baghel in his bastion Karhal in UP and BJP MLA in Manipur joined Congress on Monday. This and more in this election wrap up.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav will face Union Minister SP Singh Baghel on Karhal seat of Mainpuri where both of them filed nominations on Monday.
Karhal, SP's traditional stronghold, will go to the polls on February 20 in the third of the seven-phase elections in the state.
The Karhal assembly constituency has been with the SP since 1993, except for 2002. In the 2002 Assembly polls, sitting MLA Sobaran Singh had contested on the BJP ticket. Thereafter, he joined the SP and won three times consecutively.

YouTuber Hindustani Bhau arrested for 'instigating' students in Mumbai's Dharavi

2022-02-01T15:06:00.009+05:30

Social media influencer Hindustani Bhau has been arrested by the Dharavi police in Mumbai for allegedly instigating students to stage protests over offline exams.

social media influencer and YouTuber 'Hindustani Bhau' alias Vikas Phatak has been arrested by the Dharavi police in Mumbai for allegedly instigating students. He had allegedly asked students to assemble near the residence of Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad to demand the cancellation of offline exams for classes 10 and 12 on Monday.

Rakesh Tikait slams Government, says farmers would observe 'Betrayal Day' on January 31

2022-01-30T22:05:00.002+05:30

“They (farmers) movement was suspended on the basis of a letter given by the government on December 9 but those promises have not been fulfilled,” said the Bharatiya Kisan Union leader.

Alleging betrayal by the Centre, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait on Sunday announced a country-wide observance of "Betrayal Day" on Monday over farm issues.

The national spokesperson of the influential north Indian farmers' union claimed the over-a-year-long protest at Delhi's borders was withdrawn on the basis of a letter of promises by the government on December 9 but those remain unfulfilled

"A nation-wide 'Betrayal Day' will be observed on January 31 because of the government's betrayal to farmers. The movement was suspended on the basis of a letter given by the government on December 9 but those promises have not been fulfilled,” Mr. Tikait, whose BKU is a part of the SKM, said in a tweet in Hindi.

Pharma sector wants tax breaks, R&D incentives in budget 2022

2022-01-30T19:08:00.006+05:30

The ongoing uncertainty over the Covid-19 pandemic has tested the resilience of India’s healthcare system. More needs to be done, a survey conducted by Grant Thornton Bharat showed.

The industry expects that innovation and research & development (R&D) will be the key investment drivers. Restoration of a higher percentage of deduction under Section 35(2AB) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 will encourage R&D and innovation.

The survey showed that 81 percent of respondents expect the inclusion of pharmaceutical products in the list of eligible products for the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) scheme for encouraging the growth of the sector in India.

Does Budget 2022 offers consumer durables sector and expects focus on energy-efficiency?

2022-01-30T19:04:00.000+05:30

The consumer durables sector expects to focus on energy-efficiency

While hoping that the government rationalizes GST for air conditioners, the industry expects the government to announce incentives for energy-efficient products.

With India committing to net zero emissions by 2070, energy-efficient appliances will contribute to this goal. While hoping that the government rationalizes GST for air conditioners, the industry expects the government to announce incentives for energy-efficient products.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi To Contest From These 2 Seats!

2022-01-30T18:36:00.000+05:30

The Congress had earlier announced Charanjit Channi's candidature from the Chamkaur Sahib seat.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi will contest from Bhadaur constituency, the Congress announced today as it released its third list of eight candidates for Punjab Assembly elections.
The party had earlier announced Mr. Channi's candidature from the Chamkaur Sahib's seat.Mr. Channi, 58, the first time Chief Minister, took over the top job in Punjab in September after the Congress sacked Amarinder Singh - who was involved in a bitter and protracted tussle with state party chief Navjot Sidhu.

Beijing Reports Highest Covid Cases Since June 2020 As Winter Olympics Loom

2022-01-30T18:33:00.001+05:30

Beijing recorded its highest number of new Covid cases for a year and a half on Sunday, as the Chinese capital gears up to host the Winter Olympics in five days.

Beijing recorded its highest number of new Covid cases for a year and a half on Sunday, as the Chinese capital gears up to host the Winter Olympics in five days. China will hold the Games in a strict "closed-loop" bubble as part of its zero-Covid strategy of targeted lockdowns, border restrictions and lengthy quarantines. The approach has helped the world's second-largest economy keep new infections far lower than many other countries, but it is battling local outbreaks in several cities as well as in the Olympic bubble.
The upcoming Lunar New Year -- China's biggest national holiday -- presents a further challenge as millions of people return to their hometowns and mingle with family and friends.
Beijing's tally of 20 new cases on Sunday was the city's highest since June 2020, according to the National Health Commission (NHC).

Protests, Resignations In Manipur After BJP Names Election Candidates

2022-01-30T18:27:00.004+05:30

BJP offices were ransacked in various parts of Manipur and protesters gathered in several areas with placard

BJP supporters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and shouted slogans as protests erupted on Sunday after the party named candidates for next month's elections, leaving many disappointed.

Party offices were ransacked in various parts of the state and protesters gathered in several areas with placards. Security has been stepped up around the BJP headquarters in Imphal.

Several leaders have resigned though the exact number remained unclear, reports said. According to sources, most of the disgruntled leaders were those who were not selected to accommodate defectors from Congress.

At least 10 former Congress leaders who joined the BJP were given tickets as the BJP announced it would contest all 60 seats in the Manipur assembly elections, releasing a list of its candidates.

3 Children Among 4 Burnt Alive In Fire At Jaipur Painting Material Unit

2022-01-30T18:20:00.000+05:30

In the Jaipur fire, dead include a 25-year-old man, his three-year-old daughter, and two others ages 3 and 4, said an official.

Jaipur:

Four persons, including three children, were killed on Sunday after a fire broke out in a small painting material packaging unit in the Jamwaramgarh area of Jaipur district, officials said.

"The fire broke out in a hall constructed on farmland. A man and three children, including his daughter, were burnt alive in the incident," Jamwaramgarh Circle Officer Shiv Kumar said.

Italy's President Sergio Mattarella Re-Elected, Easing Crisis

2022-01-30T03:19:00.006+05:30

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Electing the 80-year-old ended weeks of hand-wringing over whether prized Prime Minister Mario Draghi should be elevated, with many fearing such a move would have left the government rudderless at a highly sensitive time.

Italy's parties Saturday voted overwhelmingly for outgoing President Sergio Mattarella to remain for another term, averting the political chaos a failure to elect his successor could have sparked in the eurozone's third-largest economy.

Electing the 80-year-old ended weeks of hand-wringing over whether prized Prime Minister Mario Draghi should be elevated, with many fearing such a move would have left the government rudderless at a highly sensitive time.

Mattarella needed to pocket 505 or more votes. He won 759, earning him another stint as president in spite of himself.

Adama Traore Rejoins Barcelona On Loan From Wolves

2022-01-30T03:15:00.003+05:30

Spain international Adama Traore will return to Barcelona after signing from Wolves on loan until the end of the season, the two clubs announced on Saturday.

Spain international Adama Traore will return to Barcelona after signing from Wolves on loan until the end of the season, the two clubs announced on Saturday. Barca said they would pay Traore's wages and there is an option to make the deal permanent. Traore, 26, came up through the academy at Camp Nou and made four appearances for Barca's first team before joining Aston Villa in 2015. He spent two seasons at Middlesbrough and has played 154 times for Wolves since arriving in 2018 for a then club-record fee of £18 million ($24.1 million). "Everyone knows Barcelona is a city, and club, very close to Adama's heart, so it is a dream move for him," said Wolves' technical director Scott Sellars.

Boy, 14, Caught After Delhi Woman Allegedly Gang-Raped

2022-01-30T03:11:00.002+05:30

The boy was involved in the alleged sexual assault of the woman, who was paraded by her attackers in east Delhi's Kasturba Nagar, police said.

A 14-year-old boy was detained on Saturday in connection with an incident where a woman was allegedly abducted, gang-raped, and paraded by her attackers in east Delhi's Kasturba Nagar, officials said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) R Sathiyasundaram said the last accused in the case, a 14-year-old juvenile involved in the alleged sexual assault of the woman, was detained on Saturday.

All accused (eight women, three minor boys, and a man) named in the FIR have been caught, he added. An auto-rickshaw used for the abduction of the victim has also been seized, the DCP said.

A 10-member special investigation team (SIT) under an ACP rank officer has been formed for speedy and proper investigation of the crime, DCP Sathiyasundaram said.

IIT Delhi Startup Drone Performance Stole The Show At Beating Retreat Ceremony

2022-01-29T21:54:00.006+05:30

Dharmendra Pradhan also praised the startup, he tweeted, "The dazzling drone show stole the limelight at the Raisina Hills today. What makes me more happy and proud is that these Made In India drones are a brainchild of a start-up incubated at IIT Delhi."

The dazzling drone show by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi's startup 'Botlab Dynamics' stole the limelight at the Beating Retreat ceremony held in the national capital on Saturday, January 29. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also praised the startup, he tweeted, "The dazzling drone show stole the limelight at the Raisina Hills today. What makes me more happy and proud is that these Made In India drones are a brainchild of a start-up incubated at IIT Delhi. Salute the innovative capital and entrepreneurial spirit of New India."

YouTube Shorts Could Be Getting a Voiceover Feature, APK Teardown Suggests

2022-01-29T10:36:00.005+05:30

YouTube Shorts, the Google-owned video platform's TikTok rival, was launched in September 2020 and is now available in over 100 countries. YouTube Shorts enables creators to make video clips up to 60 seconds long and share them on the platform. At launch, it offered basic features such as adding texts to specific parts of the clip, automatic captions, filters, and color correction. The company is now reportedly developing a dedicated voiceover feature for Shorts. As of now, the YouTube app on Android lets creators add audio from YouTube's library to Shorts.

The leak on Shorts voiceover feature comes from XDA Developers, who reportedly spotted new strings of code during the teardown of the Android version of YouTube. The alleged code was found in the 17.04.32_beta version. These strings of code reportedly suggest that the YouTube app will get a dedicated button for the voiceover feature

Water Flowed on Mars Longer Than Previously Thought, New NASA Research Raises Questions on Microbial Life

2022-01-29T10:25:00.002+05:30

NASA research has revealed that there was liquid water on Mars as recently as 2–2.5 billion years ago.

Mars today is marked by its endless red desert plains. But it was not always like that. There was water and it flowed on its surface longer than previously estimated, new research by NASA says. The Red Planet rippled with rivers and ponds just like Earth billions of years ago, providing a potential habitat for microbial life. That water, however, evaporated as the planet's atmosphere thinned over time. It was believed that the water evaporated about three billion years ago. But two scientists studying data, which Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) accumulated over the last 15 years, have found evidence that changes the timeline significantly.

Google Play Store is Getting an ‘Offers’ Tab That Will Highlight Best Deals

2022-01-29T10:19:00.008+05:30

Google Play Store is Getting an ‘Offers’ Tab That Will Highlight Best Deals on Games, Apps, Movies. The ‘Offers’ tab is located at the bottom of the Google Play Store app on Android devices.

Google Play store is getting a new ‘Offers' tab that is designed to give users easy access to deals on games and apps. Google says the tab will provide deals across travel, shopping, media, fitness, and entertainment apps. This feature's rollout is currently underway with users in the US, India, and Indonesia getting it first. This feature will be made available to more countries later in 2022. The Offers tab is located at the bottom of the Google Play Store app on Android mobile devices.

Google is partnering up with the developers of some of the top-performing apps and games on the Google Play store. It plans to add new deals every day to Google Play.

boAt Airdopes 111 with 28-hour battery life launched in India

2022-01-29T08:40:00.007+05:30

The company has launched the boAt Airdopes 111 in India. The earbuds come with a host of features including a 13mm driver, a 28-hour battery life, price set at Rs 1499

Popular wearables brand boAt has added yet another budget earbuds to its portfolio. The company has launched the boAt Airdopes 111 in India. The earbuds come with a host of features including a 13mm driver, 28-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.1, and IWP technology. boAt had previously launched the Airdopes 181, Airdopes 601, and the Airdopes 201 in the market. The company is known for offering feature-loaded products at affordable rates.

Tamil Nadu Police releases woman who killed her husband in self defence

2022-01-29T08:35:00.003+05:30

Tamil Nadu Police released a woman who killed her husband in self defence. The police invoked Section 100 of the Indian Penal Code (right of private defence) to release the woman.

Tamil Nadu Police released a woman who killed her husband in self-defence. The 41-year-old woman was released under Section 100 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which gives a person the right to defend their body when there is a threat.

The woman was living with her husband and their 20-year-old daughter when the incident took place. Her husband was reportedly addicted to alcohol and repeatedly harassed the woman demanding money to buy liquor.

On Thursday night, the husband returned home in an inebriated condition. He then allegedly tried to sexually assault his 20-year-old daughter. When the woman tried to stop him, he attacked her.

To protect herself and her daughter, the woman reportedly killed the man with a hammer. She then informed the neighbours who later called the police.

Brendan Taylor, former Zimbabwe captain, banned for 3 and half years for delayed reporting of spot-fixing plot

2022-01-29T08:29:00.006+05:30

ICC banned former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor for 3 and a half years from all cricket on Friday, saying he accepted to breaching four charges of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and, separately, one charge of the ICC Anti-Doping Code

International Cricket Council on Friday, January 28, banned former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor for 3 and half years from all cricket for a delay in reporting of a sensational spot-fixing plot. 35-year-old Taylor had taken to social media earlier this month, revealing the details of the spot-fixing plot and that he would be handed a ban by the global cricket governing body.

"He accepted breaching four charges of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code and, separately, one charge of the ICC Anti-Doping Code," the ICC said in a statement. Taylor will be free to resume his involvement in the game on 28 July 2025, the statement added.

India needs many big-ticket exports like BrahMos deal to hit $5 billion export target by 2025

2022-01-29T08:25:00.002+05:30

India needs several big-ticket deals like the one recently closed with the Philippines for BrahMos missile worth $375 million, to reach $5 billion export target by 2025 and counter China.
In a big boost to India’s defence exports, BrahMos Aerospace has inked a $375 million deal with the Philippines to provide the BrahMos cruise missile to the country’s navy. The Philippines navy will use this as an anti-ship shore-based missile that has a range of 290km.
BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company between India's Defence Development and Research Organisation (DRDO) and Russia, has been continuously upgrading the missile system, making it more lethal against sea and land targets.

Google to invest up to $1 billion in a partnership with Airtel.

2022-01-28T20:17:00.007+05:30

Bharti Airtel and Google on Friday, January 28, 2022, said that they will partner on a long-term, multi-year agreement to accelerate the growth of India’s digital ecosystem, under which Google intends to invest up to USD 1 billion.

The amount is part of the USD 10 billion ‘Google for India Digitization Fund’, which was announced by the CEO of Google and Alphabet Sundar Pichai in 2020, and will include equity investment as well as a corpus for potential commercial agreements, to be identified and agreed on mutually agreeable terms over the course of the next five years, the companies said in a statement.

NeoCov coronavirus found in bats may pose threat to humans in future!

2022-01-28T20:08:00.005+05:30

NeoCov coronavirus found in bats may pose threat to humans in future, scientists caution

A type of coronavirus, NeoCov, that spreads among bats in South Africa may pose a threat to humans in the future if it mutates further, according to a study by Chinese researchers.

The yet-to-be peer-reviewed study recently posted on the preprint repository BioRxiv shows that NeoCov is closely related to the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a viral disease first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

India, Philippines to ink $375mn deal for BrahMos missiles

2022-01-28T15:09:00.008+05:30

India’s BrahMos Aerospace and the Philippines are set to sign a deal on Friday for the Philippine Marines to acquire three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile in a deal worth almost $375 million, people familiar with the matter said.

The deal for the BrahMos was conceptualized as far back as 2017, and the office of the Philippines president approved its inclusion in the military’s “Horizon 2 Priority Projects” in 2020.

Hindustan Times first reported in December 2019 that the Philippines was set to become the first country to buy the BrahMos missile system. Both sides were keen on signing the deal during a proposed visit by President Rodrigo Duterte early in 2021, but the plan fell through because of widespread disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow users to transfer voice chat

2022-01-28T14:21:00.004+05:30

WhatsApp is working on a feature that will allow users to transfer voice chat histories from Android to iOS

So, you’ve just switched from an Android phone over to an iPhone, but are stumped as to how you can transfer your WhatsApp chat history over? Well, it looks like WhatsApp could be developing a feature that allows users to do just that. First reported by WaBetaInfo, it was first spotted on the WhatsApp 22.2.74 beta version for iOS but has not been officially announced as yet. It also looks like the feature is still in its early stages as even beta testers do not have access to it. As of right now, users can move their chat history over from iOS to android Devices.

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro could launch with a 5x periscope camera

2022-01-28T14:16:00.000+05:30

Apple reportedly is exploring a 5X periscope camera for the iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 rumors and leaks have already started surfacing. Apple has been testing prototypes and component samples of 5X telephoto lenses for the iPhone 15 Pro. A final decision will be on the manufacturer, which is expected in May 2022.

Analyst Jeff Pu claims the iPhone 15 Pro versions will include a periscope lens with 5X optical magnification. Apple is in talks with Lane Optics, which is likely to be the primary provider of periscope lenses for the iPhones that will be released in 2023.