Pakistan’s largest airport finally opens in Islamabad after delay of decades Tuesday May 01,2018

The Islamabad International Airport was finally inaugurated on Tuesday May 01,2018, after years of delays and controversies over kickbacks and substandard equipment.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated the airport, expressing hope that the first greenfield airport of Pakistan would eventually emerge as one of Asia’s major aviation hubs after its operationalisation. Spanning over 4,238 acres, the airport consists of a four-level passenger terminal, two runways and parking bays for wide-body aircraft.

Constructed at a cost of more than Rs 100 billion, the IIA is the largest airport of Pakistan and is connected to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

It is capable of serving nine million passengers and 50,000 metric tonne of cargo every year in its first phase, while the modular design enables expansion to serve up to 25 million passengers per year by 2025.

IIA was conceived in 1984 and land was acquired in Fateh Jang to ease the load at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport

18 US states sue Trump administration over emission rules for vehicles

Eighteen US states have sued President Donald Trump’s administration over its push to “reconsider” greenhouse gas emission rules for the country’s auto fleet, launching a legal battle over one of former President Barack Obama’s efforts to address climate change.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Scott Pruitt in April said he would revisit the Obama-era rules, which aim to raise efficiency requirements to about 50 miles per gallon by 2025. Pruitt’s agency said the standards are “based on outdated information” and that new data suggests “the current standards may be too stringent”

But in the lawsuit, the states contend that the EPA acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” in changing the course on greenhouse gas regulations.

The lawsuit comes amid a larger struggle over climate policy regarding US cars and light trucks. The Trump administration has drafted a proposal that would freeze the federal standards at 2021 levels, leaving them well below levels targeted under Obama.

The Trump administration plan, which is not final, would also challenge California’s ability to set its own fuel-efficiency rules. California has a separate set of standards that, because of the state’s huge car market, have pushed automakers to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles.

According to figures from the California New Car Dealers Association, California’s 20,48,000 new car sales in 2017 represented about 12 percent of the 17 million-plus cars sold in the United States last year.

Twelve other states participating in the lawsuit — including New York — have followed California in setting more stringent emission standards. The total market involved is 36 percent of sales in the United States, according to Margo Oge, a former EPA official who helped the agency set auto regulations during the Obama years.

“If you are a car company, that is a pretty big deal. You have uncertainty how this thing is going to work out, and today you have to be investing in cars you’re going to build five years from now,” she said.

The current standards were created under a 2011 agreement reached among the Obama administration, California officials and automakers. If enacted, they would avert 6 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles sold between 2012 and 2025, according to the EPA.

Texas sues Trump administration to end Obama-era immigrant program Tuesday May 01,2018

Texas and six other Republican-governed states on Tuesday May 01,2018 sued the Trump administration to try to end a program launched by Democratic former President Barack Obama that protects immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children.

The states filed suit in federal court in Texas in the latest twist in an ongoing policy and legal fight over the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that Republican President Donald Trump already has tried to rescind.

Trump said in September he would terminate DACA and end its protections for immigrants sometimes called “Dreamers,” but gave the Republican-controlled Congress until March 6 to replace it. Policy differences between Trump and lawmakers in both parties led to Congress failing to act.

In the meantime, courts ruled that the program can stay in place for now, although new applications will not be accepted.

The program protects around 700,000 young adults, mostly Hispanics, from deportation and gives them work permits for two-year periods, after which they must re-apply.

Texas, joined by Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia, argued in the lawsuit that the Obama administration exceeded its authority by creating the program without congressional action.

What India And China Are Doing To Combat Air Pollution

Alai Pesi -Tamil Film

Cast - Akil,Anukrishna,Singampuli,Anumohan
Directed by Muralibharathi
Produced by Vijayalakshmi Creations
Music Composed by S P L Selvadas
Cinematography by Mohan
Scheduled to be released on Friday May 04,2018

Kaathirupor Pattiyal - Tamil Film

Cast - Sachin Mani and Nandhitha
Directed by Balaiya D Rajasekhar
Produced by
Music Composed by
Cinematography by
Scheduled to be released on Friday May 04,2018

Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuthu (English: Fierce punch in a dark room) - Tamil Film

Cast -Gautam Karthik,Vaibhavi Chandilya,Yaashika Aanand,Chandrika Ravi,Karunakaran
Directed by Santhosh P. Jayakumar
Produced by K E Gnanavel Raja
Music Composed by Balamurali Balu
Cinematography by Ballu
Scheduled to be released on Friday May 04,2018

104-year-old Australian scientist goes to Switzerland for euthanasia

A 104-year-old scientist David Goodall is all set to die.

He is traveling to the Swiss city of Basel to an end of life clinic.

The clinic has approved his application for euthanasia.

 The renowned academician wants to end his life as Switzerland has a programme of legal assisted dying.

Goodall told reporters at Perth airport that he will fly to Bordeaux to see some members of his family before travelling to Switzerland.

 He says he has supported voluntary euthanasia for a long time.

 And he says that he’s sorry for having to travel abroad to end his life.

Goodall is an honorary research associate at Edith Cowan University in the West Australian capital of Perth.

He does not have a terminal illness, but is seeking voluntary euthanasia.

He wants to end his life because he believes his quality of life has deteriorated

2011 Journalist Jyotirmay Dey Murder - Chhota Rajan and 8 others get life imprisonment for killing journalist Jyotirmay Dey Wednesday May 02,2018

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Wednesday May 02,2018 sentenced underworld don Chhota Rajan and 8 others to life imprisonment for killing senior journalist Jyotirmay Dey seven years ago.

The court acquitted journalist Jigna Vora and Paulson Joseph, a member of Rajan’s gang, in the murder case.

Other than Rajan, those convicted earlier in the day include Rohit Thangappan alias Satish Kalia, Anil Waghmode, Abhijit Shinde, Nilesh Shedge, Arun Dhake, Mangesh Agawane, Sachin Gaikwad, Deepak Sisodia and Vinod Asrani, who died during the trial.

Dey, who was Editor (Investigations) of Midday, was shot dead on June 11, 2011, when he was on his way home in Powai. According to the prosecution, gangster Chhota Rajan’s men, Satish Kalia, Anil Waghmode, Abhijeet Shinde, Nilesh Shendge, Arun Dake, Mangesh Agawane and Sachin Gaikwad, followed Dey from his mother’s house. Kalia shot him with a .32 bore pistol near Powai garden before fleeing with the rest of the gang.

The prosecution said Dey was shot on the orders of Rajan, who was allegedly instigated by Vora, who worked with a different newspaper at the time. The mafia don was deported from Indonesia’s Bali in November 2015 and subsequently made an accused in the case.

Arup Patnaik, who was the police commissioner of Mumbai at the time of the murder, said: “I feel relieved. This is the first time that an underworld don has been convicted in a regular (murder) case.”
“Whether the acquittals of (Jigna and Paulson) were on technical grounds or based on facts will be known only after obtaining a copy of the order. Anyway, I am sure the CBI will appeal against it in the higher court,” Patnaik added

According to CBI, Dey was on the books of the underworld for which he was meeting members of all gangs, including those of Dawood Ibrahim. The agency claimed Rajan was angry about Dey’s connections with the Dawood gang. Rajan suspected Dey of leaking information on him, CBI said.

The dispute allegedly started with Dey’s proposed book on the life of 20 gangsters. He had proposed that the book be named ‘Chindi – Rags to Riches’.

According to the CBI, between January and March 2011, Rajan tried several times to dissuade Dey from allegedly belittling him through his stories. Rajan particularly tried to dissuade Dey from writing Chindi — Rags to Riches and another one that eulogised gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Rajan feared that the books would show him in a poor light.

The investigating had also said that in order to complete the book, Dey had requested Rajan to meet him during his visits to London and Philippines just a month before his murder. Instead, an angry Rajan decided to order the journalist’s murder.

The agency claimed that the last trigger for the plot to kill him was two articles by Dey. One was headlined ‘Did Rajan plan hit on Kaskar’, which said, “Sources believe that ageing gangster may have plotted the shoot out as a desperate attempt to seize a lion’s claim in the underworld pie.” The other article was titled ‘Rajan gangsters off to pilgrimages’.

The crime branch claimed that such articles had the potential to undermine Rajan’s illegal activities such as extortion and collection of protection money. It claimed that he had issued orders to eliminate the journalist “to send a message to the journalistic community”.

Cauvery River Water Sharing Dispute - Supreme Court Of India(SCI)talks tough, asks Karnataka to release 4 tmc of river water to Tamil Nadu Thursday May 03,2018

The Supreme Court Of India(SCI)Thursday May 03,2018 directed the Karnataka government to release 4 tmc of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu and asked the central government to file an affidavit before May 8 detailing the steps taken by it for setting up the Cauvery Management Board to implements its order.

The court’s observation came on a day its deadline for the Centre to come up with a formula to divide the river waters among the four southern states ended today Thursday May 03,2018

 Appearing on behalf of the government, Attorney General KK Venugopal told the court that the draft of the Cauvery Management Board has to be approved by the Union Cabinet before submitting it to the court. He argued that since Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Karnataka to campaign for his party for the upcoming elections, and the draft, therefore, has not been approved yet.

After listening to the AG’s argument, the court asked the government to file the draft copy on or before May 8 when it will resume the hearing.

Chief Justice Dipak Misra Inaugurates Creche At Supreme Court Of India(SCI) Wednesday May 02,2018

A creche that can accommodate 30 children between six months and six years old was inaugurated on the Supreme Court's premises by the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Wednesday May 02,2018

 

 

Lawyers working at the Supreme Court, litigants and the top court's staff can leave their children at the creche and the fee for admitting a child is Rs. 1,000 and there is also a "care fee" of Rs. 1,500 per month, a statement said

Justices Ranjan Gogoi, MB Lokur, Kurian Joseph and other judges stood beside the Chief Justice as he formally opened the creche.

The creche is equipped with children-friendly furniture, utensils, toys and first-aid kits, one of the staffers said. It will stay open from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm on working days.

Members of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association, registered women clerks engaged by senior advocates, advocates, SCBA staff and employees of the registry can use the facility.

NDA Govt Cabinet Approves Plan To Set Up 20 AIIMS Across India Wednesday May 02,2018

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday May 02,2018 approved a plan to set up 20 All India Institute of Medical Sciences or AIIMS across the country, six of which have already been established, and to upgrade 73 medical colleges.

The decisions are part of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), which has been extended by two years till 2020, with a financial outlay of Rs. 14,832 crore, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters while briefing on the cabinet decisions.

"Under this (PMSSY), we are going to set up 20 AIIMS in the country, six have already been established, and would upgrade 73 medical colleges. This is a historic decision," said the Union Law and Information Technology Minister.

The decision to extend the PMSSY was aimed to meet the shortfall in healthcare professionals and facilities across the country.

"Setting up of new AIIMS would not only transform health education and training but also address the shortfall of healthcare professionals in the region... Setting up of new AIIMS in various states will lead to employment generation for nearly 3,000 people in various faculty and non-faculty posts in each of the AIIMS," said an official statement.

The construction of new AIIMS will be fully funded by the central government. It will also bear the operations and maintenance expenses of these facilities.

The upgradation programme broadly envisages improving health infrastructure through construction of super specialty blocks, trauma centres and others, according to the statement.

Badminton Champion Kidambi Srikanth Takes Charge As Deputy Collector In Andhra Pradesh

Ace badminton champion Kidambi Srikanth will now be seen discharging new responsibilities - off court and in a Deputy Collector's chair. Srikanth, a Padma Shri awardee, on Wednesday formally took charge as Deputy Collector in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur.

Srikanth submitted his joining report to Guntur collector Kona Shashidhar and took formal charge even though he is not expected to attend office every day and will continue to live train at the Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad.

The newly appointed deputy collector also went to thank the chief minister in Amaravati along with his badminton coach Pullela Gopichand. Srikanth's brother Nandagopal Kidambi is also a shuttler who trains along with Srikanth at the Hyderabad academy.  It was a proud moment for Srikanth's father KVS Krishna to see his son take charge in their native district.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had promised Srikanth a government job after he won the title at the Indonesian Championship in June 2017

After being appointed as the Deputy Collector, Srikanth said, "I am happy to serve the public from my native place."

"As of now I want to focus on my game, but will try to understand the responsibilities of the Deputy Collector post and do justice to it," the 25-year-old added.

The ace shuttler also thanked the chief minister, his coaches and the collector for the prestigious post.

In 2017 Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu had also assumed the office of Deputy Collector at Gollapudi in Andhra Pradesh state secretariat. The Telangana government had also awarded the ace badminton player with a cash reward of Rs. 5 crore and a residential plot.

China opens world's biggest movie hub to try woo Hollywood

A sign for the Dalian Wanda Oriental Movie Metropolis film production hub stands on a hill in this aerial photograph taken in Qingdao, China, on April 17, 2018.

Four gigantic, Chinese characters are aligned on a hill overlooking a seaside film studio complex, in a nod to the fabled Hollywood sign, the American cultural icon in Los Angeles.

Except this is northern China's port city of Qingdao, where Dalian Wanda Group, a real-estate, retail and entertainment conglomerate, is opening its doors to an audacious $7.9 billion (50 billion yuan) world-class film production hub, called the Oriental Movie Metropolis, or Dong Fang Ying Du.

The project boasts the world's largest studios, a commercial complex covered with giant portraits of Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe and Bruce Lee. There's also a reclaimed island full of hotels, condos, two theaters and a yacht club.

It all adds up to China's largest and glitziest effort yet to attract Hollywood filmmakers to work their magic using domestic film-production studios -- the sort of move that can enhance the nation's "soft power" and cultural reach on the global stage.

The studios have been partially open since the second half of 2016 and have hosted the production of 10 films. Other than Wanda's Legendary Entertainment, no big Hollywood studio has produced a movie in Qingdao. Most of the productions have been Chinese films, albeit some of them with big budgets, such as "Feng Shen," a 3 billion yuan trilogy based on an ancient Chinese mythological novel.

The entire complex spans an area of 929 acres (376 hectares), according to a Wanda statement in 2013, when the project broke ground with Hollywood glitterati such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and now-disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein.

2018 Australia Tour of England to play 5 ODI's and Single T20 from June 13-27,2018

The Australian Cricket Team is scheduled to tour England in June 2018 to play  5 ODI's and a T20I from June 13-27,2018

5 -Match ODI Series Schedule

First ODI @The Oval,Londaon on June 13,2018
Second ODI@ Sophia Gardens,Cardiff on June 16,2018
Third ODI@ Trent Bridge,Nottingham on June 19,2018
Fourth ODI@Riverside Ground,Chester-le-Street on June 21,2018
Fifth ODI @ Old Trafford,Manchester on June 24,2018

Single T20I Schedule

@ Edgbaston,Birmingham on June 27,2018

Justin Langer Named AS Australia's Head Coach on aa 4-year Contract Replacing Darren Lehmann

Justin Langer has been named as Australia's head coach on a four-year contract, replacing Darren Lehmann following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa that rocked world cricket.


Long touted as Lehmann's successor, former test opener Langer has landed the role earlier than planned after his predecessor resigned following the Cape Town scandal despite being cleared of any wrongdoing himself

Justin Langer takes over a depleted team, with captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, the side's two top batsmen, suspended for a year for their roles in the ball-tampering.

Young opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was also banned for nine months for his part in the incident.

"Whilst Darren Lehmann was not due to complete his term until next year, we have had a succession plan in place for this role for some time," Cricket Australia (CA) CEO James Sutherland said in a media release on Thursday.

"We firmly believe Justin is the right person to lead this team and have huge confidence in what he will bring to the role."

The 47-year-old Langer scored more than 7,500 runs, including 23 centuries in 105 test matches and has enjoyed success coaching Western Australia state and the Perth Scorchers since November, 2012.

He has acted as Australia's head coach on an interim basis, in a limited-overs series in the Caribbean in 2016, and at home against Sri Lanka last year.

"There will be some significant challenges ahead for our group, but there is a wealth of talent in Australian cricket that I know will do us all proud," Langer said.

Justin Langer's first assignment will be a tour of England, with five one-day internationals and a sole Twenty20 beginning on  June 13,2018

The Australian Cricket Team is scheduled to tour England in June 2018 to play  5 ODI's and a T20I from June 13-27,2018

5 -Match ODI Series Schedule

First ODI @The Oval,Londaon on June 13,2018
Second ODI@ Sophia Gardens,Cardiff on June 16,2018
Third ODI@ Trent Bridge,Nottingham on June 19,2018
Fourth ODI@Riverside Ground,Chester-le-Street on June 21,2018
Fifth ODI @ Old Trafford,Manchester on June 24,2018

Single T20I Schedule

• @ Edgbaston,Birmingham on June 27,2018

 

Cambridge Analytica Shuts Down Amid Data Breach Crisis, Says 'Media Siege' Drove Away Clients

Cambridge Analytica, the UK-based political consulting firm in the middle of the Facebook data breach scandal, has announced that it is shutting down.

The company denies any wrongdoing, but says that the negative media coverage has left it with no clients and mounting legal fees which has forced it to resort to closure.

The decision follows weeks of intense pressure on the company, hired by Donald Trump's presidential campaign, after allegations emerged it may have hijacked up to 87 million Facebook users' data.

It claimed it has been "vilified" by the "numerous unfounded accusations" which torpedoed its business and left the firm with "no realistic alternative" but to go into administration.


"Despite Cambridge Analytica's unwavering confidence that its employees have acted ethically and lawfully... the siege of media coverage has driven away virtually all of the company's customers and suppliers," it said in a statement. "As a result, it has been determined that it is no longer viable to continue operating the business."

The company said its parent company, SCL Elections, would also commence bankruptcy proceedings. This could impact its Indian operations as well.

The firm drew attention after former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon reportedly once sat on its board and was bankrolled to the tune of $15 million (12.5 million euros)by US billionaire and Republican donor Robert Mercer.

It first became embroiled in scandal in March when Canadian whistleblower Christopher Wylie, a 28-year-old former analyst for the firm, revealed it had created psychological profiles of tens of millions of Facebook users via a personality prediction app.

The revelations instantly reverberated around the world, wiping billions from the social media giant's market value and drawing scrutiny from politicians and regulators on both sides of the Atlantic.

To make matters worse for CA, CEO Alexander Nix was suspended within days after he was filmed by undercover reporters bragging about ways to win political campaigns, including through blackmail and honey traps.

As the crisis intensified, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg was forced to apologise to its billions of users amid a small but growing exodus from the site.

He eventually appeared before Congress for a two-day grilling by lawmakers, and has since vowed to overhaul the way the Facebook shares its users' data.

In Britain, regulators ratcheted up a probe into CA, raiding its London offices, and later extending the investigation to 30 organisations, including Facebook.

A second whistleblower from the firm also emerged at a parliamentary hearing in April claiming Britons' personal data may have been misused by a pro-Brexit campaign ahead of the 2016 referendum in which Britain voted to leave the European Union.

In India, the ruling BJP and opposition Congress have levelled serious allegations of ‘data theft’ and voter influencing against each other by employing CA’s services. Cambridge Analytica’s India-affiliate Ovleno Business Intelligence (OBI) carried the names and logos of BJP, Congress and JD(U) in its client list, while the company’s vice-president, Himanshu Sharma, boasted of having successfully delivered 272+ seats for BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

In its bid to understand the dimensions of the Facebook data breach, the Indian government had sought clarifications from Cambridge Analytica, but the response it received was said to be "unsatisfactory, cryptic and evasive".

Earlier this month, Facebook upped its count of the number of people impacted, admitting that up to 87 million users may have had their data harvested.

Tata Nexon AMT Launched at Rs 9.41 Lakh, Badged HyprDrive S-SG

Tata Motors has launched the AMT version of their compact SUV offering – the Tata Nexon at a price tag of Rs 9.41 lakh for the petrol engine-powered variant and Rs 10.3 lakh for the diesel engine-powered variant (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi)

 

The Tata Nexon AMT variant will be called as the Tata Nexon Hyprdrive S-SG.

With the launch of this car, Tata has also announced that the company will now brand all of its two-pedal transmission cars as ‘HyprDrive’ while all the AMT variants from the company will now be termed as Self-Shift Gears (S-SG).

The Tata Nexon AMT is also the first car in its segment to have multiple drive modes on offer – Eco, City and Sport.

Google Doodle on the 106th anniversary of French illusionist and film director Georges Méliès

Google always makes sure to keep the users engaged and informed with its interesting doodle. The style of the doodle has been dynamic over the years and keeps on evolving with every new one. From static caricatures to musical notes and games, this time Google-Doodle has mixed VR into the mix.

Celebrating the works of French illusionist and film director Georges Méliès on the 106th anniversary of one of his most famous works, À la conquête du pôle, Google has launched a VR doodle that takes you through a story called 'Back to the Moon'. The 2 minutes long story can be watched in 360 degrees via the Google Spotlight Stories YouTube Channel

A trained magician, Georges Méliès pioneered numerous technical and narrative film techniques in the early days of cinema, primarily in the use of special effects and creation of some of the earliest films of the science fiction genre. Méliès was a prolific innovator in the use of special effects, popularising such techniques as substitution splices, multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, dissolves, and hand-painted color. He was also one of the first filmmakers to use storyboards. His films include A Trip to the Moon (1902) and The Impossible Voyage (1904), both involving strange, surreal journeys somewhat in the style of Jules Verne, and are considered among the most important early science fiction films


 

2018 Indian Premier League(IPL)Season 11 April 07- May 27,2018 - Match 33 KKR Vs CSK @ Kolkata Thursday May 03,2018

2018 IPL Match Results

Match 01 MI Vs CSK @ Mumbai Saturday April 07,2018
Scorecard
MI                      176/7 in 20 Overs
CSK                   177/6 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result      CSK won by 1 wicket
MOM                 Dwayne Bravo(CSK) for his 68(30 Balls 4x3 and 6x7)

Match 02 KXIP Vs DD @ Mohali Sunday April 08,2018 

Scorecard
DD                         166/7 in 20 Overs
KXIP                      167/4 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result           KXIP won by 6 wickets
MOM                      K L Rahul(KXIP)for his 51(16 Balls 4x6 and 6x4)

Match 03 KKR Vs RCB @ Kolkata Sunday April 08,2018

Scorecard
RCB                   176/7 in 20 Overs
KKR                   177/6 in 15.5 Overs
Match Result     KKR won by 4 wickets
MOM                 Sunil Narine(KKR) for his 1/30(4 Overs) and 50(19 Balls 4x4 and 6x5)
 

Match 04 SRH Vs RR @ Hyderabad  Monday April 09,2018

Scorecard
RR                   125/9 in 20 Overs
SRH                  127/1 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result     SRH won by 9 wickets
MOM                 Shikhar Dhawan(SRH)for his 77*(57 Balls 4x13 and 6x)

Match 05 CSK Vs KKR @ Chennai Tuesday April 10,2018 

Scorecard
KKR 202/6 in 20 Overs
CSK  205/5 in 19.5 Overs
Match Result CSK won by 5 wickets
MOM Sam Billings(CSK)for his 56(23 Balls 4x2 and 6x5)

Match 06 RR Vs DD @ Jaipur Wednesday April 11,2018
Scorecard
RR                       153/5 in 17.5 Overs
DD                         60/4 in 6 Overs(Target 71 Runs)
Match Result       RR won by 10 Runs under D/L
MOM                   Sanju Samson(RR) for his 37(22 Balls 4x2 and 6x2)

Match 07 SRH Vs MI @ Hyderabad Thursday April 12,2018 

Scorecard
MI                           147/8 in 20 Overs
SRH                        151/9 in 20 Overs
Match Result          SRH won by 1 wicket
MOM                      Rashid Khan(SRH) for his 1/13(4 Overs)

Match 08 RCB Vs KXIP @ Bengaluru Friday April 13,2018 

Scorecard
KXIP                       155/10 in 20 Overs
SRH                        159/6 in 19.3 Overs
Match Result           RCB won by 4 wickets
MOM                      Umesh Yadav(RCB)for his 3/23(4 Overs)

Match 09 MI Vs DD @ Mumbai Saturday April 14,2018

Scorecard
MI                        194/7 in 20 Overs
DD                       195/3 in 20 Overs
Match Result        DD won by 7 wickets
MOM                    Jason Roy(DD) for his 91*(53 Balls 4x6 and 6x6)

Match 10 KKR Vs SRH @ Kolkata Saturday April 14,2018

Scorecard
KKR                   138/8 in 20 Overs
SRH                    139/5 in 19 Overs
Match Result       SRH won by 5 wickets
MOM                   Billy Stanlake(SRH) for his 2/21(4 Overs)

Match 11 RCB Vs RR @ Bengaluru Sunday April 15,2018 

Scorecard
RR                          217/4 in 20 Overs
RCB                        198/6 in 20 Overs
Match Result          RR won by 19 Runs
MOM                      Sanju Samson(RR) for his 92*(45 Balls 4x2 and 6x10)

Match 12 KXIP Vs CSK @ Mohali Sunday April 15,2018 

Scorecard
KXIP                  197/7 in 20 Overs
CSK                    193/5 in 20 Overs
Match Result       KXIP won by 4 wickets
MOM                   Chris Gayle(KXIP) for his 63(32 Balls 4x7 and 6x4)

Match 13 KKR Vs DD @ Kolkata Monday April 16,2018

Scorecard
KKR                  200/9 in 20 Overs
DD                     129/10 in 14.2 Overs
Match Result      KKR won by 71 Runs
MOM                  Nitish Rana(KKR) for his 59(35 Balls 4x5 and 6x4)

Match 14 MI Vs RCB @ Mumbai Tuesday April 17,2018

Scorecard
MI                          213/6 in 20 Overs
RCB                       167/8 in 20 Overs
Match Result         MI won by 46 Runs
MOM                     Rohit Sharma(MI) for his 94(52 Balls 4x10 and 6x5)

 Match 15 RR Vs KKR @ Jaipur Wednesday April 18,2018

Scorecard
RR                     160/8 in 20 Overs
KKR                  163/3 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result     KKR Won by 7 wickets
MOM                Nitish Rana(KKR) for his 35*(27 Balls 4x2 and 2/11(2 Overs)

Match 16 KXIP Vs SRH @ Mohali Thursday April 19,2018

Scorecard
KXIP                     193/3 in 20 Overs
SRH                       178/4 in 20 Overs
Match Result         KXIP won by 15 Runs
MOM                     Chris Gayle(KXIP) for his 104*(63 Balls 4x1 and 6x11)


Match 17 CSK Vs RR @ Pune Friday April 20,2018

Scorecard
CSK                      204/5 in 20 Overs
RR                         140/10 in 18.3 Overs
Match Result         CSK won by 64 Runs
MOM                     Shane Watson(CSK) for his 106(57 Balls 4x9 and 6x6) -3rd IPL Ton

Match 18 KKR Vs KXIP @ Kolkata Saturday April 21,2018

Scorecard
KKR                         191/7 in 20 Overs
KXIP                        126/1 in 11.1 Overs(Target 125 Runs in 13 Overs)
Match Result            KXIP won by 9 wickets under D/L
MOM                        K L Rahul(KXIP)for his 60(27 Balls 4x9 and 6x2)

Match 19 RCB Vs DD @ Bengaluru Saturday April 21,2018

Scorecard
DD                             174/5 in 20 Overs
RCB                           176/4 in 18 Overs
Match Result              RCB won by 6 wickets
MOM                          AB de Villiers(RCB)for his 90*(39 Balls 4x10 and 6x5)

Match 20 SRH Vs CSK  @ Hyderabad Sunday April 22,2018

Scorecard
CSK                      182/3 in 20 Overs
SRH                      178/6 in 20 Overs
Match Result         CSK won by 4 Runs
MOM                     Ambati Rayudu(CSK)for his 79(37 Balls 4x9 and 6x4)

Match 21 RR  Vs MI @ Jaipur Sunday April 22,2018

Scorecard
MI                          167/7 in 20 Overs
RR                         168/7 in 19.4 Overs
Match Result         RR won by 3 wickets
MOM                     Johra Archer(RR) for his 3/22(44 Overs) - Maiden IPL Match

 Match 22 DD Vs KXIP @ Delhi Monday April 23,2018

Scorecard
KXIP                     143/8 in 20 Overs
DD                         139/8  in 20 Overs
Match Result          KXIP won by 4 Runs
MOM                      Ankit Rajpoot(KXIP) for his 2/23(4 Overs)

 Match 23 MI Vs SRH  @ Mumbai  Tuesday April 24,2018

Scorecard
SRH                    118/10 in 18.4 Overs
MI                         87/10 in 18.5 Overs
Match Result      SRH won by 31 Runs
MOM                  Rashid Khan(SRH)for his 2/11(4 Overs)

Match 24 RCB Vs CSK  @ Bengaluru Wednesday April 25,2018

Scorecard
RCB                  205/8 in 20 Overs
CSK                  207/5 in 19.4 Overs
Match Result     CSK won by 5 wickets
MOM                M S Dhonei(CSK)for his 70*(34 Balls 4x1 and 6x7)


Match 25 SRH Vs KXIP @ Hyderabad Thursday april 26,2018

Scorecard
SRH                   132/6 in 20 Overs
KXIP                  119/10 in 19.2 Overs
Match Result      SRH won by 13 Runs
MOM                  Ankit Rajpoot(KXIP) for his 5/14(4 Overs)

Match 26 DD Vs KKR @ Delhi on Friday April 27,2018

Scorecard
DD                           219/4 in 20 Overs
KKR                         164/9 in 20 Overs
Match Result            DD won by 55 Runs
MOM                        ShreyasIyer(DD)for his 93*(40 Balls 4x3 and 6x10)

Match 27 CSK Vs MI  @ Pune Saturday  April 28,2018

Scorecard
CSK                     169/5 in 20 Overs
MI                        170/2 in 19.4 Overs
Match Result        MI won by 8 wickets
MOM                   Rohit Sharma(MI)for his 56-(33 Balls 4x6 and 6x2)

Match 28 RR Vs SRH  @ Jaipur Sunday  April 29,2018

Scorecard
SRH                     151/7 in 20 Overs
RR                        140/6 in 20 Overs
Match Result        SRH won by 11 Runs
MOM                   Kane Williamson(SRH)for his 63(43 Balls 4x7 and 6x2)

Match 29 RCB Vs KKR  @ Bengaluru Sunday  April 29,2018 

Scorecard
RCB                    175/4  in 20 Overs
KKR                    176/4 in 19.1 Overs
Match Result       KKR won by 6 wickets
MOM                   Chris Lynn(KKR)for his 62*(52 Balls 4x7 and 6x1)

Match 30 CSK Vs DD  @ Pune Monday  April 30,2018

Scorecard
CSK                      211/4 in 20 Overs
DD                        198/5 in 20 Overs
Match Result         CSK won by 13 Runs
MOM                    Shane Watson(CSK)for his 78(40 Balls 4x4 and 6x7)

 Match 31 RCB Vs MI  @ Bengaluru  Tuesday  May 01,2018

Scorecard
RCB                        167/7  in 20 Overs
MI                           153/7  in 20 Overs
Match Result           RCB won by 14 Runs
MOM                      Tim Southee(RCB) for his 2/25(4 Overs)

 Match 32 DD Vs RR  @ Delhi Wednesday  May 02,2018

Scorecard
DD                        196/6 in 17.1 Overs
RR                         146/5  in 12 Overs(Target 151 in 12 Overs)
Match Result        DD Won by 4 Runs
MOM                    Risabh Pant(DD) for his 69(27 Balls 47x and 6x5)

Match 33  KKR Vs CSK  @ Kolkata Thursday  May 03,2018

Scorecard
CSK                      177/5 in 20 Overs
KKR                      180/4 in17.4 Overs
Match Result         KKR won by 6 Wickets
MOM                     Sunil Narine(KKR)for his 2/20(4 Overs)and 32(20 Balls 4x4 and 6x2)



Match 33  KKR Vs CSK   Match Preview

Head-to-Head

Out of the 17 Matches,CSK have won 11 and KKR 6

CSK has played 8 won 6 and lost 2

1. Match 30 beat DD by 13 Runs Monday April 30,2018
2. Match 27 lost to MI by 8 wickets Saturday April 28,2018
3. Match 24 beat RCB by 5 wickets on Wednesday April 25,2018
4. Match 20 beat SRH by 4 Runs on Sunday April 22,2018
5. Match 17 beat RR by 64 Runs on Friday April 20,2018
6. Match 12 lost to KXIP by 4 wickets on Sunday April 15,2018
7. Match 05 beat KKR by 5 wickets on Tuesday April 10,2018
8. Match 01 beat MI by 1 wicket on Saturday April 07,2018

KKR has played 8 won 4 and lost 4

1. Match 29- beat RCB vy 6 wickets on Sunday April 29,2018
2. Match 26 - lost to DD by 55 Runs on Friday April 27,2018
3. Match 18 - lost to KXIP by 9 wickets on Saturday April 21,2018
4. Match 15 - beat RR by 7 wickets on Wednesday April 18,2018 
5. Match 13 - beat DD by 71 Runs on Monday April 16,2018
6. Match 10 - lost to SRH by 5 wickets on Saturday April 14,2018
7. Match 05 - lost to CSK by 5 wickets on Tuesday April 10,2018
8. Match 03 - beat RCB by 4 wickets on Sunday April 08,2018

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings by 6 Wickets

KKR won the toss and chose to field

Scorecard
CSK                      177/5 in 20 Overs
KKR                      180/4 in17.4 Overs
Match Result         KKR won by 6 Wickets
MOM                     Sunil Narine(KKR)for his 2/20(4 Overs)and 32(20 Balls 4x4 and 6x2)

One of Kolkata Knight Riders' most valued assets is their bowling strength, particularly their spinners

Sunil Narine's mystery spin is still effective.Sunil Narine was the star with the ball, picking 2/20 in his four overs which included the big wickets of in-form Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu.

 Wristspinners Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav are widely respected.

Together, they conceded 89 runs in 12 overs and took all five wickets to fall in the game's first half to limit Chennai Super Kings to 177/5 in 20 Overs

With 177 to defend, CSK needed early wickets to stall KKR's momentum. Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine are often tasked with generating that momentum.

Chris Lynn 12(was caught at slip, via the inside edge, in the first over.

CSK then had two chances to dismiss Sunil  Narine at 6 Runs when Ravindra Jadeja, one of CSK's best fielders, dropped both chances at mid-off, off consecutive deliveries

Sunil Narine went on to score 32(20 Balls 4x4 and 6x2)before he was eventually caught off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja.

KKR were in control of their chase right from the outset. When Rinku Singh was bowled in the 12th over, KKR needed 81 runs off 50 balls. Gill and Karthik stayed aggressive, punching drives on the up and pulling elegantly into the stands over square leg.

The intent was clear: not to leave the chase to the last over with several variables involved.

Captain Dinesh  Karthik's 45*(18 Balls 4x7 and 6x1)and Shubman Gill's 57* (36 Balls 4x6 and 6x2)ensured the penultimate over wasn't required either.

This was Shubman Gill’s maiden IPL fifty too.

At 18 years and 237 days, Shubman Gill is the fourth-youngest to score an IPL half-century after his India Under-19 team-mate Prithvi Shaw, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant.

Shubman Gill was acquired for INR 1.8 crore (USD 281,000 approx) after a stunning run with India Under-19 at the World Cup in January-February,2018

Following a splendid run with the India Under-19 side in this year’s Youth World Cup in New Zealand (second highest scorer of the tournament with 372 runs from five innings at an average of 124), the Punjab lad was picked by KKR for Rs 1.8 crore. However, at the start of this eleventh edition of the IPL, he sat out of the first two games with Rinku Singh being picked ahead of Gill, much to the surprise of many.

When Shubman Gill finally got the opportunity, he had to bat at No 7 for four games and only faced eight, five, nine and two balls respectively in those outings. Last week, against Delhi (28 April) he was sent in at No 6 when KKR were tottering at 46 for 3, chasing 220. He showed a glimpse of his talent with a 29-ball 37. On that occasion, the right-hander looked quite comfortable against pace and dominant against spin. Perhaps that particular knock convinced the KKR team management that he is being wasted in the lower-middle order.

On Thursday May 03,2018, an injury to Rana opened the doors for Gill's promotion to No 4 and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

India Is Part Of This Club Of 5, Along With US And China

India has joined the US and China as one of the world's five biggest military spenders, reflecting geopolitical tensions as well as the country's reliance on imported weapons and sprawling personnel costs.

New Delhi's defense spending rose by 5.5 percent to $63.9 billion in 2017 and has now passed France, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said in a report released Wednesday.

Worldwide military spending rose marginally last year to $1.73 trillion, or roughly 2.2 percent of global gross domestic product, the group said. The list of the world's biggest military spenders has remained consistent in recent years, dominated by the U.S. and China, which spent $610 billion and $228 billion respectively, according to SIPRI, which researches global arms spending.

However, the group said the balance of military spending is "clearly shifting" toward Asia, Oceania and the Middle East, driven largely by spending increases in China, India and Saudi Arabia.

China spends far more on its military than any other power in Asia.

Beijing's share of worldwide military expenditure rose to 13 percent in 2017 from just 5.8 percent in 2008, according to SIPRI. The Chinese government has increased spending 8.5 percent per year between 2007 and 2016 and its leaders "seem committed to increases in defense spending for the foreseeable future, even as China's economic growth slows," according to a U.S. Department of Defense report on China's military.

In India's case, however, increased spending doesn't mean the armed forces are deploying state-of-the-art equipment. The rise in defense spending mostly goes toward salaries and pensions for roughly 1.4 million serving personnel and more than 2 million veterans, said Laxman Kumar Behera, a research fellow with New Delhi's Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

2018 Barcelona Open Men's Singles Final - Rafael Nadal beat Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Barcelona Open final Sunday April 29,2018

World No 1 Rafael Nadal made light work of Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Barcelona Open final 6-2 6-1 on Sunday April 29,2018, lifting the trophy for a record-extending 11th time.

Tsitsipas, 19, is the second-youngest player in the ATP top 100. Like Nadal, he had reached the final without dropping a set, knocking out world number seven Dominic Thiem in the quarters and 11th-ranked Pablo Carreno Busta in the semis to reach his first ATP final.

2018 Wimbledon - Wimbledon increases prize money

Wimbledon on Tuesday May 01,2018 announced it was hiking its total prize pot for the 2018 tennis championships to £34 million, up 7.6%. That pool includes prizes of £2.25 million each for the men’s and women’s champions.

Organisers also issued a warning that players who compete while knowingly carrying an injury, and quit mid-match, face being docked all their first-round prize money. Under the new rule, if an injured player withdraws on site after midday on the Thursday before the Championships he/she will receive 50% of the first-round prize money. The replacement “lucky-loser” will get the other 50%.

In addition to stripping players of their first-round prize money if they pull out of a match or perform to what the club deems “below professional standards”, it will strictly enforce warm-up timing to speed up the game, but will also extend the time allowed between points from 20 to 25 seconds.

NDA Govt Approves 3 new airport terminal buildings at Chennai, Lucknow and Guwahati Wednesday May 2,2018

In a major step towards augmentation of aviation infrastructure in the country, the Centre today approved a proposal to build new terminal buildings at the Chennai, Lucknow and Guwahati airports at an estimated cost of over 5,000 crore. The proposal was approved by the Union Cabinet which met  on Wednesday May 2,2018

The aviation sector in the country is currently growing at well over 20 per cent and touched 28 per cent in March, with 1.16 crore Indians making flight journeys during the month. Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said the new terminal building approved for the Chennai airport at Rs 2,467 crore will have a capacity to handle 35 million passengers per annum and take care of the growth requirement till 2027.

Likewise, the new terminal building at Lucknow will have an annual capacity of 13.6 million passengers and will cater to the passenger growth requirements up to 2030-31. It will be built at a cost of Rs 1,232 crore and will be a major force multiplier towards UP’s growth, the minister tweeted.

The new terminal building at Guwahati will be built at a cost of Rs 1,383 crore and will have a capacity to handle nine million passengers per annum. “It (the new terminal) will give a major thrust to our ‘Act East’ policy and to tourism in NE India,” Prabhu said.

NDA Govt Cabinet approves MRA between accountancy institutes of India, South Africa Wednesday May 02,2018

The Union Cabinet has approved a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) which will aid the Indian accountancy professionals to explore employment opportunities in South Africa. “The MRA is likely to lead to greater employment opportunities for the Indian Chartered Accountants in the region and also lead to greater remittances from them to India,” an official statement said Wednesday May 02,2018

MRAs pave the way for recognition of the professional bodies of one country by the other. Regulatory bodies of various professional services like engineering, accountancy and architecture are encouraged to enter into these pacts. These agreements are part of free trade pacts that India has signed with several regions, including Singapore, Japan, South Korea and ASEAN
 The agreement will facilitate recognition of Indian accountancy professionals with local accountancy qualification in addition to existing ICAI qualification, which will increase their professional avenues in South African markets.

It will also foster strong working relations between the two accounting institutes. Besides, the pact will increase mobility of professionals at either end and herald a new dimension for small and medium businesses in both the countries. In general, a skilled professional from sectors, including medical and accountancy, can currently get a job in other country but signing of such agreements make it more easier to find employment.

Lasith Malinga given ultimatum to leave IPL and return home by SLC

Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga’s international career looks in jeopardy after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selectors issued an ultimatum to the 34-year old pacer to return home and play domestic cricket or forget being recalled for the national side.

Not retained by Mumbai Indians during IPL 2018 auctions, Malinga was up for selection in Sri Lanka’s domestic Inter-Provincial one-day tournament, which is set to begin on May 2. However, the pacer stated that he would not be returning to the island until the end of the IPL 2018.

After going unsold at the IPL 2018 auction, Malinga, who hasn’t played for Sri Lanka since last September, opted for a stint as a mentor for MI.

SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala was quoted by cricbuzz as saying, “The selectors wanted him back, and he has to play domestic cricket according to them. We’re playing our white-ball tournament, and 50-over and T20. I’m sure before the next international engagement which is South Africa and then the Asia Cup and so forth, he needs to play T20 games and 50 overs. If Lasith is not playing a domestic tournament, the selectors will have to make a call.”

SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said, “We have informed Lasith that he has been selected. If he doesn’t play the Inter-Provincial tournament, it is unlikely that the selectors will consider him.”
Malinga posted a video saying he was ready for international action against South Africa in July but refused to play domestic cricket for Sri Lanka. South Africa will play five ODIs and a T20 International during their Sri Lanka tour that kicks off with the two-match Test series

Remembering Satyajit Ray (May 02,1921 - April 23,1992)on his 97th birth anniversary

Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray would have celebrated his 97th birthday on Wednesday May 02,1921

The filmmaker not only played a major role in placing India on the global cinematic map but his works continue to inspire a number of acclaimed filmmakers even today.

 No wonder, acclaimed filmmakers like Christopher Nolan call Ray’s first film Pather Panchali one of the best films in the history of filmmaking.

 On his 97th birth anniversary, here’s looking at some interesting facts about Satyajit Ray’s life.

1. Satyajit Ray belonged to a family of writers. In his early life, Ray was a huge fan of Oriental art. His frequent visits to Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves stimulated his love for Indian art. He had started his career as an illustrator working for different companies.

2. He was even assigned the job to design the cover for the children’s version of Pather Panchali, renamed as Aam Antir Bhepu. While illustrating the book, Ray got hugely influenced by the story and even made it the subject of his feature debut. Shots of his illustrations also featured in the film.

3. Only after getting introduced to French director Jean Renoir did Ray get especially interested in filmmaking. During his three-month stint in London, Satyajit Ray watched a staggering total of 99 films but among them, Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thieves) by Vittorio De Sica had the most profound impact on him. It is said that he walked out of the theatre determined to be a filmmaker.

4. Satyajit Ray’s first film Pather Panchali was shot for three years. Also, the film’s cast and crew were all rookies, making the shooting even more difficult.

5. Ray even struggled with the film’s funding for a long time as he was determined on not changing any part of the story or perspective to the whims of a producer. The budget was so shoe-string that Ray had to sell a lot of his personal belongings to complete the film. Only after taking a loan from the Bengal government, Ray was able to release the film in 1955. It went on to receive great critical and commercial success, not just in India but also globally.

6. For Aparajito, the second film of the Apu trilogy, much of the story is drawn from Satyajit Ray’s own experiences. For instance, Apu going to Calcutta and finding lodging with a printer echoes the young Satyajit Ray living above his grandfather’s printing press.

7. Ray was also able to launch two industry stalwarts with his final Apu film, Apur Sansar. While Soumitra Chatterjee who played the grown-up Apu collaborated with Ray in almost every film he directed, Apu’s bride Aparna was played by the 14-year-old Sharmila Tagore

8. After the famous Apu Trilogy, Satyajit Ray experimented with genres. He also went on to make films on the British Raj period, various documentaries including one on Rabindranath Tagore and even comedies like Mahapurush. His major films in this period include Charulata, Devi and Sandesh.

9. This might come as a shock to many but Ray had accused Steven Spielberg of borrowing the basic idea from his unrealised sci-fi film The Alien for his E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. He went on record and said, “At least two of the Spielberg-Lucas films, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and ET, would not have been possible without my script of The Alien being available throughout America in mimeographed copies. Some days back Arthur Clark telephoned me from London, saying that I should file a copyright case and should not take it lying down.”

10. Satyajit Ray even delved into the genres of fantasy, science fiction, detective dramas and historical dramas in his later years. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded him an Honorary Academy Award in 1992. On April 23 in the same year, Ray breathed his last but his brilliant legacy sure lives on

Most Polluted Mega Cities Across The World

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) global air pollution database released in Geneva, India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations -- the worst being Kanpur with a PM 2.5 concentration of 173 micrograms per cubic metre, followed by Faridabad, Varanasi and Gaya. 

Other Indian cities that registered very high levels of PM2.5 pollutants are Delhi, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala and Jodhpur, followed by Ali Subah Al-Salem in Kuwait and a few cities in China and Mongolia.

India’s financial capital Mumbai is the world’s fourth most polluted megacity.

 

 The study considered PM2.5 (particulate matter of diameter less than 2.5 micrometres) and PM10. PM2.5 is more dangerous than PM10. The period considered for the study was 2010 to 2016. 

Telecom Commission approves Wi-Fi services on flights in India Tuesday May 01,2018

Air travellers in India will soon get in-flight internet access, with the Telecom Commission, the highest decision-making body at the telecom department, approving the proposal on Tuesday May 01,2018

“We will now have to create a separate category of licencees called in-flight connectivity provider. These will provide internet as well as voice services within Indian territorial airspace... in both domestic and international flights,” telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan told

The telecom department will now start the process of framing licence terms for in-flight connectivity (IFC) providers and then invite applications, she said, adding that this process could take three months. IFC providers will be required to pay an annual licence fee of Re1 initially.

“It is a fabulous decision. Given the nature of my job, I’m constantly travelling and it is my downtime when I take flights, which now I can use more productively. With data availability, I can catch up on work, read online and stay connected,” said Abhishek Ganguly, managing director of Puma India.

Mobile calling service would be permitted above 3,000m in Indian airspace and the service should be through an Indian satellite and or a Department of Space-approved satellite, and the gateway should also be in India. The telecom regulator had recommended in January that the government allow foreign satellites and gateways.

The telecom department will leave the pricing of these services to the market.

“The pricing would depend on the airline, sometimes it is a part of the ticket and sometimes you are charged (rates)... that could start from $5-10. Indian airlines will have to see what passengers will be willing to shell out,” said Neelu Khatri, president of aerospace at Honeywell India. The company offers high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi to airlines globally.

How Wi-Fi on airplanes works ?

Fliers in India will soon be able to access internet while flying through WiFi hotspots.

Telecom Commission, the highest decision making body in the sector, has given a go ahead to in-flight Wi-Fi services.

This means both domestic and international airline companies operating in India will be able to add WiFi access to their bevy of services to lure new passengers.

However, Wi-Fi service on flights is going to be a different ball game from the existing public Wi-Fi networks which are available at hotels, railway stations and cafes.

At an altitude of 35,000 feet, signals from land based mobile towers are too weak to allow users to make calls let alone access internet.

Which is why In-flight internet services are made available through geostationary satellites, widely used for TV signals and weather forecast.

These satellites allow internet services on airlines in two ways—ATG (air to ground) and Satellite Internet.

In the first case, the satellite first send signals to receivers on the ground, which then transmit them to antennas on the airline.

However, this works only when the airline is flying over land.

In the second case the Satellite beams signals directly to antennas on the airline

It allows users to connect anywhere, even when the flight is over water.

Wi-Fi on flights was first introduced in US by Gogo Inc. on Virgin Atlantic airlines in 2008

It offered speed of up to 3Mbps using Satellite Internet.

This direct transmission of internet through satellites was initially carried out on Ku band.

 This is a portion of electromagnetic spectrum in the range of 12 to 18GHz.

 Ku is derived from German term Kurz Unter, which means short under.

 In a nutshell Ku band refers to frequency bands under the K band

Most airline based service providers in US have transitioned from Ku band to the Ka band, derived from German term Kurz Above.

This is frequency band or the portion of electromagnetic spectrum above the K band. It has a range of 26 to 40GHz, which means it will deliver better bandwidth and faster data speeds.

Honeywell Aerospace, another in-airline service provider is giving data speed of up to 9Mbps on flights in US using Ka band.

Airlines will also have to install a server, router along with the equipment to re-orient the antenna to face the satellite and convert the satellite signals into data packets.

When an airline moves from the range of one satellite to another, it will lose signal for while. It is called the hand-off period and it is similar to the period when there is no network when a user on ground moves from the range of one tower to another.

Though the technology used has evolved, the speed of internet on flights is still slower than the internet speeds available on land based public WiFi networks which can muster speeds of up to 25 Mbps easily.

 This means users are still years away from getting the speeds which would allows them to stream movies from Netflix.

All they can do is check a few emails and browse through news articles.

Also, users have to pay extra to access the WiFi network. Etihad airlines in US charges $4.95 for 30MB of data while British Airline charges $14 for an hour of unlimited data access, which is quite expensive in the age of 4G and free data.

Credit Card - All You Need To Know

Credit Card is used for shopping and to pay for your expenses. Hence, it has to be completely linked to your lifestyle.

If you have a car and drive regularly, a credit card with discount on fuel would be ideal for you. Or if you are a frequent flier, a credit card that offers you more flying miles is the one you need to have.

And then there are credit cards that give you access to premium lounges, and other such luxurious experiences too.

So decide on a card that is in sync with your lifestyle and financial behaviour.

The charges

All credit cards come with a cost such as joining fee, annual fee, interest rate and other charges.Joining fee can start from ₹299 and go up to ₹3 lakh for super-premium cards.

The annual fee can range between ₹100 and ₹25,000, and usually comes with a clause that says if you spend more than a certain limit, the charges will be waived.

Credit cards also charge an interest rate in the range of 22%-48% an annum, in case you default.

Other charges include cash advance transaction fee, late payment charges, overlimit charges and card replacement fee, among others.

Reward points

All credit cards can earn you reward points.

Every time you swipe the card or make a purchase online, you will get reward points.

However, each credit card service provider values reward points differently.

 Usually, it ranges between 1 and 8 points on every ₹40 to ₹150 spent, depending on the type of card.

When you redeem the points, one reward point could be worth 25 paise to ₹1, depending on the type of credit card.

 Credit card companies also give various offers on dining out and shopping.

However, make sure that you don’t over indulge and always pay your bills on time

Sajid Javid appointed British Home Secretary after Amber Rudd resignation Monday April 30,2018

British Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Sajid Javid (48)as the new Home Secretary on Monday April 30,2018 following the resignation of his predecessor, Amber Rudd.

Sajid Javid a former managing director at Deutsche Bank, was previously Communities and Local Government Secretary.

Britain’s interior minister has resigned after Prime Minister Theresa May’s government faced criticism for its treatment of some long-term Caribbean residents who were wrongly labeled illegal immigrants, a government official said.

The Windrush scandal overshadowed the Commonwealth summit in London and has raised questions about Theresa May’s six-year stint as interior minister before she became prime minister in the wake of the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Amber Rudd had faced repeated calls from the opposition Labour Party to resign after she gave contradictory statements about meeting targets for deportations

Scotland becomes the first country to introduce minimum unit pricing on alcohol Tuesday May 01,2018

Scotland has become the first country in the world to implement a minimum unit price for alcohol

The changes, coming into effect in Scotland on Tuesday May 01,2018, will drive up the price of bargain booze by setting a floor price below which a unit of alcohol cannot be sold

 Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, hailed the policy, designed to cut alcohol-related harm, as "bold and brave" as it was finally brought in across the country.

The minimum 50p per unit price, delayed for six years by a legal challenge led by the Scotch Whisky Association, has been welcomed by the medical professional and health campaigners as the biggest breakthrough in public health since the ban on smoking in public.

It is estimated the move could save around 392 lives in the first five years of its implementation in Scotland, where on average there are 22 alcohol-specific deaths every week and 697 hospital admissions.

The misuse of alcohol is thought to cost Scotland £3.6 billion each year, or £900 for every adult in the country.