Month: June 2024

Risk of EVM getting hacked is too high: Elon Musk

Manish Kumar

The CEO of Tesla and X, Elon Musk, has echoed the stance of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent candidate in the US presidential race, who has called for a return to paper ballots. Both Musk and Kennedy advocate for this change as a means to ensure the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. The push for paper ballots comes amid ongoing debates about the security and reliability of electronic voting systems. Elon Musk expressed support for eliminating electronic voting machines due to the risk of being hacked by…

US court levies $194 mn penal charges on TCS

Manish Kumar

A US court recently ruled against India’s largest IT services exporter,Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in a trade secrets misappropriation case. This significant penalty arises from a case where TCS was found guilty of unlawfully accessing and using proprietary information belonging to another company. A court in the United States found TCS liable for misappropriating trade secrets from an unnamed company, likely Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) which has since merged with DXC Technology. The lawsuit, filed five years ago, alleged that TCS stole CSC’s trade secrets. TCS must pay around $194…

Removing inner-wear of a woman is not attempt to rape: Indian High Court

Manish Kumar

The Rajasthan High Court ruling in a 33-year-old case has stated that the act of removing a minor girl’s inner wear and making oneself naked will not attract the offence of ‘attempt to commit rape’. In the case dating back to March 9, 1991, in Todaraisingh, Tonk district, the complainant’s six-year-old granddaughter was accosted by the accused, Suvalal, around 8 pm when she had gone out to drink water. Suvalal forcefully took the child into a nearby dharamshala, where he took off her inner wear and undressed himself. When the…

India’s electronics sector loses ₹1.25 lakh crore due to ongoing tension India-China

Manish Kumar

Escalating tensions between India and China have negatively impacted Indian electronics manufacturers. The industry has incurred an estimated $15 billion in production losses due to the tensions. These tensions are estimated to be responsible for around 100,000 job cuts in the electronics manufacturing sector. Indian electronics manufacturers faces the heat with this issue. This comes amid protracted delays in issuing visas to Chinese citizens and government probes into Chinese companies operating in India. This is despite India setting up a mechanism to clear business visa applications within 10 days. The India…

Indian Army receives high-precision, man-portable suicide drones, ‘Nagastra-1’

Manish Kumar

The Indian Army has received Nagastra-1, first-of-its-kind man-portable suicide drones, made to precisely hit launch pads, enemy training camps and infiltrators without putting soldiers’ lives in jeopardy. India’s first indigenous suicide drone (Nagastra-1) is capable of operating in extremely cold or high-altitude conditions. These drones have a range of about 30 kilometres and are capable of performing GPS-enabled precise hits with an accuracy of two metres. The ‘Nagastra-1’ drones are likely to provide significant strategic advantages, including precision targeting and flexibility in combat situations. The deployment of these drones marks…

China’s Ant Group invests $2.9 billion in technology research last year

Manish Kumar

China’s Ant Group announced that it invested a record high 21.19 billion yuan ($2.92 billion) in technology research and development in 2023, with a significant focus on AI technology. This investment was disclosed in the firm’s 2023 sustainability report. In the previous year, Ant Group received approval from the Chinese government to release products powered by its “Bailing” artificial intelligence (AI) large language model to the public. This substantial investment underscores Ant Group’s commitment to advancing AI technology and integrating it into its product offerings. This investment likely supports the…

Aadhaar update deadline extended by UIDAI to September 14

Manish Kumar

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) extended the deadline for updating Aadhaar details without any fees to September 14, 2024. This gives people more time to ensure their Aadhaar information is accurate and up-to-date. It is essential for accessing government services and conducting financial transactions securely. By linking Aadhaar with biometrics, the system prevents duplication and helps detect fraudulent activities. It is crucial to update it to prevent misuse. Through the myAadhaar portal, citizens can change their biometric and demographic data, including name, address, and photo, for free online. A cost…

Putin’s Demands for Ukrainian Territory and NATO Rejection Met with Defiance from Kyiv

Manish Kumar

Putin sets out the most detailed conditions so far to end war. Offer comes on eve of Swiss peace summit. The Ukrainian response was swift and resolute, rejecting Putin’s terms as an ultimatum. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, from NATO headquarters, stated that Putin lacks authority to dictate terms to Ukraine amid conflict and global condemnation. The Switzerland summit’s outcome could either lead to peace or worsen the conflict in Eastern Europe, impacting global relations and security. In a provocative move that has intensified the Ukraine-Russia conflict, President Vladimir Putin…

BJP Convenes Panel Amidst Post-Poll Turmoil in West Bengal; Governor Criticizes TMC Handling

Manish Kumar

Amidst escalating post-poll violence in West Bengal, the BJP has formed a specialized committee to investigate the incidents. The committee, led by BJP President JP Nadda, will investigate reports of violence against opposition workers and voters after the Lok Sabha elections. BJP accuses Mamata Banerjee and TMC of negligence, allowing TMC-aligned perpetrators to act with impunity. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has also weighed in, criticizing the TMC for obstructing victims of violence from meeting him at Raj Bhavan, despite his prior permission. The unrest erupted immediately after the…

Indian Startups Surge: Raises $202 Million, Over 100% Increase from Last Week

Manish Kumar

The Indian startup ecosystem has witnessed a significant resurgence in fundraising activities this week, with startups collectively securing nearly $202 million across 21 deals. Leading the charge in this latest funding spree are cleantech startups, with EV startup Battery Smart emerging as a standout by raising $65 million. In the consumer goods sector, direct-to-consumer (D2C) skincare firm Foxtale successfully raised $18 million in a round led by Singapore-based Panthera Growth Partners. Adding to the momentum, Renee Cosmetics, a popular beauty and makeup brand, secured Rs 100 crore (around $12 million)…