Entire country is excited over Ram mandir: PM Modi

PM Modi, in the 108th edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, said there was excitement and enthusiasm in the entire country in connection with the Ram mandir as he called it a "historic moment" and urged people to share artistic creations by using a common hashtag. The PM emphasised the special edition as '108', an auspicious number as per Hindu belief, as he mentioned the excitement surrounding the temple and said, "People are expressing their feelings in a multitude of ways."

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BB17: Rinku gets eliminated; Munawar and Neil cry inconsolably

Dharmendra, Mika Singh, Arbaaz Khan, and Sohail Khan grace the stage on the latest episode of Bigg Boss 17. Krushna Abhishek entertains with a Jackie Shroff skit. Salman Khan announces a double elimination. The contestants perform a dance tribute to Dharmendra. Rinku Dhawan gets eliminated and advises Munawar to get his things together. Ayesha Khan suffers a panic attack and is taken to the hospital. Take a look at what happened inside the house for new year's celebration:

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Govt issues 'draft' for ease of rail travel for divyangs

The Centre has issued a draft rule to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities at railway stations and trains. The proposed rules aim to create a user-friendly environment and seek feedback from stakeholders and the public. The guidelines emphasize dedicated website features, a mobile app, and a one-click template for people with disabilities. Credible announcements & accessible entry and exit points are also proposed. The guidelines aim to enhance overall accessibility and provide a more inclusive experience.

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Local terror recruitment down 80% in 2023: JK DGP

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed an 80% decline in local terror recruitment in 2023, with foreigners taking the lead, according to DGP RR Swain. Only 22 recruitments occurred in 2023, and the J&K Police aims to curtail recruitment and violence. The collaborative efforts of the police and other security forces resulted in the neutralization of 113 terrorists, leaving 31 local operatives active. Additionally, two separatist organisations, the DFP and the Muslim League were banned under UAPA.

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Earthquake shakes part of Indonesia's Papua region

A powerful earthquake shook Papua, Indonesia's easternmost region, causing no serious damage. The magnitude 6.5 quake occurred in Abepura, a subdistrict in Jayapura, the capital of Papua province. It was a shallow earthquake with a depth of 10 kilometers. The region is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the "Ring of Fire". In February, another earthquake in the province resulted in the collapse of a floating restaurant, causing four deaths. Indonesia has a history of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, with past disasters claiming many lives.

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'Nation of investors can't depend on stocks alone'

Uday Kotak outlines recommendations for India's economic transformation, emphasizing the shift from savers to investors. He suggests that banks should become distributors of corporate debt and expand their reach to mid-sized corporates, MSMEs, and consumers. Kotak highlights the growing interest of Indian savers in investing, facilitated by various platforms such as mutual funds, equities, and insurance funds. He also warns of the need to protect new investors from market bubbles and advocates for tax reforms.

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Nuclear sector set to power Indian space missions: Isro chief

India's nuclear sector will power future Indian space missions through nuclear propulsion. Isro chairman S Somanath revealed plans for collaboration with the department of atomic energy. Radioisotope heating units in Chandrayaan-3's propulsion module worked flawlessly, generating enthusiasm. The Bharatiya Antariksh Station, an international platform for collaborative research, will be ready by 2028. Isro is also developing a moonbase habitat at a lower cost. Other upcoming missions include Xposat for studying Black Holes and neutron stars, Aditya-L1's mission to the Sun, a satellite for G20 countries, and plans for reusable rockets and space tourism.

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Finance ministry issues notice to 9 offshore crypto platforms

The FIU under the Finance Ministry has issued show cause notices to nine offshore cryptocurrency platforms for non-compliance with anti-money laundering law. The FIU has also written to the Meity to block the URLs of these entities operating illegally. In March, the government brought virtual digital assets service providers into the ambit of the Anti Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism framework. The nine entities issued notices are Binance, Kucoin, Huobi, Kraken, Gate.io, Bittrex, Bitstamp, MEXC Global, and Bitfenex.

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Ayurveda degrees: Next big thing for foreigners

Ethel Nyoni from Zambia is studying Ayurveda at Jaipur’s National Institute of Ayurveda to become the first registered practitioner from her country. Many foreigners, including Dr. Avvinish Narine from Trinidad and Tobago and Dr. Fatemeh Moazzami Peiro from Iran, are pursuing Ayurveda degrees at the Jaipur Institute to become Ayurveda ambassadors in their native countries. The vice-chancellor of the institute aims to establish Ayurveda as a branch of medicine abroad. Komivi ADJA from Togo, a mathematics student, also received an AYUSH scholarship to study Ayurveda.

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Pak ex-foreign minister Qureshi re-arrested after SC bail

Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Shah Mahmood Qureshi was re-arrested by police upon release from prison in Rawalpindi. Qureshi, former foreign minister, was granted bail in the cipher case by the Supreme Court. The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner issued a detention order under the public safety law. He was taken back into custody on suspicion of involvement in an attack on the army's general headquarters during protests against Imran's arrest in an alleged graft case. Qureshi accused the government of politically victimizing him and called it a mockery of the Supreme Court's order.

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KL Rahul opens up on being abused to getting hailed

KL Rahul completed his century before India were dismissed for 245 in their first innings, moving on from 208-8 overnight with play commencing 25 minutes late because of light drizzle. Rahul, who was 70 not out at the start, went to an eighth test ton in spectacular fashion, hammering a six into the crowd as the tourists added 37 runs to their first day score before being bowled out. He had provided stout resistance on the opening day on Tuesday as South Africa threatened to dismiss India cheaply but were let down by spilt catches and inconsistent bowling.

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Rat Chinese Horoscope 2024 - Pursue growth opportunities fearlessly

Rats can anticipate positive changes and dynamic energy in the Year of the Dragon, symbolizing growth and flexibility. Take up adventures, seek growth opportunities, and adapt with agility. This year is about intellectual growth, mastery of communication, and networking challenges in your career. Strategic communication and networking will lead to financial growth. Strengthen relationships through meaningful dialogue and establish a strong beginning in love.

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Haridwar: Two kids among 6 killed as brick kiln wall falls

Six workers, including two siblings, died while two others were critically injured after a wall in a brick kiln in Haridwar suddenly collapsed in Lahboli village. The buried bodies were taken out with the help of a JCB machine. A case has been registered against brick kiln owner Rishu Malik. The district administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry. The police complaint stated that the kiln owner and his staff were aware of the damaged condition of the wall.

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'India, Russia ink pacts for future units of Kudankulam nuclear plant'

India and Russia signed agreements related to the construction of future power generating units for the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu. The Kudankulam plant, built with Russian assistance, has been operating at its design capacity since 2016 and is expected to reach full capacity by 2027. The two countries also discussed collaborations in defense, nuclear power, and space, highlighting their strong partnership.

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HC: Automatic cancellation can't be bail condition

The Punjab and Haryana high court has clarified that no condition for automatic cancellation of bail can be imposed. The court ruled that the only condition that can be imposed is that the investigating agency or the complainant can move an application for cancellation of bail. The court must be satisfied that it is necessary to cancel the bail, considering various factors. This ruling came in response to a Faridabad court's order that canceled the bail granted to Rajiya in a narcotics case.

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Brigadier, 3 others shifted; Army chief visits Poonch

Army transfers Brigadier and officers of 13 Rashtriya Rifles following terrorist ambush in J&K's Poonch. Deaths of three men during custody sparks protests. Transfers confirmed before Army chief's visit to assess operational preparedness. Disciplinary action considered after internal investigation. FIR filed by J&K police. Compensation and jobs announced for deceased's families. Defence minister Rajnath Singh scheduled to visit Jammu for security review meeting. Change of command expected in 13 RR area. Homage paid to four slain soldiers. Search operation ongoing with mobile internet services suspended.

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Climate link to Central Asian invasions, suggests Gujarat dig

The past two millennia in India have witnessed seven invasions from Central Asia, believed to be influenced by climatic conditions. A recent study conducted by researchers from IIT Kharagpur, ASI, PRL, JNU, and Deccan College explored the impact of climate on these invasions. The study focused on archaeological excavations in Vadnagar, the hometown of PM Narendra Modi, where a continuous climatic record of 2,800 years was discovered. The research revealed a correlation between prosperous monsoons in India and major invasions from Central Asia, which occurred during periods of drought in the latter region.

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MPPSC to open form filling link for all subjects in AP-2022 exam

MPPSC opens form filling link for Assistant Professor-2022 examination, providing relief to aspirants. Candidates can make corrections in forms till January 14. SET or NET examination is required for eligibility. The SET was held after a gap of four years, with 36,000 candidates applying for AP posts. Hindi, History, political science, commerce, and Sanskrit have the most applicants. Schedule and examination pattern announced for eight subjects, including Botany, Commerce, English, Hindi, History, Home Science, Mathematics, and Sanskrit.

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Ratcliffe agrees deal to buy 25% of Man United

Ineos Chief Executive Jim Ratcliffe has become a minority shareholder in Manchester United, buying a 25% stake at a price of $33 per share, the Premier League club said on Sunday. Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani was also looking to buy the club but dropped out of the bidding process, saying he would not be raising his $6 billion offer, leaving the British billionaire to strike a deal with the owners, the Glazer family

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IIT-K dean giving speech on health collapses on stage, dies

Professor Sameer Khandekar, the Dean of Students Welfare and Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at IIT-Kanpur, passed away from cardiac arrest while delivering a speech at an alumni meet on Friday evening. Ironically, he collapsed on stage while discussing a health-related topic, with his last words reportedly urging others to take care of their health. The 53-year-old had been dealing with cardiac health issues since 2019. Despite being rushed to Laxmipat Singhania Institute of Cardiology, he was declared dead upon arrival.

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Kishor's meeting with TDP's Naidu stokes buzz in Andhra

Political strategist Prashant Kishor met TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in Vijayawada on Saturday, sparking buzz that he may advise the party for the coming assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh.Kishor, who visited the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister's residence late afternoon, played down the speculation and called it a "courtesy meeting"."I met Chandrababu Naidu. This was a courtesy meeting, long overdue. Told him that I would come and meet him," said Kishor, while speaking to reporters.

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Man dies in police custody on Jammu outskirts

A 35-year-old man died in police custody on the outskirts of Jammu in Jourian area on Friday. Police said Sushil Kumar alias Sonu of Garhi Bishnah in Jourian died under suspicious circumstances at Jourian police post. Sushil’s body has been sent to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, for postmortem while the matter is being investigated, police said. Meanwhile, family and relatives of the deceased staged a protest at the police station concerned, demanding an in-depth probe into the matter and punishment to the culprits.

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Poonch ambush: NIA steps in, army hunts for terrorists

NIA sleuths arrived in Jammu's Poonch to investigate the terrorist ambush on army vehicles that killed four soldiers. The banned People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a Pakistan-backed group, claimed responsibility for the attack. The terrorists used US-made M40 rifles and took positions on hilltops. The situation in the Jammu region is a cause for concern, with a decrease in terrorist activity in the Kashmir valley and shifting of troops to the LAC with China being cited as possible reasons for the increase in attacks.

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Baloch activists protesting against ‘extra-judicial killings’ arrested

Baloch nationalists protesting against extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Balochistan were arrested and blocked from entering Islamabad. The police used water cannons and tear gas on the demonstrators and took women protestors to women police stations. The protesters had reached Islamabad after a long march from Turbat district. The police blamed the protesters for creating law and order problems. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the violent police crackdown and demanded the unconditional release of all detainees.

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'Want to focus on my...': Pavitra Punia on breakup rumours

Pavitra Punia spoke exclusively about break-up rumours with boyfriend Eijaz Khan. She refused to divulge anything on the matter and requested privacy. Losing her father, who was her biggest support, she wants to focus on her career and family. Reacting to fan questions, she urged everyone to be calm and composed and support her and Eijaz. With multiple projects, she is excited about her career and wants fans to respect her privacy. Pavita and Eijaz met on Bigg Boss 14 and after being in a relationship for tow and a half years, the couple have apparently parted ways.

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Pandemic puppies power pet care business boom

Lockdown loneliness during the pandemic has led to a surge in pet parenting in nuclear families, resulting in the rapid growth of India's pet care industry. Pet adoption has increased across metros as well as tier-2 and -3 cities, driven by factors such as rising disposable incomes, changing lifestyles, and increased knowledge of the benefits of pet ownership. Furthermore, the increasing number of Gen Z and millennial pet owners has fueled the demand for innovative and high-quality pet care solutions. This trend is expected to continue, with the pet population in India projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% between 2022 and 2027.

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France submits bid to sell 26 Rafale-M fighters to India in mega Rs 50,000 crore deal

France submits bid to India's defence ministry for the estimated Rs 50,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets. The bid includes offer, pricing, and other details. The deals for the fighters and additional Scorpene submarines were granted preliminary approval by the Defence Acquisitions Council. The government-to-government deal will be signed after final cost negotiations and approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security. The Navy wants the deals to be finalized within this fiscal year due to a shortage of fighters for its aircraft carriers.

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Covid JN.1 sub-variant: Symptoms, precautions & other FAQs

The JN.1 variant of Covid, causing concern in India, has mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue. Gastrointestinal problems may also occur. The central government has issued advisories to state governments, urging adequate health arrangements. The WHO classifies JN.1 as a "variant of interest" with limited threat. Vaccinations targeting the spike protein should remain effective against JN.1. To prevent infection, experts recommend masking up in crowded areas, staying in well-ventilated spaces, and frequent handwashing.

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ED notice to Gauri Khan over embezzlement-accused brand

Gauri Khan, wife of Shah Rukh Khan, has received a notice from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged embezzlement of Rs 30 crore by the real estate company, Tulsiani Group. Gauri Khan, an interior designer and brand ambassador for the company, is being investigated for her financial dealings with the firm. She has not yet responded to the notices. Gauri Khan and Shah Rukh Khan were recently seen attending their son AbRam's school function.

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JSW group companies say FIR against Sajjan Jindal has no impact

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Noise set to make more 'noise' as Bose invests in the company

US-based audio equipment maker Bose has acquired a minority stake in Indian wearables startup Noise as part of Noise's Series A round. Noise, which holds the second position in the overall wearables segment, aims to raise more funds. The investment figure and the quantum of stake acquired by Bose remain undisclosed. Nicholas Smith, senior vice president of strategy and business development at Bose, expressed excitement about collaborating with Noise and bringing new products to the growing market.

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Rains, floods cripple southern TN; hundreds stranded

Chief Minister M K Stalin arrived in Delhi to discuss relief initiatives with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the intense rainfall and heavy flooding in Tamil Nadu. The four southern districts of Chennai, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi were overwhelmed by the unprecedented rainfall, resulting in the death of three people. Rescue efforts, including the use of boats, were ongoing in flooded areas, and food was provided to over 50,000 affected individuals.

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Kajol's mother, veteran actress Tanuja hospitalised in Mumbai

Tanuja who is known for a number of films like Baharein Phir Bhi Ayengi', 'Jewel Thief' among others has been admitted to a hospital in Juhu due to age-related issues..

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Follow Delhi University, offer 2 seats to orphan students

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has written to states and vice chancellors of universities, asking them to emulate Delhi University's decision to allocate two seats to orphan students in each academic program. Delhi University has committed to covering their expenses. The NCPCR chief highlighted this initiative as a template for other universities. 101 students have enrolled in DU colleges under this special category this year, across various programs. The University has about 4,000 seats under this quota.

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Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura: Battles of a dad & son

In the legal battles over religious sites in Uttar Pradesh, three prominent cases stand out - the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid, Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi, and Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah disputes. Representing the Hindu side in these complex court cases are a father-son lawyer duo, Hari Shankar Jain and Vishnu Shankar Jain. The Jains have dedicated their expertise to over 100 cases related to Hindu religion or places of worship, all within the framework of their guiding principle: 'Hindu revolution by legal awareness.' They undertake these pro bono battles.

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Internet shutdown in Pakistan ahead of PTI's virtual meet

Netblocks reports nationwide internet disruption ahead of PTI's virtual power show on social media platforms in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Users complain of difficulty accessing platforms and slow internet services. Former PTI leader Taimur Jhagra notes internet issues coinciding with online rally. YouTube and Ufone4G affected, millions of subscribers and businesses impacted. Pakistan ranked third in the world for internet restrictions. No statement from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) yet.

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Viksit Bharat campaign now a mass movement: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with beneficiaries of government schemes in states where the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra was put on hold due to assembly elections. The Yatra has transformed into a mass movement. The focus is now on urban development, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Initiatives like AMRUT Mission and Smart City Mission are upgrading basic facilities in smaller cities. The government has provided assistance during the pandemic, including free Covid vaccine, free ration, and aid to small businesses.

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Bihar govt using BPSC to promote INDIA bloc, alleges BJP

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) is facing criticism from the opposition BJP for asking a question about the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), an opposition alliance formed to compete against the BJP-led NDA in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The BPSC has been conducting tests to hire quality teachers for state-run schools. The BJP alleges that the state government is using the BPSC to promote INDIA ahead of the elections. The RJD accuses the BJP of politicizing the question.

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5 parties get Rs 1,200 cr in electoral bonds in '22-'23

Five regional parties received Rs 1,243 crore via electoral bonds in 2022-23, a fall from the previous year. BRS individually received 3.4 times more contributions. Trinamool's total receipts were contributed 97% by electoral bonds, while DMK's were 86%, BJD's were 84%, YSR Congress's were 70%, and BRS's were 71%. AAP received Rs 36.4 crore in electoral bonds, with its total income and expenditure increasing. BRS was the top beneficiary, receiving Rs 529 crore. CPM showed a decrease in total receipts and an increase in expenditure.

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Ex-high ranking FBI agent gets prison term for helping Russian oligarch

Former FBI special agent, Charles McGonigal, has been sentenced to over four years in prison and fined $40,000 for providing information to a Russian oligarch in violation of US sanctions. McGonigal, who led a counterintelligence division, received a payment for laundering money from a Russian bank to his private account. The judge, Jennifer H Rearden, stated that the sentence was meant to balance McGonigal's 22 years of FBI service with the seriousness of his crimes. McGonigal also awaits another sentencing for concealing payments from a former Albanian intelligence officer.

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'He was always there...': Kuldeep credits Chahal for his performance

Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav has credited his impressive performance in the third and final T20I against South Africa to a supportive chat with teammate Yuzvendra Chahal. In a video posted by the BCCI, Kuldeep expressed gratitude to Chahal for his friendship and support. Yadav made a stellar comeback in T20Is, delivering his best figures, taking five wickets for 17 runs in 2.5 overs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav engaged in a conversation with Kuldeep about his discussion with Chahal and its contribution to his success.

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Actor Shreyas Talpade suffers heart attack

Actor Shreyas Talpade, aged 47, experienced a heart attack shortly after wrapping up a film shoot on Thursday evening. Following the incident, he was swiftly taken to an Andheri hospital, where he underwent angioplasty. The actor's family instructed the medical staff not to disclose specific details regarding his condition or the treatment administered. Talpade had been working on the film 'Welcome to the Jungle.' Throughout the day, he reportedly filmed various scenes, including minor action sequences, and was observed to be in good spirits, laughing, and joking on the set, according to unit members.

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UK spy agency GCHQ unveils Christmas challenge for kids

UK’s biggest intelligence agency, GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters), based in the town of Cheltenham in England has sent out its special Christmas card with tricky puzzles meant for kids. On Thursday, the organization said in a statement that this year's challenge is the “toughest” yet with kids aged 11 to 18 facing a set of seven “complex puzzles” masterminded by the agency's experts. These puzzles aim to reveal the final festive message. GCHQ director Anne Keast-Butler said, “Puzzles have been at the heart of GCHQ from the start.”

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COP28: Final text addresses India’s coal use, methane concerns

India strikes balance at the UN climate summit (COP28) by addressing its developmental needs while aligning with global goals. The outcome omits binding provisions on methane emissions and coal power generation. The focus is on the 'phase-down' of unabated coal power without a rapid timeline. India emphasizes the importance of climate justice, and equity. The COP28 decisions include the Global Stocktake (GST), Global Goal on Adaptation, and the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund.

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Chandrayaan-3 cost vs cost of Russia's failed lunar mission

India's space minister, Jitendra Singh, highlighted the cost-effectiveness of India's space missions compared to the Russian lunar mission Luna-25. He revealed that the unsuccessful Russian mission cost Rs 16,000 crore, while India's successful lunar mission Chandrayaan-3 cost only around Rs 600 crore. Singh emphasized that India's space program relies more on cerebral resources and skills than material resources. He also mentioned that India's space economy is projected to multiply manifold by 2040, with the potential of reaching $100 billion. Additionally, Singh noted the increasing number of space startups in India and the significant role of women in leading space projects.

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US Fed holds key lending rate steady, signals cuts in 2024

The US Federal Reserve voted to keep interest rates at a 22-year high for a third straight meeting. The Fed's decision allows policymakers to determine the extent of any additional policy firming. The inclusion of the word 'any' dampens expectations of another interest rate hike. The decision keeps rates high as the Fed fights inflation towards a long-term target of two percent. The Fed also published updated economic forecasts, upgrading its growth outlook for this year and reducing it for 2024.

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2nd T20I: SA reach rain-reduced target to beat India

South Africa opener Reeza Hendricks laid the foundation as they beat India by five wickets after reaching a rain-reduced target to win their second T20I at St George’s Park on Tuesday. South Africa were set 152 off 15 overs because rain delayed play for almost an hour after India had been sent into bat and made 180-7 off 19.3 overs.

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16-year-old girl shot dead by jilted lover in Patna

A 16-year-old girl was allegedly shot dead by a jilted lover under the Masaurhi police station area in rural Patna on Monday morning. The police suspect a ‘one-sided love affair’ led to the murder.

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Why Airtel, Reliance Jio & Vodafone support this US bill

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) is urging the Indian government to adopt a bill similar to the one proposed in the US Congress. The bill, called the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2023, aims to make large internet apps contribute to infrastructure costs in order to lower broadband costs for consumers. It also proposes that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate social media platforms, streaming services, and other edge service providers to contribute to a universal fund for building networks. The bill classifies various services including social media platforms, streaming services, video gaming services, and search engines under edge service providers. COAI believes that this bill supports their stance and wants only large traffic generators to contribute to infrastructure costs in India.

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J&K verdict: Pak blusters but may find 'face saver' in statehood

The Supreme Court J&K verdict solidifies the revocation of the special status of J&K, allowing India to present it as a fait accompli to Pakistan. The judgement also highlights India's position that Pakistan has no role in the internal affairs of J&K. It inspires hope for an India-Pakistan detente once the newly elected governments are in power. Pakistan sees the order for early return to statehood as a potential face saver and a way to untangle the knots in the India-Pakistan relationship.

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Retribution, grudge behind killing of Karni outfit chief?

The assassination of Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi seems to be fueled by the resentments of the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate. Gogamedi was accused of abandoning protests against the encounter of gangster Anandpal Singh and allegedly misusing the funds collected in his name. The syndicate's grudge was further fueled by the proximity of Rohit Godara, Bishnoi's associate, to Anandpal's daughter. The caste angle to the killing has been dismissed by officials.

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COP28: Nations to set 7 climate adaptation goals for 2030

The ongoing UN climate summit released the first draft text on global goal on adaptation (GGA) which includes seven specific nationally determined targets. Countries will need to conduct risk and vulnerability assessments, establish early warning systems, and formulate national adaptation plans. However, the adoption of the GGA framework depends on consensus and increased climate finance mobilization by developed countries. The draft also addresses the language on the phase out of fossil fuels, a crucial topic of discussion at the summit.

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Vishnu Deo Sai, 59-yr-old tribal leader, to be next C'garh CM

Vishnu Deo Sai, a grassroots leader, has been chosen as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. Known for his gentle demeanour, organisational skills, and tribal roots, Sai's rise to power follows his journey from interning on the political shop floor to earning his stripes on the big stage. With the BJP's massive victory in the state, where the tribal population accounts for over 32% of voters, Sai's appointment reflects the party's strategy to connect with the electorate and counter the aggressive brand of politics practiced by the opposition Congress party.

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India rejects 'secret memo' claim over Nijjar killing

India strongly rejects fake a report alleging a secret memo issued by the Indian government in April to take concrete measures against Sikh separatists, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Indian spokesperson dismisses the report as part of a sustained disinformation campaign against India and accuses the outlet as known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence. In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Nijjar. India rejected the charges as absurd.

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Horoscope Today: Read your daily astrological predictions

Read daily horoscope predictions for December 10, 2023: Know all about the astrological events and influences that will be affecting each of the 12 zodiac signs. Get ready to discover what the stars have in store for you today!

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US 'prefers' Trump over Biden as President

President Joe Biden's approval rating reached a record low in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup ahead of the presidential polls. A new poll by Wall Street Journal revealed that 37% of respondents approved of Biden's role as president, while 61% disapproved. In a potential Biden-Trump 2024 rematch, 47% would vote for Trump and 43% would pick Biden. The survey also showed that 37% would vote for Trump if the 2024 election were held today, while only 31% would vote for Biden.

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Pistol, ammo recovered during search operation in J&K’s Rajouri

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Explained: How cash-for-query complaint led to Mahua Moitra's expulsion from Lok Sabha

Trinamool leader Mahua Moitra was expelled from Lok Sabha based on the recommendations of the Ethics Committee probe report on cash-for-query charges against her. The report revealed that Moitra had taken bribes and gifts from businessman Darshan Hiranandani to ask questions in Lok Sabha targeting the Adani group. She shared her parliamentary login credentials with Hiranandani, and her account was accessed from multiple locations in one day. The opposition members staged a walk-out after a brief debate over the report. Speaker Om Birla rejected Trinamool's plea to allow Moitra to speak in her defense.

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EAM: US' Pannun inputs impact our national security

India decided to investigate the alleged plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun after receiving inputs from the US, which were related to organized crime and national security. An inquiry committee has been formed to look into the matter. Canada did not provide any specific evidence or inputs regarding the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The US has urged India to participate in the Canadian probe, as Ottawa's claims are based on intelligence shared among the 'Five Eyes' countries.

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WhatsApp users can now send self-destructing voice messages

WhatsApp expands "view once" feature for audio messages, allowing users to send messages that disappear after being listened to. This feature is useful for sharing sensitive information like credit card details or sending surprise messages. View once voice messages are marked with a one-time icon and can only be played once. All personal messages, including view once voice messages, are end-to-end encrypted. To send a view once voice message, open a chat, lock the recording, enter view once mode, and send. Recipients must have read receipts enabled to see if the message was opened.

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INDIA parties to attend Revanth Reddy's event today

The INDIA bloc parties plan to hold a joint meeting during the winter session to discuss seat-sharing for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. In a show of coordination, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee will attend the meeting, while Rahul Gandhi has invited her to Telangana's swearing-in ceremony. The INDIA alliance leaders have been meeting every morning to coordinate floor strategy. However, there are concerns about the negative impact of alliance partners contesting against each other in the recent Hindi heartland state elections.

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India may get 1st space station unit in 5 years; 2047 roadmap includes Moon tourism plan

Isro aims to build a space station by 2028 and is confident in achieving this target. The space agency is also planning for lunar missions, including Chandrayaan-4, 5, 6, and 7, in different phases. Isro has goals of offering Moon tourism and developing infrastructure on the Moon. The agency is working on the next generation launch vehicle, which is crucial for the space station project. Isro is also exploring the use of radioisotope heater units (RHUs) and other technologies to manage extreme temperature variations on the Moon.

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HC snaps online proceedings as miscreants insert porn clips

The Karnataka high court has suspended video-conferencing and livestreaming services at its Bengaluru, Dharwad, and Kalaburagi benches due to unprecedented cybersecurity issues. Miscreants infiltrated the Zoom platform used by the court, playing pornographic videos during live proceedings. Livestreaming of proceedings on YouTube has also been halted. This incident reflects the trend of cyberattacks known as 'Zoom-bombing' that have targeted video conference calls during the Covid pandemic.

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Ready for J&K polls, up to EC to decide on date: Govt in LS

Home minister Amit Shah defends abrogation of Article 370, asserts India has one flag and Constitution. Shah refutes the claim that 'one nation, one PM, one flag' is a political slogan, stating it is a principle BJP firmly believes in. The government is ready for elections in J&K, waiting for the Election Commission to announce a date. Congress questions the timing of the amendments and the legal sanctity. National Conference raises concerns about the lack of attempts to restore statehood in J&K.

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NFTs Start Climbing Up Price Ladders Again as Bitcoin, Ether Show Continuous Rally

The market for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) seems to be on a revival sprint now that the crypto market is on a bull run. With cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and Polygon pumping in value, a bunch of NFT series associated with these altcoins have started to be climb up the price tracker. NFTs are digital collectibles that are built to be supported on blockchain networks. From game characters and cartoons to artists and artworks — NFTs can be inspired by an array of people, places, or characters.

Pudgy Penguins is one crypto project that for now, is garnering more value after seeing a slump in these previous recent months. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, the NFT series is a collection of 8,888 NFTs that resemble cartooned versions of penguins. his week itself, the trading volume of these NFTs have shot up by 394 percent, a Decrypt report said citing data from the CryptoSlam tracker.

After having traded lowly in recently months, the prices of Pudgy Penguins NFTs has spiked by 74 percent. At present, the cheapest Pudgy Penguin NFT is priced $21,289 (roughly Rs. 17.7 lakh).    Around October, the cheapest NFT was priced $9,000 (roughly Rs. 7.50 lakh) worth of ETH.

Anime-inspired NFT series Azuki, Ethereum NFT project Milady Maker along with Solana projects Claynosaurz and Chads have seen spikes in their prices these recent weeks, the report said.

This surge in NFT pricings come as a refreshing change of pace from this year's September, when a report had claimed that among the top 8,850 NFT collections by market cap, 18 percent were worthless, and 41 percent saw their prices drop to around $5 (roughly Rs. 415) to $10 (roughly Rs. 835).

It is notable, that in the backdrop of these NFT revivals, Bitcoin and Ether are trading at their respective nineteen month highs. While BTC is trading at $41,738 (roughly Rs. 34.8 lakh), ETH is priced around $2,228 (roughly Rs. 1.85 lakh). Similarly, Solana and Polygon are also seeing more gains than dips that is launching NFT projects linked to them up the price ladder.

NFTs peaked in September 2021 when sales of these digital collectibles managed to amass around $881 million (roughly Rs. 7,344 crore). However, as of November this year, NFT sales only managed to bring-in $10.85 million (roughly Rs. 90 crore).

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Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Mizoram elects a record three women to state assembly

Three women became Mizoram MLAs on Monday, the first time more than one has won in the state's assembly elections, reports HC Vanlalruata.Lalrinpuii and Baryl Vanneihsangi are from the victorious Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), and Pravo Chakma from the outgoing Mizo National Front (MNF). Lalrinpuii won from Lunglei East, Vanneihsangi from Aizawl South-3 and Pravo from West Tuipui. The first woman to be elected to the legislature - Mizoram was elevated to a Union territory in 1972 with a 30-member legislature - was L Thanmawii of People's Conference

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Assembly election results: BJP's 2nd line of leaders played their part to perfection

This article discusses the key role played by BJP's second-rung leaders, including Union ministers Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw, senior party functionary Om Prakash Mathur, Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Union minister Pralhad Joshi, and general secretary Arun Singh in the recent assembly elections. The party strategists deployed functionaries from different backgrounds and sought seat-wise feedback to ensure a comprehensive win. They also utilized the experience of leaders like Yadav and Mathur, as well as new recruits like Vaishnaw, who focused on micro management.

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Isro brings back Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module to Earth orbit, shows off lunar return tech

ISRO successfully returns the Chandrayaan-3 Propulsion Module (PM) to Earth's orbit after surpassing lunar mission objectives. The mission aimed to showcase a soft landing near the lunar south polar region using the Vikram Lander and Pragyaan rover. The PM's trajectory was adjusted to transition from lunar orbit to Earth orbit, avoiding potential collisions. Currently orbiting Earth, the PM poses no threats to operational satellites. The successful repositioning extends the PM's mission life and contributes valuable insights for future lunar missions.

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ED, CBI now likely to step on the gas

PM Narendra Modi backs Centre's anti-corruption drive, claiming voters' support; warning to parties involved in corruption; ED and other agencies to continue their task; corruption charges against CMs and their family members dismissed as politically motivated; Delhi CM Kejriwal to expect fresh ED summons after elections; close confidants in jail, ex-minister out on bail; serious corruption charges against opposition leaders and their associates.

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5th T20I: Iyer, bowlers star as India clinch series 4-1 vs Australia

Shreyas Iyer's half-century, combined with the fast bowlers Mukesh Kumar and Arshdeep Singh's five-wicket haul, drove the home team to an exhilarating six-run triumph over Australia in the fifth and final Twenty20 International at Bengaluru's M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. This victory dashed Australia's aspirations of clinching a consolation win on Sunday, ultimately sealing India's series triumph at 4-1. Axar Patel was adjudged Man of the Match, while young Ravi Bishnoi bagged the Player of the Series award.

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USS Carney, other ships attacked in Red Sea: Pentagon

A US warship and multiple commercial vessels were attacked in the Red Sea, deepening maritime tension in the Middle East. The USS Carney, known for intercepting missiles and drones, came under attack. A ship owned by a British company was also struck. Yemen's Houthi rebels have declared their intention to target ships in response to Israel's ground incursion into Gaza. The USS Carney had successfully intercepted 15 drones and four cruise missiles launched from Yemen in the Red Sea.

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35km from Silkyara, water leak from tunnel spooks villages

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India & China skip renewable pledge, 118 nations sign

India and China abstained from a pledge at the CO summit to triple global renewable energy generation capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, aligning with India's stance to prioritize coal-fired power plants. India maintains that it does not want to compromise on power availability for economic growth and has kept the option to use coal until 2030. While committed to increasing non-fossil power capacity, India wants to negotiate the terms of any commitment to avoid hindering poverty alleviation efforts.

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Stage set for counting of votes in 4 states today; parties face crucial test ahead of LS polls

All eyes are on the outcome of the fiercely contested electoral battle in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram. The counting of votes in these states will start today at 8am. These elections are crucial for the Congress and the BJP as the results will set the tone for the Lok Sabha elections next year. The exit polls predict that the Congress may win in Telangana and Chhattisgarh, while the BJP may win in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

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Satta market gives clear majority to BJP in Rajasthan

Trends in Rajasthan's biggest satta bazar suggest an absolute majority to the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections. The bookies are offering odds of 1.25 to 1 for BJP winning 117 seats and for Congress not winning more than 70 seats. Many prominent leaders, including Ashok Gehlot, Vasundhara Raje, and Sachin Pilot, are predicted to win their respective seats. However, the fortunes of some leaders are uncertain due to rebels contesting against them, such as BJP's Balaknath and Narpat Singh Rajvi, and Congress' B D Kalla and Harish Chaudhary.

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India keeping close tabs on China-Pak collusion in IOR: Navy chief

India updates plans to counter China's expanding naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). China has a sustained presence in the IOR with 6-8 warships at any given time, in addition to research vessels and fishing vessels. Pakistan is expanding its Navy with China's help. India constantly revises its plans and capability-development programs in response to these developments. The Indian Navy aims to have 175 warships with increased aircraft and helicopters by 2035.

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GTA 6 Trailer Coming This Tuesday, Rockstar Games Confirms

Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer release date is finally upon us, as confirmed by Rockstar Games via a tweet. The first footage from the highly-anticipated crime odyssey sequel will be out on Tuesday, December 5, at 7:30pm IST in India/ 9am ET in the US, with the publisher only posting an image of a sunset and palm tree silhouettes — confirming previous claims that it's set in a fictionalised version of Miami, which franchise veterans might recognise as a return to Vice City. With that, it is clear that Geoff Keighley won't be presenting the trailer at The Game Awards 2023, though a teaser or some screenshot drops are always possible.

Not much was known about GTA 6 since a massive data leak from mid-2022, which revealed in-development gameplay of our lead crime couple — allegedly Jason and Lucia — robbing a diner in broad daylight. Yep, this would mark the first female protagonist in the franchise's controversial history, which has, for the most part, portrayed women as sex objects or nagging moms/wives. It is also worth mentioning that Rockstar hasn't revealed an official title for the game yet, merely referring to it as the ‘next Grand Theft Auto,' so it could very well be a spin-off with some outlandish subtitle. The sequel has been a long time coming, with a May earnings call at Rockstar parent Take-Two Interactive hinting that the GTA 6 launch window could be set for the fiscal year 2025 (opens in April 2024 in Rockstar's case).

pic.twitter.com/BguwiJokQt

— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) December 1, 2023

Earlier this month, the studio also scrapped the ‘Social Club' branding from the website, referring to its online multiplayer service as ‘Rockstar Games platform,' in addition to getting rid of the yellow block in its logo — hinting at some big changes to usher in the new era. At the time of writing, the studio has deleted all previous posts from its Instagram account, maintaining only the aforementioned trailer release date banner. As anticipation for GTA 6 grew, GTA Online served as the decade-long cash cow for Rockstar, delivering near-endless multiplayer content that easily rivalled the average AAA live service game. For now, it's unclear whether the existing Social Club members will simply be updated to cater to the new entry or if players will be forced to migrate their data to a new account.

As of October, the 2013-released Grand Theft Auto V has sold 190 million copies worldwide, with minor graphical and performance upgrades to adjust to two whole console generations. Just yesterday, Rockstar confirmed that its remastered Grand Theft Auto trilogy will be available to play on Netflix from December 14 onwards — accessible to subscribers of all tiers and playable exclusively on Android, iOS, and the Netflix phone app.

Grand Theft Auto 6 will probably release on the current-gen PS5 and Xbox Series S/X first, before heading to PC — as seen with previous Rockstar entries.

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What are the most exciting titles that gamers can look forward to in 2023? We discuss some of our favourites on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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4th T20I: India seal series with 20-run win over Australia

Ignored for the upcoming assignment in South Africa, Axar Patel responded with excellent figures of 3/16 after Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma blitz as India got the better of Australia by 20 runs in the fourth T20I to win the five-match series in Raipur on Friday.

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26% of 25.5 lakh applicants for minority scholarship bogus

Over 6.7 lakh non-existent applicants were found in the scrutiny of the minority scholarship scheme. The biometric authentication exercise revealed missing institutional nodal officers and heads of institutions. Only 30% of renewal applicants were genuine. The Ministry of Minority Affairs will share the findings with the CBI. The investigation into the scholarship scam continues with allegations of fake beneficiaries and diversion of public funds. The scholarship portal registers 1.8 lakh institutions and provides scholarships ranging from Rs 4000 to Rs 25,000 annually.

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MoD nod for projects worth over 2 lakh crore

The defence ministry on Thursday gave the preliminary approval for capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 2.23 lakh crore, including the procurement of 97 more Tejas fighters and 156 Prachand light combat helicopters as well as an upgrade of 84 existing Sukhoi-30MKI jets, in a hugely significant boost for indigenous defence production. The Rajnath Singh-led defence acquisitions council also accorded the acceptance of necessity (AoN) for 400 new towed artillery gun systems for Rs 9,900 crore to replace old Indian field guns and two types of Pinaka `area denial munitions’ for the Army.

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'US not averse to conducting underground nuclear tests'

The Biden administration has not completely ruled out the possibility of conducting underground nuclear tests if circumstances demand so. This has been made amply clear in the US Department of Energy (DoE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) report to the US Congress this month. The report, which delves into the details about various aspects of the current status of America’s nuclear weapons programme, says: “The US must be ready to perform underground nuclear explosive tests using a test article.”

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'Will enforce CAA': Amit Shah vows to stop infiltration

Home Minister Amit Shah virtually kicks off the BJP's 2024 Lok Sabha campaign in Kolkata, emphasizing the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and asserting the rights of Hindu refugees. Shah expresses confidence in BJP forming the Bengal government in 2026 and urges voters to support Prime Minister Modi in the upcoming election. He criticizes the Mamata Banerjee government, urging voters to choose BJP for change and development in the state.

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India's G20 presidency marks the dawn of a new multilateralism

India reflects on its G20 Presidency, emphasizing inclusivity and a human-centric approach amid global challenges. Key achievements include integrating the African Union into the G20, hosting the 'Voice of the Global South Summit,' and delivering the G20 2023 Action Plan for Sustainable Development Goals. India advances digital public infrastructure, green development, and climate justice, fostering collaboration on policy coherence and trade. Handing over to Brazil, India expresses confidence in a lasting impact on people, planet, peace, and prosperity.

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Imran Khan steps down, Gohar Khan named interim PTI chief

Imran Khan steps down as leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), handing over to close associate Gohar Ali Khan in a temporary arrangement amid legal challenges. Imran's decision follows his conviction in the Toshakhana graft case. The move aims to prevent electoral watchdog interference and maintain the party's integrity. Imran plans to contest intra-party polls after the prompt resolution of legal issues. Gohar expressed gratitude for being picked to head Pakistan's main opposition party. "I am stunned. There are no words to express my gratitude to Imran Khan sahib."

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Amazon Announces New AI Chip for AWS Amid Competition With Microsoft

Amazon.com on Tuesday announced a new artificial intelligence chip for its cloud computing service as competition with Microsoft to dominate the market for artificial intelligence heats up.

At a conference in Las Vegas, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Chief Executive Adam Selipsky announced Trainium2, the second generation of chip designed for training AI systems. Selipsky said the new version is four times as fast as its predecessor while being twice as energy efficient.

The AWS move comes weeks after Microsoft announced its own AI chip called Maia. The Trainium2 chip will also compete against AI chips from Alphabet's Google, which has offered its Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) to its cloud computing customers since 2018.

Selipsky said that AWS will start offering the new training chips next year. The proliferation of custom chips comes amid a scramble to find the computing power to develop technologies such as large language models that form the basis of services similar to ChatGPT.

The cloud computing firms are offering their chips as a complement to Nvidia, the market leader in AI chips whose products have been in short supply for the past year. AWS also on Tuesday said that it will offer Nvidia's newest chips on its cloud service.

Selipsky on Tuesday also announced Graviton4, the cloud firm's fourth custom central processor chip, which it said is 30 percent faster than its predecessor. The news comes weeks after Microsoft announced its own custom chip called Cobalt designed to compete with Amazon's Graviton series.

Both AWS and Microsoft are using technology from Arm in their chips, part of an ongoing trend away from chips made by Intel and Advanced Micro Devices in cloud computing. Oracle is using chips from startup Ampere Computing for its cloud service.

© Thomson Reuters 2023

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OnePlus Nord 3 brings some serious upgrades over its predecessor, including some flagship-grade specifications. We discuss this and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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$40,000 dinner with Xi Jinping: The price of business negotiations in China

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Maxwell equals Rohit's record for most T20I hundreds

Australia's Glenn Maxwell's exceptional century played a pivotal role in guiding Australia to a thrilling last-ball victory against India at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. With this win, Australia managed to cut India's series lead to 2-1 in the five-match rubber. Both the players now share the record for the most centuries in the T20 format, each having scored four centuries. Maxwell scored an unbeaten 104 off 48 balls which included eight sixes and as many fours.

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Depression non-disclosure no ground to reject claim: Panel

The NCDRC has ruled that non-disclosure of ailments like depression should not be a basis for denying insurance claims by LIC. The commission stated that LIC's medical literature did not classify depression as a serious ailment and there was no record indicating that depression could lead to heart failure. Anil Patel's family approached the Kheda district consumer forum, which mandated LIC to fulfil the insurance claims. LIC contested the forum's orders, but the Gujarat State Dispute Redressal Commission upheld the decision in 2019.

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EC revokes nod to T'gana to disburse money to farmers

The Election Commission on Monday withdrew its conditional approval to the release of assistance for farmers under the Rythu Bandhu scheme in poll-bound Telangana, citing a recent statement by state finance minister T Harish Rao on the timing of the disbursal prior to poll day, which it noted was in clear violation of the model code of conduct and conditions laid down while granting “no objection”. Under the Rythu Bandhu scheme, farmers in Telangana are given Rs 10,000 per acre every year in two tranches in rabi and kharif seasons.

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Russia puts Meta spokesman on wanted list

Russian authorities have added Andy Stone, the spokesperson of US tech giant Meta, to a wanted list. Stone's inclusion on the list comes after Russian authorities classified Meta as a 'terrorist and extremist' organization. The interior ministry's database does not provide details of the charges against Stone. In February 2022, Stone was put on the wanted list, but the matter was not reported until this week. Meta's actions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to a criminal probe by Russia's federal Investigative Committee.

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Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winner Albert Kabo Lepcha says my wife is my strength

Albert Kabo Lepcha from Kalimpong, West Bengal, emerged as the winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2023.

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Israel angry Irish PM tweet doesn't condemn Hamas

Israel summons Irish ambassador over tweet celebrating release of 9-year-old girl, Emily Hand, from Hamas captivity. Israeli officials criticize Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar for portraying Emily's situation as a disappearance rather than a violent abduction by Hamas militants. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accuses Varadkar of legitimizing terrorism. Spain and Belgium ambassadors were also called in for criticizing Israel's high civilian death toll in Gaza.

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Tribal shot by Naxals in 3rd killing in 15 days

In the third killing of a civilian in 15 days and less than 24 hours after a C-60 crack commando’s father was stoned to death in Maharashtra’s restive Gadchiroli, Maoists drew fresh blood late Friday when they dragged a tribal farmer to a kangaroo court, pronounced him guilty of engineering a woman guerrilla’s encounter and shot him from point-blank range. Ramji Chinna Atram (28) lay sprawled on the fields of Kapewancha village in Aheri taluka till Saturday morning.

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Gangster Bishnoi attacked Gippy Grewal’s Canadian home

Punjabi singer Gippy Grewal's house in the serene White Rock area of Vancouver, Canada, became the epicenter of a violent incident as gunshots rang out. Lawrence Bishnoi, an infamous gangster, claimed responsibility for orchestrating the gunfire in a Facebook post. Bishnoi directly addressed Grewal, warning him that his association with Salman Khan would not save him. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Punjabi music industry, raising concerns about Grewal's safety and the underlying tensions behind the attack.

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As rescue operation drags on, locals seek divine intervention

Even as multi-agency teams are involved in efforts to rescue the 41 workers trapped in the under-construction Silkyara tunnel, villagers of the area are praying for the success of the operation by invoking local deities. One of the ways they are doing so is by singing Garhwali folk ‘jagars’, which are devotional songs meant to seek protection of the deities. On Friday, 63-year-old Kushpal Singh Parmar of Dhanari village reached the tunnel site and sang a ‘jagar’, whose lyrics went like this: ‘O lord, please awake and listen to my appeal. Don’t get angry o lord, shower your blessings so that people are safe.’

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Men to clear path in last lap of tunnel rescue operation

The long wait for the 41 workers trapped inside the partially-collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi for almost a fortnight may stretch for a little more time, as the US-made auger machine, which is drilling through the debris to create an escape passage, stopped again on Friday evening after hitting another obstacle. “The rescue timeline depends on any obstacles that may come in the way of drilling,” NDMA member Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain said at the official briefing.

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Sam Altman Returns as OpenAI CEO; Bret Taylor to Chair ChatGPT Board

Sam Altman's return as OpenAI's chief executive will strengthen his grip on the startup and may leave the ChatGPT creator with fewer checks on his power as the company introduces technology that could upend industries, corporate governance experts and analysts said.

OpenAI is bringing Altman back just days after his ouster as well as installing a revamped board that could bring sharper scrutiny to the startup at the heart of the AI boom, but strong support from investors including Microsoft may give Altman more leeway to commercialize the technology. 

"Sam's return may put an end to the turmoil on the surface, but there may continue to be deep governance issues," said Mak Yuen Teen, director of the centre for investor protection at the National University of Singapore Business School.

"Altman seems awfully powerful and it is unclear that any board would be able to oversee him. The danger is the board becomes a rubber stamp," he said.

OpenAI's new board will boast more experience at the top level and strong ties to both the US government and Wall Street. 

The board fired Altman last week with little explanation and attempted to move on by naming an interim CEO twice. However, pressure from Microsoft — and the 38-year-old's strong loyalty among the 700-plus OpenAI employees that caused nearly all of them to threaten to leave the company — led to Altman's reinstatement as of Wednesday. 

"Altman has been invigorated by the last few days," GlobalData analyst Beatriz Valle said. But that could come at a cost, she said, adding that he has "too much power now." 

Bret Taylor, former co-CEO of Salesforce who also played a key role in forcing through Elon Musk's $44 billion (nearly Rs. 3,66,530 crore) purchase of Twitter as a director, will be chairing the board.

Other members include former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, a Harvard academic and longtime economic aide to Democratic presidents.

"The fact that Summers and Taylor will join OpenAI is quite extraordinary and marks a dramatic reversal of fortunes in the company," Valle said.

Summers, who also sits on the board of Jack Dorsey's fintech firm Block, has in recent months been vocal about the potential job losses and disruption that could be caused by AI.

"ChatGPT is coming for the cognitive class. It's going to replace what doctors do," he said in a post on X in April. 

OpenAI's previous board consisted of entrepreneur Tasha McCauley, Helen Toner, director of strategy at Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology, OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, as well as Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, who also sits on the new board.

It was not immediately clear if any of the other directors would remain, including Sutskever, who joined in the effort to fire Altman then signed onto an employee letter demanding his return, expressing regret for her "participation in the board's actions." 

OpenAI on X said it was "collaborating to figure out the details" of the new board.

Microsoft declined to comment. Summers and OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Sutskever, Altman and Taylor could not be immediately reached for comment.

Some analysts say the management fiasco will ensure that OpenAI executives proceed cautiously, as the high-flying startup will now be subject to more scrutiny. Several noted that companies such as Facebook parent Meta have flourished with a powerful CEO despite concerns about corporate governance.

"Sam definitely comes out stronger but also dirtied and will have more of a microscope from the AI and broader tech and business community," Gartner analyst Jason Wong said. "He can no longer do no wrong."

© Thomson Reuters 2023

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From the launch of the Infinix GT 10 Pro to Amazon's latest mega-sale, we discuss the most noteworthy technology news events of the week on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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1st T20I: Surya, Rinku seal India's highest successful chase

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav shrugged off the disappointment of a World Cup final defeat with a captain's knock but it was Rinku Singh's composure that took a young Indian team to a thrilling two-wicket victory in the opening T20I in Visakhapatnam. This was India's highest successful chase in T20 Internationals. The skipper was in belligerent mood making a mockery of a 209-run chase with 42-ball 80 but Rinku's 22 not out off 14 balls saved India from the blushes.

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Threat to blow up Mumbai T2 Airport in 48 hrs if ...

The sender of the mail has placed a demand to pay one million dollars in Bitcoin within 48 hours to avert the blast.

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1st T20I: '3 wickets and an unaccounted six' in thrilling last-over

Young left-handed batter Rinku Singh held his nerves despite losing three wickets in three balls, guiding India to a thrilling last-ball two-wicket win over Australia in the first T20I of the five-match series in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. Needing 7 runs off 6 balls, Rinku started off with a four off the first ball followed with a single bringing the equation down to 2 off 4 balls. But fate had different plans as India lost three wickets in the form of Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh in the next three successive deliveries.

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Vehicle explosion closes US-Canada border crossings

US-Canada border crossings near Niagara Falls were closed Wednesday as terrorism investigators responded to a vehicle explosion at Rainbow Bridge, local and state authorities said. The cause of the incident was not immediately clear but New York Governor Kathy Hochul said state police and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force were monitoring all points of entry into the state. Ron Rienas, of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, told ABC News all four bridges connecting the two countries over the Niagara River have been closed.

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US alleges Indian plot to assassinate Sikh extremist Pannun

US authorities have reportedly foiled a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, prompting a warning to India. An indictment has been filed against at least one alleged perpetrator in a New York court, but it remains sealed. US officials have said that they expect those responsible to be held accountable, while India has expressed surprise and concern over the allegations.

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Israel, seeks India to ban Hamas, bans LeT ahead of 15th anni of 26/11

Ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Mumbai attacks, Israel banned the UN-proscribed Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) that carried out the terror strike. Despite not being requested by Indian government to do so, the Israeli embassy said in a statement that Tel Aviv had formally completed all necessary procedures and had “satisfied all required checks and regulations to the result of introducing Lashkar-e-Taiba into the Israeli list of illegal terror organisations”.

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After 40 yrs, grandson trumps ‘adopted’ son to inherit property

The grandson of a septuagenarian woman from Andhra Pradesh spent four decades of his prime years in the labyrinthine litigation queue to finally oust an imposter ‘adopted son’ from inheriting a valuable property. Seventeen of these years were spent in the Andhra high court, and sixteen in the Supreme Court which has repeatedly ruled that the right to speedy justice is part of right to life. The woman, Venkubayamma, made a will in May 1981, bequeathing her property in a town in Odisha to her only grandson, Kaliprasad.

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West Bengal: TMC worker killed near house

The victim, identified as Vicky Jadav, was attacked while outside his house. After being initially rushed to Bhatapara State General Hospital, he was later transferred to a private hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by the police.

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Court again flags centre sitting on collegium recommendations

The Supreme Court of India criticized the government for selectively accepting recommendations from the court's collegium for appointments and transfers of high court judges. The court expressed its dissatisfaction with the delay in acting upon the collegium's recommendation to transfer four judges of the Gujarat High Court. A bench of justices emphasized that the delay from the govt side in taking any decision sends a wrong signal and called for the pending transfers to be completed.

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SC questions delay in assent to bills: What was guv doing?

Exasperated by the interminable delay on the part of Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi in processing bills sent for his assent after being passed by the assembly, one as far back as January 2020, the Supreme Court on Monday said, “After we passed the order, the governor took action. What was the governor doing for three years?” The SC was irked by the fact that the governor, after the court’s order frowning upon the delay, cleared some long-pending bills on November 13.

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Bigg Boss 17: Naved Sole gets eliminated from the first ever ‘mid-week eviction’; contestants get emotional

Bigg Boss 17 had its first mid-week eviction, with Naved getting eliminated. The housemates had to collectively choose three contestants they thought were least deserving. Naved's name came up, leaving many shocked and emotional. Rinku Dhawan and Jigna Vora, who were close to Naved, were particularly emotional. There was also a fight between Mannara Chopra and Abhishek Kumar, and Ankita Lokhande got emotional while talking about her ex-boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput. Khanzaadi got into a fight with Rinku Dhawan, leading to criticism from other contestants.

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Tesla, auto MNCs likely to get relief on local value addition

In what can be a major relief for Tesla and other multi-national car companies looking to import electrics in India at a specially-crafted and subsidised 15% duty regime that is being proposed, the government may exclude cost-heavy batteries, semiconductors, and magnetic parts from the committed localisation norms for global companies. The relaxation will be a significant reprieve for global companies that would need to fulfil domestic value addition conditions to avail the lower duty regime.

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4.6 lakh flyers on World Cup eve set record after lean Diwali

The World Cup final led to a boost in air traffic in India, with almost 460,000 domestic flyers on Saturday. This was the highest-ever figure recorded, in contrast to the lean daily numbers seen during the Diwali season. Industry insiders attribute this to the high advance fares set by airlines before Diwali, which led travellers to choose AC classes on premium trains instead. However, looking at the excitement in the audience, airlines later lowered the fares.

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Rohit has been an exceptional leader: Dravid

The dream of ending their ICC trophy drought remains elusive for Team India as they stumbled at the final hurdle, succumbing to a six-wicket defeat against Australia in the World Cup final on Sunday. Rohit Sharma came within reach of becoming the third Indian captain, following Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, to lift the ICC World Cup trophy. However, Australia outperformed the hosts in all departments of the game.

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ASI gets 10 more days to file Gyanvapi survey report

The Varanasi district court has granted the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) an additional 10 days to submit its scientific survey report of the Gyanvapi mosque complex. The ASI had previously requested 15 more days to complete the report, but the court has instructed them to submit it by November 28. The ASI had been ordered to conduct a survey to determine if the mosque was built on the remains of a temple.

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Maldives wants Indian troops out but talks on

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EAM Jaishankar calls for Global South self-reliance

India's foreign minister, S Jaishankar, emphasized the need for the Global South to have a greater role in shaping solutions to key global issues at the second Global South summit. He called for self-reliance and diversification of production to mitigate economic vulnerabilities. The summit, attended by nearly 130 countries, discussed topics such as development, finance, health, education, and environment. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the growing autonomy and desire for a bigger role in global affairs among developing countries.

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In Pakistan, mysterious shootings of over a dozen terrorists by ‘hostiles’

In the past two years, more than a dozen terrorists from New Delhi's "most wanted list" have been mysteriously killed in Pakistan. The militants were associated with groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Muhammed. The assassinations began after a failed attempt on the life of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed. Pakistani officials suspect the involvement of a hostile foreign intelligence agency and claim that India controls a network of local assassins. Pakistan has remained silent on the killings, possibly due to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force.

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Amazon Announced Layoffs in Alexa Voice Assistant Unit to Focus on Gen AI

Amazon.com on Friday announced it is trimming jobs at its Alexa voice assistant unit, citing shifting business priorities and a greater focus on generative artificial intelligence.

The cuts affect several hundred employees working on Alexa, according to the email. A spokeswoman declined to elaborate on exactly how many were affected.

"We're shifting some of our efforts to better align with our business priorities, and what we know matters most to customers — which includes maximising our resources and efforts focused on generative AI," Daniel Rausch, vice president of Alexa and Fire TV, said in the email. "These shifts are leading us to discontinue some initiatives."

Amazon has been pulling back in a variety of divisions this month, including in its music and gaming divisions and some human resources roles. 

While most of the jobs affected were in the devices division, a few were working on Alexa-related products in a different unit, a spokeswoman said. Many companies are shifting resources to generative AI, which can create software code and lengthy text responses from short prompts.

Alexa is a voice assistant that can be used to set timers, ask search queries, play music, or as a home automation hub.

Reuters reported in September that morale in the devices division had suffered over concerns about what some viewed as a weak product pipeline. In particular, people familiar with the matter pointed to the Alexa voice assistant, now nearly a decade old, as having failed to keep pace in the age of generative artificial intelligence. 

Amazon said at the time that "to suggest that a few anecdotes paint a picture of reality for an organization as large and diverse as Devices and Services is inaccurate," and that it stood by its products.

Amazon has said its devices and services business is not profitable, without providing figures.

Only last month the device unit got a new chief, Panos Panay, who joined the company from Microsoft, replacing David Limp, a 13-year veteran who is leaving later this year to head Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket company. Panay had overseen development of the Surface tablet.

Amazon has struggled to generate any profits from Alexa, which many people use through Echo speakers or video screens. Most efforts to make money from it have centered on easing purchasing from Amazon.com.

The Seattle-based online retailer's voice assistant products compete with offerings from Alphabet and Apple.

Amazon has cut more than 27,000 jobs across the company over the past year, part of a wave of US tech layoffs after the industry hired heavily people during the pandemic. 

The latest cuts come even as Amazon reported third-quarter net income that far exceeded analyst estimates and forecast revenue in the year's final quarter roughly in line with expectations. The fourth quarter is Amazon's most crucial, as it includes holiday shopping.

In the email, Rausch said he remained optimistic about Alexa. 

"Incorporating a new large language model into a voice-forward, personal AI, has been and continues to be an enormous scientific and engineering challenge," he wrote, using another term for generative AI.

© Thomson Reuters 2023

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Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Microsoft Copilot With Generative AI Features Coming to Windows 10: All You Need to Know

Microsoft Copilot — the company's artificial intelligence (AI) assistant available on Windows 11 computers — is making its way to Windows 10. At its annual Microsoft Ignite 2023 developer conference, the company revealed that it was releasing Copilot (previously referred to as Bing Chat) in the Release Preview channel to Windows Insiders, which means the assistant will soon be available to users running on older computers that are not compatible with the latest version of Windows due to hardware constraints.

On Thursday, the company announced via a Windows Insider blog post that its Microsoft Copilot generative AI assistant is making its way to Windows 10 computers. The feature will soon be in preview, which means that users running on Windows Insiders preview builds will be the first to gain access to the feature. The same features will be available to users on Windows 10 version 22H2 at a later date, according to the company.

In order to get the Copilot features on Windows 10 computers as soon as it is rolled out, users will have to modify a Windows Update setting, according to the company. In order to ensure that you have the latest optional (non-security) updates on the latest Release Preview channel, you can follow the steps outlined by the company.

Click on the Start button and click on the gear icon to open the settings app. Select Update & Security > Windows Update > toggle the Get the latest updates as soon as they're available option. You can then click Check for updates to verify that you have the latest version of Windows for your computer.

Microsoft reiterated that the end-of-life date for Windows 10 remains the same — support for the previous-generation operating system will end on October 14, 2025. Users who are running on Windows 10 version 22H2 can expect to see the generative AI assistant eventually roll out to their computer after it is tested on the Windows Insiders Release Preview channel.

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Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Chhath Puja 2023: Top 50 wishes, messages and quotes

Chhath Puja is a festival observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. This year, it will be celebrated from November 17 to November 20. Devotees engage in rituals like fasting and standing in the sacred water of the Ganga. Here are some wishes and messages to send to friends and family during this festival, expressing gratitude to the Sun God and celebrating the power of faith and unity.

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Cancer patient falls to death from balcony

They reported receiving information at approximately 3:45 am that Sharda Nand Manjhi had been admitted to Max Hospital by his son, Rahul.

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Braverman launches scathing attack against UK PM Rishi Sunak

Former British interior minister Suella Braverman has criticized Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, saying that his plan is not working and urging him to change course to avoid election defeat. Braverman accused Sunak of failing on immigration and anti-Semitism, and described his rejection of withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights as a "betrayal." She also accused Sunak of putting off tough decisions to minimize political risk. Braverman's letter comes a week after she accused the police of left-wing bias, leading to her dismissal from her ministerial position.

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Nothing Chats App Lets Users Send iMessage From Android Smartphone

Nothing Chats, a new app introduced by the UK-based tech company today, will now blur the lines between iMessage and Android SMS with a blue bubble for text messages. Nothing has shared that it has added iMessage compatibility to Nothing Phone 2, letting the users of the smartphone to send messages that will be displayed in iMessage-like blue bubbles. The app is powered by the messaging platform Sunbird. Nothing Chats app is currently in its beta phase. It will be initially available to users in select countries only. 

In an announcement on today, Nothing announced its new app — Nothing Chats. So far, any text message sent from an Android smartphone to an iPhone is displayed in a green bubble, while messages sent from iPhone or iPads to another iOS devices are shown in a blue bubble. With Nothing Chats, messages that will be sent from Nothing Phone 2, the company's latest smartphone, to an iOS device will now be displayed in a blue bubble, similar to iMessage. 

Apart from the colour of the bubble, Nothing has also onboarded several other features of the iMessage service. These include group messaging, live typing indicators, media sharing at full resolution, read receipts as well as responding with reactions. 

As per Nothing, the app will be initially available to only Phone 2 users in the US, Canada, UK, and EU, starting November 17. However, it may gradually be made available to other regions of the world. The company has also mentioned of the future improvements and updates in the coming time. 

To use the Nothing Chats app, users can download it from the Google Play Store and log in using an existing Apple ID username or sign up with a new account. The company has also assured that all the messages will be end-to-end encrypted considering the safety and security of user data. 

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Will the Nothing Phone 2 serve as the successor to the Phone 1, or will the two co-exist? We discuss the company's recently launched handset and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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