The Indian Panorama

Year: 2023

  • FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup

    FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup

    • England, India win their last matches
    By: Prabhjot Singh

    The hosts India and England won their last round of group matches to march into the knockout round of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup at iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on January 19. While England by finishing at the top of Group D has assured itself a direct place in the quarter-finals, India, in spite of its 4-2 win over winless Wales, failed to finish at the top. It now has to play crossover matches to progress to quarter-finals. Though both England and India finished with seven points each, England took the spot with a better goal difference. It scored nine goals without conceding any while India aggregated six goals in its three games and conceded two against Wales to finish at number two position. The outcome of today’s game was inconsequential as it remained number two in the group. It needed to score eight goals without conceding any to head the group.

    As expected India did not field injured Hardik Singh. He was on the ground when the team started its warm up. He, however, was without a stick. He was seen cheering team mates. At the time of introduction of ceremony, he came with a stick but went to sit with the reserves on the sidelines.His absence was largely felt during the game.

    Akashdeep Singh, who smacked two brilliant “D” top strikes, was adjudged man of the match on a day when the Wales surprised Indian defence with two penalty corner conversions while India could  also manage only two, including one in the dying moments of the game when skipper Harmanpreet Singh stuck with a deep low flick. In all India got seven penalty corners. Aware of the style and strategy of Wales,the Indian team was unable to break the solid Wales defence in the first half as it struggled hard to open scoring.It was Shamsher Singh playing his 50th international who opened scoring for India in the 23rd minute by retrieving a rebound and shot into the net from the stop of the striking circle. The goal sent the packed Stadium wild. The roars got a boost three minutes into the second half when Aklashdeep Singh after intercepting a brilliant D top pass from Mandeep Singh smacked home a lightning shot that had the Wales goalkeeper beaten. Once India had a 2-0 lead, the crowd started demanding more as it cheered all good moves of the home team. However, it was Wales that stole the thunder for most of the time in the third quarter.  Goals by Furlong Gareth in the 43rd minute followed by a flawless conversion by Jacob Draper in the 45th minute had the stadium in pin drop silence. Though India managed to beat the Wales defence when Abhishek had a powerful reverse fick from D top  but the goal was disallowed by video referee after Wales asked for a review. Earlier, it was Akashdeep, who repeated his earlier drill, this time from the  right flank, to notch up the home team’s third goal.Before the game concluded, India had the consolation of scoring its fourth goal when skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored his first direct goal from a penalty corner.

    Earlier, England was a convincing 4-0 winner over Spain in its last game.

    Phil Roper opened the scoring for England in the 11th minute following a penalty corner. Nicholas Bandurak and Liam Ansell scored third and fourth goals for the English to take it to the top of the group.

    Now India and Spain will play crossovers with teams finishing second and third in group C. India takes on New Zealand and Malaysia plays Spain.

  • Shubman Gill sizzles with double ton as India claim nervy win vs Kiwis

    Shubman Gill sizzles with double ton as India claim nervy win vs Kiwis

    Hyderabad (TIP)- Shubman Gill dazzled by hammering a sublime maiden double century as India beat New Zealand by 12 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal on Wednesday, January 18. India rode on Gill’s 208 (149b, 19*4, 9*6) to post a mammoth 349 for the loss of eight wickets. When the lights came on, the bowlers picked wickets upfront but stumbled against a counter-attacking century from Michael Bracewell before bouncing back to clinch the thriller. The match went tantalisingly close with Bracewell keeping the visitor in the hunt with a breath-taking 140 off 78 balls and New Zealand requiring 20 runs in the final over.

    Shardul Thakur was taken to the cleaners; he leaked 47 runs in seven overs. He was entrusted to bowl the final over with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj finishing their quota of overs. Bracewell welcomed Thakur by smoking the medium pacer high into the wide long-on stands for a maximum. Shardul followed it up with a wide but the murmur rose to a din when the medium pacer trapped the centurion plumb in front with a yorker to bundle out the Kiwis for 337.

    After Gill’s heroics with the bat, Siraj, playing his first international match at home, starred with the ball by taking a four-wicket haul. On a day where 686 runs were scored on a track that aided bounce and turn, Bracewell steered New Zealand from a precarious position and almost won the match for the Black Caps. But Siraj returned to bowl an inspiring spell at the death and registered figures of 10-2-46-4 at an economy of 4.60 – the best figures at this venue, eclipsing Umesh Yadav’s figures of 9-0-53-4 against Sri Lanka in November 2014. Finn Allen and Devon Conway failed to give New Zealand a fiery start as Siraj made an early breakthrough by dismissing Conway. The fast bowler has built a reputation of striking inside the PowerPlay and the pattern continued. The end of PowerPlay saw Thakur dismissing Allen with a well-planned short ball strategy as Shahbaz Ahmed took an excellent catch with a dive in the deep. Kuldeep Yadav found his mojo back with a three-wicket haul against Sri Lanka and playing in place of Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep struck immediately on arrival.

  • Top wrestlers allege harassment by wrestling federation chief

    India’s top wrestlers, including two Olympic medallists, rebelled against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) on Wednesday, accusing its president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of running the body in a “dictatorial” manner, and alleging “sexual exploitation and mental harassment” at national camps. In an unprecedented sit-in at the Capital’s Jantar Mantar area, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia, Rio Olympics bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, and two-time world championships medallist Vinesh Phogat led a group of around 30 wrestlers. In a media conference at the venue, they demanded the immediate removal of Singh to “save wrestling from his clutches”. Wrestling is India’s most successful individual Olympic sport with seven medals, including two at Tokyo in 2021.

    The protesting wrestlers alleged that Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BP) MP from Kaiserganj, Uttar Pradesh, in his third term as federation president (his tenure ends this year), has been running the body as his fiefdom. They also accused him of “sexual harassment” and using “abusive language” against wrestlers.

    The wresters — the group included young stars Anshu Malik, the 2021 world championships silver medallist, and Tokyo Olympian Sonam Malik — said they will take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah.

    Speaking to reporters hours later, Singh denied the accusations of sexual harassment, and alleged the revolt was part of a “conspiracy” to unseat him.

    Vinesh said during the sit-in that she was “mentally tortured” after the Tokyo Olympics, where she lost in the quarterfinals. She alleged that she received death threats from people in the federation because she had complained about the conditions in the sport to the Prime Minister during a meeting. “The WFI president is a very powerful man and wrestlers are scared to talk against him. Now we have gathered courage because the situation is going out of hand,” said Vinesh. She also alleged that “girls are sexually exploited” at the women’s national camp in Lucknow.

    “Coaches are sexually harassing girls and ill-treat women coaches in the camp. I am not saying this about all the coaches but a few of them who are close to the federation chief. I complained against the chief coach Jitender Yadav but despite that he has not been removed. WFI president has sexually exploited girls,” Vinesh said.         Source: HT

  • Churu: Gateway to Thar Desert

    Churu: Gateway to Thar Desert

    At the edge of the Thar desert and situated amidst the shifting golden sand dunes, lies a small city called Churu, resplendent with havelis, fresco paintings and unique architecture. Known as the ‘Gateway to the Thar desert’, Churu lies in the historic Shekhawati region in northern Rajasthan. Churu is a popular attraction for tourists due to its architecture – the grand palaces of havelis of Kanhaiya Lal Bagla and Surana, and its 400-year-old fort, among other things.

    Black Buck Santuary

    Talchhapar Sanctuary, situated in Churu is famous for endangered black-buck. Other wild animals found in the sanctuary are chinkara, fox, juangle cat, rojra along with many resident and migratory birds. It lies on the way of migratory pass of many birds and therefore it is also popular with bird lovers. Talchhapar, actually a flat saline depression, has a unique ecosystem.

    Talchhapar area was a game reservoir for the erstwhile Maharaja of Bikaner State and was declared a reserved area for the protection of wild animals and birds in the year 1962. Total area of Talchhapar Sanctuary is 719 hectare. The sanctuary area is mostly covered by grasses with a very few and sparse trees of Khejri, Salvadora, Ber, Ker and Neem. Main grasses found in the area are Sewan, Doob, Dhaman Lampla, Lana and Moth etc. The area gives a lush green look during rainy season but again dries up during summer season.

    Chhatries (Cenotaph)

    Churu has some good memorial domes, mostly raised to rich merchants, north of the town. Historically the most significant is ‘Aath Kambh Chhatri’ (Eight Pillar Dome) west of the vegetable market. Built in 1776 on a Rajput’s cremation site. Its base has been virtually buried by windblown sand. The interior is covered with murals, one detail depicting an early European mercenary on foot, bearing a musket. Further north are chhatris of the Mantri , Bagla and Lohia merchant families.

    Dudhwa Khara

    Just 36 kms from Churu It is an historical village which lies on Thar desert. The village has enticing topography and have huge beautifully designed havelis.One can enjoy the rural life and camel safaris in the village.

    Gogaji

    Gogaji also known as Gugga is a folk deity of Rajasthan state in India. He is an eminent warrior-hero of the region. Hindus and Muslims alike honor him. He is also venerated as a saint and even as ‘snake-god’. He is known as Goga among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the Muslims. Gogaji is popular as a snake-god and almost every village in Rajasthan has a Than (sacred place) dedicated to him.Rabari community in Gujarat and Rajasthan is great believer in Gogaji.

    It is believed that Gogaji went into samadhi at Gogamedi. Thousands of devotees gather to pay homage at this memorial annually in the month of Bhadrapada during the Gogaji fair, which lasts for 3 days.The fair is held from the ninth day of the dark half of Bhadrapada (Goga Navami) to the eleventh day of the dark half of the same month.

    Kanhaiyalal Bagla Haveli

    Just south of the main bazaar, this haveli built around 1880 boasts the finest frieze in all the Shekhawati region. It illustrates Dhola and Maru on a camel fleeing the wicked Umra-Sumra, Sassi and Punu side by side on horseback, two set of lovers from folk tales. To the south-west is a mosque, Jama Masjid, and a little Muslim haveli decorated with non-figurative work.

    Kothari and Surana Haveli

    A group of handsome painted havelis built by two prominent Oswal Jain merchant families, the Kothari and Surana clans. Amongst them are ‘Malji Ka Kamra’ (Malji’s Haveli), an exotic stucco extravagaza built by Malaji Kothari around 1925 and the massive Surana Double Haveli, said to boast 1111 windows and doors built in the 1870s.

    Mantri Haveli

    The Mantri Haveli is one of the most beautifully designed Havelis in India. The Mantri Haveli, Churu reflects the rich grandeur and splendor of the Rajput era. One of the major tourist attractions of Rajasthan, the Mantri Haveli, Churu attracts tourists from all over to Rajasthan. The Mantri Haveli is truly a beautiful symbol of Rajput grandeur and beauty. In the Mantri Haveli, Churu you can get to see beautiful paintings and exquisite mirror work that brings travelers from all over.

    Mantri Haveli, Churu was built in the 18th century and is completely covered with paintings. From exotic images to beautiful and unique silhouettes the paintings are simply a class apart. One of the oldest Havelis in Churu, the Mantri Haveli is an art gallery. Dedicated to one of the ministers of the royal family the Mantri Haveli in Churu attracts tourists for its beauty and uniqueness.

    From floral swirls, motifs, and excellent mirror work, to balconies and alcoves, the exquisite artistry of the Rajputs are explicitly reflected in its artwork as well as architecture. From lavish ornamentation, spacious courtyards to sprawling areas, the Mantri Haveli, Churu attracts people from all over. However the front facade is completely worn out and you can feel the medieval aura and ambience once you enter inside the Mantri Haveli.

  • Vasant Panchami

    Vasant Panchami

    Vasant Panchami is a famous festival of North India. This festival belongs to Hindus, some Hindus know this festival as Saraswati Puja. Vasant Panchami is also called Basant Panchami. It is a festival that marks the initial preparations for the arrival of spring. Which is celebrated in different ways in different regions in India. This festival is celebrated every year on the Shukla Panchami of the month of Magha.

    Goddess Saraswati is called the Goddess of Vidya. Saraswati is worshiped on this day, since ancient times it is considered to be the birthday of Saraswati, the mother goddess of knowledge and art. Vasant Panchami festival is a festival dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, language, music and all arts. On this festival, women wear yellow clothes, and cook yellow dishes. In India, the whole year is divided into six seasons, of which spring is the favorite season of all. In this month, the field is filled with mustard yellow flowers.

    This day is also considered as an auspicious day to begin work. It is also considered very auspicious to get married or perform house warming ceremony (griha pravesh) on the day of Vasant Panchami.

    Interestingly, the color yellow holds great significance during Vasant Panchami as it is associated with the colour of mustard flowers that bloom during this season, so wearing the hue is also encouraged.

    Celebrations and traditions

    –              In addition to Saraswati Puja celebrations, people across Punjab and Haryana observe the Basant Festival of Kites with great enthusiasm. At Amritsar’s Harmandir Sahib the Sikhs initiate singing of the Basant Raga that continues till the first day of Vaisakh. Also, in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, the Sikhs organise a fair at the renowned gurudwara of Guru-ka-Lahore.

    –              Basant Sufi is also celebrated by Muslims at Delhi’s Nizamuddin Dargah and the dargah of Chishti.

    –              In Bihar’s Aurangabad district, people celebrate this day as the birthday of Deo Sun-god, whose shrine was set up by King Aila of Prayagraj on the day of Vasant Panchami.

    As ‘Diwali’ – the festival of light – is to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, and ‘Navaratri’ is to Durga, goddess of power and valor, Vasant Panchami is to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts. This festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day or ‘Panchami’ of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha, which falls during January-February, (see calendar). ‘Vasant’ comes from the word ‘spring’ as this festival heralds the beginning of the spring season.

    Birthday of Goddess Saraswati

    It is believed that on this day goddess Saraswati was born. Hindus celebrate Vasant Panchami with great fervor in temples, homes and even schools and colleges. Saraswati’s favorite color white assumes special significance on this day. Statues of the goddess are dressed in white clothes and are worshiped by devotees adorning white garments. Saraswati is offered sweets which are given away as ‘prasad’ to all people attending the ritual worship.

    There is also a custom of ancestor worship, known as ‘Pitri-Tarpan’ in many parts of India during Vasant Panchami.

    The Foundation of Education

    The most significant aspect of Vasant Panchami is that it is also the most auspicious day to begin laying one’s foundations of education – of how to read and write. Pre-school children are given their first lesson in reading and writing on this day. All Hindu educational institutions conduct special prayer for Saraswati on this day. It is also a great day to inaugurate training institutes and new schools – a trend made famous by the renowned Indian educationist Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946), who founded the Banaras Hindu University on Vasant Panchami day in 1916.

    A Springtime Celebration

    During Vasant Panchami, the advent of spring is felt in the air as the season undergoes change. New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the promise of new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of another big springtime event in the Hindu calendar – Holi, the festival of colors.

    Saraswati Mantra: Sanskrit Prayer:

    Here is the text of the popular ‘pranam mantra’ or Sanskrit prayer, Saraswati devotees utter with utmost devotion on this day:

    Om Saraswati Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamala Lochaney |

    Viswarupey Vishalakshmi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey ||

    Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta Haarey |

    Vina Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati Devi Namohastutey ||

    Saraswati Vandana: Sanskrit Hymn

    The following hymn is also recited on Vasant Panchami:

    Yaa Kundendu tushaara haaradhavalaa, Yaa shubhravastraavritha|

    Yaa veenavara dandamanditakara, Yaa shwetha padmaasana||

    Yaa brahmaachyutha shankara prabhritibhir Devaisadaa Vanditha|

    Saa Maam Paatu Saraswatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha jaadyaapahaa||

    English Translation

    “May Goddess Saraswati,

    who is fair like the jasmine-colored moon,

    and whose pure white garland is like frosty dew drops; who is adorned in radiant white attire,

    on whose beautiful arm rests the veena,

    and whose throne is a white lotus;

    who is surrounded and respected by the Gods, protect me. May you fully remove my lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance.”

    Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. She is the mother of the Vedas, and chants to her, called the ‘Saraswati Vandana’ often begin and end Vedic lessons. Saraswati is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus – the symbol of true knowledge – in the second.

    The Symbolism of Saraswati

    With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called the veena. She is dressed in white – the symbol of purity – and rides on a white swan – symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity and discrimination. Saraswati is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography – the consort of Manjushri.

    The learned and the erudite attach greater importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati.

  • Adani Enterprises submits papers for Rs 20,000-cr FPO

    Adani Enterprises submits papers for Rs 20,000-cr FPO

    Adani Enterprises Lltd. (AEL) has filed an offer letter with stock exchanges for a Rs 20,000 crore follow-on public offer (FPO) which will open on January 27 and close on January 31. Anchor investors can bid on January 25. Of the expected Rs 20,000 crore proceeds from the FPO, almost half or Rs 10,869 crore will be used for green hydrogen projects, work at the existing airports and construction of a greenfield expressway. Another Rs 4,165 crore will go towards repayment of debt taken by Adani Airport Holdings, Adani Road Transport and Mundra Solar. The company has a debt portfolio of Rs 40,023.50 crore as of September 30, 2022. AEL operates seven airports. It is also developing infrastructure projects such as roads. AEL plans to invest over Rs 4 lakh crore in the green hydrogen ecosystem for the production of green hydrogen. It also plans to expand the solar module manufacturing capacity at Mundra SEZ to up to 10 GW per annum.

  • Budget 2023: India’s buzzing economic activity belies fears of slowdown

    Budget 2023: India’s buzzing economic activity belies fears of slowdown

    India’s economy picked up speed in December as business conditions improved, marking a rebound for the South Asian nation that had showed signs of a slowdown the preceding month.

    The needle indicating so-called animal spirits moved right after holding steady for five straight months – indicating stronger overall economic activity as 2022 drew to a close. Consumer spending boosted tax collection and manufacturers signaled optimism about the future, while services sector saw expansion of new businesses.

    The reading comes ahead of the unveiling of India’s budget on Feb. 1, when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to highlight India’s potential to grow at a world-beating pace in the year beginning April. The performance of Asia’s third-largest economy contrasts with that of many developed nations, which face recessions this year.

    India still has some vulnerabilities on the path ahead. Exports contracted in two of the past three months, leaving several companies struggling to secure new work from key overseas markets. Prices of finished products rose as firms passed on higher input costs and business expenses. Among the eight indicators tracked by Bloomberg, India’s unemployment inched up and banks witnessed lower demand for credit.

    Bloomberg’s animal spirits barometer uses a three-month weighted average to smooth out volatility in single-month readings. Below are more details:

    Business Activity

    A purchasing managers’ survey reflected robust activity in both manufacturing and services in December. The composite index climbed to an 11-year high. Output rose sharply. New orders in manufacturing also climbed the fastest since February 2021, while services firms saw new businesses increasing for the seventeenth straight month in December.

    “While some may question the resilience of the Indian manufacturing industry in 2023 amid a deteriorating outlook for the global economy, manufacturers were strongly confident in their ability to lift production,” said Pollyanna De Lima, Economics Associate Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

    Exports

    Exports fell 12.2% in December compared to a year ago, but at $34.5 billion were still at a three-month high in value terms, data released by the trade ministry showed. Exports remain competitive despite global headwinds, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said.Imports fell 3.46% from the previous year, narrowing the trade gap for the second month to $23.76 billion. Moderating commodity prices and a broader weakening of the dollar have helped lower India’s import bill, but a continued weakness in exports could hinder recovery from a record-high current account gap seen during the July-September quarter.

    Source: Bloomberg

  • Microsoft to lay off nearly 11,000 employees this week: Report

    Microsoft to lay off nearly 11,000 employees this week: Report

    San Francisco (TIP)- Tech giant Microsoft is joining the ongoing layoff season at tech companies, and is reportedly set to fire nearly 11,000 employees this week amid the global economic slowdown. Sky News reported that Satya Nadella-run company is “finalising plans to become the latest technology giant to reduce its workforce during a global economic slowdown”.

    Microsoft employs more than 2,20,000 people, including 6,000 in the UK. The company’s contemplating reducing roughly 5 per cent of its workforce, “which, if accurate, would equate to approximately 11,000 jobs”.

    The company will likely announce layoffs on Wednesday (US time), ahead of its quarterly earnings next week.

    Nadella recently warned of two years of challenges ahead for the tech industry.

    In an interview with CNBC, he admitted Microsoft wasn’t “immune to the global changes”.

    “The next two years are probably going to be the most challenging,” said Nadella.

    In recent weeks, a slew of large tech companies have laid off employees, with Amazon slashing 18,000 jobs.

    Salesforce, the cloud software provider, would cut more than 7,000 jobs.

    More than 1,600 tech employees are being laid off per day on average in 2023 globally including in India, and the sacking episodes have gained speed amid global economic meltdown and recession fears.

    The year 2023 has begun on a bad note for tech workers globally and 91 companies have laid off more than 24,000 tech employees in the first 15 days this month, signalling worse days ahead.

  • China’s GDP growth falls to 3% in 2022, second lowest growth in 50 years

    Beijing (TIP)- Hit hard by the zero-Covid policy and slump in the real estate market, China’s economy shrank to three per cent in 2022, registering its second lowest growth rate in 50 years in the world’s second-largest economy, according to official data.

    The annual GDP of China totalled 21.02 trillion yuan (USD 17.94 trillion) in 2022, falling below the 5.5 per cent official target, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said. The slow pace was blamed mainly on the strictly implemented zero-Covid policy leading to periodic lockdowns and the ruling Communist Party’s crackdown on big industrial firms besides the lingering real estate crisis.

    This is the slowest growth of the Chinese economy since the 2.3 per cent registered in GDP in 1974.

    Significantly this year, China’s GDP in terms of dollars declined from USD 18 trillion in 2021 to USD 17.94 trillion last year mainly due to a sharp rise of the dollar against RMB (the Chinese currency) in 2022.

    In RMB terms, the Chinese economy last year posted 121.02 trillion yuan against the 2021 figure of 114.37 trillion yuan.

    The GDP growth in the fourth quarter was 2.9 per cent year-on-year, compared with 3.9 per cent in the third quarter as it was hit hard by recurring covid lockdowns of various urban centres, including the top industrial and business hubs like Shanghai.

    Industrial output, an important economic indicator, expanded by 3.6 per cent year-on-year in 2022 and 1.3 per cent in December.

    China’s fixed-asset investment went up 5.1 per cent in 2022. The NBS said “despite the overall stable economic performance”, the foundation for economic recovery remains “unstable”.

    The country will comprehensively deepen reform and opening-up and focus on strengthening market confidence to promote improvements of the economy to revive the economy, it said. Last year’s annual GDP growth of 3 per cent marked a slowdown from 8.4 per cent in 2021, a sharp decline blamed on a host of factors mainly China shutting itself from the outside world due to zero Covid policy. China had set a modest economic growth target of around 5.5 per cent for last year, but it remained unattainable due to the impact of the coronavirus. The urban surveyed jobless rate, meanwhile, stood at 5.5 per cent in December, down from 5.7 per cent in November amid reports that one among five persons in China was unemployed.

    But according to NBS data, China’s job market remained generally stable in 2022. A total of 12.06 million new urban jobs were created last year, exceeding the annual target of 11 million, the data showed.

    Source: Agencies

  • Twitter set to launch ‘verification for organizations’ feature

    Twitter set to launch ‘verification for organizations’ feature

    Elon Musk-owned Twitter has announced to soon launch the ‘Verification for Organisations’ feature which was earlier called ‘Blue for Business.’ The company said that it will review applications and allow a limited set of organisations to use the feature.

    “We will soon launch Verification for Organisations, formerly known as Blue for Business. You can apply for early access via our waitlist,” Twitter posted. As a subscriber, you and your business will receive business accounts and affiliation badges through our self-serve administrative portal, according to the company. “We’ll be reviewing applications and opening up access to a limited group on a rolling basis in the coming weeks,” said the micro-blogging platform.

    The company is frantically trying to monetise its platform via various means.

    Since Musk’s takeover, the billionaire has been aiming to boost the company’s revenue, including charging money for its $8 Blue subscription service with verification.

    Twitter will soon start selling usernames via online actions that have remained inactive in order to boost its revenues.

    It is unclear how much Twitter will charge for selling inactive usernames.

    Several advertisers have left the micro-blogging platform, as the company cuts internal revenue projections.

    Meanwhile, Musk said that Twitter will soon publish tweet recommendation code and make account/tweet status visible “no later than next month”.        Source: IANS

  • Apple iOS 16.3 update releasing next week with new features

    Apple iOS 16.3 update releasing next week with new features

    Apple is set to release the latest iOS 16.3 update for iPhone users next week. The new update is coming with a major security feature for global users. It includes end-to-end encryption for many additional iCloud data categories, including Photos, Notes, Voice Memos, Messages backups, device backups and more.

    The latest iOS 16.3 update also includes a few other changes and features – Security Keys for Apple ID, Advanced Data Protection, support for the new second-generation HomePod, a new Unity wallpaper and more. With Security Keys for Apple ID feature, You can now use a physical hardware security key to serve as the second layer of authentication for your Apple ID, 9to5mac reported. Also, iPhone will now wait until you release the buttons to call emergency services, even after the countdown.

    Apple iOS 16.3 Update: Advanced Data Protection On iCloud

    iCloud Advanced Data Protection feature was rolled out at the end of last year with iOS 16.2 in the United States. Now, Apple is expanding this feature beyond the United States. Starting with iOS 16.3, the security feature will be available globally.

    As per the report, all users will be able to activate iCloud Advanced Data Protection, an end-to-end encryption feature for almost all data stored in iCloud, including messages, photos, and device backups. iCloud already provides end-to-end encryption for 14 data categories without Advanced Data Protection turned on. Now, Advanced Data Protection expands this protection to the vast majority of iCloud categories, with major exceptions including the Mail, Contacts, and Calendar apps.

    How To Enable iCloud Advanced Data Protection

    If you want to enable iCloud Advanced Data Protection, open Settings -> [your name] -> iCloud -> Advanced Data Protection and follow the steps to turn it on.

    Apple is also fixing the big display issue on iPhone 14 Pro Max with the iOS 16.3. The company recently acknowledged the issue in an internal memo last week and said a fix was incoming. As per MacRumors, the bug fix indicates it’s a software issue, rather than a hardware defect.

    Only iPhone 15 Pro Max May Come With Periscope Camera Lens

    The US-based tech giant Apple is likely planning to bring the periscope camera lens system to the iPhone 15 Pro Max models only. According to a new report, the Pro Max variant will be the sole Apple smartphone of 2023 to get a periscope camera. A periscope lens offers optical zoom capabilities. Apple intends a ‘Folded Zoom’ periscope telephoto lens to be an exclusive feature in the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year, The Elec, a South Korean publication, reported. The report corroborates the earlier predictions by the analyst Ming Chi-Kuo who had previously suggested that the periscope camera would remain exclusive to the bigger of the two Pro iPhone models this year. The US-based tech giant is tapping new suppliers for the OIS actuators that will be used in the periscope lens destined for this year’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. The brand will rely on Korean companies LG Innotek and Jahwa Electronics to supply the actuators. The report also claimed that Apple will then make the periscope lens system a feature of both iPhone 16 Pro models in 2024.

    In a periscope system, light entering the telephoto lens is reflected by an angled mirror towards the camera’s image sensor. The change in direction in which the light travels allows for a longer “folded” telephoto setup inside phones, enabling users to zoom in further without any blurriness. Reports have suggested that there will be increased differentiation between the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has said the iPhone 15 Pro Max could potentially be renamed the iPhone 15 Ultra, like the Apple Watch Ultra.    Source: News18

  • Scientists find clues that could help predict next violent explosion on the Sun

    Scientists find clues that could help predict next violent explosion on the Sun

    The Sun exploded with a partial halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on January 14 and it hit Earth on January 17, causing an abrupt shift in the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) near Earth. While it only sparked auroras, stronger eruptions on the Sun have the tendency to damage electronic grids and satellites, and even cause power outages. Scientists are now a step closer to predicting when and where the next eruption of the Sun will happen. They have found new clues in the blazing upper atmosphere of the Sun that could help solve the riddle. They have identified small signals in the upper layers of the solar atmosphere, the corona. These signals can help identify which regions of the Sun are more likely to produce energetic bursts of light and particles known as solar flares. The team from NorthWest Research Associates found the corona produced small-scale flashes above the regions about to flare. These were like small sparklers before the big explosion.

    “We can get some very different information in the corona than we get from the photosphere, or ‘surface’ of the Sun. Our results may give us a new marker to distinguish which active regions are likely to flare soon and which will stay quiet over an upcoming period of time” KD Leka, lead author on the new study who is also a designated foreign professor at Nagoya University in Japan, said in a statement.

  • WhatsApp to let you set voice messages as status

    WhatsApp keeps testing a lot of features and a new one has now been spotted in the beta version of the app. The platform is testing a Voice Status update, which sounds pretty cool because WhatsApp currently lets you send voice messages to regular chats. The feature is pretty self-explanatory. It lets you share a voice note as status update. Here is everything we know about the latest update on WhatsApp. WaBetaInfo has spotted the new feature in 2.22.21.5 Android beta update, and eligible users will see it in the text status section of the app.

    The messaging app even lets you configure who all can check out your Voice Status update. People will also get control over their voice recordings as the app will also give the ability to discard a recording before making it public. It is unknown whether the play pause process will be as seamless as the one WhatsApp offers for regular chats. The app automatically saves your voice messages even if you close WhatsApp while recording something and lets you continue recording the messaging where you left.

  • COPD patients are 61% more likely to die within a year after major surgery

    COPD patients are 61% more likely to die within a year after major surgery

    According to a recent study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who undergo major surgery are more likely to die in the year following surgery and have greater health-care expenses than equivalent patients without COPD. “Because patients with COPD are often frail and have many health problems, their management around the time of surgery should address not only COPD but all their health issues,” says Dr. Ashwin Sankar, an anesthesiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto, and the University of Toronto.

    The study included 932 616 patients aged 35 years and older in Ontario who underwent major surgery, including total hip or knee replacement, gastrointestinal surgery, vascular surgery and other elective noncardiac surgeries. Of all patients, about 1 in 5 (170 482) had COPD. Patients with COPD were older, and more likely to be male, frail, have lower income and have pre-existing conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes and lung cancers. Researchers found that compared with demographically similar patients without COPD undergoing similar surgery, people with COPD had a 61% increased risk of dying and a 13% increase in health care costs in the year after surgery. These increased risks and costs were evident long after the immediate 30-day postoperative period.

    “Patients with COPD typically have concurrent comorbidity, biopsychosocial issues and frailty,” write the authors. “Our findings highlight the importance of careful risk prediction and decision-making for patients with COPD who are considering surgery.”

    They hope that their findings of increased health care costs will help with system-level planning by policy-makers and hospital administrators to better respond to the postsurgical needs of people with COPD.

    Source: ANI

  • ‘Isolate for 10 days’: WHO issues fresh

    Covid-19 guidelines

    Covid-19 continues to spread en masse in several coutnries across the globe. While the scare of another probably pandemic wave has not died down, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued new guidelines with respect to people who get infected by the deadly virus. WHO informed that they have updated its guidelines on ‘mask wearing in community settings, Covid-19 treatments, and clinical management.’

    Amid spread of newer variants of Covid-19, WHO has urged everyone to continue wearing masks and take the booster doses of vaccine in order to curb the spread of the virus.

    Here is a detailed look at WHO’s updated guidelines

    ISOLATION PERIOD

    –              WHO has said that if Covid-19 patients are displaying symptoms of the virus they will have to be isolated for at least 10 days from the date of onset of the symptoms

    –              Earlier WHO’s guidelines had stated that Covid-19 patients who displayed symptoms of Covid-19 be discharged after 10 days of onset of symptoms, along with a vigilance of at least 3 days after the symptoms have disappeared

    –              WHO has mentioned that if a Covid patient tests negative with an antigen-based rapid test, they can be discharged early from isolation

    –              Asymptomatic Covid patients or individuals who have tested positive for the virus, but do not experience any symptoms, should be isolated for 5 days, WHO mentions in their updated guidelines

    –              Earlier the isolation period for these patients was ten days

    WEARING MASKS

    The WHO recommends the use of masks ‘ irrespective of the local epidemiological situation, given the current spread of the Covid-19 globally.’

    –              WHO says wearing a mask in public spaces is still key against the prevention of the deadly virus

    –              In their statements, WHO recommended the use of masks ‘ irrespective of the local epidemiological situation, given the current spread of the Covid-19 globally.’

    –              WHO also says that one should wear masks in the following situation

    –              If one has recently been exposed to Covid-19

    –              When someone has or suspects they have Covid-19

    –              When someone is at high-risk of severe Covid-19

    –              Anyone in a crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated space

    TREATMENT OF COVID-19

    –              WHO has extended its strong recommendation for the use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir

    –              WHO also reviewed the evidence on two other medicines, sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab, and maintains strong recommendations against their use for treating COVID-19

  • Factors that might increase risk of getting heart attack

    Factors that might increase risk of getting heart attack

    Cholesterol

    Uncontrollable variables can alter blood cholesterol levels, however, there are measures you can undertake to ensure that your cholesterol level is healthy. If necessary, ask your doctor for assistance on how to lower your cholesterol. Increasing your consumption of dietary fibre, choosing nutritious, low-fat foods, and engaging in regular exercise can all help lower your cholesterol.

    Diabetes

    Diabetes can harm your heart, particularly if it is not under control. Over the age of 65, heart disease claims over 68% of the lives of diabetics. To better control, your blood sugar levels, adhere to your doctor’s treatment plan and make the necessary lifestyle adjustments.

    Hypertension

    One very prevalent risk factor for heart disease is high blood pressure. Your heart has to work harder when your blood pressure is up. Heart attacks may result from this stiffening of the heart muscle. Find out what you can do to lower your blood pressure by speaking with your doctor. Your blood pressure may decrease with appropriate exercise, a low-salt and low-fat diet, moderate alcohol consumption, a healthy weight, and stress management.

    Obesity

    Increased cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart attack risk are all associated with excess body fat. To reach and stay at a healthy weight, one must follow a balanced diet and engage in appropriate activity. Consult your doctor to find a weight-loss solution if you are having problems losing weight.

    Smoking

    Smoking is to blame for one in every five heart attack deaths. Your chance of suffering a heart attack can increase by two to four times if you smoke cigarettes. Smoking reduces the quantity of oxygen that gets to your heart, raises blood pressure, harms blood vessels, and increases the risk of blood clots, therefore the risk is higher for smokers. If you currently smoke, there is still time for you to quit and lower your chance of developing heart disease.

    Insufficient exercise

    Coronary heart disease is at risk due to an inactive lifestyle. Regular moderate to strenuous exercise can lower your chance of developing cardiovascular disease. Obesity, diabetes, and blood cholesterol can all be managed with physical activity. For certain people, it can also help reduce blood pressure. Adults should aim for 75 minutes of strenuous activity (such as jogging) or at least 150 minutes of moderate activity (such as brisk walking) per week, or a combination of the two.

    Stress

    A heart attack risk factor is a poor reaction to stress. Test out various stress-reduction strategies to see which ones are most effective for you. Participating in yoga, doing breathing exercises, and using better time management are some strategies for reducing stress.

    Source: NDTV

  • Add volume and thickness to fine hair

    Add volume and thickness to fine hair

    Losing your hair might cause you to lose confidence and cause emotional stress. There are several reasons why you can be dealing with a receding hairline; history of the family, stress, inadequate nutrition, too much perspiration, illness, age, treatments or medications, and changes in hormones. Some of the reasons are difficult to deal with but mostly a lot are under our control and can be reversed to a lot of extents. There are a lot of medical treatments available in the market that you can try but why go for extreme steps when you can try natural ways of treating your problem?

    Hair Growth Tips

    Having the right diet that promotes hair growth, you should also create a healthy meal plan with a dietician if you’re experiencing hair loss, especially one that is high in protein and iron. Consuming a quality multi-vitamin daily will help keep your nutrition levels in check, which will in turn promote hair growth. Including fish, meat, and pulses in your diet can bring a lot of changes

    There is nothing that a good oil massage can’t cure. We have heard of a variety of oils to promote hair growth but Bhringraj oil isn’t the kind that you hear about every day, it is quite popular in Ayurveda therapy as well as medical science. This oil really has the best reputation for all that it can do for your hair. The oil overall helps to treat dandruff and dry scalp, reduce hair fall, increase blood circulation, add sheen, promote hair growth, and even prevent premature greying. You can simply warm it up, apply it on your scalp and roots thoroughly and keep it on for 30 minutes before rinsing it off

    Over-treated hair can lead to hair loss due to the toxic chemicals found in dyes and styling products. Choose your hair styling products wisely. Research and consult the specialist to choose the right product. Take extra care of your hair in winter, and use homemade hair masks by mixing a banana with milk or cream to moisturise your hair and prevent breakage

    Amla, the Indian gooseberry is a treasure trove of benefits for health and beauty. To combat thinning hair, use dry gooseberry powder to shampoo your hair. You may alternatively use it as a hair tonic to make the most of the amla benefits for hair

    Aloe vera has long been used for treating hair loss and hair thinning. It also soothes the scalp and conditions hair. It can reduce dandruff and unblock hair follicles that may be blocked by excess oil. You can apply pure aloe vera gel to your scalp and hair a few times per week. You can also use shampoo and conditioner that contain aloe vera.

    Onion juice has been to promote hair growth and successfully treat patchy alopecia areata — an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the hair follicles and causes hair loss on various parts of the body. Onion juice is also thought to improve circulation.        Source: India.com

  • Punjabi Creamy Chicken

    Punjabi Creamy Chicken

    INGREDIENTS

    1 kilograms washed & dried chicken boneless

    2 finely chopped onion

    1 tablespoon garlic

    1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder

    1 tablespoon dried fenugreek leaves

    2 sprigs crushed lightly mint

    100 gm fresh cream

    1/4 tablespoon ginger

    2 green chilli

    1/2 teaspoon powdered black pepper

    1 tablespoon sliced & slit almonds

    Method

    To make this Creamy Chicken, first put a pan on medium flame and heat a little oil in it. Put ginger, garlic and green chillies in it and saute till they become golden brown. Then add chopped onions to it and saute till they turn light brown.

    Now add the washed chicken and cook for around 10 minutes.

    Add salt, black pepper powder and garam masala into the chicken, and cook till chicken turns golden and is cooked.

    If you think your chicken is ready and tender, go ahead and add the fresh cream. Mix well, cover and cook for around 6-10 minutes. When its almost cooked, add kasoori methi powder and cover it for about 2 more minutes.

    Your Creamy Chicken is prepared. Garnish it with almonds and lightly crushed mint leaves. Serve it hot with butter naan or stuffed naan along with raita of your choice!

  • Anti-ageing myths we need to stop believing

    Green juices are blood cleansers that can help your face glow and having a certain quantity of water will help you attain clean skin are some of the anti-aging myths that people are following blindly.

    Make-up experts debunk some of the anti-aging myths.

    –              A daily green juice is essential to get glowing skin: Green juices are blood cleansers which help in giving glowing and radiant skin. It is one of the best things to follow in a beauty regime to help your skin look youthful, but it is not necessarily the only thing one has to do get glowing skin. CTM (Cleansing, toning, moisturising) routine, using a sunscreen, exercising, having a balanced diet are essential too. It is about the complete lifestyle and not one particular habit.

    –              Water is the fountain of youth and three litres is essential for everyone: Water helps keep your body and skin hydrated and helps release toxins in your body. Having three litres of water is good for us but then again it’s more than just consuming water that our body needs.

    –              A moisturiser will help eliminate all wrinkles: A moisturiser helps hydrate your skin from the outside. A nourished skin works longer to keep skin youthful, but to reduce appearance of wrinkles one needs the correct day or night creams, serums, oils in terms of cosmetics and a healthy lifestyle.

    –              You should start using anti-ageing products as a teen: One should start anti-ageing products as you see the signs. First signs being dull and dehydrated skin which results in loss of elasticity or wrinkles. Ideally, the age when one sees the need to use anti-ageing products is 30+, but then it may vary by skin type and lifestyles of people.

    –              You don’t need sunscreen when its cloudy: One needs to wear sunscreen when there is light, i.e. day time, because UV rays are present when there’s day light/sun light even if its cloudy.

    –              Ageing is linked to our genes: Not necessarily, if your parents/grand parents lead a healthy lifestyle and you do not, your skin age will be different than theirs. Climate, pollution, stress, skin care, lifestyle are the factors governing your skin age.

    –              The more expensive a product, the better the results: Not necessarily, stress more on the ingredients and quality than the price range. Sometimes expensive products have rich ingredients which might be the reason for its higher price, but not always.

    –              Frowning or smiling gives you wrinkles: Frowning and Smiling are just facial exercises, in no way can they give someone wrinkles. Being stressed, smoking, dry skin, dehydration can be some of the reasons that can give you wrinkles.

    –              Your diet is the cause of how much you age: Your overall lifestyle, including your diet of course, but also exercising, stress, etc., are responsible

    –              Makeup with SPF is as good as a sunscreen: Makeup with sunscreen is a good alternative to using too many products and layering it up. It is good to keep your skin light and protected but can’t be as powerful as an individual sunscreen.

    Source: IANS

  • Salman Khan has a 20-minute extended cameo in Pathaan

    Salman Khan has a 20-minute extended cameo in Pathaan

    It has been widely reported that Salman has a cameo in the film but as per trade analyst Amul Mohan, Salman’s cameo is of around 20 minutes and not a short appearance. In conversation with Faridoon Shahryar for Connect FM Canada, Amul revealed, “We all are aware that Salman Khan has an extended cameo in the film.” He added, “Shah Rukh coming (in a film) is a big event anyway and if Salman is in an extended cameo in the film, it’s not a five minute role, it’s a twenty minute role apparently.” When Shah Rukh Khan hosted an Instagram live  in June, the actor said that Salman is a part of Pathaan. “We haven’t done a full-fledged film together apart from Karan Arjun, which also was not full-fledged as we were not together in it for too long. So, we get to work four-five days in a year sometimes. Last two years have been fantastic as I got to be in one of his films. I had a couple of days role with Kabir Khan. And he came in Zero and did a song with me. Now, in Pathaan. I don’t know if this is a secret but inshallah, I will try to in Tiger 3 also. So, it is great fun working with him,” he said.

  • Nora Fatehi and Rajkummar Rao pair up for Achha Sila Diya

    Nora Fatehi and Rajkummar Rao pair up for Achha Sila Diya

    Another B Praak and Jaani collaboration, a song about betrayal and love, is out. Called ‘Achha Sila Diya’, the track is a revamped version of the Sonu Nigam number from the movie Bewafa Sanam. The song was originally sung by Pakistani singer Ataullah Khan. The overlong video features Rajkummar Rao and Nora Fatehi as romantic partners, in which once again Nora ends up betraying the male lead, much like she did in the hit Arijit Singh song Pachtaoge. Here, instead of poisoning Vicky Kaushal, she gets Rao ‘killed’ by her secret boyfriend. The whole thing reeks of a Hindi daily soap, or a scene from a Bollywood movie in the 80s and 90s. Although truth be told, there is actually little that differentiates the two.

    One can only hope that the big folks at T-Series one day get the memo of how we live in 2023 and not in an India from the 80s, or just the simple fact that a song or a music video can just be that, there is absolutely no need of a ‘plotline.’ Nora does what she does well, dancing and over-acting, and Rajkummar Rao has also channeled his more melodramatic side in the music video. The lyrics and music are mediocre at best, but still somewhat better than those vapid Tanishk Bagchi remixes.

  • Minissha Lamba calls Sajid Khan ‘creature’ as she talks about Me Too movement

    Minissha Lamba calls Sajid Khan ‘creature’ as she talks about Me Too movement

    Actor Minissha Lamba in a new interview talked about the Me Too movement. Talking along the lines of the movement in India and elsewhere in the world, the actor called Sajid Khan a ‘creature.’ Sajid made his first television appearance on Bigg Boss season 14 after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment during the Me Too movement.

    Minissha made her acting debut with Shoojit Sircar’s Yahaan in 2005. She later appeared in films like Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Kidnap and Bheja Fry 2. Minissha was also a part of the reality show Bigg Boss 8. During a recent interview, Minissha was asked about the ongoing season of Bigg Boss, Sajid Khan and the Me Too movement. She said, “The Me Too movement is and has been so important in changing the conversation around the world about women. It was just a revolution that was on the brink that was waiting to happen. It just needed that one boiling point, that one catastrophe to change the world and that is what revolutions are all about. Regarding the creature (Sajid Khan) you are talking about, the less about the person the better.” Sajid Khan took a voluntary exit from Bigg Boss 16 recently.

  • Kim Kardashian buys famous pendant worn by Princess Diana for  $200,000

    Kim Kardashian buys famous pendant worn by Princess Diana for  $200,000

    Reality TV star Kim Kardashian has bought a necklace once owned by Princess Diana for almost $200,000. The 42-year-old reality superstar has reportedly purchased the diamond-encrusted amethyst Attallah cross pendant once worn by the late royal, who died in a car crash in 1997 at the age of 36, for $197,453 (160,000) at Sotheby’s annual Royal and Noble auction, ‘People’ has confirmed.

    In a statement, Sotheby London’s Head of Jewellery, Kristian Spofforth, said: “This is a bold piece of jewellery by its size, colour, and style which cannot fail to make a vibrant statement, whether it be of faith or fashion — or indeed both. We are delighted that this piece has found a new lease of life within the hands of another globally famous name.” The outlet went on to allege that ‘The Kardashians’ star is “honoured to own a fine piece of jewellery owned by the late princess”, who wore the necklace to a 1987 charity gala in London and matched it with a purple Victorian velvet gown which was designed by Catherine Walker.

    A press release describing the pendant, which has not been seen in public since before Diana’s death, read: “The cross-shaped pendant, thought to be a one-off private commission by Garrard for one of their regular clients, is a bold and colourful piece set with square-cut amethysts and accented by circular-cut diamonds.” “The cross has a total diamond weight of approximately 5.25 carats and measures approximately 136 x 95mm. It is understood that the cross was only ever worn by the princess, and following her death, it was never seen in public again until now.”        Source: IANS

  • Channing Tatum to reprise Patrick Swayze’s role in ‘Ghost’ remake

    Channing Tatum to reprise Patrick Swayze’s role in ‘Ghost’ remake

    Actor Channing Tatum is ready to get into pottery-making after stripping onstage for his next movie. The actor, who is set to reprise his role as the titular character in Magic Mike’s Last Dance, is keen on stepping into the shoes of the late Patrick Swayze in a Ghost remake.

    The 42-year-old hunk revealed that he was developing a reboot of the 1990 romantic film. “Now I know why they put this in ‘Ghost’. This whole process is very, very sexual,” he said. While Tatum has opened up about his desire to play Gambit and star in Ghost, he had some resentment about his role in the G.I. Joe film franchise. He admitted that he was initially reluctant to star in the first film, G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, and subsequently asked that his character be killed off in the sequel, G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013).                     Source: IANS

  • Selena Gomez has found love in The Chainsmokers’ star Drew Taggart

    Selena Gomez has found love in The Chainsmokers’ star Drew Taggart

    Singer-actress Selena Gomez, who recently slammed netizens over body-shaming, is said to be enjoying time with The Chainsmokers star Drew Taggart. The couple is apparently not afraid to showcase their “casual” relationship. The singer, 30, had recently joked she was in a ‘throuple’ with Nicola Peltz-Beckham and her hubby Brooklyn, but it appears she’s now potentially found a man of her own!

    The former Disney Channel star is said to be “so affectionate” with her fellow musician as the pair enjoy regular date nights. A source claimed, “Selena can hardly keep her hands off him…They are having a lot of fun together.”

    The news comes after Selena admitted she is ‘a little big right now’ in a response to fans who tried to body-shame her following her appearance on the red carpet for this year’s Golden Globe Awards.