12 Feb 2021

6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Tajikistan, tremors felt in north India

Strong tremors jolted Delhi, the National Capital Region (NCR), Punjab, Jammu, and other regions in northern India on Friday night, as an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit Tajikistan.

NewsBytes Briefing: After Apple, Microsoft goes after Google, and more

If you can't beat someone fair and square, get the government involved. After almost snatching away Australia from under Google's nose, Microsoft is lobbying the US government to adopt the same Australian media rules that Google and Facebook hate.

Human skeleton found in Varanasi college used as quarantine center

A human skeleton was found at a college in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, that is being used as a COVID-19 quarantine center.

Bumble IPO makes Whitney Wolfe Herd world's youngest woman billionaire

Bumble was founded in 2014. The company launched its IPO on Thursday. During trading, the share price went up by 65 percent to $70.31 per share.

Samsung's S21 FE is in the works; key details revealed

After the success of the Galaxy S20 FE, Samsung is now working to introduce its successor. A new Samsung handset with model number SM-G990B, believed to be the S21 FE, is in the works, according to SamMobile.

Manya, daughter of an auto driver, crowned Miss India runner-up

Getting recognized on a platform as big as the Miss India stage is a dream for many but it was even more special for Manya Singh.

TN: Fire erupts at firecracker factory in Virudhunagar; 11 dead

At least 11 people were reportedly killed after a fire erupted at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar district on Friday.

2021 MV Agusta Brutale and Dragster motorcycles revealed: Details here

MV Agusta has revealed the 2021 iterations of its Brutale and Dragster motorbikes.

Samsung Galaxy F62 to feature a 64MP main camera

As Samsung Galaxy F62 is approaching its February 15 launch in India, Flipkart has updated its microsite to reveal some of the key specifications of the handset.

Lenovo Tab P11 Pro launched in India at Rs. 45,000

Expanding its portfolio of tablets in India, Chinese tech giant Lenovo has launched the Tab P11 Pro. Priced at Rs. 44,999, the device will go on sale starting February 14 via Amazon, Flipkart, and Lenovo.com.

Taylor Swift wins over the internet with 'Love Story' re-release

Taylor Swift is on her way to beat the blues out of her shocking catalogue sale.

Toyota HiAce MPV launched in India at Rs. 55 lakh

Japanese automaker Toyota has launched its fifth-generation HiAce MPV in India. It is up for grabs in two color options: White and Silver.

Mahindra Scorpio S3+ variant launched at Rs. 11.67 lakh

Mahindra has launched a new S3+ base variant for its Scorpio SUV in India at Rs. 11.67 lakh. It joins the existing S5, S7, S9, and S11 trims.

BBC

China bans BBC; 'unacceptable curtailing of media freedom,' says UK

In a controversial move, China's broadcasting regulator on Thursday banned BBC World News.

India vs England, 2nd Test: Match preview, stats and more

India and England are set to lock horns in the second Test of the four-match series at the Chepauk Stadium, starting February 13.

Fourth-generation SKODA FABIA hatchback teased: Details here

Ahead of its global debut later this year, Czech automaker SKODA has teased its fourth-generation FABIA hatchback.

Samsung Galaxy A12 to be priced under Rs. 15,000

Tipster Mukul Sharma has released a short video, claiming that Samsung will soon launch a new Galaxy A handset in India. It will feature a 48MP quad rear camera setup and will be priced under Rs. 15,000.

Attractive benefits announced on Renault KWID, Triber, and Duster

In order to boost sales, Renault India has announced attractive discounts and offers on some of its popular offerings, including the KWID, Triber, and Duster.

Google Chat will be available as beta in Gmail, Hangouts

Since 2019, news indicating the end of Google Hangouts app has been circulating. Google plans to replace it with the Google Chat app, which is currently available to Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) customers only.

Feel suffocated: Trinamool's Dinesh Trivedi resigns from Rajya Sabha

Trinamool Congress (TMC), already hit by a spate of resignations, was jolted again on Friday when Rajya Sabha member Dinesh Trivedi quit on the floor of the House, saying he felt suffocated and helpless over rampant violence in his state West Bengal.

'Dobaaraa': Anurag Kashyap, Taapsee Pannu announce new movie

After the 2018 romantic drama Manmarziyaan, Anurag Kashyap and Taapsee Pannu are teaming up again, this time for an enticing science-fiction offering titled Dobaaraa.

Documentary prompts #FreeBritney campaign again; This is how Spears reacted

Britney Spears is back in news, this time, without even her involvement.

X

Twitter extends commitment to 'restructure' India team: Report

Being slammed by the Indian government for not acting against objectionable content, Twitter has committed to restructure its team in India, a report in Indian Express claimed, citing government officials.

Vivo Carnival: Best deals and discounts on Vivo smartphones

In order to attract buyers this week, Vivo is hosting its Vivo Carnival sale on Amazon.

FA Cup, quarter-finals: Draw, schedule and stats

The draw for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup has been announced as we brace for a cracking set of matches.

Biden slams brakes on Trump's TikTok and WeChat bans

US President Joe Biden has been quite busy passing executive orders undoing Donald Trump's policy decisions. Many of these orders involve reversing Trump administration's measures meant to keep China in check.

Emraan Hashmi to play villain in Salman Khan's 'Tiger 3'?

If reports are to be believed, Yash Raj Films' search for an antagonist for Tiger 3 has finally ended. Well, it's going to be Emraan Hashmi.

2021 JAWA 42 motorbike launched at Rs. 1.8 lakh

Classic Legends has launched its new-generation JAWA 42 motorcycle in India. It is available in three color options: All Star Black, Orion Red, and Sirius White.

Ram Charan likely to play the lead in Shankar's next

Ram Charan, who is currently working on SS Rajamouli's next, is all set to be seen in director Shankar's upcoming film.

#DealOfTheDay: Mi 10T is available with benefits worth Rs. 11,000

If you are planning to buy a premium smartphone, this deal might interest you. Flipkart is offering an attractive discount of Rs. 8,000 on the Mi 10T model.

Chanda Kochhar gets bail; can't leave country without court's permission

Former Managing Director and CEO of the ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar was granted bail in a money laundering case by a Mumbai court on Friday.

Champions League, round of 16: Presenting the major details

The UEFA Champions League is back and we are set to witness the round of 16 battles as the knockout stages begin.

Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt to clash in action-thriller 'Bullet Train'

A clash of Hollywood biggies Sandra Bullock and Brad Pitt is imminent now.

India vs England: Anderson, Bess left out for second Test

England have announced their 12-man team for the second Test against India, starting February 13 in Chennai.

Prior to global debut, 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 teased

Ahead of its world premiere on February 16, German automaker Porsche has released a teaser video of its 2022 911 GT3 sports car.

Samsung Galaxy M62's support page goes live, India launch imminent

Samsung is gearing up to launch the Galaxy M62 model in India soon. In the latest development, the handset's support page has gone live, hinting at its imminent launch in the country.

Samsung Galaxy A52 5G to offer 120Hz screen, IP67 rating

Samsung is gearing up to launch its Galaxy A52 5G model in the coming weeks. The upcoming handset will feature a 120Hz screen refresh rate, according to a report by SamMobile. The 4G variant of the A52 will bear a 90Hz screen.

Rs. 1,000cr raised for Ayodhya's Ram Mandir in one month

On January 14, a massive campaign was launched to raise funds for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, and till now, over Rs. 1,000 crore has been collected, a member of the trust revealed on Thursday.

X

Facebook might be in the process of cloning Clubhouse

It's tough even for the all-powerful Big Tech cabal to dispatch every new competitor like Parler, so sometimes they have to improvise. Facebook has instead chosen to copy the emerging new audio-based social media phenomenon Clubhouse.

Serena Williams registers 90th Australian Open victory

Veteran tennis legend Serena Williams reached the fourth round of the Australian Open 2021 event.

Bolkar App: A voice based Quora alternative for non-English speakers

Bolkar means 'speaking' in Hindi. Bolkar App enables native speakers of Hindi and Bengali to share their knowledge. The crowdsourced question-answer platform is aimed at people from tier-3 and tier-4 towns of India who aren't conversant with English.

'Roohi Afzana' to arrive in theaters in March?

After the Centre allowed movie halls to operate with 100% occupancy, things have been looking good for the entertainment business.

Volkswagen partners with Microsoft to develop autonomous driving technology

Volkswagen has announced that it will use Microsoft's cloud computing services to develop software for its upcoming self-driven cars.

Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh wants COVAXIN supplies halted, Dr. Harsh Vardhan responds

Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has responded to the COVAXIN-related concerns of Chhattisgarh minister TS Singh Deo, saying that both coronavirus vaccines were given emergency use authorization after due diligence and that he should focus on amplifying inoculation in his state.

Mi 11 Ultra's full specifications revealed: 120x zoom, 120Hz screen

Xiaomi is working to launch a new Mi 11 Ultra model as a rival to Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra. In the latest development, Filipino YouTuber Tech Buff PH has revealed the full specifications of the handset in a now-removed video.

Mahesh Babu to play Rama in Madhu Mantena's 'Ramayana 3D'?

Producer Madhu Mantena may finally have found his Lord Rama in the form of Telugu film star Mahesh Babu for his ambitious pan-India movie - Ramayana 3D, inspired from the eponymous Hindu religious epic.

India vs England: BCCI removes Chepauk pitch curator

Following India's defeat in first Test in Chennai, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has removed its pitch curator Taposh Chatterjee.

Australian Open 2021: Players to compete in biosecure bubble

With Melbourne going into a five-day lockdown, the Australian Open 2021 event is set to continue with fans banned as players will compete in a biosecure "bubble".

Tom Holland douses rumors about Andrew, Tobey in 'Spider-Man 3'

We've bad news if you're still drooling over those hi-resolution, mind-boggling fan arts about Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and even Leonardo DiCaprio joining the much-hyped Spider-Man 3 cast.

Realme X7 5G to go on sale in India today

Realme's latest mid-range offering, the X7 5G, is set to go on sale in India for the first time today at 12 pm via Flipkart and Realme.com.

Land Rover Classic reveals limited-run Defender Works V8 Trophy SUV

Land Rover Classic has revealed its Defender Works V8 Trophy car for an exclusive competition at Eastnor Castle this year. It is based on the re-engineered 2012-2016 Defender Works V8 and its production is limited to 25 units.

X

Twitter rival Koo records 3 million downloads after government endorsement

Homegrown Twitter alternative Koo has seen a tremendous growth in its userbase this week. The microblogging app has crossed three million users.

X

Government readies draft rules to regulate social media

As it remains locked in an intense face-off with Twitter, the Indian government has prepared draft rules to regulate social media, OTT (Over The Top) platforms, as well as news-related websites.

IPL 2021 Auction: 292 players to go under the hammer

A total of 292 players will go under the hammer in the IPL 2021 player auctions, set to be held on February 18 in Chennai.

FIFA Club World Cup: Bayern beat Tigres to become champions

Bayern Munich's quest for trophies continued as they beat Tigres 1-0 to win the FIFA Club World Cup final.

Pakistan beat South Africa in first T20I: Records broken

After sealing the Test series by a 2-0 margin, the Pakistan cricket team overcame South Africa by three runs in the first T20I.

India vs England: Jofra Archer ruled out of second Test

England pace spearhead Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the second Test against India due to elbow injury.

Delhi: 25-year-old, involved with Ram Mandir collection-drive, stabbed to death

A 25-year-old man was stabbed outside his home in Mangolpuri, Delhi, on Wednesday and died around noon yesterday.

Coronavirus: India's tally reaches 10.88 million with 12K+ new cases

India on Thursday reported over 12,000 fresh coronavirus infections, pushing the nationwide tally to 10.88 million cases.

Likening Republicans to Jews during Holocaust costs Gina Carano Lucasfilm-projects

Gina Carano has been dropped by Lucasfilm from The Mandalorian and a related spin-off due to a religiously offensive Instagram post.

Who is Manasa Varanasi, winner of Miss India World 2020?

Manasa Varanasi, from Telangana, has been crowned Miss India World 2020.

SKODA SCALA Edition S hatchback, with 190hp powertrain, revealed

Czech automaker SKODA has revealed its limited-run SCALA Edition S hatchback. Its production will be limited to 500 units and pre-orders are now open in Germany.

Moto E6i, with dual cameras and 3,000mAh battery, goes official

Motorola has launched its latest entry-level smartphone, the Moto E6i, in Brazil. The handset is priced at BRL 1,099 (roughly Rs. 14,860) and is available for purchase via the company's local website.

Prior to launch, 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 found testing

Royal Enfield is expected to launch its 2021 Classic 350 motorcycle in India by June.

11 Feb 2021

NewsBytes Briefing: There's some Chinese in my Koo, and more

A French hacker with a penchant for embarrassing Indian software endeavors claims to have found data breaches in the Koo app.

Delhi woman falls off scooter; crushed to death by truck

In a tragic incident, a 22-year-old woman died after being crushed to death in Delhi on Thursday.

First phase of India-China disengagement to conclude by February-end: Report

The first phase of disengagement along the India-China border around Ladakh's Pangong Tso Lake will reportedly be complete by the end of February.

Lenovo K13 spotted on multiple certification sites, launch imminent

As its latest budget smartphone, Lenovo is working to launch the K13 handset soon. The handset, with model number XT2097-15, has been spotted on various certification sites, including TUV Rheinland, Bluetooth SIG, and EEC.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G receives One UI 3.1 update

Samsung has started releasing the Android 11-based One UI 3.1 update for the Galaxy S20 FE 5G model in Europe.

2021 JAWA Forty Two motorcycle teased, launch in India soon

Ahead of its launch in India, Classic Legends has teased its 2021 JAWA Forty Two motorcycle. Separately, RushLane has leaked the press renders of the bike, revealing its key design highlights.

Samsung Galaxy A52 tipped to be launched in March

Samsung is working to launch the Galaxy A52 smartphone soon. In the latest development, a Vietnamese tipster has revealed the launch timeline and prices of the phone.

Jodhpur court dismisses Rajasthan government's plea against Salman Khan

In a relief to actor Salman Khan, the Jodhpur District and Sessions Court has dismissed the plea of the Rajasthan government alleging that Khan had presented a false affidavit in connection with the Arms Act.

Zoomd Technologies, the most aggressive AdTech player globally

Zoomd (TSXV: ZOMD) is a Canadian digital advertising player utilizing Israeli intelligence tech claimed by the company to drive significantly better conversion rates on virtual advertising. Their SaaS platform serves advertisers and publishers as a virtual ads campaign manager, allegedly elevating efficiency and higher monetization on every ad.

Abhishek Bachchan-starrer 'Bob Biswas' to release in Summer 2021?

After the Centre's decision to allow cinema halls to operate with 100% occupancy, filmmakers have been gearing up to release their movies.

Redmi Note 10 series confirmed to be available via Amazon

Redmi's Note 10 line-up, set to be launched in India in early March, will be available in the country exclusively via Amazon, a teaser page activated by the e-commerce giant has confirmed.

Mercedes-Benz EQS electric sedan found testing, design details revealed

Mercedes-Benz is expected to globally unveil its EQS electric sedan in the first half of 2021.

Redmi K40 bags BIS certification, may launch under POCO branding

Xiaomi's sub-brand Redmi is gearing up to introduce its K40 model soon. In the latest development, the handset has been spotted on the BIS certification site with model number M2012K11AI, hinting at its launch in India.

Ranbir Kapoor's cousin Armaan Jain summoned by Enforcement Directorate

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to actor Armaan Jain in connection with a money laundering case.

Sobhita Dhulipala starts shooting for 'Made in Heaven' season 2

Sobhita Dhulipala today delighted the fans of the show Made in Heaven as she confirmed the commencement of the shooting for its second season.

Mahindra Scorpio to get a new entry-level S3+ variant

Mahindra will reportedly introduce a new S3+ base trim for its Scorpio SUV. It will join the existing S5, S7, S9, and S11 variants and will be positioned below the S5.

Vivo X50 Pro+ tipped to be launched alongside X60 series

When the Vivo X60 series arrives in India around March-end or beginning of April, it will be joined by the X50 Pro+ model, according to 91mobiles. The report also mentions that the handset will be priced at around Rs. 40,000.

Indian Railways rolls out first AC 3-tier economy class coach

The Indian Railways on Wednesday rolled out its first air-conditioned three-tier economy class coach.

Xiaomi's Mi MIX 4 might feature an under-display selfie camera

Xiaomi is working to expand its line-up of flagship smartphones with the Mi MIX 4, which is slated to arrive later this year. In the latest development, a Chinese report has shared concept renders of the phone, revealing possible design details.

Munawar Faruqui is out, four others are still awaiting bail

Last week, the Supreme Court finally granted bail to Munawar Faruqui, a comedian arrested on January 1 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

Oscars to go ahead with multiple in-person ceremonies simultaneously

The 93rd Academy Awards is braving all odds of pandemic to retain its stature of the highest global recognition for films.

'Judas and the Black Messiah' gets March 5 India release

Judas and the Black Messiah, which stars Daniel Kaluuya, is releasing on March 5 in India.

How to convert MP4 to MP3 online for free

Online converters are software developed to help the user change audio or video files to different format according to their preferences.

Attractive benefits announced on Volkswagen Polo and Vento this February

In order to boost sales, Volkswagen has announced attractive discounts and offers on its Polo and Vento cars in India.

Honda H'ness CB350 crosses 10,000 sales mark in India

Honda has managed to sell over 10,000 units of its H'ness CB350 in India since its launch here in October 2020.

Ahead of launch, details of 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan revealed

Prior to its debut on February 22, Autocar has revealed details of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan.

India-England Tests: All about the latest fiasco regarding SG balls

The SG balls have come under heavy scrutiny following the comments made by Team India duo Virat Kohli and R Ashwin after the first India-England Test in Chennai.

Amazon moves Supreme Court over $3.4bn Future Group-Reliance deal

Amazon has moved India's Supreme Court to stop a $3.4 billion assets sale by its partner, Future Group, to Reliance Industries.

Amid economic crisis, Turkish President announces space program, lunar mission

On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled a ten-year space program for his country. The program includes plans for missions to the moon, manned missions for Turkish astronauts, and development of "world-class" satellite systems.

'Ek Villain Returns' gets a release date

After a long wait, the release date of Arjun Kapoor-starrer Ek Villain Returns has finally been revealed. The movie will be out on February 11, 2022.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics president expected to resign: Here's why

Tokyo 2020 Olympics president Yoshiro Mori is set to step down after he made sexist remarks about women.

Gaganyaan crewed mission delayed; Will miss 75th Independence-Day deadline

India's ambitious space initiative Gaganyaan will launch its second unmanned mission sometime in 2022-23 as per a statement by Union Minister Jitendra Singh. The actual human spaceflight module will be launched at an unspecified time thereafter.

India vs England, 2nd Test: Records that can be scripted

After suffering a 227-run defeat against England in the first Test of the four-match series, all eyes will be on Team India for the upcoming second encounter.

'Mission Majnu': Sidharth Malhotra, Rashmika Mandanna reveal first look

Sidharth Malhotra has begun the shooting of his upcoming thriller Mission Majnu.

2021 MG Hector CVT SUV launched at Rs. 16.51 lakh

British automaker MG Motor has launched a CVT automatic variant of the Hector SUV in India.

Infinix SMART 5 launched in India at Rs. 7,200

Infinix has launched its latest budget-range smartphone, the SMART 5, in India. The handset carries a price-tag of Rs. 7,199 and will go on sale starting February 18 at 12 pm via Flipkart.

2021 Hyundai Elantra first impression: New design and more features

Hyundai is not giving up on sedans as it plans to introduce the new-generation Elantra in India around mid-2021.

2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan motorbike launched at Rs. 2.36 lakh

Royal Enfield has launched the 2021 iteration of its Himalayan adventure motorcycle in India. It comes in three new colors.

Here's how you can add facial effects on Zoom calls

Video conferencing app Zoom had added the Studio Effects beta feature in September 2020, however it has been garnering users' attention just lately.

Copa del Rey: Sevilla beat Barca in semi-final first leg

Sevilla took a massive 2-0 lead against Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final clash in the Copa del Rey.

Realme Narzo 30 Pro spotted on TENAA; key details revealed

Realme is working on the Narzo 30 series of smartphones, which is tipped to include Narzo 30 and 30 Pro models. In the latest development, the Pro variant has been spotted on the TENAA certification site with model number RMX3161.

X

'Work here, but...: RS Prasad talks tough amid Twitter-government row

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday told the tech companies that they are free to work in India only if they follow the Indian Constitution.

Vijay Deverakonda-starrer 'Liger' gets a release date

Vijay Deverakonda and Ananya Panday's much-awaited film Liger's release date has finally been revealed.

India, China agree to disengage along Pangong Lake: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday informed the Parliament that India and China will remove forward deployments along the Pangong Lake in Eastern Ladakh in a phased manner.

Moto G30's press renders leaked, key specifications also revealed

Lenovo-owned Motorola is gearing up to launch a bunch of smartphones this year, one of them being the Moto G30.

FA Cup, Everton win nine-goal thriller against Tottenham: Records broken

Everton reached the FA Cup quarter-finals after overcoming Tottenham 5-4 in a dramatic encounter at Goodison Park.

Biden talks to Jinping for first time after assuming office

United States President Joe Biden spoke to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Wednesday evening (local time) for the first time since his January 20 inauguration.

McLaren Artura's design and powertrain showcased in new teaser

Prior to its global debut on February 17, British automaker McLaren has released a teaser video of its upcoming Artura hybrid supercar.

Kerala reports maximum coronavirus cases and deaths in a day

Kerala, which was lauded globally for its response to the coronavirus pandemic initially, is now struggling to contain the surge in cases.

India vs England: Ravindra Jadeja ruled out of Test series

Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the ongoing four-match Test series against England.

Apple offers free battery replacement for eligible 2016-17 MacBook Pros

Specific MacBook Pro models from 2016 and 2017 were affected by an issue which wouldn't let their battery charge past one percent.

Pep Guardiola wins 200th Man City game: The key numbers

Manchester City broke several records in their 3-1 win over Swansea City in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Amid frosty ties, Trudeau dials PM Modi for COVID-19 vaccines

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Wednesday requesting a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, with the latter assuring that India would do its best to honor the appeal.

Coronavirus: India's tally reaches 10.87 million with 12K+ new cases

India on Wednesday reported more than 12,000 fresh coronavirus infections, pushing the nationwide tally to 10.87 million cases.

#ComicBytes: Five times when Batman defeated The Man of Steel

The question of 'Who will win in a fight between Superman and Batman?' has divided the DC fandom for decades.

Over 1,300 ZS EV cars sold in India in 2020

MG Motor's ZS EV has received an overwhelming market response in India. Since its launch in the country last year, the company has sold over 1,300 units of the battery-powered SUV.

'The Married Woman' teaser, starring Ridhi and Monica Dogra, out

The teaser of Ekta Kapoor's much-awaited show The Married Woman, has been released.

Redmi K40, K40 Pro spotted on TENAA, key specifications leaked

Redmi is gearing up to launch its K40 and K40 Pro models in China soon.