Month: March 2021

News & Politics

A Powerful Quake Triggers Mass Evacuation In New Zealand

HT News

New Zealand, New Caledonia and Vanuatu sounded alerts for their tens of thousands of coastal residents fearing waves up to three meters (10 feet) high due to powerful quakes in the Pacific Ocean. The tsunami warning was sounded as far as Noumea.

Pacific-wide quake was a strong tremor

It as a cluster of three quakes measuring 8.1, 7.4 and 7.3 magnitude on Richter scale. According to the US Geological Survey, the largest quake took place around 1000 kilometers off the New Zealand cost at 8:28 am (1928 Thursday GMT). But soon two more seismic jolts equally powerful jolted the Pacific region. The wave of quakes was unusually strong even for the Pacific ring of fire where the tectonic plates of earth collide.

What is the affect of quake on coastal countries?

While little to no tremors were felt on the land, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center fears that it could start a tsunami of high waves that could hit the coastal towns and cities hard. It said that Vanuatu and New Caledonia could get the largest waves. Soon a tsunami warning was sounded based on all available data. Tonga has already received smaller waves and it is feared that such waves could hit as far as Japan, Russia, Mexico and the South American coast.

What is rescue operation for coastal cities?

The authorities of coastal countries have started evacuating their residents to safer places. The people are asked to remain safe and not to flood the roads in order to escape as authorities are there to help with everything.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3kOmzXi

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News & Politics

Joe Biden Relies Heavily On Indian-Americans

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Joe Biden is happy to appoint Indian-Americans in his administration. And he displayed his happiness about Americans of Indian descent taking to public life. It is to be noted that there are at least 55 Indian-Americans at the key leadership positions in the present American government.

What did Joe Biden say about Indian-Americans in his government?

Biden was interacting with NASA scientists when he mentioned the cooperation he’s getting from Indian-Americans including Swati Menon Guidance and Controls Operations Lead, Mars 2020, that wasn’t a political appointee.

Joe Biden appointed at least 55 Indian-Americans to his government within 50 days of being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States. And these Indians don’t include Vice President Kamala Harris and Neera Tanden who withdrew her name from a cabinet post due to stiff opposition from the Republicans.

What is the position of Indian-Americans in US politics?

Indian-Americans are getting higher positions in United States. It started with Obama government that started inducting Indian-Americans to high positions. Joe Biden has continued to patronize the Indian-American community. But it was Donald Trump that appointed the first ever Indian-American in the National Security Council with a cabinet rank.

What is the response of Indian-American community to Biden’s remarks?

Eminent Indian-American philanthropist and Indiaspora founder M Rangaswami said that it was impressive to see how many Indian-Americans were ready to go into public service. He further said that he was so proud to see their community was going strength to strength.

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News & Politics

Is VK Sasikala Waiting For An Opportune Time To Strike?

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VK Sasikala’s announcement to step aside from politics and public life at a time when Tami Nadu is going to polls is seen as a bigger political move by the ousted former AIADMK chief.

Who is VK Sasikala?

VK Sasikala was the closest aide of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and former AIADMK chief before serving her imprisonment. She was sacked as General Secretary after her sentencing. But her nephew and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dhinakaran was contesting the sacking of his aunt Sasikala right from the beginning.

Who is opposing VK Sasikala’s entry into politics?

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) is adamant on his stand to block Sasikala’s entry into the party. But BJP wants AIADMK to work with Sasikala and AMMK to keep the vote bank of AIADMK together. It is to be noted that BJP and AIADMK area allies in the present government and they are going to polls together.

While EPS is opposed to bringing Sasikala back to party, his deputy O Panneerselvam (OPS) is supporting the idea. And it is ironical as OPS was the first person to revolt against Sasikala in 2017. He was next in the line for the chief ministerial post after Jayalalithaa.

Will Sasikala ever come back to active politics?

VK Sasikala opted to stay out of politics to wait for an opportune time like BJP and AIADMK losing elections. If she joins now and AIADMK loses, she will make a scapegoat for the defeat. If the BJP and AIADMK combine wins election, she will have to wait for a long time to make a comeback.

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Cricket News & Politics Sports

West Indies VS Sri Lanka: Watch 6 Sixes In An Over After A Hat Trick Of 3 Dismissals

HT News

Audiences at the Antigua stadium had a joyous moment in the West Indies vs Sri Lanka first T20 International (T20I). They first witnessed a hat-trick by Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya who dismissed three top players of West Indies. But in the next over, Kieron Pollard sent his balls to boundaries.

Akila Dananjaya’s hat trick

West Indies were playing on 52/0 in 3.1 overs when Dananjaya stalled their momentum by dismissing Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle and Nicholas Pooran in successive deliveries. It was a great feat by Lankan spinner but the celebrations were cut short by the West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard.

Kieron Pollard hits sixes

A confident Akila Dananjaya was brought in to dismiss more players in the sixth over but this time Kieron Pollard turned the tables on Sri Lanka by delivering six sixes.

The first one was thrown over the cow corner when Pollard caught Akila unaware about his batting skills. In the next ball, Pollard took a shot straight to the sight-screen. The third and fourth deliveries were on long-off and deep midwicket respectively. The fifth one was a half-tracker and the sixth was again to the deep midwicket.

But in the next over, Pollard lost his wicket at leg-before. But the damage to the Sri Lanka had already been done by the West Indies batsman.

Kieron Pollard became the second batsman to score six-sixes in an over in T20I. The first one is Yuvraj Singh who smashed Stuart Broad of England in the 2007 T20 World Cup. In international cricket, Pollard became the third batsman to hit six-sixes.

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Football News & Politics Sports

United Was All Praise For Crystal Palace After The Wednesday Draw

HT News

Manchester United finished second on 51 points from 27 games after the Wednesday match with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The match ended on a draw despite both the contestants getting plenty of opportunities to score goals. United is 14 points behind Manchester City that still has a derby game at hand. But Crystal Palace stands on the 13th with only 34 points.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seemed most disappointed

It was a third successive 0-0 draw in all competitions for United. They failed miserably despite having their best striker Edison Cavani who missed the last four games due to a muscle injury.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said that it was disappointing. They were just a little bit off. He further said that if the team weren’t on spot, they won’t win games. Palace had always made hard for United.

United has just came into their form after winning Real Sociedad with 4-0 after a goalless Stalemate with Chelsea. But the Wednesday match again pushed the United into uncertainty. They lost the edge they are known for.

Manager Solskjaer accepted that Palace is a good team and that Palace made United play the way they want to. He said that in the second half they never got going.

Opportunities missed in the game

The first opportunity came for United in the 14th minute with Cavani skied a close-range shot over the bar. The second chance was missed in the 44th minute when Joel Ward denied Cavani a tap-in from three meters.

Palace missed an opportunity in the 90th minute when Patrick van Aanholt was engaged one-on-one with United goalkeeper but Dean Henderson came to … Read the rest

International News & Politics

Who Is Billionaire Yusaku Maezawa Taking On Voyage Around Moon?

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Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa (45) is inviting eight people from across the globe to accompany him on the first private lunar expedition expected in March 2023. Maezawa was announced to be the first man to book a seat in the lunar spaceship being developed by SpaceX in 2018.

Who is Yusaku Maezawa?

Maezawa is a fashion tycoon. He owned an online fashion store Zozo but sold it to Yahoo! Japan in 2019. But his total worth of around $1.9 billion makes him one of the richest people in Japan.

Maezawa has penchant for pricey art. He leads an extravagant lifestyle and also known for making eccentric comments like asking for are girlfriend to join him on SpaceX flight but later cancelled the hunt despite attracting 30,000 girlfriends.

Who Maezawa is inviting to the SpaceX flight?

He said that he would take from 10 to 12 people on the SpaceX flights and that they all would be artists. He’s even set criteria for selecting the artists. His website has the application for SpaceX flight. Interested candidates can fill the application before March 14. Initial screening of the applications will be complete by March 21 and the selected candidates will be called for final interview and medical checkup in late May 2021.

What are the prospects of SpaceX flight?

Two prototypes of the SpaceX’s Starship have crashed during test flights but Elon Musk is hopeful of getting are breakthrough before March 2023. He banks of the reusable 394-foot (120-metre) rocket system and boasts of taking both human and cargo to Moon, Mars and even beyond in his Starship.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3kDtYc2

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International News & Politics

How Joe Biden Failed In Neera Tanden’s Case?

HT News

oe Biden accepting Neera Tanden’s request to withdraw her name for Director of the Office of Management and Budget is seen as the first cabinet defeat for the US president in an evenly divided Senate.

Reason behind Neera Tanden’s withdrawal

The lawmakers from both the sides were clear on opposing Neera Tanden’s nomination for the said post because her unfriendly nature towards lawmakers. She was alleged to disparage the lawmakers in her earlier tweets.

What does Tanden’s defeat means for Biden?

Joe Biden has to work to keep his flock of lawmakers together for every piece of legislation as the chamber is deadlocked at 50-50. It means that if he loses confidence of are single Democrat, he would have to face more embarrassing situations in his four-year term.

In Tanden’s case, it was Democrat, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who clearly signaled that he won’t vote for Neera Tanden. He displayed the power of one Democrat in the Senate.

What is next for Biden?

Joe Biden should be ready to face another litmus test when he presents the $1.9 trillion Covid relief package. The Senate will vote on the bill but the Republican community is opposed to the bill. The only for Biden to clear the bill is to get all Democrats on the same page.

Joe Biden gets bipartisan support

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. were voted with bipartisan support. Also, The Council of Economic Advisors chair Cecilia Rouse became the first Black person to serve in the position.

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News & Politics Today's Special

Revisiting Famous Personalities Of Man Vs Wild On World Wildlife Day 2021

HT News

Today the world is celebrating the World Wildlife Day 2021 by admiring the nature and cherishing the varied species both plants and animals that make our ecosystem. Bear Grylls is the person that comes to mind when we talk about nature. Let’s see the famous personalities that walked the nature with Bear Grylls.

Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi took Bear Grylls to Jim Corbett in India where the duo crossed a dangerous river and discussed sweet neem (curry leaves). Also, Bear Grylls displayed how to squeeze water from elephant excreta.

Barack Obama

In 2015, Barack Obama took Bear Grylls to the Alaskan wilderness in the show Running Wild With Bear Gryll. The highlight of the show was Obama taking a bite of are salmon already half-eaten by the animal bear.

Akshay Kumar

The B-town actor took his Khiladi instinct are notch higher in the Man Vs Wild Show with host Bear Grylls. Both the host and the guest were equal in fitness, agility and fearless persona.

Nick Jonas

The handsome singer-songwriter revealed are totally different side of his personality while raiding Sierra Nevada Mountains in the US with Bear Grylls in 2016. He braved the cold weather overcoming is physical challenges.

Julia Roberts

Bear Grylls was running are campaign to deliver vaccines through his show when he invited Julia Roberts to participate in the Pretty Woman Star’s episode shot in Kenya.

Rajnikanth

The Thaliava featured with Bear Grylls in the Into the Wild with Bear Grylls where he took the host into Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.

Source:- https://bit.ly/2Okj7HL

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News & Politics Technology

Record Sales Of ₹ 3.10 crore Car Lamborghini Urus In India

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The Lamborghini Urus became the fastest selling car in the uber-luxury segment in India. Automobili Lamborghini recently added 100th unit to its sale order. Launched in January 2018, Urus is the most affordable Lamborghini model in India.

How 100 sales came for Lamborghini?

The first Urus was sold in September but the sale of the car increased in the coming months as the company sold 50 units in the coming year. Lamborghini continued its journey to sell more Urus even during pandemic time. It sold another 50 units in less than 18 months including the lockdown period. The Italian brand is now looking at 2021 and it hopes adding more sales to its already ascending sales-graph.

Talk to Sharad Agarwal, Head of Lamborghini India

Sharad Agarwal said that they always knew that Urus would be a game changer for them. Urus came with dynamics of a sports car but it also provided the versatility of a SUV. And the company new that Urus was the right design and answer to the congestion on Indian roads. Shard Agarwal has many expectations from 2021 when he said that the segment was slowly coming back.

Price and other details of Urus

The Lamborghini Urus comes with a 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 engine that produces 641 bhp and 850 Nm of peak torque. The car can accelerate to 100 kmph in 3.6 seconds but its top speed is 306 kmph. Priced at ₹ 3.10 crore (ex-showroom, India), the car comes with a 10 month waiting period.

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News & Politics Technology

SpaceX Starts Starlink Satellite Internet Trial In India At $99

HT News

SpaceX has started superfast internet service Starlink in India at a price of $99, roughly about Rs 7,000 in Indian currency. The company has started taking pre-bookings for the service on its website.

How to book Starlink internet service?

Available to a limited number of users, SpaceX will fulfill the orders on a first-come-first-serve basis. People are asked to check availability of service in their areas with the help of postal codes. Interested users can pre-book orders by paying the requisite amount that is refundable.

When will SpaceX start its services officially in India?

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk-led superfast internet service Starlink will take off in India in 2022 with the help of SpaceX satellites that company is launching in the orbit. Elon Musk has plans to provide high-speed internet services at an affordable price to remotest areas of the globe.

Facts about Starlink internet services

The official website of the company states that it will continue working towards near global coverage in 2021. The company is launching satellites that will improve the coverage and speed of its services dramatically in the coming months.

According to Elon Musk, the space based Starlink will double its speed from 150Mbps to 300Mbps this year. It will create a high-speed internet network through 12,000 satellites that it plans launching in the time to come. Presently it has already sent 1,000 satellites in the orbit.

SpaceX has received $886 million from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its high-speed internet program. The US government wants SpaceX to take superfast internet to country’s rural areas.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3bQSiTZ

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