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#1
Cars and Bikes / Delhi Traffic Police issues nearly 20,000 challans to e-rickshaws in 10 months
Nov 08, 2021, 02:55 PM
Delhi Traffic Police issues nearly 20,000 challans to e-rickshaws in 10 months



During January to October this year, the Delhi Traffic Police impounded 31,723 electric rickshaws in its three ranges.
The maximum of 554 such vehicles were impounded in the west, followed by 124 in southern Range and the least in New Delhi Range, at 45 vehicles.

In a special drive to discourage electric rickshaw drivers from violating basic rules, the Delhi Traffic Police issued 19,591 challans from January to October this year. The action was taken against e-rickshaws over improper parking, driving in 'no entry zone' or without license and exceeding the number of passengers, among other violations.

As per official data, out of the total number of challans issued to electric rickshaws during this period, the maximum number of challans were issued in Western Range - 14,580, followed by 2,802 challans in New Delhi Range and 2,209 challan

An analysis of the data of the three traffic ranges for the mentioned period showed that 11,983 challans were issued for improper parking, 5,546 challans for driving in 'no entry zone' while 2,062 were issued for other violations related to registration certificate (RC), license, wrong side driving, exceeding passenger limit or dangerous driving.

During the same period, the Delhi Traffic Police impounded 31,723 e-rickshaws in the three ranges. The maximum of 554 such vehicles were impounded in the west, followed by 124 in southern Range and the least in New Delhi Range - 45, as per the official data.

The data included action taken by the Delhi traffic police both through Virtual Online Challan Application (VoCA) and e-challan machine. However, as per Deputy Commissioner of Traffic (West) Ghanshyam Bansal, there has been a lot of improvement in the last six months. "Maximum prosecutions have also instilled discipline among the e-rickshaw drivers who otherwise added congestion and affected the traffic flow," he said, PTI reported.

Elaborating on the improvements, the officer said that the special drive has led to reduction in congestion, traffic snarls and also averted accidents as now pedestrians get enough space to move around without the worry of an e-rickshaw passing by carelessly.''

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/delhi-traffic-police-issues-nearly-20-000-challans-to-e-rickshaws-in-10-months-41636343185028.html
#2
Cars and Bikes / This popular Mercedes-Benz model used eight emission cheating devices: Report
Nov 08, 2021, 01:40 PM
This popular Mercedes-Benz model used eight emission cheating devices: Report



Mercedes-Benz and several other carmakers were accused of using diesel engines with emission cheating defeat devices.

For most of the auto industry, the memory of the dieselgate scandal is still fresh. Volkswagen was accused of using emission cheating devices for its TDI diesel engines. Later on, several other automakers too were found using similar cheating devices.

A recent report has revealed that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, one of the most popular cars from the brand, reportedly have eight emission cheating devices. In a public report by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), Mercedes-Benz is said to be using eight defeat devices in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class with Euro 6 diesel engine. These emission cheating devices were previously unknown, and they effectively reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by a substantial amount.The report claims that the 2016 Mercedes E350d model's OM642 diesel engine had six defeat devices connected to the car's built-in SCR catalytic converter. Two other defeat devices were fitted to the car's exhaust gas recirculation system.

These defeat devices were reportedly capable of cheating the emission test in lab environments. The report claims that while on road in normal condition, the particular car emit up to 500 per cent more nitrogen oxide than permitted levels.

One of the defeat devices is reportedly claimed to significantly reduce the amount of AdBlue injected, which is required to neutralize the nitrogen oxides in the SCR catalytic converter.

Back in 2018, Mercedes-Benz had to recall nearly 800,000 GLC and C-Class models in Europe owing to the dieselgate scandal. Last year, the automaker had to pay around $2.8 billion to settle civil and environmental claims about the company's diesel engine emissions control in about 250,000 vehicles in the US.

The dieselgate scandal rocked the entire global auto industry. The current push for electrification too was catapulted to high momentum by the scandal.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/this-popular-mercedes-benz-model-used-eight-emission-cheating-devices-report-41636344615361.html
#3
Cars and Bikes / BMW producing several models sans touchscreens, blame it on semiconductor crisis
Nov 08, 2021, 01:38 PM
BMW producing several models sans touchscreens, blame it on semiconductor crisis



Owners of the impacted vehicles will be given a $500 credit by the automaker.

The microchip crisis is hurting the auto industry around the world. Several carmakers across the world have been forced to shut down their plants for a temporary period. Some automakers are manufacturing vehicles without some key parts or features.

The automaker is reportedly producing select models without touchscreens owing to the chip shortage. The affected cars include 3-Series, 4-Series Coupe and Convertible, 4-Series Gran Coupe, all versions of X5, X6 and X7 and Z4.

These cars without any touchscreen will come with an option code of 6UY for the 'Deletion of Touchscreen' in the window sticker. The owners of these impacted vehicles will be given a $500 credit by the automaker, reports the Bimmerfest forum.

Removal of the touchscreen means the infotainment system can only be done through the Drive Controller and via voice control. The other systems impacted by the issue include the loss of a Backup Assistant for the Parking Assistant package. However, all other functions of the infotainment system will be there including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The step from the luxury carmaker comes as a result of the industry-wide sup-ply chain crisis that is affecting the automotive manufacturers around the world. BMW has reportedly said that the supply chain crisis is causing limitations on the availability of some features or options in its cars.

Not having the features in the affected BMW models can impact the new vehicle sales and resale value of these models as well. As the report further claims, the impacted consumers will have to sign a form confirming the acknowledgement of the change during the purchase of the vehicle. These vehicles without a touchscreen will require a software update before they are delivered to the consumers, claimed the report.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/bmw-producing-several-models-sans-touchscreens-blame-it-on-semiconductor-crisis-41636346772314.html
#4
Cars and Bikes / 2021 Honda Civic sedan scores five-star safety rating at ASEAN NCAP crash test
Nov 08, 2021, 01:37 PM
2021 Honda Civic sedan scores five-star safety rating at ASEAN NCAP crash test



2021 Honda Civic became the first model from Honda to be assessed under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol.
Honda had ceased the production of the Civic model in India at the end of last year.

2021 Honda Civic family sedan scored a five-star safety rating in the New Car Assessment Programme for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) crash test with an overall score of 83.47 points. It scored 36.59 points over 40.00 for Adult Occupant Protection and 18.32 points over 20.00 for the Child Occupant Protection (COP) categories.

In the Safety Assist Technologies (SAT) category, the 2021 Civic scored 18.16 points over 20.00 and  in the Motorcyclist Safety (MS) category, it scored 10.39 points.

2021 Honda Civic became the first model from Honda to be assessed under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol. The assessment was conducted via a video conference call due to concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic and travelling restrictions due to the same.

The 2021 Civic which comes equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) City, AEB Inter-Urban, AEB Pedestrian, AEB Bicycle, AEB Motorcycle, Auto High Beam (AHB), Child Presence Detection (CPD) and Pedestrian Protection technology as standard safety across all its variants. It also offers standard six airbags but variants with four airbags are also offered in certain markets.

Other safety features of the sedan include Seatbelt Reminder System (SBR) for frontal and rear occupants, and Blind Spot Visualization (BSV) on the passenger side, which is offered as a standard feature for markets in Singapore and Indonesia. The ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 assessment protocol report mentioned that the new AEB technology for Motorcycle as standard fitment in the Civic variants made Honda stand out. The technology allows detection of presence of motorcycle that is located in front of the car and performs automatic emergency braking in the event the driver is unaware of the motorcyclist.

Honda had stopped the production of Civic sedan in India at the end of last year, along with CR-V model, when the company ceased manufacturing operations at its Greater Noida plant in Uttar Pradesh.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/2021-honda-civic-sedan-scores-five-star-safety-rating-at-asean-ncap-crash-test-41636347349877.html
#5
Cars and Bikes / Fuel shortage driving people of this country to go electric
Nov 08, 2021, 01:34 PM
Fuel shortage driving people of this country to go electric



UK witnessed one of worst fuel crisis in late September and early October this year.

The recent fuel crisis in the UK has made one-third of the UK motorists prone to buy electric vehicles. A study by Volkswagen Financial Services has found that 35 per cent of people among 2,000 participants said that they would like to buy electric vehicles owing to the recent fuel shortage that rattled the UK.

The fuel crisis took place in the country during late September and early October this year. There were huge queues at fuel stations as people started to panic buying fuel after a number of petrol stations announced that they ran out of fuel. Some petrol stations even started rationing petrol to consumers,m while others closed fuel stations as they were out of petrol. The whole situation was very worrisome for the motorists as well as for the UK government too.

The study found that 30 per cent of 18-24-year-old drivers and 31 per cent of 25-34-year-old drivers have admitted that they bought petrol out of panic. Compared to that the percentage of the panic buyers of petrol in the age group of 55-64 was only seven. The percentage further decreased to three in the age group of 65-74-year-old people.

Such a crisis witnessed by the motorists is driving them to be more open to adopting electric mobility. The emission norms that are becoming more stringent, guidelines set by the government to adopt electric mobility too are pushing the motorists to think positively about buying and using electric vehicles.

Besides that, the increasing options of electric vehicles, growing number of incentives and subsidies too are pushing the demand and sales of zero-emission vehicles. Growing awareness about global warming too is playing a key role in the growth of EV demand and sales.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/fuel-shortage-driving-people-of-this-country-to-go-electric-41636350800772.html
#6
Cars and Bikes / Watch: Ola Electric scooters perform wheelies, donuts, other stunts
Nov 08, 2021, 01:33 PM
Watch: Ola Electric scooters perform wheelies, donuts, other stunts



Ola Electric will begin test rides of its S1 and S1 Pro electric scooters from November 10 while the exact date of first deliveries is still not confirmed.
Ola S1 gets a claimed range of 120 kilometres while Ola S1 Pro gets a claimed range of 180 kilometres on single charge.

In a latest video shared by Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, two of the company's electric scooters can be seen performing various stunts with experts in command. Ola S1 electric scooters can be seen performing a series of high jumps from inclined planes, wheelies and also donuts. The video highlights that electric scooters are no less fun than their combustion engine counterparts.

Sharing the video on his Twitter handle on Sunday, Aggarwal wrote, "Having some fun with the scooter!" He also gave an update about the upcoming test rides of the Ola Electric scooters as well as their deliveries. "Test rides begin in the coming week and first deliveries begin soon after," he wrote.

Though there is still no specific date available for the beginning of the scooters' delivery date, the company will begin test rides from November 10. The company had commenced the first sale process of its electric scooter in September, after launching it on August 15. The company will commence the new purchase window on December 16 as it is currently 'busy fulfilling existing orders' that it has received so far in an 'unprecedented demand' for its scooters.

In a latest video shared by Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, two of the company's electric scooters can be seen performing various stunts with experts in command. Ola S1 electric scooters can be seen performing a series of high jumps from inclined planes, wheelies and also donuts. The video highlights that electric scooters are no less fun than their combustion engine counterparts.

Sharing the video on his Twitter handle on Sunday, Aggarwal wrote, "Having some fun with the scooter!" He also gave an update about the upcoming test rides of the Ola Electric scooters as well as their deliveries. "Test rides begin in the coming week and first deliveries begin soon after," he wrote.

(Also read | Under pressure to 'deliver', Ola pushes back new date to book electric scooters)

Though there is still no specific date available for the beginning of the scooters' delivery date, the company will begin test rides from November 10. The company had commenced the first sale process of its electric scooter in September, after launching it on August 15. The company will commence the new purchase window on December 16 as it is currently 'busy fulfilling existing orders' that it has received so far in an 'unprecedented demand' for its scooters.

|#+|

The Ola Electric scooter is available in two trims - S1 and S1 Pro. While the former comes with a 2.98 kWh battery pack, the latter gets a larger battery pack of 3.97kWh. Ola S1 has been priced at ₹one lakh and gets a claimed range of around 120 kms on single charge. Ola S1 Pro has been priced at ₹1.30 lakh and gets a claimed ranged of 180 kms on single charge. The price of the e-scooter is ex showroom and will vary from state to state depending on subsidies on offer.

(Also read | Watch: Ola Electric scooters come to life at women-powered Futurefactory)

Ola Electric is manufacturing its electric scooters at its Futurefactory near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. It recently launched its first Hypercharger at the premises. The company had earlier announced that it will set up charging support for its customers under its Hypercharger setup that will be installed in over 100,000 locations/touchpoints across 400 Indian cities.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/watch-ola-electric-scooters-perform-wheelies-donuts-other-stunts-41636352026911.html
#7
Cars and Bikes / UK electric vehicle supercharging firm to expand to US, Asia
Nov 08, 2021, 01:24 PM
UK electric vehicle supercharging firm to expand to US, Asia



A UK company Gridserve Holdings Ltd that builds solar and battery farms to power its electric vehicle chargers already has a network of fast-charging hubs in Britain and now is planning to expand further.

A UK company is in discussions with fuel forecourt operators in Europe, Asia and the U.S. to install vehicle-charging facilities that use electricity generated from renewable sources.

Gridserve Holdings Ltd. is already building a network of fast-charging hubs in Britain and now is planning to expand further afield.

The initial international projects will be announced within the next few months, said Toddington Harper, founder and chief executive officer.

The company builds solar and battery farms to power its electric vehicle chargers and plans to create more than 100 all-electric forecourts in the U.K. as part of a billion-pound ($1.35b) investment program. The company's backers include Richard Branson's The Rise Fund and Hitachi Capital U.K. Plc.

There are about 12 million passenger EVs on the road globally, according to BloombergNEF. With governments under pressure to reduce emissions and with battery prices falling, annual EV sales are expected to increase from 3.1 million units in 2020 to 14 million in 2025. The leading markets include China and Europe, according to BNEF.

"Everything we have achieved in the U.K. has required us to overcome massive complexities and challenges -- experience we've spent years developing," Harper said. "It's now time to share those learnings with partners across the world and accelerate the shift to net zero transport."

Source: https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/uk-electric-vehicle-supercharging-firm-to-expand-to-us-asia-41636349784379.html
#8
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Top 10 trending phones of week 44
Nov 08, 2021, 01:20 PM
Top 10 trending phones of week 44



Week 43 saw little in terms of new hardware announcements, but there are still plenty of changes in our trending chart.

The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and Pro still take the first two spots, but the third placed Sony Xperia Pro-I has lost a lot of steam and has dropped off the chart entirely. In its place we have the Samsung Galaxy A52s, which has gained whopping 6 places.

The Google Pixel 6 Pro has climbed to fourth, overtaking the Redmi Note 11, while the upcoming Poco M4 Pro is already the sixth most popular phone in our database.

We then have the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, followed by multiple champion Redmi Note 10 Pro.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra makes a return to the chart to capture ninth and so does the Xiaomi 11T Pro in the final spot.

This leaves no room for the vanilla Pixel 6 and the Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge, but we'll undoubtedly see the latter back once it's officially announced.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/top_10_trending_phones_of_week_43-news-51736.php
#9
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Huawei Freebuds Lipstick review
Nov 08, 2021, 01:18 PM
Huawei Freebuds Lipstick review



Huawei brought its nova 9 smartphone to Europe last month and brought a new Watch GT3, and new TWS earphones called Huawei Freebuds Lipstick alongside it. The audio accessory comes with a striking new design that truly resembles lipstick, and we got a pair to test whether there is more to it than cool looks.

Cosmetics stores have hundreds of colors of lipstick but Huawei is offering the earphones in only one shade, which is somewhere between Rojo and Cornell (yes, these are real shades of red).

On the inside, the earphones are just like the Freebuds 4 - open ear design, a standard length of the stem, and even the battery capacity has remained the same - 30 mAh in each bud, 410 mAh more in the case. The difference here is the color and the unusual case.

The case consists of two parts - the bottom one where is the battery, one magnet, the holes for the stems, while the top side is just a passive lid with an extra magnet to provide a tight seal. The left and right buds have dedicated slots, but it is extremely easy to get them confused if you aren't looking at the case while inserting them.



You also need to look to make sure you are adding the lid the correct way - you have to actively seek the visual clue, or there's a 50% chance you'll put the top the wrong way and it just won't slide all the way down.

As we said the buds themselves are familiar and just like the Freebuds 4 they are somewhat prone to slipping out of your ears during rapid movements, but they are pretty comfortable for prolonged listening sessions when sitting stationary.

One charge of the buds got us through 4 hours of listening without ANC. The same scenario with ANC only lasts 2.5 hours, but the buds do not provide the best noise cancellation (due to the less than stellar seal), so we doubt many will have ANC enabled all the time.

The buds fill up in about 30 minutes in the case, while the case itself needs 60 minutes. If all the power cells are drained, it takes about 80-90 minutes. We did the test with a proprietary Huawei charging cable, but any 5V/1A charger could do the job. The Freebuds Lipstick does not support wireless charging, though.

Just like the regular Freebuds 4, the Huawei Freebuds Lipstick can be connected through Bluetooth to pretty much any device, but need the Huawei AI Life app to unlock the full functionality.

The app allows you to customize what single tap, double tap and press and hold do, as well as volume control, noise cancellation and finding the buds if they are gone missing.

No surprises in the audio performance as well - the 14mm dynamic driver The earphones delivered well defined sound in all use cases without artificially boosting the bass. They could be louder, but overall the balanced output is a going to be please most people.

Which means that the Huawei Freebuds Lipstick are essentially the same pair of TWS headphones as the Freebuds 4, which are currently available for about half of the Lipstick's €229 asking price. That alone means the new pair won't be a favorite with the audiophile public.

However those that appreciate its very plausible Lipstick impression would certainly consider spending that extra on what is a clearly unique accessory and a conversation starter. With the timing of the launch we have little doubt the Freebuds Lipstick will also end up under a bunch of Christmas trees as well.

And knowing Huawei's track record the upcoming holiday season will see the unique TWS earphones appear in a number of different bundles and promos that will make them a significantly better deal.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_freebuds_lipstick_review-news-51716.php
#10
Cars and Bikes / Mahindra delivers first XUV700 Javelin Gold Edition to Olympian Sumit Antil
Oct 30, 2021, 03:24 PM
Mahindra delivers first XUV700 Javelin Gold Edition to Olympian Sumit Antil

Olympian champion Sumit Antil has been gifted first-even Mahindra XUV700 Javelin Edition.
Sumit Antil has won a gold medal in men's javelin throw F64 category at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Mahindra has delivered the first-ever personalized XUV700 to the Olympic medalist Sumit Antil. The company took to Twitter to share the latest announcement. Antil has clinched a gold medal in men's javelin throw F64 category at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

The Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra has announced in the past that the XUV700 Javelin Edition will be gifted to the gold medal winners at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Called the XUV700 Javelin Edition, the SUV will also be gifted to Neeraj Chopra, and Avani Lekhara, who managed to secure gold medals at the recently held Olympics/Paralympics.

(Also Read: Mahindra may sell SsangYong for $260 million, near half of what it bought it for)

The new XUV700 Javelin Edition honours the Olympic gold medalists with a special paint livery. The car adorns a golden hue which can be found on the front vertical grille slats, rear decals, and also on the brand logo. Inside, the car features a similar golden treatment that gels well with its exterior golden theme. Save for the changes to the aesthetics, the rest of the details remain unchanged.

The company has previously announced that it has already received more than 65,000 bookings for the XUV700 since its launch. Customer deliveries are also set to begin today and the company is aiming to deliver at least 14,000 XUV700s by January 14 next year.

(Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan-themed Mahindra Thar SUV gets a thumbs up from Anand Mahindra)

The flagship XUV was initially launched at ₹11.99 lakh (ex-showroom). The pricing was then revised after the company received the first 25,000 bookings for the XUV700. Currently, the car costs in the range of ₹12.49 lakh (ex-showroom) to ₹22 .89 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-spec trim AX7 Luxury (Seven seater) +AWD.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/mahindra-delivers-first-xuv700-javelin-gold-edition-to-olympian-sumit-antil-41635577414051.html
#11
Cars and Bikes / 2022 Hyundai Creta facelift to break cover at GIIAS 2021. New features confirmed
Oct 30, 2021, 03:20 PM
2022 Hyundai Creta facelift to break cover at GIIAS 2021. New features confirmed



The new Hyundai Creta will get Advance Driver Assist Systems (ADAS).
Updated Creta is set to debut in the Indonesian market at the GIIAS 2021 motor show (November 11-21, 2021).

Hyundai is gearing up for the introduction of the much anticipated Creta facelift. The Korean automobile maker has teased the exterior profile of the updated SUV in short clips lately and the car is set to debut in the Indonesian market at the GIIAS 2021 motor show (to be held from November 11-21).

The new Creta will make use of refreshed styling and an updated features list.

One of the key feature additions on the new car will be its Advance Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) which will be seen on its top-of-the-line variants. The ADAS features will also be rolled on in the Indian-spec models as well. For the record, its segment rival - MG Astor already comes with the same feature.

Apart from ADAS, other key additions to the car will include an updated BlueLink connected car tech along with a panoramic sunroof, a premium Bose sound system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system supported by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. The use of updated connectivity tech will unlock new safety features such as tracking of stolen vehicle tracking, stolen vehicle immobilisation and a valet parking mode.

Rumours suggest that the new Creta will be offered in both the five- as well as seven-seat layouts for the Indonesian market. More details on the updated Creta will be revealed in next. 

(Also Read: Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass among SUVs tested by IIHS: What was the result?)

Speaking about the upcoming Creta, SungJong Ha, Director of Hyundai Motors Indonesia, said "This SUV was built and designed specifically according to the interests of customers in Indonesia," said SungJong Ha as quoted from the official Hyundai Indonesia website.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/2022-hyundai-creta-facelift-to-break-cover-at-giias-2021-new-features-confirmed-41635575491736.html
#12
Cars and Bikes / GM's Cruise, Alphabet's Waymo allowed to give autonomous ride in this US state
Oct 30, 2021, 03:19 PM
GM's Cruise, Alphabet's Waymo allowed to give autonomous ride in this US state



California Department of Motor Vehicles has given permission to General Motors Co's Cruise and Alphabet Inc's Waymo self-driving cars to give passengers ride considering certain rules that have been stated by the department.

General Motors Co's Cruise and Alphabet Inc's Waymo self-driving car subsidiaries became the first companies to get autonomous vehicle permits to offer rides to passengers in California. Cruise received permission from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to offer driverless rides to passengers in some parts of San Francisco and Waymo got the permit to deploy autonomous vehicles with safety drivers behind the wheel.

The department mentioned in a Reuters report that it will allow commercial service for the companies, though they would need another permit from the California Public Utilities Commission to start charging passengers for rides. It also added that the new permit would allow Cruise to operate its vehicles 'within designated parts of San Francisco' between 10 pm and 6 am at a maximum speed limit of 48 kmph. On the other hand, Waymo autonomous vehicles which will have safety drivers behind the wheel have been allowed to operate on public roads within parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties with a speed limit of no more than 104 kmph, stated the DMV.

The two companies have already ramped up testing in San Francisco, with Cruise going for GM's electric Bolt EVs while Waymo is testing Jaguar all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUVs. The latter started public testing in San Francisco in August with a safe driver behind the wheel. Waymo has also given paid, autonomous rides booked through its app in limited suburban areas in Arizona.

Cruise that is supported by Softbank and Honda as investors earlier this year raised about $2.75 billion from investors like Walmart Inc while on the other hand Waymo has raised $2.5 billion, mentioned the report.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/gms-cruise-alphabet-s-waymo-allowed-to-give-autonomous-ride-in-this-country-41635580933601.html
#13
Tamil Nadu Daily News / Puneeth Rajkumar's last rites to be performed on Sunday, says Karnataka CM
Oct 30, 2021, 03:16 PM
Puneeth Rajkumar's last rites to be performed on Sunday, says Karnataka CM



"As per our tradition, we don't perform funeral after sunset. His last rites will be performed at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru tomorrow," chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Kannada star Puneeth Rajkumar's last rites will be performed on Sunday at Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday, Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Saturday. The last rites were expected to be performed on Saturday for which the Bengaluru authorities imposed strict security measures in the city. However, the last rites could not be performed on Saturday and Puneeth Rajkumar's daughter, who stays in the United States, has only reached Delhi and will arrive in Bengaluru by 7pm. "As per our tradition, we don't perform funeral after sunset. His last rites will be performed at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru tomorrow," the chief minister said.

The untimely and sudden death of the 46-year-old Kannada superstar has shaken the film fraternities across the country while politicians paid their tribute to the actor. For public viewing, his mortal remains were shifted to Sree Kanteerava Stadium, where thousands of his fans gathered to the last glimpse of the actor.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/puneeth-rajkumar-s-last-rites-to-be-performed-on-sunday-says-karnataka-cm-101635586098531.html
#14
Tamil Nadu Daily News / PM Modi invites Pope Francis to India during a 'very warm meeting'
Oct 30, 2021, 03:14 PM
PM Modi invites Pope Francis to India during a 'very warm meeting'



The meeting was scheduled for only 20 minutes but went on for an hour where they discussed a wide range of issues, according to the people familiar with the details of the meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday had a "very warm meeting" with Pope Francis and invited him to visit India. The meeting was scheduled for only 20 minutes but went on for an hour where they discussed a wide range of issues, including climate change and poverty, according to the people familiar with the details of the meeting.

"Had a very warm meeting with Pope Francis. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him and also invited him to visit India. @Pontifex," PM Modi tweeted.

Pope John Paul II's was the last Papal visit to India in 1999 when Atal Bihar Vajpayee was the prime minister. The invitation for another Papal visit to India has been extended during PM Modi's prime ministerial term. He is also the first Indian prime minister to meet Francis since the latter became the head of the Catholic Church in 2013.

PM Modi paid a visit to Pope ahead of G20 Summit hosted by Italy. The prime minister was accompanied by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security adviser Ajit Doval.

He also met the secretary of state of the Vatican City State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

On Friday, foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that the Vatican had not set an agenda for the meeting since the tradition is not to have an agenda when discussing issues with the Pope, adding that India would respect that.

"I'm sure the issues would cover a range of areas of interest in terms of the general global perspectives and issues that are important to all of us, Covid-19, health issues, how we can work together, how we can work together to maintain peace and tranquillity and this is something that, I think would be the general trend in the discussions," Shringla said during a special briefing on PM Modi's visit to Italy.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-invites-pope-francis-to-india-during-a-very-warm-meeting-101635584079730.html
#15
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Honor X20 5G official specs listed two days before announcement
Aug 10, 2021, 05:26 PM
Honor X20 5G official specs listed two days before announcement



There's a few Honor phones set to debut later this week with the Honor X20 5G and Magic 3 series. The former has now appeared in a listing on the brand's official online shop in China complete with a detailed spec sheet.

X20 5G sports a 6.67-inch LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and a pill-shaped cutout in the top left corner with a 16MP main cam. The device packs a MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset paired with 6/8GB RAM and 128/256GB storage which is further expandable via microSD.

The rear houses a 64MP main camera with an f/1.9 aperture and EIS. The accompanying modules include a 2MP depth helper and a 2 MP macro cam. The rest of the key specs are a 4,300 mAh battery and 66W fast wired charging, Magic UI 4.2 based on Android 11 on the software side and a trusty headphone jack.



Honor X20 5G is listed in black, clue and silver colors. The only remaining question marks for the phone are its pricing and availability details which we'll know after Thursday's event concludes.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/honor_x20_5g_official_specs_listed_two_days_before_announcement-news-50454.php
#16
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / The vivo iQOO 8 Pro will have a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, VIS OIS
Aug 10, 2021, 05:25 PM
The vivo iQOO 8 Pro will have a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, VIS OIS



The vivo iQOO 8 series is coming on August 17 and the 8 Pro will bring a Snapdragon 888+ and Samsung's E5 OLED with an LTPO controller capable of 1-120Hz variable frame rate adjustment.

Now vivo is teasing the cameras on the iQOO 8 Pro in a new poster. The main unit has 50MP resolution, while the ultrawide lens sits over the 48MP sensor, which used to be the main camera of the iQOO Pro from 2019 - a 1/2.0-inch sensor.

The third camera could be a mid-zoom option, reaching up to 60mm, or about 2.5x.

The main camera is equipped with vivo's VIS five-axis stabilization, covering all the possible movements.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/the_vivo_iqoo_8_pro_will_have_50mp_main_camera_48mp_ultrawide_vis_ois-news-50453.php
#17
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Honor announces partnership with IMAX, teases circular camera island for Magic 3
Aug 10, 2021, 05:23 PM
Honor announces partnership with IMAX, teases circular camera island for Magic 3



The Honor Magic 3 smartphone is expected to arrive on August 12 and will have a Snapdragon 888+ chipset. The brand has now announced a partnership with IMAX Enhanced on its Weibo page, where an image of a film reel was posted which looks a lot like a circular camera setup, similar to what we've already seen in previous leaks.

IMAX Enhanced is the product of joint work between IMAX, the proprietary system of high-res cameras, film formats, film projectors and theaters, and DTS, an American audio company. The Enhanced project essentially brings IMAX capabilities to consumers' living rooms.

Up until now, IMAX Enhanced has been available only to a limited number of TVs, projectors and AVRs. It is a format that allows 4K HDR content with DTS audio to be played on HDR10+ displays, meaning the Honor Magic 3 will be the first smartphone to offer this unique video experience.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/honor_announces_partnership_with_imax_hints_a_circular_camera_island_for_magic_3-news-50452.php
#18
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Samsung’s Exynos W920 is a 5nm chipset set to power the Galaxy Watch4 series
Aug 10, 2021, 05:21 PM
Samsung's Exynos W920 is a 5nm chipset set to power the Galaxy Watch4 series



A day before its big Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung announced a new chipset for wearables dubbed Exynos W920. The SoC is set to power the upcoming Galaxy Watch4 series as well as future Samsung wearables to come. It's built on a 5nm EUV process armed with two ARM Cortex-A55 cores and an ARM Mali-G68 GPU.

Samsung claims a 20% CPU improvement over the preceding Exynos W9110 and a ten-fold graphics boost. The new chip also packs a dedicated Cortex M55 co-processor for handing Always-On Display use.

Connectivity-wise the W920 brings a 4G LTE Cat.4 modem and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for positioning and fitness tracking. Samsung also confirmed the new chipset will support a "new unified wearable platform Samsung built jointly with Google and will be first applied to the upcoming Galaxy Watch model" which is none other than the new Galaxy Watch4 series running One UI Watch based on Wear OS.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/samsungs_exynos_w920_is_a_5nm_chipset_set_to_power_the_galaxy_watch4_series-news-50451.php
#19
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Watch the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4, Mi Pad 5 launch live
Aug 10, 2021, 05:19 PM
Watch the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4, Mi Pad 5 launch live



Xiaomi is about to introduce its Mi Mix 4 flagship smartphone and Mi Pad 5 tablet. Both devices are bound to be flagship-tier, with the phone being the first in the world with Snapdragon 888+, while the tablet is aiming to be a direct competitor to the Galaxy Tab S7 series and the latest iPad Pro 11. The event is scheduled for 19:30 Beijing Time, which is 11:30 GMT.

The event is taking place in China, so logically it will be in Chinese. This is also the first market to get the new device but hopefully the international rollout won't take long.

We've embedded the video below but if you can't play it, we've provided a link at the end of this article.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 might be first in the world with the latest Qualcomm SoC and it's going to be the first Xiaomi phone with a selfie camera mounted under the display.

The Mi Pad 5 is going to be the first Xiaomi tablet in three years. It will come with a keyboard cover and will support a stylus, and we should expect vanilla and Pro variants, with the latter being 5G-enabled, while the former is the Wi-Fi only version. There are also rumors about a Lite option and a Redmi slate, but for now they are mostly unsubstantiated, so we won't hold our breath for seeing them at this event.

Specs-wise, we expect to see 10.9" IPS LCD, an 8,750 mAh battery with 67W charging and a Snapdragon 870 chipset.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/watch_the_xiaomi_mi_mix_4_mi_pad_5_launch_live-news-50450.php
#20
Cars and Bikes / Ather opens its proprietary fast-charging connector to rival electric scooters
Aug 10, 2021, 12:14 PM
Ather opens its proprietary fast-charging connector to rival electric scooters



Ather Energy has more than 200 fast chargers across the country and is looking to add to these numbers.

Ather Energy on Tuesday informed that it has opened it proprietary fast-charging connector to electric scooters from rival brands in a bid to promote quicker EV adoption in India. With range anxiety one of the biggest stumbling blocks for those who may consider an EV, more charging infrastructure is likely to play a big role in calming frayed nerves.

While government established charging stations are open to all EVs, those established by a manufacturer may only be for EVs from its own brand. A few now have started opening their respective facilities to all with Ather becoming the latest. "Sharing our proprietary charging connector is a big step for having a common connector and hence interoperable chargers for all two-wheelers," said Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO at Ather Energy. "At this stage of the category, the industry needs these collaborations and we are already in talks with some OEMs to take this industry collaboration forward."

Collaboration - and not competition - may be the way forward indeed as India's EV-charging infrastructure is still less than ideal. While various subsidies have brought prices of electric two-wheelers down significantly, multiple charge locations in at least big cities could further accelerate EV adoption. And fast-charging could be a bonus.

Ather says that its proprietary fast-charging connector has a combo AC and DC charging. "This connector size has been designed to be suitable for integration into two-wheelers and three-wheelers with the ability of CAN 2.0 communication with control and proximity pilot," the company informs.

There are currently more than 200 fast chargers from Ather Energy in the country and the Hosur-based company is looking at adding on to these numbers in the times to come.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/ather-opens-its-proprietary-fast-charging-connector-to-rival-electric-scooters-41628564380835.html
#21
Cars and Bikes / Pawan Munjal showcases Hero MotoCorp's upcoming electric scooter
Aug 10, 2021, 12:13 PM
Pawan Munjal showcases Hero MotoCorp's upcoming electric scooter



Pawan Munjal, Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, was seen standing next to the new electric scooter, which will be launched soon for the Indian market, during the two-wheeler manufacturer's tenth anniversary celebrations.

Hero MotoCorp has showcased the first look at its upcoming electric scooter. The world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer, which celebrated its tenth anniversary on Monday, seems ready to bring in its first electric model for the Indian market soon.

Pawan Munjal, Chairman of Hero MotoCorp, was seen standing next to the new electric scooter during the company's livestream event of its ten-year celebrations.

The design of the electric scooter in the version shown in the teaser appears quite sleek. It gets a curved body design with the combination of white and black colours, flyscreen, and a long seat that appears spacious enough to accommodate two easily. The electric scooter also gets a 12 inch wheel on the front and a 10 inch wheel on the back.

Hero MotoCorp or Pawan Munjal did not share much detail about the upcoming electric scooter. However, during the event, Munjal said that it is expected to be unveiled soon.

In April this year, Hero MotoCorp had signed an agreement with Taiwanese company Gogoro to share battery swap and technology features. The design of the new electric scooter does not reflect what Gogoro offers. Instead there are certain elements, like the single-sided swingarm, which has similarities with the Bajaj Chetak.

Hero MotoCorp's latest teaser comes only days before one of the most anticipated electric two-wheeler launch from Ola Electric. Besides Ola, Hero's new electric scooter will compete with Bajaj Chetak electric, Ather 450X and TVS iQube among others when launched.

The Hero MotoCorp electric scooter is likely to go on sale later this year or early next year.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/two-wheelers/pawan-munjal-shows-off-hero-motocorp-s-upcoming-electric-scooter-41628564710593.html
#22
Cars and Bikes / Back to the future: 50 years on, Lamborghini Countach all set for fresh innings
Aug 10, 2021, 12:12 PM
Back to the future: 50 years on, Lamborghini Countach all set for fresh innings



If you were born in the 1970s, 1980s or even the 1990s, chances are that your room at some point had a poster showcasing what is still regarded as one of the most stylish sports cars ever manufactured and sold. A timeless piece of automotive art, the Lamborghini Countach set pulses racing and even today, evokes a fond memory. But put memories aside for a moment because a new Lamborghini Countach is all set to be unveiled to the world, 50 years after it was first showcased and sold across the world.

Lamborghini Countach LP 500 was first showcased at the Geneva Motor Show some 50 years ago. Styled by Marcello Gandini, it was a sports car far ahead of its times. It went into production in 1974 and there was just no looking back as the world got divided between those who owned it and those who desired to own or at least drive it.

(Also read: Lamborghini Countach LP 500 turns 50 years old. Still looks 50 years young)

There may yet be a chance in the offing, assuming one can afford whatever price tag comes along with the new Lamborghini Countach.

Lamborghini dropped an official teaser on Monday and the 21-second video was enough to get tongues wagging. "The new Lamborghini Countach is coming," was the simple text accompanying the video.

Since this was just a very short teaser image, nothing much is known about what the new Lamborghini Countach will be all about. The rebirth of an iconic model may be an exciting prospect but it also carries the risk of living up to the glitzy reputation of its predecessor. Some feel it could be an all electric vehicle considering Lamborghini has already confirmed its plans to have such a model on offer by the middle of this decade. Others still feel that it may well be a concept sports car.

Either or any other option would still ensure that memories come gushing back as Lamborghini Countach gets ready for a rebirth.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/back-to-the-future-50-years-on-lamborghini-countach-all-set-for-fresh-innings-41628565270742.html
#23
Cars and Bikes / Car impounded in Delhi? You may not have to pay charges to recover it
Aug 10, 2021, 12:10 PM
Car impounded in Delhi? You may not have to pay charges to recover it



Delhi government announced that impounded vehicles won't be slapped with custody charges till September 30. This decision has been taken in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Custody charges in Delhi can range up to ₹1,500 per day, depending on type of vehicle.

Delhi government has announced a waiver of custody charges on vehicles impounded by the traffic police and transport department, which have not been bailed out by their owners. The relaxation will be effective till September 30 this year. It comes as relief for the owners whose vehicles may have been impounded and are still awaiting to be recovered.

Delhi government has said that this decision has been taken in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. "As per an advisory issued by the government of India on June 17, parking/custody charges imposed under Rule 16 of Delhi Maintenance and Management of Parking Rules 2019 are waived off," the order reads.

This is not the first time the Delhi government has ordered such a relaxation. Last year too, it ordered a similar relaxation for vehicle owners who were affected by Covid restrictions.

Vehicles impounded in Delhi by any government agency for violating rules are slapped with custody charges if their owners don't get the vehicles released within 48 hours. Custody charges can range between ₹200 and ₹1,500 per day, depending on the type of vehicle. Delhi transport department keeps hundreds of impounded vehicles at locations such as Burari, Dwarka and Sarai Kale Khan.

This also comes in line with the June order of the union ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), which suggested an extension of validity for various motor vehicle documents till September 30. These included documents such as driving license, fitness test certificate, vehicle registration certificate etc. Many vehicle owners couldn't renew these documents due to lockdown and other Covid-related restrictions. MoRTH proposed the extension to give them relief.

Delhi transport officials told news agency PTI that many vehicle owners couldn't get their impounded vehicles recovered due to the pandemic related restrictions. This resulted in accumulated custody charges. PTI also reports that one vehicle has accumulated a custody charge of ₹2 lakh.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/car-impounded-in-delhi-you-may-not-have-to-pay-charges-to-recover-it-41628566587695.html
#24
Cars and Bikes / Tesla's most-affordable electric car inches closer to production in China
Aug 10, 2021, 12:08 PM
Tesla's most-affordable electric car inches closer to production in China



Tesla's upcoming $25,000 (less than ₹20 lakh) electric hatchback will be manufactured in China, where the EV-maker's first R&D Centre outside US nears completion.

Tesla is soon likely to start manufacturing its most-affordable electric car yet. According to reports, the facility where it is to be manufactured is almost ready to start operations. The electric vehicle, which will cost around $25,000 (roghly converted to ₹18.60 lakh), is expected to go for trial production by the end of this year.

During Tesla's Battery Day this year, CEO Elon Musk had said, "Tesla will make a compelling $25,000 electric vehicle that is also fully autonomous." Musk had said that Tesla's new battery cell and battery manufacturing will help keep the cost of the electric car cost half the price it would have otherwise.

The facility is being set up in Shanghai in China and will be Tesla's first R&D Centre to come up outside its home turf United States. The facility will focus on vehicle design, vehicle software, hardware design engineering, material engineering, powertrain and energy engineering, R&D engineering operation, and vehicle engineering. Tesla is currently looking for people to work at the facility.

Tom Zhu, President of Tesla China, said, "The centre is in Tesla Gigafactory Shanghai, where we are now. We are now building our China R&D centre right here. This R&D centre is also the first Tesla R&D centre outside the United States...In the future, we want to design, develop and produce an original model in China, manufactured here and sold to the whole world. This R&D centre is the starting point of the goal."

The affordable and compact electric car from Tesla began taking form last year when the EV manufacturer had started taking design submissions.

Tesla has been planning to manufacture the compact electric car, most likely to resemble a hatchback, at its Gigafactory in Shanghai. The car will be built initially for the Chinese markets, but may be sold globally later on. This does not rule out the chances of Tesla bringing this electric car to India, where it aims to start operations soon.

Tesla currently is in talks with the Centre to reduce import duty taxes before it starts selling its vehicles in India. According to a Reuters report on Monday, Tesla proposal to reduce the import duties to about 40 per cent is likely to be considered by the government. Tesla is yet to announce its plans to set up a manufacturing facility in India yet, which could keep the costs of its electric cars down.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/teslas-most-affordable-electric-car-inches-closer-to-production-in-china-41628566163611.html
#25
Cars and Bikes / Warren Buffett calls it right on EV batteries
Aug 10, 2021, 12:06 PM
Warren Buffett calls it right on EV batteries



The Sage of Omaha's Berkshire Hathaway bet on China's BYD looks like it's paying off. It's all about the technology.

Warren Buffett gets lots of investments right with his patient and deliberate buy-and-hold strategy. And it's becoming apparent that he's doing it again with electric vehicles. For investors pouring money into the technology, it would be wise to consider how the Sage of Omaha has looked into the future of the sector.

The value of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s holdings in BYD Co. Ltd., one of China's oldest makers of cars and automotive batteries, has skyrocketed this year: BYD's share price is up almost 30%. Buffett has backed BYD for over a decade, holding around 22% in the Hong Kong-listed company, which now sits on a market capitalization of over HK$915.6 billion ($117.6 billion). That's more than investor darling Nio Inc., the new-generation Chinese automaker listed in New York.

So how is that different from the rest of the EV universe, which just keeps on surging? BYD is more than just another upstart trying to take on Tesla Inc. It is getting closer to mastering the right technology for EV batteries — the core of the electric car that accounts for almost 50% of the price and is crucial to widespread EV adoption. And that's what Berkshire has honed in on.

Longtime Buffett partner Charlie Munger had spotted the genius of Wang Chuanfu, the chemist and researcher behind BYD, leading to Berkshire taking a 10% stake for around $230 million in the company in 2008. In a 2009 Fortune magazine cover story, Munger described Wang as "a combination of Thomas Edison and [General Electric's] Jack Welch — something like Edison in solving technical problems, and something like Welch in getting done what he needs to do. I have never seen anything like it."

That's turned out to be quite a prescient call. Wang understands batteries: Getting the chemistry right would determine how well cars equipped with these powertrains would and could do. It's given his company a leg-up as the rest of the sector stumbles through recalls and battery fires.

BYD electric cars are clunky and don't carry the techy-coolness of new generation cars like Nio Inc.'s or Tesla's Model X with its falcon wing doors. But it does have the right price and safe battery technology. It's now China's largest EV maker, selling more cars than the competition in the mainland.

BYD has doubled down on making affordable batteries at scale — and has bet on the technology to achieve that goal. At its 2020 annual results, the company said it would stop plans for nickel-cobalt-manganese battery adoption, which most car and battery makers are set on. Instead, BYD has turned all its attention to so-called lithium iron phosphate, or LFPs, for its so-called Blade battery, which was released early last year.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/warren-buffett-calls-it-right-on-ev-batteries-41628569037382.html
#26
Cars and Bikes / This petrol pump owner gives free fuel to all 'Neeraj' to honour gold medalist
Aug 10, 2021, 11:57 AM
This petrol pump owner gives free fuel to all 'Neeraj' to honour gold medalist



The two-day scheme by a petrol pump owner in Gujarat was availed by at least 30 people.
Celebrating Neeraj Chopra's success, Mahindra has hinted at a special edition XUV700 SUV to honour the athlete.

A local petrol pump owner in Bharuch, Gujarat offered free fuel worth ₹501 to every person named 'Neeraj' as an honour to Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, Neeraj Chopra, who won India's first gold ever in the athletics category. All the beneficiaries were required to produce a valid identity card to be able to avail the bonanaza offer.

The offer rolled out by Ayub Pathan, owner of the SP Petroleum in Netrang town of Bharuch was, however, valid only till Monday evening. The scheme was valid for two days. Pathan told ANI that through this offer he wanted to celebrate the victory of the javelin thrower who made the country proud and brought joy to may Indians. "To pay tribute to Neeraj Chopra... we had launched a scheme for those named Neeraj. It is a very proud moment for us, when he won the medal," Pathan added.

He informed ANI that at least 30 people had availed the scheme. A beneficiary said, "First I thought it was a hoax call, but found on reaching the pump that it was indeed true."

Chopra's success was akin to a festival in the country and not just Pathan but many other individuals and entities celebrated his gold medal in some or the other way. Automaker Mahindra and Mahindra's chairman Anand Mahindra had announced that his company will gift their upcoming XUV700 SUV to Chopra. Writing a congratulatory post on Twitter, he called Chopra India's 'Golden Athlete'. "It will be my personal privilege & honour to gift our Golden Athlete an XUV700... Keep one ready for him please."

Just a day after this announcement, Mahindra went a step ahead to hint that the company is mulling over a special edition XUV700 in the honour of the athlete. The company's Chief Design Officer, Pratap Bose, took to Twitter to write, "We have some ideas cooking at the @MahindraRise Design studios! Will share more soon."

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/this-petrol-pump-owner-gives-free-fuel-to-all-neeraj-to-honour-gold-medalist-41628567300161.html
#27
Cars and Bikes / Nissan aims 40 per cent of its cars sold in US to be electric by 2030
Aug 10, 2021, 11:45 AM
Nissan aims 40 per cent of its cars sold in US to be electric by 2030



Nissan will start selling the Ariya electric SUV in US from next year to build on the success of Leaf compact electric car, which is now in its second generation.

Nissan has itself an ambitious target to achieve more than 40 percent of its total car sales in US to be electric vehicles by 2030. Nissan Motor has already announced that it aims to achieve carbon neutrality across the company's operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050.

According to Nissan's plans, every vehicle coming out of its facilities will be electrified by the early 2030s. Nissan had announced its intention to bring affordable electric vehicles to the masses around the world when Nissan launched the Leaf electric car in 2010.

"With Leaf, Nissan showed our pioneering spirit in electric vehicles. Now with more than a half-million pure EVs sold and more than 5 billion electric miles driven on roads around the world, we're helping to lead the electric vehicle revolution," said Jeremie Papin, Chairperson, Nissan Americas. "Nissan is fully committed to doing our part toward building a cleaner, safer and more inclusive society for all," he added.

"It is critical to have industry and government working together to advance consumer adoption of EVs, as well as the manufacturing and infrastructure support to get the next-generation of electrified mobility on the road," said Papin. "First and foremost, we want more American consumers to enjoy the benefits of electrification: lower emissions, lower operating costs and a lot more fun behind the wheel."

Nissan recently announced that it will standardise and share electric-vehicle components with its French partner Renault. The two carmakers, along with Mitsubishi, will focus on sharing batteries, electric powertrains and electronic architecture. The carmakers also aims to adopt a uniform standard across the alliance through this effort.

Nissan will start selling the Ariya electric SUV in US from next year to build on the success of Leaf compact electric car, which is now in its second generation. Ariya electric SUV was unveiled last year by the carmaker and will be available in Europe and US, besides its domestic market.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/nissan-aims-40-per-cent-of-its-cars-sold-in-us-to-be-electric-by-2030-41628569182101.html
#28
Cars and Bikes / More than 3,500 accidents took place in India due to potholes in 2020
Aug 10, 2021, 11:42 AM
More than 3,500 accidents took place in India due to potholes in 2020



Transport minister Nitin Gadkari has said that his ministry has put together a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety.
The strategy is based on four factors - Education, Engineering of both roads and vehicles, Enforcement and Emergency Care.

A total of 3,564 road accidents took place in the country due to potholes in the year 2020, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari informed the Parliament. The accidents have been reported to be the lowest in then last five years. The total number of road accidents due to potholes in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were 6,424, 9,423, 4,869 and 4,775 respectively.

Gadkari added that his ministry has put together a multi-pronged strategy to address the issue of road safety based on four factors - Education, Engineering of both roads and vehicles, Enforcement and Emergency Care.

Elaborating on the total number of accidents that took place in the year 2019, Gadkari said that the figures have declined by 4 per cent to 4,49,002. Of these, overspeeding caused 3,19,028 mishaps while drunken driving/consumption of alcohol and drugs caused 12,256. The number of accidents due to driving on wrong side/ lane indiscipline, jumping red light and use of mobile phone in 2019 stood at 24,431; 4,443 and 10,522, respectively.

Talking about the reasons that cause accidents or crashes, the minister pointed out that there could be multiple reasons such as automobile design, over speeding, use of mobile phone, drunken driving/consumption of alcohol / drug, overloaded vehicle, vehicular condition and poor light condition.

Apart from these, other factors include jumping red light, overtaking, neglect of civic bodies, weather condition, fault of driver, driving on wrong side, defect in road condition, defect in condition of motor vehicle, fault of cyclist and fault of pedestrian, among others.

Gadkari informed the Parliament that road safety has been made an integral part of road design at planning stage and that his ministry has allocated high priority to identification and rectification of black spots or accident prone spot on national highways. The minister has time and again touted the importance of safe driving and has also urged OEMs to design their vehicles to match international safety standards.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/more-than-3-500-accidents-took-place-in-india-due-to-potholes-in-2020-41628571000162.html
#29
Cars and Bikes / This is how GMC Hummer EV could have looked like
Aug 10, 2021, 11:40 AM
This is how GMC Hummer EV could have looked like



The design image reveals Hummer EV in a different avatar with unusual tailgate, taillights and rear bumper.

General Motors has revived its iconic Hummer in a new avatar. This time, it is powered by an all-electric powertrain instead of a mammoth internal combustion engine. The US automobile giant took Instagram to reveal a design iteration of the Hummer EV.

The design reveals an intriguing ideation sketch created during the Hummer EV electric pickup truck's development phase. This image shows how different the EV could have looked. The design image reveals it in a much sharper look than the original model.

The roof, doors and side windows of the image are similar to the production model. Two large tow hooks are visible in the image available in the production model as well. But the concept gets smaller and sharper taillights. Instead of a large unit, the taillight cluster is formed with six small LED blocks. Tailgate and rear bumper of the EV too look very different in the design image.

The front profile and cabin of the proposed concept have not been revealed in the social post. But, it was surely as radical as the rear profile. Side profile of the concept too looks very sculpted and muscular with flared wheel arches, large chunky tyres. Overall, the design image looks very bold but not as aggressive as the production model.

General Motors has already revealed the Hummer EV and grabbed attention from across the world. This all-electric pickup truck is going to be one of the most exciting. The automaker will first launch the Edition 1 of Hummer EV. It gets power from a three electric motor system.

The powertrain is claimed to be capable of churning out 1,000 hp power and 15,592 Nm of massive torque output. Despite being such a mammoth-sized vehicle, it can accelerate to 0-96 km in 3 seconds.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/this-is-how-gmc-hummer-ev-could-have-looked-like-41628570800461.html
#30
Tamil Nadu Daily News / SSC GD Constable Final Result 2018: Ranks of selected candidates released
Aug 10, 2021, 10:44 AM
SSC GD Constable Final Result 2018: Ranks of selected candidates released



SSC GD Constable Final Result 2018 ranks of selected candidates have been released. Candidates can check the official site of SSC on ssc.nic.in.

Staff Selection Commission has released ranks of selected candidates for SSC GD Constable Final Result 2018. Candidates who have appeared for Constable (GD) in CAPFs, NIA & SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles Examination, 2018 can check their ranks on the official site of SSC on ssc.nic.in.

The final result for the same was released on January 21, 2021, and January 28, 2021. As per the official notice, the Commission uploaded the result in January and the Commission has decided to upload the ranks of the selected candidates who are finally recommended for appointment.

Candidates may check their individual Rank by using their Registration Number and Registered Password and by clicking on 'Result / Marks Link' on the candidate dashboard.

SSC GD Exam 2018 was conducted from February 11 to March 11, 2019, in which 30,41,284 candidates had appeared. A total of 5,54, 904 candidates were shortlisted to appear for PET/PST. The result of PET/ PST was declared on 17.12.2019 and 04.03.2020 wherein a total of 1,52,226 candidates (female-20750 and male-1,31,476) were qualified for the Detailed Medical Examination(DME). For more related details through the official site of SSC.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/exam-results/ssc-gd-constable-final-result-2018-ranks-of-selected-candidates-released-101628570127856.html
#31
Tamil Nadu Daily News / Potholes caused 3,564 accidents in India in 2020: Govt in Rajya Sabha
Aug 10, 2021, 10:42 AM
Potholes caused 3,564 accidents in India in 2020: Govt in Rajya Sabha



The government gave the information in response to Trinamool Congress lawmaker Derek O'Brien's question on the number of road accidents due to "road engineering issues" and initiatives for road safety and the funds allocated for it

The government on Tuesday said in Rajya Sabha that 3,564 accidents took place in India due to potholes in 2020 compared to 4,775 and 4,869 in 2019 and 2018.

The road traffic movement was restricted to a large extent due to the Covid-19 lockdown in the country in 2020.

The government gave the information in response to Trinamool Congress lawmaker Derek O'Brien's question on the number of road accidents due to "road engineering issues" and initiatives for road safety and the funds allocated for it.

Click here for LIVE Updates of Parliament proceedings

"No separate data/record is maintained for an accident occurring due to road engineering (issues)," Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said.

In response to a separate by Sushil Kumar Modi, Gadkari said that toll collection has increased by three per cent. Gadkari added since 2017, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has availed external borrowing of ₹ 3,000 crore. "Further, total borrowing of NHAI has increased from ₹ 74,742 crore outstanding as of March 2017 to ₹ 306,704 crore in March 2021. The debt of NHAI as of March 31, 2021 has reached ₹ 3.07 trillion, which is up by approximately 24% from ₹ 2.49 trillion in March 2020," Gadkari said.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/potholes-caused-3-564-accidents-in-india-in-2020-govt-in-rajya-sabha-101628570659487.html
#32
Tamil Nadu Daily News / ATM installed at Shillong hospital where its inventor was born nearly a century
Aug 10, 2021, 10:41 AM
ATM installed at Shillong hospital where its inventor was born nearly a century ago



The historic Dr H. Gordon Roberts Hospital in Shillong, which will cross a century next year, got an automated teller machine (ATM) installed at its premises this Saturday--thanks to the State Bank of India.

But authorities of both the bank and the hospital forgot about John Adrian Shepherd Barron, the inventor of the ATM machine, who was born in the same hospital almost a century ago.

Inaugurating the ATM, Ramesh RS, the Chief General Manager (Northeast Circle) of SBI told the small gathering, "On behalf of SBI, we are really delighted to have this opportunity to have an ATM in this iconic hospital, which has completed almost 100 by its hospital for the yeomen service to the people of Meghalaya and neighbouring states since time immemorial and now, especially amidst the greatest health challenge mankind has ever had to face; the life consuming Covid-19 pandemic.

The small but meaningful gathering was attended by the bank's Deputy General Manager Amit Kumar and other officers while the hospital was represented by its Medical Superintendent, Dr Roken Nongrum.

John Adrian Shepherd Barron was born at the Gordon Robert Hospital in Shillong on June 23, 1925; about three years after the hospital came into existence. His father was Wilfred Shepherd Barron, the Chief Engineer of the Chittagong Port Commissionerate and his mother was Dorothy, an Olympic tennis player and a Wimbledon Women's Doubles champion.

The Shillong-born British innovator had joined De La Rue a British company headquartered in Basingstoke, England that manufactures polymer and security printed products including banknotes and tax stamps in the 1950s as a management trainee and swiftly rose the ranks to become the Managing Director in record time.

Galvanised by chocolate vending machines, he conceived what at that point of time surely sounded ridiculous, the idea of cash vending machines as well. Interestingly, the 'Eureka' bolt of creating a self-service machine dispensing cash came to him whilst lying in the bath.

The first De La Rue Automatic Cash System (DACS) machine, called Barclaycash, was installed outside the Enfield branch of Barclays Bank in north London in June 1967. And, the first person to withdraw cash at the DACS machine was actor Reg Varney, a celebrity resident of Enfield.

Now, life without ATMs is almost impossible for all kinds of financial transactions across the globe.

Though there is no record of the British innovator leaving Shillong, it is apparent that the family left after his Scottish father took over as the Chief Engineer of the Port of London Authority.

John Adrian Shepherd Barron was educated at Stowe School, the University of Edinburgh and Trinity College, Cambridge. During World War II, he was commissioned into the Airborne Forces, serving with the 159th Parachute Light Regiment.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/atm-installed-at-shillong-hospital-where-its-inventor-was-born-nearly-a-century-ago-101628570780025.html
#33
Tamil Nadu Daily News / COVID-19: Delhi govt issues SOPs for partial re-opening of schools
Aug 10, 2021, 10:39 AM
COVID-19: Delhi govt issues SOPs for partial re-opening of schools



The Education Department of Delhi has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the reopening of schools in the state for the students of 10 to 12 classes.

The Education Department of Delhi has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the reopening of schools in the state for the students of 10 to 12 classes.

Schools in Delhi will partially resume classes and students are permitted to visit their schools for admission-related work including counseling/guidance and practical activities related to board exams, according to an order by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Sunday.

In this regard, the Directorate of Education has issued the appropriate guidelines to ensure that COVID appropriate protocols are followed and children's safety is ensured.

Written consent is to be obtained from the parents of all students who are willing to visit the school, all the classrooms, laboratories, libraries, toilets, drinking water, etc. such places where physical movements of students and teachers take place, should be thoroughly sanitised, the SOPs stated.

Proper thermal screening should be done on the school gate to make sure that if any student or teacher or other school staff shows symptoms of cough, cold, or fever, they will not be allowed to enter the school. The Head of the school or department will make sure that the guidelines related to social distancing and Covid protocols should be followed, the directive added.

Online Classes/Digital Distance Learning will continue and those students who wish to continue their studies through Online Classes shall be allowed to do so, said the Education department.

Earlier on July 28, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had asked for feedback from parents, students, teachers, and principals for a decision on reopening educational institutions in the national capital and both students and parents suggested that school should be reopened.

After a ravaging Covid wave in April-May, Delhi has been witnessing a downward trend in cases.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/news/covid19-delhi-govt-issues-sops-for-partial-re-opening-of-schools-101628570540218.html
#34
Tamil Nadu Daily News / Canada extends ban on direct passenger flights from India until September 21
Aug 10, 2021, 10:37 AM
Canada extends ban on direct passenger flights from India until September 21



The prohibition was scheduled to expire on August 21, making the latest move the fifth extension of the ban since it was first imposed on April 22 - at that time due to fears in Canada over the devastating second wave of the pandemic in India

A file photo showing Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) and Quebec premier Philippe Couillard in a flight simulator during a visit to Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on August 8, 2018. (REUTERS/FILE)
WORLD NEWS
Canada extends ban on direct passenger flights from India until September 21
The prohibition was scheduled to expire on August 21, making the latest move the fifth extension of the ban since it was first imposed on April 22 - at that time due to fears in Canada over the devastating second wave of the pandemic in India

Canada has, for the fifth time now, extended its ban on direct commercial and private flights from India until at least September 21 due to concerns over the Delta variant of the Covid-19 virus.

The prohibition was scheduled to expire on August 21, making the latest move the fifth extension of the ban since it was first imposed on April 22 - at that time due to fears in Canada over the devastating second wave of the pandemic in India.

The latest extension of the ban was announced by Transport Canada just as entry for fully vaccinated US citizens and permanent residents was relaxed on Monday, despite America currently recording over 100,000 new daily coronavirus cases.

Transport Canada said the decision on travel from India was based "on the latest public health advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada".

It said the Canadian government "continues to closely monitor the epidemiological situation, and will be working closely with the government of India and aviation operators to ensure appropriate procedures are put in place to enable a safe return of direct flights as soon as conditions permit".

Transport Canada also extended the requirement related to third-country pre-departure Covid-19 molecular tests for travellers to Canada from India via an indirect route.

"This means passengers who depart India for Canada via an indirect route will continue to be required to obtain a valid Covid-19 pre-departure test from a third country - other than India - before continuing their journey to Canada," Transport Canada said.

On the other hand, Canada is introducing a slew of measures relaxing travel restrictions to the country. On September 7, if the situation remains under control, Canada has decided it will open its borders to travellers who are fully vaccinated with Ottawa-approved anti-Covid shots at least 14 days before entering Canada and those who meet all the entry requirements.

As of Monday, fully vaccinated travellers to Canada do not require a post-arrival test, while those not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated or vaccinated with jabs not recognised by Canadian health authorities, will be tested upon arrival.

It also eliminated its mandatory three-day quarantine requirement at a designated hotel while awaiting results of the test.

Vaccinated travellers will be exempted from any requirement for quarantine, but others will have to provide a quarantine plan.

The vaccines authorised for emergency use in Canada are those made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca – marketed in India as Covishield – and Johnson & Johnson.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/canada-extends-ban-on-direct-passenger-flights-from-india-until-september-21-101628571439453.html
#35
Cars and Bikes / Watch: This stripped-down Lamborghini Huracan will give you post-doomsday vibe
Jul 28, 2021, 06:00 PM
Watch: This stripped-down Lamborghini Huracan will give you post-doomsday vibe

The modified Lamborghini Huracan comes powered by a LS V8 engine.
The Lamborghini Huracan will run at Mint 400 racing event in December 2021.



We have seen plenty of post-apocalyptic sci-fi movies and the majority of them featured several uniquely design high-performance vehicles. Here is a real-life example that will give you a similar kind of vibe. What's more interesting is this is based on a Lamborghini Huracan.

The specific Lamborghini Huracan we are talking about is a stripped-down model that looks wild. Powered by an LS V8 engine the wrecked Lambo has been modified by B Is For Build, a customisation group. As the modifier claims, this Lamborghini Huracan has been revived from scrap and given a new lease of life. They call it Jumpacan.The rugged-looking Lamborghini comes as a desert racer. It gets a bare front profile with the bonnet, bumper everything stripped down to nothing. The custom tube subframes along with the front and rear off-road-focused high-travel suspension set up grab attention at the very first glimpse. It looks ready for dune bashing in a desert at high speed.

The cabin of this plush luxury high-performance coupe is not recognizable as a Lamborghini one. The modifiers have stripped down this car's cockpit to the bare minimum. It gets a simple and sturdy sporty steering wheel, a metallic gear shifter, a large-tab like display with some switches below that.

The modified Lambo gets a new roll-cage, large and meaty off-road-spec tyres. The rear shows the engine mount and exhausts without any cover.

This Lamborghini will run at the Mint 400 event in December this year. The event is not something like Baja or Mexican 1000. But it surely will throw a whole lot of challenges to the Lamborghini. Mint 400 challenges the drivers and their respective vehicles with a 100-mile loop that has to be covered four times.

Surely, the event is not meant for a typical Lamborghini. But remember that Jumpacan is not a typical Italian luxury supercar. It is being ready for the final task through some mock test drives in the silty and andy desert region.

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/cars/watch-this-stripped-down-lamborghini-huracan-will-give-you-post-doomsday-vibe-41627467730272.html
#36
Cars and Bikes / Nissan Motor sees return to annual profit despite chip shortage
Jul 28, 2021, 05:58 PM
Nissan Motor sees return to annual profit despite chip shortage



Nissan's global sales have been boosted by recovering demand for cars in recent months and its newly released models are tracking well.
The company is sticking to its previous outlook on the chip shortage's impact on production.

Nissan Motor Co. forecast a return to annual profit for the first time in three years, reflecting the Japanese automaker's confidence that it can recover from chip shortage-related production cuts.

Operating profit for the fiscal year through March will now be 150 billion yen ($1.4 billion), up from its previous forecast to break even and topping analysts' projection for a profit of 94 billion yen. For the recent April-June quarter, the Yokohama-based carmaker reported a 76 billion yen operating profit, instead of the loss predicted by analysts.

Nissan's global sales have been boosted by recovering demand for cars in recent months and its newly released models are tracking well. Unit sales "increased sharply" in the recently ended quarter, with significant contribution from new models, Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta said at a briefing Wednesday.

Nissan shares are up 6% this year, after climbing on Wednesday ahead of the results. The stock fell 12% in 2020.

Earlier this year, Nissan warned that it is expecting to lose about 500,000 units of production this fiscal year due to the semiconductor shortage, largely in the first half. Chief Executive Officer Makoto Uchida said in a recent interview with Bloomberg Television that the automaker is seeking to recover "half and more" of that lost production by working on inventory levels and production schedules.

(Also read | Nissan to study brain function of Formula E drivers to improve their performance)

Nissan is sticking to its previous outlook on the chip shortage's impact on production, Uchida said Wednesday, adding that output will be hit hardest in the current quarter. Rising raw material prices are also a significant business risk going forward, according to the company.

With regard to semiconductor procurement, many automakers are doing better than they were a few months ago, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tatsuo Yoshida. Plans Nissan made earlier this year incorporated considerable risk factors and after this quarter, profit conditions "should shift in a slightly more positive direction," Yoshida said.

Uchida said he saw "encouraging changes" in Nissan's performance following the recently ended quarter. Today "we're a bit above the water level."

Source : https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/news/nissan-motor-sees-return-to-annual-profit-despite-chip-shortage-41627471415878.html
#37
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Samsung announces One UI 4.0 beta (based on Android 12), Galaxy S21 trio is gett
Jul 28, 2021, 05:54 PM
Samsung announces One UI 4.0 beta (based on Android 12), Galaxy S21 trio is getting it first



The rumors were true – there is no One UI 3.5, Samsung is jumping straight to version 4.0. It is based on Android 12 and the company is already recruiting beta testers to try it out.

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra owners are invited to sign up for the beta program, which will go live soon. Unfortunately, for now it is only open to users in South Korea. Note: both SIM-free phones and those bought from carriers can participate.

There's no set date for the start of the One UI 4.0 beta program yet. How long will it take to go from beta to stable? You never know with these things as it depends on how many issues are uncovered.

But taking the Note 20 series as an example, One UI 3.0 open beta started in late October and the stable update was rolled out in mid-December. One UI 3.0 brought Android 11, so it was a similarly major update (the recent 3.1 was smaller). If you need a refresher, here is Samsung's update policy – select phones will get 3 OS updates and four year sof security patches.

Signing up for the beta program and news on the progress will go through the Samsung Members app.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_announces_one_ui_40_beta_based_on_android_12_galaxy_s21_trio_is_getting_it_first-news-50270.php
#38
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Samsung teases Galaxy Z Fold3 in official trailer
Jul 28, 2021, 05:52 PM
Samsung teases Galaxy Z Fold3 in official trailer

We already know that August 11 is reserved for Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event and we're patiently awaiting the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. Ahead of the announcement, Samsung released a teaser video which builds some more hype ahead of its next-gen foldables.

https://youtu.be/8JwVINziaMc

We get a very brief phone history rundown with silhouettes of the Motorola DynaTAC, Nokia 3310, several PDAs and BlackBerry devices which were all considered as good phones at some point in time.

The "once we experience better, we never go back" catchphrase certainly rings a bell here and is definitely applicable to the Fold lineup. The narrator then asks is "good good enough"? We are then treated to a brief look into the Z Fold3 as the video comes to an end.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_teases_galaxy_z_fold3_in_official_trailer_-news-50271.php
#39
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Poco X3 GT announced with Gorilla Glass Victus display and Dimensity 1100 chipse
Jul 28, 2021, 05:51 PM
Poco X3 GT announced with Gorilla Glass Victus display and Dimensity 1100 chipset



Last week Poco brought its F3 GT and now the brand is introducing another GT model dubbed Poco X3 GT. The new device is the international version of the China-exclusive Redmi Note 10 Pro though with a Poco badge in place of the Redmi branding.

The front is dominated by a 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. Keeping the screen safe is Corning's latest Gorilla Glass Victus while the punch hole cutout houses a 16MP selfie shooter. The main cam on the back houses a 64MP sensor and is aided by an 8MP ultrawide snapper and a 2MP macro cam.



MediaTek's Dimensity 1100 is tasked with the heavy lifting here aided by 8GB RAM and 128/256GB storage. The battery is rated at 5,000 mAh and comes with 67W fast wired charging. The phone boots MIUI 12.5 on top of Android 11. Other extras include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers and an IR blaster.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/poco_x3_gt_announced_with_gorilla_glass_victus_display_and_dimensity_1100_chipset-news-50276.php
#40
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / ZTE Axon 30 breaks cover in hands-on videos
Jul 22, 2021, 05:33 PM
ZTE Axon 30 breaks cover in hands-on videos

Rumors and leaks about ZTE's Axon 30 keep pilling on ahead of the phone's announcement date scheduled for July 27. Today we have a pair of short hands-on videos of the Axon 30 showing off its design and the second-gen in-display camera.

The first video shows the phone's front and back design and gives plenty of attention to the hidden selfie camera. There's a quick comparison to the outgoing Axon 20 and we can clearly see the progress in terms of display sharpness especially in the area above of the camera which is rumored to sport a 16MP sensor. The area remains indistinguishable from the rest of the panel even in close-ups which is quite impressive. A while back ZTE teased Axon 30 will sport 400ppi above the camera area which is double of its predecessor.

https://youtu.be/idAnNQqbIkoThe clip also shows out a few selfie samples which don't impress with their quality and sharpness. We can also see proof that the phone will sport a 2460x1080-pixel resolution, Snapdragon 870 chipset and 256GB of storage.

The second video showcases the Axon 30's camera capabilities. We can spot four shooters on the back with the main one coming in at 64MP. Details coming in from the main shooter look quite sharp and having the whole screen as an uninterrupted viewfinder is certainly appealing. The post also shows a few selfie samples which again look a bit fogged up and are in general not that impressive.

https://youtu.be/WJtnBcfHdA8

In related news, tipster Digital Chat Station shared a few product photos and specs for the Axon 30. The phone is said to weigh in at 189 grams and will be just 7.8mm thick. We can see the back design brings a big departure from the look on the Axon 20 with sharp lines and a rectangular camera cutout with two circular openings housing the four camera sensors.



One of the shots also shows the About phone section which shows the phone running MyOS 11 on top of Android 11 alongside 12GB RAM.



Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_axon_30_breaks_cover_in_handson_videos-news-50173.php
#41
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Z Fold3 5G will be IPX8 rated
Jul 22, 2021, 05:30 PM
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Z Fold3 5G will be IPX8 rated

Yet another insider report points to the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and Z Flip3 5G being water resistant. According to Max Weinbach the pair will be IPX8 rated.

That means that they'll be able to withstand water depths of more than 1 meter for over 30 minutes.

If true, and it's looking like it, the pair will be the first water-tight foldables in the world. Yet dust can also be a bane for foldables and their hinges in particular so it could prove more important for them to have dust protection, than water. It's unclear if they are lacking that or the tipster just doesn't have information about it at this point, though.

Foldables have a flexible screen and a hinge, both of which move and make sealing the device harder than your regular bar phone. Still, adding water protection is massively impressive on Samsung's part.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_z_flip3_5g_and_z_fold3_5g_will_be_ipx8_rated-news-50174.php
#42
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Google Maps now lets you avoid crowded mass transit in 100 countries
Jul 22, 2021, 05:29 PM
Google Maps now lets you avoid crowded mass transit in 100 countries



Back in June 2019, Google introduced the transit crowdedness estimates on its Maps that lets you avoid crowds in buses, trains, or the subway. That feature was initially available in 200 cities around the globe and now, Google is expanding it to over 10,000 transit agencies in 100 countries, helping more people find open seats in mass transit or avoid it if it's jam-packed and wait for another train because social distancing is important during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Google says these predictions are made using its AI technology, contributions from Google Maps users, and historical location trends through the Location History data, which is kept private using anonymization technology.



The Internet search giant also announced that it's testing live crowdedness predictions in New York and Sydney, allowing you to see how crowded an individual transit car is. The data for this feature is provided by transit agencies Long Island Rail Road and Transport for New South Wales, and the feature will be rolled out in more cities soon.

Google also introduced a new Insights tab for Google Maps users on Android, which can be accessed from your Timeline if you've turned on Location History. As evident from its name, the Insights tab will provide data about which modes of transportation you've used and the distance and time you have walked, biked, driven, or flown. It will also tell you how much time you've spent at different places.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/google_maps_transit_crowdedness_prediction-news-50175.php
#43
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / 1TB option for iPhone 13 Pro duo, LiDAR on all models, say analysts
Jul 22, 2021, 05:27 PM
1TB option for iPhone 13 Pro duo, LiDAR on all models, say analysts



Back in June analysts at Wedbush claimed that all iPhone 13 models will have LiDAR and that the Pro models will be available with up to 1 TB storage. Later the analysts at TrendForce reported that neither claim is true, limiting the LiDAR to the two Pro models and their storage to 512 GB.

But the Wedbush analysts have kept a close eye at the supply chain in Asia and now reiterate their original claim – LiDAR on all models, 1 TB options on the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. This might mean that the lower storage options (128 GB and 256 GB) will be doubled too.

The analysts don't say anything on the matter, but they do expect the iPhone 13 generation to match or exceed the current 12 generation in terms of sales. The supply chain is targeting 90-100 million units, compared to 80 million for the current models. That's around a 15% increase year over year.

Of course targets change, with the chip shortage having a major effect on that. Still, the forecast is for a profitable year for Apple that will benefit as the economy and consumer interest starts to recover after the vaccine rollout expands.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/1tb_option_for_iphone_13_pro_duo_lidar_on_all_models_are_happening_say_analysts-news-50176.php
#44
Mobile Phones / Gadgets - Info Corner / Realme C12 and C15 now receiving Android 11 and Realme UI 2.0
Jul 22, 2021, 05:25 PM
Realme C12 and C15 now receiving Android 11 and Realme UI 2.0



The Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition received the stable build of Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 earlier this month, and now, it's the Helio G35-powered variant that's getting a taste of Realme's latest custom Android skin.

Realme has also released Realme UI 2.0 for the C12, and the changelog of updates for both smartphones is the same. You get a new UI along with the usual Android 11 and Realme UI 2.0 goodies, including notification history, chat bubbles, one-time permissions, and three Dark Mode styles. You can head to the source links at the end of the article for the complete changelog.

The new firmware for the C12 has version number RMX2189_11.C.05, and the C15 has RMX2180_11.C.05. The updates for both phones are currently seeding in India to a limited number of users, and a broader rollout will commence in a few days if no bugs are found.

Source : https://www.gsmarena.com/realme_c12_c15_android_11_realme_ui_2_update-news-50177.php
#45
Tamil Nadu Daily News / Mumbai Police recover 70 porn videos made on Raj Kundra's order: Reports
Jul 22, 2021, 02:50 PM
Mumbai Police recover 70 porn videos made on Raj Kundra's order: Reports



Raj Kundra has not revealed much about his video business in the police custody. Mumbai Police have written to banks to obtain the details of the accounts of his company, reports said.

The arrest of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty's husband, businessman Raj Kundra is not the end of the alleged porn racket operating in Mumbai, as Mumbai police are believed to have found a wider network, involving many small production houses of the city. These houses were associated with the operation of hotshots, the now-deleted streaming application. Reports said Mumbai police recovered 70 videos which were shot by Kundra's former personal assistant Umesh Kamat with the help of different production houses. The police team has also found 90 videos which were exclusively meant for the Hotshots app. Now, these smaller production houses will also come under the scanner.

The complaint against Raj Kundra is not only making pornographic films in India, which is illegal under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the IT rules but also to lure people to feature in porn movies promising them roles in web series. Kundra's lawyer Abad Ponda, however, said the content of the app was vulgar, but not pornographic. Several other Bollywood personalities have claimed so.

Raj Kundra is in police custody till July 23, but he has not revealed much during the questioning. Reports said Mumbai Police have written to various banks seeking details of the bank account of Kundra.

After raiding his house and office, Police have found the server which will be sent for forensic analysis to confirm whether the content for the app was uploaded using the server.

Mumbai Police have launched the probe into the case in February and after several arrests reached Raj Kundra. A report claimed Raj Kundra avoided arrest since February by bribing the Crime Branch officers.

Raj Kundra has been running this business for two years though his Hotshots app was sold to a UK firm apparently to escape investigation in India. Police have revealed that the UK firm is owned by Kundra's brother-in-law and though the official ownership was transferred, Kundra used to manage the operations. Police have also revealed that Raj Kundra was planning to close Hotshots altogether and start a new streaming app. Kundra had also planned to take down some of the content from Hotshots.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mumbai-police-recover-70-porn-videos-made-on-raj-kundra-s-order-reports-101626942352624.html
#46
Tamil Nadu Daily News / ICC fines Sri Lanka for slow over-rate in 2nd ODI against India
Jul 22, 2021, 02:48 PM
ICC fines Sri Lanka for slow over-rate in 2nd ODI against India



ICC on Thursday announced that Sri Lanka were been fined 20 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate against India in Colombo on Tuesday.

The problems for Sri Lanka are never ending. After losing the 2nd ODI and the series to India despite being in a strong position, ICC on Thursday announced that the hosts were been fined 20 per cent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate against India in Colombo on Tuesday.

Ranjan Madugalle of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Dasun Shanaka's side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

On-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Lyndon Hannibal, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella leveled the charge.

"In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

"In addition, as per Article 16.12.2 of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League Playing Conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, Sri Lanka will lose one point from their points tally during the Super League," ICC said in a release.

ICC also announced that there won't be any official hearing as Sri Lanka captain Shanaka pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction.

Sri Lanka will again face India in the third and final ODI hoping to avoid a whitewash on Friday.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/icc-fines-sri-lanka-for-slow-over-rate-in-2nd-odi-against-india-101626942423481.html
#47
Tamil Nadu Daily News / Karnataka cops launch initiative to combat theft, harassment in train coaches
Jul 22, 2021, 02:47 PM
Karnataka cops launch initiative to combat theft, harassment in train coaches



Police officials in charge of the railway stations across several cities in Karnataka will visit the stations themselves and hand over visiting cards to the passengers and users of the railway station. They will then educate the staffers on how to keep the railway stations and trains safe for users.

Karnataka Police has taken a new initiative to abolish all sorts of nuisance, theft, and harassment to passengers inside the coaches of the railways, according to a report published on 22nd July on BTV Web, a Kannada news channel portal. This is the first time in the country when the standard police force has taken the initiative to curb undesirable activities inside the railway stations and coaches.

Notably, the railway police have also vowed to work in tandem for this initiative. The facility was devised by the combined effort of Bhaskar Rao, additional director general of police (ADGP), and superintendent of police (SP), railways, Sri Gowri.

Initially, the officials carried out a public meeting drive in Cantonment, Yeshwantpur, and Bengaluru Central railway stations.

Police officials in charge of the railway stations across several cities in Karnataka will visit the stations themselves and hand over visiting cards to the passengers and users of the railway station. They will then educate the staffers on how to keep the railway stations and trains safe for users of railway services from nuisance mongers and thefts.

"The 'happy to help' cards will be given to the passengers with contact numbers of the police officials in the area. This initiative will be spread all over the state in a phased manner", Rao was quoted as saying by the portal. The passengers or railway users who are harassed by criminal elements can call or send a WhatsApp message to reach the police officials and can ask for their help.

Police officials in Bengaluru Central, Yeshwanthpur, Cantonment, Bangarpete, Mandya, Hassan, and Arsikere have already printed their visiting cards and they will soon be distributed among the railway users. As many as 18 major railway stations will see this activity being implemented in the next few days, Rao said.

According to the statistics of the police department, the crime rates in railway stations and coaches have come down substantially in the last three years. In 2018, a total of 1,496 cases were reported followed by 1,870 in 2019 and 755 in 2020.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/karnataka-cops-launch-initiative-to-combat-theft-harassment-in-train-coaches-101626940472444.html
#48
Tamil Nadu Daily News / 'I’m sorry': Australian PM on slow vaccine rollout amid spike in Covid-19 cases
Jul 22, 2021, 02:46 PM
'I'm sorry': Australian PM on slow vaccine rollout amid spike in Covid-19 cases



Australia's two largest states – New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria - recently witnessed a sharp increase in daily Covid-19 caseload, even as both the regions remain under lockdown.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday apologised to his country for the slow rollout of Covid-19 vaccination campaign, even as cases due to the virus outbreak continue to see a spike amid lockdown.

Talking to reporters, Morrison said, "I'm sorry that we haven't been able to achieve the marks that we had hoped for at the beginning of this year."

The country has been inoculating less than 150,000 Covid-19 vaccine jabs a day – much behind other developed countries.

Two of the country's largest states – New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria - logged sharp increases in the daily infection rates on Wednesday. While NSW, which houses Australia's largest city Sydney, recorded 110 new cases – up from 78 on the preceding day - Victoria clocked 22 fresh cases. Sydney was put under lockdown on June 26, and the same will remain enforced until at least July 30. Meanwhile, Victoria is staring at an almost two-week lockdown.

Speaking at a televised news conference on Wednesday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, "Had we not gone into a lockdown a few weeks ago, the 110 number today would undoubtedly have been thousands and thousands."

However, Berejiklian has urged the people of NSW to get vaccinated and "brace" amid anticipations that "case numbers will continue to go up before they start coming down".

She further stated that whether NSW will exit the lockdown by July 30 target cannot be confirmed until the following week due to rise in coronavirus cases.

The Australian government has said that it will meet its target of vaccinating its adult population by the end of 2021 as millions of Covid-19 vaccine doses from Moderna and Pfizer are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, a third state – South Australia - began its first day of a week-long lockdown on Wednesday. Furthermore, NSW's neighbouring state Queensland has closed its border with the former due to the spike in cases, thereby shutting off one of Australia's most travelled routes.

The highly virulent and transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19 has been confirmed in 124 countries now, including Australia, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday. First detected in India, the variant is "expected" to "rapidly outcompete other variants and become the dominant circulating lineage over the coming months," the global health agency stated in its weekly epidemiological update.

Notably, the Delta variant accounts for over 75 per cent of coronavirus cases in multiple nations, including Australia, South Africa, Great Britain, Russia, Singapore, and India, among others. The US health officials on Tuesday confirmed that the variant is responsible for nearly 83 per cent of the cases in the country.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/im-sorry-australian-pm-on-slow-vaccine-rollout-amid-spike-in-covid-19-cases-101626942519140.html
#49
Tamil Nadu Daily News / Over 4 million ineligible people got PM-KISAN cash: Govt in Parliament
Jul 22, 2021, 02:44 PM
Over 4 million ineligible people got PM-KISAN cash: Govt in Parliament



According to figures provided by agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar in his written reply on July 20, the number of illegal beneficiaries in Assam stood at 83,5268, the highest in any state, accounting for about a fifth of total ineligible beneficiaries

Nearly 4.2 million people not eligible for pay-outs under PM-KISAN, the Modi government's cash-transfer scheme for farmers, received ₹2,900 crore in all since the scheme's roll-out and steps will be taken to recover the amounts, agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar has stated in a Parliament reply.

According to data cited in Tomar's reply to an "unstarred" question in Lok Sabha, the Lower House, most states had ineligible beneficiaries. The largest numbers were in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Bihar. An unstarred question is one in which a written answer is provided.

Under PM-KISAN, the government provides income support of ₹,6000 a year to every land-owning farmer with a valid enrolment, paid in three equal cash transfers of ₹2,000 -- once every four months. The scheme was launched on February 24, 2019.

In the last instalment paid in May this year, the government disbursed over Rs19,000 crore to 90 million farm households. So far, the Union government has paid nearly ₹1.15 lakh crore.

According to the scheme's guidelines, the responsibility of identifying beneficiaries for PM-KISAN lies with the states.

On May 21, 2020, HT had first reported that the Union agriculture ministry had asked the Assam government for a report and a probe into a potential fraud in PM-KISAN, which allowed non-farmers to get cash in the state. This prompted the state to temporarily halt payments.

According to figures provided by Tomar in his written reply on July 20, the number of illegal beneficiaries in Assam stood at 83,5268, the highest in any state, accounting for about a fifth of total ineligible beneficiaries.

Tamil Nadu, a state known for efficient bureaucracy, figures next with 72,2271 fraudulent beneficiaries. In Chhattisgarh, 58,289 ineligible people got cash benefits, the third-highest. In Punjab, the number of ineligible people was 56,2256, followed by Bihar with 52,178 illegal beneficiaries.

"States have been asked to initiate criminal proceedings against people who fraudulently got into the system and to recover amounts disbursed to them," an official with knowledge of the matter said, requesting anonymity.

The amounts to be recovered from ineligible beneficiaries in some states run into hundreds of crores. Assam needs to recover ₹554 crore, while Uttar Pradesh must get back ₹258 crore (the state had 26,5321 ineligible beneficiaries). Bihar has to recover ₹425 crore, while Punjab needs to recover ₹437 crore.

In India, the well-off or ineligible people often receive benefits they are not entitled to. According to the government's Economic Survey 2015-16, the rich get "implicit" subsidies worth ₹1 lack crore, pointing to the need for better targeting of anti-poverty schemes.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/over-4-million-ineligible-people-got-pm-kisan-cash-govt-in-parliament-101626943424601.html
#50
Tamil Nadu Daily News / Covishield at govt vaccination centres in Delhi to be reserved for second dose
Jul 22, 2021, 02:42 PM
Covishield at govt vaccination centres in Delhi to be reserved for second dose



The vaccination drive in Delhi has slowed down in July as fewer doses of Covishield have been available with the government. The number of doses administered in a day crossed the 100,000-mark only twice this month. It has been dipping to as low as 10,000 doses

Covishield will be reserved for administering the second dose of the vaccine at government vaccination centres until July end, the Delhi government said in an order on Thursday citing a limited supply of doses. The order said the beneficiaries in the 18-45 age group, who began receiving the vaccination in May, are due to become eligible for the second shot.

"Vaccination of 18 to 44 cohort began on May 1, 2021, and with the completion of 84-day interval for the second dose of Covishield, many of them would not become eligible for the second dose in the coming weeks. In view of a limited supply of vaccines, all slots – both for online booking and walk-in -- ... in government Covid Vaccination Centres will be reserved for the second dose with immediate effect till July 31," said health and family welfare department director Monika Rana in the order.

The vaccination drive in Delhi has slowed down in July as fewer doses of Covishield have been available with the government. The number of doses administered in a day crossed the 100,000-mark only twice this month. It has been dipping to as low as 10,000 doses.

The number of doses administered shot up in Delhi after June 21 and crossed the 200,000-mark on three days as the government was able to use up the doses in stock for those above the age of 45. Prior to June 21, free doses provided were restricted for those above 45. The doses for those in the 18-45 age group were purchased by the state government at a differential pricing.

In June, the government stopped the use of Covaxin for the first dose across all government and even private centres following a shortage of vaccines for administering second doses. Those in the 18-45 age group, who received Covaxin shots, were eligible for their second dose in June after completing the four-week gap.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/covishield-at-govt-vaccination-centres-in-delhi-to-be-reserved-for-second-dose-101626944084693.html
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