Data-friendly Twitter Lite now in India
San Francisco, Aug 14: The micro-blogging platform on Tuesday made its data-friendly Twitter Lite Android app available in 21 more countries, including India, which can be downloaded from Google Play Store.
Built for 2G and 3G networks which are still in use in several parts of India, Twitter Lite has an install size of 3MB, which saves data and space and loads quickly on unreliable or patchy networks.
"Twitter is committed to add value to the expression of our users, allowing them to share their experiences and views in a more meaningful and engaging manner," Mahima Kaul, Head of Public Policy, Twitter India, said in a statement.
Twitter Lite is now available in the Google Play Store in more than 45 countries.
After a successful trial in the Philippines, Twitter rolled out the data-friendly Lite Android app in 24 countries in December 2017.
"While using the app on 2G or 3G, you'll notice that content will load quickly on Twitter Lite. We want to make sure you can see what's happening no matter what network you're on," the company said.
By enabling data saver mode, users can control which images and videos load on their phones.
"You can still load all the content at any time by hitting 'Load image' or 'Load video', helping you save money and data in real time," said Twitter.
The "Bookmarks" feature allows users to save important Tweets for later.
"Twitter Lite supports push notifications, allowing you to keep up with what's happening around the world," said the micro-blogging platform that currently has 335 million users.
The night mode feature gives timeline a darker theme -- easier on eyes and to read even during the day.
"Threaded Tweets are now available on Twitter Lite. We've made it easy to create a thread by adding a plus button in the composer, so you can connect your thoughts and publish your threaded Tweets all at the same time," said the statement.
Twitetr also unveiled a Red Fort emoji and live streams from news partners on the platform to commemorate India's 72 years of independence.
Twiteratti can tweet with the hashtag #IndiaIndependenceDay to activate a Red Fort emoji on Twitter and Twitter Lite apps ahead of Independence Day.
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Siddaramaiah will continue as K'taka CM under 'current situation': Minister Parameshwara
Mysuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday asserted that Siddaramaiah will continue as the Chief Minister for the full five-year term under the "current situation".
He, however, maintained that any decision regarding the leadership change rests solely with the Congress high command.
"We don't know anything (about leadership change). Who said there will be a change? Who will change? The AICC has to do it. Since they haven't said anything, should we keep guessing? When they want to make changes, the high command will say so; they might not make any changes either," Parameshwara told reporters.
Asked if Siddaramaiah will continue as Chief Minister, he said, "Of course, he will, why shouldn't he? Siddaramaiah will continue under the current situation."
"If Siddaramaiah cannot continue, I'm not the one to say; it will not happen just because Parameshwara says so; the high command has to say," he added.
Amid the ongoing power tussle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah recently asserted that the party's government will remain in power for two more years and that he is the Chief Minister of the state.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
To a query about Shivakumar's aspirations to become the CM, the Home Minister said, "... He is our party state president, our senior leader and the Deputy Chief Minister. Who has to make him the Chief Minister? The high command has to respond, what they say is final. Let's wait until then."
In response to a question on the leadership issue causing a lot of confusion, Parameshwara asked, "Who created confusion? Did the Congress high command do it?"
Recalling that there was no explicit declaration in 2013 that Siddaramaiah would serve as the CM for five years, but he successfully completed his term until 2018, he said, "When Siddaramaiah was made CM in 2023, he has to be there for the full term. If he will not be there for the full term, high command has to decide."
Clarifying that the results of the upcoming by-polls in Bagalkote and Davanagere South will have no bearing on the CM's position, the senior Minister said, "Why should they be linked? Has anyone said there will be a change? Leave the BJP aside, we don't want their assessment. Should we run the administration based on what the BJP says?"
"There may be some discussion regarding a change in our party, but I'm not ready to say that there will be changes after the bypolls. Others can make their own personal assessments," he added.
Bypolls for the Bagalkot and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies will be held on April 9. The polls were necessitated following the deaths of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, respectively.
BJP MP and former CM Basavaraj Bommai recently said that the ongoing power tussle within the ruling Congress has taken a "short break" because of bypolls, and claimed that the state will witness a "political wrestling" for the Chief Minister's chair in May.
