Author: Newsdesk

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Business

Paytm to disburse Rs 1,000 Cr to MSMEs

Financial services platform Paytm on Monday announced to double its loan disbursements for the micro- and small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Rs 550 crore in last fiscal year to Rs 1,000 crore by March 2021.

The company expanded collateral-free loans of up to Rs 500,000 at a low-interest rate and unique daily EMI product customised for micro-merchants.

“With our collateral-free instant loans, we are trying to help kirana stores and other small business owners who have been left behind by the traditional banking sector and do not have easy access to loans and credit,” said Bhavesh Gupta, CEO, Paytm Lending said.

Paytm continues to lead the offline payments (P2M) segment with over 50 per cent market share by offering all digital payment methods.

The recently launched Paytm All-in-One Android POS device has enabled over two lakh MSMEs to accept all payment modes, the company informed.

The company said it will continue to offer collateral-free loans under the ‘Merchant Lending Programme’ in Paytm for Business app.

Paytm said it has digitised the entire process starting from the loan application, approval to disbursal with no additional documents required in partnership with NBFCs and banks.

In the last financial year, the company processed loans worth Rs 550 crore, benefiting over a lakh merchant partner.

“Going forward, we will especially focus on EDC merchants and provide higher loan amounts based on their EDC transactions,” Gupta said.

Also Read: Paytm set to enter credit card business

Also Read: Paytm launches own app store

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-Top News UK News

Asian Lite Daily Digital – November 9, 2020 – Biden Begins Healing Mission

Biden Begins Healing Mission; Harris Inspires ‘Every Little Girl’; Portrait of a Stutter As President; Will Biden go soft on China?; We Will Miss ‘Chacha Ki Comedy’; Thejaswi In Nitish Out, Say Exit Polls – all in Asian Lite Daily Digital – click here to read the full edition

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India News Politics

Thejaswi In, Nitish Out, Say Exit Polls

The Exit polls have largely predicted a thumping victory for the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) comprising Rashtriya Janata Dal led by Thejashwi Yadav, the Congress and the Left parties, dislodging the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government with more than two-third majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly.

According to the poll of polls calculated by NDTV after taking into consideration all the exit polls on the Bihar election, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is down to double digits at just 99 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan is slated to get 128.

The majority mark is 122 for Bihar’s 243 seats.

The India Today-Axis My India exit poll predicts a clean sweep by the Mahagathbandhan. It has predicted 139-161 seats for the Congress-RJD-Left alliance while predicts a sombre 69-91 seats for the NDA which is led by the JDU-BJP. This exit poll predicts LJP, which went solo this time, to get 3-5 seats while others between 6-10.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav talks to the media

CNN News 18-Today’s Chanakya went a step further to give the Mahagathbandhan, a whopping 180 seats. It has predicted just 55 seats for the BJP-JDU-HAMS-VIP alliance. This radical prediction has some rather bad news for Paswan junior whose party the LJP is tipped to get a duck while others are likely to get 8 seats according to this exit poll.

Even Republic TV-Jan Ki Baat exit poll has given a split verdict with a clear edge to the Mahagathbandhan which it predicts to get 118-138 seats. Meanwhile the NDA, it says, will get 91 to 117 seats. It gives 5-8 seats to LJP and 3-6 to others.

However, the Times Now-CVoter poll has predicted a hung Assembly in Bihar with no side getting a clear majority. It predicted 116 for the NDA, 120 for the Mahagathbandhan, one for the LJP and 6 for others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a conversation with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at a public meeting ahead of Bihar Assembly elections, in Sasaram on Oct 23, 2020

Meanwhile, NewsX-DVResearch exit poll has also claimed a split verdict but where the Mahagathbandhan has a slight edge. It has given 108 to 123 seats to the RJD-Congress alliance while 110 to 117 to the JDU-BJP alliance. The LJP has reason to cheer, at least as far as this exit poll is concerned, which has predicted somewhere between 4 to 10 seats for the party and between 8 to 23 for others.

However, Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar, in its own exit poll, is probably the only one that has predicted an NDA comeback. It says that the NDA will get somewhere between 120 and 127 seats. They have given 71-81 to the Mahagathbandhan. Chirag Paswan’s LJP, according to this exit poll, is likely to get somewhere between 12 and 23 seats, the best projection for the party by any exit poll this season. Others are likely to get between 19 and 27 seats, according to the Dainik Bhaskar exit poll.

Also Read: Modi Congratulates Joe Biden

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-Top News Arab News

Asian Lite Daily Digital – November 9, 2020 – Biden Begins Healing Mission

Biden Begins Healing Mission; Harris Inspires ‘Every Little Girl’; Portrait of a Stutter As President; Will Biden go soft on China?; We Will Miss ‘Chacha Ki Comedy’; Thejaswi In Nitish Out, Say Exit Polls – all in Asian Lite Daily Digital – click here to read the edition.

Categories
-Top News Arab News

Hope Mission set to reach Mars orbit on Feb 9, 2021

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), the first interplanetary mission undertaken by an Arab nation, today announced the successful completion of TCM3 – its third and last major trajectory correction maneuver.

Mars Hope’s arrival and Mars Orbit Insertion (MOI) will mean the United Arab Emirates will become the fifth nation to reach the Red planet.

With 189 million kilometers remaining, the Hope Probe will reach its planned orbit around Mars on February 9, 2021. It has already covered 60 percent of its journey, equivalent to 290 million kilometers in 111 days since its launch on July 20.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “The Hope Probe mission is the culmination of a 50-year journey, which began in 1971. It also marks the beginning of another 50 years that will bring about major achievements based in the fields of science, knowledge and innovation. Our nation does not have the word impossible in its dictionary and our leadership will not settle for anything less than the first place.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai had tweeted earlier today: “The Hope probe has completed its last trajectory correction maneuver after travelling 290 million km into space in 111 days. We officially announce Hope probe will arrive to Mars on Feb. 9, 2021 at 7:42pm UAE timing. We will celebrate the arrival of the first Arab mission to Mars.”

He affirmed that the UAE’s arrival at Mars as the fifth country in the world is a historic achievement and places great responsibility on future generations to continue the march of progress.

The Dubai ruler praised the EMM team’s efforts and said: “I want to thank you for your efforts, perseverance, determination and dedication in prioritizing the success of this project despite the unusual circumstances the world is going through. You are achieving this mission with success that far exceeds expectations. We will celebrate together – by God’s will – on February 9, when the Hope Probe reaches its orbit.”

Also Read: Emirates Post Launches Stamps on Hope Probe

Also Read: Hope Probe completes 100 Mn Kilo Metres

Categories
Environment USA World News

Pressing need to address climate change: Dalai Lama to Joe Biden

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday congratulated Joe Biden on his election as the next President of the US, saying climate change is indeed pressing.

“As you may be aware,” he wrote in a letter to to the President-elect, adding: “I have long been an admirer of the US as the anchor of liberty, democracy, religious freedom and the rule of law.”

“Humanity places great hope in the democratic vision and leadership of the US as leader of the free world. Particularly in these challenging times, I hope you will be able to contribute to shaping a more peaceful world in which people suffering poverty and injustice find relief.

“The need to address these issues, as well as climate change, is indeed pressing,” the Nobel Peace Laureate added.

“May I also commend you for your choice of a woman, Kamala Harris, to be your Vice President.

“Following my devolution of political authority over matters relating to the cause of Tibet to the elected Tibetan leadership in exile, I have been committed to promoting human values, religious harmony and the principles of non-violence and compassion, which I believe are very much needed in today’s world.

“I would like to thank you for your support for the Tibetan people, during your time in Congress and the previous administration, as well as for your statement in September this year. It has been the Tibetan people’s good fortune to have received the friendship and encouragement of the American people and their respective Presidents in our endeavor to protect and preserve our ancient Buddhist culture — a culture of peace, non-violence and compassion — that has great potential to benefit humanity as a whole.

“On their behalf, I take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again,” the elderly Buddhist monk said.

Wishing him every success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of the US and in contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious world, His Holiness concluded his letter by offering his prayers and good wishes.

Also Read: Climate Change to trigger major health conditions: Study

Also Read: Climate change: Trump puts blame on India, China, Russia

Categories
-Top News Arab News

Palestine congratulates Biden, expects change

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden in a statement that indicated the Palestinian leadership would drop its three-year political boycott of the White House, reports Arab News.

“I congratulate President-elect Joe Biden on his victory as President of the United States of America for the coming period, and I congratulate his elected Vice President Kamala Harris,” the Arab news quoted Abbas as saying in a statement issued from his office in Ramallah.

It added: “I look forward to working with the President-elect and his administration to strengthen the Palestinian-American relations and to achieve freedom, independence, justice and dignity for our people, as well as to work for peace, stability and security for all in our region and the world.”

The Palestinians have been holding out for a change of US president for three years, hoping for a chance to hit the reset button on relations with Washington.

Also Read: Palestine to take legal action against Israeli settlers

Also Read: Palestine denounces Sudan-Israel normalisation

Categories
Arts & Culture UAE News

‘SIBF fee exemption will help Lebanese publishers’

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah

As per the directions of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Lebanese Publishing Houses participating in the Sharjah International Book Fair, SIBF 2020, has been exempted from the pavilion rental fees.

The decision and directives of His Highness comes in line with Sharjah’s continuous support to Lebanon’s libraries and publishing houses, in light of the explosion in the Port of Beirut.

The value of the exemptions amounts to AED 640,000, contributing in supporting the work of various Lebanon’s publishing houses.

Commenting on this, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, has lauded the grant of Sheikh Sultan, stressing that such gestures expand friendship and support several brotherly and friendly countries.

Al Ameri emphasised that the initiative reaffirms Sharjah’s leading position as an incubator of Arab culture and a creative hub that attracts intellectuals, adding that His Highness had previously ordered the exemption of Syrian and Egyptian publishers and other publishers whose countries were suffering exceptional circumstances and crises.

He concluded, “We hope that the initiative will help the Lebanese publishing market, especially as it comes a day after the announcement of the grant of the Ruler of Sharjah, amounting to AED 10 million, intended to support publishers, and to open the way for them to overcome the challenges that the spread of the COVID-19 has imposed on the publishing sector on the Arab and international scene.”

Also Read: Nobel laureates, Oscar winners will headline SIBF

Categories
Cricket Sport

Sachin says, the iconic upper cut was his instinct

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. (File Photo: IANS)

Former Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has stated that he never practised the upper-cut and neither had he planned for playing the shot specifically.

In a YouTube video for 100MB, Tendulkar revealed that it was in 2002 during India’s tour of South Africa when he thought of playing the iconic shot.

During a Q & A session, a fan named Anuraj Ande asked – “#AskSachin did you practice upper-cut shot or was it just an instinct when you were playing.” In reply, Tendulkar said it was all instinct.

“It happened in 2002 in South Africa, when we were playing a Test match in Bloemfontein. We were batting first and Makhaya Ntini was bowling around the off stump as he normally used to bowl short of a length. He rarely bowled length deliveries. Since he used to run wide of the crease, I could sight the line,” Tendulkar said.

“The South African pitches offer enough bounce. The normal tendency to deal with those bouncers is to go top of the bowl. And if it bounces more than usual for somebody of my height, why not get under it and still be aggressive and attacking,” the 47-year-old added.

“That was something I felt. Instead of getting on top of the ball and trying to keep it all along the ground, get under it and play it towards third man boundary, utilising the pace,” he further said.

Tendulkar also said that his shot left many of the bowlers of his time “disturbed” as bouncer was a delivery which they bowled in order to concede a dot ball.

“That shot disturbed a number of fast bowlers because they bowl bouncers to concede a dot ball. But I converted those into boundaries. I actually didn’t plan anything. Sometimes you just have to let your natural instincts take over after getting at the crease. And that’s what I did,” said Tendulkar.

Also Read: Tendulkar urges making batsman’s helmet mandatory

Categories
Cricket Sport UK News

MCC Foundation appoints Michael Holding as Patron

Michael Holding

Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding has been appointed as a new patron of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Foundation.

Last month, actor, mental health advocate and cricket-lover Stephen Fry had joined the Foundation as a patron. The pair join the list which includes Claire Taylor, Mike Brearley, Mike Atherton, Mike Gatting.

“I am thrilled to support the MCC Foundation and its work to make cricket a game that champions respect and equality for all,” Holding said in a statement.

“Cricket has the power to heal divided communities, give hope in the most desperate of circumstances, and transform lives. There is much pain and prejudice in our world, but the Foundation is empowering and inspiring young people through cricket, so that they may build a brighter future,” he added.

In a professional career that spanned 15 years, Holding carved out a reputation as one of the best fast bowlers of all time. Since retirement, he has worked as a commentator on Sky Sports’ cricket coverage and, more recently, has earned praise as a powerful and eloquent advocate for racial equality both in the game and further afield.

Sarah Fane, newly appointed Director of the MCC Foundation, said: “I was deeply moved by Michael’s dignified and enlightening contribution to the debate on racism during the England -West Indies Test, and am proud to have him as our patron.”

The MCC said that Holding’s experience and expertise would “complement the Foundation’s wide-ranging mandate in the grassroots game”.

From offering coaching and playing opportunities to state educated male and female cricketers, to delivering mental health workshops, the MCC Foundation is committed to breaking down social and financial barriers to cricket.

Also Read: Oldest living test cricket player turns 109

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