IND

Trending Now

Latest updates

Will the Paytm FASTag cease to function on February 29th? Following the most recent RBI action, here’s what you should do!

RBI’s action targets Paytm’s banking operations, allowing customers to still use Paytm for digital payments as long as their account is connected to an external bank!

RBI on Wednesday took a major action against the Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL) directing the company to stop accepting deposits or top-ups in any customer accounts including wallets and FASTags and other instruments after February 29. The action by RBI comes after a system audit report and subsequent compliance validation report of external auditors.

The RBI’s move primarily targets Paytm’s banking operations, allowing customers to still utilize Paytm for digital payments as long as their account remains connected to an external bank.

In a statement about the action taken, RBI said, “No further deposits or credit transactions or top-ups shall be allowed in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, NCMC cards, etc. after February 29, 2024, other than any interest, cashbacks, or refunds which may be credited anytime,”

Here’s a look at what users should do in case they own a Paytm FASTag.

Also Read : Maharashtra Board SSC Hall Ticket Release: MSBSHSE Class 10 Hall Ticket Available Now!

What is FASTag? 

Government requirements mandate having a FASTag on the windshield of all your four-wheeler vehicles. FASTag is an electronic toll collection system in India, operated by the NHAI. It employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making payments at the toll booths using prepaid wallets.

What happens to your Paytm FASTag after February 28? 

RBI has allowed Paytm FASTag customers to extinguish their balances but they cannot load these instruments with more money starting from March 1.

How to deactivate your Paytm FASTag? 

1) Download the Paytm app on your mobile device and log in through your existing credentials. 

2) Type ‘FASTag’ in the search bar and then tap on ‘Manage FASTag’ under the ‘Services’ section

3) You will be taken to a screen displaying all the active FASTag accounts linked to your Paytm number

4) Navigate to the bottom of the page and click on ‘Help & Support’

5) Now tap on ‘Need help with non-order related queries?’ and select the ‘Queries related to updating FASTag profile’ option. 

6) You should now see a ‘I want to close my FASTag’ option, Click on it and follow the ensuing steps. 

This Article was originally published on Livemint News!

Also Read : 3 killed as speeding car hits e-rickshaw in Jalandhar!

3 killed as speeding car hits e-rickshaw in Jalandhar!

Eyewitnesses said the driver of the speeding Audi lost control over the car and hit the e-rickshaw before ramming into a motorcycle. The two motorcyclists are hospitalised!

Three persons were killed when a speeding car rammed into the e-rickshaw in which they were travelling on the Jalandhar-Amritsar national highway on Tuesday night, police said.

The accident took place near Bidhipur railway crossing. One of the e-rickshaw passengers died on the spot, while the other two succumbed to their injuries on the way to a local hospital.

Investigation officer Jatinder Kumar said eyewitnesses reported that the driver of the speeding Audi lost control over the car and hit the e-rickshaw before ramming into a motorcycle. The two motorcyclists are admitted to the civil hospital in Jalandhar where their condition is stated to be critical.

“The car driver fled from the spot. The car is registered in the name of a private company in Chandigarh,” Jatinder Kumar said.

The deceased were identified as Paramjit Singh, Jagdish Chandar and Pankaj, all residents of Jalandhar city. The two injured are Govind and Harpreet Singh.

A case was registered under Sections 304-A (causing death by negligence) and 279 (rash driving) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the unidentified car driver.

This Article was originally published on Hindustantimes News!

Also Read : Maharashtra Board SSC Hall Ticket Release: MSBSHSE Class 10 Hall Ticket Available Now!

Suspended Punjab AIG Sidhu arrested in fresh extortion case!

Punjab AIG

The district police on Tuesday arrested suspended Punjab Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Malwinder Singh Sidhu in an alleged extortion case after some incriminating recordings were found in a recorder recovered from Sidhu when he was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau (VB) last year.

The accused AIG was produced in a court and remanded to a three-day police custody.

According to information, a fresh case was registered against Sidhu under Sections 384 (extortion), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC and Section 7-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act at Phase-VIII police station. Sidhu was arrested after registration of the case.

DSP (city-2) Harsimran Singh Bal confirmed the arrest and said police were investigating the case. He refused to divulge details of the recordings on the basis of which the case was registered. “We are investigating it and can disclose things only after questioning him,” the DSP added.

Sources in the police told that during the forensic examination of the recorder that was recovered from Sidhu by the VB when he was arrested in a corruption case, some recordings were found which indicated that Sidhu was extorting money from people.

“The preliminary investigation had indicated that Sidhu, along with his accomplices, was making extortion calls to people and threatening to frame them,” the sources added.

AIG Sidhu was posted in the Human Rights Cell when he was arrested by the VB in November last year. It was alleged in the VB FIR that Sidhu was impersonating the IG posted in VB.

In the past, a spokesperson for the VB had said in a statement that Sidhu used to initiate complaints against government employees, only to subsequently withdraw them in order to blackmail them for illicit gains. The statement also said that during the investigation, it was found that Sidhu, serving as the AIG of the Human Rights Cell since 2017, never held the positions of AIG or IG within the VB in the past five years.

This article was published on The Indianexpress.

Also Read- INDIAN ARMY ISSUES RFI FOR OUTSOURCING OF OVERHAUL OF T-72 TANKS; SUPPLYING MAJOR ASSEMBLIES & SPARES!

Sophie Ellis-Bextor to perform at BAFTA Film Awards

Bafta Film Awards

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is all set to showcase her singing skills at the upcoming edition of the BAFTA Awards.PoliticsAs per Variety, the British Academy announced that Sophie will perform her hit ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ at the ceremony, marking the latest stage in a triumphant comeback for the track, first released in December 2001.The track, which was released almost 20 years ago, found renewed attention on social media. It was recently featured in Emerald Fennell’s BAFTA-nominated film ‘Saltburn’. So the latest edition of BAFTA is truly going to usher in a wave of nostalgia among fans.The ‘Saltburn’ effect has seen the disco romp become something of a viral sensation, amassing hundreds of thousands of TikTok videos and storming back up international charts. Just a few weeks after Emerald Fennell’s dark comedy landed on Amazon, Sophie made her first-ever Billboard Hot 100 appearance with “Murder” bowing at No. 98 and continuing to rise since then, the publication reported.The BAFTA ceremony will be hosted by David Tennant. The nominations were announced earlier this month. Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ led nominations, securing 13 nods.Yorgos Lanthimos’ black-comedy science fantasy ‘Poor Things’ also grabbed the top spot in the list as it earned 11 nods.’Oppenheimer’ is competing for British Academy honors in categories such as best film, director (for Nolan), adapted screenplay, as well as for best leading actor (Cillian Murphy), best-supporting actress (Emily Blunt) and best-supporting actor (Robert Downey Jr.), among others. ‘Poor Things’ is nominated for such honors as Best Film, outstanding British Film (for Lanthimos and others), Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as Best Leading Actress (Emma Stone). Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’, one of the highest-grossing films of 2023, fell short. It secured nomination in only five categories.

‘saltburn’ is nominated for five awards, including Keoghan for Leading Man. The cermony will take place on February 18.

This article was published on ANI News.

Also Read- In Viral Video, Shah Rukh Khan Hugs Fan Who Became Emotional After Meeting Him

Google spent ₹17,500 crore to lay off 12,000 employees!

Google parent Alphabet announced plans to cut 12,000 job in January 2023, biggest in its history.

google

Google incurred $2.1 billion (around ₹17,500 crore) in severance and related expenses during its 2023 layoffs, which affected over 12,000 employees. In this month alone, the company has already spent $700 million on severance charges for additional layoffs, encompassing more than 1,000 roles. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, disclosed these figures in its fourth-quarter earnings release on Tuesday.

In January 2023, Alphabet announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs, or 6 per cent, of its global workforce. This was the biggest layoff in the history of Google, but was “essential” for the company, chief executive Sundar Pichai had said earlier.

Alphabate posts double-digit revenue growth in 4th quarter

Google’s parent company reported a noteworthy return to double-digit revenue growth in the last quarter of the previous year, with a boost from video-sharing platform YouTube and its cloud computing unit.

The results, announced on Tuesday, marked Alphabet’s third consecutive quarter of increasing revenue growth, primarily driven by Google’s dominance in search and online advertising. This rebound is significant, considering the unprecedented drop in Google’s ad revenue following almost two decades of uninterrupted growth, especially during the initial stages of the pandemic.

Also Read : Bihar Deputy Chief Minister’s jab at Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Nitish Kumar, “Born with golden spoon!

Google

However, while Google’s ad sales demonstrated growth, it lagged behind increases in other areas, such as cloud computing and YouTube subscriptions.

Despite the fourth-quarter results exceeding analysts’ expectations, Alphabet’s shares faced a dip of nearly 7 per cent in extended trading.

The company attributed its profit boost in the final quarter to the positive impact of artificial intelligence (AI).

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said: “Each of these is already benefiting from our AI investments and innovation.”

More job cuts ahead in Google

CEO Sundar Pichai has alerted employees to anticipate further job cuts in the upcoming months, aiming to “simplify execution”.

In a memo, Pichai said that the layoffs will concentrate on streamlining operations by “removing layers” from various departments to enhance the company’s efficiency, according to the report. He clarified, “These role eliminations are not at the scale of last year’s reductions, and will not touch every team.”

This article was published on Hindustantimes News!

Also Read : Maldives Prosecutor General brutally stabbed amid political crisis: Report!

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister’s jab at Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Nitish Kumar, “Born with golden spoon!

“Rahul Gandhi will never be able to understand the conditions of this place because he was born with a golden spoon in his mouth,” Bihar Deputy CM Sinha said!

After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mocked Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for rejoining the NDA on Tuesday, deputy CM Vijay Sinha came out in defence of the CM. Sinha said that Rahul Gandhi ‘was born with a golden spoon in his mouth’ and that ‘he would never understand the pain of the public.’ “Those who spend time on the ground understand the situation,” Sinha said.

Addressing reporters in Patna, Sinha said, “Rahul Gandhi will never be able to understand the social and geographical conditions of this place because he was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. Those who spend time on the ground understand the situation. Dynastic families with criminal and corrupt mindsets can never understand the pain of the public.”

Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for “taking a U-turn each time little pressure is exerted” by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Addressing the public in Bihar’s Purnea Rahul said,” Right now Baghel ji (former Chhattisgarh CM) told me a joke. The joke goes like this…Your chief minister took oath at Governor’s house. Some of his ministers also took oath. Celebrations were going on. Nitish Kumar decided to go back to his home. Suddenly while going back he realised he has left his shawl at the Governor’s house. He went back and met the Governor. Governor was shocked and said you came back so quick this time.”

So this is the condition of Bihar a little pressure is exerted, and he (Nitish Kumar) makes a U-turn,” Gandhi said. Taking a dig at the Congress leader Bihar deputy chief minister Samrat Chaudhary said that it is “Rahul Gandhi who is solely responsible for the current condition of Lalu Prasad Yadav.”

On Sunday, Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar for the ninth occasion at Raj Bhawan in Patna, marking another shift in alliances as he joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance once again. It was for the second time in two years that Nitish Kumar switched political affiliations, marking his fifth crossover in just over a decade.

This article was Originally published on Hindustantimes News!

Also Read : Boost health and happiness with Kiwifruit; know more benefits from nutritionist!

Boost health and happiness with Kiwifruit; know more benefits from nutritionist!

A new study says eating kiwifruit can aid in mood regulation and improved mental well-being. Here are other benefits of the fruit!

BENEFITS OF KIWIFRUIT

Want to give your mental health a boost in two weeks or less? You can trust Kiwifruit to ease mood swings and increase flow of happy hormones. Rich in Vitamin K and D, kiwifruit aids in mood regulation, manages depression, and improves mental well-being. A new study done at University of Otago and published in The British Journal of Nutrition, found that supplementation with kiwifruit improved vitality and mood within four days, peaking around 14-16 days, and improved flourishing from day 14. Kiwi is loaded with phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins. Vitamin K in kiwi can help with blood clotting and aids in vitamin D absorption by the body. Rich in potassium, kiwi can help treat kidney stones.

Kiwifruit can be consumed as a whole fruit, in desserts, salads, jams, juices, marmalades, nectar, jellies, apart from others. Even the peel of kiwi can help improve mental well-being as its peel is used as an ingredient for making natural sleeping aids.

Dr Neeti Sharma, Sr. Consultant – Nutrition & Dietitics at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram in an interview with HT Digital shares benefits of Kiwi apart from enhancing mental well-being.

BENEFITS OF KIWIFRUIT

BENEFITS OF KIWIFRUIT

Also Read : Chandigarh Fire: Massive fire breaks out in furniture market, several shops gutted, watch visuals!

1. Vitamin K helps in blood clotting and Vitamin D absorption

Kiwi fruit stands out as a reliable source of Vitamin K, a pivotal nutrient known for its indispensable role in blood clotting mechanisms and its ability to assist in the absorption of Vitamin D.

2. Efficient protein digestion support

Kiwi takes centre stage in aiding the digestion of proteins, contributing significantly to the efficient breakdown of dietary proteins. This digestive support promotes better nutrient absorption and utilization.

3. Potassium aids in kidney health and stone prevention

Abundant in potassium, kiwi plays a vital role in fostering a diet conducive to kidney health. Its potassium content helps prevent the formation of stones, contributing to overall kidney well-being.

4. Mood regulation and mental well-being

Beyond its nutritional benefits, kiwi exhibits properties that contribute to mood regulation and the control of depression, fostering mental well-being.

5. Weight management with low-calorie, high-fibre content

Kiwi emerges as an excellent choice for those focused on weight reduction due to its dual combination of being low in calories and rich in dietary fibre. This not only aids in weight management but also supports overall digestive health.

6. Anti-inflammatory powerhouse and immune support

Kiwi’s reputation as an anti-inflammatory powerhouse is complemented by its richness in Vitamin C. These properties work synergistically to promote a robust immune system, shielding the body from various illnesses and supporting overall health.

7. Metabolic boost and immune enhancement

Incorporating kiwi into your diet goes beyond mere nutrition; it actively contributes to an increase in metabolism. Additionally, the fruit’s inherent immune-enhancing qualities make it a valuable addition to a well-rounded, health-conscious diet, fortifying the body’s defences against external threats.

This article was Originally published on Hindustantimes News!

Also Read : In Viral Video, Shah Rukh Khan Hugs Fan Who Became Emotional After Meeting Him!

Woman who got laid off at LinkedIn is now earning double the salary at Google

A woman who faced unexpected layoffs from LinkedIn in May 2023 has not only rebounded but thrived in her career, now earning double the salary at Google. The individual, who had considered LinkedIn her dream job, initially found the news of the layoffs shocking and disorienting.

In Short

  • LinkedIn layoff shock leads woman to double salary at Google.
  • The woman says one should avoid tying self-worth to a specific job.
  • She got laid off at LinkedIn back in May 2023.

A woman who faced unexpected layoffs from LinkedIn in May 2023 has not only rebounded but thrived in her career, now earning double the salary at Google. The individual, who had considered LinkedIn her dream job, initially found the news of the layoffs shocking and disorienting, Business Insider reported.

Having successfully landed a position at LinkedIn in July 2022 after facing rejection from several other roles at the company, the woman had built up a positive image of the tech giant as the ultimate workplace. However, the sudden layoffs shattered this perception, leaving her feeling as though a part of her identity had been abruptly taken away.

Reflecting on her time at LinkedIn, she acknowledged living in a bubble, where her daily routine, social circle, and even her partner’s employment were intertwined with the company. The experience prompted her to question her self-worth tied to her job and the true meaning of success. She believed that LinkedIn’s layoffs might have been avoidable had the company made more judicious hiring choices and better prepared for economic uncertainties following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of layoffs extended beyond the individual, affecting the overall culture of the company. Many of her colleagues, both at LinkedIn and Google, decided to leave their jobs in the ensuing months due to a pervasive low mood within the organizations.

Offering advice to those facing similar situations, the woman encouraged them to view layoffs as opportunities for personal and professional growth. She highlighted that her own trajectory post-layoff involved significant career advancement, nearly doubling her salary, and finding a workplace better suited to her at Google’s Dublin office.

Her journey also included a period of travel, which ultimately led to securing a position at Google. The woman’s story serves as a testament to resilience and the potential for positive outcomes even in the face of unexpected career setbacks. As she continues to thrive in her new role, she emphasizes the importance of not letting one’s self-worth be solely defined by their job and avoiding excessive attachment to a specific company. Besides, companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have just recently fired thousands of employees to save some costs.

This Article was originally published on Indiatoday.

Elon Musk Announces Neuralink’s Successful brain implant procedure in first human recipient!

Neuralink was given clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration last year to conduct its first trial to test its implant on humans!

Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Neuralink, announced on Monday that the first human recipient of an implant from the brain-chip startup underwent the procedure on Sunday and is recovering well.

Taking to social media, X, Musk posted, “The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.

Neuralink was given clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration last year to conduct its first trial to test its implant on humans. “Initial results show promising neuron spike detection,” Musk’s post added.

According to Neuralink’s website, it has received approval from the independent institutional review board.The PRIME Study (short for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) – an investigational medical device trial for fully-implantable, wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) – aims to evaluate the safety of our implant (N1) and surgical robot (R1) and assess the initial functionality of our BCI for enabling people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts, according to the company’s website.

During the study, the R1 Robot will be used to surgically place the N1 Implant’s ultra-fine and flexible threads in a region of the brain that controls movement intention. Once in place, the N1 Implant is cosmetically invisible and is intended to record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes movement intention. 

The initial goal of our BCI is to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone, it also said.

The PRIME Study is being conducted under the investigational device exemption (IDE) awarded by the FDA in May 2023 and represents an important step in our mission to create a generalised brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs, it added.

Musk and his company have already faced massive criticism for the trial of “brain chips” on lab animals. In February 2022, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine submitted a complaint alleging that Neuralink did “invasive and deadly brain experiments.”

By December of that year, the company was being investigated by federal authorities for potential violations of animal welfare standards, with documents indicating that the company had murdered around 1,500 animals, including rats, monkeys, pigs, and mice, since 2018.

Neuralink fought back against these very serious allegations claiming that the rhesus macaque monkeys under its care were “respected and honoured” by the team. 

This article was originally published on Hindustantimes!

Also Read : Budget 2024 LIVE updates: Centre convenes all-party meeting today!

Budget 2024 LIVE updates: Centre convenes all-party meeting today!

Stay informed with live updates on Budget 2024 as the Centre hosts an all-party meeting today. Get exclusive insights and analysis as key stakeholders gather to discuss the nation’s financial direction!

Budget 2024 LIVE updates: The budget will be ‘interim’ in nature as the government is set to face a general election in April-May this year.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the budget for Financial Year 2024-25 on February 1. This will be the final annual financial statement of the BJP-led PM Narendra Modi government’s second term. Last week, the traditional pre-budget ‘halwa’ ceremony was held- beginning a ‘lock-in’ period for officials involved in budget preparation to maintain confidentiality until the document’s tabling in the Lok Sabha.

This budget is also ‘interim’ in nature as the government is set to face a general election in April-May this year. The full budget will be presented in July by the incoming government. In India, the financial year starts on April 1 and ends on March 31 the following year.

Follow all the updates here:

  • Jan 30, 2024 09:02 AM ISTBudget 2024 LIVE Updates: Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi to meet floor leaders of parties todayParliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi will hold a meeting with the floor leaders of political parties in both houses of Parliament before the start of the upcoming Budget Session.

This article was originally published on Hindustantimes News!

Also Read : Maldives opposition ready to bring impeachment motion against President Muizzu!