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  • NBA fans’ reacting to Jalen Brunson’s scary injury in the Lakers’ OT loss: “Reaves is a dirty player”

    NBA fans’ reacting to Jalen Brunson’s scary injury in the Lakers’ OT loss: “Reaves is a dirty player”

    On Thursday, Jalen Brunson got hurt during a crucial moment of the thrilling New York Knicks-LA Lakers showdown in Crypto.com Arena. In the aftermath, fans went on social media to post their reactions, including some jabs at one Lakers player in particular.

    With the Lakers up 107-105 under two minutes to go in overtime, Brunson attempted to go coast-to-coast after picking up a defensive rebound. Standing in his way underneath the rim was Austin Reaves, and in the layup attempt that ensued, Brunson ended up stepping on Reaves’ left foot.

    Though the Knicks guard gutted it out to take his free throws, the impact of his apparent leg injury caused him to head to the locker room for the remainder of the game. Even as the Lakers picked up the 113-109 OT win, netizens posted their reactions as they processed what happened to Brunson:

    The All-Star guard had 39 points, four rebounds, and 10 assists when he left the game. Now, the NBA community is waiting for the official medical report on Brunson’s injury.

    Jalen Brunson on New York Knicks’ record against other top teams: “We got to wake the hell up”

    Brunson’s importance to the Knicks is not only seen in the numbers that he contributes but also in his leadership skills on and off the court.

    In a clip posted last week on the official X account of “The Roommates Show,” Brunson spoke to podcast co-host Josh Hart about the Knicks’ 0-7 record against top teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics:

    It will be interesting to see how Brunson continues to challenge his teammates as he potentially misses a number of games. Sportskeeda

  • Shami asks that the saliva restriction be lifted for shiny cricket balls: Mechanics of swing, explained

    Shami asks that the saliva restriction be lifted for shiny cricket balls: Mechanics of swing, explained

    Indian pacer Mohammad Shami on Thursday (March 6) appealed to the ICC to lift the ban on using saliva to shine cricket balls that was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Since 2011, two balls have been used per innings in ODIs. This means that balls are not as scuffed up as they used to be. Add to this the prohibition on using saliva, generating reverse swing has gotten much more difficult.

    “We are trying to reverse, but you are not getting the use of saliva into the game,” Shami told reporters in Dubai.

    What is swing? Why does a cricket ball swing?
    Swing refers to the lateral movement of a cricket ball in the air, before it lands on the pitch. It is essentially a product of an air pressure differential on either side of the ball.

    A thin layer of air forms along the ball’s surface after it is released by the bowler. But the so-called “boundary layer” must separate from the surface at some point. Where this separation occurs on either side of the ball determines the air pressure on that side.

    Bowlers generally tilt the seam towards one direction or the other. In a new ball, the raised seam disturbs the airflow on the side towards which it is tilted. This turbulent flow on the seam side sticks to the ball’s surface longer and travels faster than the smooth laminar flow on the other side.

    According to Bernoulli’s principle, faster travelling air on the seam side results in a decrease of air pressure on that side, making the ball swing in that direction. In theory, a new ball that is held straight — with the seam perfectly aligned to the direction it is travelling — will not swing because the airflow on both sides of the ball is even.

    What is reverse swing and why does it occur?
    What has been discussed so far is conventional swing which generally occurs with a new ball. Things get more interesting when the ball gets older, its lacquer wears off, and its surface gets more abrasive. This is when the ball starts to reverse, that is, move in the direction opposite to the seam side.

    From the moment they are handed the ball, the fielding team makes efforts to shine one side. Consequently, as the ball gets older, one side is smoother than the other. That said, the so-called shiny side is nonetheless rougher than a new ball. This means that this side still generates sticky, turbulent airflow.

    However, the rougher side generates even more turbulent airflow than the shinier side, which can be further aggravated with the help of the seam. This extra turbulent airflow is not as sticky as the turbulent airflow on the other side. It shears off — meaning that the point of separation for the boundary layer moves towards the front of the ball. As a consequence, the air pressure on the seam side is now relatively higher than on that on the shiny side. This makes the ball swing on the side opposite to the seam.

    To aid reverse swing, bowlers also try to ensure that the shiny side is slightly heavier than the other side. This gives the ball a natural tendency to fall in that direction.

    Where does saliva figure in all this?
    Cricketers have traditionally used saliva to shine one side of the ball, smoothen the surface, and make it a tad heavier on that side. The idea is to create as great of a contrast between the two sides of the ball as possible, which helps generate reverse swing. Cricketers have chewed on all kinds of mints and candy to aid the shining process — sugary saliva is heavier, and thus considered more effective for shining a cricket ball.

    Can something else be used in saliva’s place? In theory, yes. But saliva is the most readily accessible shining agent that works the way cricketers want it to.

    Take sweat, for example. Rubbing the ball with sweat is legal but sweat is not as good a polishing agent as saliva, presumably because it does not contain mucus.

    Moreover, the ball tends to soak up sweat — too much sweat can soften the ball which is not something bowlers want. Softer balls do not bounce as much, they do not turn as quickly, or retain much pace after pitching. In short, they are easier for a batter to deal with.

    Then there is the fact that unlike saliva, sweating is condition-dependent. Players simply do not sweat enough in cold conditions for it to be an effective shining substance.

    Other substances like vaseline have also been touted, although they are not as effective. Notably, vaseline is lighter than sweat. As former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra once said: “Vaseline can help keep the shine, but it does not make the ball heavier on one side”. Indian Express

  • India & Belgium engage in boosting their medical collaboration

    India & Belgium engage in boosting their medical collaboration

    As part of the ongoing Belgian economic mission to India, a seminar titled “Innovation for a Healthier World: Uniting Strengths from India and Belgium” took place on March 5, 2025, at the Veermata Jijabai Botanical Udyan and Zoo in Mumbai.

    The event brought together leaders, researchers, and key stakeholders in the life sciences sector to explore how Belgian expertise and Indian pragmatism are converging to address global healthcare challenges.

    Belgium, particularly its Wallonia region, has long been a European hub for vaccine and biotherapeutics development, hosting leading biopharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, and research institutions.

    India, known as the “pharmacy of the world,” produces over 60% of the world’s vaccines and meets 20% of the global demand for generic medicines.

    With such complementary strengths, collaborations between the two nations can potentially drive impactful, globally scalable healthcare solutions.

    Strengthening Belgium–India partnerships in life sciences
    The seminar showcased several groundbreaking Belgium–India partnerships that are transforming healthcare innovation.

    GSK Belgium, a leader in vaccine development, has established strong partnerships with Indian companies like Bharat Biotech and Biological E. to enhance vaccine accessibility globally. These collaborations ensure a more resilient supply chain and long-term vaccine availability.

    Belgian biotech pioneers Univercells and Quantoom Biosciences have joined forces with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to accelerate the production of mRNA-based cancer therapies.

    This partnership is focused on reducing costs and production timelines and making advanced cancer treatments more accessible to diverse populations.

    Another key collaboration involves Sagitta Bioconcept, which has teamed up with an Indian partner to develop novel vaccines using a viral vector platform based on a deactivated measles virus.

    This joint research effort showcases how expertise from both nations can drive transformative discoveries in vaccine technology.

    Bio Sourcing, backed by the European Innovation Council Accelerator, is working with Indian companies to reduce the production costs of monoclonal antibodies, a critical component in modern biotherapeutics.

    By making these treatments more affordable and widely available, the partnership aims to enhance global healthcare accessibility.

    Based in Wallonia, the diagnostic technology firm Synabs currently produces 80% of India’s sickle cell disease detection kits and is expanding its expertise to thalassemia detection.

    With growing interest from organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this initiative could extend its benefits beyond India to African markets where these diseases are prevalent.

    In nuclear medicine, the Oncidium Foundation has partnered with the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, to support radioligand therapy for underserved cancer patients.

    The foundation aims to democratize access to innovative cancer treatments worldwide by leveraging advanced nuclear medicine therapies.

    Bridging Global Health Challenges Through Innovation
    From proton therapy and vaccine development to cancer treatments and ophthalmic implants, India–Belgium collaborations are paving the way for groundbreaking healthcare advancements.

    The seminar emphasized how Wallonia’s expertise in research and manufacturing—combined with India’s expansive market reach—can lead to the creation of sustainable and scalable global health solutions.

    Recent Belgian investments in India underscore the growing importance of this alliance. Quantoom Biosciences has announced plans to set up a new facility for mRNA vaccine production, further strengthening India’s role in vaccine manufacturing.

    Additionally, IBA, a Belgian company specializing in proton therapy, is supplying proton therapy units for cancer treatment, enhancing India’s capacity to provide advanced oncology care. Digital Health News

  • US lawmakers point to a security risk when warn about Chinese-made routers

    US lawmakers point to a security risk when warn about Chinese-made routers

    A US congressional committee urged Americans to remove Chinese-made wireless routers from their homes, including those made by TP-Link, calling them a security threat that opened the door for China to hack U.S. critical infrastructure.

    The House of Representatives Select Committee on China has pushed the Commerce Department to investigate China’s TP-Link Technology Co, which according to research firm IDC is the top seller of WiFi routers internationally by unit volume.

    US authorities are considering a ban on the sale of the company’s routers, according to media reports.

    Rob Joyce, former director of cybersecurity at the National Security Agency, told Wednesday’s committee hearing that TP-Link devices exposed individuals to cyber intrusion that hackers could use to gain leverage to attack critical infrastructure.

    “We need to all take action and replace those devices so they don’t become the tools that are used in the attacks on the U.S.,” Joyce said, adding that he understood the Commerce Department was considering a ban.

    TP-Link said in a statement to Reuters that the hearing did not provide a “shred of evidence” the company was linked to China’s government. “No government has access to or control over the design and production of our routers,” it said.

    “Any claims suggesting our products pose a unique risk to U.S. national security are baseless and without merit,” said Jeff Barney, president of TP-Link Systems Inc.

    The company said it had split with its former China affiliate and now manufactures its routers in Vietnam.

    Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, holding up a consumer-grade TP-Link router, said at the hearing: “Don’t use this.

    “I don’t have one at home either. It’s not a good idea,” Krishnamoorthi said.

    Joyce said Chinese government-linked hackers were “approaching a peer status” with U.S. cyber capabilities, and said he had grave concerns that the Trump administration’s efforts to cut the federal workforce could undermine U.S. cyber defenses.

    Democratic Representative Shontel Brown said the Trump administration had laid off more than 130 officials from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

    In 2023, CISA said TP-Link routers had a vulnerability that could be exploited to execute remote code.

    Krishnamoorthi said the U.S. must deter Chinese hackers by going on offense.

    “I think that we should also consider potentially enlisting private sector actors to hack back at the hackers. I’m going to get in a lot of trouble for saying that, but I think you have to sometimes use fire against fire,” Krishnamoorthi said. Reuters

  • SBI Holdings denies discussing a Japanese chip facility with SK Hynix and UMC

    SBI Holdings denies discussing a Japanese chip facility with SK Hynix and UMC

    SBI Holdings denied that it is negotiating with South Korea’s SK Hynix and Taiwan’s UMC about collaboration on a chips plant in Miyagi prefecture.

    SBI aims to collaborate with SK Hynix on back-end DRAM processes and with UMC on chips for vehicles, according to the Nikkan Kogyo report, which did not cite sources.

    SBI announced in September it was dissolving a joint venture with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp.

    The companies had been seeking government subsidies to build a foundry in northern Japan. SBI said at the time it would consider partnering with other firms on chip-related business. Reuters

  • Trump-affiliated Samsung is looking for a US public affairs head

    Trump-affiliated Samsung is looking for a US public affairs head

    Samsung Electronics’ head of North American public affairs is expected to resign and it is looking for a successor with ties to U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and the Republican Party.

    Samsung is looking to replace the current person in the North American external relations role, Mark Lippert, who served as U.S. ambassador to South Korea during the Obama administration, and was hired by Samsung in 2022 while former President Joe Biden was in office, DongA Ilbo reported citing unnamed industry sources.

    A Samsung spokesperson said it does not comment on speculation, while Lippert did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comments. Reuters

  • In three months, Maharashtra will introduce a space technology strategy

    In three months, Maharashtra will introduce a space technology strategy

    Maharashtra will formulate a Space Tech Policy in the next three months, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday while asserting that the coming era belongs to advanced technologies.

    Speaking at the ‘Space-Tech for Good Governance’ conference here, the CM emphasized the transformative potential of space technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in governance.

    “The coming era belongs to these advanced technologies,” he said while hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for formulating policies that recognize the importance of space tech and integrating the private sector into its growth.

    “With over 189 space startups emerging in India, space technology is being utilized for applications like remote sensing, drone GPS, and transparency in governance initiatives. The Gatishakti platform has revolutionized infrastructure development. Projects that typically require years for completion are now being executed in significantly shorter timeframes due to space tech integration,” Fadnavis said.

    The gram panchayat development plan could benefit from geo-mapping, while space technology was deployed for water resource management in 20,000 villages in Maharashtra under the Jalyukt Shivar scheme, he said.

    “Maharashtra will soon formulate a dedicated Space Tech Policy within the next three months. This policy will aim to develop a startup ecosystem around space technology, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector,” the CM said.

    He also highlighted the importance of advanced technologies in disaster management and the health sector.

    The conference explored how cutting-edge space technologies such as satellite imagery and geospatial tools can address various governance challenges, particularly in rural India. PTI

  • MoUs signed at the IESA Vision Summit 2025 total ₹1.5 lakh crore

    MoUs signed at the IESA Vision Summit 2025 total ₹1.5 lakh crore

    Memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore were signed during the 19th vision summit of the India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA), held in Gandhinagar.

    IESA president Ashok Chandak told FE that increasing interest of global semiconductor companies towards India shows that the country is poised for a big leap, with the end goal being a “complete ownership of the semiconductor manufacturing system”.

    The MoUs signed are an addition to the existing five projects approved by the Indian Semiconductor Mission. “Within the next five-seven years, we will see more fabrication (fab) and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) plants in the country,” Chandak said.

    He stressed the importance of strengthening India’s semiconductor manufacturing capacity – “OSAT plants are a good starting point for companies… These plants will cement one end of the value chain. Now, we must focus on developing a complete semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, which could take another 10-20 years.”

    Big-ticket investments announced during the summit include an MoU with Jabil India to establish a silicon photonics manufacturing unit in Gujarat with a Rs 1,000-crore investment, a financial support agreement between ISM and Tata Electronics (TEPL) for a Rs 91,526-crore semiconductor fab unit in Dholera, an MoU between Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology and the Gujarat government for an electronics manufacturing service unit at an investment of Rs 500 crore, a Rs 10,000-crore MoU between NextGen, Hitachi and SolidLight for a compound fabrication and optoelectronics facility in Gujarat and a tripartite agreement between TEPL, Himax Technologies and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation for a fabless semiconductor plant.

    “We have many companies investing in semiconductor R&D, it is our core strength. However, most companies venture towards design services, rather than taking complete ownership of producing a chip, due to financial, funding and time constraints. While India will continue to rely on semiconductor component imports for the next five-seven years, new agreements will facilitate our domestic production ambitions.” Financial Express

  • Is Pay-TV losing ground as Indians opt for OTT and free dish services?

    Is Pay-TV losing ground as Indians opt for OTT and free dish services?

    India’s pay-TV industry, which consists of cable and DTH services, is set to shrink by 1-3% in revenue for FY2026, as more viewers move away from traditional cable and DTH services in favour of over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms and free dish services, according to a forecast by rating agency ICRA. This ongoing shift is expected to impact the industry’s profit margins, with operating earnings likely to decline by 175-225 basis points year-on-year, settling at around 23-25% overall. The DTH segment is expected to fare better with margins of 33-35%, while multi-system operators (MSOs) may see lower profitability at 6-8%. However, leading players with strong financial backing are likely to maintain stability through continued access to capital and liquidity.

    Growth in premium content could offset subscriber losses
    Despite the decline in subscribers, the industry is expected to partially offset losses through an increase in average revenue per user (ARPU), estimated to grow by 1-3% annually. The adoption of bundled services that combine traditional TV with OTT platforms and broadband, as well as premium offerings such as HD, 4K, and live events, could support revenue generation. However, rising costs for acquiring premium content—such as sports broadcasting rights and international programming—along with ongoing investments in network maintenance, are expected to further squeeze profit margins.

    Why are consumers shifting to OTT?
    Ritu Goswami, sector head for Corporate Ratings, ICRA, highlights the growing appeal of streaming services, driven by the demand for personalised, on-demand content, ad-free experiences, and a variety of regional programming. The affordability of smartphones, widespread internet access, and the rise of smart TVs have further accelerated this transition. Regulatory changes, including pricing caps on TV channels and new rules on content packaging, have also played a role in reshaping consumer preferences.

    India remains the second-largest television market after China, with nearly 190 million TV households in 2024. While overall TV penetration is expected to grow, the industry is undergoing a structural shift. Wealthier urban consumers are increasingly switching to digital alternatives such as smart TVs and streaming services, while lower-income and rural households are gravitating toward free dish services.

    Despite its large subscriber base, India’s pay-TV industry lags behind markets like the U.S. and Europe, where ARPU is significantly higher due to a greater willingness to pay for premium content. In contrast, India’s highly price-sensitive audience has slowed the pace of “cord-cutting,” especially in rural areas where TV remains the primary source of entertainment. Factors such as affordability, hybrid service offerings, and internet infrastructure limitations will likely prevent a sharp decline in pay-TV subscriptions in the near future, according to ICRA. Financial Express

  • IPTV lawsuits filed by ACE are illegal

    IPTV lawsuits filed by ACE are illegal

    Anti-piracy coalition the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) has filed two separate federal lawsuits against individuals in California and Pennsylvania, each accused of operating illegal internet protocol television (IPTV) services.

    The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the world’s leading anti-piracy coalition, has filed two separate federal lawsuits today against individuals in California and Pennsylvania, each accused of operating illegal internet protocol television (IPTV) services.

    The first lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, targets Zachary DeBarr of Murrieta, California, the alleged operator of Outer Limits IPTV. The second lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, is against Brandon Weibley of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, who is alleged to have operated multiple illegal IPTV services, including Beast Mode Live, GreenWing Media, Viking Media, BTV, Shrugs, and Zing.

    The two unrelated lawsuits allege that DeBarr and Weibley’s services facilitate mass copyright infringement by offering unauthorized access to thousands of pirated television channels, movies, and television shows.

    “These lawsuits demonstrate ACE’s unwavering commitment to protecting the creative industry from digital piracy from coast to coast and around the world,” said Karyn Temple, Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association. “Illegal IPTV services not only harm creators and legitimate streaming platforms but also expose consumers to potential security and fraud risks. We will continue to take decisive legal action to shut down these operations and hold infringers accountable.” Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment