It optimises the geometry of the bat Using computer modelling and optimisation algorithms, the world’s best bat and maybe the most affordable could in the near future roll out from a lab to the cricket ground. A high performing ‘Algobat’, closely resembling the finest in the market and at a …
Read More »Monthly Archives: July 2019
EU launches probe into Amazon over data use
Says it gets undue edge over rivals The European Union’s powerful antitrust authority launched an in-depth investigation into Amazon on Wednesday, amid suspicions the U.S.-based internet behemoth misuses merchant data hosted on its website. The formal investigation opens a new chapter in the European Union’s campaign to address the dominance …
Read More »Menstrual cups are safe, reusable and cheap: study
They collect blood rather than absorb it, and last longer Inexpensive and reusable menstrual cups are safe and as unlikely as disposable pads or tampons to leak, according to the first major scientific review of the devices, published Wednesday. Some 70% of women who have tried menstrual cups said they …
Read More »Malaysia’s ‘Phoenix’ is breaking barriers
Hijab-clad wrestler uses sophisticated moves to take on her male opponents A hijab-wearing, diminutive Malaysian wrestler known as “Phoenix” cuts an unusual figure in the ring, a female Muslim fighter taking on hulking opponents in a male-dominated world. Dressed in flame-patterned trousers, a black and orange hijab and top, Nor …
Read More »Breakthrough technique to eradicate mosquitoes
Uses 2 population control methods — radiation and bacteria A breakthrough technique harnessing two methods to target disease-carrying mosquitoes was able to effectively eradicate buzzing biters in two test sites in China, according to research published on Thursday. The mosquitoes targeted are a type that is particularly difficult to control …
Read More »Northernmost settlement hit by ‘heat wave’
Less than 965 km from the North Pole, mercury rose to 21 degrees Celsius in Alert Temperatures hit a record 21 degree Celsius in Alert, the northernmost permanently inhabited spot on the planet less than 965 km from the North Pole, the Canadian meteorology service said on Tuesday. “It’s quite …
Read More »Musk unveils project on mind-machine interface
Neuralink showcases sensor that can be implanted in brain Futurist entrepreneur Elon Musk late on Tuesday revealed his secretive Neuralink startup is making progress on an interface linking brains with computers, and said they hope to begin testing on people next year. Mr. Musk has long contended that a neural …
Read More »15th Finance panel term extended till Nov. 30
To ensure funding needs of Defence The Union Cabinet has approved expanding the terms of reference of the Fifteenth Finance Commission to address the funding requirements for defence and internal security as also extending its term to November 30, 2019. “The Union Cabinet has approved the proposed amendment to enable …
Read More »Cabinet okays amendments to bankruptcy code
Stress on time-bound resolution, financial creditors’ voting The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, placing a greater emphasis on more time-bound resolution and laying down voting rules of the financial creditors. “The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal to carry out seven amendments to …
Read More »RBI reserves: panel for transfer in tranches
Jalan committee report expected within the next fortnight; consensus on decision unlikely The Bimal Jalan Committee on treatment of Reserve Bank of India’s reserves is likely to recommend a transfer of a specified quantum of RBI reserves to the government over two or three tranches over the next few years, …
Read More »Netanyahu set to become Israel’s longest-serving PM
Benjamin Netanyahu is set to becomes Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister as his 13-year rule surpasses that of Israel’s founding father David Ben-Gurion on July 20. But as he is about to cross the milestone, Mr. Netanyahu faces perhaps his greatest political challenge yet. After failing to form a parliamentary majority …
Read More »U.S. mulls raising merit-based immigration to 57%
The Trump administration is proposing to increase merit-based legal immigration to 57% and half of those would be based on family and humanitarian grounds, in an effort to overhaul the existing system. Senior presidential adviser Jared Kushner, who is also the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, said having an …
Read More »U.S. House condemns Trump’s ‘racist’ tweets on lawmakers
The first time a President has been rebuked by the House in more than 100 years . The House voted on Tuesday to condemn as racist President Donald Trump’s attacks against four congresswomen of colour, but only after the debate over the President’s language devolved into a bitterly partisan brawl. …
Read More »No phones, inter-caste marriages for Thakor girls
Stipulates stringent fines if parents do not follow the directives, says education is more important In a regressive step, Gujarat’s Thakor community unanimously passed a fiat directing parents to discourage their daughters from having mobile phones and inter-caste marriages. If found with phones, the parents can be fined up to …
Read More »ICJ tells Pakistan to review Jadhav trial
However diplomats said that ordering Mr. Jadhav’s release was never really an expectation from the ICJ. “This was a big victory, and as much as India would have hoped for at this stage,” said Gautam Bambawale, explaining that “the ICJ never gives directions beyond its authority as it cannot implement …
Read More »AIIMS, JIPMER will also come under NEET
Cabinet nod for National Medical Commission Bill The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, proposed to be introduced in the current session of Parliament, proposes to replace the Medical Council of India with the National Medical Commission to over see medical education in the country. Under the Bill, the National Medical …
Read More »‘Samjhauta blast case lacked proof’
Shah defends not filing appeal Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday defended the decision not to file an appeal against the acquittals in the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast case, stating that the chargesheets filed under the UPA regime did not have any substantial proof. Replying to a debate in …
Read More »‘Open to improving Fasal Bima Yojana’
Agriculture Minister tells Lok Sabha Promising to create a new breed of “smart farmers by introducing smart farming”, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha that the government was open to improving its welfare schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for crop insurance. …
Read More »Green light for 3 railway projects
Rail lines to boost rail connectivity in U.P., Assam The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved three new railway projects, with a combined investment of over Rs. 6,000 crore, giving a boost to rail connectivity in Uttar Pradesh and Assam. The three projects — an 81.17 km new …
Read More »Judiciary should revisit conventional wisdom: CJI
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Wednesday said great institutions like the judiciary should be on their guard against the “wicked and the vile,” who work in their dark recesses to weaken them in a deceptive manner. The Chief Justice was speaking at the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Additional …
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