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Now Change Chat Box Color And Adjust Playback Speed Of Voice Messages On WhatsApp

HT News

WhatsApp is working on two important features to take the user experience to the next level. First, the users will be allowed to change the colors of their chat boxes, and second, they could optimize the playback speed of voice messages according to their convenience.

What is color changing feature?

WhatsApp chat box comes in dark color and texts appear in white for visibility. After the color changing feature is introduced, you will be able to change the chat box color where the text on the screen will appear in a darker shade of green. This feature is expected to make text matters more legible.

What is the playback voice message feature?

WhatsApp allows sending voice messages that users can listen to on speaker or headphones. And now they can adjust the playback speed of voice messages for more clarity. Presently users have to replay fast voice messages again and again to understand the messages, but with the new feature, they could adjust the speed of playback messages.

The new playback voice message feature will provide three-speed options – 1x, 1.5x, and 2x. It will be available with WhatsApp version 2.21.60.11 but it is exclusively for iOS users. WhatsApp is beta testing this feature to check its functionality. WhatsApp could make it available for all users in the future.

When would these features be available?

WhatsApp is silent on the release date of both the color changing and playback voice message features as both are under the testing stage. But they could be released anytime.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3dqz8F3

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News & Politics Technology

US Will Raise $600 Billion For India’s Energy Needs

HT News

Biden administration is committed to helping India with funding and technical knowhow to achieve its energy target, according to John Kerry, the special presidential envoy for climate. India will produce about 450 gigawatts of renewable power by 2030 at a cost of USD 600 billion.

How is US helping India in achieving is energy targets?

John Kerry said that US had set up a consortium of several countries willing to help India with funding and technology to achieve the ambitious goal. Kerry made the remark of India’s efforts towards the goal of renewable energy and the transition it needs to achieve the goal during a virtual Fireside Chat with former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz at IHS CERAWeek, the world’s premier energy conference.

How will US help India in funding USD 600 billion?

Kerry said that he had been working with major investment houses and asset managers in their country to try to determine how much private sector capital could be directed in the right place so that they could make that transition faster. He further said that India was dedicated on the idea of creating its own solar capacity.

Is US worried about China funding coal-fired projects?

John Kerry clearly said the US was concerned about China-funded coal-fired power and that the issue would remain to be a bone of contention between the US and China. He further maintained that he thought hydrogen as a jump ball. He said that he had talked to industrialists and government leaders in India and that they were ready to create a hydrogen economy as a future.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3kT88Sa

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News & Politics

BJP Is Content With 20 Seats In Tamil Nadu State Elections

HT News

AIADMK made an important announcement regarding seat sharing for the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. It has allotted 20 seats to BJP for assembly elections. Also, BJP will get Kanyakumari Lok Sabha seat. But another regional ally PMK is allotted 23 seats.

What was the announcement?

Signed by Chief Minister Edapaddi Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Pannerselvam, BJP state in-charge CT Ravi and its state unit chief L Murugan, the announcement states that BJP will fight elections on 20 seats. It will also fight for Kanyakumari Lok Sabha bypolls. The seat has been vacant due to death of Congress MP Vasanthakumar.

Who will fight from where?

While the BJP is yet to receive the names of the seats it has been allotted, AIADMK has announced its first list of candidates including Mr. Palaniswami and Mr. Panneerselvam that will contest from Edappadi and Bodinayakanur constituencies respectively. Ministers D Jayakumar and C Ve Shanmugam will retain their seats – Royapuram and Villupuram respectively.

What are the dates of Tamil Nadu elections?

The state will go to polls on April 6 and the elections results will be declared on May 2. Elections for 234 seats for Tamil Nadu assembly will be held in single phase. There are two major alliances – Congress-DMK and BJP-AIADMK – are fighting for elections.

How are the Tamil Nadu elections important for BJP?

It is the first election after the death of two iconic leaders – J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi. Also, BJP is hoping to revive its fortunes after facing complete rout in 2019 Lok Sabha election when it lost 38 of the 39 seats it contested from.

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News & Politics

Joe Biden Relies Heavily On Indian-Americans

HT News

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.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3cioW15

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Sports

Francisco Trincao Led Barcelona To Victory Against Red Betis

HT News

Barcelona won its sixth league games on Sunday by beating Real Betis with 3-2 score in a striking show of football by Lionel Messi and Francisco Trincao who was the real hero of the game. Earlier on Wednesday in Copa del Rey quarter-final tie match, Barcelona beat Grenada in an impressive win of 5-3 in extra time. It now stands with 43 points just 7 points behind Atletico Madrid that still has two games remaining.

Francisco Trincao stole the show

Barcelona To Victory Against Red Betis

Trincao shot his first goal for the club and snatched victory in 87th minute into the game. It was his 17th appearance in all competitions. He smashed that shot from inside the box to ensure victory for his club.

After the victory, he praised his teammates while talking to reporters. He said that his team had always encouraged him and that they congratulated him on the goal. He further said that he didn’t need to score for his own good, but players had to help their teams when they can. Also, that he was happy that they managed to win the match.

It was a tough match for Barcelona

The match didn’t start well for Barcelona as the defender Ronaldo Araujo injured his ankle in the 12th minute of the game and had to retire to the pavilion. The coach Ronald Koeman sent De Jong at the centreback.

Koeman said that they were little fearful in the first half as they didn’t take risks, but they changed their attitude in the second half and it proved fruitful for the team.

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

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News & Politics Sports

Brighton vs Tottenham: The Spurs Paid A Price For Harry Kane’s Absence

HT News

Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Tottenham Hotspur in a closely fought match where the host could score only one goal but they effectively prevented the away team from even equaling the single goal.

Tottenham Hotspur relegated to 6th place with 33 points

It was the 20th match of Spurs but they could make little difference to their points tally that was stuck at 33 only. It was the second defeat of the team in a week after they lost a game on Thursday to Liverpool by 3-1 score. Tottenham Hotspur were playing without their striker Harry Kane that got injured in an earlier match. Manager Jose Mourinho brought Gareth Bale as replacement but the Welshman was largely peripheral.

Playing out of the form, Jose Mourinho’s Spurs missed many opportunities of equaling the goal in the first half but they couldn’t. The manager also felt that his boys were probably too sad with the lead Brighton took over them. He felt lack energy in his team due to the goal. Spurs even changed their formation by bringing Carlos Vinicus on front to assist Bale but it didn’t prove fruitful.

Brighton & Hove Albion looked unstoppable

The Brighton faced some nervy moments but the home side managed the three crucial points that took them further ahead of the relegation zone. Brighton manager Graham Potter said that it was their best performance that season and last. From start to finish, they did whatever they could to win the game. He also said that the team could win with 2-0.

Source:- https://bit.ly/3tfL9Va

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National Today's Special

10 Points Of The 9th Budget Of The Modi Government

HT News

The nineth budget of the Modi government is expected to be different in many ways. The economy is in recession, jobs are gone and the pandemic has hit the country the hardest. Every sector requires expenditure but the people are also looking for relief from taxes. So, would the budget expectations be fulfilled.

Here’re 10 important points of the Union Budget that the FM will present at 11 AM today

  1. Finance Minister Ms Sitharaman has promised that this budget is going to be unprecedented as the PM has already hinted towards extension of the measures announced in 4-5 mini budgets in 2020.
  2. Ms Sitharaman was seen carrying a tablet with the national symbol embossed on it instead of papers indicating that it is going to be a paperless budget. And it will be the first time in the history.
  3. The FM is expected to unveil plans to revive the economy to achieve 11% growth target on the face of a forecasted 7.7% contraction in the current financial year.
  4. The FM needs doing more to revive the economy that was already in the slow down mode before the pandemic and slipped into recession to its lowest in 11 years during the crisis. There could be 15% more spending on healthcare and infrastructure. Also, the taxpayers could get further relief in the budget.
  5. The healthcare budget could be doubled to raise the expenditure to 4% of the GDP to meet healthcare needs highlighted during the pandemic. Also, there could be 1% of income and corporate tax to fund the healthcare budget.
  6. Pandemic-hit sectors like real estate, aviation, tourism and automobile are expecting tax relief in the budget.
  7. The FM could suggest measures to drive the fiscal deficit
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News & Politics

January 27-30 Could Be Severely Cold For North, Central And West Indian States

HT News

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert across six northern states and union territories and central India for 3-4 days. People of these regions will experience severely cold weather until the weekend.

Dry northwesterly winds

The IMD website predicts dry northwesterly winds over north and central India for next few days. These winds could create severe cold conditions in pockets of northwest India, Madhya Pradesh in central India and Gujarat in the west from January 27-30. In the northwest part, states including Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan will continue experiencing cold wave.

Temperature will be below normal

The overall temperature in north, northwest and north-central pockets will remain 2-4°C below the normal temperature. Also, a fall in the maximum mercury level is forecasted across north, northwest and central India.

Orange alert areas

Following the weather forecast, the IMD team has placed Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh under orange alert but it will be downgraded to yellow alert from Friday onwards. But Rajasthan is kept under yellow alert for this week. Orange alert is also suggested for Saurashtra and Kutch subdivisions in Gujarat. For Madhya Pradesh, IMD has suggested a yellow watch till Thursday.

Dense fog to prevail

IMD has predicted that some areas of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh will remain under dense to very dense fog for the next 24 hours. But it will decrease gradually. Also, ground frost conditions are also forecasted for Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and north Rajasthan in the coming days.

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

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Business News & Politics

What Is The Response To IRFC IPO?

HT News

KFin Technologies Private Limited could finalise the allotment of shares in IRFC IPO today. The said company is managing the allotment and refund of IRFC shares. Investors can check the website of the said company to get more information on allotment of shares. The information will also be available on BSE website. Listing of shares could go on January 29.

IRFC IPO

Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) opened its IPO on January 18 and closed on January 20 after receiving bids for 4,35,22,57,225 shares against 1,24,75,05,993 shares on offer. The subscription ratio of the retail individual investors segment, Qualified Institutional Buyers category and non-institutional investors was 3.66 times, 3.78 times and 2.67 times respectively. The IPO was offered at ₹25-26 per share and the IRFC raised about ₹1,400 crore from anchor investors ahead of the IPO.

The government wants to bring its shareholding in IRFC to 86.4% from 100% with the IPO that was subscribed nearly 3.5 times. The total IPO is of 178.20 crore shares and it comprises a fresh issue of 118.80 crore shares and sale of 59.40 crore shares. The government expects raising a capital of ₹1,544 crore from the IPO.

What is IRFC?

Indian Railway Finance Corporation raises funds for Indian Railways from domestic as well as overseas market. Dedicated for fund mobilisation, IRFC the first non-banking financial company (NBFC) offering an IPO. Leading brokerage companies recommended subscribe for IRFC IPO leading to a huge response from the public. The experts have done attractive valuation. Also, they expect healthy return ratios for the investors.

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

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Technology

What Is New In The New Tata Altroz iTurbo?

HT News

Tata Motors launched the 2021 variant of Tata Altroz iTurbo model with an introductory price of ₹ 7.73 lakh to ₹ 8.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This premium hatchback car is now available in three iTurbo variants – VT, XZ and XZ+ trim. The XZ+ trim is available in both petrol and diesel variants and it is priced between ₹ 8.25 lakh to ₹ 9.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively.

Engine

Tata Altroz iTurbo is powered by a new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. While similar engine is used for Tata Nexon facelift but the company says that it has made several changes in the engine and the most important change is the iTurbo that stands for intelligence. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, the engine produces 108 bhp of raw power and a torque of 140 Nm between 1,500 – 5,500 rpm. The company claims 18.13 kmpl fuel efficiency with this engine. Also, it is claimed to achieve 100 kmph sprint in 11.9 seconds.

Interior

The new iTurbo trims will come with black and light grey interior topped with new perforated leatherette upholstery. On technology side, there will be a 7-inch stick-out display panel, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, fast-charging USB port and a cooled glovebox.

Exterior

While the new Tata Altroz iTurbo is nearly identical to the regular model, the company has offered a new Harbour Blue trim for XM+ and upward variants. Similarly, the XZ and XZ+ trims are provided with a contrast black roof. Other features like projector headlamps, glossy black grille and dual-tone alloy wheels will continue with the new trims.

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

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