The Indian Panorama

Month: March 2022

  • Birthday Horoscope-March 21 to March 27, 2022

    Birthday Horoscope-March 21 to March 27, 2022

    By Chirag Daruwalla – Son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla

    March 21 : Ganesha says positive energies are there for you today. You will have a neutral day, relaxing and rejuvenating, you’re likely to go on a sabbatical today. You have been working hard and it has been paying off. Do not feel guilty about spending your money today. Today you get well-deserved appreciation after a long duration of hard work. You are doing so much better than the last few days. You will feel like a new person today as you go through the day full of love light and energy. Your health has finally healed from the consequences of all the bad habits you’ve had for the last few years.

    March 22 : Ganesha says the positive highlight for you today is you will gain a lot of clarity and insight into your love life. You will see your partner and their behavior the way it is and not with your love glasses on like you have been for a while now. You will spend the day feeling content and grateful. Things, where you were stuck before, will start clearing up. Your mental health is doing well, and you will be in a good mood throughout the day.

    March 23 : Ganesha says today your day will be energetic. Today you will focus on your life goals. You’ll have a great day at your home. You’ll get a chance to be a leader of a new project today as well. Everything today will go smoothly. Your strong financial condition will allow you to help your relatives or friends and earn goodwill. You’ll also be ready to take on new challenges on the professional front.

    March 24 : Ganesha says you have a good financial condition and now you are ready to take on all the challenges on the work front as you are equipped with good resources and finances. You may feel good about having your family partner with you in every step of your life. You may plan to buy a new house. You may plan a reunion of all your friends which may bring you back to memory lane.

    March 25 : Ganesha says the day seems to be wonderful. You may feel energetic all day long and the flow of positivity may allow you to do some serious tasks. Your creative ideas and zeal may motivate people around you. This is going to be a fruitful day. You can maintain the balance between personal and professional life by making sensible efforts. Some may experience a surge of spirituality.You may be in a good, outgoing and fun mood today. Many opportunities come your way on many fronts and you are all set to make the most of them.

    March 26 : Ganesha says today your day will be good. You may enjoy your day with your family. You may plan to buy a new home. Your health will be good today. You may get the ancestral property transferred to your name. You and your partner may spend a day together which may make your bond strong. You are in good condition on the health front today, just trying to maintain it. Try to be occupied with any sports which may make you physically healthy and fit.

    March 27 : Ganesha says today you’ll lead the project at work. You may begin new tasks and show a lot of spontaneity in executing them. The day may surprise you with a dinner plan with your partner. Your act of kindness can bring happiness into someone’s life. You make everyone around you realize that we each can bring unexpected joy into one another’s lives no matter your circumstances. You and your partner will enjoy today. You’ll get lots of love from your partner.

  • Weekly Horoscope- March 21 to March 27, 2022

    Weekly Horoscope- March 21 to March 27, 2022

    Shree Ganeshaya Namah!!!

    By Chirag Bejan Daruwalla

    Aries : Ganesha says, this week, you’ll be learning new things. You will gain a favorable understanding of yourself. This is an excellent chance for you to learn more about everything. Avoid conversing with folks who are causing you to have negative ideas. This week, you should be wary of your opponent’s plans, as they may devise a plot to bring you down. Work on yourself and show them how incorrect they are. Your companion will assist you in making the plans you’ve been waiting to talk about. As a result of Venus’s change, your wife/husband will pay greater attention to you. Your health will be in good hands.

    Taurus : This is an excellent week to start a business. Now is the perfect moment to migrate if you’ve been thinking about it. Your family will provide you with a lot of love and comfort. There’s a possibility you’ll be able to spend the afternoon with your buddies. You may have some issues going out as a result of Rahu’s malign influence. Try not to hurt yourself and stay away from dangerous things. Your spouse will be much more at ease in their own personal space. This week, you’ll need to be more outgoing since you’re likely to meet someone who wants to learn more about you. Avoid dining out this week to protect your health.

    Gemini : This week, you’ll be feeling good about your choices. Your confidence will be boosted by those around you. You will be assured of your objectives. This week, you’ll meet new people and learn new things. This is not a good week for you to enter into any sort of conflict. You’ll need to be very careful what you say to your partner or spouse. This week, newlyweds must visit holy sites. This week will be fine for your health. Violent energy must be avoided by your youngsters.

    Cancer : You will have a spectacular week this week. Everywhere you go, you will be treated with courtesy. Wonderful delights are in store for you. You might be able to get into the college of your dreams. In the second half of the week, your overconfidence will lead to setbacks. In your romantic life, things could not go the way you planned. Do not lose hope since there is also good. By the end of the week, Venus will be more visible. In terms of your health, you’ll be OK. Fasting on Thursday will provide positive consequences in the long run.

    Leo : In terms of finances, you’ll have a good week. This week, you may strike it rich with the lotto. This is a great week to spend time with your family and have some fun. You’ll be able to do more in the future. This week, you may encounter some difficulties when commuting. Whenever possible, avoid rushing and drive gently. Your connection will be silky and silky smooth. Your partner’s family will have a discussion about marriage with them. You may feel as though time is flying by, but you have some exciting plans for your romantic life this week. Your health will require attention, especially if you already have respiratory problems.

    Virgo : This week will be ideal for you; your charm and bouncy attitude will attract and fascinate others in your immediate vicinity. You’ll be able to solve all of the important issues that come your way. The week will be enjoyable, and you may make new acquaintances. Your partner will take you to new locations and will be eager to help you launch your business. Laziness may have negative health consequences, so stay active and imaginative to make the most of your lovely week.

    Libra : Your week will begin with a sense of optimism and grandeur. All of your endeavors will be rewarded when you achieve long-awaited achievement. Positive thinking will lead to far greater prospects in the areas that you are interested in. During the week, a tiny amount of ignorance might be detrimental. You may have unexpected obstacles in your personal life, which may leave you feeling hopeless, but this is due to Rahu’s transit through your seventh house. You will feel better during the weekend because you will be blessed. This week will be fine for your health.

    Scorpio : You’ll be pleased with something that occurred in the past this week. You’ll be able to get ahead of schedule and repair the discrepancy that had caused havoc. You’ll be able to build better future plans, bringing happiness and optimism into your life. This week, you’ll be more concentrated. Overthinking may bring up negative ideas and make you feel down in the second part of the week, which will undoubtedly have an impact on your relationship. Control your bouts of depression and fury when you’re down, and your relationship will improve quickly. Your health will suffer a little as a result of the back discomfort you will experience.

    Sagittarius : This week will be all yours, and you will be able to attempt something new. You could run across an old acquaintance and relive some happy recollections. You might be able to resolve an issue that you’ve experienced in the past. Due to the malefic change in the 8th house, you may have to incur additional costs. This week, you may have unwelcome chats with your partner or spouse that may cause you pain; simply dismiss the negative. Things will be looking up in the love department by the end of the week. You’ll need to pay attention to your health since you’ll have a hard time adjusting to the rising temperature or heat.

    Capricorn : This week will be fantastic for you since you will be full of optimism and all good fortune may come your way. Your loved ones will bring you wonderful news. People will admire you for who you are, and you may have the opportunity to spend an unforgettable week with your loved ones. You may become dissatisfied with your everyday routine and consider abandoning everything for good. Be patient and allow things to work out on your relationship fronts as they should, and wonderful results will work your way by the end of the week. your health will not need attention this week.

    Aquarius : This week, you’re probably going to spend your days thinking about how to build prospective arrangements. This week, you will have the opportunity to interact with others around you. You’ll receive a hint from someone who will phone you ahead of time since you’ll be anticipating them to speak with you. By the end of the week, you could hear some unsettling comments, so ignore them and avoid getting into unnecessary conflicts. In terms of your romantic life, go with the flow and allow things to unfold around you. If you’re feeling down, switch your attention to something innovative and significant to maintain your mental wellness. Your physical health will remain excellent.

    Pisces : You’re in for a busy freezy week. While you’re working, the time will fly by, so simply go with the flow. However, you will be incredibly enthusiastic and will do all of your chores with zeal. You might not get to spend time with your family or meet up with a few pals over refreshments. You are likely to feel weary in the second part of the week as a result of stress. You may be disappointed since matters will not go as planned. Your partner will keep you in a good space of mine as they will be all ears to everything you have to say. this week will certainly bring you closer to your companion. your health will be all well this week.

  • History This Week- March 18 to March 24

    “History is a narration of the events which have happened among mankind, including an account of the rise and fall of nations, as well as of other great changes which have affected the political and social condition of the human race.”                 -John Jacob Anderson

    March 18

    March 18, 1974 – The five-month-old Arab oil embargo against the U.S. was lifted. The embargo was in retaliation for American support of Israel during the Yom Kipper War of 1973 in which Egypt and Syria suffered a crushing defeat. In the U.S., the resulting embargo had caused long lines at gas stations as prices soared 300 percent amid shortages and a government ban on Sunday gas sales.

    Grover Cleveland

    Birthday – Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) the 22nd and 24th U.S. president was born in Caldwell, New Jersey. He was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms and was also the only president to be married in the White House.

    March 19

    March 19, 2003 – The United States launched an attack against Iraq to topple dictator Saddam Hussein from power. The attack commenced with aerial strikes against military sites, followed the next day by an invasion of southern Iraq by U.S. and British ground troops. The troops made rapid progress northward and conquered the country’s capital, Baghdad, just 21 days later, ending the rule of Saddam.

    William Bradford

    Birthday – William Bradford (1589-1657) was born in Yorkshire, England. He sailed aboard the Mayflower during its 66-day voyage from Plymouth, England to Massachusetts in 1620. The small ship carried over 100 passengers and a crew of 30. It was originally bound for Virginia but landed far north on Cape Cod. The Mayflower Compact was then drawn up as a form of government. Bradford became the first governor of the new Plymouth Colony, serving a total of 30 years, and was largely responsible for its success.

    David Livingstone

    Birthday – Explorer and medical missionary David Livingstone (1813-1873) was born in Blantyre, Scotland. He arrived at Cape Town, Africa, in 1841 and began extensive missionary explorations, often traveling into areas that had never seen a white man. In his later years, he sought the source of the Nile River. He also became the subject of the famous search by news correspondent Henry Stanley who located him in 1871 near Lake Tanganyika in Africa after a difficult search and simply asked, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

    Wyatt Earp

    Birthday – Wyatt Earp (1848-1929) was born in Monmouth, Illinois. He became a legendary figure in the Wild West as a lawman and gunfighter, best known for the shootout at the O.K. Corral in 1881, in which the Earp brothers (Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan) fought and defeated the Ike Clanton gang.

    Jennings Bryan

    Birthday – American politician William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) was born in Salem, Illinois. He was defeated three times as a candidate for the presidency. He advocated a “free silver” monetary standard through unlimited coinage of silver rather than the gold standard. During a speech at the 1896 Democratic convention, he electrified the delegates, stating, “You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold!” In 1925, he was the successful prosecutor in the Scopes ‘monkey’ trial in which a teacher was convicted of violating Tennessee’s Anti-Evolution Bill forbidding the teaching of the theory of evolution. However, he died just 5 days after the verdict.

    March 20

    March 20, 1995 – A nerve gas attack occurred on the Tokyo subway system during rush hour resulting in 12 persons killed and 5,000 injured. Japanese authorities later arrest the leader and members of a Japanese religious cult suspected in the attack.

    B.F. Skinner

    Birthday – American psychologist B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) was born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. He pioneered theories of behaviorism and developed the Skinner box, a controlled environment for studying behavior.

    March 21

    March 21, 1918 – During World War I, the Second Battle of the Somme began as German General Erich von Ludendorff launched an all-out drive to win the war. The battle began with a five-hour artillery barrage followed by a rush of German troops. The offensive lasted until April 6th and resulted in the Germans gaining about 35 miles of territory. Allied and German casualty figures for both battles approached 500,000.

    March 21, 1943 – A suicide/assassination plot by German Army officers against Hitler failed as the conspirators were unable to locate a short fuse for the bomb which was to be carried in the coat pocket of General von Gersdorff to ceremonies Hitler was attending.

    Johann Sebastian Bach

    Birthday – Organist and composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was born in Eissenach, Germany. His output included thousands of compositions, many used in churches. Among his best-known works; The Brandenburg Concertos for orchestra, The Well-Tempered Clavier for keyboard, the St. John and St. Matthew passions, and the Mass in B Minor.

    March 22

    March 22, 1972 – The Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by the U.S. Senate and then sent to the states for ratification. The ERA, as it became known, prohibited discrimination on the basis of gender, stating, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex,” and that “the Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.” Although 22 of the required 38 states quickly ratified the Amendment, opposition arose over concerns that women would be subject to the draft and combat duty, along with other legal concerns. The ERA eventually failed (by 3 states) to achieve ratification despite an extension of the deadline to June 1982.

    March 23

    Patrick Henry

    March 23, 1775 – Patrick Henry ignited the American Revolution with a speech before the Virginia convention in Richmond, stating, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”

    March 24

    March 24, 1934 – The Philippine Islands in the South Pacific were granted independence by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after nearly 50 years of American control.

    March 24, 1989 – One of the largest oil spills in U.S. history occurred as the oil tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound off Alaska, resulting in 11 million gallons of oil leaking into the natural habitat over a stretch of 45 miles.

    Harry Houdini

    Birthday – Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was born (as Erik Weisz) in Budapest, Hungary. He came to the U.S. with his family as an infant and lived in New York City. He began as a Coney Island magician, then became a world-famous escape artist, known for escaping from chains, handcuffs, straightjackets, locked boxes and milk cans filled with water. He died on Halloween 1926 from a burst appendix and was buried in Queens, NY.

  • Renan Lodi wins it for Atleti as Manchester United knocked out

    Expensive mediocrity confirmed: Manchester United’s trophy drought completes a fifth season. The last path to a title was ended at an Old Trafford now accustomed to letdowns as United were knocked out of the Champions League in a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

    In a tight and tense game, it was United defender Diogo Dalot leaving Renan Lodi unmarked at the far post to head in Antoine Griezmann’s cross that made the difference in the 41st minute.

    So often the team’s saviour, David de Gea was beaten. The goalkeeper feels the pain more, being the only starter still in the team from the end of the trophy-filled Alex Ferguson era in 2013.

    “Of course it’s not good enough,” De Gea said. “It’s hard for the club, for us and the fans. This is where we are at the moment. It is a difficult situation, but we have to keep fighting.”

    Cristiano Ronaldo departed Old Trafford before Ferguson retired and the malaise kicked in. The 37-year-old star returned this season — after collecting trophies at Real Madrid and Juventus — to be the difference-maker. Rather than dazzling, as he did with Saturday’s hat-trick against Tottenham, Ronaldo didn’t manage a single shot against the Spanish champions.

  • Golfer Anirban Lahiri breaks into Top 100 World Rankings

    Australia’s Cameron Smith charged to victory at the PGA Tour’s weather-disrupted Players Championship on Monday, carding a closing six-under-par 66 to win by one shot ahead of India’s Anirban Lahiri. Lahiri meanwhile, who had closed to within one of the lead after a birdie of his own on the 17th, then missed a chip in from 41 feet on the last to leave Smith alone at the top of the leaderboard and celebrating a $3.6 million payday. It was, however, a memorable result for the Indian golfer who took a one shot lead into the final day of the Championship after completing the third round with a 5-under 67 on Monday morning. It was only the second time in his career that the Indian held the 54-hole lead as he sought to join countryman Arjun Atwal (2010 Wyndham Championship) as the only Indian to win on the PGA Tour. He was also bidding to become the third Asian to win THE PLAYERS after Korea’s K.J. Choi (2011) and Si Woo Kim (2017).

  • Bumrah breaks into top 5, Kohli slips to 9th in ICC Test rankings

    Bumrah breaks into top 5, Kohli slips to 9th in ICC Test rankings

    Dubai (TIP)-Fresh from his maiden Test five-wicket haul at home, Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah jumped six spots to fourth but struggling star batter Virat Kohli slipped to ninth in the latest ICC rankings released on Wednesday, March 16. Bumrah, who returned with eight wickets in the Day/Night second Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, climbed past Shaheen Afridi, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, James Anderson, Neil Wagner and Josh Hazlewood in the Test rankings for bowlers.

    Former captain Kohli, who continued his struggle with the bat and could not convert his starts, dropped four places, but managed to remain inside the top-10 just ahead of Rishabh Pant who remained static at 10th.

    Kohli scored 45 in the opening Test in Mohali, while in the second Test he had scores of 23 and 13. He is yet to score a century since his 136 against Bangladesh in November 2019.

    India skipper Rohit Sharma, however, held on to his sixth position to be the best-placed Indian in the batting charts.

    The in-form Shreyas Iyer was rewarded for his match-winning 92 and 67 against Sri Lanka as he took a giant leap, advancing 40 spots to be on 37th position in the batting chart. Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne jumped up to a career best No. 3 after his fighting 107 in the second innings in Bangalore. In the all-rounders’ table, Ravindra Jadeja was displaced from the No.1 position as West Indies’ Jason Holder reclaimed the top spot.

    Jadeja had risen to No. 1 after his 175 not out and nine wickets in the Mohali Test earlier this month.

    Ravichandran Ashwin, Shakib Al Hasan and Ben Stokes rounded off the top five in the all-rounders’ list.

    In the bowlers’ ranking, Mohammed Shami climbed up a spot to displace fellow countryman Ravindra Jadeja to 17th. Pat Cummins, Ashwin and Kagiso Rabada have retained the top three spots among the bowlers.

    Source: PTI

  • ICC Women’s World Cup: Top-order woes again as India lose to England by 4 wickets

    ICC Women’s World Cup: Top-order woes again as India lose to England by 4 wickets

    Mount Maunganui (TIP)-An inconsistent India paid the price for shoddy batting as England infused a new life into their own title defence with a four-wicket win in a league stage game of the ICC Women’s World Cup here today. Inconsistency returned to haunt the Indian batters again as they were bundled out for a meagre 134 by England, who chased down the target in 31.2 overs to record their first win after a hat-trick of defeats. India could get some runs on the board thanks to the previous game’s centurion Smriti Mandhana, who top-scored for the side with a 35-run knock while wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh made 33.

    With wickets falling every now and then, England bowled out India in 36.2 overs. Chasing the target, England made a stuttering start, losing both their openers — Danni Wyatt (1) and Tammy Beaumont (1) — cheaply with the scoreboard reading 4/2 in the third over. Wyatt was first to depart in the second over, courtesy a sensational diving catch by Sneh Rana off medium-pacer Meghna Singh (3/26).

    Veteran pace bowler Jhulan Goswami, the highest wicket-taker in the history of the tournament, then trapped Beaumont in the second over after India went for a review. It was Goswami’s 250th wicket in ODIs.

    Knight’s day

    England skipper Heather Knight (53 not out) and Nat Sciver (45 off 46) then steadied England’s innings, playing cautiously to reach 34/2 in 10 overs. While Knight anchored the chase, Sciver took the attack to the Indian bowlers, hitting as many as eight boundaries with some exquisite pull shots. With just 135 required for a win, what England needed was a decent partnership after the early blows, and Knight and Sciver provided that by sharing 65 runs for the third wicket.

    Sciver’s innings, however, was cut short by Pooja Vastrakar. It was a soft dismissal and against the run of play as Sciver spooned a length ball to Goswami while looking to go to the leg side.

    Amy Jones (10) then stitched a 33-run stand for the next wicket with Knight before the former fell to a stunning backward-running catch by India vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur at mid-on off Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s bowling. By then it was all over for India as England needed just 32 runs more. The Indians picked up two more wickets in the 30th over before England completed the formality. Brief Scores: India: 134 all out in 36.2 overs (Mandhana 35; Dean 4/23); England: 136/6 in 31.2 overs (Knight*; Singh 3/26).

    Source: PTI

  • SC dismisses former Fortis promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s bail plea

    SC dismisses former Fortis promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh’s bail plea

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed an interim bail plea of former Fortis promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh — accused of misappropriating Rs 2,397 crore of Religare Finvest Ltd in connivance with others. “We are of the opinion that the presence of the accused was not a must..,” a Bench led by Justice MR Shah, dismissing the petition of Singh who had sought an interim bail on “humanitarian grounds” to help his ailing mother to take part in the last rites of his maternal uncle, who died on March 8. The rejection order came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said there was something suspicious about Singh’s plea. “He is accused of Rs 2,400-crore liabilities and a flight risk,” Mehta said.

  • Moody’s slashes 2022 India growth estimate to 9.1%

    Moody’s slashes 2022 India growth estimate to 9.1%

    Moody’s on Thursday, March  16,  slashed India’s growth estimate for the current year to 9.1 per cent, from 9.5 per cent earlier, saying high fuel and fertiliser import bill could limit the government’s capital expenditure. In its Global Macro Outlook 2022-23 (March 2022 Update) titled ‘Economic Growth will suffer as fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine builds’, the rating agency said that India’s growth is likely to be 5.4 per cent in 2023. It said India is particularly vulnerable to high oil prices, given that it is a large importer of crude oil. Because India is a surplus producer of grain, agricultural exports will benefit in the short-term from high prevailing prices. “High fuel and potentially fertiliser costs would weigh on government finances down the road, potentially limiting planned capital spending. “For all of these reasons, we have lowered our 2022 growth forecasts for India by 0.4 percentage point. We now expect the economy to grow by 9.1 per cent this year,” Moody’s Investors Service said.

  • US Federal Reserve hikes rates, signals aggressive turn against inflation

    US Federal Reserve hikes rates, signals aggressive turn against inflation

    Washington (TIP)-The Federal Reserve on Wednesday, March 16,  raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point and projected its policy rate would hit a range between 1.75% and 2% by year’s end in a newly aggressive stance against inflation that will push borrowing costs to restrictive levels in 2023. In a new policy statement marking the end of its full-on battle against the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. central bank flagged the massive uncertainty the economy faces from the war in Ukraine and the ongoing health crisis, but still said “ongoing increases” in the target federal funds rate “will be appropriate” to curb the highest inflation in 40 years.The statement dropped direct reference to the coronavirus pandemic but instead cited the war in Ukraine as creating “additional upward pressure on inflation” and weighing on economic activity. The interest rate path shown in new projections by policymakers is tougher than expected, reflecting Fed concern about inflation that has moved faster and threatened to become more persistent than expected, and put at risk the central bank’s hope for an easy shift out of the emergency policies put in place to fight the fallout from the pandemic. Even with the tougher rate increases now projected, inflation is expected to remain above the Fed’s 2% target, remaining at 4.1% through this year and dropping only to 2.3% through 2024. Economic growth is seen at 2.8% this year, a sharp drop from the 4.0% growth projected in December. The unemployment rate is seen dropping to 3.5% this year and remaining there next year, but is projected to rise slightly to 3.6% in 2024. The new statement said the Fed expects to begin reducing its nearly $9 trillion balance sheet “at a coming meeting,” a topic likely to be addressed further by Fed Chair Jerome Powell in a news conference due to begin at 2:30 p.m. EDT (1830 GMT). St. Louis Fed President James Bullard was the only policymaker to dissent in the Fed’s decision.

                Source: Reuters

  • Netflix may soon charge a fee for sharing your account

    Popular video streaming platform Netflix is planning to pause password sharing outside a single household by charging users extra for doing so. “While these have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared. As a result, accounts are being shared between households impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members,” Chengyi Long, Netflix’s Director of Product Innovation, said in a statement. The main account owner will receive an email with a code, to enable the new sub-accounts. The user must use the code to verify the additional devices are a part of their household. The firm will launch and test two new features in select markets, where members will have to pay an additional $2 to $3 for sharing their passwords with people outside their homes. Netflix recently bumped up its subscription prices for the UK and Ireland. The video streaming giant has around 14 million subscribers in the UK and around six lakh in Ireland, according to Ampere Analysis. The most popular package is the standard subscription, which offers streaming in HD quality to up to two devices. It used to cost $7.82 but has now gone up to $9.13 in the UK. This change applies to new subscribers, while current subscribers will be notified 30 days before the new prices affect their account. In January, Netflix also increased the price of its monthly subscription plans in the US and Canada.

    Source: IANS

  • Asian stocks rally strongly as Fed hike, Ukraine talks boost sentiment

    Tokyo (TIP)-Japan and Hong Kong led a jump in regional stocks on Thursday, joining a rally on Wall Street overnight as potential risks from Federal Reserve monetary tightening to the Ukraine war and a slowdown in China became less murky.Treasury yields eased a little after spiking to nearly three-year highs overnight – with shorter-end yields rising more to flatten the curve – after the Fed raised the policy rate for the first time since 2018. The Fed increased rates by an as-expected quarter point and telegraphed equivalent hikes at every meeting for the remainder of this year to aggressively stamp out inflation. The safe-haven dollar, though, remained on the back foot and oil also stabilized well south of recent multi-year highs amid signs of material progress in talks between Russia and Ukraine to end a three-week-old invasion that Moscow says is a “special military operation” to demilitarize its neighbor. Meawhile, investor concerns about a sharp slowdown for China, which is battling a spreading Covid-19 outbreak with ultra-restrictive measures, were assuaged on Wednesday after Vice Premier Liu He signalled more stimulus to support markets. Japan’s Nikkei soared 3.0% and touched a two-week high in Thursday’s session, while South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.6% and Australia’s benchmark added 1.4%. Chinese blue chips gained 2.1%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged 5.2%. An MSCI index of regional shares rallied 2.5%. US stock futures pointed to a 0.3% decline at the restart, but following a 2.2% surge for the S&P 500 overnight.

    Source: Reuters

  • Omicron infection linked with common respiratory illness in children: Study

    Omicron infection linked with common respiratory illness in children: Study

    Infection with the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is associated with a common respiratory illness in young children, known as croup, a previously unrecognised complication of COVID-19, according to a study.

    The observational study, published recently in the journal Pediatrics, describes 75 children who came to the Boston Children’s Hospital emergency department (ED) with croup and COVID-19 from March 1, 2020, to January 15, 2022.

    The researchers noted that some cases were surprisingly severe, requiring hospitalisation and more medication doses compared to croup caused by other viruses, adding that just over 80 per cent occurred during the Omicron period.

    “There was a very clear delineation from when Omicron became the dominant variant to when we started seeing a rise in the number of croup patients,” said study first author Ryan Brewster, from Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center.

    Croup, also known as laryngotracheitis, is a common respiratory illness in babies and young children. The illness is marked by a distinctive barking cough and sometimes noisy, high-pitched intakes of breath known as stridor. It happens when colds and other viral infections cause inflammation and swelling around the voice box, windpipe, and bronchial tubes. In severe cases, including some seen at Boston Children’s, croup can dangerously constrict breathing, the researchers said. Previous studies of COVID-19 in animals have found that the Omicron variant has more of a “preference” for the upper airway than earlier variants, which mainly targeted the lower respiratory tract. This may account for the sudden appearance of croup during the Omicron surge, Brewster said. Most of the children with COVID-19 and croup were under age 2, and 72 per cent were boys. Except for one child with a common cold virus, all others were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Although no children died, nine of the 75 children with COVID-19-associated croup (12 per cent) needed to be hospitalised and four of them (44 per cent, or 5 per cent of the total) required intensive care, the researchers said.    Source: PTI

  • Foods to get rid of stubborn belly fat

    Foods to get rid of stubborn belly fat

    Excess belly fat can be more dangerous than we ever thought it was. As we grow older or more sedentary, the risk of us adding this ‘killer fat’ to our waistline goes up. Studies suggest that excess belly fat or visceral fat is very harmful considering it surrounds our internal organs and puts us at great risk of developing numerous health problems – diabetes, heart disease, liver problem among others. There are some foods that could help you achieve your goal of losing belly fat.

     Avocados

    Merely half of one avocado contains 10 grams of healthy mono-saturated fats, which stop the blood sugar spikes that tell your body to store fat around your midsection. Not only do healthy fats in avocado help thwart belly bloat, they also help our bodies better absorb carotenoids, cancer-fighting compounds found in colorful fruits and veggies like tomatoes, carrots, spinach and winter squash. In fact, people who ate salads with avocado had 15 times higher absorption of carotenoids, a study from The Ohio State University at Columbus found.

    Bananas

    The fruit packs 422 milligrams of potassium, a mineral that can help limit the amount of belly swelling sodium in your body.

    Yogurt

    A cup encourages the growth of good bacteria in your gut, throwing out other bugs that can cause bloating. Creamy Greek yogurt is yummy, but it’s also much more than that: Its combo of carbs and protein help stabilize insulin, a hormone that tells your body to store calories as fat when levels get too high.

    Berries

    Antioxidants can improve blood flow, delivering more oxygen to muscles — so ab revealing cardio is easier. Have some yogurt and berries before your workout to get those muscles ready for action.

    Chocolate Skim Milk

    A glass teams carbohydrates with protein to promote muscle building. Drink POST workout to speed recovery. Plus, you are getting that calcium to make your bones stronger. Chocolate milk is not just for kids!

    Green Tea

    Three cups daily may rev up your metabolism and burn 30 calories, a study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows. The compound ECGC in the tea makes it easier to burn fat.

  • Appreciate your partner openly

    Appreciate your partner openly

    Who does not like to be appreciated? Human beings thrive on it, and even the tiniest of acknowledgements put wide smiles on out faces. When you are working day in and day out on your relationship, every once in a while it pays to let your partner know he’s appreciated, rather than assuming he already knows it. Here’s why.

    It makes him happy

    People enjoy doing things for others, and in a relationship, partners are no different. When your partner does something or thinks about the smallest detail for you, of course he is happy that he eased your work. This happiness will only multiply if you let him know how much it means to you. Just drop him a text on it, and see him grin away as he reads it.

    He will reciprocate

    When your partner realises that you thank him for every small aspect and always acknowledge his help, he will start appreciating similar things that you do for him. It will lead to a healthier and more communicative bond.

    He will know his opinion matters

    Factoring in his suggestions, asking him for ideas because you trust him, and valuing his inputs will provide him with the impetus to be more supportive. He knows his thoughts matter to you and he will share them in an uninhibited manner.

    It will make his day

    It’s not just about being grateful and showing it. It is also about looking at how he reacts to your gratitude. Leave him a note, send him a text, call him and surprise him in the middle of the day with these thank yous, and just see how his mood brightens up.

    He will know his gestures are not going unnoticed

    If it is not indicated to a person that what he’s doing is making a difference, it will always make him wonder. It will also make him think whether or not it is worth going through all the trouble if you don’t notice it. Tell him, and turn it around.

  • India in history this Week-March 18, 2022, to March 24, 2022

    18 MARCH

    1910  On 18 March 1910, Gopal Krishna Gokhale proposed before the British Legislative Council for the provision of free and compulsory primary education.

    1944  On 18 March 1944, Azad Hind Fauj of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose crossed the border of Burma.

    1922  The British court sentenced Mahatma Gandhi to six years in the sedition case in 1922 after the Civil Disobedience Movement.

    2006  In 2006, the United Nations approved the proposal to set up a ‘Human Rights Council’.

    2009  The Union Cabinet recommended imposition of President’s rule in Meghalaya in 2009.

    19 MARCH

    1944  The Azad Hind Fauj hoisted the national flag in 1944 in Northeast India.

    1972  Signed the Friendship Agreement between India and Bangladesh in 1972.

    1998  Atal Bihari Vajpayee became Prime Minister for the second time in 1998.

    1848  On this day in 1848, Shatapatra Kaulam was started in a newspaper called Prabhakar.

    1935  In 1935, on this day, 20,000 Muslims were fired upon by British Troops.

    1954  On this day in 1954, the first helicopter was operated in the country.

    20 MARCH

    2014  Khushwant Singh, a journalist, writer and historian who was recognized for his impeccable comment, died.

    1351  Muhammad Tughlaq Shah Do died in 1351.

    1921  Doctor Alexander was born in 1921.

    1970  The Satyashodhak Samaj was formed in 1970.

    1992  The great creator Satyajit Rai received the Bharat Ratna.

    1987  The Food and Drug Administration approved the anti-AIDS drug AZT. It was the first drug approved by the US government to treat AIDS.

    21 MARCH

    1836  First public library started in Kolkata, now its name is National Library.

    1858  Rebel soldiers of Lucknow surrender.

    1887  Establishment of Prathana Samaj in Bombay.

    1916  Shehnaist Ustad Bismillah Khan was born.

    1791  British army defeated Tipu Sultan of the then Bangalore.

    1975  The then President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed declared Emergency under Section 352 at the request of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.

    22 MARCH

    1882  The deadly infectious disease ‘TB’ was identified.

    1890  Ramachandra Chatterjee became the first person to get off parachute in 1890.

    1972  Mrs. Indira Gandhi resigned as Prime Minister in 1977.

    1964  First rally of old cars held in Kolkata.

    1957  A national calendar based on suspicion was adopted.

    1993  World Water Day is celebrated.

    1969  Inauguration of Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited.

    23 MARCH

    1910  Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia was born in Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh.

    1931  During the 1931 Indian independence movement, revolutionary Bhagat Singh and his associates Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged on this day.

    1986  1986 First company of women was trained in Central Reserve Police Force.

    1940  The All India Muslim League demanded a separate country for Muslims in 1940.

    24 MARCH

    1855  Long-distance telegraph message was sent from Calcutta to Agra for the first time.

    1977  Morarji Desai became the fourth Prime Minister of India in 1977 and formed the first non-Congress government at the Center.

    1990  The Indian Army left Sri Lanka and returned home in 1990.

    1999  PN Bhagwati (India) was elected vice-president of the United Nations Human Rights Committee for a second consecutive term in 1999.

    1855  British Cabinet Mission reaches India.

  • China records more local Covid cases this year than in whole of 2021

    China records more local Covid cases this year than in whole of 2021

    China has reported more local symptomatic Covid-19 cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant triggers outbreaks from Shanghai to Shenzhen. Mainland China reported 1,337 new domestically transmitted Covid cases with confirmed symptoms on March 13, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Monday.

    That brought the total this year to more than 9,000, compared with 8,378 in 2021, according to Reuters calculations.

    In the past week, new Covid cases have been reported in Beijing and the financial hub of Shanghai – China’s most populous cities – as well as in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang along the coast.

    “China’s economy could be severely hit again,” said Nomura in a note, adding that the COVID situation in China had deteriorated at an “alarming” pace over the past week.”The outbreak has now reached alm ost every part of China with significant economic importance,” Nomura said. While the number of infections is small compared with caseloads elsewhere in the world, the rapid rate of increase has activated China’s dynamic zero Covid policy, which mandates that infections are quickly identified and stamped out.

    Officials in Shenzhen, China’s Silicon Valley, have temporarily suspended public transport and urged people to work from home as they carry out city-wide testing this week following the surge in new cases.

    Apple suppliers Foxconn and Unimicron

    Technology Corp both suspended operations in the southern city on Monday. Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, said operations would be suspended until further notice, adding it would deploy backup plants to reduce the disruption to production. In the northeastern city of Changchun, currently under lockdown, Toyota suspended production at its joint venture with China’s FAW Group. Including cases arriving from outside the mainland, China reported 1,437 new confirmed Covid cases on March 13, the NHC said, compared with 1,938 a day earlier.

    Source: Reuters

  • Apple ‘dominates’ list of top 10 best-selling smartphones

    Apple ‘dominates’ list of top 10 best-selling smartphones

    Apple dominated the list of top 10 best-selling smartphones in 2021 globally, as seven out 10 smartphones in the list were iPhones, a new report said. According to market research firm Counterpoint, the top 10 best-selling smartphone models contributed 19 per cent to the total global smartphone unit sales in 2021, compared to 16 per cent in 2020. “The share of the top 10 models is increasing YoY, indicating a trend of brands focusing on their leading models and making their portfolios leaner in some cases,” the research firm said in a statement. “With entry-level models facing component shortages in 2021, we also saw faster diffusion of key features in the mid-tier segment,” it added. Apple secured seven spots in the list, its highest ever, while Xiaomi captured two spots and Samsung one. There were more than 4,200 active smartphone models in the global market in 2021.

    The top five models in 2021 were from Apple. The iPhone 12 was the best-selling model, followed by iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 11. The top three models contributed 41 per cent to Apple’s total sales. Samsung’s Galaxy A12, an entry-level smartphone, took the sixth position in 2021. Almost all regions and countries showed strong demand for A12 throughout the year.

             Source: IANS

  • European Space Agency chooses team to make oxygen on the moon

    European Space Agency chooses team to make oxygen on the moon

    The European Space Agency (ESA) announced the winning industrial team that will design and build an experimental payload to extract oxygen from the regolith (lunar soil) on the surface of the Moon.The team is led by UK-based Thales Alenia Space and is tasked with producing a small solar-powered prototype device that will be used to evaluate the prospect of building oxygen-generation plants on the moon. This could be useful for generating oxygen that can be used as a propellant and for astronauts to breathe.

    The compact payload designed by the team will have to extract between 50 and 100 grams of oxygen from the lunar regolith while targeting the extraction of 70 per cent of all available oxygen within the sample. The device will also have to do all this within a period of ten days, which is how long solar power will be available within a single lunar day before the pitch-black and freezing lunar night.

    The payload is also required to be low power and able to fly on many different lunar landers including ESA’s own European Large Logistics Lander, EL3. The winning team that also consists of AVS, Metalysis, Open University and Redwire Space Europe was selected by the ESA’s Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration in 2021 after conducting a detailed study including three rival designs.

    According to David Binns, Systems Engineer at ESA’s Concurrent Design Facility (CDF), the ability to extract oxygen and other useable materials from lunar regolith will be a game-changer for lunar exploration, allowing astronauts to ‘live off the land’ without depending on long and expensive supply lines from the earth.

    It had already previously been discovered that lunar regolith from the moon’s surface consists of 40-45% oxygen by weight. The problem is that this oxygen is bound up with other chemicals as oxides in the form of minerals or glass, making it unavailable for use without processing.

    In 2020, the ESA had set up a prototype oxygen plant in the Materials and Electrical Components Laboratory of the European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, based in the Netherlands. The lab is used to extract oxygen from simulated regolith to fine-tune the process for efficiency.

                Source: The Indian Express

  • Samsung to re-enter laptop segment in India

    Samsung to re-enter laptop segment in India

    Korean electronics major Samsung will re-enter the laptop segment in India this month and aims to capture double-digit market share by the year-end, a senior company official said. Samsung India General Manager and head of new computing business Sandeep Poswal said there is demand in the market, which makes a case for the company to re-enter the segment. “By the end of this year, 2022, we plan to have double-digit market share in the addressable area where we operate. We want to offer this to all segments of our customers. We are launching in March and we will try to do our best to achieve this share,” Poswal told PTI.

    The company had stopped selling laptops in India after 2014. He said as per latest IDC data, the market has almost grown 1.8 times between pre- and post-Covid. “There is a complete strong demand coming. We believe this demand is coming in mainly led by consumer use cases scenario building up, which may be work from home, study from home. We expect this will continue.

  • Germany issues hacking warning for users of Russian anti-virus software Kaspersky

    Germany issues hacking warning for users of Russian anti-virus software Kaspersky

    Germany’s cyber security agency has warned users of an anti-virus software developed by Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab that it poses a serious risk of a successful hacking attack. The BSI agency said that the Russia-based cyber-security company could be coerced by Russian government agents to hack IT systems abroad or agents could clandestinely use its technology to launch cyberattacks without its knowledge. Kaspersky said in a statement it was a privately-managed company with no ties to the Russian government. It said that the warning by BSI was politically motivated, adding it was in contact with the BSI to clarify the matter. The BSI warning comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine escalates with the Russian army’s shelling of the capital of Ukraine. The BSI said that German companies as well as government agencies that manage critical infrastructure were particularly at risk of a hacking attack.

    Source: Reuters

  • Benefits of oiling your hair

    Benefits of oiling your hair

    Oiling is perhaps the best thing you can do to your hair. In the long run, this practice is your key to healthier and stronger hair.

    Natural goodness for hair

    The first benefit is that natural hair oil, meaning the least processed, comes packed with several of the vitamins and micro-nutrients that are found in food. So hair oil is basically hair food.

    Revitalises hair tissues

    The second benefit of a hair oil massage is the way it penetrates the skin. A shampoo-conditioner, no matter how good its components, can’t match the way hair oil goes deep into the skin and does its job revitalising the skin tissue.

    Relaxing massage for healthy scalp

    The third benefit of a thorough hair oil massage is that it boosts blood circulation in the scalp. The oil is spread evenly around the scalp, sending nutrients directly to all the hair roots.

    Fights hair fall

    Hair oil does the job of fighting hair fall and of aiding hair regrowth. Therefore, whether you’ve got a hair loss problem or not, you can use a hair thickening oil, and the results can only be good.

    Tames frizz

    Using hair oil is a great way to control frizzy hair. On days when your hair seems all out of control and frizzy, rub some hair oil on your palms and run through the hair lightly. This will cause the frizz to settle immediately and also provide nourishment to the hair.

    Tips for oiling your hair

    –           Ideally, your scalp should be clean for the hair oil to work really well.

    –           Wash hair with a degreasing shampoo and let the hair dry out completely.

    –           Then apply hair oil the same day or the next day (before dirt builds up again on the scalp).

    –           Massage the oil in gently for about 10 to 15 minutes but thoroughly, covering every inch of the scalp. If you can warm the hair oil slightly before applying, it will spread better.

    –           Leave this on for at least 3 hours before washing off. You could even leave the hair oil on overnight, if you’re so inclined. Keeping it more than 24 hourswill make the hair weak as it will start accumulating dirt.

    –           Oil your hair at least once a week however for dry hair twice a week is advisable.

  • Spring Chicken

    Spring Chicken

    Ingredients

    1 tbsp olive oil, 1 onion chopped, 500g boneless, skinless chicken thigh, 300g small new potato, 425ml low-salt vegetable stock (such as Kallo low-salt vegetable stock cubes), 350g broccoli, cut into small florets, 350g spring green, shredded, 140g petits pois, bunch spring onion, sliced, 2 tbsp pesto

    Method

    • Heat the oil in a large, heavy pan.
    • Add the onion, gently fry for 5 mins until softened, add the chicken, then fry until lightly coloured.
    • Add the potatoes, stock and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, then bring to the boil.
    • Cover, then simmer for 30 mins until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked.
    • Can be frozen at this point.
    • Add the broccoli, spring greens, petit pois and spring onions, stir well, then return to the boil.
    • Cover, then cook for 5 mins more, stir in the pesto and heat through.
  • Chana Masala

    Chana Masala

    Ingredients

    800g canned chickpeas or 720g jar giant chickpeas, 3 onions, quartered, 3 garlic cloves, 5cm piece of ginger, 2-3 green chillies, roughly chopped, 1½ tbsp ghee, ½ tsp ground coriander, ½ tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp chilli,  powder (Kashmiri if possible), 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp garam masala, 1 ½ tsp amchoor powder (optional), 3 medium tomatoes,  around 300g), roughly chopped, or 400g can chopped, tomatoes, 1 lemon juiced, ½ small pack coriander leaves, to serve

    Method

    –           Drain the chickpeas, add to a large pan with 400ml of water and season. Bring to the boil, then turn off the heat and set aside to allow the chickpea flavour to infuse the water.

    –           Blitz the onions with the garlic, ginger and green chillies. Melt the ghee in a large saucepan, then add the onion mix with a pinch of salt and cook for 8-10 mins, until softened.

    –           Stir in the spices, and cook for 3 more mins, adding a splash of the chickpea water to stop them sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes and another splash of water and cook for 5 mins, squishing the tomatoes with a spoon as they soften. Tip in the chickpeas, along with their cooking water. Cook for 10 mins. Season well, add the lemon juice, and a splash of water if you like a looser curry. Scatter with the coriander, to serve.

  • Courteney Cox confirms Scream 6 return

    Courteney Cox confirms Scream 6 return

    Scream veteran Courteney Cox has officially received the script for the slasher franchise’s sixth big-screen entry. During an appearance on Just for Variety with Marc Malkin, Cox revealed that not only is she back for Scream 6, but that the film is expected to enter production in three months’ time. “I got the script yesterday,” she said. “I haven’t read it yet, I just got it… I’m excited to read it, and I know they’re gonna start filming I think in June, in Canada.” She then joked, “I don’t know if I’m supposed to say anything. Let me tell you the killer!”

    Cox first played the role of Gale Weathers in the satirical 1996 slasher film Scream. Alongside Neve Campbell and David Arquette — who played Sidney Prescott and Dwight “Dewey” Riley, respectively — Cox subsequently reprised her role in 1997’s Scream 2, 2000’s Scream 3 and 2011’s Scream 4. Most recently, Cox, Campbell and Arquette reprised their respective roles in the franchise’s fifth feature film, simply titled Scream, which released in theaters this past January. The fifth Scream film was directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick. The film was met with primarily positive reception and made $139.5 million at the box office against a budget of $24 million.

    With that in mind, it came as no surprise when a sequel was greenlit in early February. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett return to direct Scream 6, with Vanderbilt and Busick returning to pen the script. At the time, it was announced that filming would begin this summer, though a more specific window was not given. “We are tremendously grateful to the fans around the world who enthusiastically received our film,” Paramount and Spyglass said in a joint statement. “We can’t wait for audiences to see what Radio Silence, writers Jamie and Guy and Project X have in store for our Woodsboro family.”       Source: CBR.com