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From the tech world: Four key updates on Google, WhatsApp, Facebook & Insta

From WhatsApp sets record on New Year's eve, Google online store adds new dedicated section for subscriptions, to Facebook to offer more security features in 2021, here are the top tech news of the week.

Farmers firm on their demands, no headway in talks, next round on Jan 8

Camping at Delhi borders for over a month now, protesting farmers seem undeterred in the face of severe cold, rains and waterlogging, and firm on their demands for repeal of farm laws and legal backing for MSP even as talks with the government remained inconclusive. On Monday, the seventh round of talks were held to resolve the deadlock. The unions stuck to their demand for a complete repeal of the new farm laws they find pro-corporate, while the government wanted to discuss only "problematic" clauses or other alternatives. The two sides will meet again on January 8.

Covid vaccine war out in open: Bharat Biotech takes on Serum Institute

Amid questions raised by industry experts and opposition parties on the emergency approval to its coronavirus vaccine Covaxin without publication of efficacy data, Bharat Biotech's chairman on Monday hit out at critics saying his firm had carried out "200 per cent honest clinical trials". Speaking to reporters at a virtual press conference, Krishna Ella said his firm has a track record of producing safe and efficacious vaccines and was transparent with all data. Watch the video for his full reply to his detractors.

Watch: Reasons why GST collections hit record high of Rs 1.15 trillion

GST collections surged to an all-time high of over Rs 1.15 trillion in December as economic activities picked up after lifting of stringent lockdown restrictions. Mop-up from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is levied when a consumable item is sold or a service such as travel booking rendered, in December was 12 per cent higher than such receipts in the same month of 2019. Watch the video to know what Finance Secretary has to say about the reasons behind such a surge.

Farm stir: Truck turned into makeshift home with sofa, TV and a toilet too!

A Jalandhar-based farmer who has been protesting at the Singhu border against the three agriculture laws has turned a container truck into a fully equipped temporary home. Harpreet Singh Mattu's temporary accommodation has all basic amenities like a sofa, bed, TV and even a functional toilet along with mobile charging points.

Beyond Budget Headlines: Govt should standardise income-tax rates, widen base

The year 2020 was no ordinary year and so the Budget 2021 will also not be an ordinary budget. We have had enough indication from the government that the public spending momentum will continue and fiscal deficit will not be a big cause of worry for the Finance Minister. But what should Budget do to boost investment and spur economic recovery? Don't underestimate the importance of increasing investment, says Business Standard's in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya, as the demand recovery will require more investment to be made. Watch the fourth episode of our special pre-Budget video series, Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB, to also learn why shrinking tax base is a huge challenge and bank recapitalisation is the need of the hour.

BS views of the week: Why companies cut wages when profits soared

From how economies and economics changed in 10 years to India's trade isolation through increasingly protectionist policies, and more. Here's what Business Standard columnists wrote this week.

India's coronavirus vaccine wait is over: Final approval for these shots

India's drugs regulator on Sunday approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive. The approval by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) was given on the basis of recommendations submitted by a COVID-19 subject expert committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Sourav Ganguly health updates: Stable after angioplasty at Kolkata hospital

BCCI president and former India skipper Sourav Ganguly Saturday suffered a "mild" heart attack and had to undergo a quick "primary angioplasty" to clear a blocked coronary artery, a doctor said. The cricket icon is conscious and his condition is being monitored. He was diagnosed with three blocked coronary arteries after which a stent was inserted in one to remove the blockage, Dr Saroj Mandal, whose team performed the procedure at private Woodlands Hospital, said.

A sunrise of hope, happiness: India rings in New Year with prayers, parties

From 2021's first sunrise, farmers at Delhi borders' prayers, to celebrations across the nation, we bring to you visuals that will give you a sense of how the country welcomed New Year despite the pandemic.

CBSE board exams 2021: Dates announced by Education Minister Pokhriyal

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct classes 10 and 12 exams from May 4 to June 10 next year, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' announced on Thursday. Practical examinations will be conducted from March 1. The results of the board exams will be announced by July 15. Watch the announcement video.

Modi's mantra for 2021 as India set for world's 'largest' vaccination drive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said people should not let their guard down and strictly abide by coronavirus preventive norms even after vaccination. Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rajkot through video conferencing, Modi said the number of new coronavirus cases are decreasing in the country. "I used to say 'jab tak davai nahi dhilai nahi' but now our mantra for 2021 should be: Davai bhi, kadaai bhi (yes to medicine and yes to caution)," Modi said.

Watch: Team India welcomes Rohit Sharma in style, MCG honours for Rahane

Star batsman Rohit Sharma has joined the Indian team here after completing his two-week quarantine in Sydney, bolstering the tourists who are on a high after scripting an incredible comeback in the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia. Days after recording their lowest Test total of 36 in the series-opener in Adelaide, the Indian team staged a remarkable turnaround to humble Australia by eights wickets and level the rubber at the MCG.

Vistadome tourist coaches to make train journeys 'memorable' for passengers

December 2020 added another feather to the cap of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) as its new design vistadome tourist coach successfully completed the 180 kmph trial run. These coaches are equipped with air-spring suspension in secondary stage for better ride comfort, large glass windows and glass roof that boast electrically controlled opalescence, transparent roof for the passengers to get a panoramic view of their journey, observatory lounge with a larger window at one end. Watch the video to know more

Will vaccines work against new strains? Govt's take and other Covid updates

India has reported at least six cases of the new coronavirus strain detected in the UK, prompting the government to direct genome sequencing of samples from all passengers who arrived in India from December 9 to 22 and tested positive for Covid-19 or were symptomatic as it ramped up the surveillance and containment strategy. A temporary ban on the flights connecting to the United Kingdom has been extended beyond December 31 to January 7, Union Minister Hardeep Puri said as authorities stressed the need to remain vigilant, noting that though the cases have been declining in India, they are on the rise globally and the new strain detected in the UK had spread to several countries.

IAF Chief on China's game plan, 'pawn' Pakistan and Galwan 'misadventure'

Pakistan's dependence on China is going to increase as the country is set to reel under a Chinese debt-trap, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said India's "most important" national security challenge is to understand China, its "possible game plan" and the deepening and evolving Sino-Pak relationship.

India's first driverless train for Delhi Metro: All you need to know

India's first-ever driverless train operations on the Delhi Metro's Magenta Line was on Monday inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said his government unlike its predecessors has taken growing urbanisation as an opportunity and asserted that metro train services will be extended to 25 cities by 2025 from the current 18 cities. The driverless trains of Delhi Metro will offer more reliability due to reduced human intervention, and are equipped with hi-tech cameras and obstruction sensing devices to ensure safety of passengers.

Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB: Why bad banks are a bad, bad idea

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been saying that Budget 2021 will not be like any other before. What might that mean? Coming against the backdrop of a pandemic that has, arguably, wrecked the economy like never before, it could mean she has more big-ticket relief measures up her sleeve. But it could also mean, says Business Standard's in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya, that she is preparing the nation for something unpleasant -- something like a one-time Covid tax to raise additional funds to push through more spending and help expedite economic recovery. Watch this video to also learn which big schemes could get more funding and which the axe, and if setting up multiple bad banks would be a good idea.

BS view of the week: It was not just Covid-19 that made 2020 one of the worst years

From what the jobs data tells us about economic recovery in the third quarter to why the elderly should be prioritised for vaccination over even frontline workers, and more. Here's what Business Standard columnists wrote this week.

PM Modi slams Mamata govt for 'blocking central benefits' to farmers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday squarely blamed those with political agenda for the deadlock in the government's talks with protesting farmers and said genuine apprehensions about MSP guarantee have got overshadowed by unrelated issues such as the release of those accused of violence and making highways toll-free.