Doklam standoff ends: MEA says troops begin 'disengaging'

A press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday announced the development

Troops involved in the border standoff between India and China at Doklam have begun disengaging, a press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.

Shortly after the MEA statement, China’s Foreign Ministry said that Indian troops had withdrawn to the Indian side of the disputed border at Doklam, where the two countries’ soldiers had been locked in a standoff for more than two months, news agency Reuters reported.

Speaking at a daily news briefing, ministry spokes woman Hua Chunying said Chinese troops would continue to patrol the disputed Doklam region, the report added.

New Delhi and Beijing have reached an understanding for disengaging troops involved in the Doklam standoff, the MEA press statement said.

According to the statement, "expeditious disengagement" of border personnel at the face-off site has been agreed to and "is ongoing".

The MEA statement said that during bilateral communications, "we were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests". It was on the basis of these communications, according to the statement, that the agreement to disengage was reached.

The People's Daily has also tweeted that India has withdrawn its troops.

The decision to disengage troops comes ahead of a crucial BRICS summit being hosted by China in September, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend.

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a standoff since June at Doklam, located at the Sikkim section of the Bhutan-China border.

This is the longest standoff between the two armies since 1987 when they faced a similar situation at Somordong Chu Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. Read more

Modi's Independence Day speech is all about creating a 'New India'

Says note ban helped nab shell firms and GST increased efficiency

In the penultimate Independence Day speech of his current term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday looked beyond the Lok Sabha polls due in April 2019 to give a call for building a “new India” by 2022.

If in his previous three speeches, the PM had announced such path-brea king steps as the abolition of the Planning Commission and schemes such as Startup India and Stand-Up India, Modi’s speech on Tuesday was devoid of new announcements except the launch of a website to honour gallantry award winners.

Instead, the PM focused on giving a report card of his government’s performance in the last three years and spelt out his vision of a “new India”. He indicated the lynchpins of his Lok Sabha campaign would be his government’s efforts at curbing corruption, building modern infrastructure, and delivering welfare.

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Modi said by 2022, the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, he envisioned a country where each family would have a pucca house, electricity, and power supply; farmers would earn twice of what they get currently; the country would be free of terrorism, communalism, casteism, corruption, and nepotism; and it would be clean and healthy.

The PM appealed to people to leave behind the “chalta hai” attitude, to think of “badal sakta hai”, or we can transform. Asking countrymen to take the “New India pledge and move ahead”, the PM quoted from scriptures: “If we don’t accomplish work within a stipulated time, we shall not be able to get the desired results.”

Modi asked people to replicate between 2017 and 2022 the resolve Indians showed from 1942 (Quit India Movement) to 1947. He said if Quit India’s slogan was “Bharat chhoro” today’s slogan should be “Bharat jodo”. (more)

Amid Doklam standoff, India-China trade war looms: Chinese media

The article said that China 'could easily retaliate' with restrictions on Indian products

A trade war seems to be looming between India and China after New Delhi imposed anti-dumping duties on 93 Chinese products amidst a military standoff in Doklam area, two state media reports here said on.

An article in The Global Times, part of the ruling Communist Party's publication group, urged Chinese firms to "reconsider the risks" of investing in India and warned New Delhi to be "prepared for the possible consequences for its ill-considered action."

The article said that China "could easily retaliate" with restrictions on Indian products, but added that it "doesn't make much economic sense" for the country.

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• India@70: Are we really ahead of China & Pakistan? Find out
• In a war over Doklam, why China will likely be the eventual loser

It cited figures from the Indian embassy in China to show that Indian exports fell by 12.3 per cent year-on-year to $11.75 billion while India's imports from China rose by 2 per cent to $59 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $47 billion.

According to the Indian Commerce Ministry, the trade deficit with China last year mounted to over $52 billion when the bilateral trade stood at $70 billion.

"A trade war between China and India seems to be looming after the latter moved last Wednesday to impose anti-dumping duties on 93 products from China," the report said.

"If India really starts a trade war with China, of course China's economic interests will be hurt, but there will also be consequences for India," it said.

The report on trade comes as India and China have been locked in a tense military standoff in Doklam in the Sikkim sector. Read more

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) - 2018

Commencement of process will start with availability of Application Forms from 01st September 2017

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2018 dates has been announced. Commencement of process will start with availability of Application Forms from 01st September 2017. The last date to submit application form is 05th October 2017. GATE 2018 Examination will be conducted on February 03rd, 04th, 10th and 11th 2018 (Saturdays and Sundays). GATE is a national-level entrance examination held for admission into Postgraduate Programmes (Master's & Doctoral - M.E., M.Tech, PhD) at IITs, IISc, IISERs and other reputed institutions. Many Govt. PSUs such as IOCL, PGCIL, NTPC, BHEL, BARC, ISRO, CSIR, DRDO and private organizations also use GATE scores for recruitment purposes. GATE is jointly administered by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and seven zonal Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for Ministry for Human Resource and Development (MHRD) Govt. of India. Each year one of these institutes conduct GATE on a rotational basis, in 2018 GATE will be conducted by IIT Guwahati.

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About GATE 2018

GATE is one of the most pursued after entrance examination in India. Last year around 9,00,000 candidates appeared for the examination. GATE is conducted across 197 cities of India and 6 international cities namely Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Dubai (UAE), Kathmandu (Nepal) and Singapore. GATE scores are also accepted for admission in universities in Singapore and Germany. While filling the Application form candidates provide three choices for centres and they are allocated the centre accordingly. GATE examination is conducted online and consists of both Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and questions which have numerical answers which are to be keyed in by candidates. Read more

Independence Day offer: Buy OnePlus 5 and get free flip cover, other deals

The OnePlus 5 flip cover normally costs Rs 1,290

Planning to buy the OnePlus 5? Why wait - this is one of the ideal times to buy it as OnePlus is offering a free flip cover to those who purchase the phone on or before August 15.

Along with a free flip cover, buyers can also avail 50 per cent off on OnePlus Bullets (V2), OnePlus 5 Essentials Bundle at 10 per cent off when purchased with the Oneplus 5 device.

The OnePlus 5 flip cover normally costs Rs 1,290 and are available in two colours- Black and Grey. The OnePlus 5 costs Rs 32,999 for 6GB RAM and Rs 37,999 for the 8GB variant.

Today is also the last day of Amazon Great Indian Sale. Amazon is offering a discount of Rs 2000 on OnePlus 3T with 6GB RAM + 64GB memory. Hence, it will be sold at a price of Rs 27,999.

Also Read : Global cyberattacks prompt India Inc to run for cover

ALSO READ: Amazon Great Indian Sale: 50% off on smartphones, home appliances, fashion

With its flagship OnePlus 5, launched in India on June 22, smartphone manufacturer OnePlus has shrugged off other Chinese handset makers’ strategy of targeting the budget smartphone segment. The result: A smartphone that is the priciest OnePlus device but the most affordable flagship product.

Click here to read the complete review

Malware stored in synthetic DNA can take over PC: Study

Discovery of a new hacking method reverberates as DNA data storage becomes more widespread

University of Washington researchers figured out a way to use biology to infect computers with malicious code.

In their experiments, the researchers stored malware in synthetic DNA and demonstrated how that code can compromise a computer analyzing the DNA after it has been run through a gene-sequencing machine.

The danger of such an attack is still years away, the researchers said, adding they haven’t seen evidence of hackers attempting this sort of breach. The experiments highlight a new type of threat that could allow sophisticated coders to gain control of computer systems if precautions aren’t taken.

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“This is something [the genomics industry] and the U.S. government should be concerned about,” said Tadayoshi Kohno, a computer-science professor at the university and a member of the research team.

The team will present the results of its experiments, conducted in late 2016 and 2017, at a security symposium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Aug. 17.

The hack makes use of technology in which digital bits of data are converted into synthetic DNA. Researchers believe DNA data storage could prove far more durable than stashing information on hard disks and flash drives, which last just a few years and can crash without warning. The nascent technology converts the 1s and 0s of computing’s binary code into A, C, G and T, the letters that correspond to DNA base types, adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine. Read more

Lost in Europe: Jab Harry Met Sejal is not even a visual delight

Harry and Sejal listlessly travel from one city to another, none of which is distinguishable from each other,

Even before Imtiaz Ali’s Jab Harry Met Sejal (JHMS) released last Friday, concerned voices had made themselves heard. “Why couldn’t they at least come up with an original title?” said a fellow Shah Rukh Khan fan to me. Indeed, the title was similar not only to the genre-defining 1989 romantic comedy classic When Harry Met Sally but also to Ali’s wildly successful Jab We Met (2007). In the run-up to the release, almost everything — the trailer, the songs — seemed to disappoint fans eagerly waiting for the old Ali or SRK-Anushka Sharma magic. Finally, on the big screen, all the fears seemed to have come true.

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Within hours of the release, critics panned it almost unanimously. Rajiv Masand for News 18 wrote that SRK and Anushka deserved a better film, Anupama Chopra bemoaned the loss of the filmmaker Ali, who gave us Rockstar (2011) and Highway (2014) and could once combine stars and demands of mainstream cinema with raw narratives. Others were less kind: HuffPost said the film was everything wrong with Bollywood, and in a visceral review, The Wire described it as a 144-minute tribute to Shah Rukh Khan’s ego. In fact, the responses have been so devastating that the director and the leading man have been compelled to defend their project with such clichés as this film was not an intellectual exercise but aimed to appeal to masses.

But a look at the box office figures prove how this ambition, too, has been thwarted. In its first weekend, considered the most important in determining the success or failure of a film, JHMS managed to rake in only a dismal Rs 45.75 crore. This is a personal low for Khan in five years, and it prompted a Mint analysis piece: “flop show signals star power alone can’t guarantee success”. Read more

Woman battles open defecation in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. Here's the reality

The woman's revolt leads to social change but women do not appear to be a position to rebel in India

Akshay Kumar’s movie Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (A love story), releasing on August 11, 2017 tells the story of a young bride who walks out of her marriage when discovers that her in-law’s home does not have a toilet. The satire deals with open defecation and Kumar calls it his “contribution” to the Swachh Bharat Mission spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The prime minister responded with words of appreciation for the film.

In the film, the young woman’s revolt leads to social change, but in real India, women do not appear to be a position to rebel–even if they are educated.

Women have limited decision-making powers in the construction of toilets in homes, according to a 2016 study conducted in Puri, a coastal Odisha district, by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Women and girls are most vulnerable to problems associated with open defecation.

In 80% of households, decisions on the construction of sanitation facilities were made exclusively by men, the study found. In 11%, the decision was made by men in consultation with their wives, and in no more than 9% was the decision made by women.

These findings are relevant because only 37% of households in Puri district have improved sanitation, according to the National Family Health Survey 2015-16 (NFHS-4). However, this is higher than rural Odisha’s average of 23% and state average of 29.4% of households with toilets. Read more

Dual-camera Lenovo K8 Note launched in India, priced at Rs 12,999

This device has first stock Android (7.1.1), 13MP selfie camera, 5MP sensor with flash

Chinese smartphone maker Lenovo on Wednesday launched the much-awaited ' Lenovo K8 Note ' in India at Rs 12,999 (3GB RAM and 32GB storage version) that comes with a dual-camera setup (13MP+5MP sensor with flash).

The 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM variant will cost Rs 13,999. The device with first stock Android (7.1.1) has 13MP selfie camera that supports professional mode and flash (full-light LED flash) as well.

Lenovo 'K8 Note' will retail in venom black and fine gold colours on Amazon India, starting August 18.

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"This is the first global launch of a Lenovo product in India. 'K8 Note' comes packed with everything that our consumers would expect from a smartphone today - an eye-catching design, dual cameras, 10-core processor, great sound and, of course, the 'TheaterMax' technology that is the hallmark of the Note series," Sudhin Mathur, Country Head, Lenovo Mobile Business Group, India, told reporters here.

'TheaterMax' allows users to view the content on your phone on a much larger virtual screen once they put on a VR headset and 'Dolby Atmos' ensures high-quality sound.

The dual camera set-up has a 13MP primary and 5MP depth sensor for better pictures and enhanced depth of field.

Reacting to rumours that the company was superstitious and didn't launch the 'K7' series, Anuj Sharma, Head of Product Marketing (Smartphones) at Lenovo, said: "There was a K7 Note but that wasn't killer enough. We skipped a generation, took a leap and made 'K8 Note'". Read more

Qatar offers visa-free entry to India, 79 other nations amid Gulf crisis

Energy-rich Qatar's economy took a hit since Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Bahrain moved to isolate it

Qatar announced on Wednesday it was scrapping visa requirements for visitors from 80 countries as it weathers a boycott by four Arab states and gears up to host the World Cup in 2022.

Under the new policy announced by Qatar Airways and authorities, citizens of 33 mostly European countries can enter without a visa for 90 days in single or multiple trips during a 180-day period.

Americans, Britons, Canadians and citizens of 44 other countries can enter visa-free for an initial 30 days on single or multiple trips, and can extend that for a further 30 days.

Energy-rich Qatar's economy has taken a hit since Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain moved to isolate it two months ago over allegations it supports extremists.

Also Read : Current Affairs on News

The quartet of Arab nations is particularly irked by Qatar's ties with Iran and its support of Islamist opposition groups. Qatar denies it backs terror groups and says the allegations against Doha are politically motivated.

The four countries cut diplomatic and transport links with Qatar in June, and barred Qatar from using their airspace and shipping lanes.

In a related development, the UAE and Bahrain today sought to clarify a statement made the day before by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which said both countries had agreed to open up some of their airspace, including new "temporary or contingency" routes, for Qatar Airways.

The two, in statements carried on the UAE's and Bahrain's state-run news agencies, said that they had not agreed to open up their airspace in full to Qatari flights but to only allow Qatari aircraft to use their airspace located above international waters.

Details: NMAT by GMAC for Academic Session 2018-20

Candidates can self-schedule their test date and time as per their convenience in these 75 days.

NMAT by GMAC for the academic session 2018-20 will be conducted in the window period of 05th October to 18th December 2017. Candidates can self-schedule their test date and time as per their convenience in these 75 days. NMAT by GMAC is a national level MBA entrance examination held every year by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). This entrance examination is used by more than 23 universities, institutes and B-schools for admission in to their various management programs. The application process has started on 04th July 2017 and the last date for completing the application process is 03rd October 2017. Once registered, applicants can schedule their examination and appear for the same at a designated centre in one of 44 Indian cities and 4 international ones (Kathmandu, Thimphu, Dhaka and Colombo). After registration, the last date for scheduling NMAT is October 16th 2017. To apply for NMAT by GMAC applicants should have completed Fulltime Graduation in any discipline with 50% marks. Student in their final year may also apply.

Also Read : CBSE announces Class 12 Compartmental Exam Results. Check it here

Some prominent universities, institutes and B-schools that accept and use NMAT by GMAC test scores for admission purposes are: SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Xavier University, MISB Bocconi, ICFAI Business School (IBS), Hyderabad and other locations, Alliance University, Amity University, Thapar School of Management, SRM University Chennai, Delhi NCR Sonipat, Shiv Nadar University, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES), Woxsen School of Business Management, BML Munjal University, VIT University, ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai, Mody University, GITAM School of International Business, Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad Business School, GITAM University

NMAT by GMAC- Important Dates

About NMAT by GMAC

NMAT by GMAC is a computer based examination. Once registered, the examination can be scheduled and taken thrice by the candidate in the given admission cycle or window period. The best score out of the three attempts will be considered as the final score. Read more