crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




crack

Coronavirus Crisis Shows Cracks in the U.S. Governing System, Analysts Say

China’s autocratic system has performed better in some aspects than America’s democracy so far in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is too early to write off the United States despite its many early missteps, analysts at a China Institute event said.




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Is activism against Deepavali firecrackers a one-day campaign against Hinduism?

Air pollution
Why are activists opposing an ‘old tradition’, and why not complain against other festivals? An environmentalist answers.
PTI
The run-up to Deepavali this year saw a fierce debate on religion and tradition versus the environment and pollution. This after the Supreme Court imposed a ban on the sale of firecrackers in New Delhi and NCR in an attempt to curb pollution. With public opinion polarised on the issue, environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman, working with the Vettiver Collective in Chennai, answers some fundamental questions raised in the debate. There are four questions which I am going to address here. The first is - It is just a few days of celebration.  How much harm can it cause? Second - What about the air pollution during the rest of the year? Third – This is a tradition that we have followed for millennia. This was never a problem when we were growing up. Why is it a problem now? Fourth – What about the pollution caused by other festivals? Here's my response. 1. It is just a few days of celebration.  How much harm can it cause? The intensity of the celebration (bursting firecrackers) depends on the number of people bursting, the duration of the celebration and the quantity and type of firecrackers they burst. This can be ameliorated or worsened by weather conditions, and whether you live in a congested area or an open neighbourhood. The unfettered bursting of firecrackers can send air quality plummeting as it did yesterday (Wednesday), when air quality index (AQI) was 15 times worse than satisfactory levels. As I have written, it is a scientific fact that AQI above 400 will harm even healthy people, and may send children and other vulnerable populations to the emergency ward. Even brief exposures to such high levels can cause extreme distress to such people. Our tradition does not teach us to harm others, and I'm sure people who are bursting firecrackers are not doing that to harm others or send children and the elderly to the hospital. They are doing that because they don't know, and are not told that there are healthier ways to celebrate. At such high levels, there is no escape from the killer dust, which will go deep into your bodies and harm you over a long term. The damage due to short exposures to intense pollution can be significant and prolonged. This is particularly so, when the remaining 365 days are also spent in unhealthy conditions, and you allude to that. This brings me to your second challenge. Read: Chennai chokes on Deepavali, air pollution at hazardous levels 2. Why is enough not being done about air pollution during the rest of the year? Why do people cry and shout only during Diwali? You are right that enough is not being done about air pollution during the rest of the year. I work in a collective that lends support to communities in Ennore, a port near Chennai, where coal-fired thermal power plants and heavy vehicle movement has rendered air quality unhealthy throughout the year. No matter how loudly we shout, we are unable to make ourselves heard. We also talk about pollution of the Ennore Creek with oily wastes from the Manali petrochemical refinery. Every day, the refinery and the industrial estate discharges tonnes of toxic, noxious oily wastes into the Ennore Creek and the Bay of Bengal. Fisherfolk have been shouting about it since 1990s. But they are not being heard. It is not because the fisherfolk are not loud enough. Rather it is because we are deaf or unwilling to listen. It was ironic then that when the oil tanker collision sent oily wastes into the Bay of Bengal, all of Chennai was self-righteously indignant. You are right that after Deepavali the air (pollution) clears. When we think that air has returned to normal, air quality levels will still be high enough to harm us. What that should tell us is not that Deepavali pollution should be condoned, but that the pollution during the rest of the year needs to be curbed by tackling its causes – private vehicles, air pollution intensive electricity generation, poor construction practices and inadequate vegetative cover within the city. Also, it is not only during Diwali that we shout. You will notice a similar spike in concern over air pollution in January around Bhogi, when the burning of old things (including tyres) and unfavourable meteorological conditions intensify air pollution. In September, when the Velankanni Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady, the beach in Chennai and all roads leading to Besant Nagar are just trashed by earnest devotees. Clearly the problem is not restricted to any one religion, and all religions and all rituals need to be re-evaluated in light of growing evidence that human lifestyles are harming the environment and humans who need air, water, and food to survive. Also read: Air quality plummets in Hyderabad on Diwali day 3. This is a tradition that we have followed for millennia. This was never a problem when we were growing up. Why are we making it a problem now? This is incorrect. Deepavali is a festival of lights, not a festival of noise and smoke. You are right that bursting firecrackers was a part of the Deepavali ritual when we were growing up. But it was not always that way. Lighting lamps which was an important part of Deepavali is hardly done nowadays, and bursting firecrackers has become more common place. The difference between when we were growing up and now is two-fold: a) There were a lot fewer people. In 1970, India's population was 550 million less than half of what it is now. Chennai had a population of 3 million as against a population of 5 million today – two million additional people live in the same land area. b) Overall, there were fewer people, and disposable incomes were small. Today, the middle class has expanded and the disposable income has increased. Hence, more people bursting more crackers. The same thing that we did a few decades ago with little impact has now become deadly. Traditions are not unchanging. Neither are the changes uniformly bad or good. Complaining about Deepavali's pollution is not an attack on Hindu tradition. It is a plea to change that tradition so that Deepavali can actually become a happy one. But Deepavalis of this loud and smoky kind are not happy for many, and particularly traumatic for animals. We would not permit our children to entertain themselves by stoning a kitten or a puppy; rather, we may teach them to enjoy themselves by petting it or feeding it. Similarly, why can't we kindle the spirit of celebration by engaging in compassionate but equally fun engagements? Why can't Deepavali be a festival of lights – a gentle festival, where we invite friends, sing songs, eat good food? 4. What about pollution caused by festivals of other religions? All our places of worship, and our rituals – irrespective of religion – have become anti-life. Christmas is a vulgar occasion of shopping and gifting things we never knew we needed to people who have no need for any more things. Increasingly, Christmas is less and less about Christ and more and more about shopping. So, you're right that we should be questioning and challenging any practices that make one person's celebration into another person's pain. I can appreciate your angst at the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes. This is done by “followers” of all religions, and there is a prohibition on this beyond 10 p.m. We could do better. Happy Smokeless, Noiseless Deepavali!




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Collusion to Crackdown: Islamist-Military Relations in Egypt


Nearly two years after ousting President Muhammad Morsi, Egypt’s military continues to crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood. Much like during Egypt’s 1952-54 political transition, the recent interactions between the powerful armed state bureaucracy and the influential religious organization have had a major impact on the country’s political trajectory. In both instances, the military and Muslim Brotherhood initially cooperated before ultimately clashing violently. How has each entity determined what approach to take toward the other? What does a continued imbalance in civil-military relations mean for Egypt’s future?

In a new Brookings Doha Center Analysis Paper, Omar Ashour examines the legacies and patterns of cooperation and conflict between the leaderships of Egypt’s military and the Muslim Brotherhood. Relying on extensive field research, he analyzes how each entity has made its critical decisions regarding the other by applying various decision-making models. Ashour considers the impact of cost-benefit analysis, organizational dynamics, factional disputes, and psychological factors to gain a deep understanding of the leaders’ motives.

Read "Collusion to Crackdown: Islamist-Military Relations in Egypt"

Ashour concludes that Egypt's prospects for social stability and economic recovery will remain bleak if the relationship between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood is not redefined within institutional, democratic rules of political competition. He argues that Egypt’s military should embrace a balanced civil-military relationship to realize broad, long-term benefits and avoid otherwise inevitable and costly clashes with segments of Egyptian society. As for the Muslim Brotherhood, Ashour recommends that it reevaluate its recent decisions and work to develop a sustained, solid, and cross-ideological civilian front that can pressure the military to leave politics and allow for democratization.

Downloads

Authors

Publication: The Brookings Doha Center
Image Source: © Stringer . / Reuters
     
 
 




crack

Shipping industry cracks down on plastic waste

Of all the places to take action on marine litter, this one makes the most sense.




crack

Miracle material could eliminate cracked smartphone screens

The material could also one day charge our devices.




crack

UK government refuses to crack down on fast fashion

It has rejected recommendations that could divert some of the 300,000 tonnes of clothing that go to landfill each year.




crack

Key glacier in Antarctica is cracking from the inside out

New discovery points to troubling signs for the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, the collapse of which would prove catastrophic.




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Snap, crackle, pop: Melting glaciers sound like Rice Krispies

Along with her large-scale drawings, artist Zaria Forman has recorded the eerie song of a warming planet.




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Honolulu cracks down on single-use plastics

Hawaii's most populated island is implementing tough new rules for packaging.




crack

Has Skender cracked the code of modular housing?

An experienced Chicago builder is making a big investment in it.




crack

Fungi could help concrete heal its own cracks

Researchers are looking to fungi to help provide a fix for crumbling infrastructure, with promising results.




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London cracks down on drivers who sit with engines idling

It's about time more cities did this.




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British supermarket cracks down on glitter

It might be pretty, but it's just another toxic microplastic.




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US lawmakers urge Mnuchin to crack down on airlines cutting worker hours after taking billions in coronavirus aid

Three Senate Democrats are urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to crack down on airlines that are cutting employee hours, despite billions in federal coronavirus relief.




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One options trader bets big money on Tesla's stock cracking $800

One options trader is betting around $2 million that Tesla's wild ride is far from over.




crack

Learn skill-set needed to crack the CA examination

Learn skill-set needed to crack the CA examination (CA exam Tips)




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Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 With Screen Cracks Getting Free Repairs

Microsoft launched the Surface Laptop 3 back in October 2019. Since purchasing and using the new device, users have been reporting cracks appearing on the laptop screen, even without causing any physical damage to the device itself. While the reason is





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Riteish Deshmukh cracks a 'joke' in new Instagram video

In a bid to amuse his fans with a "joke," actor Riteish Deshmukh on Sunday shared a humourous video of himself on Instagram. The video begins with Deshmukh sitting and looking at the camera while the background features voices of people asking the actor to crack one joke in Marathi.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

Ek Joke Saanga Na

A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd) onApr 27, 2020 at 5:36am PDT

"Ek Joke saanga na (please tell one joke)," the voice in the background said.

To which the 41-year-old actor politely refuses and tells people that he is a "celebrity" which makes people chuckle and leaves Deshmukh shocked. "Mi celebrity aaye (I am a celebrity)," responded Deshmukh.

The 'Housefull' actor has been quite active on social media ever since the lockdown was imposed in the country. He keeps posting TikTok videos featuring himself and his wife Genelia Deshmukh.

Catch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here. Also, download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever




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COVID-19: Maharashtra tells collectors to get cracking on evacuation plan

A day after the Ministry of Home Affairs issued orders to facilitate the transportation of people stranded due to the lockdown between states by road, the Maharashtra government has told district collectors to execute the evacuation plan. Three senior Mantralaya bureaucrats will supervise the mass exercise that is expected to kick-start from May 4.

Other than the state-arranged facility, people who want to travel to their home states have been allowed to hire transport or use their own vehicles.

BUT every person will have to register with the government, procure documents for the same and undergo mandatory medical assessment before moving out. People could travel in groups but not without adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. Persons with COVID-19-like symptoms will not be allowed to travel but sent to quarantine and treatment. People who don't produce fitness certificates will not be allowed to travel.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray instructed the administration to take utmost care in implementing the plan, because a couple of lakh people are expected to be moved between far-flung places. The CM has repeatedly asked the Centre to operate special trains to transport migrant workers and might reiterate the appeal once the extended lockdown is lifted in some places, and relaxed in some places barring red zones.

Thackeray deputed Additional Chief Secretary (revenue) Dr Nitin Karir, Principal Secretary (woman and child welfare) I S Kundan and Director of State Disaster Management Abhay Yavalkar, to supervise the travel plan in which stranded people from Maharashtra will also be brought back home from other states. Other than district collectors, Yavalkar has also been authorised to issue travel permits. Many district collectors have the data of migrant workers who were stopped at inter-district borders. The workers are staying in state-provided shelters where they get food and medical care. The unconfirmed number of stranded migrants in Maharashtra is over 6 lakh and at least half of these are willing to go home. However, the number of migrants going out of Maharashtra will be much higher than the people coming here from other states.

Buses ready for transportation

Sources said the Maharashtra government was in talks with other states to make the arrangements and share the enormous cost of travel. The cost issue will factor as Maharashtra will deploy some buses to transport people where Maharashtrians are not stranded.


Stranded students from Kota maintain social distance as they walk out of a bus depot upon their arrival in Ahmedabad on April 23. Pic/ PTI

The state transport company has readied over 10,000 buses to be sent to hundreds of destinations. These buses will take migrants from Maharashtra to other states and ferry Maharashtrians back. The process is expected to take some time, so people who make arrangements on their own, might get through earlier than the people who depend solely on the home state's support.

What the stranded should do

  • Contact your district collector’s office to register passenger names/residential address/phone numbers, vehicle (if you have it or hired one), travel route and expected travel time so that you are given transit passes and your names are forwarded to your home states for cross-checking on arrival.
  • You may also contact the State Disaster Management Cell @ 022-22027990, 022-22023039 and E-mail to controlroom@maharashtra.gov.in
  • The vehicles must be sanitised and passengers seated in accordance with social distancing norms
  • You will undergo a mandatory 14-day home quarantine. You will be sent to institutional quarantine if symptoms show.
  • You will be compulsorily asked to download Arogya Setu mobile app in order to facilitate tracking of your health and movement in quarantine

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news




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BEST's 'crack teams' crack down on COVID-19

With the COVID-19 death toll among BEST workers reaching three and positive cases touching 50, BEST's decision to form 'crack teams' with heads of departments monitoring staff seems to be working well.

The BEST Undertaking is currently the lifeline of the city and has been transporting essential workers.

BEST officials said the Rapid Action Teams involve various heads of departments who act swiftly when a positive case is found.

"The crack teams seem to be working well. One such team got a call on Tuesday night about an employee at Bandra bus depot. He is a resident of Dharavi and was not feeling unwell. His wife called up to say that he was feeling breathless too. We did not have time to lose and the entire team got into action. The biggest challenge was to find a bed for him as all major hospitals in the city are under pressure.

"We called up all public and private hospitals and finally could arrange a bed at Bandra's Bhabha Hospital within a few hours. This is where teamwork helps and isolated efforts would have taken more time and caused further delay," BEST's Chief Medical Officer Dr Anilkumar Singal said.

Singal said that the undertaking has been following all norms and protocols as a result of which, cases are limited even as the lifeline continues to operate.

A BEST spokesperson added that on the bright side, four more workers have recovered and have been discharged. This takes the total number of recoveries to 11.

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news




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Aarey officials to crack whip against illegal encroachers

Taking serious note of the report in mid-day about a green activist writing to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray regarding illegal chopping of trees and encroachments in Aarey Colony, the CEO office of Aarey visited the spot and began the procedure of filing an FIR against the culprits.

On May 7, mid-day had reported how a environmentalist Stalin D wrote to Uddhav requesting the forest department and Thane forest circle to monitor Aarey Colony against encroachers during the lockdown.

In his letter to Thackeray, Stalin D also highlighted the fact that on an average, at least 30 trees were being chopped down daily inside Aarey.

"Slum-dwellers are expanding encroachments, building illegal temples, clearing the vegetation regularly ever since the lockdown was imposed. We have time and again raised the alarm and intimated the authorities concerned.

But, the Aarey police have not acted on any of the complaints and instead have chosen to beat up citizens who send them proof of tree chopping and expanding encroachments," the letter stated.

Stalin D told mid-day that he also received a response to the email from Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's office stating that he letter had been sent to the department concerned to take necessary action.

CEO of Aarey Milk Colony Nathu Rathod told mid-day, "We have taken serious note of the illegal encroachments and alleged cutting of trees in Aarey and will be taking the help of the police to book those responsible. Our teams have visited the spot and the procedure of filing the FIR is in progress."

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news




crack

Flaunt your bidding skills and crack a good deal at this new bar in Andheri


Bloody Mary and Jalapeno Salsa

Food: Can do better
Ambience: grungy
Service Fast
Cost: varies
Verdict: 

This is one bar that Monisha Sarabhai from television series Sarabhai vs Sarabhai would like to visit. Agent Jack's is an app-centric bar chain that lets you bid for your drink, and if you get lucky, you land yourself a dirt-cheap deal for your poison.


Caipiroska

Ever since Agent Jack's outlets opened in Malad and Navi Mumbai, we've been curious to check out the bargain-happy bar. So, when they opened their newest outlet in Andheri, we headed there in a flash.

Located on Veera Desai Road, the property is huge; the glass wall interiors lend the space an air of roominess. Even their smoking section is larger than other watering holes in the neighbourhood. Cycle motifs and signage make way across the decor almost everywhere — from the lights, serving dishes to the washbasin. We settle in at a table of our choice on a Sunday night and are ready to hit jackpot.


Crispy Prawn

App sarkar
We download the app and our attendant takes us through the ordering process. The app is glitch-free so far. The menu displays the lowest drinks price for the day, stock market-style, and the current bidding range. There's a big screen that displays your name and your bargain process. For old-school tipplers who find downloading an app tiresome, the bar takes regular orders too.

We place our bid and within seconds an attendant confirms our order, completing the bump-free ride to VFM daaru. The bargain process is fun, as Agent Jack throws witty repartees at us when we place low bids (see pic above). We pick a Bloody Mary (Rs 270, all prices exclusive of taxes) and a Caipiroska (Rs 280). For some chow, we choose the Chicken Pesto Popper (Rs 250) and Jalapeno Salsa (Rs 225).


Chicken Pesto Popper

An offer he couldn't refuse
The service is quick; both dishes are hot, and arrive at our table in 10 minutes. But the food doesn't flatter. The Bloody Mary could do with stronger flavours, and the chicken dish borders on the 'hariyali kebab' variety. Had it been named differently, it would have made the cut since it tastes great.


Agent Jack's Bar in Andheri

The Jalapeno Salsa is more creamy fondue with bits of jalapeno; the toast on the side is the saving grace. Our next order, Crispy Prawns Wok fares better. The crisp coating reveals delicate flavours of prawn in a single bite, a definite bar nibble winner. By now, the prices are hitting rock bottom due to their popularity, with vodka and whiskey pegs costing as low as '50. The app continues to function fuss-free with our next set of orders. Our final food pick is Pizza Sicilia ('325) that's generous with toppings but the taste borders towards Indian 'sabji' style.

Barring a few food hiccups, Agent Jack's stays true to its promise of offering a fun bargain.


Agent Jack on the app

Time 5.30 pm to 1.30 am
AT De Mall, Veera Desai, Andheri West.
Call 62614222





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Pune youth cracks UPSC exams with flying colours

Youth in Pune cleared Union Public Service Commission exams with flying colours according to the results which were out on Friday evening. After four attempts, the Pune based married women clears the Union Public Service Examination (UPSC) exam by ranking 16th in the country.

The UPSC exams held in September-October, 2018 declared the results on Friday evening and a total of 759 candidates have been recommended for the appointment.

Trupti Ankush Dhodmise, a resident of Pune holds the 16th rank in the country. She is married and currently serves as an Assistant Commissioner of Sales Tax (Goods and Service Department) with Maharashtra State.

Trupti's parents are school teachers and she holds an engineering degree in a Pune-based college of Engineering. Via post campus placement, she got a job in a reputed company and later in 2014, she cleared the Maharashtra State Public Service Commission (MPSC) to join as assistant commissioner of sales tax.

Trupti told mid-day, “I was expecting to clear this exam as this was my fourth attempt and like the previous two attempts, I only was disappointed in my interview rounds. My husband helped me with my studies and motivated me to do better. My parents and in-laws also supported me.” She also added, “Being a married woman, it helps you to grow stronger and make better decisions in life.”

Nachiket Vishwanath Shelke from Pingale village in Shirur taluka also cracked the examination with 167thrank all over India. On the other hand, Puja (26) has topped holding the 11th rank in India. She has completed her education in a Delhi-based college and later perused her post graduation in Columbia. She has kept her father, Dnyaneshwar Muley's legacy alive as he is a former Indian Foreign Service officer with the Ministry of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs (MEA).

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates





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Tax-News.com: CRA Provides Update On Tax Avoidance Crackdown

Canada's Revenue Minister has provided an update on the progress made by the Government in addressing tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance.




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Tax-News.com: Malta Backs EU Crackdown On Aggressive Tax Planning

Malta has reiterated its commitment to fighting aggressive tax planning, joining other EU member states who have unanimously agreed to amend the EU's tax information sharing law, the Directive on Administrative Cooperation.




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G20 leaders endorse OECD measures to crack down on tax loopholes, reaffirm its role in ensuring strong, sustainable and inclusive growth

The leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies today endorsed overhauled global standards proposed by the OECD to crack down on tax evasion and reaffirmed the organisation’s central role in helping governments ensure strong, sustainable and inclusive growth.




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Banking fraud: 78,000 reasons to crack down

If you fall for a scam, who is to blame — you or your bank?




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Record low demand and low crack spreads drive refinery run declines (4/29/2020)

Transportation fuel demand in the United States has decreased since mid-March 2020, as a result of reduced economic activity and stay-at-home orders aimed at slowing the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). With low demand and a decrease in profitability, as measured by crack spreads, U.S. refineries have reduced gross inputs (runs), which dropped to 12.8 million barrels per day (b/d) for the week ending April 17, 3.8 million b/d lower than the previous five-year (2015–19) average and the lowest level since 2008 (Figure 1). Gross inputs increased slightly to 13.2 million b/d the week of April 24. ...




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Rob McCracken is under pressure to get the game plan right when Anthony Joshua faces Andy Ruiz Jr

The stunning manner of Anthony Joshua's first career defeat - a bout in which he was knocked down four times - prompted fans and pundits to scrutinise revered trainer Rob McCracken.




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Iggy Azalea calls Wendy Williams a 'crack head' after Williams accused her of having a 'fake body'

Azalea retweeted a clip from The Wendy Williams Show, in which the host accused her of having a 'fake body,' writing: 'Who's the crack head in the half way house with the gossip show thing?'




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I can lose the word 'promising' by winning gold in Rio 2016 Olympics and I WILL NOT crack under pressure says Katarina Johnson-Thompson

Johnson-Thompson believes she has the ability to beat Ennis-Hill and wants to fulfil her burgeoning potential with a gold medal in Rio next month.




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Social media users crack up as Sonny Bill Williams takes on Chauncy Welliver

All Black Sonny Bill Williams beat Chauncy Welliver of the US in his latest fight on Saturday night. However, compared to the ripped Williams, Welliver looked like he'd trained by eating pizza.




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Valencia star Rodrigo 'wants another crack at Premier League' with Everton and West Ham interested

According to The Sun, Rodrigo now wants to test himself in England's top flight again which has put a number of Premier League clubs on red alert. The forward started his senior career while at Bolton.




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Dr Martin Scurr: What's the cause of my sore, cracked tongue? 

Q: For months I've had a sore tongue, and can't eat hot food, citrus fruit or spices. My GP prescribed drops, followed by a mouth gel, for thrush, but neither helped.




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DR MARTIN SCURR on how bathing in bleach may ease dry, cracked skin

The Daily Mail's resident doctor answers your health concerns in his weekly column. Today he reveals how bathing in bleach may help relieve eczema symptoms.




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Kate Phillips plays a detective cracking cases in a corset

TV crime drama Miss Scarlet And The Duke mixes elements of Ripper Street, Sherlock Holmes and Peaky Blinders, but gives the whole package a distinctively feminine touch.




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Crackerjack's back but NOT at its famous time of 'five-to-five'

Crackerjack's famous catchphrase: 'It's Friday. It's five-to-five. And it's Crackerjack!' will be tweaked to accommodate the new incarnation's later start time.