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EPFO to Decide on Interest Rate; Likely to Remain Unchanged for Third Consecutive Year

18Feb

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Business

EPFO to Decide on Interest Rate; Likely to Remain Unchanged for Third Consecutive Year

New Delhi: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to take a decision on its interest rate for the current financial year. The Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of EPFO will meet on March 2, where the interest rate for subscribers is expected to be announced. Sources indicate that the interest rate is likely to remain unchanged at 8.25% for the third consecutive year. According to insiders, EPFO is prepared to maintain the interest rate of 8.25% on provident fund deposits, as it has sufficient surplus from its investments to support this rate for the current year. However, the organisation may need to explore new investment opportunities in the coming years or consider the possibility of slightly lower returns in the next financial year. EPFO currently manages a fund exce...

Shamli Controversy: Former Zila Panchayat Chief Threatens Power Station, JE Responds Calmly

18Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

State, Uttar Pradesh

Shamli Controversy: Former Zila Panchayat Chief Threatens Power Station, JE Responds Calmly

Shamli, Uttar Pradesh: A heated phone exchange between a former Zila Panchayat chief and a Junior Engineer (JE) over electricity issues in Dundukheda village has gone viral on social media. In the video, former Zila Panchayat chief Manish Chauhan is seen threatening JE Satyaprakash, saying, “If the linemen don’t come, I will set this power station on fire.” The JE responds calmly, “Go ahead, it’s yours anyway.” The clip has sparked widespread reactions online. Manish Chauhan is the son of BJP MLC Virendra Singh. Around six months ago, JE Satyaprakash had visited the village with a team to cut electricity connections due to power theft and pending dues. Many residents’ connections were disconnected during this operation, which led to complaints. Chauhan reportedly contacted the JE over t...

Shocking Kidnapping in Pune: Woman Abducted in Front of Mother and Brother, Pepper Sprayed in Their Eyes

18Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

Maharashtra, State

Shocking Kidnapping in Pune: Woman Abducted in Front of Mother and Brother, Pepper Sprayed in Their Eyes

Pune: In a terrifying incident in Bhigwan, Indapur taluka, Pune district, three men allegedly kidnapped a 21-year-old woman in front of her mother and brother on 17 February. The assailants reportedly sprayed red chili in the eyes of the mother and brother before forcibly taking the woman away. The young woman’s wedding was scheduled for 22 February, prompting outrage in the community and protests on the Pune-Solapur highway. According to the FIR lodged by the victim’s family, the incident occurred around 4 PM when two men, identified as Zaheer Haroon Sheikh and Ayaan Haroon Sheikh, intercepted the woman and her family near Anand Hotel while they were returning home. The accused allegedly assaulted the mother and brother by throwing chili into their eyes and then forcibly placed the wom...

Galgotia University in Controversy Over Chinese Robo-Dog at AI Summit, Issues Clarification

18Feb

By sd newsNo Comments

TECHNOLOGY

Galgotia University in Controversy Over Chinese Robo-Dog at AI Summit, Issues Clarification

Galgotia University found itself at the center of a controversy during the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi after a Chinese robotic dog was displayed at its booth. Social media clips went viral showing university representatives seemingly claiming the robot as their own, sparking widespread discussion and criticism. University Issues Clarification In response, Galgotia University clarified that it never claimed ownership of the robotic dog. The university stated that the robot, named “Orion”, was purchased from the Chinese firm Unitree and was intended solely as an educational tool for students to learn advanced technology. The university emphasized that Orion is not just a machine but a mobile classroom for students to interact with and gain practical learning experience in roboti...

Apple to Launch Three AI-Powered Wearables, Including Camera-Embedded Pendant

18Feb

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TECHNOLOGY

Apple to Launch Three AI-Powered Wearables, Including Camera-Embedded Pendant

Apple is reportedly working on three new AI-powered wearable devices aimed at enhancing everyday tech experiences. According to a Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman, these devices will include AI smart glasses, a camera-embedded pendant, and AirPods with cameras, all powered by an upgraded version of Siri with AI capabilities similar to Gemini and ChatGPT. Camera-Embedded Pendant One of the most innovative devices is a pendant equipped with a camera, designed to be worn around the neck like a necklace. This wearable will allow users to capture photos without taking out their phone. While details are limited, the device is expected to function via voice commands, making photography hands-free and seamless. AI Smart Glasses Apple’s smart glasses appear to be the most exciting of the...

Google Pixel 10a Pre-Orders Begin with ₹2,000 Discount; Key Features Revealed Ahead of Launch

18Feb

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TECHNOLOGY

Google Pixel 10a Pre-Orders Begin with ₹2,000 Discount; Key Features Revealed Ahead of Launch

Google is set to launch its Pixel 10a smartphone globally, including in India, on 18 February at 8 PM IST, with pre-orders starting from 9 PM. Customers who availed early offers are receiving discount codes worth ₹2,000 on pre-ordering the device. The starting price for the phone is expected to be around ₹52,800. Pricing Details in India According to retailer leaks via WinFuture, the 8GB + 128GB model of Pixel 10a could be priced at ₹52,800, while the 256GB variant may cost approximately €599 (around ₹64,000). Details for the 512GB variant are not yet confirmed. Key Features of Google Pixel 10a The Pixel 10a is expected to feature: A 6.3-inch OLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection Tensor G4 chipset 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage 48MP main camera wit...

Lava Launches Affordable Smartphone at ₹7,499

18Feb

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TECHNOLOGY

Lava Launches Affordable Smartphone at ₹7,499

Indian smartphone brand Lava has launched its budget-friendly device, Lava Bold N2, priced at just ₹7,499. The 4G smartphone is designed for users still using feature phones and comes with a 6.75-inch HD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the Unisoc SC9863A chipset, paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, expandable up to 512GB via SD card. The phone runs Android 15 Go Edition and supports dual SIM cards. Lava Bold N2 also features a 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, fingerprint sensor, 3.5mm audio jack, FM radio, IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance, and a 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging support. Sales start on 27 February via Amazon India. Nothing Phone (4a) Series Launch Confirmed for 5 March The Nothing Phone (4a) series will be launched ...

Phone, Laptop, and TV Prices May Rise Amid Storage Shortage: Western Digital Warns

18Feb

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TECHNOLOGY

Phone, Laptop, and TV Prices May Rise Amid Storage Shortage: Western Digital Warns

After RAM shortages earlier, a storage crunch could now push up prices for smartphones, laptops, TVs, and other consumer electronics. Industry giant Western Digital has warned that it has already received orders equal to its entire production capacity for the year, signaling potential supply constraints for retail markets. Impact on Consumer Electronics Western Digital, the world’s largest manufacturer of hard disk drives (HDDs), has indicated that due to this high demand, devices that rely on built-in storage—such as phones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs—could become significantly more expensive. Some companies are even booking orders for 2027 and 2028 in advance to secure supply. RAM Prices Already Soaring The industry has already experienced a 60% price increase in RAM ove...

PM Modi: AI Enhances Human Capability, Will Play Key Role in Building Developed India

18Feb

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TECHNOLOGY

PM Modi: AI Enhances Human Capability, Will Play Key Role in Building Developed India

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined India’s vision for AI, emphasizing that artificial intelligence is not a threat to the IT sector but a tool to amplify human potential. He projected that by 2030, India’s IT sector could reach $400 billion, driven in part by AI innovations. AI to Bridge Gaps in Health, Agriculture, and Education PM Modi highlighted that India is leveraging AI to reduce inequalities in critical sectors. In healthcare, AI is being used for early detection of diseases like tuberculosis, diabetic retinopathy, and epilepsy. In education, AI-powered platforms assist children in learning in their regional languages. AI is also helping digitize and preserve ancient manuscripts. While global concerns focus on AI increasing inequality, I...

India May Impose Stricter Social Media Rules for Children, IT Minister Signals

18Feb

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TECHNOLOGY

India May Impose Stricter Social Media Rules for Children, IT Minister Signals

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the need for stricter regulations on social media and deepfakes to ensure children’s digital safety. He also highlighted plans for a techno-legal approach to counter negative AI impacts and announced expectations of $200 billion in IT sector investment over the next two years. Protecting Children Online Minister Vaishnaw stressed that children must be safeguarded from inappropriate content. He noted that several countries already implement age-based content and access controls, and India is considering similar measures. The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act already defines age-based categories indicating which content is suitable for children and which is not. The IT Minister suggested that...