Bike sales December 2015: Honda 2 wheelers sell 306,779 units; captures 25% market share

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) registered overall sales of 306,779 units for the month of December 2015, down from 3,48,737 units in December 2014. Out of the current numbers, scooter sales stood at 198,332 units while motorcycle sales stood at 92,380 units. Export sales came to 16.067 units for the same period. The market share claimed by Honda for December 2015 in the domestic market is 25%, while the domestic as well as export market combined market share stood 22%.

Till December 2015 of the current fiscal year, HMSI sold a total of 3,354,831 units. Of these, scooter sales stood at 2,079,833 units while motorcycle sales accounted for 1,125,678 units. Export sales stood at 149,320 units in the current fiscal during April to December, 2015. The market share claimed by Honda in the domestic market is 26% while the Domestic and export market share accounted for 24% of the overall market share.

Honda 2 wheelers brought in a street naked sports bike in the form of the CB Hornet 160R – one of the first mainstream bikes in India to meet BS-IV emission norms. The motorcycle will be available for sale in 2 variants with the price starting from Rs 79,900 (Ex-Showroom, New Delhi).

The company also came out with an exclusive booking app available on the android as well as the iOS platform known as the CB Hornet 160R. Honda advanced the CB Hornet 160R’s availability from the planned 21 cities to 53 cities as the number of downloads crossed 40,000 mark.

Honda also went on to win 3 awards in December 2015 namely the manufacturer of the year 2 wheeler, motorcycle of the year up to 160 cc, and the motorcycle of the Year up to 110 cc all under the NDTV Car & Bike awards 2016.

India’s mobile phone market reaches an important milestone of 1 billion subscribers

The mobile subscriber base in India has crossed a billion mark for the first time, and reached 1003.49 million subscribers. India is second only to China to cross this major milestone in world of mobile phones. However, number of active wireless subscribers was marked to be 902.26 million at end of October 2015.
In the month of October, a total of 6.83 million mobile subscribers were added by the telcos. Out of the 1003.19 million mobile subscribers, 578.11 million were urban subscribers, while 425.38 million were rural subscribers. Wireline subscriber base continued to decline, and dropped to 25.85 million. During the month of October, 2015, 5.11 million subscribers submitted their requests for Mobile Number Portability (MNP).

Operator-wise subscriber base (in millions)

1. Airtel – 237.97
2. Vodafone – 189.47
3. Idea – 167.28
4. Reliance Communications – 111.41
5. Aircel – 84.60
6. BSNL – 80.42
7. TATA – 60.84
8. Telenor – 48.71
9. MTS – 8.26
10. Videocon – 7.84
11. MTNL – 3.60

During the month of October 2015, Bharti Airtel added the maximum number of new subscribers (2.76 million) followed by Vodafone (adding 1.3 million), and Reliance Communication (adding 1 million). Both, BSNL and Idea, added 0.72 million, while Telenor added 0.93 million subscribers in the October of 2015. On the contrary, Tata lost over 1.17 million subscribers during the month.

The overall tele-density in India increased from 80.98 at the end of Sep-15 to 81.44 at the end of Oct-15. While urban tele-density marginally declined from 152.76 at the end of September 2015 to 152.58 by the end of October 2015. The rural tele-density increased from 48.66 at the end of September 2015 to 49.37 by the end of October 2015.

The broadband subscriber base increased from 120.88 million at the end of September 2015 to 125.22 million at the end of October 2015. Out of these 125.22 million broadband subscribers, 108.48 million were wireless broadband users. Bharti Airtel (29.03 million), Vodafone (24.48 million), Idea Cellular(20.28 million), BSNL (19.43 million) and Reliance communications Group (11.47 million) were the top five broadband service providers in the country.

Mangaluru-based activist faces online abuse, rape threats, for complaining against Bajrang Dal

A Mangaluru-based activist is being targeted online with abuse and rape threats after she complained against Bajrang Dal activists who allegedly intimidated cinema halls into stopping the screening of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dilwale.

On Monday, Mangaluru North police station registered an FIR against the state convenor of the Bajrang Dal Sharan Pumpwell and others for causing a ‘climate of fear’ among theatre owners and the public. Various sections of the IPC including causing criminal intimidation and criminal trespassing have been invoked.

In the two days since, numerous people targeted activist Vidya Dinker on Facebook with sexually coloured abuse including rape threats and other insults. Vidya says she will file a complaint against the abuse on Thursday.

Bajrang Dal activists in Mangaluru had protested against the screening of the film following Shah Rukh Khan’s comments on intolerance on November 2. They also asked for a ban on the screening of Aamir Khan’s films for the same reasons. 

“I heard a few people, who had booked tickets for Shah Rukh’s Dilwale, complain that when they went to the theatre on Sunday evening theatre owners offered a refund as the movie would not be screened,” Dinker said.

“I was told by a theatre owner that on Sunday right-wing activists came to the theatre asking that the 4 pm to 7 pm screening that was mid-way be stopped. However, the right-wing activists agreed let the ongoing  show get over and cancel screening thereafter,” Dinker said.

Having waited until Tuesday for screenings to resume, the dismayed activist went to speak to the head of a cinema chain at a mall in the city. She said that owners told her that they had been intimidated into giving up screening the film.

“The complete fear that they have managed to instil in everyone means that there is a parallel criminal justice system at work,” she said, adding that she and some others met the police commissioner urging action against such intimidation.

Dinker told The News Minute that the police were reluctant to take the complaint as they claimed that the theatre owners could have voluntarily not screened the film and the police cannot take action.

Vidya said that one franchisee of a multiplex had told her that Bajrang Dal activists had torn the poster on the ground floor of the mall and that they were worried that damage would follow if they went ahead with the screening.

Sharan Pumpwell, state president of Bajrang Dal told The News Minute that the activists only “requested” theatre owners not to screen Shah Rukh Khan’s film and that Dinker’s claims are baseless.

“We did not cause any physical damage as Vidya Dinker claims. The theatre owners themselves respected our sentiments and agreed to stop the screening,” said Pumpwell.

It is an open secret that some influential leaders of Hindutva groups have security contracts in more than one of the three malls in Mangaluru.

“The police also told me that they would take action if the theatre owners complain.  But owners are reluctant as they have long-term survival in mind,” she said.

“When a business is run with fear of these local goons in the back of their mind and when there is no confidence in the police that itself should be reason for the police to take a Suo motu action,” she added.

Arvind Kejriwal Says Rahul Gandhi 'Just a Kid', in Row Over Delhi Slum Demolition

Arvind Kejriwal today called Rahul Gandhi a "kid" in a political war of words over the controversial demolition at a Delhi slum on Saturday, in which a baby died.

The Chief Minister derided Mr Gandhi for blaming Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for the demolition at Shakur Basti by the railway police, which reports to the Centre.

"Why is AAP doing dharna? They are in power in Delhi," Mr Gandhi was quoted as saying, in response to AAP lawmakers protesting at Parliament.



The Chief Minister then tweeted in Hindi: "Rahul Gandhi ji is still a kid. His party has perhaps not told him that railway comes under the central government, not Delhi government."

Another AAP leader, Ashutosh, said Mr Gandhi's comments show why the Congress was routed in the national election last year. "Now I know y Congress is reduced to 44?(sic)," he tweeted.

The demolition has provoked a political war with Rahul Gandhi making a high profile visit to the slums today and AAP taking its protests against the Centre to Parliament.

AAP alleges that no warning was given before the demolition, which has left thousands without a home in deepening winter. A six-month-old died allegedly because a heap of clothes fell on her while her family was trying to pack up and hurry out of their home.

The homes were razed allegedly to make way for a railway terminal. Mr Kejriwal visited the area in the early hours of Sunday and said: "Those who did this are not humans, they are beasts. God will not forgive them."

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said in Parliament that several warnings were given to the slum residents. "Such encroachments are the main source of garbage and are a safety hazard," he said.

Micromax to invest Rs 300Cr for 3 manufacturing plants in India

Indian smartphone manufacturer Micromax will invest Rs 300 crore in India over the next few months to set up three new manufacturing units, reportsIBNLive. The new plants will be set up in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana, and will be operational by next year.

As of now, Micromax claims that it has allotted 20 acres of land in Telangana and 25 acres in Rajasthan for the manufacturing plants. The construction on both these plants will begin soon, while the location for the Andhra Pradesh will be decided soon. Overall, the company aims to have a capacity of 4 million units once these plants are fully functional. It will invest Rs 100 crore in each plant.

Micromax currently has an assembly unit in Rudrapur which produces around 1 million units, accounting for one third of the company’s requirements, with the rest of the units imported from China. The company had started manufacturing at this plant in April last year, where it also manufactures all the tablets sold in the country. Interestingly, Micromax mentions that by 2017, it will start to manufacture batteries and other components in India.

Manufacturing in India: The Indian government has been encouraging domestic companies to start manufacturing electronics goods within the country instead of importing them and had approved a National Policy on Electronics. Since then, various smartphone manufacturers have said they will start manufacturing in India or have already started doing so.

– Last month, Optiemus Infracom, the founder of the domestic mobile brand Zen Mobile, signed a joint venture with Wistron Corporation to set up a mobile manufacturing unit in Noida.

– Various manufacturers have tied up with Foxconn to manufacture phones in India. Earlier this month, Oppo started contract manufacturing in India in partnership with Foxconn while in September, Gionee tied up with Foxconn and Dixon to manufacture its phones in India. In June, the company started making Xiaomi phones in the country.

– The month before, Foxconn was in talks with Adani Enterprises to form a joint venture (JV), likely to make iPhones in India. The company had first reported in June that it could possibly set up base in India to manufacture iPhones, iPads and iPods for Indian and international sales.

– In August, Lenovo started the local production of smartphones with Flextronics under a contract manufacturing deal at its Sriperumbudur plant.

– Videocon Mobile Phones, Videocon Group’s mobile company, started manufacturing mobile phones in the country.

– In June, homegrown mobile phone maker Celkon opened its first manufacturing unit in the country in Telangana.

– In March, Samsung and Sony had announced plans for setting up manufacturing bases in India as a part of the Make in India initiative.

– Earlier this year, Spice Group said it would invest Rs 500 crores to set up a manufacturing unit in Uttar Pradesh.

Why Are Indian Telcos Focusing On Failed WiFi Strategy

A strange phenomenon is taking place in China. Contrary to the global trend, Chinese telcos are unwinding their WiFi deployments. The three service providers, China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile have decommissioned 87,000 WiFi access points this year. While WiFi is shrinking telcos added 680,000 2G, 3G or 4G base stations in the country.

On the other hand, there has been a marked increase in WiFi deployments in India. WiFi hotspots are emerging as an important and critical part of the mobile data revolution in the country. As of now India has a little more 30,000 WiFi hotspots in the country but this is likely to increase dramatically with both the telcos and the government focusing on it.

On the other hand, there has been a marked increase in WiFi deployments in India. WiFi hotspots are emerging as an important and critical part of the mobile data revolution in the country. As of now India has a little more 30,000 WiFi hotspots in the country but this is likely to increase dramatically with both the telcos and the government focusing on it.

While Vodafone and Bharti Airtel have together formed a company, Firefly to provide public WiFi focus on Government WiFi business, Reliance Jio is also setting up WiFi hotspots in all the major cities in the country. Firefly was in news recently for trying to raise foreign funding. BSNL has already installed more than 300 hotspots in 25 cities and hopes to increase this number to 1,000 by the end of the current financial year. Besides companies like Ozone are continuously adding newer WiFi hotspots.

Not just the telcos who are setting up their own WiFi networks in the country, the Government is also launching a number of initiatives to increase WiFi deployment in the country. A case in point is Indian Railways, which has recently announced that it would provide free WiFi to its passengers. Further, providing free WiFi was an important part of Delhi Government’s election campaign. The Central Government’s programs like Smart Cities and Digital India are also likely to push WiFi deployment in the country.

The situation in India now is somewhat similar to what was in China a few years back. The Chinese telcos started focusing on WiFi around 2011-12 to meet the increasing data demand. There was no 4G network at the time to meet the consumer needs for data services. Indian landscape is similar in the sense that the adoption of smartphone is growing in the country, which is fuelling the demand for mobile data. The telcos launched 3G about five years back and 4G about two years back but limited spectrum means that data offloading through WiFi is an important part of their network strategy. As networks become congested with growing data traffic, WiFi would be required to take some load.

However, could this be a case of flawed logic, especially if one considers the latest move of the Chinese telcos of decommissioning WiFi hotspots? Why is it that Indian telcos are investing in a technology, which is being abandoned by other countries?

A key reason for Chinese telcos to stop WiFi deployments is that they were unable to monetize it. While nearly 70% of data traffic was carried over WiFi, it was not even contributing 3% of the telco’s data revenues. This is the crux of the problem with WiFi and sooner or later Indian telcos would need to face the facts. WiFi is not a revenue generator and Indian telcos would ultimately need to for a dense 3G/4G network to garner maximum return of investment in mobile data.

The Chinese telcos have realized that WiFi needs to be used strategically for data offload but it is not a substitute for network expansion and modernization. It is time Indian service providers learn from their Chinese counterparts that WiFi is unlikely to lead to a substantial revenue enhancement.

Ola, Uber’s Archrival In India, Hires Ex-Infosys CFO

Indian ride-sharing company Ola boosted its efforts to beat Uber this month when it closed its $500 million Series F round, and, fresh off the heels of that news, it has confirmed the hiring of a new CFO.

Rajiv Bansal, a 21-year finance veteran who was formerly CFO at Indian IT giant Infosys, will join Ola in January 2016. Mitesh Shah, Ola’s current CFO, will make way by moving to a new role in charge of “strategic finance initiatives.”

Ola declined an interview with TechCrunch in relation to this appointment, and the company offered no comment when we asked whether we can interpret Bansal’s arrival as an indicator of its plans to go public.

Despite billions upon billions of investor cash flowing into taxi-app companies, there’s been no listing from a major industry player, though there is plenty of speculationaround when Uber will go public. That said, Didi Kuaidi — Uber’s main rival in China, which invested in Ola via that recent Series F — could go public in the U.S. in the coming two or three years, according to comments made from VP Stephen Zhu our TechCrunch Beijing event earlier this month.

So it’s unclear whether Ola’s new CFO is preparing to get the company’s house in order for a potential listing or a full-on acquisition — Didi Kuaidi also invested in Uber rivals Lyft and GrabTaxi in Southeast Asia, in a sign of its global ambitions — or whether Ola has reached the size at which greater financial diligence is simply a necessary part of business. (The company is currently valued at $5 billion, but heavy discounts and promotions to draw in users are likely to be contributing to a high burn rate.)

The only statement Ola provided was a fairly standard welcoming comment from CEO and co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal:

We are thrilled to welcome Rajiv onboard.. his experience of being at the helm of finance for one of India’s most respected companies will help us in adopting best practices and in realising our mission of building mobility for a billion people.

Note: The original version of this story has been updated to correct that this is not Ola’s first CFO.

When Rahul Gandhi Didn't Quite Get the Audience Reaction He Wanted

Rahul Gandhi's potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet "Swachh Bharat" and "Make in India" campaigns appeared to misfire today as he addressed students at a college in Bengaluru.

During a Q and A at the prestigious Mount Carmel College for women, Mr Gandhi spoke on a range of subjects with a common idea, that the "suit-boot" government was failing on all fronts.

Warming up to his theme of "all talk and no direction", Mr Gandhi said: "With the Modi government, I don't see a clear direction, I hear a lot of talk. Are we serious? Clean your country is a strategic national government programme? Well it's not working, is it?"


If he hoped for a loud, resounding "no", he did not get one. His surprise was visible when he heard: "It is!"

Stumped, the Congress leader pressed: "You see it working?" Again, he got a louder "Yes" than "No".

He recovered and said: "Ok I don't see Swachh Bharat working very well."

Mr Gandhi then tried another question. "You think Make in India is working?" This time, he got a mix of ayes and nays. "You think youngsters in India are getting jobs?" he asked.

He finally stopped asking. "I don't see a vision that the BJP is projecting. So for the Congress...we have to come up with a potential vision for the people of India," he said.

Targeting PM Modi, the Congress leader said: "Only one man decides everything in this government. I don't believe that only one man has the solution to India's problems."

To a question on the youth opting for the Aam Aadmi Party and BJP rather than the Congress, Mr Gandhi admitted: "In 10 years, there was some fatigue with the Congress. There were some things we did wrong...and we lost the elections. We need to give a new face and image to the Congress."

Xiaomi unveiled the Mi Pad 2 with Android 5.0 and Windows 10 variants

Xiaomi unleashed the Mi Pad 2 tablet alongside the Redmi Note 3 smartphone. In a welcoming move, Xiaomi has also added the Windows 10 OS to its catalogue.

The Mi Pad 2 will be available in 16GB and 64GB internal storage variants for Android. Both of these models priced at CNY 999 (around Rs. 10,300) and CNY 1,299 (around Rs. 13,500) respectively. The variant running Windows 10 OS will be available in single storage option of 64GB, for a price of CNY 1,299 (around Rs. 13,500). The Android 5.0 Lollipop-based MIUI 7 Mi Pad 2 will go on sale in China from November while the Windows 10 powered variant will be up for sale in December.

Coming on to the specifications, the Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 features a 7.9-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2048×1536 pixels. It is powered by a 64-bit quad-core Intel Atom x5-Z8500 chipset coupled with Intel HD GPU and 2GB of RAM. Interestingly, the Mi Pad 2 is Xiaomi’s first device that comes integrated with an Intel chipset. In the imaging department, the device sports an 8-megapixel primary camera with LED flash and f/2.0 aperture, along with a 5-megapixel wide-angle selfie camera.

The tablet supports connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth v4.1, and GPS connectivity. Backing the metal-clad device, is a 6,190mAh of battery, which is touted to deliver up to 648.8 hours of standby time. The Mi Pad 2 weighs 322 grams, measures 200×132.6×6.95mm, and will be available in Dark Grey and Champagne Gold colour options. It is almost 18 percent thinner than the Mi Pad.

Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 specifications

• 7.9-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2048×1536 pixels
• 64-bit quad-core Intel Atom x5-Z8500 chipset coupled with Intel HD GPU and 2GB of RAM
• 2GB LPDDR3 RAM, 16GB / 64GB of internal storage
• Android 5.0 Lollipop-based MIUI 7 variants with 16GB / 64GB storage option
• Windows 10 variant with 64GB internal storage
• 8MP primary camera with LED flash, and 5MP front-facing camera
• Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth v4.1, and GPS
• 6,190mAh battery

First Sex Date With GF or BF! Know These 6 Things Clearly!

Yes, I am talking about that very special date with your partner where you decide to take a plunge into another level of your relationship and create some very special moments together.

Whether it is an absolute love and emotion filled moment for you or the one where you feel you have simply given voice to your carnal urges (pun intended), you just need to keep certain things in mind before you sink in.

And here are the prime 6s you need to know clearly before your first sex date:

1. Most Important: Relationship Qualms After The Date

Please, figure this one out unmistakably, before you climb the bed together. If at all, any of you is yet not ready to be committed,  please be vocal about it, and express clearly that, having a sex date will not be a binding sign for any of you. Clarify, that the relationship status remains as was, unless you both are ready to talk about it and move a level up, for many other reasons, and not only this one sex date. Having this clarity will save you from many dirty situations later.

2. Make Sure Both Are Equally Up To It

If any of you is not up to the mark in the WANT section, chances are, you will spoil your first sex date. Having a half reluctant, half excited partner for your first time experience is not advisable. So make sure you both are on the same page and you both really want to do this.

3. Protection Calls

You are ought to use protection (you must, come what may). Therefore, make necessary arrangements for it. If you are a boy, it is definitely your department and you can use this subject to build-up the excitement and make some research on the most pleasurable ones that will help you to make this experience memorable. If you are a girl, you can too, by all means, take the responsibility to buy a pack you would like him to use. You can sex-flirt with him playfully about his choices.

4. Prepare Yourself Physically

Make sure you are prepared in every possible way, including your body. Unwanted hair, body odours and other such distractions must be eliminated before you meet for that delightful experience. If at all you guys are at a comfortable podium, you can ask each other about what your partner would like you wear for that special day, inside and outside.

5. Keep Your Nerves On A Balanced Note

The pre-date preparations or the thoughts are going to excite you way too much. And it can result in too high expectations of your first experience. Do not do that to yourself. Get steady on a balanced note. Don’t expect too high. Don’t expect too less either. Do not discuss it too much with your partner before the D day. Just go with a calming flow, relax your nerves and let the whole course of heavenly exploration unfold naturally.

6. Take It Slow And Watch Out For Reactions

And then, the D day comes! So, when you are in the act, and since it is your first time with that person, you need to take it at a steady pace, without rushing in. You have to keep your eyes and ears open to the reactions at your touches and moves. Try to understand what pleases your partner and what is taken a little unwillingly. Try not to repeat that. Be the caring and compassionate partner for this very special experience. It will take your relationship to another level of bonding and understanding altogether.

First sex date with a person is always remembered, whether you remain in the bond together or not. Make sure it is remembered on a positive note and you smile each time you think about it.

Go for it!

Signs Your Girlfriend Is Serious About You!

Do you ever wonder if the love of your life is serious about you?

Well it’s absolutely normal to have that confusion, but with time and her behavior, you can very well know if your girlfriend is serious about you or not.

But why to wait for time? Today we look at some of the signs that shows your girlfriend is totally committed to you.

So here’s the signs your girlfriend is serious about you. Read on to know if you have the same question…

When she’s scared to lose you!

You can feel this in her behavior. For example during a fight, she makes sure you both don’t cross the line and tries to patch up soon. She will be flexible in her approach towards you. She will ensure that whatever be the fight or misunderstanding, that stays resolved. A girl who isn’t serious won’t make any efforts to save your relationship. So if your girl is scared of losing you, it is one of the sign that she is serious about you.

When you can smell jealousy!

Yes she will be jealous if you talk to other girls or if someone tries to get close to you. Jealousy is one of the sign, that your girl is possessive about you and treats you as her own and well only a serious girl will make you feel that way.

When she’s there as a guide!

She will guide you, either about your career or if you are going through any ups and downs in your life. She will not just guide you but will be by your side in any condition. She cares about you and will try everything possible to bail you out of that situation.

When your problem, becomes her problem!

She won’t just be concerned about you, but will ensure that she doesn’t let you handle the problem all by yourself. If you can feel her genuine concern, boy you are lucky, your girl really loves you.

When she tries to make you a better person!

She will accept your bad habits but will ensure you leave things which aren’t good for your life. She won’t try to control you but will always make sure you become a better person.

When she is concerned about your career!

Yes she will be concerned about your career too! She’ll be worried about you and what you do in your life. She would only want you to be successful in life because she truly sees her future with you.

When she cares about your expenses!

Girls love shopping, gifts and what not, and well it’s not wrong but if she truly loves you, she’ll see your pocket too. She won’t be bothered if you can’t give her expensive gifts, rather would ask you to save money for ‘Your’ future which includes ‘Hers’ too!

When you can feel her affection!

Whatever time you spend with her, you will feel the love, care and affection. Some things you will feel when she’s around you. She might be busy in her life, but back of the mind you will be always there and she will ensure she knows what you’re up to and will make time for you even from her busy schedule.

It isn’t compulsory that your girl needs to have all these signs to prove she is serious or not.

Every individual is different and they have different means to show their love and seriousness but trust me, no one but you can easily feel the love. We humans have the best power- the power of feeling.

If you can feel her love and care, and most importantly if your heart says, she’s serious about you, chances are you are correct.

Which of these signs, you see in your girlfriend?

Don’t let her go boy, if she shows all these signs 

Good luck!

France retaliates with 'massive' airstrike against ISIS in Syria

France launched "massive" air strikes on the Islamic State group's de-facto capital in Syria Sunday night, destroying a jihadi training camp and a munitions dump in the city of Raqqa, where Iraqi intelligence officials say the attacks on Paris were planned.

Twelve aircraft including 10 fighter jets dropped a total of 20 bombs in the biggest air strikes since France extended its bombing campaign against the extremist group to Syria in September, a Defense Ministry statement said. The jets launched from sites in Jordan and the Persian Gulf, in coordination with U.S. forces.

A spokesman for France's defense minister told CNN that the airstrikes also hit an ISIS command center and a recruitment center.

Iraqi intelligence told the Associated Press on Sunday that it had warned Western coalition members of imminent attacks by ISIS only a day before the Paris assaults.

The news agency cited Iraqi intelligence as saying they had sent a dispatch about the group's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ordering an attack on coalition countries fighting against them in Iraq and Syria, as well as on Iran and Russia, "through bombings or assassinations or hostage taking in the coming days."

It also said that the Paris attacks were centrally planned in Raqqa, where the attackers were trained specifically for the operation.

Additional reporting by Mashable. Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Free Online Course For People Belonging To Arts And Culture Background

One of the toughest career challenges for someone with great interest in arts and culture is getting a concrete platform.

The celebration of culture has played an important role in the establishment of various civilizations.

Imagine the consequence when a cultural idea gets technological wings.

Vanderbilt University in association with Coursera offers an online course on innovation in Arts and Culture, for free.

Innovation is buzzed.

Everyone is talking about it, and they’re doing it in grand terms. But the effect will only be seen when there comes a radical change. The free online course developed by David Owens at Vanderbilt University is customized for the cultural sector by the National Arts Strategies (Virginia, U.S.A). The course aims at helping people from arts and culture background to create an environment where new ideas are constantly created, shared, evaluated and the deserving ones and successfully put to work.

Those involved in arts and culture, have generally, lesser time and money for experimentation and risks, as compared to others. As a result of which, powerful ideas in the industry get stuck with no real action taken. The online study will help those in performing arts, museums and other cultural organizations build environments where new management and program ideas are created and worked upon.

Eligibility and Qualifications to enrol

The course is an initiative for people who are involved in arts and culture around the globe. You can enrol for the course online, as an individual, someone representing an organization, or as a whole team. Also, the course is available for organizations that deliver arts and cultural content activities around the globe.

Duration and syllabus

The duration of the course is eight weeks, which requires spending an average of 6-8 hours per week on the videos, assessments and quizzes.

The course syllabus consists of introduction, individual constraints, group constraints, organizational constraints, industry constraints, societal constraints, technological constraints, and lastly a session on what-if. The what-if session is about the adversities you might face while pursuing this career, how to deal with difficult situations and the time when failure is not an option for you.

Format

The course format consists of weekly video lectures with imbibed quizzes, short exercises, reading, case studies, several diagnostic surveys and a brief weekly evaluation paper. Because not all the registered users have the same learning objectives or available time, the course is offered at two levels of engagement: Standard Level and Studio Mastery Level.

Standard level is for candidates who engage in assignments, exercises and discussion projects, but do not have the time for an innovation project. They receive a Statement of Accomplishment at the end of their course.

Studio Mastery level is for candidates  who wish to master the course material and take part in the real-world projects, for the application of teachings of the course. They receive a Statement of Accomplishment- with Distinction at the end of their course.

To enrol in the course log onto the official website:  www.coursera.org

Google Hindi Keyboard gets support for ten Indic languages, now renamed to Google Indic Keyboard

Google has as many as eight keyboard apps for Android devices in the Play Store. One of them is Google Hindi Keyboard, which was released a few months ago along with Android 5.0 Lollipop with support for Hindi and Hinglish typing. Now, the search giant has renamed the keyboard to Google Indic Keyboard after adding support for ten additional Indic languages.

With this latest update, the keyboard app now supports typing in ten indic languages – Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu – apart from English and Hindi. The app also supports transliteration to your native language if you pronounce the words in English.

Also Read: Best keyboard apps for Android

The Google Indic Keyboard app also has handwriting mode where a user can draw using fingers and the words get automatically recognised by the system. The latest update not only adds improved suggestions but also some design improvements that allows easy switch between English and native scripts. The keyboard also supports a long list of smileys and voice recognition.