In middle of a WhatsApp voice call? You can switch to video call instantly

WhatsApp calls are only available in one-on-one conversations but might be available to group chats soon

WhatsApp has launched a feature in its beta version that will let users switch to video calls from voice calls at the touch of a button.

According to a report in the Independent, if you are in the middle of a WhatsApp voice call and want to switch to a video call, you just need to tap that button to make the switch.

Tapping the button will send a request to the person on the other side, asking if he or she wants to switch from voice to video.

If the offer is accepted, the call will be switched.

If the offer is declined, the voice call will continue as normal. In the current version of WhatsApp, you need to end a voice call to make a video call.

WhatsApp calls are currently only available in one-on-one conversations but it might be available to group chats in the near future, the report said.

The new feature was spotted by watcher of the popular chat app WABetaInfo, which said that the feature is only available to those who have signed up to the beta version of WhatsApp....Read more

Get Rid of Eye-Bags and Dark Circles Naturally

Most common reasons why one may be suffering from under eye dark circles and eye-bags are aging, hormones, some medications, certain allergies, genetic pigmentation, edema, excessive exposure to Sun.

Dark circles and eye-bags are often hard to get rid of. For long it was believed that lack of sleep is the primary reason for dark circles but now we understand that may not be the case entirely. There are many products available in the market exclusively for the said problems; also many anti-aging products claim to provide relief from under eye dark circles. Often dark circles are accompanied by sagging under-eye skin, the condition is known as puffiness. Although under eye dark circles are not exactly a health hazard but they may impact one’s look and hence confidence negatively. Most common reasons why one may be suffering from under eye dark circles and eye-bags are aging, hormones, some medications, certain allergies, genetic pigmentation, edema, excessive exposure to Sun and more.

Causes for Dark Circles and Eye-Bags

Dark circles under one's eyes may appear because of hyperpigmentation or because of one having thin skin around the eyes. Dark circles are also linked to genetic and other environmental factors. Causes of dark circles may be varied but the common factor with the all causes is mostly the difference in the thickness of the skin around the eyes called the periorbital area. On most parts of the body, the skin is between 2 and 3 mm thick. However, under the eyes, the skin is around 0.5 mm thick. Thinner skin means the blood vessels under the skin are more visible to the naked eye, giving your skin a different color tone. Now the skin and the tissue directly under the outer layer of the skin, called the subcutaneous tissue, allow only blue or purple coloured wavelengths to pass. This is one of the reasons that dark circles appear under one's eyes. Also there are more chances of someone distinguishing and noticing the different colour shade of the veins under the eyes, than on the other parts of the body where the skin is thicker.

Types of Dark Circles

Not all dark circles are equal; different types of dark circles are mostly distinguished on the basis of their causes. Although it’s the most common reason but not all dark circles are due to the visibility of the veins through the skin. The second most common reason why dark circles are caused is hyperpigmentation of the skin under the eyes. Due to increased melanin production in the skin under the eyes one may get under eyes dark circles. Dark circles under the eyes can also be caused by the oxidation of the blood that leaks from the blood vessels around the eyes. Blood release and oxidation cause not only dark circles but also edema and bags under the eyes.

Prevention and Treatment of Dark Circles and Eye-Bags Naturally

Although dark circles and eye-bags are generally harmless but it won’t be surprising if someone especially women may wish to get rid of them. There are several natural prevention methods and treatments that one may use:

Reduce Smoking and Alcohol Consumption - Smoke from cigarette and also from generic pollution can cause damage to skin around the eyes. On the other hand alcohol causes dehydration of the skin causing skin damage thus dark circles.
Avoid Frequent Rubbing of the Eyes - Skin under the eyes is thin and is prone to blood leakage. Due to frequent rubbing the skin may lose its elasticity which can be a contributing factor to the appearance of dark circles....

Read more about : Get Rid of Eye-Bags and Dark Circles Naturally

Aadhaar could be a single target for cyber criminals: RBI researchers

A recent investigation alleged that unrestricted access to details of over one billion Aadhaar numbers can be purchased at as little as Rs 500

​SMXLL

The benefits of Aadhaar, India’s biometrics-based unique national identity system–the world’s largest–are unclear and the impact of direct benefit transfers it will be used to deliver to the poor is not studied enough, a new study published by an arm of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has concluded.

The paper, ‘Biometric and Its Impact in India’, was a part of Staff Papers series published in its October 2017 edition. It is written by S Ananth, an adjunct faculty at the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), which was established by the RBI as an autonomous institute.

Also read : Iris Scan To Add Layer To Aadhaar Authentication

Aadhaar is becoming central to India’s public policy with increasing number of programmes being linked to it. And its scope is constantly increasing. In the seven years following its introduction, 1.12 billion Indians or 88.2% of the population have enrolled for Aadhaar, IndiaSpend reported in March, 2017.

Established by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, Aadhaar is now used for direct benefit transfers as well as distribution of foodgrains and essential commodities–under the public distribution system (PDS)–by the state. It includes various payments linked through Aadhaar-enabled payment system....

Read more about : Aadhar data leak

Mallika Sherawat evicted from Paris flat over unpaid rent

At a hearing in a Paris court on November 14, a lawyer for the couple said they were in financial difficulty

A French court has ordered that Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat be evicted from an apartment in a posh part of Paris for failing to keep up with the rent.

In a December 14 ruling seen by AFP on Tuesday, the court told Sherawat and her French husband Cyrille Auxenfans to pay 78,787 euros ($94,000) in rent owed and expenses, giving the green light for their furniture to be seized.

The couple began renting the apartment in the pricey 16th district on January 1, 2017, for a monthly sum of 6,054 euros.

But according to the owner, they never paid the rent, making only a single payment of 2,715 euros.

At a hearing in a Paris court on November 14, a lawyer for the couple said they were in financial difficulty.

The lawyer emphasised the "irregular" nature of Sherawat's work -- an argument dismissed by the owners of the apartment who claimed she had earned tens of millions during the rental period.

Neither Sherawat nor Auxenfans replied to AFP's request for comment.

In mid-December, the actress had denied having a Paris apartment.

"It's absolutely not true, if someone has donated one to me, please send me the address," she tweeted in response to media reports about the case.

The couple may appeal the eviction order.

They cannot be thrown out until March 31, when a moratorium on wintertime evictions expires.

Google Doodle celebrates Nobel laureate Har Gobind Khorana's 96th birthday

Famous for constructing first synthetic gene, Har Gobind Khorana is recognised for his breakthroughs in science

Search engine giant Google on Tuesday paid homage to Indian-American Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Har Gobind Khorana through a colourful doodle on his 96th birth anniversary.

Known for his comprehensive work on DNA and for constructing first synthetic gene, Khorana, along with two other scientists, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1968 for research on nucleotides and genes.

Born in 1922 in Raipur, now in Pakistan, Khorana, from an early age, was passionate about science which grew stronger with time as scholarships propelled the budding scientist through his scholastic journey.

Helped by the award of a Government of India Fellowship, Khorana moved to England in 1945 where he studied for a PhD degree at the University of Liverpool.

The scientist's interest in proteins and nucleic acids took root while his stay in Cambridge from 1950 till 1952.

After moving to Vancouver in 1952, he started his research on DNA under Gordon M Shrum of University of British Columbia.

It was through his research at universities in England, Switzerland, Canada, and finally at the University of Wisconsin that he and two fellow researchers received the coveted Nobel Prize in 1968.

"Together, they discovered that the order of nucleotides in our DNA determines which amino acids are built.

These amino acids form proteins, which carry out essential cell functions," Google said in a post.

After this achievement, fewer than five years later, he made a second breakthrough by constructing the first synthetic gene.

He received a host of awards during his lifetime, including the National Medal of Science and Padma Vibhushan.

The doodle, which celebrates Khorana's pioneering work in understanding the human DNA, was drawn by Bangalore-based illustrator Rohan Dahotre.

BCCI slaps 5-month ban on Yusuf Pathan for failing dope test

His urine sample was found to contain Terbutaline

 

Indian all-rounder Yusuf Pathan was today handed a five-month retrospective suspension for failing a dope test, a sanction which will end on January 14, after the BCCI accepted that the violation was inadvertent.

"Mr Yusuf Pathan has been suspended for a doping violation. Mr Pathan had inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance, which can be commonly found in cough syrups," the BCCI said in a statement.

The 35-year-old Pathan had provided a urine sample as part of the BCCI's anti-doping testing program during a domestic T20 competition on March 16 last year.

"His sample was subsequently tested and found to contain Terbutaline.

Terbutaline, a specified substance, is prohibited both In and Out of Competition in the WADA Prohibited List of Substances," the BCCI stated.

The all-rounder, who has played 57 ODIs and 22 T20 Internationals for India, was charged with the "commission of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under the BCCI Anti- Doping Rules (ADR) Article 2.1 and provisionally suspended pending determination of the charge".

"Mr Pathan responded to the charge by admitting the ADRV and asserting that it was caused by his ingestion of a medication containing Terbutaline that had been mistakenly given to him instead of the medication prescribed for him, which did not contain any prohibited substance," the BCCI explained.

The BCCI said it is "satisfied" with Pathan's explanation that was using the medication to "treat an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) and not as a performance-enhancing drug"..... 

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Kapil Mohan, the man who kept traditions alive at Mohan Meakin passes away

Mohan, chairman of Mohan Meakin, the maker of Old Monk rum, passed away on Saturday following a cardiac arrest at Mohan Nagar, near Ghaziabad

Kapil Mohan hardly ever downed a peg. Yet, the dark rum in a fat bottle his company brewed was the favourite evening companion for millions cutting across age, class and continents.

Mohan, chairman of Mohan Meakin, the maker of Old Monk rum, passed away on Saturday following a cardiac arrest at Mohan Nagar, near Ghaziabad. He was 88. He was the man behind famous brands like Old Monk, Solan No.1, and Golden Eagle, before age and competition caught up.

The teetotaller, who drew strength primarily from other spirits — of the holy kind — ran the company under his watch for over four decades. Only a year ago, he passed on the executive control to his nephews Hemant and Vinay, though he continued to be the chairman.

Pushed to the helm, following the death of his elder brother V R Mohan in the early 1970s, Kapil saw the emergence of the dark rum packed in the iconic squarish hard glass bottle as a global brand.

Till the mid 2000s, it was the largest-selling liquor brand in the country, with heavy patronage from military canteens. Old Monk held its own even as other brands such as Golden Eagle Beer were weathering the onslaught of Vijay Mallya-led United Breweries group and other competitors.

Yet, much of that market dominance seemed to have been achieved by word of mouth, than through conscious marketing efforts. “We do not advertise. I will not, and as long as I am in this chair, we will not (advertise),” Mohan had said in an interview in 2012. “The best way of my advertising is the product: When it comes to you and you taste it, you look at the difference and ask what is it. That is the best advertisement.”

Read more about : Kapil Mohan 

Harassed by moral police, 20-year-old woman hangs self in Karnataka

Harassed by moral police, 20-year-old woman hangs self in Karnataka

Blaming moral policing, a 20-year-old woman hanged herself in Chikmagalur on January 6.

In her suicide note, she named five men, who harassed her and her mother by accusing the victim of roaming with a Muslim boy, thereby creating issues of love jihad.

One out of the five accused has been arrested while the other four are still absconding.

"On 6 January, a 20-year-old woman committed suicide. In her suicide note, she wrote that a group of five harassed her and her mother by alleging that she goes out with a Muslim boy. One person has been arrested," said Superintendent of Police, Chikmagalur.

A case has been registered under 306 (Abetment to suicide) of the IPC.

18 trains cancelled as Delhi wakes up to fog, mercury at 5 degrees celsius

The maximum temperature is likely to be around 21 degrees Celsius

It was a cold and foggy morning in New Delhi on Monday with the minimum temperature recorded at five degrees Celsius, two notches below the season's average, the weather office said.
The Met has predicted a misty day ahead. Visibility stood at 800 metres and humidity was recorded at 97 per cent at 8.30 am.

At least 18 trains were cancelled, 50 delayed and eight rescheduled due to fog in several parts of northern India.

"The sky will remain clear," an India Meteorological Department official said.

The maximum temperature was likely to be around 21 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature on Sunday settled at 20.7 degrees Celsius, one notch above the season's average while the minimum temperature was recorded at 6.4 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season's average.

Food Articles that Enhance Beauty

Here is the list of top natural food items that are good for the skin, hair, looks and overall beauty.

Health : We all understand that the food we consume has a direct impact on our overall health. But have you ever wondered what impact the food items we consume have on our looks, skin or beauty. What are the food items that can help an individual keep his or her skin young and healthy, hair silky, complexion radiant, figure slim and much more. Here is the list of top natural food items that are good for the skin, hair, looks and overall beauty.

Food Items to Consume to Enhance Beauty

Green Tea - Green tea helps in weight loss and also in fighting acne. Green Tea is also rich in antioxidants, which helps to make the skin look healthy, radiant and youthful.

Berries - Brightly coloured berries, such as cherries and blueberries are rich in antioxidants thus they help reduce skin imperfections. Berries also help to protect the skin from damage that gives rise to wrinkles. Citrus fruits are also rich in antioxidants and thus are good for the skin.

Olive Oil - Olive oil is rich in oleic acid, one of the fatty acids that keep cell membranes and skin supple. In addition, olive oil contains small amounts of other essential fatty acids that fight against inflammation. Finally it contains vitamin E and polyphenols which are antioxidants that protect the skin from the damage caused by free radicals.

Water - Skin cells need a lot of water to keep their membranes supple and receptive to nutrients which in turn keeps them healthy. The minimum amount of water that one needs to drink in a day to keep the skin healthy and hydrated is around two litres. If an individual spends much of his time outdoors or if he sweats profusely, he should drink more.

Tomatoes - Tomatoes are good for both the skin and the hairs. They provide radiance to the skin and strength to hairs. Tomato is one food article that is good to enhance beauty both when consumed and when used as face pack or a face scrub.

Garlic - Garlic is rich in antioxidants and minerals such as selenium. It is believed that Garlic has anti-aging properties and minerals contained in garlic help maintain the health of skin, hair and nails.

Food Items to Use as Masks and Scrubs to Enhance Beauty

Pineapple - Pineapple is full of vital enzymes and hence when used as a scrub it will provide excellent results along with required physical exfoliation of the skin.

Avocado - Avocado is excellent to moisturize the skin and treat skin irritations caused due to eczema or acne. The creamy nature of this fruit which is also rich in vegetable fats is both pleasant and beneficial for the skin...

Read more about  : Food Articles that Enhance Beauty

Fire at Bengaluru's Kailash Bar & Restaurant: 5 employees charred to death

The incident occurred at 2:30 am at Kailash Bar and Restaurant when the employees were asleep

 

 

Bengaluru fire :Five employees of a bar-cum-restaurant were charred to death when a major fire broke out at Kumbaara Sangha building in Kalasipalya in Bengaluru during Monday morning, police said. 

The incident occurred at 2:30 am at Kailash Bar and Restaurant when the employees were asleep.

Police identified the victims as Swami (23), Prasad (20), Mahesh, all residents of Tumakuru, Manjunath (45) from Hassan and Keerthi (24) from Mandya.

"An incident of fire has occurred at Kailash Bar and Restaurant located in the ground floor of Kumbaara Sangha building (in the vegetable market area). Fire and smoke was noticed by some persons at around 2.30 am and fire services were pressed into action. Two fire tenders and one fire rescue vehicle attended to it and it has been doused," a senior police officer said.

The cause of the fire was unknown and was being investigated, he said.

Former Shiv Sena corporator Ashok Sawant stabbed to death in Mumbai

The incident took place when he was returning home after meeting a friend

 
Former Shiv Sena corporator, Ashok Sawant, has been stabbed to death outside his house in Maharashtra's Kandivali.

Sawant (62) was accosted by two men late on Sunday night who then attacked him with sharp weapons.

The incident took place when he was returning home after meeting a friend.

He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead.
Sawant was a two-time corporator of Shiv Sena from Samta Nagar.

Investigation in the case is on.

West Bengal man arrested for stalking Sachin Tendulkar's daughter Sara

He called Sara several times and expressed his desire to marry her

1.  

 

A 27-year-old man from East Midnapore district in West Bengal was on Sunday arrested for allegedly harassing cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's daughter, Sara Tendulkar, over the phone, police said.

Deb Kumar Maiti, a resident of Debkundu village near Geonkhali under Mahisadal Police Station, had gone to Mumbai sometime back to visit his elder brother when he somehow got hold of her number, they said.

He then called Sara several times and expressed his desire to marry her, they added.

A case was filed in this regard by the Tendulkar family in Mumbai, but the entire matter was kept secret by the Cyber Cell of the Mumbai Police.

A team of the Mumbai Police early today arrested Maiti near Andulia and later produced him before a court in Haldia, which allowed them to take him to Mumbai on a three-day transit remand, a senior officer of West Bengal police said in Haldia.

The police claimed that during interrogation the man admitted to calling her and also showed them a tattoo bearing Sara's name on his arm.

Maiti's neighbours, however, said he was suffering from mental issues from 2007.

Aadhaar database can be misused and abused: Edward Snowden

The UIDAI said the Aadhaar data including biometric information is fully safe and secure

A day after the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) denied that there was any breach of the Aadhaar database, American whistleblower Edward Snowden said on Friday that the Aadhaar database conceived and introduced by the Indian government can also be misused and abused.

Retweeting CBS journalist Zack Whittaker's response on a BuzzFeed report on the breach of Aadhaar database in India, Snowden said, "It is the natural tendency of government to desire perfect records of private lives. History shows that no matter the laws, the result is abuse."

Whittaker had earlier said, "ICYMI. India has a national ID database with the private information of nearly 1.2 billion nationals. It's reportedly been breached. Admin accounts can be made and access can be sold to the database, reports BuzzFeed."

The UIDAI on Thursday said the Aadhaar data including biometric information is fully safe and secure.

It termed The Tribune report titled 'Rs 500, 10 minutes, and you have access to billion Aadhaar details' a case of misreporting.

"There has not been any Aadhaar data breach. The Aadhaar data including biometric information is fully safe and secure," the UIDAI said in a statement.

This development has come at a time when the Supreme Court is set to begin the final hearing of petitions challenging the legality of Aadhaar programme based on privacy concerns on January 17.

In August 2017, the Supreme Court held that privacy is a fundamental right under the Constitution of India.

Rajinikanth's political entry is as dramatic as his on-screen ones

Can Thalaivar encash his fan base?

 

After decades of speculation, Rajinikanth announced on New Year’s Eve that he was finally going to enter politics. Addressing thousands of fans in Chennai, the superstar — considered a demi-god or superhuman by many of his admirers — declared that he would form a political party and contest the state Assembly elections. About the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he said he would take a call later. Rajini later told journalists: “I, too, want to create a political revolution. If there is a change now, future generations will live better.” Those speculating about whether Rajini’s political foray would be a dud, can take a break for now: A website launched by him on January 1 garnered millions of hits within hours and at least 300,000 registrations.

Also read : Amid Political Hype, Rajinikanth And Kamal Haasan To Share Dais In Malaysia

Rajini, of course, has been an influence to reckon with in Tamil politics since the mid-1990s. In 1996, he extended vocal support to the coalition of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), helping them — according to some political pundits — win the Assembly elections. Notably, the TMC had used a bicycle as their political symbols and many of their posters had the iconic picture of Rajini on a cycle from his 1992 blockbuster Annamalai. His fans have only been too eager to see him enter the political arena and work his magic; some of them even started a political party in 2006, in a bid him take the plunge. Rajini had then desisted.

Of course, in south India, especially Tamil Nadu, cinema and politics have been twined since Independence. MGR, NTR, Jayalalithaa have all served as chief ministers and played a major part even in national politics. Rajini’s entry follows this tradition, where superstars and political leaders are given a larger-than-life status by their fans and supporters. While informing his fans about his intention to enter politics, Rajini reiterated the rhetoric of cleaning up the political landscape that is more than familiar to all of us now. “There is need for a political change,” he said. “In the name of democracy, political parties… are looting people.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, too, had promised similar clean-up acts before coming to power.

Read more about : Rajnikanth in politics

Looking at cryptocurrencies? These altcoins are rising faster than bitcoin

Ethereum, the second-largest by market value, has roughly tripled in the last two months

Bitcoin alternatives are closing the gap with the market leader after names like stellar and cardano became red hot as 2017 was closing.

The biggest cryptocurrency's share of market value has fallen to a record 36 per cent from 56 per cent a month ago, according to CoinMarketCap prices for coins and tokens. Stellar, designed for cross-border payments, has more than doubled in the first trading days of this year, achieving a record market cap of more than $13 billion.

That kind of move raises questions as to whether speculators will drive up second-tier digital coins at the expense of bitcoin, even though they have different purposes. The paper value of all cryptocurrencies combined has more than doubled to almost $700 billion in the past month.

"The altcoins today, in large part, are not trying to be bitcoin competitors," said Lex Sokolin, global director of fintech strategy at Autonomous Research LLP in London. "They are doing something else entirely -- ethereum as a smart-contracts platform, iota as a machine-economy token, ripple for interbank payments, and so on." How each is used "should become increasingly relevant as the novelty of crypto wears off."

Crypto correlation

Relative performance is now a multibillion-dollar question as professional investors search for ways to value digital assets that seem to defy traditional techniques, such as profit and dividend potential for equities, or industrial-demand outlooks for commodities. Correlation, for example, is one of many technical-analysis tools used across asset classes in forecasting, and altcoins historically have moved mostly in step with bitcoin...Read more

Fodder scam: Court to announce Lalu Prasad's quantum of punishment today

On December 23, the RJD chief, along with 14 others, was found guilty by the court, while seven accused, including former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, were acquitted

The Ranchi Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court will now pronounce the quantum of sentence against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad in connection with fodder scam on Friday.

During the proceedings, the court said that Bihar vigilance Director General, Janata Dal (United) leader Jagdish Sharma and former Bihar Director General of Police D P Ojha are the main masterminds in the scam.

Earlier on January 3, the court deferred the matter due to the demise of advocate Vindeshwari Prasad.

The court also found Lalu's son Tejashwi Yadav and other party leaders Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Manoj Jha guilty of contempt of court.

On December 23, the RJD chief, along with 14 others, was found guilty by the court, while seven accused, including former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, were acquitted.

Lalu has been convicted in one of the cases of the fodder scam, wherein Rs 9 billion from the Bihar exchequer was siphoned off under the pretext of purchasing fodder for livestock, during the '80s and '90s.

UIDAI begins probe on breach of Aadhaar database, initiates FIR

UIDAI says Aadhaar not a secret number and biometric data was not leaked

 

 

The Unique Identification Authority of India has begun investigations into a report that claimed access to its database of identity details of more than a billion citizens was being sold for just Rs 500 on social media.

The report in The Tribune had said the paper was able to buy login credentials to the Aadhaar database, allowing it to access information such as the names, telephone numbers and addresses of millions of people. The paper said it bought access from someone on a WhatsApp group.

The authority said the case appeared to be an instance of misuse of the grievance redress search facility. “Legal action, including lodging of FIR against the persons involved in the case, is being pursued,” the UIDAI said, while ensuring there had not been any breach of the biometric database.

“The Aadhaar number is not a secret number. It is to be shared with authorised agencies whenever an Aadhaar-holder wishes to avail of certain services. But that does not mean that the proper use of the Aadhaar number poses a security or financial threat,” it said....

Maharashtra bandh: Over 30 cops injured, 300 persons detained in Mumbai

Most of the injuries were a result of stones pelted on police personnel, said an official

 

 

Over 30 policemen sustained injuries in Mumbai on Wednesday during the protest called by various Dalit groups, a senior police official said on Thursday.

Most of the injuries were a result of stones pelted on police personnel, said an official.

He added that Powai and Govandi in the north-eastern part of the city saw the maximum number of cases with 11 policemen sustaining injuries in areas around Powai.

ALSO READ: Maharashtra bandh: 12 flights cancelled, 235 delayed; passengers stranded

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sahaji Umap of Zone VI said that 11 personnel were injured in Govandi and adjoining areas.

Police officials said that 16 First Information Reports (FIR) had been registered under relevant sections of the Maharashtra Police Act, the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act and the Indian Penal Code...

Read more about : Maharashtra bandh

Maharashtra bandh: Loss of over Rs 7 bn as protests put brakes on business

Incident will impact trade and tourism in the state, fear industry associations

 

 

Business houses in Maharashtra are counting their losses after a day-long bandh brought the state to a grinding halt on Wednesday.

While revenue loss from the shutdown is pegged at over Rs 7 billion, the larger worry is that the incident will adversely impact travel and trade in the state.

Buses and trains were halted and hotels and shops forced to down shutters, paralysing business activity around the state, in a bandh to protest the attack on the Dalit community in Pune district.

ALSO READ: Maharashtra bandh: Over 30 cops injured, 300 persons detained in Mumbai

"We have lost nearly Rs 1 billion worth of business in the past two days in Mumbai. There have been cancellations and the business cycle has got disrupted," said Dilip Datwani, vice-president of Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Associations of India. The city has over 7,000 hotels and restaurants.

Malls, which attract around 25,000 footfalls a day, were deserted till evening. Cinema halls did not see much of a business impact as business is generally thin during weekdays. Further, there were no new movie releases.

However, small establishments suffered the most. "There are around 3.5 million trade licence holders in the state. Even if we assume Rs 2,000 loss for each of them, the total revenue loss due to the bandh is Rs 7 billion. This is a good season for retailers due to weddings and foreign tourist arrivals. It is the second negative incident after the Kamala Mills fire and trade and tourism in the city is bound to be affected," said Viren Shah, president of Federation of Retail Trade Welfare Association.

ALSO READ: Maharashtra bandh called off; govt to probe incidents of violence, says CM

"Around 85 per cent of the costs for retailers are fixed in nature and a single-day business loss can wipe off 1.5 per cent of annual profit. Such bandhs do not help anyone," said Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of Retailers Association of India.

England, Israel now planning bitcoin-like currency but can it replace cash?

This could help lure people back into using an official system that combines some of the benefits of both traditional and cryptocurrencies

market: Governments are extremely worried about cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. These virtual currencies mean you can make payments without involving the banks that most economies and government financial models are built on. People can transfer large amounts of money without the authorities knowing, potentially making it easier to evade tax or launder money.

So several countries’ central banks, including the Bank of England and the Bank of Israel, are reportedly planning to launch their own digital currencies. This could help lure people back into using an official system that combines some of the benefits of both traditional and cryptocurrencies. But the risks involved may be too great for many typical cash users to bear.

One of the major drawbacks of existing cryptocurrencies is that their value tends to swing widely and it is often difficult to pinpoint how much they are really worth. National cryptocurrencies would be tied to the value of the country’s official currency, making them less volatile and easier to actually use as a way of spending.

National cryptocurrencies would also make payments much faster because transactions would be recorded instantly and wouldn’t have to be cleared by a bank (although some implementations require around eight minutes to be verified). The existing systems for electronic payments and transfers can often involve several banks and companies sending each other data and running security checks that add time and expense to transactions. Cryptocurrencies are able to bypass this clearing process altogether because they don’t actually involve transfers from one entity to another...

Read more :  Bitcoin 

Aadhaar breach: Rs 500 is all it takes to get details of a billion Indians

A report claims to have bought access to a cheap software, which can be used to print the Aadhaar card of any individual

Anonymous sellers on Whatsapp are said to be providing 'unrestricted' access to the Aadhaar details of more than a billion Indians for just Rs 500, according to an investigation by The Tribune on Wednesday. The paper also claims to have bought access to a software for Rs 300, which can be used to print the Aadhaar card of any individual by entering their Aadhaar number.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number that is issued by the UIDAI( Unique Identity Development Authority of India) to every resident Indian citizen, after recording biometric and demographic information about an individual.

The report says that the racket may have started when over 300,000 Village Level Operators(VLEs), earlier mandated to make Aadhaar cards across India were rendered jobless when post offices and banks were given the job instead, in November 2017. Over 100,000 VLEs, sensing an opportunity to make easy money, might have gained illegal access to UIDAI data and provided “Aadhaar services” to common people for a charge, including the printing of Aadhaar cards.

If true, this would spell a serious breach of national security as the UIDAI has linked Aadhaar to individuals' fingerprints and iris scans. The government's unfettered access to citizens biometric details has already been in the centre of much debate in the civil society.....

Read more : Aadhar data breach

After Kamala Mills horror, another fire in Mumbai building kills 4

The blaze was reported at around 2 am in the Maimuna Building in the sprawling Bohra Colony

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Four persons, including a senior citizen, were killed in a fire that erupted in a residential building in Marol, Andheri East in the wee hours of Thursday.

According to BMC Disaster Control, the blaze was reported at around 2 am in the Maimuna Building in the sprawling Bohra Colony, here.

At least nine persons trapped in the burning flat were retrieved by the fire brigade in which four were found dead and the rest were injured.

The injured were rushed to the Holy Spirit Hospital and their condition is reported to be stable.

The fire was brought under control by 5 am and fully extinguished later.

Stone pelting, traffic blocked: Dalit protesters bring Mumbai to a halt

Striking Indian low-caste workers bring chaos to Mumbai

 

Many businesses in the Indian financial hub of Mumbai closed on Wednesday as from a low-caste community blocked traffic and shopping malls and staged sitprotesters -ins on railway lines after clashes with right-wing Hindus.

The call for a general strike across the western state of Maharashtra led to largely peaceful protests, but life in many parts of Mumbai was disrupted with Dalits pelting buses with stones and deflating tyres in some areas. Railway lines and some major roads leading into the city were blocked.

Also read : Maharashtra bandh: Internet blocked, school buses off roads, cops on alert

The Dalits, who rank at the bottom in India's ancient caste hierarchy, called the strike in protest against attacks from right-wing groups in the city of Pune on Monday. The strike shut businesses and schools in Mumbai and other cities across the state.

"The government didn't arrest the perpetrators of violence in Pune. Hindu group members were beating Dalits and the police were just watching from afar," said protester Sandeep Kamble.

"We are demanding the arrest of the culprits." The protest came a day after thousands of Dalits hurled stones and caused traffic disruption across Mumbai. Dalits have been ostracized by upper-caste Hindus for centuries for jobs they deemed as impure, such as garbage pickers and tannery workers....

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Bhima Koregaon's myth in Maha reinforces identities it seeks to transcend

The resolve to fight Hindutva forces is certainly laudable, but the myth used for the purpose may be grossly counterproductive

 

Two hundred years ago, the last battle of the Anglo-Maratha war was fought at Koregaon village on the banks of Bhima river near Pune. The battle marked the firm hold of the British Empire in India. The British erected an obelisk at the battleground in the memory of the dead. It has 49 names, 22 of them are identified by their ‘nak’ suffix as Mahars. It was construed as the testimony to the gallantry of Mahar soldiers, and was rightly used by the first batch of Mahar leaders such as Gopal Baba Walangkar, Shivram Janba Kamble and even Ramji Ambedkar, B R Ambedkar’s father, when pleading the British for the restoration of Mahar recruitment in the British army when it was stopped in 1893. The stoppage of Mahar recruitment was a consequence of the Indian uprising of 1857, after which the British reassessed their recruiting strategies to include only those from ‘martial races’ in the army.

But when Babasaheb Ambedkar painted the Battle of Bhima Koregaon as the battle of Mahar soldiers against their caste oppression in Peshwa rule, he was creating a pure myth. As myths are required to build movements, he perhaps saw its necessity then. But after a century, when it solidifies into a quasi-history and tends to push Dalits deeper into an identitarian marshland, it should become a worrisome matter. Many Dalit organisations recently formed a joint front to observe the 200th anniversary of this battle as a campaign to launch an attack on the new Peshwai, the rising Brahmanic rule of the Hindutva forces. Their long marches culminated into an Elgar Parishad (conference) at the Shaniwarwada at Pune on December 31. While the resolve to fight the Hindutva forces is certainly laudable, the myth used for the purpose may be grossly counterproductive insofar as it reinforces identitarian tendencies whereas the necessity is to transcend them.

As regards history, it is a fact that when the East India Company developed its military aspirations, it recruited Dalits in disproportionately large numbers, perhaps for their unflinching loyalty and faithfulness and also because they were cheaply available. One finds disproportionate numbers of the Namshudras in Bengal, the Parayas in Madras and the Mahars in Maharashtra in its army. If the Dalits wanted to claim significant contribution to the establishment of the British Raj in India, it may not be as such incorrect. But to attribute motive of fighting caste oppression to their soldiery shall be far-fetched and unhistorical.

The East India Company fought and won several battles from the first one in Plassey in 1757 before the last battle of the Anglo-Maratha war. Obviously, all of them were not against the Peshwas. Most of them were not even against the Hindus....

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Maharashtra bandh: Internet blocked, school buses off roads, cops on alert

BJP and other right-wing parties have accused Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani of inciting the Bhima-Koregaon violence

Maharashtra remained on edge after the anniversary of a battle fought 200 years ago brought to fore simmering caste tensions even as a statewide bandh called on Wednesday to protest the state government's alleged failure to stop violence witnessed stray protest by Dalits.

Violence spilled over to adjoining parts of Maharashtra after clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on January 1, during the bicentenary celebration of the Bhima-Koregaon battle near Pune.

The right-wing groups were objecting to the observance of 'Victory Day' since they considered it to be an anti-national celebration.

Also read : Maharashtra bandh: Bhima Koregaon's myth reinforces identities it seeks to transcend

In the battle, which was fought between the British East India Company, containing Dalits in its infantry, and the Peshwas, who were upper-caste Brahmins, at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 1818, the Marathas ultimately withdrew. Since then, the lower-caste communities have been viewing it as a symbolic victory for themselves.

Here are the top 10 developments:

1. Internet services have been suspended in Aurangabad to keep the spread of rumours in check.

2.In Mumbai, colleges and schools opened as usual but school buses stayed off roads as a precaution. One private school bus was stoned in Chembur but there were no injuries. Mumbai's Dabbawala association on Tuesday decided not to run its delivery service, fearing the law and order issues in the city.

3. Air India and other domestic carriers have waived off cancellation for no-show due to the protests in Maharashtra, the Economic Times reported. The state-backed carrier said it won't charge any fee for rescheduling flights from/to Mumbai on 2nd or 3rd January.

4. In wake of the ongoing protest against the Bhima Koregaon violence, the Mumbai Police on Wednesday advised the residents of the city neither to believe in rumours. Additional forces have been deployed at vulnerable areas in Pune, Thane, Mumbai. Section 144 has been imposed in Thane till January 4. Section 144 empowers an executive magistrate to prohibit an assembly of more than four people in an area...

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Investing in cryptocurrencies? Here's why you should be wary of North Korea

A North Korean hacking unit called Andariel seized a server at a South Korean company in the summer of 2017 and used it to mine about 70 Monero coins

Market: North Korean hackers are hijacking computers to mine cryptocurrencies as the regime in Pyongyang widens its hunt for cash under tougher international sanctions.
A hacking unit called Andariel seized a server at a South Korean company in the summer of 2017 and used it to mine about 70 Monero coins -- worth about $25,000 as of December 29 -- according to Kwak Kyoung-ju, who leads a hacking analysis team at the South Korean government-backed Financial Security Institute.

The case underscores the increasing appetite from cyber-attackers for digital currencies that are becoming a source of income for the Kim Jong Un regime. North Korea is accelerating its pursuit of cash abroad as the world tightens its stranglehold on its conventional sources of money with sanctions cutting oil supplies and other trade bans.

"Andariel is going after anything that generates cash these days," said Kwak. "Dust gathered over time builds a mountain."

The hackers may have seized other computers to mine cryptocurrencies and appear to prefer Monero because the currency is more focused on privacy and easier to hide and launder than bitcoin, Kwak said, citing the analysis of the server. Andariel was able to take control of the server undetected by its operator, he said.

A cryptocurrency can be earned if a complex mathematical problem is solved, but it requires high-powered computers that often only corporations can afford. Not every company spends as much on protecting their computers from hackers. Yapian, the owner of bitcoin exchange Youbit, said in December it would close after getting breached....

Read more: Bitcoin news

Infosys to leave turmoil behind as Salil Parekh takes over as CEO today

Salil S Parekh will take over as the chief executive of Infosys on Tuesday

 

Salil S Parekh will take over as the chief executive of Infosys on Tuesday as the information technology (IT) bellwether looks to shed its past year of turmoil and forge ahead with a focus on execution and grow business by engaging clients via digital contracts.

For Parekh, a former Capgemini executive who rose through the ranks to be on its global board after successfully building its offshore base in India, the top job at Infosys will be his first that will put him under public scrutiny. So far, Infosys, listed on the Indian and global stock exchanges, has built its reputation on transparency and good corporate governance.

A lapse in disclosure by former CEO Vishal Sikka, who took charge in August 2014, about offering severance pay 10 times the standard contract to former chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal had escalated into a public spat between the board and the founders led by N R Narayana Murthy. This had resulted in the resignation of Sikka and R Seshasayee, then board chairman, last August, paving the way for co-founder Nandan Nilekani to return at the helm.

Nilekani realises that he has to stay longer at Infosys to ensure a smooth transition for Parekh, who will operate out of its headquarters in Bengaluru. Parekh will also need to fit in a culture of frugality that Murthy and Nilekani built over the past three decades, engage with in-house talent and ensure higher returns to stakeholders.

An operational man, Parekh had led the growth trajectory for Capgemini India as an offshore destination to deliver client projects and help the European firm remain competitive. During his tenure, Capgemini team grew from 800 people to over 85,000 people in India, which included leading the acquisition of iGATE Corp....

Read more: Infosys CEO Salil  S Parekh

ATM transactions may get costlier as operators seek hike in inter-bank fees

The representation is being led by National Payments Corp of India after meetings were conducted separately for private and public sector lenders

 

 

economy news: In a move that might potentially add some more burden on the common man, the automated teller machine (ATM) operators, especially those of the private banks, are demanding a raise in inter-bank charges for ATM transactions, citing demonetisation, an increased cost of operating the channel, and fewer withdrawals.

The representation is being led by the National Payments Corp of India (NPCI) after meetings were conducted separately for private and public sector lenders.

The inter-bank fee is charged by one bank from another for use of its ATMs by the customers of the other. Any raise in this leads to increased cost burden for banks with smaller ATM networks. If banks pass on part of this cost to consumers, the number of free ATM transactions they are allowed to make in a month at their bank or other banks' ATMs might get reworked.

Also read : No charges on debit card transactions up to Rs 2,000: FinMin

According to a Livemint report, the demand for raising the rate is being led primarily by private sector banks. Some large public sector banks are against an increase as it would lead to higher costs for them.

A banker from one such large public sector bank was quoted as saying that their charges were already high and if they increased it further, they would be bound to lose. Once they have ascertained the costs, they would discuss it with the stakeholders and fix the rate, he added.

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No charges on debit card transactions up to Rs 2,000: FinMin

MDR would be borne by govt for two years with effect from January 1, 2018 by reimbursing the same to banks

 

 

Customers will not have to pay any transaction charges for payments through debit card, BHIM app and other payment made for up to Rs 2,000 from today onwards.

Last month, Union Cabinet approved a proposal that government will bear the merchant discount rate (MDR) charges on transactions up to Rs 2,000 made through debit cards, BHIM UPI or Aadhaar-enabled payment systems to promote digital transactions.

"Happy Digital 2018. December Quarter BHIM transaction rises 86 per cent to 145.6 million with value of Rs 13,174 crore," Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar said in a tweet.

"Further impetus to digital payments, government to reimburse charges for transaction up to Rs 2,000 on debit cards/BHIM. Zero charges on merchants. Go Digital, embrace transparency," he said.

The merchant discount rate (MDR) will be borne by the government for two years with effect from January 1, 2018 by reimbursing the same to banks.

The move will have an impact of Rs 2,512 crore on the exchequer.

The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.