CA January 6 & 7
RAJIV SINGH TAKES OVER AS ACTING CEO OF PRASAR BHARATI
Member (Finance) in Prasar Bharati Rajiv Singh has taken over as the acting CEO of the public broadcaster. He succeeded Mr Suresh Panda, who retired on Monday. Prasar Bharati looks after the functioning of Doordarshan and All India Radio.
MORE THAN 16,39,000 STREET BULBS REPLACED WITH LED ACROSS COUNTRY UNDER SLNP
More than 16 lakh 39 thousand street bulbs have been replaced with LED Lights throughout the country under Street Lighting National Programme.
Power Minister Piyush Goyal informed this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the SLNP on January, 2015 to attain significant savings by promoting LED based lighting.
The scheme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited and has target to install 3.5 crore LED street lights in all the Urban Local Bodies by March, 2019. Mr Goyal also informed the Rajya Sabha that out of 18,452 un-electrified villages, more than 11 thousand 900 villages have been electrified under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana.
CENTRE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS IN H1-B VISA MATTER: SITHARAMAN
Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the Centre was following developments in the H1-B visa matter and her ministry would hold a meeting with industry stakeholders soon. Ms. Sitharaman said, the meeting would be convened soon after the parliament goes for recess. Her statements follow reports that the US President Donald Trump will soon sign an executive order that will target work visa programmes like the H1-B, which are used extensively by Indians.
US UNVEILED WORLD’S SMALLEST PACEMAKER
For the first time, US have implanted world’s smallest pacemaker calledMicraTrans catheter Pacing System (TPS)
Size of large vitamin capsule is for patients with bradycardia
It is one-tenth the size of a traditional pacemaker and is the only leadless (wireless) pacemaker approved for use in the US
It can be delivered through a catheter and implanted directly into the heart
Bradycardia is characterized by a slow heart rate, usually fewer than 60 beats per minute
Recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration
It does not require cardiac wires (leads) or a surgical pocket under the skin to deliver a pacing therapy
WORLD’S LONGEST FLIGHT LAUNCHED IN QATAR AIRWAYS
Qatar Airways has launched the World’s longest scheduled commercial service
Route is between Doha to Auckland
Flight is Flight QR920 took off from Doha
Will take 16 hours and 20 minutes to travel 14,535 kilometers
In terms of flying time, Qatar Airways to launch the World’s fastest and longest passenger service
SWEDEN PLEDGES TO CUT ALL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 2045
Sweden’s deputy Prime Minister Isabella Lövin signed a climate bill
Aimed at cutting all greenhouse gas emissions in the country by 2045
China and India pledges taken for Paris Agreement commitments
BIMSTEC 4TH EDITION TO BE HELD IN NEPAL
4th edition of BIMSTEC Summit-2017 held to be in Kathmandu, Nepal
BIMSTEC – Bay of Bengal Initiative on Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summit held at Goa in October 2016
It is a sub-regional group of seven countries in South Asia and South East Asia lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity
Objectives: Technological and economic cooperation among south Asian and south East Asian countries along the coast of the Bay of Bengal
India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka from South Asia and Myanmar, Thailand
Established in 6 June 1997
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION ON WHEAT RUST TO CURB THREAT TO GLOBAL SUPPLIES
Two new groups of wheat rust have been identified that posed threat to wheat produced in Africa, Asia and Europe in 2016
Identified as yellow rust and stem rust
Expert team was formed for detecting the reasons for wheat rust
Continuous surveillance, sharing data and building emergency response plans to protect the farmers and neighboring countries
INDIA TO HAVE JOINT COAST GUARD EXERCISE WITH UAE
To strengthen the bilateral relations between India and UAE, they decided to conduct joint exercises
The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) SamudraPavak made a goodwill visit at the Mina Al Rashid (Dubai Port) from February 4 to 7, 2017
SamudraPavak or “Purifier of the Seas” is the 3rdship of the Pollution Control Vessel series of the Indian Coast Guard that was indigenously designed and commissioned
Training and sporting events between the coast guards of both the countries will also take place.
NOW, BSNL OFFERS MOBILE INTERNET AT ₹36 PER GB
State-run telecom firm BSNL has slashed 3G mobile internet rates by about three-fourths, bringing down the cost of per GB data to as low as ₹36 under a special pack.
“Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has decided to offer up to four times extra data on existing data STVs (special tariff vouchers) available in the market,” the company said in a statement.
Under ₹291 plan, a customer will get four times more data at 8GB with a validity of 28 days against 2 GB earlier.
The Rs. 78 plan will offer double data at 2 GB.
“With these offers BSNL is now offering data at the rate of ₹36 per GB which is one of the lowest in the Industry,” BSNL said.
Reliance Jio is offering free 4G service till March 31, 2017, under which all mobile customers get 1 GB of 4G data per day and once the limit is crossed, the speed in reduced.
HYUNDAI TO ASSEMBLE CARS IN PAK.
Hyundai Motor Company plans to set up a car assembly plant in Pakistan in a joint venture with local textile firm Nishat Mills, an official from Nishat said on Friday.
Hyundai’s return to Pakistan will boost the government’s efforts to shake up the Japanese-dominated car market and loosen the grip of Toyota, Honda and Suzuki, who assemble cars in Pakistan with local partners.
Hyundai and South Korea’s Kia Motor used to assemble cars in Pakistan until 2004 but withdrew after their local partner Dewan Farooque Motors Limited went bust. It was not clear how much capital Hyundai, South Korea’s largest automaker, would itself invest in the Pakistani venture.
Representatives for Hyundai could not immediately be reached for comment.
Nishat Mills is a subsidiary of Nishat Group, a giant in the Pakistani banking, textiles, energy and cement sectors.
MCLEOD RUSSEL NET DIPS 31% AS TEA PRICES DECLINE
Mcleod Russel India Ltd., which accounts for almost 10% of India’s annual tea output, posted a 31% drop in third-quarter profit as lower prices and higher costs hurt margins. Net profit for the quarter ended December 31, fell to ₹23.6 crore as income declined to ₹442.5 crore, from ₹510.3 crore a year-earlier.
“Tea prices in India have been negatively impacted by the record crop in Kenya,” said CFO K.K. Baheti. “This dampened exports leading to increased crop in domestic market, amid subdued demand and lower prices.”
UBER LAUNCHES UBER HIRE IN 9 CITIES
After Ola, US-based cab aggregator Uber has now launched ‘UberHIRE’ in nine Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Pune that will allow users to hire a cab for up to 12 hours.
UberHIRE is a time-based offering that allows users to make trips punctuated with multiple stop overs, Uber said in a blogpost.
“After a successful pilot run in Kochi, UberHIRE — another India-first innovation — will go live starting today in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Vizag and Nagpur with more cities slated for launch in the weeks to come,” it added.
Uber’s local rival Ola had launched a similar service ‘Rentals’ last year, which is available in 85 Indian cities.
Under UberHIRE, users can hold their Uber cab for up to 12 hours. The minimum fare ranges between Rs 449-649 for up to 2 hours or up to 30 km, post which they will be charged at Rs 2 per minute and Rs 12 per km.
PATANJALI WANTS MORE LAND FROM BJP LED GOVERNMENT IN ASSAM FOR FOOD PARK.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev led firm, Patanjali is seeking more land from the BJP led Assam government. The Haridwar-based firm has already been given 150 acres for an Herbal and Mega Food Park in Balipara in Assam.
Ramdev had discussion with Assam Industry minister, Chandra Mohan Patwary, and sought another 33 acres of land in Balipara in Assam.
“Patanjali wants more land as they want to set up some more units,” a senior official in Industry Department of the state government told ET.
The Rs 1,200-crore park will have manufacturing facility of 10 lakh metric tones (MT) per year. This investment is billed as first mega private sector investment for BJP led government.
VODAFONE DEAL MAY REQUIRE BIRLAS TO PUMP RS 25,150 CRORE INTO IDEA CELLULAR.
The Aditya Birla Group needs to pump in cash to raise its stake in Idea Cellular or the combined entity to have equal rights in a telecom joint venture with UK’s Vodafone Group, analysts said, adding that the Indian conglomerate may have to shell out around $3.5 billion (Rs 25,150 crore) for a structure that could see the two hold 37.5% each. They add that another option is for a strategic investor to buy a portion of the UK telecom major’s stake to reduce it to match the Birla group’s holdings.
Meanwhile, parallel talks are believed to be on for major shareholder Axiata to reduce its holdings from about 20% in Idea in favour of the Indian group before any merger, a person familiar with the matter said.
KPTL BAGS NEW ORDERS WORTH RS 823 CRORE.
Engineering firm Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd (KPTL) today said it has bagged orders of over Rs 823 crore in domestic and overseas markets.
“KPTL… has secured new orders/ notification of award of Rs 823 crore,” the company said in a BSE filing today.
The company said that it has bagged transmission line construction project in West Africa of approximately Rs 737 crore.
The second order is for the construction of 220 kv GIS substations project for Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd of approximately Rs 86 crore.
AIR INDIA EXPECTED TO POST IMPROVED PROFIT FOR 2016-17: GOVT
Having reported an operating profit of Rs 105 crore for 2015-16 fiscal, Air India is expected to post an improved operating profit margin this year as well, even as liquidity constraints continue to impact the smooth performance of the national carrier, government said today.
Air India, over the years and especially since the implementation of the turnaround plan, has been constantly improving its operational as well as financial performance, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
In the financial year 2015-16, the company posted an operating profit of Rs 105 crore, he said, adding, “In the financial year 2016-17 also, the company has been steadily improving its all-round performance and it is expected that the company would again post an improved operating profit margin in the current fiscal also.”
PANEL RECOMMENDS PORTAL TO MONITOR ONLINE SALE OF DRUGS
A sub-committee constituted to examine issues relating to online sale of drug has recommended the creation of a national portal to act as a platform for transacting and monitoring online sale of drugs and evolving a mechanism to register e-pharmacies.
Minister of State for Health Faggan Singh Kulaste, in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, said that the committee has also recommended exclusion of certain drugs like narcotic drugs and tranquilisers, which are prone to being “abused or misused”, from online sale.
“A sub-committee had been constituted by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) to examine issues relating to online sale of drugs. The sub-committee has submitted its report to the DCC.
“The sub-committee has recommended creation of a national portal to act as the nodal platform for transacting and monitoring online sale of drugs and necessity of evolving a mechanism to register e-pharmacies,” the minister said.
NPCI EXPECTS ALL PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS TO JOIN BHIM BY FEBRUARY END
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said that it is hoping all Public Sector Banks (PSBs) will join Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) by the end of this month.
BHIM is the common platform across the nation for making simple, easy and quick payment transactions using Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
37 banks are a part of the BHIM platform including PSBs like State Bank of India, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Union Bank of India.
The PSBs which will go live very soon on the platform are Corporation Bank, Punjab and Sindh Bank and five associates of State Bank of India.
NPCI is working with these seven banks to ensure that all of them are a part of the platform by the end of this month.
‘OIL FIRMS MERGER MAY NOT BE GOOD FOR CONSUMERS, PRIVATE RETAILERS’
The proposed merger of the state- controlled oil companies, both upstream and downstream, can reduce inefficiencies and improve competitiveness but will be an execution challenge apart from being not so good for consumers and competition, says a report.
Though a merger can create an entity that is better placed to compete globally for resources and less vulnerable to shifts in oil prices, it will face significant execution challenges, particularly on the HR integration, addressing overcapacity and getting it backed by private shareholders, Muralidharan R, a director at Fitch said in a report today.
“There will be considerable difficulties in merging a number of entities with differing structures, operational systems and cultures,” he said adding it may not be good for consumers as well.
ASK PROPERTY MAKES RS 440-CRORE EXITS FROM 3 REALTY PROJECTS
ASK Property Investment Advisors, the real-estate private equity arm of financial services firm ASK Group, has made three exits from its project investments totaling Rs 440 crore.
These are one of the few exits that have taken place since demonetization. The exits have been made from residential projects of Puranik Group, ATS Infrastructures and Shriram Properties with project level Internal Rate of Returns (IRR) ranging from 19% to 27%.
Out of these three exits, two were equity investments made by the fund directly in ATS Infrastructures and Shriram Properties, while a structured debt fund raising done through investors for Puranik Builders.
“ASK funds have demonstrated exit track record of over Rs 1,850 crore through its seven full and nine part exits clocking returns in the range of 21% to 27% IRR and this performance has been highly appreciated by investors,” said Sunil Rohokale, MD & CEO, ASK Group.
PAWAN HANS EMPLOYEES OPPOSE DISINVESTMENT PLAN
Urging the Government to reconsider its “shocking” decision to offload its entire 51 per cent stake in profit-making Pawan Hans Ltd, the aviation entity’s employees union has written to the PMO seeking its intervention
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary Nripendra Mishra last week, the All India Civil Aviation Employees Union (AICAEU) said the decision has been taken at a time when the Government aviation PSE is acting as a “price regulator” by offering air connectivity to the remote parts of the country at an “affordable” cost.
Pawan Hans is a joint venture between the Central Government and ONGC with the former holding 51 per cent stake and latter the rest 49 per cent.It has more than 900 employees with half of them on permanent rolls.
24 DREAMLINER PILOTS SEEK NOC TO QUIT AIR INDIA AS JUNIORS GET PROMOTED
In a blow to Air India, 24 co-pilots of its “turnaround vehicle”, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, sought no objection certificate (NOC) to quit the airline over alleged lack of career progression on Monday.
Air India had ordered 27 Dreamliners in 2005 and has so far got 23 of these fuel-efficient planes which are now its workhorses. The airline has about 300 pilots for these planes.
The 24 pilots who have sought NOC had joined erstwhile Indian Airlines in 2007-08 and used to fly the Airbus A-320s. In 2012 when AI was getting ready to receive the Dreamliners, they were put on training to fly this plane.
IOC MAY MOVE COURT IF ODISHA ENDS TAX SOPS TO REFINERY
Indian Oil Corp may go to court if the Odisha government carries out its threat to withdraw tax incentive to its Paradip refinery, in a confrontation that could dent the state’s credibility as an investment destination.
Odisha issued a notice to IOC last month, saying the economic environment had “drastically changed in favour of Indian Oil Corp” so that a fiscal incentive for Paradip refinery has become “unnecessary and unjustified”.
Indian Oil Corp may go to court if the Odisha government carries out its threat to withdraw tax incentive to its Paradip refinery, in a confrontation that could dent the state’s credibility as an investment destination.
Odisha issued a notice to IOC last month, saying the economic environment had “drastically changed in favour of Indian Oil Corp” so that a fiscal incentive for Paradip refinery has become “unnecessary and unjustified”.
It cited deregulation of fuel prices, expanding refining margins and profitability of Indian Oil Corp, capacity expansion at the refinery, and delay in building it, as the key reasons for seeking to withdraw tax sops.
ECONOMY, DEFENCE AND SECURITY POLICY: HOW UAE’S CROWN PRINCE’S VISIT IMPROVED INDIA’S STANDING IN THE GULF
Coverage of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed al Nahyan’s visit to India, as the Chief Guest for Republic Day 2017, has been described as signaling ever-closer bilateral ties/a complete reset of India’s relationship with the Gulf, and other equally strong affirmatives. Part of the reason is the invitation itself, which under this government has only been extended to countries that are a feature in India’s strategic calculus. But another reason for these strong assertions come from an increased momentum observed in India’s interactions with the Gulf and wider West Asia region under the incumbent government.
Beginning in 2015 with Prime Minister Modi’s maiden visit to the UAE, there have been two-way heads of state visits between India and the UAE, India and Qatar and an outgoing visit to Saudi Arabia. Further, the joint statements issued from these visits have been strikingly similar in the new grounds covered, incorporating as they have, maritime security and defense cooperation, statements against extremism and terrorism, pledges of infrastructure investment and increasing trade figures, and plans to orient beyond the market logic of the energy relationship in order that it also be driven by strategic calculations.
DEFENCE EXPERTS HAIL US COURT DECISION OF OVERTURNING TRUMP’S REQUEST TO RESTORE BAN
Indian Defence on Monday welcomed the United States court decision to deny U.S. President Donald Trump’s request of restoring travel ban issued by him over seven Muslim-Majority countries.
The defence added if U.S. is so paranoid of terrorists entering their shores they must run a detailed check on the suspects and not ban immigrants altogether.
Speaking to ANI, Flying Officer Shivali Deshpande disregarded the ban and asserted that Trump must come up with solid steps to meet the promises that outlined his Presidential campaign issue of fighting terrorism.
URGENT ARMS DEALS OF RS 20,000 CRORE INKED TO KEEP FORCES READY
India is finally taking steps to make its armed forces fighting fit. The country has inked a flurry of emergency deals for ammunition and spares worth around Rs 20,000 crore over the last two to three months to ensure its fighters and tanks, infantry and warships, are all ready to go to battle at short notice.
Defence ministry sources said the aim was to guarantee the armed forces can undertake at least 10 days of “intense fighting” without worrying about ammunition, spares and other reserves. The pace for concluding the new contracts, primarily with Russia, Israel and France, was set in motion after the terror attack in Uri on September 18.
Apart from launching massive fire assaults across the Line of Control and the “surgical strikes” on terror launch pads+ in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on September 29, the government had also set-up empowered procurement committees+ under the Army, Navy and IAF vice-chiefs with emergency financial powers to “make up deficiencies” in stockpiles at the earliest.
DEFENCE MINISTER MANOHAR PARRIKAR FORMS COMMITTEE TO MAKE PROMOTION SYSTEM FAIR, TRANSPARENT
Against the backdrop of controversies surrounding promotions in the Army, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has formed a high-level committee to overhaul the system to make it more transparent and fair.
The decision to set up a committee comprising two retired lieutenant generals was taken by the defence minister soon after the retirement of previous Army chief Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag last month.
The two retired officers are Lt Gen G S Katoch and Lt Gen A K Ahuja, who recently superannuated as the deputy chief of Integrated Defence Staff and was responsible for procurement of weapon systems for the three services.
“The defence ministry has decided to set up a committee of two officers who would give their recommendations to the government on the changes in promotion policy and the quantified system of selection for officers of the Indian Army,” senior defence ministry sources told Mail Today.
JOINT EXERCISE AT MID-SEA
Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today reviewed joint exercises at mid-sea. The duo witnessed a host of activities that are part of Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX).
The exercise, which started on January 24 off the western coast, involves some 50 Navy warships, including aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, and nuclear-powered submarine INS Chakra. The drill is testing and validating abilities in a conventional war, anti-submarine warfare and securing sea lanes of communication.
The two Chiefs witnessed the firing of surface-to-air missile and ship-launched Brahmos. They sailed aboard INS Vikramaditya and witnessed the ‘large force engagement by a flotilla of ships against threats simulated by IAF comprising airborne radars and fighter jets like Sukhoi-30 MKI.
EIGHT YEARS AFTER 26/11, COAST GUARD GETS ITS AIRFIELD
PROPOSED IN 2006 and approved by the Maharashtra government soon after the 26/11 terror attack, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ratnagiri airbase will be finally functional by the year-end. The airfield is expected to provide key logistic support for the Coast Guard on the western coastal areas covering 3,500 km.
The Coast Guard, which now has bases in Daman and Kochi, plans to station its Dornier planes and helicopters at Ratnagiri, sources said. “So far the Coast Guard has a fixed and a rotary wing squadron at Daman and a rotary wing squadron in Mumbai. Ratnagiri, being the only air station south of Mumbai before Goa, will be crucial for the maritime security,” a senior official privy to the development told The Indian Express.
CHINA’S NEW BALLISTIC MISSILE HAS INDIA IN RANGE
China’s newly-formed Rocket Force has conducted an exercise with the advanced DF-16 medium-range ballistic missile that has a range of over 1,000 km and could target a number countries in the neighborhood, including India.
Significantly the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which is secretive about its weapons systems, has released a video of the recent exercise of its troops employing the advanced Dongfeng-16 medium-range ballistic missile.
First displayed at a military parade in Beijing in 2015, the missile is believed to have a range of 1,000 km, putting it within striking distance of Okinawa, home to several U.S. military installations in Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
The Rocket Force is a special contingent to handle a range of missiles in its military’s arsenal.
Several 10-wheeled mobile launch vehicles carrying the ballistic missiles were seen in the footage.
5 SUPER WEAPONS CHINA WOULD USE TO CRUSH INDIA IN A WAR
The mountainous terrain on the Chinese-Indian border makes a land war difficult to prosecute and relatively easy to defend. The decisive war would take place at sea as India–sitting astride the shipping lanes providing a significant part of China’s energy–could set up a naval blockade and essentially strangle Beijing’s economy. China would have to sortie the People’s Liberation Army Navy into the Indian Ocean to break the blockade.
That having been said, China has ways to asymmetrically attack India and fight across multiple domains of conflict to entice India to back down. Beijing’s large fleet of conventionally armed ballistic missiles could be used to bombard Indian territory and compel India to a ceasefire. China could even argue that as an Indian blockade harms China’s economy, Indian economic targets, such as factories, refineries, and energy reserves would be fair game. Beijing’s ongoing development of hypersonic weapons will add a new level of complexity to such an attack.
Once again, such analysis is not meant to suggest that war between China and India is likely, or even practical but an understanding of such weapon systems is important. That having been said, let’s take a look at some Chinese weapons that would stand out during such a conflict.
UNIQUE BATTERY MODEL BEHIND NOTE 7 EXPLOSIONS
The Korean government concluded Monday that Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Note 7 explosions were caused by faulty batteries and vowed to strengthen battery safety and recall measures for smartphones.
The conclusion came after the state-run Korean Agency for Technology Standards conducted tests for three months with 14 overheated smartphones, 46 normal phones and 169 batteries given by Samsung Electronics.
“We found batteries (made by Samsung SDI and ATL) had some factors that cause explosions and did not find any problems in the device itself,” the Ministry of Industry said in its statement.
As to the level of damages, it was more serious from the battery parts compared to the circuit parts, the ministry said.
“The Galaxy Note 7 battery, unlike other models, has anode materials across both poles. The high bump of the both poles and the adherence faults in insulating tapes highly likely caused the explosions,” the ministry said.
NEW TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE DATA TRANSFER 10 TIMES FASTER THAN 5G
Researchers have developed a terahertz (THz) transmitter capable of transmitting digital data at a rate 10 times or more faster than that offered by the fifth-generation mobile networks (5G) expected to appear around 2020.
The terahertz transmitter could make it possible for the whole content on a DVD (digital versatile disk) to be transferred in a fraction of a second, according to the research scheduled to be presented at the International Solid-State Circuits Conference
FG, CROSS RIVER GOVT COMMENCE WASTE-TO-WEALTH PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE LIVELIHOOD
THE Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in collaboration with the Cross River State government have flagged off a natural waste to wealth programme, using appropriate technologies, with a view to creating employment, wealth and change the livelihood of the citizens.
The programme, which was inaugurated by the Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu at Idundu industrial Layout in Calabar, at the weekend, where the dumpsite was domiciled, would help Nigeria restore her pride as Africa’s most populous nation, whereby the place of science and technology innovation would be strengthened in the search for a new beginning, to boost the economy, lead the nation from a resource based to a knowledge and innovation driven economy.
UBER HIRES VETERAN NASA ENGINEER TO DEVELOP FLYING CARS
In 2010, an advanced aircraft engineer at NASA’s Langley Research Center named Mark Moore published a white paper outlining the feasibility of electric aircrafts that could take off and land like helicopters but were smaller and quieter. The vehicles would be capable of providing a speedy alternative to the dreary morning commute.
Moore’s research (PDF) into so-called VTOL—short for vertical takeoff and landing, or more colloquially, flying cars—inspired at least one billionaire technologist. After reading the white paper, Google co-founder Larry Page secretly started and financedtwo Silicon Valley startups, Zee Aero and Kitty Hawk, to develop the technology, Bloomberg Businessweek reported last summer.
Now Moore is leaving the confines of the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he has spent the last 30 years, to join one of Google’s rivals: Uber Technologies Inc. Moore is taking on a new role as director of engineering for aviation at the ride-hailing company, working on a flying car initiative known as Uber Elevate. “I can’t think of another company in a stronger position to be the leader for this new ecosystem and make the urban electric VTOL market real,” he says.
Uber isn’t constructing a flying car yet. In its own white paper published last October, the company laid out a radical vision for airborne commutes and identified technical challenges it said it wanted to help the nascent industry solve, like noise pollution, vehicle efficiency and limited battery life. Moore consulted on the paper and was impressed by the company’s vision and potential impact.
BLACK HOLE DEVOURING STAR FOR A DECADE DETECTED
Astronomers have detected a giant black hole that ripped apart a star and then gorged on its remains for an unusually long time — about a decade, which is more than ten times longer than any observed episode of a stars death by black hole. Researchers made this discovery using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and Swift satellite as well as European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton.
The trio of orbiting X-ray telescopes found evidence for a “tidal disruption event” (TDE), wherein the tidal forces due to the intense gravity from a black hole can destroy an object — such as a star — that wanders too close. During a TDE, some of the stellar debris is flung outward at high speeds, while the rest falls toward the black hole. As it travels inwards to be ingested by the black hole, the material heats up to millions of degrees and generates a distinct X-ray flare.
ROBOTS MAY REPLACE UK’S PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS AS EARLY AS 2030
Robots and artificial intelligence (AI) may replace 250,000 public sector workers, including doctors and nurses, in the UK over the next 15 years and save taxpayers billions, a new report published today said.
According to public-services thinktank Reform, websites and AI “chat bots” could replace up to 90 per cent of Whitehall’s administrators, as well as tens of thousands in the National Health Service (NHS) and surgeries, by 2030 -saving as much as four billion pounds a year.
INDIA TODAY ART AWARDS: A BRUSH WITH CELEBRATION
The best in Indian art came together for the second edition of India Today Art Awards on Sunday evening to celebrate pioneers and innovators who contributed to the vibrant field. Artists, collections and connoisseurs gathered at The Leela Palace for the special event to honour the winners of the evening.
The soiree began with an opening address by Aroon Purie, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, India Today Group, who said, “Art is timeless, the best of it has no expiry date. In an age of Facebook likes, these images become a matter of permanent record. The greats of Indian art have passed through our pages at India Today, and we have been energised by their creativity and intellectual generosity.”
PLYMPTON-WYOMING MAYOR LONNY NAPPER HOSTS SEVENTH COMMUNITY APPRECIATION AWARDS
Napper, the mayor of Plympton-Wyoming, has personally handed out appreciation awards for the last seven years to local citizens, organizations and businesses for their efforts in the community, and Murray was slated to be on the 2017 list of recipients.
But the 65-year-old Sarnia resident died in a plane crash this past September. Napper was a longtime friend of Murray’s – the pair had breakfast the day before the small aircraft he was piloting crashed in a corn field north of London Line – so he accepted the award on his behalf during a banquet Saturday afternoon at the Camlachie Community Centre.
Murray was a former president of the Huron Shores Optimist Club and a member of the crew that recently restored the F86 Sabre fighter jet located in Germain Park.
AFCON 2017 AWARDS: PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG FAILED TO SHINE FOR HOSTS WHILE CHRISTIAN BASSOGOG DESERVES PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT GONG
A complete unknown just a few months ago, Bassogog has excelled in Gabon, starring from the right wing and leading Cameroon to victory.
His pace and trickery have fooled many a full back, and it would not be a shock to see him move to a bigger club sooner rather than later. His partnership on the flanks with Benjamin Moukandjo was crucial, and although others stole the show in the final, it was Bassogog who carried the Indomitable Lions there.
Special mentions also for goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa, and Burkina Faso’s Charles Kabore.
BACK-END’ MEDIA TEAM GETS SPOTLIGHT AT ANNUAL POLICE AWARDS CEREMONY
Capturing the essence of police work through the lens of a video camera can be tedious, especially when it involves spending hours on the ground, and more time in the office to edit the video.
In October last year (2016), the Singapore Police Force’s Media Production Team shot 12-hours of video footage to produce a 3min 30 second clip featuring a multi-agency, island-wide counter terrorism exercise.
Given that it does back-end work that doesn’t often get the spotlight or recognition, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jimmy Law is pleasantly surprised that the Media Production Team he heads has received a team commendation at an annual police awards ceremony.
MATURITY REIGNS AT AARP’S MOVIES FOR GROWNUP AWARDS
Maturity seems to be in short supply in many areas of the world today, but there’s one awards show that celebrates that virtue above all others: the AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards.
Now in its 16th year, the annual kudos, held Feb. 6 at the Beverly Wilshire this year, recognizes achievements of those in the entertainment industry age 50 and over, and the films that speak to that vast audience.
AARP The Magazine presents the awards and West Coast editor and celebrity liaison Meg Grant says this year’s honorees share a common interest in the “interconnections between human beings,” beginning with best picture winner “Loving.” It’s the moving true story of Richard and Mildred Loving, the couple who became unwitting civil-rights heroes at the center of a landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing interracial marriages nationwide.
“So many of our members remember that time and may have even experienced it,” Grant says of the film’s ’60s setting. “We love how restrained Jeff [Nichols, the writer-director] was in his filmmaking. And we believe that there’s a right time for certain movies.”
UCSF WINS 8 REGIONAL CASE AWARDS FOR WRITING, ADVERTISING AND EVENTS
UC San Francisco has won eight awards, including three Gold Awards, from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in an annual regional competition.
The 2017 Awards of Excellence recognize and honor the best communications at higher education institutions, including best practices across alumni relations, fundraising, public/government relations, advancement services, special events and outstanding communications. CASE’s District VII awards cover Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands and Utah.
UCSF University Relations won a Gold Award in the Advertising – Individual Ad category for its advertisement The Battle Against AIDS that ran in the San Francisco Chronicle to accompany the newspaper’s March editorial package “Last Men Standing: Living With AIDS.” The package covered the extreme challenges AIDS survivors face.
University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) won a Gold Award in the Special Constituencies Magazine category for UCSF Magazine, which is distributed to alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students and friends of UCSF twice a year.
BENGAL INC TO VIE FOR ET AWARDS
Captains of industry from Bengal are looking forward to February 8, the ET Bengal Corporate Awards night. For the fifth time, the Association of Corporate Advisers & Executives, Kolkata, and The Economic Times will celebrate the success of eminent organisations and individuals for their outstanding contribution to society.
The objective is to felicitate eminent organizations and individuals in Bengal every year for their outstanding contribution and to recognize and celebrate private initiatives towards a larger goal. State commerce and industries minister Amit Mitra will be the guest of honour for the ceremony this year. Deloitte is the knowledge partner for this event.
JNU WINS VISITOR’S AWARD FOR BEST CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has been identified as the best central university in the country for the ‘Visitor’s Award’ this year. The recognition is significant as it comes just a year after the sedition controversy, when some, including a BJP MP, dubbed the university as a hub of treason.
Around the same time last year, JNU was at the centre of a sedition row following a campus event last on executed Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. The crackdown that followed led to the arrest of students’ union president Kanhayia Kumar.
President Pranab Mukherjee will handover the award to vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar on March 6. This is the third edition of the awards which were instituted in 2015 to promote healthy competition amongst universities.
Dr Deepak Pant of Himachal University has won the Visitor’s Award for innovation and Professor Shyam Sundar of BHU and Professor Niranjan Karak of Tezpur University have jointly won the award for research.
