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HC waives toll collection from Fire Service vehicles
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01 Jul 2024, 16:40
Photo: Collected
HC waives toll collection from Fire Service vehicles
The High Court (HC) has directed the authorities concerned not to collect toll from fire service vehicles while plying on expressways, highways, important bridges, ferries and roads.The HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why toll collection on fire service vehicles should not be declared illegal.
A two-member HC bench of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Masud Hossain Dolon passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed in this regard.
Earlier, on May 7 lawyer Mohammad Monir Uddin filled the writ petition in public interest.
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WhatsApp Update: / Exciting New Features on the Horizon
WhatsApp, a globally popular messaging app, is gearing up for some major updates. Known for its cross-platform, free-to-use instant messaging and voice-over-IP services, WhatsApp lets users send messages, make voice and video calls, and share media effortlessly. Now, exciting new features are on the horizon.
A significant change is coming to group calls. In the current setup, all members receive a ringing notification when a group call starts. With the new update, users will be able to join group calls via a link, allowing them to join at their convenience without the disruptive ringing.
WhatsApp is also making strides to enhance its video calling experience. The company is working on introducing augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) filters, similar to those on Snapchat. These filters will let users apply effects like AR overlays, skin smoothing, and even low-light mode during video calls.
Additionally, WhatsApp will roll out new background editing tools, giving users the ability to blur or customize their video call backgrounds. This set of features is aimed at making video calls more engaging and personalized.
Apple Unveils New AI-boosted iPhone 16
The new iPhone 16, unveiled on Monday, is the first Apple product to be built with artificial intelligence in mind. But the company faces challenges in the form of Huawei in China and regulation in Europe.
California tech giant Apple on Monday officially unveiled the iPhone 16, its first smartphone specially designed to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI).
"The next generation of iPhone has been designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up," said chief executive Tim Cook at the product launch, referring to Apple's own in-house AI platform which was announced earlier this year.
"It marks the beginning of an exciting new era," he said, teasing "breakthrough capabilities" such as the ability for AI to conjure images and other content on command.
According to media reports, Apple Intelligence features are also expected to be rolled out to recent iPhone and iPad models in a software update in October, but with voice assistant Siri initially only available in US English.
Regionalized English is expected to follow in December before a full Siri upgrade with languages including French, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese is rolled out in early 2025.
Apple vs. Huawei
Apple's move into AI is a key pillar of its strategy to compete with Chinese rival Huawei, which made its own new triple-fold MATE XT smartphone available for pre-order hours before Apple's event.
By Monday night, its website showed it had already taken over three million pre-orders for the Z-shaped device, underlining Huawei's ability to navigate US sanctions ahead of its official launch on Tuesday.
"The Chinese market is hungrier for AI features than the US market," commented Ben Bajarin, CEO and principal analyst at the California-based Creative Strategies market research company.
But Beijing is yet to approve Apple Intelligence for release on the Chinese market, nor has Apple announced an AI partner for China.
For Apple, "it will be very difficult to bring [iPhone 16] to China immediately," said Bajarin. "So, they'll be going off the merits of the hardware."
iPhone 16: new features, new Watches, new AirPods
Those hardware features include the new A18 chip, an aluminum back and a new customizable camera button on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, while Apple also unveiled iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, titanium models with a faster chip, the A18 Pro, and enhanced AI capability.
As part of the launch, Apple also unveiled new Watches and AirPods, emphasizing their use in sporting and health environments.
In addition to improved comfort, fit and acoustics, Apple have also fitted out their new AirPods with a professional hearing-aid feature, which it has submitted for US regulatory review.
Apple targeted by EU regulation and tax authorities
Apple has already said it expects the roll-out of Apple Intelligence in Europe to be delayed due to additional regulatory checks in accordance with the European Union's Digital Services Act.
Also in Europe, the European Court of Justice is expected on Tuesday to rule on a case which could see Apple forced to pay back up to €13 billion ($14.35bn) in tax benefits afforded to it by the Republic of Ireland, where it has its Europe HQ.
iPhone 16 Series: Prices and Features Revealed
Apple has launched its highly anticipated iPhone 16 series, featuring four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These phones will be available in five colors—white, black, green, pink, and blue.
According to a Tech Pedia report on Tuesday, September 10, the iPhone 16 with a 6.1-inch screen starts at $799 (around 96,000 BDT), while the iPhone 16 Plus with a 6.7-inch screen begins at $899 (around 108,000 BDT).
The iPhone 16 Pro, with a 6.3-inch display, is priced at $999 (around 120,000 BDT), and the larger 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (around 144,000 BDT).
Additionally, Apple introduced its new AirPods and Apple Watch series at the "Glotime" event on August 9.
26 September: What to Happen?
A question comes to mind when entering social media Facebook, X (Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube. That is 'What will happen on September 26'?
There are many rumors on social media in this regard. Many netizens are posting about the 26th, knowingly or unknowingly. Some are expressing panic about the matter, and some are joking. Everyone is curious about what will happen on that day.
Netizens are giving different answers to the question. Some say that the ousted former prime minister Hasina will enter the country. Some people say that many people's fortunes are changing on this day, many people are becoming millionaires. Some even joke that the 26th of September is their wedding day.
But another information has been found on social media. It is Telegram-based game 'Hamster Kombat'. Game currency 'Coins, Keys, etc' can be earned by completing various tasks in the game.
Many are promoting this game on Facebook, X (Twitter) and YouTube. They say that "On the 26th, the game's coins can be converted into cryptocurrencies, according to the game's creators."
Some say there are many such apps based on Telegram. Sometimes they offer the conversion of their game's currency to cryptocurrency. However, due to TikTok, Hamster Combat has become more popular.
Some say, on the other hand, that "If it was possible to become a millionaire or a rich man, then people would not work anymore!" Their question is – if Hamster's 300 million followers are paid $5, then can they pay the huge amount of money?
This is roughly how the Hamster Kombat developers see the issue of '26th'. However, when the issue is trending on social media, many are posting on Facebook to know the issue from a place of curiosity or fear.
What is Hamster Kombat?
Hamster Kombat is one of Telegram's viral tap-to-earn mobile games, built on the TON (The Open Network) blockchain.
The game's objective places players in the role of a fictional CEO of a cryptocurrency exchange, competing to become the best in the game. Players can earn rewards through various tasks, activities, and mini-games, ultimately working to climb the ranks and unlock more features.
The in-game currency, HMSTR tokens, is Integral to the gaming experience. It serves as the primary reward for qualified players and will be the focus of the upcoming airdrop. Players can increase their chances of receiving HMSTR tokens by accumulating in-game coins.
Only 43% of Users Qualified for Hamster Kombat's Season 1 Airdrop
The team behind the popular Telegram clicker game Hamster Kombat has revealed the details of its season one airdrop, saying that 60 billion tokens will be airdropped to qualified users.
In an announcement posted on X, the Hamster Kombat team said that 75 billion of its 100 billion Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) tokens for the project are allocated to its community members.
The team revealed that 60% of the total token supply will be airdropped after season one, and the remaining 15% will be distributed during the upcoming season two of the clicker game.
Of the initial 60 billion tokens to be distributed, eligible users can get 88.75% of their allocation immediately, while the remaining 11.25% will be vested and made available 10 months after the token is listed on exchanges. This means that about 53.25 billion tokens will be airdropped to users instantly, while 6.75 billion tokens will be released 10 months after listing.
Over 131 million users qualified for airdrop
Hamster Kombat is one of the fastest-growing games in the Web3 space. In its first 81 days, the Telegram clicker game went viral, recording 239 million users. With many users new to crypto, Telegram founder Pavel Durov said the game’s success could contribute to Web3 adoption by onboarding millions to crypto.
While the game boasts that it has surpassed 300 million users, the Hamster Kombat team also said that only 131 million users are eligible to receive its airdrop on September 26, which means that only 43% of its total user count will receive the tokens. The team added that it had banned 2.3 million users for cheating.
Largest airdrop in crypto history?
On July 30, the Hamster Foundation described its upcoming airdrop as the “largest airdrop in the history of crypto.” The team said most of the volume would go to the players, while the rest would be for liquidity, ecosystem partnerships, grants, rewarding squads, and other items.
On August 12, the team said it had turned down offers from venture capital firms. This means there would be no early investments in the token, and only the market will determine its value. In an announcement, the team said that “there is no extra sell pressure,” adding that the value of HMSTR tokens will be determined by the demand, supply, and community interest.
By: Ezra Reguerra
World Heart Day Today: / Take Action Against the #1 Killer – Heart Disease!
Every year on September 29, World Heart Day is observed to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), the world’s number one killer. This year's theme is "Use Heart for Action."
Collectively, conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels—such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure—cause over 20.5 million deaths annually. Most of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
80% of premature deaths from CVD are preventable. By making small changes to our lifestyle—like what we eat and drink, how much we exercise, and how we manage stress—we can better take care of our heart health and defeat CVD.
The World Health Organization's Southeast Asia Region, home to a quarter of the global population, faces a heavy burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with cardiovascular disease (CVD) responsible for 3.9 million deaths annually, accounting for 30% of all deaths. Alarmingly, almost half (48%) of these CVD-related deaths are premature, affecting people aged 30 to 70, placing significant socio-economic burdens on families, communities, and countries.
Key contributors to CVD include modifiable lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets (particularly high salt intake), and lack of physical activity. Elevated blood pressure and glucose levels are major drivers, which can be detected, diagnosed, and effectively managed in primary care. In the region, one in four adults has high blood pressure, one in ten has diabetes, and less than 15% receive effective treatment. Additionally, high blood lipid levels and suboptimal management of acute cardiovascular events worsen CVD death rates.
Tobacco use is decreasing in the region, thanks to the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Countries like Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have taken steps to eliminate trans-fatty acids from their national food supplies, benefiting 1.7 billion people.
In Bangladesh, an estimated 277,000 people die from heart disease each year, with 24% of these deaths attributed to tobacco use.
Several countries in the region, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Timor-Leste, have set national targets to improve the management of hypertension and diabetes in primary healthcare by 2025, aligning with the SEAHEARTS initiative to reach 100 million people with hypertension and provide protocol-based diabetes management by 2025. India aims to cover 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes under standard care, making it the largest NCD coverage in primary healthcare globally.
How to Maintain a Healthy Heart:
Exercise: Adults need at least 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week, to keep the heart healthy.
Diet: Eliminate saturated fats from animal sources from your diet.
Rest: Take adequate breaks and rest. Complete relaxation is beneficial for the heart.
Weight Control: If your weight exceeds the recommended BMI, work on reducing it.
Quit Smoking: As smoking causes numerous diseases, quitting is essential for a healthy heart.
Positive Attitude and Stress Reduction: Mental peace is crucial for heart health. Reducing stress and fostering positive relationships with those around you is also essential.
Aryans Got 'Nakshatra' System from Harappans in 3000 BC
Many cultures around the world, including the Harappans, noticed that the Big Dipper constellation of seven stars (shaped like a giant spoon) rotates in the northern sky. Its orientation marks the different seasons. When its position over spring, summer, autumn, and winter is marked, it creates the hooked cross: a symbol of celestial and seasonal rhythms, marking the times to sow seeds, harvest crops, and migrate with animals or anticipate floods or rains.
This hooked cross is known as 'Swastika' in Vedic traditions, for the phrase ‘su-asti’ means to let good things happen. This symbol is found in Harappan seals. This indicates they were aware of the north, and the movement of the Big Dipper over the seasons. In Vedic texts, the Big Dipper is called ‘SaptaRishi mandala’ and is linked to the seven sages. We do not know if the word ‘Swastika’ or the concept of seven sages existed in Harappan times. But the symbol certainly existed. What it meant then we can only speculate. Directions were certainly important to Harappans as we see their streets were aligned to the cardinal directions.
Seven sages seven sisters
Tree worship and animal sacrifice are part of many desi (folk) and margi (mainstream) rituals in India. Harappan seals depict this as well. In one famous seal, a markhor is being offered in sacrifice by a devotee wearing a horned helmet to a deity standing between trees—also wearing a horned helmet. There is also an image of seven people dancing. They all have plumage on their heads, a pigtail or hanging hood behind the head, bangles around their arms, and are wearing skirts. Are these seven men or women? If women, they could represent the seven stars of the Pleiades constellation (Krittika nakshatra) that marked the eastern sky during the Harappan spring. If men, they could be the seven stars of the Big Dipper constellation (Sapta-rishi mandala) that can be seen rotating around the north to this day.
In Vedic literature, the seven sages had seven wives. The sages accused the wives of infidelity and so the wives moved away from the northern sky towards the eastern horizon, to reside with the constellation Taurus, the bull (Rishabha Rashi). From 4000 to 2000 bc, the sun was in the house of Taurus during the spring equinox, a memory that resurfaces in Shatapatha Brahmana (800 AD). After 2000 bc, it moved towards the house of Aries. Currently, it is in the house of Pisces. The shift happens gradually over 2,150 years. Does this Harappan artwork indicate a spring equinox festival?
Starry sky
The idea of dividing the sky into twenty-seven (3x3x3) divisions (nakshatra) is found in the Vedas but not in the Avesta. This was a Harappan memory. The months of the Hindu calendar are named after star clusters near which the full moon occurred when the calendar was being formulated. As per astronomers, the moon was closest to these nakshatra around 3000 bc. This indicates that the Harappans introduced the immigrant Aryans to the nakshatra system of dividing the sky.
Harappans were also drawn to the sky, which is why their cities were laid as a grid, with streets running along the cardinal directions. Alignment with stars seems to be the only explanation for the streets in cities like Kalibangan not being parallel to walls, or for the strange oblique cuts in the rectangular rock-cut wells of Dholavira. On pottery, we do see stars. This includes images of peacocks flying towards the stars, carrying humans in their bellies, and stars in the bodies of fish. Some scholars argue that the word for star and the word for fish was the same in the Harappan language, as it is in the modern Dravidian language—min. So fish symbols in Harappan script refer to stars and constellations.
This article derived from Devdutt Pattanaik's 'Ahimsa' with the permission of HarperCollins India.
