Syrian residents shout insults & pelt potatoes at US troops
Residents of a Kurdish-dominated Syrian city of Qamishli pelted potatoes and shouted insults at the US Army vehicles passing through the area on Monday. US troops were moving towards Iraq after US President Donald Trump ordered their withdrawal from northeastern Syria earlier in October. “They (the US) abandoned us. Betrayal is hard to get over,” Khalil Omar, a resident said.
Archaeologists uncover 2,000-year-old street in Jerusalem
Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,000-year-old ancient walkway most likely used by pilgrims as they made their way to worship at the Temple Mount in the “City of David” in the Jerusalem Walls National Park. Researchers at the Israel Antiquities Authority have detailed about finding over 100 coins beneath the paving stones that date the street to approximately 31 CE.
Bigbasket to invest in early-stage food brands, says CEO
Grocery delivery unicorn Bigbasket is planning equity investments in early-stage consumer brands, largely food-based, selling on its platform through its accelerator programme BB Accelerate, said CEO Hari Menon. Presently, 20-25 small brands like Delight Foods and Vahdam Teas are a part of BB Accelerate. He added the brands get monthly meetings with BigBasket executives and consumer data analysis.
MeitY launches platform to support tech innovations, startups
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) formally launched MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) on Monday with the aim to connect the startup ecosystem. It was launched by MeitY Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. MSH will act as a national coordination, facilitation and monitoring centre to integrate incubation centres, startups and innovation-related activities of MeitY.
Facebook may launch a dedicated news tab soon: Reports
Facebook may reportedly launch its news tab soon as it has entered into deals with prominent media houses. The section may be free for users, though Facebook might pay publishers whose work is featured. Facebook is in talks with news publishers to offer as much as $3 million. Mark Zuckerberg spoke about a news section on the platform in April.
Rajasthan boy who scored 39% in 12th cracked IIT, works in Sweden
Forty-one-year-old Rajiv Dantodiya, who secured 39% in Class 12, studied at home and cracked the IIT entrance test after a coaching institute refused to teach him because of his low marks. Dantodiya, who was born in a Rajasthan village and grew up in a middle-class family, currently resides in Sweden and works as Senior Analytics Reliability Engineer with Tetra Pak.
17-year-old Kerala boy hit on head by 3 kg hammer, dies after 17 days
Apheel Johnson, a 17-year-old student, who was critically injured after a 3-kg hammer hit his head during a hammer throw competition at Kerala State Junior Athletics Championship 17 days ago, succumbed to his injuries on Monday. “Apheel’s death was painful. Will do whatever possible to ensure…such tragic incidents aren’t repeated. Joining in the family’s grief,” Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said.
No govt jobs for those with more than 2 kids from 2021: Assam Cabinet
The Assam Cabinet has decided that no government jobs will be given to those having more than two children after January 1, 2021. It also adopted a land policy, which will give three bighas of agricultural land to landless indigenous people and half a bigha for constructing a house. Bus fares in the state have also been increased by 25%.
Pak’s support for terrorists ‘chief obstacle’ to talks with India: US
Stating that it supports a direct dialogue between India and Pakistan, the US on Tuesday said Pakistan’s support for terror groups remains a “chief obstacle” to talks with India. “Restarting productive bilateral dialogue requires building trust,” Alice Wells, US Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, further said. “Pakistan should take irreversible steps against terror,” she added.
Disability activist asked to take off her pants by security at Kolkata airport
Disability rights activist Kuhu Das was asked to take off her trousers for an inspection by CISF officials after the metal detector beeped during security checking at Kolkata airport. “For a moment, I couldn’t believe my ears. It was…utterly humiliating,” Das said. “Our officer had asked the woman to show callipers…There was no intent to embarrass her,” an official said.
Apple starts selling locally assembled iPhone XR smartphones in India
Apple has started selling its iPhone XR smartphones which are being assembled at Taipei-based contract manufacturer Foxconn’s factory in India. iPhone XR boxes with ‘Assembled in India’ tag were seen on Monday at many electronic product retail stores for ₹49,900 for a 64GB variant. Reports said that iPhone XR production is up and running at Foxconn’s facility in Sriperumbudur, Chennai.
Revealed multiple sclerosis diagnosis so people won’t think I was drunk: Selma
Hollywood actress Selma Blair has said part of her reason for publicly opening up about her multiple sclerosis diagnosis was because she didn’t want people to think she was “drunk”. She added that she was concerned people would think her health symptoms, which include difficulty in speaking and moving her left leg, were the result of her drinking alcohol.
Urban Ladder Co-founder Rajiv Srivatsa to step down as CTPO this month
Bengaluru-headquartered furniture startup Urban Ladder’s Co-founder Rajiv Srivatsa on Monday announced he will step down from his role as Chief Technology and Product Officer (CTPO) by October-end. He will continue to be an engaged shareholder and Board member at the startup. “The plan is to explore various avenues in the coming months before choosing a specific path,” Srivatsa said.
Britain family expecting 22nd baby, a year after mother said 21st was last
Sue Radford, the 44-year-old mother of Britain’s biggest family, is expecting another baby which will increase the number of her children to 22. Sue Radford, nearly 15 weeks pregnant now, shared a video on Sunday showing her ultrasound. The announcement comes almost a year after the family welcomed their 21st baby and Sue Radford had said, “It is my last.”
SC allows construction of Ravidas temple at its demolition site
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to allow construction of Delhi’s Ravidas temple at the same site where it was demolished. The temple will now be constructed on 400 square metres of land on condition that it’ll not be used for commercial purposes including parking. The SC has also directed the release of all the arrested persons.
Maha villagers make tractor bridge to cast votes in Assembly polls
Facing waterlogging problems due to heavy rains, voters in a village in Maharashtra’s Satara made a bridge of tractor-trolleys to reach polling booth and cast their votes in the state Assembly elections on Monday. Villagers were facilitated by polling officers who also used the tractors to reach to the polling booth. Election Commission of India spokesperson called the method “innovative”.
Ayushmann joins UNICEF, Indian govt to fight sexual abuse of kids Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has been roped in by UNICEF and the Government of India to build awareness and raise his voice against sexual abuse of children. Talking about the same, Ayushmann said, “Crimes against children are the most heinous.” “As a socially-conscious citizen, I want to spread the word on matters that need immediate attention,” he added.
