WhatsApp introduced a feature allowed users to view messages with the help of two blue ticks.

Last week, WhatsApp introduced a feature which allowed users to view whether their messages were read or not with the help of two blue ticks.

Some people found it interesting while the rest, were freaking out. A single tick indicted that the message was sent; two ticks indicated that it was delivered and two blue ticks proved that your massage has been read by the opposite recipient. It seemed for a while that this move might have been a bad decision compelling users to forcefully reply to messages and there was no escape.

Given the outcry, WhatsApp is now making some changes. The mobile messaging service quietly introduced a new feature which allows you to disable the blue ticks ‘read receipts’. Remember that once disabled, users cannot check if others have read their messages either. This feature is again, only available for Android users. The new 2.11.444 WhatsApp version is available for download on their website.

Follow the simple steps to download the latest APK file from WhatsApp. (Make sure your smartphone is running on Android 2.1 or higher version.)

1. Your first step will be to go Settings and enable ‘Download from Unknown Sources’.

2. Later, go to WhatsApp’s website and download the APK File.

3. Once downloaded, Install th

e app to your phone.

4. Once installed, open WhatsApp and head to ‘Settings’.

5. Go to Account and click on Privacy.

6. You will have the option, ‘Read Receipts’. Click on it and it will disable the blue ticks in your messages.

This update is not yet available on Google Play Store. The update is not available for iOS and Windows yet.

Toyota will begin selling fuel cell cars in Japan on December 15

Tokyo: There will only be a few hundred, and they won’t be cheap, but Toyota is about to take its first small step into the unproven market for emissions-free, hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The world’s largest automaker announced Tuesday that it will begin selling fuel cell cars in Japan on December 15 and in the US and Europe in mid-2015. The sporty-looking, four-door Toyota Mirai will retail for 6.7 million yen ($57,600) before taxes. Toyota Motor Corp hopes to sell 400 in Japan and 300 in the rest of the world in the first year.

“In time, the fuel cell vehicle will become mainstream. We wanted to take the first step,” said Mitsuhisa Kato, a Toyota executive vice president, at the vehicle’s launch Tuesday. “We want to be at the leading edge.”

Fuel cell vehicles run on compressed hydrogen gas, which in the Mirai’s case is stored in two tanks mounted underneath the vehicle. They emit no exhaust, though fossil fuels are used in the production of hydrogen and to pressurize it. Both Honda and Hyundai are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars. Honda showed a fuel cell concept car on Monday.

Besides the relatively high cost, buyers will have to contend with finding fuel. Only a few dozen hydrogen filling stations have been built worldwide, though governments are subsidizing the construction of more.

It’s an uncertain future that depends both on whether makers can bring down the price, and a wide-enough network of filling stations is built. Yoshikazu Tanaka, deputy chief engineer for Toyota’s next generation vehicle development, said he expects it will take 10-20 years for the Mirai to reach sales in the tens of thousands of vehicles a year.

Asked if it’s a risk, he said yes, but Toyota views it as a challenge. Likening it to a chicken and egg situation, he said if you say it’s too risky and don’t move forward with production, the number of filling stations will never grow. Toyota faced a similar scenario with its gasoline-electric hybrid, the Prius, which now sells in big numbers.

“It was a big challenge when we first introduced the Prius, or hybrid car, in 1997,” he said in an interview in Tokyo. “And it’s an even bigger challenge this time because there is no infrastructure, and we’re trying to lead” the commercialization of fuel cell cars.

Hoping to offset the inconvenience of finding fuel, Toyota gave the car a futuristic look inside and out – Mirai means future in Japanese – and made it peppy to try to attract buyers. It accelerates particularly quickly from about 40 to 70 kilometers (25 to 45 miles) per hour, Tanaka said.

The Japanese government also plans to offer a 2 million yen subsidy to purchasers of fuel cell cars, reducing the effective price to 4.7 million yen.

Sales will be limited to the primarily urban areas that have fueling stations.

In Japan, with about 30 stations, that means the regions around Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya cities in central and western Japan and the northern part of Kyushu island in the south. A few stations have opened in California in the United States, and there are plans to build some in the Northeast. Germany and the United Kingdom are among European countries that have or plan to build them.

The company has about 200 pre-orders for the vehicle, mainly government agencies and companies that want to go green, the company said. Over time, Kato said, Toyota hopes to help build a “hydrogen society.”

The Mirai can travel 650 to 700 kilometers (400-435 miles) on its two tanks of hydrogen. Hydrogen may be more expensive than gas initially, because there are so few customers but, over time, Toyota expects it will be cheaper to run a car on hydrogen than with gas.

“To rely less on oil is very important,” said Kato. “Japan has to spend its money to import fuel, so we should use it as carefully as possible.” 

Too much salt in one’s diet increases the risk of contracting kidney problems

The researchers found high sodium intake (an average of 4.7g a day) is linked with an increased risk of needing dialysis, but no benefit was seen for low sodium intake (average 2g a day).

“Our findings extend the known benefits of healthy eating and show that the consumption of a healthy diet may protect from future major renal events,” said Andrew Smyth from the National University of Ireland, Galway.

“As dietary modification is a low-cost, simple intervention, it offers the potential to significantly reduce the burden from chronic kidney disease, while also protecting from cardiovascular disease,” Smyth added in the study involving 544,635 participants.

These findings were confirmed by a separate study that found that reducing salt intake reduces albuminuria, or excess protein in the urine, which is a hallmark of kidney dysfunction.

In the study involving 120 rural villages in China, researchers analysed the results of an 18-month sodium reduction programme.

The findings of the study led by Meg Jardine from The George Institute for International Health, in Australia and her colleagues revealed that individuals who underwent sodium reduction had a 33 percent decreased likelihood of having albuminuria compared with individuals in the control villages.

Both the studies were presented at ASN (American Society of Nephrology) Kidney Week Nov 11-16, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sydney’s Allphones Arena

Sydney:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today told the Indian Diaspora living in Australia that there are many people who were born after independence and therefore could not get the opportunity to sacrifice their lives for the nation but they all have the opportunity now to live for the country.

“We couldn’t die for the nation, but we can live for the nation, that is something that everyone has the opportunity to do,” Narendra Modi told a rapturous crowd at Allphones Arena  of Olympic park in Sydney.

“I am fortunate that I am the first PM of India who was born in independent India,hence I feel greater responsibility.We couldn’t die for the nation, but we can live for the nation, that is something that everyone has got the opportunity to do. It takes one day to come to Australia, but it took 28 years for an Indian PM to come here. My friends in Australia I assure you…you won’t have to wait for 28 years,” said Modi.

“India is young. Full of young energy. We have capacity to work. Swami had talked about it. It was his dream – In front of my eyes, I can see my mother as vishwa guru. She will be a guide to the world. That is why I have faith in the great vision of the Swami. 6 months are nothing for this huge nation. I want to ask you, do you have the faith that I have? Can we serve humanity, can we stand tall again? We you agree, they your faith will become god’s blessing. If you have faith then there is nothing that can stop us,” added Modi.

02:32 pm: Modi concludes his speech with chants of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’

02:31 PM: Modi- God is pleased when we work for others.

02:27 pm: Modi- We have an embassy in Sydney, where I wish to set up cultural centre. If you have any complain, suggestion or solution then you can post on my website. You will now get visa on arrival. Are you happy? (Crowd cheers). We are working towards this. You have taken a special train to come here. It’s a working day, and look at the crowd. I was extremely grateful for your love. I assure you, I will not falter in working hard. Whatever energy I have I will use for my nation. India has given us a lot and its time we return.

02:26 pm: Modi-There is also this debate about OCI and PIO, about special treatments. I have decided to merge both. When I made promises to PIOs/NRIs they didnt belve me because promises had been made bfr,but we got working on it.Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held on the same day that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India.You remember there was a time of police verification for you when you came to India. It was very odd.I have started a website called mygov.in. Please post your suggestions and your complaints on it.

02:24 pm: Modi- you might feel that when we go to the embassies nobody answers us. No one receives calls, or responds. You might think – ok Modi was here and now we are back to square one. I had spoken in Madison square garden, but people didn’t believe that I would fulfill what I had promised. But I did. My people in US will get a lifetime visa. Ahmedabad will be celebrating Pravasi Bharati divas. Mahatma Gandhi’s return from Africa will be celebrated as the occasion completes 100 years

02:22 pm: Modi- To get your applications approved you needed a minister or gazetted officer’s signature. But I did not like it it. We must have faith in people – NOT DOUBT THEM. Had I not no faith in the poor, they would not have deposited Rs 500 crore in the banks. We must respect our mothers and sisters. I introduced shrameva jayate.

02:20 pm: Modi- Ab dunia bahubal say nahii, buddhibal say chalnii vaali hai. Now the world is not going to fight with armforce . The world will now engage in battle f mind of intellect. I know that behind these cheers, love and respect, you have hope. I too share your dreams. You want to see India at a higher realm, I too want to see India there. But now we know that governments don’t run the country. It’s the people who run the country.

02:15 pm: Modi: We have decided that railway must have four institute of its own and those who educate themselves in the institute will be illegible for the job.  There are many nations who have technology, but insufficient workforce. No matter how we advance in technology, if there is no workforce, no one will reap and our nation has done enough to create workforce. But that is not enough. We need skilled workforce. If we can export the best quality of teachers, then we will be able to buy the world. We can create such individuals who can skillfully lead the world. With a lot of courage we opted for 100% FDI in railways in India. Have such a huge market & window for improvement.

02:13 pm: Modi-We have started Make in India programme, everything for job creation for our youth who can contribute to the world. Whenever someone wants to invest in a country, the investors need to be given high quality of life.That is what “Make In India” aims to do. In Gujarat wanted Japanese investment but were told if u dont hv golf, Japanese wont come. So created golf course.

02:10 pm: Modi- We are moving with the same technology, same system. We have the same trains- population is increasing but coaches are the same, speed is the same. So we have decided to introduce 100% FDI in railway. No one will ever get more passengers than in India in the railway.

02:04 pm: Modi- I am grateful to all those who have contributed. In 2019, on Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birthday anniversary- we want a clean India. This is a tribute that we can pay to our leader. We need strength to undertake this task. We want the world to invest in India. That is why I launched ‘Make in India’ campaign. I want my country’s youth to get employed. That is why I have invited the world to invest. Even if someone comes to invest, they will ask what about qualitative life? When I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I was told, if there is not golf in Gujarat then Japan wouldn’t come to Gujarat. I know that Gujarat has gully- danda, but golf…I told my ministers, I don’t care about golf, I just want investors and you get them anyhow.

02:00 pm: Modi- If 1.25 billion people unite for a cause, then there is no way we can falter.  These days I’m busy building toilets. Imgagine, a Prime Minister now has to be involved in this too. But it’s important for a nation where women are facing hygiene issues because of this. Therefore, I request you all, try to help your country in whatever small way you can. When I had come to Australia before this, the most outstanding attribute of Australia that I noticed was dignity of labor.I have launched Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan  as a Prime Minister, I am not ashamed – and I have learned this from Australia.I have always admired the concept of dignity of labour in Australia. A research scientist can also drive a cab. Dignity of labor should be learned from Australia. Want to propagate the idea that cleaning isn’t below dignity.

01:55 pm: Modi- From October 2, I launched Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan. Do you dirty your place here? But what happens when you go to India? I know its not an easy task to clear out all the mess. But if it’s difficult should we not at least try? If we take up the challenge then the bad image of India can also be cleaned up. I invite you all to contribute to the movement in any way you can. We call the man who picks up our garbage as kachrewala, he is safaiwala. We have to change mindset. Illness is a big burden on the poor. There is no greater service to the poor than focussing on cleanliness.

Bandaru Dattatreya Union Minister for Labour and Employment promises to help complete Hyderabad Metro Rail

Hyderabad: Union labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya said the Hyderabad Metro Rail was his dream and that he would ensure all the cooperation from the Centre for its speedy completion.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “The realignment of Metro on certain stretches will impose an additional financial burden. The Centre had already given Rs 1,458 crore as vialbility gap funding. If the need arises, I will convince the Centre to sanction another Rs 1,500 crore to ensure that the project does not get affected due to financial problems.”

Referring to his priorities as labour minister, Mr Dattatreya said, “I will focus on imparting skills to the nearly 42 crore strong unorganised labour sector. Industry-friendly policies will be promoted to increase industrialisation as that would increase employment.”

He said he would talk to trade unions who have planned a nationwide protest on December 5 against the alleged anti-worker policies of the NDA, and work for a solution. The government is simplifing labour laws and ending arbitrariness in inspections of factories, he said. He said he would work for the welfare of lakhs of beedi  workers and others in Telangana.

Congress MLA joined the TRS

Hyderabad: One more Congress MLA joined the TRS on Sunday. Chevella MLA K.Yadaiah and several local ZPTCs, MPTCs, sarpanches and hundreds of activists joined the TRS in the presence of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at the Telangana Bhavan.

He was welcomed into the party by Mr Rao with the party’s pink khanduva. He praised Mr Yadaiah for his decision to join the TRS and said his entry would strengthen the ruling party to achieve ‘Bangaru Telangana’ (golden Telangana).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rao urged all political parties to join hands to get Bangaru Telangana by setting aside their political differences. He promised to turn Chevella into the most developed constituency though it was neglected for years despite its close proximity to Hyderabad.

Stating that he was inspired by Mr Rao’s vision, Mr Yadaiah offered total support in working towards the development of Telangana State. With Mr Yadaiah’s entry into TRS, the Congress had lost four of its MLAs in about five months out of its original strength of 21 MLAs in the House.

Earlier, three Congress MLAs K.Kanakayya, G.Vittal Reddy and D.S.Redya Naik had joined TRS. Despite Congress making several attempts to prevent Mr Yadaiah from joining the

TRS, they proved futile.

TRS MLA Konda Surekha who spoke on the occasion said that with Mr Yadiah joining TRS, the ruling party has been further strengthened in Ranga Reddy district and Congress has become a ‘closed chapter’.

The ‘Modi Express’ Chugs In Too, PM Narendra Modi reaches Allphones Arena, to address Indian diaspora soon

SYDNEY:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Sydney today after three days in Brisbane, where he attended the annual G20 summit. In Sydney, PM Modi will make his first public address in Australia at the Allphones Arena in the Olympic Park at 6.30 pm Sydney time (1 pm IST). 16,000 Australian-Indians are expected to attend.

1. “Hello Sydney!” said a tweet from the Prime Minister’s Office, accompanied by a photo of Mr Modi waving as he arrived at the Sydney airport dressed in a pink shirt, grey trousers and a blue half-jacket. PM Modi, who is the first Indian prime minister to visit Australia in 28 years, will be in Sydney for six hours.
2. “Modi fever grips Sydney,” the Canberra Times said in a headline on Sunday. “The city will get a dose of Modi-mania when the Indian Prime Minister makes a quick-fire, high-energy visit,” the newspaper said in a report in its online edition.
3. Mr Modi was given warm welcome in Sydney. Traditional Australian artists performed and a boomerang was gifted to the PM. The reception later in the evening has been organised by members of the Australian-Indian community.
4. About 220 Modi fans traveled 11 hours on a specially chartered train being called the “Modi Express” for the Sydney event. A Modi fan said the “Prime Minister is lifting the image of India worldwide.” Another said it was “an honour just to get a glimpse of the PM.”
5. A special Gujarati thali was served on board the train. At Melbourne, and on the Modi Express, there was a carnival-like atmosphere – Indians waved the national flag and sang and danced.
6. Apart from the 16,000 people that are expected to pack the Allphones Arena, about 5,000 more are expected to watch as Mr Modi speaks on big screens outside the venue.
7. Volunteers who took days off from work to organise the Sydney event, have promised a reception more grand than the one Mr Modi received in September at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York, the playground of the biggest rock stars.
8. About 20,000 people had attended that sold-out event, where the Indian community chanted “Modi, Modi” amid song and colourful dance performances. Hundreds of other NRIs had watched Mr Modi speak on giant screen at New York’s Times Square.
9. PM Modi’s last engagement in Brisbane was a breakfast meeting with top business leaders in Queensland. Dressed in a black suit with a peach-coloured shirt, he assured them that they will find a difference in doing business with India now and promised, “The government is focused on eliminating unnecessary laws and regulations, making processes easier and shorter.”
10. After six hectic hours in Sydney, PM Modi will leave for Canberra and then will visit Melbourne. He is visiting four cities in Australia as part of a 10-day, three-nation tour. He will visit Fiji while on his way back to India from Australia.