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Mumbai, July 21 — In a surprising move, Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain of the Indian T20 side for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, surpassing Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya. The decision comes amidst Pandya’s personal challenges, including his recent separation from wife Natasa Stankovic after four years of marriage.

Selection Committee’s Concerns

Reports indicate that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, had reservations about Pandya’s leadership capabilities, feeling that he required ‘handholding’ to excel. A recent PTI report quoted selectors stating, “He needs a bit of handholding and Ashish Nehra did that at GT. Mark Boucher wasn’t that man at MI, and the younger lot in the Indian dressing room seem to respond better to Surya than to Pandya.”

Hardik Pandya’s Leadership Questioned

Despite leading India to their first ICC tournament title in 11 years, Pandya has faced criticism for his international performance, having a 50 percent appearance rate in white-ball formats over the last 19 months. The selectors’ decision underscores a significant vote of ‘no confidence’ in his leadership, pushing Pandya to participate in domestic cricket to secure his place in the Champions Trophy next year. He is expected to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda in December.

Mumbai Indians’ Dilemma

The decision also raises questions about Pandya’s future with the Mumbai Indians (MI), a franchise with significant influence in the IPL. Last year, Pandya replaced the popular Rohit Sharma as MI’s captain under contentious circumstances. With Suryakumar Yadav now captaining the Indian T20 team and being part of MI’s roster, the franchise faces a crucial decision ahead of next year’s mega auction. Retaining both key players will be a challenge, and Pandya’s position as captain is under scrutiny.

Looking Ahead

As Pandya grapples with these professional and personal challenges, the cricketing community will closely watch how he navigates this period. His performance in the domestic circuit will be crucial in determining his future with both the Indian team and Mumbai Indians.

The appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20 captain marks a significant shift in Indian cricket, signaling a preference for leadership that resonates more effectively with the younger players in the team. As the new captain prepares for the Sri Lanka tour, all eyes will be on how this change impacts the dynamics and performance of the Indian T20 side.

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Washington D.C., July 21 — In a surprising political move, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic candidate of choice. Although it remains unclear whether other senior Democrats will challenge Harris for the party’s nomination, Biden has endorsed her as the preferred candidate.

The India Connection

Kamala Harris, who made history in 2020 as the first Indian-American and African-American woman to become Vice President, now aims to achieve another milestone by running for President. If she secures the Democratic nomination, Harris will be seeking to become the first Indian-American and African-American woman to hold the highest office in the United States.

Harris’s Indian roots trace back to her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a cancer researcher and civil rights activist from Tamil Nadu. Raised by her single mother, Harris often speaks about the significant influence her Indian heritage has had on her life and values.

Family Ties and Cultural Roots

Kamala Harris’s maternal uncle, Gopalan Balachandran, a former consultant at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) in Delhi, and her grandfather, P.V. Gopalan, who worked on refugee rehabilitation in India and later served as an advisor to the Zambian President, have both contributed to her deep connection with India. Her grandfather’s wife, Rajam, was also known for her social work.

Harris’s visits to Chennai, where she immersed her mother’s ashes in the sea according to Hindu traditions, and her fond memories of walks with her grandfather discussing Indian freedom fighters, highlight her strong ties to her Indian heritage.

Celebrating Indian Culture

During her vice-presidential campaign in 2020, Harris often reminisced about her mother’s love for good idli, an Indian dish, and even participated in cooking masala dosas with Indian-origin actor Mindy Kaling. These moments underscored her pride in her Indian roots and her desire to honor her heritage.

A Celebrated Victory

Harris’s ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram in Tamil Nadu celebrated her 2020 victory alongside Biden with traditional festivities, including bursting crackers, distributing sweets, and drawing colorful kolams. Special pujas were performed at the Sri Dharma Sastha Temple to thank the deity for answering their prayers for her success.

As Kamala Harris steps into the spotlight as a potential presidential candidate, her journey reflects a blend of rich cultural heritage and a commitment to public service, drawing inspiration from both her Indian and American identities.

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In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s Curiosity rover has identified pure yellow sulfur on Mars. During its decade-long journey on the Martian surface, the rover cracked open a rock, revealing sulfur inside. This discovery occurred on May 30 while Curiosity was exploring Gediz Vallis.

The rover’s camera focused on a rock it had tripped over, leading scientists to observe yellow crystals within it. This was followed by the discovery of another pure sulfur crystal nearby. While sulfur has previously been detected on Mars, it was always in combination with other elements. This marks the first time a pure form of sulfur has been found on the Martian surface.

Ashwin Vasavada, a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory working on the Curiosity rover project, commented on the discovery, saying, “It shouldn’t be there, so now we have to explain it. Discovering strange and unexpected things is what makes planetary exploration so exciting.”

Curiosity has since parked near a larger rock, named Mammoth Lakes, to study this new find. The sulfur crystal from the earlier discovery was too small to be studied in detail, prompting the rover to target this larger rock. Using a drill joint on its robotic arm, Curiosity will create a hole in the sample rock for future observation and study.

Having been on Mars for 12 years, the Curiosity rover has made numerous significant discoveries, including identifying various rocks, channels, and craters. Gediz Vallis, a channel winding down the slopes of Mount Sharp in the center of the Gale Crater, has become a focal point for studying Martian life and the planet’s geological history.

In Gediz Vallis, Curiosity has identified several intriguing features, particularly in the mounds of debris scattered throughout the channel. The rocks in this region exhibit pale rings or halos near their edges, adding to the evidence suggesting that Mars once had significant bodies of water.

Additionally, in May, Curiosity found rocks containing manganese oxide. This discovery is particularly noteworthy as the formation of manganese oxide requires the presence of oxygen. These rocks provide the best evidence yet that Mars once had an oxygen-rich, Earth-like atmosphere.

Overall, Curiosity’s findings at Gediz Vallis and the adjacent regions have significantly expanded our knowledge of Mars’ geological past and the possibility that the planet once harbored life. The evidence of previous water activity and the presence of oxygen-rich minerals suggest that Mars may have once had conditions suitable for life, making it a crucial location for current and future exploration.

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Lionel Messi, the iconic Argentine footballer, has been honored by ESPN as one of the greatest athletes of the 21st century, securing a spot in the top three. Messi is notably the only football player to make it into the top 10 of this prestigious list.

According to ESPN’s rankings, Messi earned the third position, following behind the legendary swimmer Michael Phelps, who claimed the top spot, and the renowned tennis player Serena Williams, who came in second.

The top 10 greatest athletes of the 21st century, as determined by ESPN, are as follows:

  • Michael Phelps (Swimming)
  • Serena Williams (Tennis)
  • Lionel Messi (Football)
  • LeBron James (Basketball)
  • Tom Brady (American Football)
  • Roger Federer (Tennis)
  • Simone Biles (Gymnastics)
  • Tiger Woods (Golf)
  • Usain Bolt (Athletics)
  • Kobe Bryant (Basketball)


Messi’s inclusion in the top three highlights his extraordinary achievements and influence in the world of football. His remarkable career, characterized by numerous records and accolades, has solidified his status as one of the greatest athletes in history. This recognition by ESPN further cements Messi’s legacy as a sporting icon of the 21st century.

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OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, is reportedly working on a new advanced reasoning technology for its large language models (LLMs), internally code-named ‘Strawberry’. This initiative, as revealed by Reuters on Friday through internal company documents and sources familiar with the matter, aims to significantly enhance the reasoning capabilities of OpenAI’s AI models.

Why is Strawberry Important?

The project Strawberry is shrouded in secrecy, known to only a select few within the organization. Previously referred to as Q, it represents a potential breakthrough for OpenAI. Demonstrations of Q shown to some staff indicate that the LLMs could solve complex science and math problems that current commercial models struggle with.

According to the documents, Strawberry is designed to go beyond generating simple answers. The models are being developed to plan ahead and autonomously navigate the internet to conduct what OpenAI terms “deep research.”

What is Strawberry?

Strawberry represents a specialized method of post-training OpenAI’s generative AI models, aiming to fine-tune their performance even after initial training on large datasets. This post-training process involves adapting the models to enhance their capabilities in specific tasks.

One of the key goals for Strawberry is to enable the AI models to perform long-horizon tasks (LHT). These tasks require the AI to plan and execute a series of actions over an extended period. OpenAI envisions its models using Strawberry’s capabilities to autonomously browse the web, supported by a “computer using agent” (CUA). This agent would be able to take actions based on the information it discovers, effectively conducting research independently.

As OpenAI continues to push the boundaries of AI technology, Strawberry is poised to be a significant advancement, potentially transforming how AI models reason and interact with complex information.

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New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to table the Economic Survey in Parliament on July 22, just one day before the Union Budget. This annual document serves as a comprehensive report on the economy’s current state and provides a growth outlook for the future. Prepared by a team led by Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran, the Economic Survey offers detailed statistical information and analysis on various economic sectors, including employment, GDP growth, inflation, and the budget deficit.

India, maintaining its position as the world’s fastest-growing economy, will present this Economic Survey amidst positive revisions from major financial institutions. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently raised its economic growth forecast for India for the fiscal year 2025 to 7 percent, up from the 6.8 percent projected in April.

“The forecast for growth in India has also been revised upward, to 7 percent, this year, reflecting carryover from upward revisions to growth in 2023 and improved prospects for private consumption, particularly in rural areas,” stated the IMF.

Similarly, in June, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised its growth forecast to 7.2 percent from the previous 7 percent. The RBI projects that India is on track to achieve an 8 percent GDP growth trajectory on a sustained basis, driven by structural economic reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das noted, “If you look at the average growth India recorded over the three years, the average comes to 8.3 percent, and for the current year, we have projected a 7.2 percent growth.” He also highlighted that the Indian economy contributed 18.5 percent to global growth in the last financial year (2023-24), a significant increase from the lower figures of 7 or 8 years ago. The IMF has projected that this growth will continue to rise.

As India prepares to present the Economic Survey, the country’s economic resilience and growth prospects remain strong, positioning it favorably on the global economic stage.

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Microsoft Windows users worldwide, including those in India, Australia, Germany, the United States, and the UK, are experiencing a persistent blue screen issue on their laptops. This issue has led to systems restarting or shutting down automatically. Dell Technologies has identified a recent update from CrowdStrike as the root cause of the crashes.

The outage began on Thursday evening, primarily affecting Microsoft’s Central US region, and has significantly disrupted essential systems for numerous airlines. Among the affected airlines are American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Allegiant, and Sun Country in the US, as well as IndiGo and other carriers in India.

Unclear Scope of Outages

It remains uncertain whether all reported outages are directly linked to the CrowdStrike issue or if there are additional underlying problems contributing to the widespread disruptions.

Understanding CrowdStrike

CrowdStrike is a prominent cybersecurity platform that offers security solutions for both individual users and businesses. The platform uses a single sensor and a unified threat interface to provide comprehensive protection. One of its key features, Falcon Identity Threat Protection, stops identity-driven breaches in real time by correlating attacks across endpoints, workloads, and identities.

The recent problematic update has caused CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor to malfunction, leading to conflicts with the Windows operating system.

CrowdStrike’s Response

Acknowledging the error, CrowdStrike has stated, “Our engineers are actively working to resolve this issue, and there is no need to open a support ticket.” The company has committed to updating users once the issue is resolved.

Microsoft’s Azure Outage

Microsoft confirmed that the Azure outage was resolved early Friday. However, the disruption has highlighted the potential risks associated with heavy reliance on cloud services. The outage has impacted various sectors, including airlines, banks, supermarkets, media outlets, and other businesses.

What is the Blue Screen of Death?

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a critical error screen that appears on Windows operating systems when the system encounters a severe issue that prevents it from operating safely. This error forces the computer to restart unexpectedly, often resulting in the loss of unsaved data.

In this specific case, the BSOD error message states, “Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We are just collecting some error info, then we will restart for you.” This issue has been observed across Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

The recent Microsoft outage and the ensuing blue screen issue serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the far-reaching impact of software updates gone awry.

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Meta Platforms announced on Wednesday its decision to suspend the use of its generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in Brazil. This move comes in response to the Brazilian government’s objections to Meta’s new privacy policy regarding the handling of personal data and AI.

Significance of the Decision

Brazil is a vital market for Meta, boasting a population of over 200 million people. The country is home to the second-largest user base for Meta’s WhatsApp, second only to India. In June, Meta unveiled its first AI-driven ad targeting program for businesses in Brazil at an event in São Paulo, highlighting the importance of the Brazilian market for the company’s AI initiatives.

Regulatory Context

Earlier this month, Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) intervened by suspending the implementation of Meta’s new privacy policy related to the use of personal data for training generative AI systems. The ANPD ruled that Meta must revise its privacy policy to exclude any clauses pertaining to the processing of personal data for AI training purposes.

Official Statement

In a statement, Meta explained its decision: “We have chosen to suspend our generative AI tools in Brazil as we engage in discussions with the ANPD to address their concerns and ensure compliance with local data protection regulations.”

Future Implications

Meta’s decision to halt its AI tools in Brazil highlights the critical role of regulatory compliance in the deployment of advanced technologies. The outcome of Meta’s negotiations with the ANPD could set a significant precedent for how tech companies handle data privacy issues in major markets around the world.

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Ashadi Ekadashi, also known as Devshayani Ekadashi or Padma Ekadashi, is a deeply significant day for Hindus, observed on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the waxing fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu lunar month of Ashadha (June-July). This year, Ashadi Ekadashi will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

What is Ashadi Ekadashi?

Ashadi Ekadashi heralds the beginning of Chaturmas, a four-month period during which Lord Vishnu is believed to enter a deep, meditative sleep known as Yog Nidra. During this time, Hindus refrain from undertaking major life events such as weddings, adhering to strict religious observances.

Fasting and Celebration

On Ashadi Ekadashi, devotees of Lord Vishnu engage in a rigorous fast, abstaining from grains, certain vegetables, and other specific foods. The day is dedicated to prayer, meditation, and performing puja (worship rituals), seeking Lord Vishnu’s blessings. The fast is traditionally concluded the next day, on Dwadashi Tithi, during a specific Parana time, which varies by location.

Significance of Ashadi Ekadashi

Ashadi Ekadashi is imbued with profound spiritual significance. Observing the fast is believed to bestow good health, wealth, prosperity, and ultimately, Moksha (liberation). Devotees seek the divine blessings of Lord Vishnu, aiming for a life filled with happiness and prosperity.

The Vrat Katha (Fasting Story)

Hindu mythology recounts that a king once faced a devastating drought that brought great suffering to his kingdom. A wise sage advised the king to observe Ashadi Ekadashi with sincere devotion. Following this guidance, the king diligently fasted and prayed to Lord Vishnu. Pleased with the king’s devotion, Lord Vishnu blessed the kingdom with abundant rains, restoring prosperity and joy.

Ashadi Ekadashi in 2024

  • Date: Wednesday, July 17, 2024
  • Parana Time (Fast Breaking Time): To be determined (Varies based on location; consult your local Panchang for specific timings)
  • Significance: Marks the start of Chaturmas, a period of religious observances. Fasting is believed to bring Lord Vishnu’s blessings.

Ashadi Ekadashi is a revered day for millions of Hindus around the world. Through fasting and adherence to tradition, devotees seek the divine blessings of Lord Vishnu, ensuring a life of happiness, health, and prosperity. This observance underscores the importance of spiritual discipline and devotion in Hindu life.

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OpenAI is under scrutiny following allegations that it illegally prevented employees from whistleblowing, a practice not uncommon in Silicon Valley. According to a report by the Washington Post, OpenAI employees filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), accusing the company of making them sign non-disclosure agreements that violated their whistleblower rights.

Allegations Against OpenAI

The complaint, detailed in a seven-page letter to the SEC, claims that OpenAI required employees to sign agreements waiving their federal rights to whistleblower compensation. Additionally, these agreements allegedly mandated that employees seek permission from the company before disclosing information to federal authorities, a direct violation of federal law. The agreements also threatened legal action against employees who reported violations, ignoring their right to report such information to the government.

“Our whistleblower policy protects employees’ rights to make protected disclosures. Additionally, we believe rigorous debate about this technology is essential and have already made important changes to our departure process to remove nondisparagement terms,” OpenAI spokesperson Hannah Wong stated in response to the allegations.

Reasons Behind the Allegations

The whistleblowers allege that the release of OpenAI’s latest AI model for ChatGPT was rushed, compromising safety protocols. Employees expressed concerns that the company failed to adhere to its own security testing protocols, potentially allowing the AI to assist in creating bioweapons or aiding hackers in developing new cyberattacks.

Broader Context of Whistleblower Suppression in Silicon Valley

The issue of companies hindering whistleblowers is not unique to OpenAI. Chris Baker, a San Francisco lawyer, noted that battling against such practices in Silicon Valley has been a longstanding challenge. Baker previously secured a $27 million settlement for Google employees who faced similar allegations. Other tech giants, like Facebook, have also been accused of blocking whistleblowers, as evidenced by the high-profile case of whistleblower Frances Haugen.

OpenAI’s Response and Future Steps

In May, OpenAI formed a Safety and Security Committee, led by board members including CEO Sam Altman, as the company begins training its next AI model. This move comes amid growing safety concerns over OpenAI’s chatbots and their generative AI capabilities.

The SEC’s whistleblower program, established following the 2008 financial crisis, aims to increase transparency and protect the economy. The recent allegations against OpenAI highlight the ongoing struggle for transparency and whistleblower protection within the tech industry.

OpenAI’s response to these allegations and the actions of the SEC will be closely watched as the tech industry grapples with the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility.

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