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Podcast News : Well, the website of JioMart with the tagline "India ki nayi dukaan" is a a new grocery shopping experience from Reliance Industries Limited, the country's most valued firm. This in turn is expected to take on online grocery specialists- Bigbasket and Grofers, as well as global e-commerce giants Amazon and Walmart. The JioMart app can be soon soon downloaded on apple and android platforms. Currently web services of JioMart are available in the outskirts of Mumbai, in suburbs such as Navi Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan. And this will be scaled up nationally soon. The app will not only connect consumers, but also enable kiranas to order at wholesale rates from Reliance’s cash-and-carry stores, Reliance Market, to refill their stocks. At present, the web portal is offering pre- registration discounts of Rs 3000, claims to have 50,000 plus grocery products with free home delivery and no minimum order value, no-questions-asked return policy and an express...

Podcast News : Investors' concern over fiscal slippage and contraction in core sector is likely to dominate today's session while the progress in the US-China trade deal might offer some relief. Fiscal deficit of the Union government rose to 114.8 per cent of the target in the first eight months of the fiscal year, data released by the Controller General of Accounts showed. The gap between the government’s revenue and spending stood at Rs 8.07 trillion at the end of November — 13 per cent more than the full-year target. Secondly, the output of eight core sectors of the economy fell for a third straight month in November, contracting by 1.5 per cent as key sectors like refinery products and electricity continued to see slow growth or contraction. In today's session, infra stocks will be in focus after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman yesterday announced plan to provide Rs 102 trillion infra-push over the next five years Automobile companies will also react to...

Assam TET result 2019 : The Department of Elementary Education, Assam, has released for Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) 2019 result on its official website ssa.assam.gov.in. Assam TET examination 2019 was conducted on November 10 last across the different designated examination centres. Candidates who have qualified Assam TET 2019 will be eligible to teach at the different schools in the state based on the papers they have appeared for. How to check the Assam TET Result 2019 Step 1: Visit the official website of Assam TET - ssa.assam.gov.in Step 2: Click on the Assam TET 2019 result link Step 3: Enter login details Step 4: Download the Assam TET 2019 Result Click here for direct download link

NEET PG Admit Card 2020  will be out today, according to a notification issued by the National Board of Examination (NBE) on its website nbe.edu.in. NEET PG 2020 examination will be conducted by the Board on January 5, 2020. Candidates will be able to download the NEET PG 2020 admit card from the website once they are released. The NEET PG 2020 examination will be conducted in a single session from 3.30 pm to 7 pm on the mentioned date. The exam, comprising 300 multiple choice questions, will conducted in English language only. The question paper will be divided into 3 parts (Part A, B, and C) each containing 50, 100, 150 MCQs respectively. How to download NEET PG 2020 admit card

The year 2019 was a mix of ups and downs for the electric vehicle (EV) sales in the country. The coming year is expected to be better, with the entry of more electric cars and Chinese entities’ entry, bringing down the average cost. The second phase of the Rs 10,000-crore scheme of the central government, termed Faster Adoption and Manufacturing for Hybrid and Electric vehicles (FAME II), offers higher incentives to higher powered products. It excludes lead acid battery-powered two-wheelers and mandates that e-scooters should have 80 km per charge and a minimum top speed of 40 kmph, with at least 50 per cent localisation in manufacturing. This has left a large share of two-wheelers out of the incentive, says CRISIL Research. Recently, Union minister Prakash Javadekar told Parliament about 285,000 buyers of electric/hybrid vehicles had been supported by a subsidy of Rs 360 crore under FAME. Read Complete Article

From foldable devices to true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones and internet of things (IoT) products, the year 2019 saw several innovations that changed the technology landscape and raised expectations from products scheduled to come next year. There is still some time before we learn what 2020 has in store for tech enthusiasts, but there are some products — confirmed or spoken about by manufacturers — that offer a glimpse into what we could expect in 2020. Business Standard lists top 6 gadgets that we should look forward to in the new year: OnePlus ‘Concept One’ smartphone Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus has confirmed that it will participate in the 2020 edition of Consumer Electronics Show, to take place in Las Vegas, US, from January 7. The company will showcase its ‘Concept One’ smartphone, which it says will “demonstrate a vision of both new technology and alternative design approach for the future of smartphones”. Though it may be early to make a guess as to what the ...

The United Nations on Friday approved a Russian-led bid that aims to create a new convention on cybercrime , alarming rights groups and Western powers that fear a bid to restrict online freedom. The General Assembly approved the resolution sponsored by Russia and backed by China, which would set up a committee of international experts in 2020. The panel will work to set up "a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes," the resolution said. The United States, European powers and rights groups fear that the language is code for legitimizing crackdowns on expression, with numerous countries defining criticism of the government as "criminal." China heavily restricts internet searches to avoid topics sensitive to its communist leadership, as well as news sites with critical coverage. Read Complete Article

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has slammed the International Cricket Council's ranking system, terming it as "absolute garbage". India are currently ranked number one in ICC Test team rankings , followed by New Zealand, South Africa, England and Australia. The cricketer-turned-commentator feels New Zealand and England don't deserve to get the second and fourth spot in the ICC Test rankings as they haven't won enough Test series in the last two years. "I will be dead honest about the ICC rankings. I think they are absolute garbage," Vaughan was quoted as saying by the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. "I have no idea how - New Zealand have won plenty of series over the course of the last two years - but for them to be second, and where it stands out for me that the rankings can't be right is that England in Test match cricket are third, and England for three or four years have struggled in Test match cricket, particularly over...

Best smartphones 2019: Premium smartphone makers seemed to be in a course correction mode in 2019. From fast charging capability to multi-optic camera modules and software optimisation for enhanced user experience, smartphone makers brought to the table some of the technological advances that had been long overdue. At the same time, smartphone manufacturers moved their focus from technical specifications to optimisation, features and algorithms, setting precedents for the industry to follow in the upcoming year. Business Standard takes a look at the top five best smartphones launched in 2019. Here is the list: Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Samsung Galaxy Note 10 PlusThe Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ is one of the most versatile in the premium smartphone segment. Besides top-notch specifications, the smartphone boasts premium optics, a multi-purpose digital pen (SPen), a curved dynamic AMOLED screen with HDR10+ support and a high-capacity battery with 25W fast-charge support. Moreover, t...

From the advent of subscription-based game streaming services like Apple Arcade and Google Stadia to the rollout of some of the popular gaming titles for mobile platforms, the year 2019 has been a year full of surprises, fun and captivating experiences for the community of ardent gamers. The new year is unlikely to see any let-up in excitement, as some of the most popular gaming titles are scheduled to be launched in 2020. Here is a list of popular games that will be launched or undated in 2020: 12 MINUTES (ANNAPURNA INTERACTIVE) Availability: Xbox One, Windows 10 PC Storyline: 12 Minutes is a real-time top-down interactive thriller with an accessible click-and-drag interface. What should be a romantic evening with your wife turns into a nightmare when a police detective breaks into your home, accuses your wife of murder and beats you to death, and then you find yourself immediately returned to the exact moment when you opened the front door, stuck in a twelve-minute time...

Top Foldable Smartphones 2019: Foldable devices, which were seen only as a concept until last year, became a reality in 2019. Though the first breed of foldable devices boasts bendable screen, the technology industry did not shy away experimenting other formats, too, including the dual-screen design. From a new category of smartphones doubling up as tablets, to just smartphones with the same qualities, phone makers explored different avenues to market their first foldable devices. Business Standard takes a look at what the 2019 had in store insofar as foldable devices are concerned: Samsung Galaxy Fold Samsung Galaxy FoldThe world’s first foldable device, the Galaxy Fold, is the only bendable smartphone that is currently available for purchase in India. Pitched as a new category of smartphones with foldable screens, the phone has two displays — a 7.3-inch dynamic AMOLED foldable display that bends inwards, and a conventional 4.6-inch secondary super AMOLED display on the back...

There are only seven days left for linking your Income-tax permanent account number (PAN) with your Aadhaar --the deadline is December 31. Linking PAN to Aadhar is mandatory if you want to file your income tax return. Says Balwant Jain, a Mumbai-based tax expert: "Those who have not linked their PAN to their Aadhar by this date will find their PAN becoming inoperative." Initially, the authorities had proposed to render the PAN invalid for non-linkage by September this year. However, rendering it invalid would have put a question mark on all transactions done using the PAN prior to that date as well. Jain says, "In order to protect the validity of the transactions that have already been effected, the PAN will now become inoperative by December 31, if it isn't linked to Aadhar by this date." This effectively means that you will no longer be able to use it with prospective effect. All retrospective transactions will remain valid. Read Complete Article

Diabetes is among the diseases which cannot be cured with medication. High blood sugar can adversely affect any person’s health. But people with diabetes are always at a higher risk. The most important thing for diabetic patients is to keep their blood sugar level under control to avoid hospitalisation. And it’s possible to keep the disease under control. Here are a few ways to manage your blood sugar level. Never skip breakfast People often prioritise work over the morning meal. It’s more harmful than people realise. Breakfast should be had with a good amount of protein to optimum maintain blood sugar level. The power of almonds Almond intake is highly beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes. A study has revealed that consuming 60 grams of almonds every day keeps blood sugar under control, which also reduces the risk of heart-related diseases. Additionally, the inclusion of almonds in the diet also reduces the serum glucose level by up to 6 per cent. Read Complete a...

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 auction with the deepest pockets among the eight IPL teams — an available purse Rs 42.7 crore. This allowed the Chandigarh-based franchise to bid heavily for their picks. Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell was the costliest buy for KXIP in the IPL 2020 auction, at Rs 10.75 crore, while their second-costliest purchase was West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell, renowned for his salute celebration, at Rs 8.50 crore. Justifying the hefty pay cheque for Maxwell, Punjab’s head coach Anil Kumble said his team needed firepower in the middle order. "For us, the gaps that we had to fill were pretty evident. We had to fill the fast bowlers’ slots and also get power hitters, as we needed someone in the middle order who could really be a destructive player. That is why we chose Glenn Maxwell," Kumble said. Read Complete Article

Catch our full coverage on Jharkhand Assembly Elections Jharkhand Exit Poll Results Exits polls have indicated a marginal advantage to the JMM-led alliance and have pointed towards a hung Assembly. According to the ABP/C-Voter exit poll, JMM, Congress and RJD will retain 35 seats. It has, however, given 32 seats to the ruling BJP, 5 to AJSU and three to the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) and six to others. Read Complete Article

Jharkhand Assembly Election result 2019 LIVE updates : The results of Jharkhand assembly election will be declared on today after counting of votes in all 24 district headquarters. Jharkhand Assembly elections 2019 were conducted in five phases from November 30 to December 20. The counting of votes for the 81 Jharkhand Assembly seats will start at 8 am. Jharkhand Election results 2019: Key parties In the election, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was up against the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance which included Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). While the JMM has fielded candidates in 43 seats, the Congress and the RJD are fighting for 31 and seven seats, respectively. The ruling party has fielded its candidates in 79 out of the 81 seats. Read Complate Article

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Wednesday that it had for the first time approved a "biosimilar" medicine -- one derived from living sources rather than chemicals -- to make breast cancer treatment affordable to women globally. The trastuzumab drug has shown "high efficacy" in curing early stage breast cancer and in some cases more advanced forms of the disease, the WHO said in a statement. But the annual cost of the original drug is an average (of) $20,000, "a price that puts it out of reach of many women and healthcare systems in most countries," the statement added. However, the biosimilar version of trastuzumab is generally 65 per cent cheaper than the original. "With this WHO listing, and more products expected in the prequalification pipeline, prices should decrease even further," the WHO said. Read Complete Article

India cricket team will have to get their bowling combination right after the hiding in Chennai when they take on a buoyant Windies cricket team in the second ODI in Vishakhapatnam on Wednesday, aiming to keep the three-match series alive. A series win would certainly raise Kieron Pollard's profile from a T20 freelancer to an able leader but a blinder from Rohit Sharma or another hundred from Virat Kohli on a batting belter can't be ruled out. It wasn't a nightmarish bowling performance in Chennai by any stretch of imagination but not being able to defend 287 on a slow Chennai track left the team management with a few points to ponder. With the par-score at the ACA-VDCA stadium here set to be in the 320-plus range, a fifth specialist bowling option could be mulled upon considering the plight the hosts faced in the last game with Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope beautifully planning the chase with their respective hundreds. Read Complete Article

Amid concerns that the government may fall short of tax collection target in a slowing economy, the Centre has set an ambitious Rs 1.1 trillion monthly GST target for the remaining four months of the current fiscal and asked taxmen to step up efforts to achieve the goal. Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey held a video conference meeting with top tax officials of departments looking after both income tax and indirect taxes such as GST and asked them to step up efforts to achieve tax targets, finance ministry sources said. While taxmen have been asked to plug evasions, Pandey impressed upon them to achieve targets without harassing honest taxpayers. Taxmen were told in no uncertain terms that both the GST as well as the Rs 13.35 trillion target for direct taxes for 2019-20 will have to be achieved. Read Complete Article

Indian Premier League (IPL) defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have released 12 of their players from last season ahead of IPL 2020 players’ auction, to be held in Kolkata on Dec 19. They have retained 18 players. The Mumbai franchise retained their core team, including veteran Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga, despite his fitness issues. Among the 12 released players, Evin Lewis, Jason Behrendoff and Alzarri Joseph were the most prominent ones as they made some match-winning contributions last season. Lewis had given a flying start to the team during the powerplay in several matches, while Behrendoff had taken 6 wickets against Rajasthan Royals in a low-scoring game to provide his team a crucial win last season. Yuvraj Singh, who retired from all forms of cricket, including IPL, earlier this year, has also been released by MI. Read Complete Article

Obese women who have weight-loss surgery between pregnancies may be less likely to experience complications like high blood pressure and preterm births in their second pregnancy, a recent study suggests. Researchers examined hospital records from 2002 to 2014 for more than 1.6 million women 15 to 45 years old in New South Wales, Australia. The study focused on 326 women who had bariatric surgery between their first and second pregnancies and 461,917 women who had two pregnancies without a weight-loss operation in between. The study found that for obese women who had the surgery between pregnancies, the risk of complications dropped markedly from the first pregnancy to the second, although it didn’t reach the level seen in the general population of women. “ The odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women who have bariatric surgery do not decrease to the level observed in the general birthing population; however, there was substantial improvement,” lead study author I Ibie...

Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings (RIIHL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mukesh Ambani -led Reliance Industries (RIL), has entered into binding agreements with Canada’s Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP and its institutional partners for an investment of Rs 25,215 crore in the telecom tower assets of the RIL. In a notification to the stock exchanges, RIL noted that Brookfield and its partners would invest Rs 25,215 crore in the units to be issued by the Tower Infrastructure Trust. At the closing of the transaction, the Trust will own 100 per cent of the issued and paid up equity share capital of Reliance Jio lnfratel. Brookfield will buy 100 per cent units issued by the Trust, which, in turn, owns 100 per cent equity of Reliance Jio Infratel, the operating company for Jio’s tower assets. Reliance Jio lnfratel has a portfolio of about 130,000 telecom towers that form the backbone of Reliance Jio Infocomm’s network. There are plans to build additional towers and th...

A court in Pakistan on Tuesday sentenced former president Pervez Musharraf to death for high treason, giving its judgment on charges relating to the imposition of extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007, reported the Dawn newspaper. Musharraf, 74, ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008 and lives in Dubai in self-imposed exile. The previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had filed the treason case against the former army chief in 2013 over the imposition of an extra-constitutional emergency in November 2007, which led to the confinement of a number of superior court judges in their houses and sacking of over 100 judges. The trial in the high-profile treason case has not seen much progress since Musharraf left for Dubai in March 2016 after his name was removed from the no-fly list. Read Complete Article

Smartphone design trends 2019: Once a game of specifications, the smartphone market came a long way this year. Besides offering the best mix of specifications and features, mobile phone makers now are also making efforts on their products' design language — that might have been one of the key differentiators for smartphones launched in 2019. From a reflective gradient design to 3D curved body and obstruction-free profile, the smartphones launched in 2019 experimented with different designs while also enhancing the overall product build. Business Standard lists top five best-looking smartphones launched in 2019 with a distinct design language: Oppo Reno 2 The Reno 2 (review) perfected the smartphone design to become one of the best of the year 2019 in terms of looks. The phone has a dual-colour-tone design that looks absolutely gorgeous, especially in the luminous black colour. Moreover, its design is accentuated by better ergonomics and a light-weight build. The phone’s ...

Best flagship smartphones 2019 : Affordable flagship smartphones are value-for-money products that offer top-notch specifications and features for a midrange price. In the past couple of years, this segment has been dominated by Chinese smartphone brand OnePlus. In 2019, however, other smartphone brands also got a toehold in this space with products that boasted specifications and features otherwise found only in premium smartphones. Here are top five affordable flagship smartphones (priced under Rs 40,000) that were launched in 2019: Asus ROG Phone II Asus ROG Phone 2Primarily a gaming-centric smartphone, the ROG Phone II from the stable of Taiwanese electronics maker Asus is an all-round smartphone offering the best of flagships at an affordable price. From an AMOLED screen with a high refresh rate to stereo speakers and high-capacity battery, this smartphone exceeds expectations and gives the best value for money in the midrange flagship segment. If there is any phone ...

Best wearable tech devices 2019 : It has been an eventful year for fitness enthusiasts, especially those who wanted an ideal companion to track their workouts and offer insights. The year 2019 saw smartwatches becoming part of daily life for many. These devices not only help you keep track of your daily steps and heart rate but also measure other fitness metrics crucial for overall insights. What’s more, you get regular notifications on apps ranging from WhatsApp to Instagram, and you can reply to them from your watch itself. They can also store music, so you wouldn't have to carry your phone during workouts. With some smartwatches, you could even attend calls. Of the many launches this year, Business Standard lists top 5 smartwatches that stood out in 2019: Apple Watch Series 5 Apple Watch The Apple Watch Series 5 does a lot to ease your everyday life — it is not only a phenomenal lifestyle gadget but also a proactive health support. The addition to an always-on dis...