Next few months will be critical to hit old form again, says Chinglensana

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Next few months will be critical to hit old form again, says Chinglensana

It’s been a little over three weeks since the Indian men’s hockey team resumed sports activities at the ongoing national coaching camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility after a forced five-month break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Easing into activities has been the mantra for the team which ensured their fitness levels were maintained during the lockdown period where players were restricted to their rooms. “It’s been a tough phase for me personally because I had only just returned to competitive hockey earlier this year after a long injury-break that had kept me out of action almost all through 2019,” expressed midfielder Chinglensana Singh Kangujam.

The Manipur-born Arjuna Awardee emphasized that he has been taking things slow and not putting pressure on himself to hit top form immediately. “It will take some time (at least two-three months) for all of us to hit the same form we were in earlier this year. This period will be critical for us. The good thing is that we don’t have any major competition till the end of this year which gives us enough and more time to return to the form we were in during the FIH Hockey Pro League earlier this year.”

“Chief coach Graham Reid is also not in any rush and he has mentioned to us that the team management will be looking at starting intensive training only later this year,” stated Singh.

Singh further said that this ‘slow and steady’ approach ensures players are not under any pressure.

“It is very reassuring for the players that coach Reid is constantly talking to the players and giving us enough time, it does not put pressure on us. We will know where we stand when we play internal matches which we have been told will happen only later this year so the next few months we can purely focus on individual well-being both physically and mentally, and work on improving our fitness and speed,” he added.

This time-off from competitive hockey, Singh believes, has given players an opportunity to retrospect about their own game and understand the areas that they need to work on.

“Time off competitive hockey always gives players a chance to be retrospective and figure out what aspects of their individual game requires improvement. I am sure we will bounce back as more mature and stronger, formidable team,” he concluded.

Ram Temple Trust a/c: Rs 6L fraudulently withdrawn

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Ram Temple Trust a/c: Rs 6L fraudulently withdrawn

An amount of Rs 6 lakh has been fraudulently withdrawn from the bank account of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya.

An FIR has been lodged in this regard at the Ayodhya Kotwali police station. A team of cyber experts has also been asked to investigate the case.

According to the report, money was withdrawn from two banks in Lucknow by cheque cloning.

The matter came to light when the fraudster made a third attempt to withdraw Rs 9.86 lakh from the Bank of Baroda branch.

The bank manager made a verification call to Trust Secretary Champat Rai, who denied having issued any such cheque.

“On further inquiry, it was found that money had been withdrawn earlier, too,” said a police official.

A sum of Rs 2.5 lakhs was withdrawn from the bank on September 1 and then a sum of Rs 3.5 lakh, two days later.

Ayodhya circle officer Rajesh Kumar Rai said that a case had been registered and investigations were underway.

It may be recalled that a fake website that was seeking donations for the Ram temple had come to light a few days ago and the matter was being investigated.

Agra reports 96 fresh cases, one death from Covid-19

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Agra reports 96 fresh cases, one death from Covid-19

With 96 fresh cases of Covid-19 and one more death in a day, the Taj city is in the grip of a fear-wave.

As markets open and restrictions are lifted, the chances of more people getting infected go up, explain the doctors but the district administration finds the pressure difficult to negotiate on a daily basis.

The medical infrastructure at the S.N. Medical College is under strain and is facing shortages of medicines, Oxygen, and even trained hands. Senior doctors in the private health sector have virtually disappeared, surgeries have stopped and a significantly large number of trained hands to battle the pandemic, are reluctant to continue to give their services inviting risk. A senior police official, two cops, and a post-master tested positive on Wednesday.

In the past 24 hours, Agra reported 96 fresh cases and one death of a senior citizen. The number of active cases now is 730 while the number of samples tested so far is 1,39,432.

The situation continues to remain grim in Aligarh, Mathura, Firozabad with cases of Covid-19 positive cases going up each day.

The state health department has asked the district administrations to increase the number of beds in government hospitals.

Though the private sector hospitals have now begun to admit COVID cases, the number of complaints each day of overcharging and negligence have also increased. “Their packages are exorbitant, beyond the ordinary people,” complained one member of a victim family.

OPPO announces price, availability of F17 smartphone in India

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OPPO announces price, availability of F17 smartphone in India

Chinese smartphone maker OPPO on Thursday announced the price and availability of its recently-launched smartphone OPPO F17 in India.

The F17 will come in two variants of 6GB+128GB as well as 8GB+128GB for Rs 17,990 and Rs 19,990, respectively.

The device will go on sale from September 21 across all offline and leading e-commerce platforms, the company said in a statement.

With a sleek 7.45mm body, the OPPO F17 weighs just 163 grams with 1.67mm ultra-thin bezels created from laser-carving technology.

The device was launched last week along with OPPO F17 Pro which is available at Rs 22,990 for the 8+128GB variant.

OPPO F17 sports a 6.44-inch full high definition (FHD) Waterdrop Fullscreen and comes with the third generation of in-display fingerprint unlock technology.

The device is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor coupled with up to 8GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage.

The device houses a 16MP main camera, a 119-degree wide-angle 8MP camera, a 2MP monochrome camera, and a 2MP retro camera. The smartphone also comes with a 16MP front camera.

Equipped with 30W VOOC 4.0 technology, OPPO F17 claims four hours of talk with just a five-minute charge, the company said.

Nestaway eyes small-town India as tenants exit Metros

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Nestaway eyes small-town India as tenants exit Metros

As the ongoing pandemic triggers reverse migration, online home rental company Nestaway Technologies on Thursday launched a partnership/franchising model to make inroads into the smaller cities and towns in India.

According to reports, Covid-19 has caused massive disruption in the home rental industry in India as there has been massive reverse migration of youth to their hometowns.

“We need to be where tenants are. Pre-COVID, the tenant base was crowded in central business districts and few busy areas in Tier I cities. We see a tectonic shift in consumer behavior now,” said Amarendra Sahu, Co-founder, and CEO, Nestaway.

“While our existing model works best in busy pockets of the city and offers a full-stack service to make living easier, post-COVID, customers want less rent and fewer services,” he added.

Reports claim that reverse migration is as high as 50 percent in cities like Bengaluru with over 30 percent of homes now lying vacant.

“That is why we are making the decision to add a franchised version of our services so that local entrepreneurs can customize it as per the need of customers in their geographies,” Sahu said in a statement.

As part of this new model, the independent property managers would have access to the same product, technology, and know-how as the existing on-roll property managers.

Based on its internal migration and tenant exit data, Nestaway said over 10,000 people have vacated their rental homes in the last three months and have gone back to smaller cities or their hometowns.

Nestaway has seen a three times uptick in owner requests from smaller towns and cities.

The company said it aims to do at least 30 percent of its business from non-metros in the next two years.

Launched in 2015, Nestaway currently has more than 50,000 tenants and 60,000 homes in its network.

World’s first floating Apple store opens in Singapore

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World’s first floating Apple store opens in Singapore

The Cupertino-based iPhone maker on Thursday opened Apple Marina Bay Sands, its first floating retail store with a glass dome that appears as a floating sphere and sits directly on the water.

The store introduces a new retail experience at one of the most iconic locations in the country.

“Our retail stores bring the best of Apple together and we’re so proud to welcome you to our newest home in Singapore — the breathtaking Apple Marina Bay Sands. Enjoy the view!” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a tweet.

The all-glass dome structure is fully self-supported, comprising 114 pieces of glass with only 10 narrow vertical mullions for structural connection.

Inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, an oculus located at the apex of the dome provides a flooding ray of light that travels through space, according to Apple.

The interior of the glass is lined with custom baffles, each uniquely shaped to counter sun angles and provide a nighttime lighting effect.

With trees lining the interior of the dome, the green garden city of Singapore flows into the store, providing additional shading and soft shadows through the foliage.

Visitors can explore curated Apple products and accessories, receive personal technical support, or simply take in the stunning view of Marina Bay.

“The Forum is centered around a Video Wall, which will serve as the stage for ‘Today at Apple’ sessions featuring Singapore’s artists, musicians, and creators,” Apple said.

Apple opened its first store in Singapore at the Knightsbridge building along Orchard Road in 2017.

Its second store, located at Jewel Changi Airport, opened in July last year.

French Open to allow spectators amid Covid-19 pandemic

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French Open to allow spectators amid Covid-19 pandemic

A total of 11,500 spectators per day will be allowed at the upcoming French Open, organizers have announced despite the growing number of coronavirus cases in the country.

The French Open, which was originally scheduled to start in May, has been moved back to September 27-October 11 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has claimed more than 8 lakh lives across the world so far.

Roland Garros will be divided into three zones based on the three main courts, with 5,000 people each for the Philippe Chatrier and Suzanne Lenglen courts. The zone surrounding the third biggest court will host a maximum of 1,500 spectators a day.

“Since the international circuit restarted, Roland Garros will be the first tournament with the privilege of hosting an audience,” French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli said.

The qualifying round matches will be played behind closed doors, FTF said. In order to guarantee the health and safety of all, the wearing of a mask will be compulsory for all people over 11 years old, in all circumstances, it added.

World No.1 and reigning champion Ashleigh Barty have already confirmed that she will not participate at this year’s Roland Garros due to health concerns and a lack of preparation.

US Open: Azarenka masters Mertens to set up Serena semifinal

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US Open: Azarenka masters Mertens to set up Serena semifinal

Two-time finalist Victoria Azarenka of Belarus stormed into her first Grand Slam semifinal since 2013 after a dominant performance against the No.16 seed Elise Mertens at the ongoing US Open.

On Wednesday night at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, Azarenka looked her vintage best as she defeated Mertens 6-1, 6-0 in an hour and 13 minutes.

“I felt today I really executed the game very precisely,” Azarenka told the press after the match as per the WTA website. “I was moving really well. I saw the ball very long. It was long on my racquet. I saw it where I needed to see it. So I felt I played well.

“I found all the right answers to everything she was trying to make today and more, so I’m very happy with that today,” she added.

She will now face six-time champion Serena Williams who staged a stellar comeback against unranked Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria and registered a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in her quarter-final match.

The match between Azarenka and Williams will be a repeat of the 2012 and 2013 US Open finals, where the 23-time Grand Slam champion had defeated Azarenka to win back-to-back Grand Slam crowns.

“I love playing against Serena,” Azarenka said. “I think we have one of the best matches – at least that I played in my career – against her. We always played on big stages. It was a lot of big fights. She’s one of the players who push me to the limit, who makes me better.”

In the other women’s singles semi-final, Japan’s Naomi Osaka will lock horns with No.28 seed Jennifer Brady.

Thiem goes past de Minaur to enter his 1st US Open semifinal

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Thiem goes past de Minaur to enter his 1st US Open semifinal

Second-seed Dominic Thiem defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets to reach the semi-finals of the US Open for the first time.

In a quarter-final clash that lasted for two-hour and four minutes on Wednesday, Thiem defeated 21st seed de Minaur 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to become the first Austrian ever to reach the last four at the Flushing Meadows.

“I had a great feeling from the first moment on,” said Thiem, who will now face 2019 US Open finalist Daniil Medvedev for a place in the summit clash.

“There is no Roger, Rafa, Novak, but there are Daniil, Sascha, and Pablo now,” he said. “There are three other amazing players. Every single one of us deserves this first major title. Everybody will give it all. Once we step on the court, those other three are forgotten anyway,” he added.

Thiem had last reached the quarterfinals in New York in 2018. After battling Rafael Nadal for four hours and 49 minutes in an all-time slugfest before falling short in a fifth-set tie-break, the Austrian said the match was, “going to be stuck in my mind forever”.

In the second semifinal, Alexander Zverev will take on Pablo Carreno Busta on Saturday.

Google Maps returns to Apple Watch after 3 years

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Google Maps returns to Apple Watch after 3 years

Google Maps for Apple Watch is now available with the latest watchOS update, more than three years after the search giant pulled the app from the device for reasons still unknown.

Google Maps for Apple Watch is rolling out with version 5.52 on the App Store, reports 9To5Google.

Google first announced that Google Maps would be returning to Apple’s wearable in August.

There was a Google Maps for the Apple Watch app, but Google ended watchOS support in 2017.

On the Apple Watch, Google Maps is focused on providing step-by-step directions, as well as estimated arrival times.

The app’s primary screen shows the “Current trip,” while there’s a list of “Travel times” below which includes Home, Work, and any other saved shortcuts/destinations.

The watchOS client supports navigating by car, bike, public transit, or walking, and users can “Set travel mode” directly from their wrist.

TikTok ban in US very unusual: Facebook COO

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TikTok ban in US very unusual: Facebook COO

As China-based TikTok faces legal hurdles in the US, Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg has said that the ban on the short-video making app was very unusual.

In an interview during the ‘Women in Tech, Media and Finance’ conference organized by The Information, Sandberg criticized the ban on the ByteDance-owned app.

“The White House’s order to ban TikTok was very unusual in the history of business and wasn’t something Facebook had called for,” she said.

Sandberg’s comments came as US regulators scrutinize Facebook’s own anti-competitive market practices.

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg raised concerns about TikTok with lawmakers in the US months before the Donald Trump administration started portraying the short video-sharing platform as a threat to national security.

Zuckerberg argued that TikTok, owned by Chinese unicorn ByteDance, is not committed to freedom of expression and represents a threat to the technological supremacy of the US.

The Facebook CEO apparently argued that Washington should be more concerned about the Chinese Internet companies than reining in Facebook.

Similar arguments were also made during his meeting with several senators following which the concerns were shared with other authorities and the government eventually started a national security review of the company.

Trump issued an executive order in August that gave ByteDance an option to divest its TikTok business in the US within 90 days.

Facebook recently launched the Reels feature on Instagram which offers TikTok-like functionalities.

Asha Bhosle at 88: My speed and efficiency make me feel I’m 40

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Asha Bhosle at 88: My speed and efficiency make me feel I’m 40

Asha Bhosle is 88, but she says she feels like 40. The playback legend says she feels almost half her age because she believes in speed and efficiency above anything else.

“I think it is my speed and efficiency. I want to do my best and do it with speed. For example, I cook really fast. Others exit the kitchen as they cannot match up with my speed (laughs). Ok, on a serious note, (I owe me) honesty to my music. Honesty is an integral part of me. It has brought me pain too, but in my 87 years I have always been honest in what I do, both at work and in life,” said the singer.

“I’ve completed my 87th and stepped into my 88th but I feel 40! Like me, I hope you all feel positive about life,” she posted on social media after her birthday this year.

Her birthday was a quiet affair with a close family this year, owing to the global pandemic. “Under this Covid-19 situation, I have shot videos turning hairstylist, makeup woman, and designer beside performer. I have enjoyed it to the hilt. I have cooked many dishes. I also spent my birthday with my grandchildren Zanai and Ranjai and my son Anand and daughter-in-law Anuja. I simply loved it.”

She added: “It feels beautiful to be surrounded by family. Normally everyone is busy in their own life. But now, we are all together. Zane ordered my favorite food. Every moment today is a gift from God. I am so grateful. I want to be hale and hearty for years to come as well.”

The iconic singer has started an initiative titled “Asha Ki Asha” where she will provide opportunities to new talent. She said she wants to broaden the space from only promoting singers to lyricists and others.

“I have listened to so many talents across the country that it will be tough to choose the best. I am so happy and overwhelmed at all the faith and love they have shown me. I will now broaden my search and give the opportunity to composers and lyricists as well. There are so many talented youngsters waiting in the wings,” signed off the singer.

Tour de France: Caleb Ewan wins Stage 11

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Tour de France: Caleb Ewan wins Stage 11

Caleb Ewan won Stage 11 of the ongoing Tour de France in a photo finish after a feisty bunch sprint in Poitiers saw Peter Sagan relegated after barging Wout van Aert near the barriers.

Boxed out on the slight uphill drag to the line, Australian pocket-rocket Ewan (Lotto Soudal) on Wednesday kept his cool before timing his sprint to perfection to power past Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-QuickStep) in the middle of the road while Sagan and van Aert clashed to his right.

The four riders came home in a line separated by less than half a wheel, with Ewan’s superior lunge the difference as the 26-year-old notched his second win of the race.

But as he and Ireland’s Bennett pumped fists after a thrilling finale, Jumbo-Visma’s van Aert and Bora-Hansgrohe’s Sagan were busy trading insults after an apparent shoulder barge by the Slovakian helped him to second place.

After consulting the footage, the race jury announced that Sagan was relegated to the back of the group for his dangerous manoeuvre – elevating Bennett to second place and van Aert to third. The decision was a massive blow for Sagan’s chances of winning an eighth green jersey in nine years, with Bennett now opening up a huge 68-point lead at the top of the standings.

In the battle for yellow, van Aert’s teammate Primoz Roglic retained race lead on a day of inaction for the GC hopefuls. The Slovenian leads Colombia’s Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) by 21 seconds and Frenchman Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) by 28 seconds as the race heads towards the hills of the Massif Central.

“It was very, very hectic,” Ewan said after the fifth Tour win of his career. “I had a real desire to win today after the disappointment of yesterday, and I wanted to repay my teammates for all the effort they had put in. I didn’t know I’d won but I saluted just in case – I was looking down as I lunged with the bike so I wasn’t sure. I hope to get through the mountains alright and have another go in Paris.”

Guterres condemns attack on Afghan 1st VP’s convoy

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Guterres condemns attack on Afghan 1st VP’s convoy

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned an attack ion the convoy of Afghanistan’s First Vice President Amrullah Saleh in Kabul, which resulted in civilian casualties.

On Wednesday, Guterres extended his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Secretary-General reiterated the urgency of achieving a peaceful settlement to the conflict in the country and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting the people and government of Afghanistan in this important endeavor, Stephane Dujarric, Guterres’ spokesman, said in a statement.

At least 10 people were killed and 15 others injured in the roadside bomb attack that struck Saleh’s convoy.

He received minor wounds on his left hand and small burns on his face.

His teenage son accompanying him in the bomb-proof vehicle was unharmed, Saleh confirmed.

The attack comes as the much-awaited intra-Afghan talks between members of the Kabul government and the Taliban are expected to start within a week’s time.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.

The Taliban issued a statement denying involvement in the blast.

This is the second time that Saleh has survived an attack, TOLO News reported.

On July 27, 2019, the office of the political group Green Trend, which Saleh heads, was attacked.

It took place the day before the presidential election campaign started in Afghanistan.

More than 20 people were killed and over 50 others injured.

Beijing 2022 preparations ‘on track & going well’, says IOC chief

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Beijing 2022 preparations ‘on track & going well’, says IOC chief

As of September 21 marks, the 500-day countdown of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has said that preparations for Beijing 2022 are “on track and going well”.

“We heard a very encouraging technical report from the Coordination Commission who informed us the technical preparations are on track and going very well,” the IOC president said in a video conference after the IOC Executive Board meeting on Wednesday reports Xinhua news agency.

At the EB meeting, Beijing 2022 Coordination Commission chair Juan Antonio Samaranch noted advances in venue construction, development of the Local Organising Committee staff, and new sponsors and suppliers, as further evidence of Beijing 2022’s progress.

In regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, Samaranch reported that Beijing 2022 has been in direct contact with the relevant international federations, developing plans for different scenarios at a number of official test events this coming winter based on the latest COVID-19 situation.

Bach also said the progress in rapid testing and development of a vaccine could be “greatly influential”.

“We have also made contact with COC to benefit from the expertise of the developers of Chinese pharmaceutical companies to see and learn about the progress there. These will of course not only influence hopefully the preparations for Tokyo but also for Beijing,” Bach added.

For the Tokyo Olympic Games, Bach repeated that the local organizers and the IOC are preparing for multiple scenarios for the Games next year, but it was not time to specify the plan.

“It’s just too early to give a concrete answer what will be the final scenario,” Bach said, “The only thing we can say is it will be about offering a safe environment for all participants.”

Five of family goes missing in UP

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Five of family goes missing in UP

Five members of a family have gone missing under mysterious circumstances from Kesarpur village in Uttar Pradesh since September 5.

A missing person complaint, filed by Malkhan Singh, was registered at Madhotanda police station on Tuesday.

In his complaint, he said that his brother Ram Avtar, his wife Rekha Devi, and their three sons, aged 16, 13, and six years, had gone missing from their home, without informing any of their relatives.

ASP Pavitra Mohan Tripathi and Circle officer Puranpur, Uttam Singh, have deployed police teams to track the family.

According to reports, Ram Avatar the left house unlocked and did not even ask any relative or neighbor to feed his two buffaloes before leaving.

His motorbike was also found parked in the verandah of his house.

SP Jai Prakash Yadav said the circumstances in which the family had gone missing hinted towards a conspiracy.

He said the police were carrying out a search for the family in nearby agricultural fields, villages, and dense shrubs along the banks of an outlet canal of the Sharda river that flows next to Kesarpur.

Electronic surveillance of one of the missing members mobile phone showed that it was in use in Delhi, but police said they are yet to find out who the actual user of that number is.

New EU data transfer mechanism can’t be used in Facebook’s case

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New EU data transfer mechanism can’t be used in Facebook’s case

A cross-border data transfer mechanism, deemed valid by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), cant be used in the case of Facebook, Irelands Data Protection Commission has ruled.

According to Facebook, a lack of safe, secure, and legal international data transfers would damage the economy and hamper the growth of data-driven businesses in the EU.

The Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), the alternative legal mechanism for transferring data from the EU to a third country, continue to be valid, according to CJEU.

“Like many other businesses, Facebook relies on SCCs to transfer data to countries outside the EU, including to the United States,” Nick Clegg, VP of Global Affairs and Communications, said in a blog post on Wednesday.

Since the CJEU’s ruling in July, Facebook has been working hard to follow the steps set out by the Court to ensure that it can continue to transfer data in a safe and secure way.

The Irish IDPC has commenced an inquiry into Facebook controlled EU-US data transfers, and “has suggested that SCCs cannot in practice be used for EU-US data transfers”.

“While this approach is subject to further process, if followed, it could have a far-reaching effect on businesses that rely on SCCs and on the online services many people and businesses rely on,” Clegg said.

In July, the CJEU invalidated EU-US Privacy Shield, a legal framework regulating transfers of personal data from the EU to the US.

At the same time, the CJEU stated that SCCs continue to be valid.

“But the rationale in invalidating Privacy Shield has nonetheless created significant uncertainty – not just for US tech companies, or even for all the European businesses who rely on online services to reach new customers, but for all European businesses with transatlantic data flows,” Clegg commented.

The CJEU invalidated the Privacy Shield mechanism for transferring data between the EU and the US, due to concerns over US national security laws.

Before the ruling, more than 5,000 companies relied on Privacy Shield.

“Although the court also ruled that SCCs remain valid (providing the data exporter puts in place appropriate safeguards to ensure a high level of protection for data subjects), its rationale in invalidating Privacy Shield has prompted a discussion around businesses’ reliance on SCCs,” Facebook said.

The impact would be felt by businesses large and small, across multiple sectors.

In the worst-case scenario, this could mean that a small tech start-up in Germany would no longer be able to use a US-based cloud provider.

“A Spanish product development company could no longer be able to run an operation across multiple time zones. A French retailer may find they can no longer maintain a call center in Morocco,” Clegg said.

The effects would reach beyond the business world, and could impact critical public services such as health and education.

Ireland’s COVID Tracking App states, in its terms, that it relies on SCCs as one of a number of mechanisms to transfer data to one of its processors in the US.

“Facebook, therefore, welcomes the efforts already underway between EU and US lawmakers to evaluate the potential for an ‘enhanced’ EU-US framework – a Privacy Shield Plus,” Clegg noted.

Yogi allows Covid test without prescription

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Yogi allows Covid test without prescription

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has adopted the guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for ‘testing on-demand’ for COVID.

People wanting a Covid-19 test can now walk into private pathology labs across Uttar Pradesh and get themselves screened. They will no longer need any prescription but will have to specify the reason for the test.

Pathology labs have also been allowed the collection of COVID samples from homes.

The ICMR officials had stated that the move aims at simplifying modalities such as doing away with the need for prescription and setting out the method of testing, especially for domestic and international travelers, who need a Covid-19 negative report for easier screening at the airports.

“Tests on demand should be allowed for all individuals who wish to get themselves tested and all individuals undertaking travel to other countries or states, mandating a negative Covid-19 test at the point of entry,” the advisory said.

A committee of health officials in Uttar Pradesh also believed that ‘there was no problem in adopting the recommendation’ though no formal government order has been issued in this regard yet.

“The ICMR guideline is sufficient in its own way. Government orders are issued only to facilitate the implementation of different guidelines. But in this case, everything is clear,” said a senior health official.

The move will also allow the home collection of Covid-19 samples which is a major relief for patients suffering from other diseases who need ‘Covid-19 negative report’ to continue their regular treatment.

“Prescription was made mandatory for Covid-19 testing by the local administration, which was hampering self-reporting of suspected cases that do not fit in the classical definition of the primary or secondary contact. In addition, a number of pregnant women, ailing elderly persons and those who need to join jobs were facing difficulty on account of the verbal order,” said the owner of a pathology lab in Lucknow.a

Serie A unveils plan for new revenue-boosting broadcast company

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Serie A unveils plan for new revenue-boosting broadcast company

The Italian Serie A has announced a plan to set up a new company that will seek investors and oversees the sale of the league’s television rights.

The league told reporters on Wednesday that the media rights for the league for the last three seasons brought in 1.31 billion euros ($1.55 billion), according to the data firm Statista. But it has been a point of contention this year, as the global coronavirus outbreak forced games to stop for more than three months, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Serie A is looking for a way to prop up sagging revenues since the fans have been prevented from attending games live, which eliminated the revenue from ticket sales. Merchandise sales have also been hurt by the lockdown.

At least two private equity firms have expressed an interest in acquiring a minority stake in the company: Bain Capital and CVC Capital Partners. According to Italian media reports, a 10 percent stake in the company would fetch as much as 1.60 billion euros ($1.89 billion).

Serie A teams are expected to consider the competing bids and to make a decision by the end of the month.

In China, Serie A games are broadcast by both China Central Television and PPTV, a major video streaming website.

The Serie A teams hope that the creation of the yet to be named media company will help boost revenue from broadcast rights, an area where Serie A earns less than rival leagues in England, Germany, and Spain.

The 1.31 billion euros ($1.55 billion) Serie A earned from broadcast rights for the 2019-20 season is less than half the 3.5 billion euros ($4.1 billion) earned by the English Premier League, which was the highest among the European football leagues.

BMC condemned for razing Kangana’s office in Mumbai

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BMC condemned for razing Kangana’s office in Mumbai

Hours after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) demolished the office of Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut in Mumbai, many organizations came out in her support and the Himachali Mitr Mandal approached the National Commission of Women and the Centre to intervene in the matter.

The Himachal Mitr Mandal (HMM), the apex organization of the people of Himachal Pradesh settled in Delhi-NCR areas requested the NCW and the Centre to “intervene and stop atrocities being done by Maharashtra government and the ruling Shiv Sena on Ranaut”, who belongs to the hill state of Himachal Pradesh.

The reactions came after the BMC on Wednesday started demolishing the actress’ Bandra property for alleged unauthorized modifications and extensions. The actress had tweeted photographs of the BMC demolishing and had also reacted to it.

The Bombay High Court later passed a stay order on the demolition.

Perturbed by the uproar over the BMC move, the Shiv Sena leadership on Wednesday barred its members from protesting against Ranaut to avoid a sympathy wave for her, even as the actress fired a fresh salvo at the government, this time targeting Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray personally.

Chandrakanta, President of HMM Delhi in a statement condemned the “goondaism” done by ruling Shiv Sena workers at Mumbai airport threatening security of Ranaut and intimidating her on her arrival in the city while the state government law enforcing agencies remain mute spectators before the unsocial elements of Shiv Sena.

Chandrakanta asked the Mumbai-based migrant Himachali workers and associations to stand united for the actress, and “support the issues and causes which are very relevant in today’s scenario”.

She also thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for providing adequate security to Ranaut and hoped that fringe and anti-social elements in the Shiv Sena will be tamed by the Mumbai Police and she will be allowed to resume her activities without any fear or intimidation.

Similarly, the Reconciliation, Relief and Rehabilitation of Migrant Kashmiri Pandits also condemned the BMC action against Ranaut. Satish Mahaldar, chairman of the organization, a statement said: “We extend our support to Ranaut in this hour of concern when her office in Mumbai has been bulldozed in her absence.”

Mahaldar said that it was disheartening that the administration in the Maharashtra government acted in such haste.

“This action, no doubt stems from political vendetta and highhandedness given the fact that every year so many houses or buildings collapse and people die in Mumbai alone and the government is caught sleeping,” Mahaldar said, adding that bulldozing her house when she was away and without adequate notice period is unbecoming of a government.

“The action is a demonstration of political might and harassment,” he said.

He also said that since the Maharashtra government has ill-treated her, “we the Kashmiri Pandits request her to live with our community as our daughter”.

Taking note of Ranaut’s statement on making a film on the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, he said: “She has said that she can empathize with the Kashmiri Pandit refugees who also lost their homes and hearth in Kashmir 30 years ago. She has said she can understand the pain of being uprooted.”

“Ranaut is the first Bollywood actor who has spoken about our plight for the first time in 30 years. We are thankful to her for feeling and speaking about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, who have been suffering for the past three decades,” Mahaldar added.

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