News Digest: India invites Pakistan for SCO meet of home, def ministers, NSAs

		THE TIMES OF INDIA
		Thursday, March 16, 2023
		Today's Headlines

		India
		India invites Pakistan for SCO meet of home, def ministers, NSAs India has invited Pakistan for a meeting of home ministers and defence ministers and NSAs in the run-up to the SCO summit likely to take place in July. The government will soon send invite to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif for the SCO summit which is likely to be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The invites are only in keeping with the S CO Charter and have nothing to do with the bilateral ties that re main in a limbo. Maharashtra: Medico, 72-yr-old among 2 'H3N2 deaths' Covid positivity more than or equal to 10% in nine districts Nine districts across the country have recorded Covid-positivity rates of greater than or equal to 10% in the latest weekly (March 8-14) analysis of the incidence of the viral infection a cross states/UTs shows. Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand has the highest positivity rate of 25%, followed by Aizawl (16. 67%) in Mizoram, Shimla (14. 29%), Mandi (13%), Solan (12. 50%) in Himachal Pra desh and Gir Somnath (11. 76%) in Gujarat, among others. More India News»

		Science
		Mild fever may help clear infections faster than medicines: Study Covid pandemic had long-lasting impact on teens' mental health, substance use: Lancet study Nasa Webb telescope captures star on cusp of death More Science News»

		Technology
		How to delete messages by date on Telegram Telegram is an app that allows users to communicate via calls, similar to its rival WhatsApp. However, it also offers some unique features, such as the ability to delete messages for both the sender and the recipient at any time. How to access ChatGPT-4 OpenAI's ChatGPT is a chatbot that is said to be more creative, collaborative, and accurate than previous versions. The ChatGPT-4 is the most advanced system, and allows users to provide prompts in the form of text and images, similar to the text-only format. It generates text-based outputs, such as natural language and code, when presented with a combination of text and image inputs. Is your Samsung phone clicking fake moon shots? Here's what Samsung has to say Over the years, Samsung's 'Ultra' smartphones with the "Space Zoom" feature have gained a reputation for capturing highly detailed photos of the Moon. HoweverSamsung is under fire for faking moon shots. It's hard to say exactly what "fake" means in this situation, but it seems to have to do with how much Samsung phones use artificial intelligence and computer processing to enhance photos of the Moon More Technology News»

		Business
		RBI chief Shaktikanta named 'Governor of the year' by central banking Credit Suisse leads Europe bank rout in renewed SVB fallout European bank stocks fell sharply on Wednesday, with embattled Credit Suisse tumbling to a new low, on renewed investor concerns about stresses within the sector triggered by Silicon Valley Bank's sudden collapse. EPFO plans explainer to 'demystify' SC order on higher pensions Facing backlash from the public over procedural complexities in applying for higher pension, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation plans to release a detailed explainer to “demystify” the Supreme Court’s November 4 judgment on higher pension and said it is “totally open to receiving all claims”. More Business News»

		Sports
		RCB end losing streak in WPL with win over UP Warriorz Royal Challengers Bangalore finally opened their account in the Women's Premier League with a comfortable five-wicket victory over UP Warriorz on Wednesday. RCB snapped their five-match losing streak to keep slender hopes of reaching the playoffs alive. ICC Test Rankings: Ashwin holds onto top spot, Kohli makes significant gain On the back of his century in more than three years, Indian batter Virat Kohli made a big move as he jumped seven places to 13th position in the ICC Test Rankings released on Wednesday. Iyer ruled out of ODI series vs Australia, confirms fielding coach India suffered a major blow as Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia due to recurrence of lower-back injury, fielding coach T Dilip officially confirmed on Wednesday. More Sports News»

		Education
		'Paper leak': 22 persons, including 12 minors held in Assam In a massive crackdown to unearth the source of the reported question paper leak of the Class 10 state board examination, Assam Police have arrested 22 more people, including 12 minors, since Tuesday night. WBPSC Exam Calendar 2023 released on wbpsc.gov.in, check exam dates here The West Bengal Public Service Commission has announced the WPSC Examination Calendar 2023 on the official website at wbpsc.gov.in. As per the schedule, the West Bengal Judicial Service (Preliminary) Examination, 2022 is tentatively scheduled to be held on March 26, 2023 and the Final examination will be conducted from May 4 to 13, 2023. CUET UG 2023: Over 200 universities to conduct admissions based on CUET The National Testing Agency has shared data that 5.2 lakh female candidates have registered for the exam, making it the largest gender-balanced test in India. As of Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi have the highest number of candidates registered, with over 2.9 lakh and 1.6 lakh candidates, respectively. Read more to check the CUET UG 2023 details. More Education News»

		Environment
		Unusual warming played role in 2002 Antarctic ice shelf retreat: Study The study has revealed that widespread flow acceleration and frequent small-iceberg calving could serve as warning signs for future such ice shelf retreats in the Antarctic, said scientists, who led the study. Ice shelves are floating tongues of ice connected to land but extend out and float on ocean water. They act as a buttress as they hold back glaciers on land flowing toward the ocean. Droughts, wet events made more frequent, intense by global warming: Nasa-led Study Two cheetahs released into wild at MP's Kuno National Park Two cheetahs - Oban and Asha - were released into the wild at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park (KNP) on Saturday, almost six months after they were brought from Namibia, an official said. They had been kept in 'hunting enclosures' at KNP until now. More Environment News»

		World
		Will respond proportionately to future US provocations: Russia Kremlin: Relations with US in dire straits amid drone incident The Kremlin said on Wednesday that its relations with the United States were in a "lamentable state" and at their lowest level, after Washington accused Russia of downing one of its reconnaissance drones over the Black Sea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there had been no high-level contact with Washington over the incident and that he had nothing to add to a statement issued by Russia's Defence Ministry. Biden says 'more coming' on drug pricing after inflation fines US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said his administration would subject 27 drugs to inflation penalties, a move that will reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare recipients by as much as $390 per dose, and he pledged more drug price cuts were coming. Drugmakers hiked the price for 27 drugs last quarter higher than the rate of inflation, and will have to pay the difference on those medicines to Medicare, the government healthcare program for those age 65 and older and the disabled. More World News»

		Environment
		Unusual warming played role in 2002 Antarctic ice shelf retreat: Study The study has revealed that widespread flow acceleration and frequent small-iceberg calving could serve as warning signs for future such ice shelf retreats in the Antarctic, said scientists, who led the study. Ice shelves are floating tongues of ice connected to land but extend out and float on ocean water. They act as a buttress as they hold back glaciers on land flowing toward the ocean. Droughts, wet events made more frequent, intense by global warming: Nasa-led Study Two cheetahs released into wild at MP's Kuno National Park Two cheetahs - Oban and Asha - were released into the wild at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park (KNP) on Saturday, almost six months after they were brought from Namibia, an official said. They had been kept in 'hunting enclosures' at KNP until now. More Environment News»

		Hyderabad
		Telangana clocks 54 new Covid-19 cases Telangana on Wednesday recorded 54 new cases of Covid-19, taking the total cases so far in the state to 8.42 lakh. Rs 2,000 crore tax: Telangana high court hears Tech M grievance against I-T dept Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan of Telangana high court on Wednesday heard grievances of Tech Mahindra (formerly Satyam Computers) against income tax department and later adjourned the case to April 12. Hyderabad man axes wife, throws infant son into sump after tiff The Abdullapurmet police, on Wednesday, arrested a man on charges of killing his wife and their 43-dayold infant, allegedly following a heated argument between them. More Hyderabad News»

		Chandigarh
		After Vijay Inder Singla, now vigilance bureau summons former Dhuri Congress MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy A day after summoning the former education and PWD Minister Vijay Inder Singla, the Vigilance Bureau has summoned Sangrur Congress president and former Dhuri MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy for questioning in alleged financial irregularities and disproportionate assets. Haryana man held for forging documents to send people abroad The special detective unit (SDU) of Kurukshetra police on Wednesday arrested a man for allegedly forging documents to send people abroad. Haryana govt chalks out action plan to tackle heatwave The Haryana government on Wednesday geared its machinery to tackle the heatwave. Chief secretary, Sanjeev Kaushal, on Wednesday called a meeting to chalk out the heatwave action plan with the metrological experts, deputy commissioners and administrative secretaries of Public Health Engineering, Power, Health, Forest, Disaster management, Irrigation and Water, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Urban Local Bodies, Animal Husbandry, Women and Child Departments in Chandigarh. More Chandigarh News»

		Ahmedabad
		Relatives attack each other, register cross complaints with police in Ahmedabad Police on Tuesday registered a cross-complaint of attempt to murder following a dispute between family members in Ahmedabad. Gujarat HC notice to authorities over salt farming activities in Wild Ass Sanctuary The Gujarat high court on Wednesday issued notice to the state authorities concerned over a PIL complaining about illegal salt farming within wild ass sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) and demanding to stop the activities to improve environment and safeguard ecosystem of LRK. Infrastructure, building projects hit hard by high cement, steel prices The real estate sector is grappling with high steel and cement prices again. While steel prices had remained low in 2022, in the last two months they have risen by about 10%. Cement prices have increased by around 5% in the last month as well. More Ahmedabad News»

		Chennai
		Crime rate has increased due to influx of guest workers, says NTK leader Seeman in Tamil Nadu Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman on Wednesday said that crime rate had increased in Tamil Nadu due to the influx of guest workers from northern states. Three men attack cop, arrested in Chennai Three people including a timber merchant were arrested for attacking a police head constable who had parked his bike outside a timber shop at Moolakothalam. Follow rules, speed display boards are here to catch you in Chennai With remote control traffic signals being introduced across 170 junctions in the city, henceforth, traffic cops can move around the junction easily getting hold of those violating rules and discipline road users. This is one among the four traffic equipment worth 4.21 crore to modernise policing inaugurated by the greater chennai police commissioner Shankar Jiwal on Wednesday. The others include speed display boards, 45 variable message system (VMS) boards, 139 traffic police umbrellas with scroll boards. More Chennai News»

		Bangalore
		Age no bar, Bengaluru professor gets his PhD at 79 Bengaluru resident and a professor of four decades, Prabhakar Kuppahalli, imagined big in his pursuit of knowledge and on Wednesday received his PhD in material science. He is 79. “It was a long-cherished dream. Though I had planned it when I was younger and working in the US, it did not come about because of unavoidable circumstances. When I turned 75, I decided to give it a go,” he said after the 41st annual convocation of Mangalore University. Karnataka to buy electricity during summer, power cuts unlikely The government's promise to supply uninterrupted power across Karnataka, especially during the upcoming examination season, is likely to come at a cost: Electricity supply companies have collectively decided to purchase power to meet the surging demand during the next three months. Bank manager, two aides held for Rs 17 crore loan fraud in Karnataka A bank manager and two others from Davanagere allegedly took loans in the names of farmers and pocketed Rs 17 crore. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) sleuths on Tuesday arrested UCO bank manager Bhakti Bhushan and his associates Vivek Reddy and Santosh. Reddy is the owner of a private firm while Santosh is an agent. Police said more arrests are likely in future. More Bangalore News»

		Bangalore
		Age no bar, Bengaluru professor gets his PhD at 79 Bengaluru resident and a professor of four decades, Prabhakar Kuppahalli, imagined big in his pursuit of knowledge and on Wednesday received his PhD in material science. He is 79. “It was a long-cherished dream. Though I had planned it when I was younger and working in the US, it did not come about because of unavoidable circumstances. When I turned 75, I decided to give it a go,” he said after the 41st annual convocation of Mangalore University. Karnataka to buy electricity during summer, power cuts unlikely The government's promise to supply uninterrupted power across Karnataka, especially during the upcoming examination season, is likely to come at a cost: Electricity supply companies have collectively decided to purchase power to meet the surging demand during the next three months. Bank manager, two aides held for Rs 17 crore loan fraud in Karnataka A bank manager and two others from Davanagere allegedly took loans in the names of farmers and pocketed Rs 17 crore. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) sleuths on Tuesday arrested UCO bank manager Bhakti Bhushan and his associates Vivek Reddy and Santosh. Reddy is the owner of a private firm while Santosh is an agent. Police said more arrests are likely in future. More Bangalore News»

		Mumbai
		Mumbai: BMC meets 95% of its revised target for property tax levy With around a fortnight left for the financial year to end, property tax collections by the civic body till March 15 stood at Rs 4,596 crore. This is 76% of the target of Rs 6,000 crore that was set as per the budget estimate. But this has now been revised down to Rs 4,800 crore, which means that 95% of the property tax target has been met. Maharashtra counters OPS stir, picks private agencies to supply workers In a move that is viewed as a counterstroke to the employee strike, the state government has issued a directive appointing nine private agencies to fill vacant government and semi-governmental posts on contractual basis. The government resolution (GR) issued by state industries and the labour ministry to privatise skilled and unskilled labour supply to all government departments has come under attack from the opposition. Mumbai University's master plan to be finalised The state government on Wednesday said that the master plan for the makeover of Mumbai University's (MU) Kalina campus will be finalised soon. More Mumbai News»

		Delhi
		Switch between RRTS & Delhi Metro without stepping out in heat Most stations on the three Phase I priority corridors of the Regional Rapid Transport System are being integrated with the Delhi Metro network to enable a convenient and seamless journey for commuters without the need to exit the RRTS stations. Delhi weather: After warmest day of year, rain from Thursday to bring respite The city saw its warmest day of the year on Wednesday, but the weather department expects respite from Thursday onwards because of the possibility of light to very light rain and clouds. Nightmares during day: Traffic crawls, commute to Gurgaon a pain Driving to Gurgaon on Wednesday wasn't easy during the morning and evening rush hours with the snarls caused by the closure of carriageways on National Highway 48 remaining unmanageable. More Delhi News»

		Delhi
		Switch between RRTS & Delhi Metro without stepping out in heat Most stations on the three Phase I priority corridors of the Regional Rapid Transport System are being integrated with the Delhi Metro network to enable a convenient and seamless journey for commuters without the need to exit the RRTS stations. Delhi weather: After warmest day of year, rain from Thursday to bring respite The city saw its warmest day of the year on Wednesday, but the weather department expects respite from Thursday onwards because of the possibility of light to very light rain and clouds. Nightmares during day: Traffic crawls, commute to Gurgaon a pain Driving to Gurgaon on Wednesday wasn't easy during the morning and evening rush hours with the snarls caused by the closure of carriageways on National Highway 48 remaining unmanageable. More Delhi News»

		Delhi
		Switch between RRTS & Delhi Metro without stepping out in heat Most stations on the three Phase I priority corridors of the Regional Rapid Transport System are being integrated with the Delhi Metro network to enable a convenient and seamless journey for commuters without the need to exit the RRTS stations. Delhi weather: After warmest day of year, rain from Thursday to bring respite The city saw its warmest day of the year on Wednesday, but the weather department expects respite from Thursday onwards because of the possibility of light to very light rain and clouds. Nightmares during day: Traffic crawls, commute to Gurgaon a pain Driving to Gurgaon on Wednesday wasn't easy during the morning and evening rush hours with the snarls caused by the closure of carriageways on National Highway 48 remaining unmanageable. More Delhi News»

		Allahabad
		Yoga trainer dies while teaching Surya Namaskar in Allahabad A 51-year-old yoga trainer died of heart attack while teaching Surya Namaskar at the grounds of Kabir ashram near Curzon bridge in the city on Monday morning. Pink toilets to come up on land freed from land sharks in rural Prayagraj Umesh Pal murder case: 8 SIM cards procured using single Aadhaar card Investigations into the February 24 Umesh Pal murder case have revealed that the accused kept on changing their SIM cards and mobile phones to avoid police. More Allahabad News»

		Bhopal
		Govt announces 4% dearness allowance to staff, pensioners State cabinet headed by chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday approved a 4% raise in the dearness allowance of government employees and pensioners with retrospect from January 1, 2023. Met forecasts thunder showers in parts of Madhya Pradesh The day as well as night temperatures were above normal mark in Bhopal on Tuesday. The weather would change in the city and state for the next three days and there was also a warning of thunder for several places in the state. Farmer looted on way back home in Khajuri More Bhopal News»

		Bhubaneswar
		Two new H3N2 influenza cases reported in Odisha, tally rises to 61 Odisha has reported two more H3N2 positive cases from among 62 samples tested this month. Till March 1, total 59 cases were reported out of 225 samples in the state. With the new two cases, total positive cases touched 61. Thermal drones to track jumbos in Odisha The Keonjhar forest department has adopted new technology - thermal drone cameras - to track movement of elephant herds at night. Thunderstorm warning for 11 districts in Odisha The weatherman on Tuesday issued a yellow warning of thunderstorm, gusty winds and lightning in 11 districts for five days from Wednesday due to incursion of moisture from the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department also forecast light to moderate rain fall and drop in day temperature across the state. More Bhubaneswar News»

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