National:
Colombo to have centre to monitor India
Colombo’s civil society figures have revived the proposal to build the India Studies Centre (ISC), which was championed by the late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar to understand and correctly anticipate Indian policy behaviour to avoid any bilateral tensions.
India’s Internet user base to touch 402 mn by December, surpassing U.S.
The number of Internet users in India is expected to touch 402 million by December, a 49 per cent jump over last year, making India home to the second largest online user base after China, according to a report released by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB International.
India, which currently has the third largest Internet user base in the world after China and the U.S., had about 375 million Internet users in October. By December, India is expected to overtake the U.S. and also will become the first country to have largest Internet users in a free market democratic setup, according to the report released.
China leads the pack with more than 600 million Internet users. While Internet in India took more than a decade to move from 10 million to 100 million and 3 years from 100 to 200 million, it took only a year to move from 300 to 400 million users, as per the report.
According to the report, 71 per cent male and 29 per cent female are Internet users in India. The Internet usage among males has been growing at a rate of 50 per cent while it is growing at 46 per cent for female users.
However, in Urban India, the ratio between male to female Internet users is 62:38. Significantly, Internet users among females are growing at a rate of 39 per cent compared to 28 per cent among males.
Tea Board partners with IIT on technology
The Tea Board of India has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur to develop technology that will help the industry cut energy costs and produce better teas.
The prototype of the machines incorporating the new technology is currently under field-trials at one tea estate each in the North and the South. Patents have also been applied for the new technology.
The tie-up comes at a time when the tea industry’s margins are getting squeezed due to high costs and reduced earnings and should aid in fetching better prices for the brew.
International:
Jindal ends bid for Republican nomination
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal dropped out of the 2016 race for president Tuesday, ending a campaign that failed to gain much support, especially in early-voting Iowa.
The 44-year-old governor said he wasn’t ready to endorse another candidate, but intended to support the eventual Republican presidential nominee.
Death:
VHP leader Ashok Singhal passes away
Vishva Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal (89), passed away at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday following multi-organ dysfunction and sepsis.
Mr. Singhal had been diagnosed with right lower lobe pneumonia, carbon-dioxide retention, sepsis and drowsiness.
The leader was admitted to the hospital on November 14 with complaints of acute breathlessness. He was rushed into the intensive care unit and kept under treatment by a team of specialists, comprising critical care, respiratory, cardiology, endocrinology, neurology and nephrology.
Sports:
Australia pace bowler Johnson to retire after test
Mitchell Johnson decided his international cricket career should end after the 2nd test against New Zealand at his adopted home ground, a fitting venue synonymous with fast bowling.
Johnson has been the backbone of Australia’s bowling attack in 73 tests but realized after the first innings at Perth, when he struggled for pace and recorded figures of 1—157, that he may struggle to return to his former heights.
Australia will resume the last day 193 runs ahead, but with the wicket playing batsman friendly so far makes a draw the most likely outcome at this stage.
Johnson said winning the Ashes series last summer and the Cricket World Cup in Australia earlier this year were the highlights of his career.
Once considered an allrounder, Johnson scored 2,036 test runs and posted one century an unbeaten 123 against South Africa at Cape Town in 2008/09 and 11 half centuries.
One of the quickest bowlers in modern era, Johnson also played in 153 limited—overs internationals for Australia and took 239 wickets and scored 951 ODI runs.
The 2009 and 2014 International Cricket Council (ICC) Player of the Year, is fourth on the all-time list of wicket takers for Australia with 311 wickets.
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