10 killed as BSF aircraft crashes in Delhi
Ten people were killed as a small Ranchi-bound BSF Superking aircraft crashed near the IGI airport this morning. Three BSF officers and seven technicians, were in the aircraft. The crash took place at around 10 in the morning, moments after technicians lost contact with ATC.
More than a dozen fire engines are at the spot, besides security forces. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung visited the spot. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma has said that an investigation has been ordered. The plane that crashed had senior technicians who were flying to Ranchi to repair a helicopter.
Civil Aviation Minister Mahesh Sharma has said that all 10 onboard BSF plane that crashed in Dwarka are dead.
Acquisition of Bulletproof Jackets
The procurement of bullet proof jackets for the authorised quantity as per Annual Provisioning Review is an on-going process. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to procure 1,86,138 bullet proof jackets. Request for Proposal (RFP) in this case has been retracted due to failure of samples given by vendors in trials. However, one time relaxation in existing financial powers of Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) has been given to procure 50,000 bullet proof jackets through revenue route. Further, Commands have been given approval to procure minimum inescapable quantity of bullet proof jackets through Army Commanders Special Powers Fund to meet urgent operational requirements. The bullet proof jackets are procured based on General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs) which are reviewed from time to time based on the requirement of the Armed Forces.
This information was given by Minister of Defence Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Majeed Memon in Rajya Sabha today.
Ethanol blending targets scaled up from 5% to 10% to improve the liquidity position of sugar mills
Under Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), the Central Government has scaled up blending targets from 5% to 10% to promote blending of ethanol with petrol and its use as alternative fuel. This information was given by the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
The Minister said that presently, 156 units are producing molasses based ethanol with annual installed capacity of approximately 224 crore litres. 21 distilleries with sugar factories produce only alcohol requiring up gradation for ethanol production capacities. 12 more ethanol production facilities are being set up in different states.
Soft loans up to 40% of the project cost is provided to the sugar mills from Sugar Development Fund (SDF) for setting up ethanol projects.
He said that at present, ethanol produced from molasses is not cheaper than motor spirit at refinery gate. However, to achieve the objectives of the National Bio-Fuel Policy, with a view to encourage production/usage of ethanol, the Central Government apart from scaling up blending targets has also fixed remunerative ex-depot price of ethanol and waived excise duty on its supplies to OMCs during 2015-16.
Representations regarding pricing of ethanol for supplies under EBP have been received from industries representing chemical sector. The matter is presently sub-judice.
He added that production of ethanol and its supplies under EBP at remunerative prices are likely to improve the liquidity position of sugar mills enabling them to clear cane price dues of farmers.
The News
Bosnia arrests 11 over ISIS links
Bosnian police said on Tuesday that several locations have been raided in the wider Sarajevo area and 11 people arrested in a search for suspects believed to be connected with Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). The raids targeted around 15 individuals, the office of the Bosnian chief prosecutor said. The individuals “suspected of terrorism, financing of terrorist activities and recruiting IS fighters have been arrested in raids on 13 locations,”Reuters quoted a spokeswoman for the police directorate of Bosnia’s autonomous Bosniak-Croat Federation as saying. “An evidence has been found indicating connections with the IS structures,” according to the statement.Refugee, migrant arrivals in 6 EU states pass million in 2015
The number of refugees and migrants arriving by land and sea in six EU countries has passed 1 million this year, the International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday. Out of a total of 1,005,504 arrivals by December 21, the majority – 816,752 – arrived by sea in Greece, Reuters reported. The other arrived in Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Malta and Cyprus.Syrian FM to visit China this week
The Syrian foreign minister will visit China this week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. Walid al-Moualem will be in China from December 23-26 and will meet his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, Reuters quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei as saying. The visit comes amid a renewed bid by Beijing to play a more active role in finding an end to the Syrian conflict. Wang over the weekend invited Syrian government and opposition figures to come to China.10-day state of emergency takes effect in Mali after ‘militants’ threats’
A 10-day state of emergency came into effect in Mali from midnight over what security sources say a series of threats from unnamed jihadist groups, Reuters reported. Mali’s government first declared a state of emergency after jihadists attacked a luxury hotel in November, killing 20 people including many foreigners, but it has since expired. Security sources say new threats issued by jihadist groups followed a meeting of Islamist militant leaders in the northern Kidal region last week.Date set for retrial of Officer William Porter
The retrial date of Baltimore police officer William Porter has been set for June 13, 2016. Porter is one of six officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray. Judge Barry G. Williams declared a mistrial following the inability of the jury to reach a unanimous verdict in the case. Porter was charged with reckless endangerment, misconduct in office, assault, and manslaughter. His new trial will proceed following those of the other involved officers.Refugee arrivals in Germany more than halved in December
The number of refugees arriving in Germany in December has more than halved from the previous month, Reuters reported, citing statistics obtained from the German federal police. The decline is probably due to bad weather in the Aegean Sea, as well as tougher controls at Turkey’s external borders, police said. From the start of the month until December 20 some 73,500 migrants arrived in Germany, down from 170,000 in the same period in November. Around 6,000 of the new arrivals were traveling through Germany on their way to Scandinavia, bringing the net number of newcomers to some 68,000. Media agencies
| Highlights from the local media of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka |
December 22nd, 2015 | Volume: 1 – 16/12 |
| AFGHANISTAN
Taliban capture government compounds in Helmand’s Sangin District
Khaama Press | 21st December Taliban militants have captured government compounds including the police headquarters in Sangin District of southern Helmand province. Reports suggest that most areas in the district capital have fallen to the hands of Taliban and security forces have stepped back from those areas.
TAPI to create 7,000 jobs: Minister
Afghanistan Times | 20th December Briefing members of the Wolesi Jirga or Lower House of the parliament on Sunday, the minister of mines Daud Shah Saba said the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project would create 7,000 jobs in the country. He said that work on TAPI gas pipeline project would be launched in Afghanistan next year, adding that physical work on the nearly $10 billion gas pipeline project would be kicked off in 2017 and would concluded in 2020.
BANGLADESH
Umrah visa resumes for Bangladeshis
The Daily Star | 22nd December Saudi Arabia has resumed issuing Umrah visas for Bangladeshis, ending a nine-month suspension on allegations that some hajj agencies were working as fronts for human trafficking. The Saudi government in a letter dated December 14 informed Bangladesh foreign ministry of its decision to withdraw the ban, officials at the foreign and religious affairs ministries said yesterday.
Bangladesh-India border guards coordination conference in Dhaka from Tuesday
bdnews 24 | 22nd December India’s Border Security Force and the Border Guard Bangladesh are scheduled to meet in Dhaka as of Tuesday for their bi-annual director general level border coordination conference.
BHUTAN
Trilateral cooperation likely for Kuri -I
KUENSEL | 21st December The most recent development in pursuing the 1125MW Kuri-I project is that the project might be considered for development through a trilateral co-operation between Bhutan, Bangladesh and India.
MALDIVES
Staff walk out over key ministry downsize
Haveeru Online | 22nd December Dozens of finance ministry staff walked out on Tuesday aggrieved by the government’s decision to downsize the key ministry and abolish several departments. A Haveeru reporter at the scene said the staff are now gathered at the premises just outside the finance ministry building.
Maldives begins Free Trade Agreement discussions with China
Sun Online | 21st December Discussions related to the establishment of a Free Trade Agreement between China and Maldives began on Monday at Bandos Island Resort in the Maldives. The two-day deliberations are attended by Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed, and senior officials of the Maldivian government and the Embassy of China in the Maldives. Saeed said in his speech to inaugurate the meeting, that the Maldivian government was committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the talks are successful and beneficial to both countries.
MYANMAR
Presidential Protection, Immunity Bill Put Forward
The Irrawaddy | 21st December A proposed piece of legislation published in Monday’s state-run newspapers seeks to protect the former president after he or she steps down, including a provision granting blanket immunity to the head of state for actions taken while in office. The 14 clauses of the “Former President’s Security Bill” are aimed at ensuring the chief executive’s safety in retirement and would allow him or her “to be immune from any prosecution for his actions during his term,” which is covered in Article 10 of the proposed law.
NEPAL
India seeks convenient date for commerce secretary-level talks
The Himalayan Times | 22nd December The long-stalled Nepal-India commerce secretary-level talks seem to be gathering momentum as the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India has written to its counterpart asking the latter to send the convenient date and agenda for the inter-governmental committee (IGC) meeting.
India welcomes Nepal Cabinet’s 3-pt decision to address Madhesi demands
The Kathmandu Post | 21st December The Indian government has welcomed the decisions taken by Nepal’s Cabinet on Sunday to address and resolve demands regarding the Constitution raised by agitating Madhes-based parties. In a statement on Monday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) hailed “the decisions as positive steps” that help create the basis for a resolution of the current impasse in Nepal.
PAKISTAN
Full details of Saudi-led coalition not yet available: Sartaj Aziz
DAWN | 22nd December Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz admitted on Monday on the floor of the Senate that Pakistan was still unaware of full details of the Saudi-led coalition against terrorism and cautioned parliament against “complicating” the process by “prematurely” discussing it.
Pak, US generals discuss Afghan situation
The Nation | 22nd December Top military officials of Pakistan and US yesterday discussed in Rawalpindi issues of bilateral defence cooperation with a special focus on reconciliation process in Afghanistan and the growing threat of Daesh in that war-torn country. According to ISPR, Commander Resolute Support Mission and US Forces in Afghanistan General John F Campbell called on Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, who briefed the US commander about ongoing Zabr-e-Azb military operation against terrorists in North Waziristan.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lankan President promises to minimize the gap between rich and poor in capital city
Colombo Page | 21st December Speaking at the ceremony to felicitate the workers of the Colombo Municipal Council, organized to mark its 150th anniversary today, the President said he will works towards minimizing the gap between rich and poor in the capital city.
SL request India to extend currency swap facility
Daily Mirror | 21st December Sri Lanka has requested for an extension of the time of the US $ 400 million currency swap facility provided in March this year. Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake recently said this request had been made in the face of impending global situation. The minister told Parliament over the weekend that Sri Lanka will have to manage its reserves wisely in the face of China’s plan to devalue its currency against the dollar while USA’s Federal Reserve planning to raise its interest rates. |
| Establishing a Data-Centric Approach to Encryption |
| Greetings,
You are invited to participate in Webinar – “Establishing a Data Centric Approach to Encryption.”
Many data breaches occur at companies that already have a data security policy in place. While some of the millions of stolen credit card numbers have been easily lifted from unsuspecting companies with unprotected data, an increasing number of companies implement data security technology and find they are still at risk.
These companies understand how important it is to keep their data assets safe from unlawful and malicious intrusion. As a result, they have a strategy for protecting their physical and digital perimeters. However, their data protection strategy is flawed. What is the problem and why do you need to make it a top priority to evaluate your current data security strategy? Typically, intrusion detection and other technologies designed to keep intruders out of your system are built to protect against previously known hacking strategies. This approach exposes your IT systems to great risk as new methods of intrusion are constantly being devised.
Date: December 22, 2015
Time: 03:00PM – 04:00PM IST Presenter: Ted Hendriks, HPE Atalla Pre-Sales Consultant APJ, HPE
We look forward to seeing you at the HPE Webinar. Seats are limited. Please register today!
Sincerely,
HPE Webinar Team. |
Sonakshi Sinha coming movie ‘Aaj Mood Ishqholic Hai’
We have seen her acting, dancing and even doodling, but this time Sonakshi Sinha has gone one step ahead and have recorded her single debut, Aaj Mood Ishqholic Hai. The peppy hip-hop number is composed by Meet Bros and Kumarhas penned down the lyrics. the video has been shot in the locales of Goa with a sun kissed beach background and is choreographed by Salman Yusuff Khan of Dance India Dance fame. The gorgeous diva is seen in a carefree bohemian look in the song.
When quizzed Sonakshi about the song she said, “the song is about being high on love. Love makes the world go round and its something that gives you a heady feeling that nothing else can.”
Talking about her look in the song, she added, “I wanted a very bohemian look for the video, and best place to be in that particular style is Goa because of its hippie vibe.
Lastly she added, with T Series- Bhushan Kumar, Meet Brothers, Kumar(songwriter) and Gifty (Director) i was able to do right!
Aaj Mood Ishqholic will be released around Christmas!!
