UNIVERSAL BEACON

Top opposition figures, including Congress's Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, NCP patriarch Sharad Pawar and Left leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja were absent from the Republic Day parade. Trinamool Congress is also understood to have been unrepresented. from Times of India https://ift.tt/j8PBWxK via

United Kingdom's attorney general will review a hospital order sentence handed out to the killer of Indian-Irish origin teenager Grace O’Malley-Kumar and two others in a triple murder in Nottingham last year after receiving a complaint that the sentence is too lenient. from Times of India https://ift.tt/k1IyE0v via

Airbus is set to sign an accord to establish an assembly line in India for the production of H125 civil helicopters. The line will be overseen by Tata Advanced Systems Limited. This agreement is expected to be announced during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Ykl3bVP via

Chief minister M K Stalin has condoled the death of Ilayaraj's daughter Bhavatharani's death and said that he was both shocked and saddened by her sudden demise. Bhavatharani who was born into a family of musicians captured the hearts of many at a very young age, he said. Her unique voice made it easy to distinguish and identify her songs. Chief minister Stalin also recalled how the singer had bagged the national award for her song, in the film `Bharathi' for which her father was the music director. She has also been music director for many films. from Times of India https://ift.tt/HCJlU46 via

A year after Hindenburg Research's damaging report against the Adani Group, the conglomerate's market capitalisation has more than doubled. However, it is still Rs 4.7 lakh crore short of its all-time peak. Adani Power, Adani Ports & SEZ, and Ambuja Cements have recovered their lost ground, while Adani Total Gas and Adani Energy Solutions have seen significant value destruction. from Times of India https://ift.tt/K2ldQA3 via

An American scientist has sparked a trans-Atlantic tempest in a teapot by offering Britain advice on its favourite hot beverage. Bryn Mawr College chemistry professor Michelle Francl says one of the keys to a perfect cup of tea is a pinch of salt. The tip is included in Francl's book "Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea," published on Wednesday by the Royal Society of Chemistry. from Times of India https://ift.tt/sqTdWEV via

Tech companies continue to announce layoffs, with eBay being the latest to join the list. CEO Jamie Iannone revealed that close to 1,000 jobs, approximately 9% of the workforce, will be cut. These layoffs are part of eBay's efforts to better position the company for long-term, sustainable growth and to address the challenges posed by the macroeconomic environment. from Times of India https://ift.tt/VdvSiNX via

Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari criticizes officials for cutting safety features in road projects to reduce costs. Urges them to consider road user behavior in project preparation and incorporate suitable designs. Engineers should ensure that people cannot engage in risky behavior like crossing roads instead of using foot over bridges. from Times of India https://ift.tt/dunPWNw via

The cultivation of Dehraduni Basmati rice in the Doon valley has drastically reduced by 62% between 2018 and 2022. Factors such as summer temperatures, poor soil fertility, water scarcity, changing rain patterns, and unplanned development have contributed to the decline. from Times of India https://ift.tt/FEnU5Dl via

Thousands of devotees gathered at Slough Hindu Mandir to celebrate the consecration ceremony of Ramlalla in Ayodhya. Similar celebrations took place in hundreds of temples across the UK. The event marked the homecoming of Bhagawan Shri Ram to Ayodhya, bringing immense joy to the devotees. from Times of India https://ift.tt/AlW1R23 via

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India closely tracks Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 heading to Malé via Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka denied permission for docking, and the Indian Navy is monitoring its movements. Previously, Chinese vessels Shi Yan-6 and Hai Yang 24 Hao had visited Colombo despite Indian objections. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Os5lkKo via

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the suspension of his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination on Sunday saying his intention is to endorse the current frontrunner, Donald Trump. from Times of India https://ift.tt/1GO4Xqc via

Eleven convicts in the Bilkis Bano case surrendered late Sunday night at Godhra sub jail in Gujarat's Panchmahal district, complying with the Supreme Court's January 21 deadline. "All 11 convicts have surrendered before jail authorities late Sunday night. They reached jail before midnight of January 21, which was the deadline set for them to surrender," said local Crime Branch inspector NL Desai, reported PTI. from Times of India https://ift.tt/iFZ5ESU via

This article discusses flight booking tips, including strategic planning, early booking, flexibility with travel dates, and using Google Flights' features like price graph, price tracking, and filters to secure the best flight deals for your travel plans. For those with flexible travel dates, the Price graph feature enables an exploration of fare trends by month or week, with the option to activate flight and price tracking. from Times of India https://ift.tt/G1VtYSR via

Two colleagues belonging to different religions were assaulted by a gang on Friday evening in Karnataka's Haveri district, marking the third case of moral policing in the region this month, reports Basavaraj Marlihalli. Police responded swiftly and arrested eight suspects linked to the attack. The arrested men have been identified as Abdul Khader Mudgal, Mansoor Tandoor, Mehaboobkhan Badiger, Riaz Halageri, Alwaj Baligar, Abdul Desuru, Mehabub Ali Halageri, and Jahangirsab Kanake. from Times of India https://ift.tt/8inCopF via

The Delhi high court ruled that fees received by a US domain name registrar for providing registration services are not taxable as royalty. The court considered the accreditation agreement between the registrar and ICANN, stating that the registrar does not have proprietorship rights in the domain name and therefore cannot transfer the right to use it. from Times of India https://ift.tt/dhsHz9M via

Czech appeals court approves extradition of Nikhil Gupta to the US. Justice minister Pavel Blazek will make the final decision. Gupta, accused by US prosecutors of involvement in a plot to kill a Sikh separatist in New York City, denies his identity and claims the case is political. The minister has three months to seek Supreme Court review. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2Zu6LxH via

Indian Immunologicals Ltd rolls out Havisure, India's first indigenous Hepatitis-A vaccine. The two-dose inactivated virus vaccine, developed over eight years, is priced at Rs 2,150 per dose. Extensive clinical trials have shown that Havisure is safe and efficacious for pediatric, adolescent, and adult use. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Eb6NH3e via

The Centre has issued guidelines mandating coaching centres to enrol students who have completed 16 years or passed Class XII exams. They are barred from making misleading promises. Prior registration is mandatory for coaching centres, and each branch is treated as a separate entity. The guidelines also require coaching centres to have qualified tutors, fair fees, and a counselling system. from Times of India https://ift.tt/MRNZIx8 via

Preparations are in full swing for the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Patishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Ram temple and be the chief guest. More than 7,000 people, including politicians, film personalities, and industrialists, will attend. Schools and central government offices in various states will have a holiday. from Times of India https://ift.tt/vuXJwkq via

The hill districts of Manipur are predominantly inhabited by tribal communities, including Nagas and Kukis, who account for 40% of the population. The conflict with the Meitei community erupted after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' protested the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. from Times of India https://ift.tt/UwW7cHf via

An annual survey of British Sikhs reveals that only 21% are "very proud" to have Rishi Sunak as PM, despite his Punjabi heritage. The survey also highlights concerns about the Hindu community benefiting more from Sunak's premiership than Sikhs. The 10th British Sikh Report provides statistical information about the needs of British Sikhs, including their voting intentions and financial struggles. from Times of India https://ift.tt/ywY5rIU via

India edged Afghanistan in a dramatic second Super Over to sweep the Twenty20 series after the third match ended in a tie following Rohit Sharma's record-setting century on Wednesday. The India captain became the first batsman to hit five T20I tons as his unbeaten 121 off 69 balls powered the hosts to 212-4 in Bengaluru after they had slipped to 22-4. But Afghanistan put up a spirited show as Gulbadin Naib hit an unbeaten 55 off 23 balls to steer his side to 212-6, taking two off the final delivery to level the scores. from Times of India https://ift.tt/4ltYBFx via

The Centre has moved Delhi HC seeking a recall of an order allowing a widow to terminate her 29-week pregnancy, saying the unborn child has a fair chance of survival and the court should consider protecting the right to life of the fetus. It submitted that "feticide in this case is neither justified nor ethical as the fetus is grossly normal." The woman, who got married in February 2023, lost her husband in October after which she moved to her parents' house and got to know that she was 20 weeks pregnant. from Times of India https://ift.tt/JIizHYZ via

Japan's spacecraft SLIM, also called Moon Sniper, is set to execute a soft landing on the moon on January 20. The mission aims to evaluate equipment, investigate the moon's origins, and study low gravity technology. This will be Japan's third attempt to land on the moon. According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa), the primary role of the mission is to do a pinpoint landing on the moon, evaluate size and weight of equipment used in the landing and investigate the moon’s origins. from Times of India https://ift.tt/sUQwDV8 via

Several British Sikhs have received "threat to life" notices, known as Osman warnings, from the British police. This has fueled conspiracy theories that India could be behind the threats, given the court case against Nikhil Gupta in the US regarding an alleged plot to kill Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. An Osman warning is a police warning of a death threat. It is used when there is intelligence of the threat but not enough evidence to justify an arrest. from Times of India https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/other-news/british-sikhs-received-threat-to-life-warnings-from-cops/articleshow/106906959.cms via

PM Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the role of tribal woman Shabari in the story of Ram, ahead of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22. He also emphasized the importance of the welfare of the poor, deprived, and tribals, and mentioned the construction of 4 crore permanent houses for the poor in the last 10 years. “The story of Shri Ram is not possible without Mata Shabari,” the PM said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/2lguRzT via

Security forces in the Krishna Ghati sector of J&K's Poonch are conducting searches to find terrorists who fired on an army convoy. No casualties were reported. Concurrently, another operation is underway in Sawjian, Mandi, based on reports of suspicious activities in the forested area. This follows a recent ambush in Dera Ki Gali, Poonch, where four soldiers lost their lives. “The search is underway in Dharti, Dhara, Magnad and Jhallas areas of Poonch,” an official source said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/yLlc47K via

The departure of Milind Deora from Congress marks a significant chapter in Rahul Gandhi's political journey, as it nearly completes the exodus of the original band of young "dynasts" who came to be identified with the Gandhi scion during his initial days. After Jitin Prasada and Jyotiraditya Scindia, Deora is the third of the second-generation Congress leaders who hogged the headlines as Team Rahul during the UPA decade. Another of the coterie member R P N Singh has also joined BJP, like Prasada and Scindia, though he is still awaiting his legislative rehabilitation. from Times of India https://ift.tt/RMyHCUw via

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced significant improvements in the customer experience for H-1B visa applicants, placing a strong emphasis on digital processes. Key among these improvements is the rollout of 'organizational accounts' and the facilitation of online submissions for both visa applications and requests for premium processing. Slated for implementation in the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap season, these organizational accounts are designed for non-cap filings. They will allow various members within an organization, encompassing businesses and their legal representatives, to work together in preparing H-1B visa applications. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Zrv4P9i via

The Amazon Great Republic Day Sale offers incredible deals across various product categories such as TV and appliances, smartwatches, fashion and beauty, mobiles, and home and kitchen products. Additionally, there are extra offers like 10% instant discount on SBI cards, No Cost EMI on bank cards, exchange offers, coupons, and cashback deals. from Times of India https://ift.tt/E8kFVjt via

India is expected to become the world's largest producer of lentils in the 2023-24 crop year, with an estimated surge in production of around 16 lakh tonne. This increase is due to higher acreage. The lentil production in Canada and Australia is estimated to be around 14 lakh tonne and 15 lakh tonne respectively. from Times of India https://ift.tt/NoyBnAa via

The new generation Akash surface-to-air missile system is ready for user trials. The missile system has the capability to intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, and drones at a range of 30-km. The Akash-NG weapon system will be a force multiplier for the air defense capability of the IAF and Army. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Txkpadw via

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Atal Setu, or Mumbai Trans Habour Link (MTHL), by traveling on the sea-bridge. The 21.8km MTHL will primarily help people travelling between south Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The sea-bridge will, as of now, primarily help people travelling between south Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, cutting the journey short. from Times of India https://ift.tt/cZmfzGF via

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Congress contests Shiv Sena's claim to seats in Maharashtra, calling it unrealistic. NCP does not voice specific demands. Hard negotiations expected in seat-sharing dialogues. Congress positioning as important player. Sena's position seen as bargaining chip. NCP and Sena may need contingency plans. Unity emphasized to guard against BJP. Next round likely with Sonia Gandhi, Pawar, and Thackeray. from Times of India https://ift.tt/S2Y7vk4 via

The first US lunar lander in more than 50 years rocketed to space gave up its hopes on Moon landing after the lander faced a "critical" fuel leak on Tuesday. Informing that there was "no chance of a soft landing on the Moon", the company said, "given the propellant fuel leak, there is, unfortunately, no chance of a soft landing on the Moon". The robotic lander, Peregrine, built by a private company Astrobotic had been facing several technical problems since its launch Monday. from Times of India https://ift.tt/R9K4tCj via

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The first US lunar lander in more than 50 years rocketed to space Monday, suffered 'critical loss' of fuel. In its latest update, Astrobotic posted on X, " Unfortunately, it appears the faliure within the propulsion system is causing a critical loss of propellant. The team is working to try and stabilize the loss, but given the situation, we have prioritized maximising the science and data we can capture. We are currently assessing what alternative mission profiles may be feasible at this time." from Times of India https://ift.tt/ograOwP via

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India's Astrobotic's Peregrine lander, the second private mission to the moon, will lift off on Monday with over 80,000 messages from kids worldwide and a piece of Mount Everest. The mission director, Sharad Bhaskaran, has early India connections. The touchdown is scheduled for February 23 on the moon's Bay of Stickiness. This will be the first US lunar landing since Apollo 17, and it launches under Nasa's Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative with the help of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur rocket. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3uJRdAa via

Ex-Indian high commissioner Ajay Bisaria has revealed the inside story of how India's post-Pulwama coercive diplomacy spooked Pakistan, forcing it to rethink its terror policy. The Pakistan government, spooked by 9 Indian missiles apparently pointed at them, reached out to Ajay Bisaria, the Indian high commissioner, to facilitate a conversation between Imran Khan and PM Narendra Modi. Bisaria checked with people in Delhi and got back to the Pakistanis, saying PM Modi wasn’t available at that hour and that any urgent message could be conveyed to the high commissioner himself. Bisaria didn’t hear from them again that night. from Times of India https://ift.tt/ym1Zp4T via

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has won re-election for a fifth term Sunday, officials said, following a boycott led by an opposition party she branded a "terrorist organisation".Hasina's ruling Awami League "has won more than 50 percent seats," an Election Commission spokesman told AFP, with counting ongoing.She has presided over breakneck economic growth in a country once beset by grinding poverty, but her government has been accused of rampant human rights abuses and a ruthless opposition crackdown. from Times of India https://ift.tt/cqIYoP3 via

Interest rates on retail loans, including home loans, have started increasing as banks revise their marginal cost of lending rate (MCLR). While home loans are linked to the repo rate, other loans are not. SBI has raised its auto loan rates from 8.65% to 8.85% for clients with high credit scores. Bank of Baroda has increased auto loan rates to 8.8% and reintroduced processing fees. Union Bank of India and IDFC First Bank have also hiked rates on auto and personal loans. Bank of Maharashtra reduced its home loan interest rates to 8.35%. from Times of India https://ift.tt/t7oy1hr via

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is set to win her fourth term in office as the main opposition party, BNP, did not contest the elections due to a lack of a caretaker government. The outcome is seen as a foregone conclusion, backed by India and China but lacking credibility in the West. India's interest lies in maintaining peace and stability in the region, as well as controlling any fallout from the lack of acceptance for Hasina. The turnout for the elections is crucial for credibility. Russia's reaction is also being observed. from Times of India https://ift.tt/KLJfB15 via

The number of creches under the National Creche Scheme dramatically decreased due to a combination of factors, including financial irregularities and changes in funding patterns. The scheme's fund utilisation worsened over time, leading to a slash in allocation from the centre. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, no longer have any creches. The scheme was renamed Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti, but it has struggled to get off the ground. The new scheme aims for 17,000 anganwadi cum creches by 2025-26, but there are concerns about meeting the demand and maintaining funding allocation. from Times of India https://ift.tt/GuQCsLn via

Pakistan's Senate passed a resolution on Friday seeking a delay in the upcoming polls scheduled for February 8 due to security concerns, harsh weather, and threats to the lives of prominent politicians. The resolution emphasized the need to address legitimate concerns, facilitate election campaigns, and guarantee the safety of politicians and citizens. It called for the effective participation of people from all areas of Pakistan and belonging to all political shades. The resolution was moved by Independent senator Dilawar Khan, with support from intelligence agencies warning of terrorist attacks on election rallies. from Times of India https://ift.tt/WxauyI2 via

Elon Musk criticized the US government for limiting visas in the H-1B category and suggested that the country should stop illegal immigration and allow more legal immigrants to come in. He called the current system "madness" and proposed halting illegal immigration while substantially increasing legal immigration. Musk made these comments while discussing a chart showing pending applications from highly skilled individuals for visas in the H1-B category. He also addressed another chart comparing illegal immigrations under different US presidents and stated that the current administration is actively facilitating illegal immigration. from Times of India https://ift.tt/tuRrN8h via

DCGI has also asked the drug controller cum licensing authorities to direct all blood centres to adhere to the revised guidelines for recovery of processing charges. When a person donates blood, it is not transfused into a patient directly. The donated blood, referred to as whole blood, is processed in centrifuges to separate it into transfusable components. This includes red cells, platelets and plasma. The exercise is referred to as blood processing and a cost is incurred on this. from Times of India https://ift.tt/6jCUP1T via

The European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission is set to launch on India's PSLV in September. The innovative mission involves two small satellites, a Coronagraph and an Occulter, flying in tight formation about 150 meters apart. The Occulter will cast its shadow onto the Coronagraph, creating an artificial eclipse, allowing the observation of the Sun's faint corona in visible, ultraviolet, and polarized light for extended periods. The mission aims to provide new insights into coronal mass ejections and measure solar irradiance, potentially influencing our understanding of Earth's climate. from Times of India https://ift.tt/3hANJB9 via

Cybercrime rate in India (reported cybercrime complaints in NCRP per lakh population) in 2023 was 129, though statewise data shows Delhi leading with a rate of 755, followed by Haryana (381), and Telangana (261). Customer care, refund-based and KYC expiry frauds constituted 35% of the local-origin frauds, sextortion (mostly originating in Mewat region) 24%, online booking frauds 22%, AePS frauds and biometric cloning 11%, and Android malware 8%, Indian Cyber Coordination Centre (I4C) CEO Rajesh Kumar said. from Times of India https://ift.tt/SLlAPcb via

Nikesh Arora, the highest-paid executive at Google, became a billionaire after joining Palo Alto Networks. His net worth is now $1.5 billion. As the CEO of Palo Alto Networks, a cybersecurity software company, Arora received $125 million in stocks. The company's share price surged, making Arora's stake worth $830 million. He sold $300 million worth of shares in 2023. Arora's 2023 compensation includes up to 750,000 stocks, worth over $220 million. The company justified the award based on his strong performance and vested ownership. from Times of India https://ift.tt/1UjbMJR via

The West Bengal government refuses to follow the UGC's notification on not enrolling in MPhil programmes, while universities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu plan to offer MPhil courses. The West Bengal Education Minister states that the state will not accept the UGC's directive and will follow its independent education policy. The MPhil degree is important for research and academia, providing training in research methodologies, critical thinking, and academic writing. The future of the MPhil programme in West Bengal will depend on factors such as university autonomy and student demands. from Latest Education news - Board Exam Results, Admit Cards, Exam Paper Analysis and Question Papers | Times of India https://ift.tt/Iebjyrw via

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The president of Harvard University resigned Tuesday after coming under ferocious attack for her handling of anti-Semitism during protests over Gaza, as well as allegations that she had plagiarized in her academic work. In the United States, the anti-Semitism on campus controversy came amid a rise in attacks and violent rhetoric targeting Jews and Muslims, including at universities, since the Israel-Hamas war erupted. from Times of India https://ift.tt/9fxzNuD via

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Gujarat high court on Monday indicated that looking at the record of social activist Teesta Setalvad, it was not inclined to grant her any relief in the Pandarwada mass grave digging case. Setalvad had filed a petition in court in 2017 after her name was included in an FIR in 2011 in connection with digging graves and exhuming 28 bodies from a mass burial site near Pandarwada in Panchmahal district in December 2005. The bodies were of those killed during the post-Godhra violence. from Times of India https://ift.tt/8T6CQkV via

A survey of the British Indian and Hindu community has found that many are experiencing prejudice owing to their misrepresentation in the UK media deriving from a "colonial" focus on “cows, curry and caste”. Fifty-nine per cent of survey participants said they had personally witnessed or experienced prejudice as a result of the British media reporting on Hindus and Hinduism and 79% said media reports on Hinduism had resulted in negative perceptions of British Indians. The nation wide survey was carried out among 2,061 respondents, by Insight UK, an organisation that represents British Hindu and Indian communities. from Times of India https://ift.tt/dvXEMsK via

Following, abusing and pushing a woman might be "annoying" acts, but did not constitute the offence of outraging the modesty under IPC Section 354, the Nagpur bench of Bombay HC ruled, and granted relief to a man convicted by the judicial magistrate first class court at Wardha. Justice Anil Pansare acquitted the appellant, a 36-year-old labourer, saying the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. A college student had filed a police complaint against the man alleging that he had followed her a couple of times and abused her. from Times of India https://ift.tt/boNJm4Q via

Israel's Supreme Court on Monday struck down a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul. The court's 8-7 majority decision overturned a law enacted in July, a crucial element of Netanyahu's proposed justice system overhaul. The now-invalidated law aimed to prevent judges from overturning government decisions they deemed "unreasonable." Critics argued that this move by Netanyahu raised concerns about potential corruption and the improper appointment of unqualified individuals to key positions. Prime Minister Netanyahu has so far not commented on the Supreme Court’s ruling. from Times of India https://ift.tt/Cwx5UIc via