Coco Gauff has 'things to improve' after season-opening win in Auckland
Top-seed Coco Gauff admitted there were "things to improve" as she overcame a mid-match wobble to beat fellow American Claire Liu in straight-sets in the first round of the Auckland Classic on Tuesday. World number three Gauff raced to a 4-0 lead over Liu, ranked 92 places lower, before the fluidity slipped from her game. Gauff broke twice more from 3-2 in the second to move into the second-round meeting with 16-year-old Czech Brenda Fruhvirtova. "There's obviously things I can do to improve but I'm happy with the win," she said, looking ahead to the Australian Open, which begins on January 14. Former world number three Svitolina won the opening two games before Wozniacki fought back to lead 4-3.
Source:Hindustan Times
January 02, 2024 20:40 UTC
From actors to accused: Contributing to a Mumbai Police fund
Producer Rohit Shetty, who has made movies featuring the Mumbai Police, contributed Rs 50 lakh in 2022. When it came to corporate houses, Warburg Pincus contributed Rs 2.50 crore in two contributions and Tata Sons contributed Rs 1 crore on May 27, 2020. HDFC Bank, which holds the salary accounts of the nearly 40,000-strong Mumbai Police, contributed Rs 4 crore – to become the highest contributor. Further, the Rotary Club of Bombay Central Island Trust paid Rs 7.51 lakh while Rotary Club of Malabar Hill paid Rs 11 lakh. AdvertisementThe Mumbai Police itself contributed Rs 6.93 crore to the fund by diverting half the amount collected by fining people for not wearing masks.
Source:Indian Express
January 02, 2024 20:33 UTC
Iran hangs nine convicted drug traffickers: Report
Iran has hanged nine convicted drug traffickers in recent days, state media reported Tuesday, as it keeps up one of the world's highest rates of execution. Iran lies on a major opium-smuggling route between Afghanistan and Europe and has one of the world's highest rates of domestic opiate use. Figures cited by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2021 suggest 2.8 million people have a drug problem in Iran. In June, Amnesty International reported that Iranian authorities had executed at least 173 people convicted of drug-related offences during the first five months of 2023. Iran says executions are carried out only after exhaustive legal proceedings and are a necessary deterrent against drug trafficking.
Source:Hindustan Times
January 02, 2024 19:26 UTC
Japan Airlines plane catches fire at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport after collision with Coast Guard aircraft
January 02, 2024 03:13 pm | Updated 11:40 pm IST - TokyoFive people aboard a Japan coastguard aircraft died on Tuesday when it hit a Japan Airlines passenger plane on the ground in a fiery collision at Tokyo’s Haneda airport. All 379 passengers and crew on board the passenger plane, which burst into flames were safely evacuated, Japanese Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito told reporters. A video posted to social media platform X showed people sliding down an inflatable emergency slide from the side of the passenger plane while flames shot out from the rear of the aircraft. “Smoke began to fill the plane, and I thought, ‘this could be really bad’,” an adult male passenger told reporters at the airport. JAL said the passenger plane either collided with the other aircraft on a runway or a taxiway after it touched down, Kyodo reported.
Source:The Hindu
January 02, 2024 19:25 UTC
COVID-19: India reports 573 new cases, 2 deaths; 312 JN.1 cases so far
A total of 312 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected in the country so far, with about half of them recorded in Kerala, according to the INSACOG's data updated today. A total of 312 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected in the country so far, with about half of them recorded in Kerala, according to the INSACOG's data updated today. Ten states and Union territories have so far detected the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus. The INSACOG's data showed 239 Covid cases recorded in the country in December had the presence of JN.1, while 24 such cases were detected in November. However, in recent weeks, JN.1 cases continued to be reported from multiple countries and its prevalence has rapidly increased globally.
Source:dna
January 02, 2024 18:52 UTC
Fitness: Recharge, reboot, repeat
This includes gut health, which plays a vital role in fitness and health. Holistic Fitness ApproachAnother trend that is set to prevail this year is the holistic approach to fitness that blends physical and mental well-being. Anti-Ageing buzzIn recent months, social media has been abuzz with its new-found love for anti-ageing and longevity fitness regimes. This includes gut health, which plays a vital role in fitness and health. Anti-Ageing buzz In recent months, social media has been abuzz with its new-found love for anti-ageing and longevity fitness regimes.
Source:Indian Express
January 02, 2024 18:40 UTC
Positioning of key officers in Election: Election Commission Should Take Action
Election commission should invoke its authority under Article 324 to ensure that the Centre and the States do not position senior officers whose tenures are unduly extended, in order to safeguard the integrity of electionsToShri Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India (ECI)Shri A C Pandey, Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India (ECI)Shri Arun Goel, Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India (ECI)Dear S/Shri Rajiv Kumar/ Pandey/ Goel,Both the Centre and several States are positioning their favourite officers in crucial positions to make sure that they play a role to their liking during the general elections due to be held shortly. In some cases, such favourite officers who ought to have retired earlier are being given extensions in service so that they may remain in important positions during the coming elections. Often, such extensions are granted in brazen violation of the norms to be strictly complied with in the case of retiring officers. I earnestly believe that this calls for an effective, prompt intervention from the Election Commission in a manner that facilitates conducting elections in a free and fair manner. It is more an obligation cast on the Commission by Article 324.
Source:Economic Times
January 02, 2024 18:12 UTC
Indian Textile industry grapples with ESG, CBAM in EU
Set for implementation in 2026 under the EU’s expansive European Green Deal, these standards have the potential to redefine global sustainable production and supply chains. Indian textile exporters are redefining their practices, viewing sustainability not only as a compliance measure but as an initiative to solidify their standing as major global suppliers. This transition also opens avenues for potential benefits from an upcoming free trade agreement with the EU. Tamil Nadu’s textile industry, a significant player, has made substantial progress toward sustainability, contributing over 50 per cent of the state’s renewable energy capacity and adopting zero liquid discharge in approximately 300 textile processing units in Tirupur. However, challenges increase, including compliance costs, documentation requirements, and labor cost variations across states.
Source:The Hindu
January 02, 2024 18:07 UTC
Japan earthquake: Threat of severe tsunami after 155 earthquakes in Japan GeoTv News
Tokyo: The New Year began in Japan with a strong earthquake, in which 155 tremors were felt in 18 hours. It includes aftershocks of magnitude 7.6 and aftershocks of magnitude 6. After the powerful aftershocks of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake, Japan is threatened with major devastation. The Japanese Meteorological Office warned that stronger earthquakes could hit the country in the coming days. The worst earthquake in the country’s history occurred on March 11, 2011, when a 9.0-magnitude tsunami hit northeastern Japan, killing nearly 20,000 people and leaving many missing.
Source:Economic Times
January 02, 2024 17:19 UTC
Beware of insolvency risks
The question that was left unanswered on the start-ups’ website is about the hypothetical situation of the start-up going belly-up. In an insolvency situation the lessors would be classified as operational creditors and thus the lease rentals would be amongst the last in priority to be paid, if at all. More such schemes are in the offing, solar panels, fractional aircraft, etc. In the case of solar panels, the investors must purchase the panels and lease them back to the platform. Beware of insolvency risks.
Source:The Hindu
January 02, 2024 17:15 UTC
Confronting the dark side of online manipulation
This leads us to the concept of “Dark Patterns” in marketing and web design. Dark patterns represent manipulative design techniques that influence consumer behaviour online. From this research, it is abundantly clear that there are primarily four reasons which makes it imperative for countries to regulate dark patterns. Third, on a broader scale, dark patterns threaten collective welfare by distorting the competitive marketplace and undermining trust in the digital economy. Fourth, the societal implications of unregulated dark patterns are far-reaching, potentially leading to unanticipated negative consequences.
Source:The Hindu
January 02, 2024 16:49 UTC
Curved screen, straight back: smartphones and the back
A study reveals the link between excessive smartphone use and back pain in adolescentsResearchers’ alarm: Excessive smartphone use and back painRecent research has shown that teenagers who use smartphones for more than three hours a day are more prone to experiencing spinal problems, particularly thoracic spine pain (TSP). This condition occurs in the back of the chest, extending from the base of the neck to the beginning of the lumbar spine. The study, conducted by Brazilian researchers and published in the Healthcare journal, analyzed data from students aged 14 to 18. The prevalence of TSP varies globally, ranging from 13% to 35% among children and adolescents. The need for greater awareness and targeted interventionsThe growing evidence of the link between excessive smartphone use and back pain in young people underscores the need for greater awareness of this issue.
Source:Hindustan Times
January 02, 2024 15:22 UTC
4.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Southern California
At 8:27 a.m. Pacific time on Monday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 4.1 earthquake originating offshore, approximately 11 miles away from Rancho Palos Verdes, Southern California. Click hereOver the past 10 days, there has been one earthquake measuring 3.0 or higher centered in the vicinity. Dr. Jones said the California and Japan quakes were not relatedMeanwhile, Japan also experienced a series of earthquakes on the same day, with the biggest one being a magnitude 7.5. The nearby cities of Toyama and Kanazawa also felt the quake, but with less intensity. The quake happened after Japan was hit by a series of stronger quakes.
Source:Hindustan Times
January 02, 2024 14:40 UTC
Income tax calendar 2024: Important tax-related dates you need to know
July 15 : Due date for issuing TDS certificates for tax deducted under sections 194-IA, 194-IB, 194M and 194S in May 2024. October 30 : Deadline to file challan statement for tax deducted under sections 194-IA, 194-IB, 194M and 194S in September 2024. November 30 : Last date to file challan statement for tax deducted under sections 194-IA, 194-IB, 194M and 194S for October 2024. December 15: Due date to issue TDS certificates for tax deducted under sections 194-IA, 194-IB, 194M and 194S in October 2024. December 30: Deadline to file challan statement for tax deposited under sections 194-IA, 194-IB, 194M and 194S in November 2024.
Source:Economic Times
January 02, 2024 14:33 UTC
It’s ‘praycations’ time as holy towns see massive surge in bookings
There has been a 60 per cent increase in bookings to temple towns including Puri, Varanasi, and Ujjain in recent months, according to industry players. Pilgrim’s progressAgarwal predicts that spiritual tourism will be a significant growth driver for the company in the next five years. Rates surgeAccording to consultancy firm Hotelivate, rates have risen up to 52 per cent in temple towns in the last seven years. Temple towns doubled hotel keys from 3,300 in FY15 to 7,500 in FY23 as hospitality chains invested in projects in these places. Data from EaseMyTrip support these trends, witnessing a substantial 45 per cent surge in overall travel bookings to spiritual destinations.
Source:The Hindu
January 02, 2024 13:17 UTC