Hindustaan Times

After stopping work on the Aarey car shed a couple of days back, CM Udbhav Thackeray stalled the Rs. 1.1 lack crore Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project on the pretext of reviewing the project. Also, he promised brining out a White Paper on state’s finances. Cabinet expansion is also on his priority.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project

The Rs. 1.1 lack crore project is facing hurdles in land acquisition especially in the Palghar area of north Mumbai. The government has already acquired 548 hectares of the total requirement of 1,380 hectares. It is a joint project of Gujarat, Mumbai and Center. Stopping this project will bring the Maharashtra government in collision mode with the center.

Farm distress

Udbhav Thackeray demanded a compensation of Rs. 25,000 per hectare for distressed farmers during election campaigns. When reminded by the opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis about the compensation he replied that he expected the opposition leader to talk to the center for release of funds for farm distress.

Maharashtra taxes

Thackeray said that Maharashtra contributes 40-45% of the total revenue from taxes to the center. If the center waves the taxes for two years, Maharashtra can pay all its debt. He further said that he expected PM Modi to help in these difficult times.

Thackeray replied to Amitabh Bachchan

Replying to a tweet of Amitabh Bachchan on the need of Metro Thackeray said that people didn’t need metro for visiting hospitals but people wanted to live happy healthy. He highlighted that Aarey is about ecosystem and not trees.

Source: https://bit.ly/35Tp9CL… Read the rest

Today's Special

Apply For NEET 2020 On 2nd December At 4 PM On NTA Website

HT News December 2, 2019

NEET 2020 application process will start on 2nd December at 4 PM. The applications can be sent online on the website of the National Testing Agency (NTA) ntaneet.nic.in. Students interested in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test 2020 should visit the NTA website to submit their applications at earliest. Important details about the NEET 2020 are as follows.

Single Medical Entrance Test (MBBS)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has decided to take single test for all undergraduate medical programmes like MBBS and BDS. HRD ministry has agreed upon taking one exam for all medical institutions including AIIMS and PIGMER. NEET 2020 will select candidates for all medical seats in the country. Also, the students interested in foreign education in medical will have to pass the NEET 2020 to become eligible to study in foreign universities.

NEET 2020 Eligibility

Nationality

: Only Indian national can appear for the test.

Academic Qualification

: Applicants must have completed or at least appearing for 10+2.

Mandatory Subjects

: It is mandatory to have Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Bio-technology at 10+2 level. Mathematics and an elective subject along with English is also necessary.

NEET 2020 Age Limit

The applicant must be at least 17-year or maximum 25-year on 31st December 2019. Reserved category students are provided 5-year relaxation in the upper age limit.

NEET 2020 Application Fee Increased

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has increased application fee for NEET 2020 from 5-7%.

• General Category: Rs. 15,00/-

• General EWS and OBW Non-Creamy Layer: Rs. 14,00/-

• SC, ST, PWD and Transgenders: Rs. 800/-

Source: https://bit.ly/37TFKsd… Read the rest

Cricket Sports

Tim Paine’s Calling Off Innings On 589/3 Resulted In Denial Of Opportunity To David Warner Not Out On 335

HT News December 1, 2019

Tim Paine declared his innings on Day 2 of the second Test against Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. But he decided to declare the innings at a time when David Warner was just a couple of runs behind Brian Lara.

David Warner the scorer

The left-handed batsman had scored 335 at the time of innings declaration. He was well pas the score of the batting legend Don Bradman and Mark Taylor but was denied the golden and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to break the record of Brian Lara. And it is what left cricket community all over the world fuming over the decision of Australian skipper.

Was Tim Paine right in declaring innings when David Warner was chasing the highest Test score?

Tim Paine faced much criticism for his decision of calling the innings but the cricket community and even the experts took at as denial of an opportunity and he was trolled on for declaration on social media. But some people appreciated his decision of keeping team above individual score.

David Warner’s achievement

• Broke the record of Pakistan’s Azhar Ali to become the leading scorer in pink-ball test
• His was the highest individual Test score in 2019
• Left Indian Captain Virat Kohli far behind in run-scoring

How Australia performed after declaration of innings?

Pakistan lost its first wicket to Mitchell Starc when David Warner caught Imam-ul-Haq in the slips. Soon after the first dismissal, Pat Cummins sent Pak skipper Azhar Ali to pavilion in the 12th over. Australia was 589/3 and Pakistan 22/2.

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National

World AIDS Day 2019: Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Community by Community

HT News December 1, 2019

Since 1988, the 1st December is celebrated as World AIDS day. Objective behind celebrating AIDS is to spread awareness about the deadly disease. Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome is an infection spread by Human Immunodeficiency virus that attacks the immune system and damages it permanently.

How is World AIDS Day celebrated?

Different organizations across the globe try to reach out to as many people as possible to educate them about HIV and AIDS. They use different forums to reach out to the last person in the society. It is taken as an opportunity to fight against HIV. The celebration motivates the people affected by HIV to continue their fight until the last breath.

How is world fighting with HIV?

The fight against HIV is fought on different platforms and at different levels. For example, the medical science has found effective treatment for AIDS. Also, the people are educated to prevent discrimination of the AIDS patients. The HIV+ people are proper medical and emotional care to keep their spirits up. But a lot needs to be done before it is too late.

Quick facts about HIV/AIDS

• In 2018, the number of HIV+ people were 37.9 million
• 79% of the patients are receiving testing
• 62% of them have received treatment
• 53% AIDS patients have achieved suppression of HIV with reduced risk of spreading infection

This year the theme for the World Aids Day 2019 is “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Community by Community”. The world community will take a pledge to remove the HIV virus from the world.

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National News & Politics

What Does 4.5% GDP Say About The Country’s Economy?

HT News November 30, 2019

The latest data released by National Statistical Office (NSO) revealed startling details about the country’s GDP. The economy grew at its slowest pace in 26 quarters in the July-September period of the current fiscal.

Highlights of the NSO data

• GDP grew by 4.5% in the September quarter
• It is slower than 5% in the previous quarter
• The manufacturer contracted 1% in September quarter
• Eight core sectors that account for 40% of index of industrial production contracted 5.8% in October

The data shows that the GDP remained slower despite the 4.3% expansion in the January-March quarter of 2012-13.The decline in manufacturing sector is the first in the nine quarters. It highlights lack of demand in the economy. The factory out with the core sector also contracted.

The eight-core sectors coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement and electricity witnessed the sharpest slide that shows that the weakness in economy has continued in the third-quarter too.

Political slugfest over economic slowdown

Former PM Manmohan Singh said that 4.5% GDP was unacceptable. But the chief economic adviser Krishnamurthy Subramanian countered that the fundamentals of the economy continued to be strong. Economists also expect the economy to see some growth but they predict the economy to remain around 5.5-5.6% in 2019-20 fiscal year. But it is much lower than the 7% growth estimated earlier this year.

Former finance secretary Subhash Chandra Garg terms the current GDP like a recession than a slowdown for a country that has grown in excess of 7.5% per annum for 20 years.

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International

Police Shots Dead The Suspect In London Bridge Killings

HT News November 30, 2019

The suspect of the London Bridge incident has been identified as 28-year-old Usman Khan. He stabbed two people to deathnear the bridge on Friday. The incident happened in Fishmonger’s Hall at 2 p.m.

Who was Usman Khan?

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said that Usman Khan was earlier convicted for terrorist offences in 2012 but later released with an ankle monitor. He had been living in Staffordshire area after his release in 2018. Basu further said that the police weren’t looking for anyone else for the deadly London Bridge attack.

Usman Khan stabbed two people and injured at least three people in the incident. But he was soon caught but it was found that he had a fake bomb strapped to him. The police had to shot him dead in order to prevent further casualties.

What was the reaction of British PM Boris Johnson on the incident?

Boris Johnson advocated appropriate prison sentences for criminals while speaking at meeting of the government’s emergency response committee Cobra. He further said that it was a mistake to release serious and violent criminals from prison early. The government should get out of the habit of providing quick relief to criminals and enforce appropriate sentences for dangerous criminals. The British PM Boris Johnson was replying queries in a pool interview.

In the last-minute update by the government authorities, the police were searching a property believed to be linked with Usman Khan, the suspect of the incident.

Source: https://cnn.it/34BYRVk… Read the rest

Beauty & Health Fashion & Lifestyle

Major 8 reasons why we should Plant Trees

HT News November 29, 2019

Planting trees are one of the easiest things we do for making our environment healthy. Trees are a major thing we need now and more than ever. There are so many benefits of trees that make our life healthy and disease-free. They are the lifeline to our healthier environment and life.

There are also many uses of trees like we eat from them, we make furniture from them, we also get paper from them, etc. As we know trees are so important for us. So, we have share some reasons why we should Plant more trees.

Trees hold the soil

It helps to prevent soil erosion by holding the soil in its position with the roots of trees which grow deep into the soil. Especially it prevents the steep terrain and hillside areas from erosion.

Trees Isolate Carbon Dioxide

The gas which humans and other living organisms produced can be taken by trees or other green plants. The level of carbon dioxide would be high without trees in our atmosphere which causes danger to our lives.

Trees give us oxygen

The most important and necessary thing that humans need to live in oxygen and this gas is produced by trees through Photosynthesis.

Tree Dependent animals

These are fundamental to many ecosystems on Earth. They are a habitat for wildlife also. Some animals like a northern spotted owl in Washington live their entire lives in trees and cannot live without the old forests.

They Increase the property Values

It increases the value of the property because as we know the home matures trees grow on the area will be sold for 7 to 19 percent more and give more profit to everyone.

Trees save Energy

This helps to block the strong … Read the rest

Cricket Sports

England Hopeful Of A Good Start After Winning Toss In The Second Test With New Zealand In Hamilton

HT News November 29, 2019

Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat first in the second and final Test series of two matches with New Zealand. Joe Root also made two changes in his team – Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley are inducted into the team for the last Test.

Why is this Test important for England?

England has to win this Test, if it wants to save the series. It is to be noted that the English team has already lost the first Test by an innings and 65 runs. Joe and Co would want to strike hard tie up the series by winning the last Test. It has already made changes in the team to strike hard.

Winning of toss is seen as an opportunity to put those dispiriting days behind and hope for a win this time. Also, Joe Root can take advantage of the conditions that could be helpful in getting a good start.

What is the winning strategy of England?

The skipper Joe Root said that he would be happy if the series closes with 1-1. His performance in the last test was below average as he could garner only 13 runs in the two innings. But this time, he is confident that he would make a difference to his performance.

How is New Zealand team doing in Test?

Kiwis are ranked second in Test in the world and they are dominant at home in recent times. They have displayed their firepower in the previous Test that they won with an impressive score.

Source: https://dailym.ai/35ECPS2… Read the rest

Fashion & Lifestyle Technology

Black Friday Deals: Gadgets That Really Are Worth Considering At This Price

HT News November 29, 2019

Black Fridayhas come and it is raining deals on everything from Amazon to Google and Apple to Microsoft. No one wants to get missed by the generous buyers hunting for latest gadgets and other products.

Whether you’re buying Christmas gifts or just want to update your collection of gadgets, you can check the big Black Friday deals here.

Amazon Devices

• Cost of the 4K Fire TV Stick is sliced up to 50%. It is now available at $25. Also, the non-4K Fire TV Stick is brought down to $20

• The incredibly good Kindle Oasis is available at discount of 33%

• Alexa users have good news. They can expand with Echo Dot that is now available at $22

Google Devices

• Google is offering the unlocked model of its latest flagship Android phone Pixel 4 at $599 and the heftier Pixel 4 XL is priced at $699. Or you can choose the lesser Pixel 3a model at $299

• The Nest Mini is available at $30 and the Nest Protect smoke alarm at $99

• The 4K-ready Chromecast Ultra is available at $49 while the non-4K Chromecast is priced at $25

Apple Devices

• Apple is selling the just-release AirPods pro at $234. They are actually priced $249

• Costco is offering 40mm Series 5 Apple Watch in Space Gray at $355 and 44mm model at $385

• The latest-gen 10.2-inch 128GB iPad is available at $329 on Black Friday sale. Also, you can buy its 32GB model at $249

Source: https://tcrn.ch/2snH324… Read the rest

News & Politics Viral

Happy thanksgiving giving celebrated with thank fulness

HT News November 28, 2019

Thanksgiving is said to be an annual national holiday in the United States. Whereas Canada celebrates this day as harvest and other blessings of the past year. It is believed by American, Thanksgiving is modelled on a 1621 harvest feast. According to them, it was shared by the English Colonists.

In1789, November 26, was declared thanksgiving day by George Washington. But this was not connected to the Pilgrim feast, it was then considered for the same year only.

How thanksgiving becomes official.

By 1789, thanksgiving was not officially set as a holiday. Thanksgiving was yet to get published officially. It then becomes a matter of interest for the common public.

It was advised by George Washington to consider the last Thursday of November as a thanking day. It was liked by the people and was considered a thoughtful idea. Lastly, It was the first president of the US, Abraham Lincoln who officially declared last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving day.

Why called as thanksgiving

It would be a common question, what could be the reason for calling last Thursday of every November as thanksgiving. The reason is people thanks for the last year of harvest, and also welcome for the coming year. Not only this, in the USA, it is often recognized as an event which took place when English Colonial held a fest to thanks native American for helping then to start their new lives in the US.

Thanksgiving Celebration

Celebrate thanksgiving as a legendary holiday. People organize the traditional fare for the celebration of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving particularly includes turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries and also pumpkin pie. It is believed to celebrate it with family gatherings. Relatives plan to meet at some common point and enjoy together.

Thanksgiving … Read the rest