Year: 2023

Delhi NCR receives light rain, witnesses sudden weather change on Dhanteras

Manish Kumar

Delhi NCR rains: Delhi government decided to carry out artificial rain to combat the air pollution in the city, said officials. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has also fielded ministers to ensure the implementation of anti-pollution measures. Delhi NCR rains: Several parts of Delhi NCR received light rainfall on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, bringing a much-needed respite from the increased air pollution in the national capital. The visuals from several areas of the national capital and also the Delhi-Noida border showed light to moderate-intensity rain showers today (November 10).…

Meri Mati Mera Desh campaign: India bags Guinness Book of World Records for maximum online selfies

Manish Kumar

The ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign is to pay tribute to the Army’s brave hearts who sacrificed their lives for the nation.   As part of this initiative, sacred soil and rice were collected from households across the nation and carefully placed in Amrit Kalash containers.  India bagged the Guinness Book of World Records for the maximum number of online selfies under this campaign by uploading selfies on social media.  Earlier, the Guinness Book of World Records for the maximum number of selfies was with China in 2016 with around…

Qatar verdict on 8 ex-Navy men issue, Appeal filed; India got 2nd consular access to 8 Indians: MEA

Manish Kumar

India has got second consular access to the eight Navy veterans who were sentenced to death by a Qatar court on November 7, the Ministry of External Affairs said.  The judgement is confidential and has been shared with the legal team.   An appeal has been filed in this regard. We are also in touch with Qatari authorities,”  Congress leader Manish Tewari reacted “No Judgement of any Court of Law & that to sentencing 08 Retired Senior Naval Personnel of a ‘friendly foreign country’ to death can be confidential.  The charges…

Madras HC strikes down Tamil Nadu govt’s ban on online rummy, poker

Manish Kumar

The Madras High Court has restricted Tamil Nadu’s online gambling law to only games of chance.   The state can however make rules to regulate the time spent or age limits for skill-based games  India’s real-money gaming industry associations have welcomed Madras High Court’s verdict.  AIGF claims to have over 100 members including skill-gaming companies and game developers across all formats and genres.    Landers said this decision is a step in the right direction and will generate more certainty among investors and the gaming community at large, thereby providing…

AI regulation: Sets of “best practices” for AI governance are emerging but Who Will Write the Rules!

Manish Kumar

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a label that can cover a huge range of activities related to machines undertaking tasks with or without human intervention. Our understanding of AI technologies is largely shaped by where we encounter them, from facial recognition tools and chatbots to photo editing software and self-driving cars. If you think of AI you might think of tech companies, from existing giants such as Google, Meta, Alibaba, and Baidu, to new players such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and others. Less visible are the world’s governments, which are shaping the…

India remains a strategic partner for the US, is free to decide on its stance On Any Particular Crisis: White House

Manish Kumar

India, which remains a strategic partner for the US, is free to decide on its stance on any particular crisis or contingency around the world, including in the Middle East, the White House has said.  The remarks came in response to a question if the US sees any role for India in resolving the Middle East crisis given that New Delhi has good relations with both Israel and Palestine.  This position is in line with what a senior State Department official said earlier this month, where he stressed that India…

Supreme Court asks high courts to speed up disposal of criminal cases against MPs, and MLAs while hearing a PIL

Manish Kumar

SC tells high courts to form a special bench for fast disposal of criminal cases against MPs, MLAs  The court is hearing a PIL that seeks to keep convicted MPs or MLAs away from elections.   At present, a convicted lawmaker is barred from polls for six years after serving the jail term.  The Supreme Court issued a slew of directions to set up special benches by chief justices to monitor such cases.  Criminal cases against lawmakers are tried by a separate court, MP/MLA court, which is attached to district courts.…

50,000 People Flee as Israel Troops Push on Gaza, Target “Hamas Structures”

Manish Kumar

50,000 people move from north to south Gaza Strip, Israel says  Israeli airstrike near hospital in Jabalia refugee camp  Qatar mediates in talks over humanitarian pause, source says.  Israeli forces and Hamas militants appeared to be battling at close range in Gaza City.  Thousands of civilians fled south to avoid being trapped in the heart of the conflict.  The Israeli military said its troops had advanced into the heart of Gaza City, Hamas’ main bastion and the biggest city in the seaside enclave, while the Islamist group said its fighters…

Piyush Goyal to meet Tesla’s Musk amid market entry talks

Manish Kumar

Indian commerce minister Piyush Goyal will meet Tesla chief Elon Musk in the United States next week as the two sides look to advance the U.S. carmaker’s plan to enter the South Asian market.  Tesla and India have been in talks for several months with the US carmaker open to setting up a factory but also keen to get lower import taxes for some of its high-end vehicles.  This meeting is to ensure that talks between India and Tesla “are moving in the right direction,” the source added.  Prime Minister…

PM Modi and other senior BJP leaders visit Lal Krishna Advani’s residence, wish him on 96th birthday

Manish Kumar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani on his 96th and extended greetings.  PM Modi described Lal Krishna Advani as “a beacon of integrity and dedication who has made monumental contributions that have strengthened our nation”.   Union Home Minister Amit Shah also wished the 96-year-old leader on his birth anniversary and said that he is “an eternal source of inspiration” for all BJP workers.  “Advani ji, with his tireless hard work and organizational skills, worked to nourish the party and build workers”- Amit Shah added. …