WhatsApp desktop for Mac and Windows arrive: Here’s how to get started

Whatsapp has now introduced a desktop app which will be available for both Windows and Mac. The WhatsApp desktop client will offer all the same features and shortcuts, which we have already seen on WhatsApp for Web. However, the difference is the fact that the new app will not depend on the mobile version of the communication platform.

WhatsApp stated in a blogpost, “Today we’re introducing a desktop app so you have a new way to stay in touch anytime and anywhere – whether on your phone or computer at home or work. Like WhatsApp Web, our desktop app is simply an extension of your phone: the app mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device.”

To download the app, visit WhatsApp’s blog from a desktop browser. Open the app and scan the QR code using the WhatsApp app on a smartphone. You can look for WhatsApp Web menu under Settings.

The desktop app is available for systems running Windows 8+ and Mac OS 10.9+ and gets synced with WhatsApp on one’s smartphone. It is because that the app runs natively on the desktop, users will get support for native desktop notifications, better keyboard shortcuts, and more.

WhatsApp has been all over the news for a while now. The company is indeed ramping up it’s service and introducing tons of new features. Along with the rumoured call back button, zip file sharing support and voicemail, WhatsApp is also rumoured to be working on video calls, NFC tags and group invites too. According to Android Police, video calls are coming very soon to WhatsApp, but whether they will be rolled out to beta participants only, to everyone, or as the same silly invite-like system of voice calls, is yet unknown.

In addition, the leak reveal the option to send group invites via links and NFC tags. WhatsApp is also trying out ways with which members of a limited group can invite other WhatsApp users to join as well. Recently, a report by PhoneRadar stated that WhatsApp for iOS and Android will now get a “Call Back” that will show notifications for a missed call with a call back button. With this new addition, a user will be able to dial back, without opening WhatsApp.

WhatsApp will also introduce voicemail for iOS devices. The new “Record Voice Mail” and “Send Voice Mail” buttons will soon allow users to send a voice mail during a call itself. One can also expect the voicemail to record and share in-call audio.

Source: http://tech.firstpost.com

UPSC declares Final Result of Civil Services Examination 2015, Tina Dabi secures 1st rank

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the final result of Civil Services Examination 2015 on Tuesday.

The first position was secured by Tina Dabi (roll no 0256747), followed by Aamir Ul Shari Khan Akthar (0058239) and Jasmeet Singh Sandhu (00105512) in second and third positions respectively. The full list is available on upsc.gov.in

The final merit list was prepared based on the results of the written examination held in December, 2015 and the interviews for Personality Test held in March-May, 2016.

A total of 1078 candidates have been recommended for appointment to Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Services, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’.



Breakup as per category: 499 (General), 314 (OBC), 76 (SC) and 89 (ST)

Source: http://zeenews.india.com

Even Before Uttarakhand Result, Harish Rawat Says Thanks, We've Won: 10 Points

Harish Rawat, claims the Congress, has won the vote of confidence he sought in the Uttarakhand Assembly today. The official result will be announced tomorrow by the Supreme Court, which will receive records of today's vote in sealed cover.
Here are the 10 latest developments:

    Harish Rawat all but made a victory speech saying, "I thank supporters, all lawmakers, the Supreme Court and the people of Uttarakhand. The clouds of uncertainty will blow over tomorrow."

    Congress sources claimed Mr Rawat has won the trust vote with the support of 33 lawmakers, two more than he needed for majority. With nine Congress rebels barred from voting, the strength of the 70-member assembly was 61.

    In what appeared to confirm that Mr Rawat had won, a BJP lawmaker said the party was "ready to sit in the opposition." Sources said 28 lawmakers voted for the BJP in today's trust vote.

    While Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said this morning that her two legislators in Uttarakhand would support the Congress.

    The Congress also reportedly had the support of three independent lawmakers and one from the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal together called the PDF (Progressive Democratic Front) along with the BSP. After the vote, a PDF lawmaker said, "All six of us have voted for Harish Rawat."

    Congress legislator Rekha Arya, incommunicado for days, walked into the Assembly with the BJP's Ajay Bhatt this morning, signaling which way she would vote. But, a BJP rebel Bhim Lal Arya said he would vote for Harish Rawat, leveling the field again. 

    President's Rule was lifted in the state for a few hours for the trust vote; only the legislators who votes and observers appointed by the Supreme Court were allowed in.

    Harish Rawat was chief minister of Uttarakhand till the Centre imposed President's Rule on March 27, arguing that he lost his majority when the nine Congress dissidents voted against his government's annual budget.

    The Supreme Court confirmed a High Court order yesterday barring the nine Congress rebels from voting in today's trust vote; they had been disqualified by the Speaker a day before the Centre imposed President's Rule in Uttarakhand on March 27.
 
    The Uttarakhand High Court had indicted the Centre for wrongly declaring President's Rule in a heavy-handed attempt to remove an opposition government; the Centre has challenged that verdict in the Supreme Court.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com

New election technology could bring end to searching voter lists, speed up result times

Elections Ontario wants to introduce new technology for the 2018 election to speed up the process for voters, get faster results and use fewer staff.

The agency says it successfully tested e-poll books and vote tabulators in the February byelection in Oshawa, with about 90 per cent of electors and poll officials supporting the changes.

The e-poll books replace the paper-based process where polling officials have to manually search through names, and would allow any poll worker to serve a voter.

Elections Ontario says the e-poll books mean electors will get a ballot within about one minute of arriving at the polling station.

The byelection pilot project with vote tabulators showed they could provide 90 per cent of the results within a half hour of polls closing if used across Ontario.

Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur knows the government would have to act quickly if it wants the new technology in place for the 2018 vote because it would take two years to implement the changes.
Current staffing model 'unsustainable'

"We are seriously considering the advice," she said. "We know it was very successful in the byelection, and we need to modernize our voting system."

It would cost $36 million to introduce the new technologies, but that would allow Elections Ontario to hire fewer staff, addressing its biggest challenge: finding enough people to work a 14- to 16-hour day in a polling station.

"The current staffing model is unsustainable in the long term," chief electoral officer Greg Essensa said in a news release.

 "The number 1 concern I hear from returning officers across the  province is that they are unable to find the staff required for polling day," he said.

Elections Ontario said it hired 76,000 poll officials for the 2014 election, and would need about 100,000 for the election planned for June 2018 because the number of ridings will increase and because of population growth.

However, the agency believes it could cut the number of staff required by about 41 per cent if the new technologies are in place, and would save about $16 million in staff costs over three election cycles.

The number of electors served by a poll -- currently 300 to 500 -- could be increased to 2,000, which means they would need about 31,000 fewer staff for election day.

The province could save another $28 million if it shared the vote tabulator technology with Ontario municipalities.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca

Conor McGregor applauds Amir Khan for stepping up in weight despite the result

UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor has stated numerous times in the past that he believes more fighters should be willing to move up to different weight classes to showcase their talent, and that's why he appreciated Amir Khan taking a chance to face Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Khan moved up two divisions for his fight against Alvarez to take a run at his middleweight title, but his night ended in dramatic fashion courtesy of a vicious sixth-round knockout.

Despite that setback in the ring, McGregor applauded Khan for even taking the fight because it's something he believes most boxers wouldn't even be willing to try.

McGregor is no stranger to taking these same kinds of challenges with his own career.

Following his win over former featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 194 last December, McGregor then was matched up with lightweight king Rafael dos Anjos.

When dos Anjos fell off the card due to injury, McGregor ended up bumping to welterweight for a fight against Nate Diaz.

McGregor ended up losing that fight by second-round rear naked choke, but it didn't stop him from asking for an immediate rematch with Diaz with that bout also taking place at 170 pounds.

McGregor clearly has no problem moving up several divisions to accept whatever challenge is thrown his way, and he's supporting other combat sports athletes who are doing the same.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com

Campaign for conviction of criminals yields encouraging result in UP

Chief secretary Alok Ranjan has issued directions to conduct a campaign for speedy conviction of criminals in order to maintain peace and law and order. He said that officers of prosecution department deserve commendation for success in conviction of large number of criminals.


He was addressing the half-yearly review meeting of prosecution department on Wednesday. To encourage the prosecutions officers who have been instrumental in sentence of 10 years or more to criminals, he said that the name of district, date of decision and detail of sentence should be indicated in the appropriate register so that persons working for prevention of criminal activities get due appreciation and encouragement.


He said that summons, enforcement of warrant etc. should be regularly monitored by senior officials for disposal of pending cases. Prosecution department had launched campaign for conviction of criminals in July 2015, which has yielded encouraging results.


Director General Police, Prosecution, Dr Surya Kumar said that a total of 23,473 criminals were convicted from July 2015 till April 23 this year due to effective work of prosecution officers. He told that 24 convicts were sentenced to death and 2,055 criminals were sentenced to life imprisonment. Criminals numbering 4,295 were sentenced to imprisonment of 10 years or more. More than 1,800 convicts were history-sheeters and active criminals.


During the period, bail of 1,01,425 accused was cancelled and 3,48,827 summons/warrants were served and enforced. Assets and vehicles related to 89,325 cases were disposed off. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Australia shares end up as CBA result boosts banks, NZ slips

Australian shares clawed back early losses and ended higher on Monday as upbeat quarterly results from Commonwealth Bank of Australia boosted financial stocks, while New Zealand stocks edged lower.

After dipping as much as 0.5 percent, the S&P/ASX 200 index reversed course to close up 28.7 points, or 0.5 percent, at 5,320.7. The benchmark has gained 8 percent in the past month.

Commonwealth Bank ended up 1.9 percent.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index s ..

Read more at: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/