Google Allows Spotify Its Own In-App Payment Option in New Pilot

Alphabet’s Google on Wednesday said it would allow Spotify to use its own payment system in its Android app as part of a new pilot aimed at countering appmakers’ concerns about high fees and allegedly anticompetitive behaviour. Users who have downloaded Spotify from the Google Play Store will be presented with a choice to pay with either Spotify’s payment system or with Google Play Billing in some countries in the coming months. The pilot will allow a small number of participating developers, starting with Spotify, to offer an additional billing option next to Google Play’s billing system…

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US firm Vanguard Group made Rs 1,294 crore investment in 10 stocks, in single day; do you own any?

The Vanguard Group Inc, the US-based investment management company, invested nearly Rs 1,300 crore in a single day on March 15 when the Nifty50 closed at fresh six-month high. The investment firm through its Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index bought equity stake in 10 Indian companies through open market transactions. As per the bulk deal data published on National Stock Exchange, 10 stocks where the firm purchased equity shares are Aarti Industries, Bata India, Castrol India, DCB Bank, NIIT Technologies, RBL Bank, TeamLease Services, TTK Prestige and V-Guard Industries. Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index bought shares worth Rs 1,294 crore,…

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BJP’s Record on Education Runs Afoul of Its Own Manifesto

In their short social life and even shorter life in public memory, election manifestos perform a variety of tasks. Attempting to strike different notes at once, they sway between grandiose promise-making, novelty and a teaser of all good things that would unfurl post-elections. Intentions, promises and possible actions form common elements of the script that covers broad issues including foreign relations, defence and social security. While revealing an overall direction, focus and emphasis, manifestos also do the work of re-framing, re-naming and signalling. Given its crucial role in not just…

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Matt Kuchar, social media, and stories that take on lives of their own

att Kuchar leaves Hawaii a winner, but not entirely unscathed. That’s the prevailing sentiment from a sect of golf observers, the byproduct of an accusation by a former PGA Tour player on Saturday afternoon. The match was lit at 5:08 p.m. ET; by 10, Kuchar, a beloved and venerated personality by American crowds, had come on the business end of a Twitter roasting . . . over how much he paid a fill-in caddie. Five hours is all it took. Five hours in which Kuchar was on the golf course,…

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Virat Kohli Launches Own Lifestyle Brand, Urges Kids to Play More

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli on Thursday pushed the cause of physical fitness and encouraged kids to play outdoor sports while launching his personal athleisure line with a German sports lifestyle brand. After unveiling his personal One8 line, Kohli, who recently turned 29, said all health concerns will disappear if one is able to take care of one’s body. For the uninitiated, 18 happens to be the Indian skipper’s jersey number. “There is so much of technology that children nowadays don’t go out and play..they are more interested in…

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How Trumps Tax Proposal Could Impact His Own Business Empire

President Donald Trump’s massive tax-cut proposal would slash taxes on hundreds of businesses he and his family own. The White House on Wednesday unveiled a proposal that would cut the top tax rate for corporations, as well as entities known as pass-through businesses, to 15 percent. That could prove to be a windfall for the Trump Organization, the private umbrella company for hundreds of Trump real estate, licensing and other companies, many of which qualify as pass-through businesses. Trump has refused to release his tax returns, making it impossible to…

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