UK teen virtually ‘gang-raped’ in metaverse game, cops begin probe
British Police are investigating an alleged gang rape case in a virtual reality game involving a 16-year-old girl's avatar. The incident raises concerns about pursuing virtual offenses while dealing with a backlog of real rape cases. Key Points
mintSony doubles down on virtual production business using its hardware muscle
Sony Group (6758.T) is increasing its focus on the virtual production business where it is seeing market-beating growth, a company executive said, riding on the strength of the Japanese entertainment conglomerate's technology. Key Points
ReutersRIL-owned RISE inks deal with ECB to monetise virtual inventory
We have signed a deal to manage virtual inventory rights with the ECB for the Ashes. Earlier, we had a deal with Cricket Australia (CA), which is again in process of awarding virtual inventory rights, said Rise Worldwide Head of Sponsorship, Sales & Talent, Nikhil Bardia. Key Points
Economic Timesvirtual ATM is here: No need to go to ATM; use OTP to get cash from nearby shop; know how
Paymart India has come up with a virtual, cardless and hardware-less cash withdrawal service called virtual ATM . To withdraw money using this virtual ATM, all you need is a smartphone, a mobile banking application and an Internet connection. What is a virtual ATM? How does it work? Who can withdraw money from virtual ATMs? How to locate your nearest virtual ATM? ET Online explains. Key Points
Economic TimesScientists say virtual meetings on Google Meet, Zoom and Teams are dangerous for brain and heart
The increased reliance on virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns over its potential health impacts. A study reveals that excessive use of such platforms can lead to mental and physical strain, including increased stress and strain on the brain and heart. Key Points
India Today
India could soon have 24x7 virtual courts to dispose of all sorts of cases
Virtual courts can be managed by virtual judges whose jurisdiction can be extended to the entire state and whose working hours may be 24/7, the notification further stated on the terms of reference of the study. Neither litigant need to come to court nor judge will have to physically preside over the court. Thus, precious judicial time will also be saved, it has said. Key Points
Economic TimesLeague of Legends Worlds 2023: Heartsteel croons debut song ‘Paranoia’
Hearts? Stolen. League of Legends virtual band Heartsteel electrified the LOL Worlds 2023 opening ceremony with debut song Paranoia. Read more below. Key Points
Hindustan TimesUS employers hire virtual providers as weight-loss drug gatekeepers
U.S. employers facing surging costs from paying for Novo Nordisk’s (NOVOb.CO) Wegovy and similar obesity drugs are hiring virtual healthcare providers like Teladoc (TDOC.N) to implement weight-loss management programs, a dozen consultants, pharmacy benefit managers, analysts, and providers told Reuters. Key Points
ReutersChristmas 2023: virtual celebration ideas to connect with loved ones
Christmas is almost here. Sprinkle some holiday cheer into your virtual festivities with these engaging and entertaining ideas. Key Points
Hindustan Times‘No consensus’ on 2-state solution to Palestine at virtual G20 meet. Xi & Biden skip, Trudeau attends
The G20 summit, hosted by Modi, got no proposal on situation in Gaza but all leaders welcomed ‘humanitarian truce’, says foreign minister S Jaishankar. Putin, too, was present for the meet. Key Points
ThePrint
ETtech In-depth | Micropayments: Internet's 'sachet moment' in India
Be it shelling out Rs 10 for a tarot card reading session online, Rs 50 for a quick online game or Rs 30 in virtual offering at a temple, micropayments, enabled by UPI in India, are driving new-age users to consume and pay for a variety of services on the Internet. For apps, this avenue for revenue generation means big business. Key Points
Economic TimesEcommerce operators face problem in GST drive to check fake registration
Centre and state GST authorities have on May 16 launched a two-month drive to check fake registration under Goods and Services Tax (GST). The fake registrations are mainly taken to defraud the exchequer by wrongfully claiming Input Tax Credit (ITC). Key Points
Economic TimesMeta to signal future of AR/VR investments at annual Connect conference
Meta (META.O) CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday is set to update investors on his plan to build the immersive metaverse that he has pitched as the future of computing at the company's first in-person conference since the start of the pandemic. Key Points
Reuters'Would be presumptuous...': India on Bilawal Bhutto's SCO virtual meet remarks
Recently, Pakistan's foreign minister, Bilawal Bhutto, said his visit to India during the last Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet compelled the country to go virtual for the next summit. To this, India said, "it would be presumptuous of anyone to think that one factor or one person would have had a role in the SCO". Key Points
India TodayGoogle releases new features to enhance online shopping
Google has introduced two new features to aid people when they shop for clothes online. These include the virtual Try-On and Guided Refinements features. Key Points
The Hindu
Where Have All the Chief Metaverse Officers Gone?
The captains of industry that were going to pilot us through new virtual worlds are still around. They're just going by a new name. Key Points
WIREDWWDC 2023: Apple launches Vision Pro, CEO Tim Cook calls it beginning of a new computing era
Rumours have been around for a while. At WWDC 2023 Apple confirmed it. Apple on Monday launched Vision Pro, a new kind of virtual reality headset that blends virtual and real spaces. Apple CEO Tim Cook called it beginning of a new computing era. Key Points
India TodayBinance ordered to stop all digital currency services in Belgium
Binance ordered to stop all digital currency services in Belgium. To learn more, read the full story on The Hindu. Key Points
The HinduCan VR influencers save the metaverse?
Some people think the vision of a virtual world is dead. But others still believe it's the future. Key Points
BBC NewsSay hello to digital colleagues
We have experienced significant virtual work tools during the pandemic. Can those acquire permanence, and even extend to realms like the metaverse? These excerpts from Work 3.0 envisage a digital office in the metaverse. Key Points
Financialexpress
'Operating illegally': India's Financial Intelligence Unit asks IT Ministry to block URLs of Binance, 8 others
Besides Binance, notice has been issued to Kucoin, Huobi, Kraken, Gate.io, Bittrex, Bitstamp, MEXC Global, and Bitfinex. Key Points
Business TodayTrudeau highlights ‘rule of law’ at virtual G20 summit
A readout from the Canadian said that Trudeau “highlighted the importance of coordinated G20 leadership and action to uphold the rule of law and international law,” among other matters. Interestingly, the readout did not mention the virtual summit was hosted by Modi. | World News Key Points
Hindustan TimesUS Woman marries AI bot created on Replika, calls him the perfect husband
A US-based woman fell in love with an AI chatbot created on Replika and 'married' him this year. She says that he is 'the best husband'. Key Points
India TodayWhat are ‘metacrimes’ – and how can we stop them?
Metacrimes are those crimes occurring in the metaverse. The Apple Vision Pro is the newest tool for Australians to access three-dimensional, immersive... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaValentines Day gift beyond reality: VR headsets will hit it out of the park
Break the shackles of contemporary Valentines Day gifts and move ahead with tech. virtual Reality headsets can be an excellent way to bring experience to a different world of reality. Check out the top option for your partner. Key Points
mint
Apple Vision Pro: Can it really buck the trend of augmented reality flops?
Apple's new mixed-reality glasses launched with plenty of hype. But history suggests the device might face an uphill battle, says Chris Stokel-Walker. Key Points
BBCCrypto taxation in India: What NRIs needs to know
India has clarified the tax implications of virtual Digital Assets (VDAs), including cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens, brought under the definition of VDAs. The gains from the sale of VDAs may fall under either Capital Gains or Income from Business and Profession, while losses from one VDA cannot be used to offset gains from another VDA. The tax on gains from the transfer of VDAs will be at a special tax rate of 30%, with no exemption limit applicable. Key Points
Economic TimesRomance and matchmaking could get easier with a little help from our machine friends
We are living in a time where technology is changing faster than what most of us can keep pace with. Ways of matchmaking may change if Elon Musk-commended Neuralink crashes into the matchmaking scene any time in the future. Right now, it is a nascent tech still at an experimental stage for individuals suffering from disabilities or degenerative disorders. But with its power to screen thoughts through a brain chip, it has the potential to be leveraged for matching partners from among eligible Neuralink-ed candidates. Key Points
The Economic TimesPM Modi tells G20 leaders to prevent Israel-Hamas conflict from escalating
The summit, hosted by India, aimed to assess progress on policy suggestions and goals outlined during the annual G20 summit in New Delhi last September. Wednesday's summit was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Japan's Fumio Kishida, Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan, Canada's Justin Trudeau, Australia's Anthony Albanese and Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, among others. Key Points
Economic TimesThe Las Vegas Sphere Makes virtual Reality a Full-Body Experience
Put down those goggles. The Las Vegas Sphere’s giant wraparound display turned a U2 show and a mind-bending new film into a virtual reality experience. Key Points
WIRED
Smell Your Way Out of the Uncanny Valley
In simulated environments, smell is often the neglected sense. Scentient’s wearable device aims to bring a whiff of authenticity to virtual reality. Key Points
WIREDWoman marries Replika AI chatbot, says he is perfect as she won't have to deal with his family
A 36-year-old woman fell in love with her AI chatbot, that she had created on Replika. She said that she won't have to deal with his family, kids, or friends and has the control and freedom to do whatever she wants. Key Points
India Today