The Indian newsroom must be made safe and equal for women — or it will lose all credibility Over the last week, Indian journalism has finally been forced to confront what has long been its dirty secret. Going by the numerous agonising accounts of women journalists, about some male colleagues …
Read More »Monthly Archives: October 2018
’World’s fastest camera can see light in slow motion’
‘Camera that can capture light in slow motion’ Scientists have developed what may be the world’s fastest camera, which can capture 10 trillion frames per second — making it possible to ‘freeze time’ to see light in extremely slow motion. The advance may offer insight into as-yet undetectable secrets of …
Read More »‘High lead exposure in Indian kids’
High levels of lead contamination in the blood of children living in India may have a significant impact in lowering their IQ and increasing the risk of other diseases, a study has found. Researchers from Macquarie University in Australia conducted the first ever meta-analysis of Indian blood lead levels. They …
Read More »Afraid of dogs, Indian-origin blind scribe to get a guide horse in U.K.
The animal will assist him with daily tasks once he loses his vision completely An Indian-origin man based in north-west England, who suffers from a degenerative eye condition, is set to become the first person in the U.K. to get a guide horse to assist him with daily tasks once …
Read More »Cambodia’s ‘rubbish man’ schools kids for trash
Children are taught the value of using rubbish in a useful way Sitting in a building made from used tyres, plastic bottles and old sneakers, Cambodian student Roeun Bunthon jots down notes during an English lesson at the “Rubbish School” where tuition is paid for with trash instead of cash. …
Read More »Tunisia’s fishermen turn tide to cash in on blue crab menace
The predators have turned into prey as people in the North African country cash in on the crustaceans by exporting them to markets in Asia Tunisian fishermen saw the blue crab wreak such havoc on their catches when it first appeared that they nicknamed it after the terrifying jihadists of …
Read More »‘As ice melts, walruses need protection’
U.S. court to hear a lawsuit challenging the government’s decision not to list them as threatened Given a choice between giving birth on land or sea ice, Pacific walrus mothers would most likely choose ice. Likewise, they prefer sea ice for molting, mating, nursing and resting between dives for food. …
Read More »NBFC storm will let up sooner or later
‘Claims about distress exaggerated’ Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are in the news following the IL&FS fiasco. The fall from grace for the giant has shaken up India’s financial markets. “The secular upswing enjoyed by NBFCs over the past five years has come to a sudden halt — bond markets are …
Read More »GST: 1 year on, firms yet to set up infra for compliance
‘But, awareness about tax is rising’ Corporates are now realising that coming to terms with GST means a more drastic change to their tax infrastructure than the basic compliance-related changes they have made so far, Vishal Parekh, regional head, South Asia, Thomson Reuters said in an interview. “In the last …
Read More »There is unprecedented panic over NBFCs’ liquidity
Cost of funds seems to have increased by 30-40 basis points in wake of scare, says IIFL Group chairman The IL&FS debacle has raised the cost of funds for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) by 30-40 basis points, says Nirmal Jain , founder and chairman, IIFL Group, which derives almost 60% …
Read More »IL&FS: A riddle wrapped in a mystery
Annual numbers throw up questions on financial management, complex group structure and debatable accounting policies The new Board of Directors of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd. (IL&FS) has ordered a fresh audit of its books and it is just as well that it has done so. A quick run …
Read More »We will migrate to asset-liability norms meant for banks
The company is miles ahead in compliance, not only in ALM but also on capital and liquidity coverage ratio, says the vice chairman of Indiabulls Housing Finance Gagan Banga , vice chairman and managing director of Indiabulls Housing Finance, says the recent move by banks to increase loan purchases from …
Read More »Telcos may report losses for three more quarters: COAI
Present tariffs not sustainable for sector’s long-term health, says Director General The telecom sector is likely to experience three more quarters of losses, hurt by high levies and “unsustainable tariffs,” Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) director general Rajan Mathews said. “Under the current scenario, I see at least another …
Read More »Maldives court hears Yameen plea
Will take appropriate measures if strongman does not leave office quietly: U.S. Maldives’ judges on Sunday heard a petition by strongman President Abdulla Yameen to have his recent election defeat annulled, potentially triggering U.S. sanctions and plunging the Indian Ocean archipelago into fresh turmoil. Mr. Yameen lost heavily in the …
Read More »China not ready for a deal: Trump
Beijing’s central bank head calls for ‘constructive solutions’ to end trade spat U.S President Donald Trump said on Sunday that China, under pressure due to Washington’s policies, wanted to have a trade deal with him, but he told them a week ago that they were not ready yet. “I told …
Read More »Saudi vows retaliation if punished
Rejects threats of economic sanctions over Khashoggi case even as Riyadh stocks take a plunge Saudi Arabia warned on Sunday that it would retaliate against any sanctions imposed on it over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as the Riyadh stock market plunged on growing investor jitters. From tech tycoons …
Read More »Honest, consistent taxpayers to be feted by govt; policy proposal in works
Incentives for honest taxpayers on the anvil The government is working on a proposal to help honest and consistent taxpayers enjoy public services and get tax-related work done on priority, officials said on Sunday. A committee under the Central Board of Direct Taxes is working on the proposal. It is …
Read More »Centre to develop ‘model shelters’ for urban homeless in states, UTs
Centre to develop ‘model shelters’ for homeless The Centre will develop “model shelters” for urban homeless in States, equipped with facilities such as playground, television and common kitchen, an official said. According to the Housing Ministry, two model shelters will be developed in each State under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana …
Read More »A chatbot for customer support
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited has launched AskDisha, a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence, to troubleshoot customers’ travel-related queries. AskDisha will support several regional languages and will be voice-enabled. Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/a-chatbot-for-customer-support/article25222779.ece
Read More »Passengers will soon be able to file zero FIRs from on board trains
Soon, an app to file complaints from trains Passengers can soon file complaints through a mobile app from trains. The complaints will be registered as ‘Zero FIRs’ and will be investigated immediately by the RPF. A pilot project on the mobile application is under way, RPF D-G Arun Kumar has …
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