Devyani Khobragade case: Government transfered diplomat to Indian permanent mission to UN
The Ministry of External Affairs transferred diplomat Ms Devyani Khobragade to India’s Permanent Mission in the United Nations, giving her full diplomatic immunity.
Why Ms Devyani Khobragade has been transferred to India’s Permanent Mission in the United Nations?
Ms. Devyani Khobragade, India’s deputy consul general in New York, arrested in the 2nd week of December 2013 for an alleged case of visa fraud and to make false statements in connection with the visa application for an Indian national employee who was domestic helper in her home.
Later on, she was released on a $250000 bond after she pleaded not guilty in a court. She will have to face a maximum of 15 years in jail if convicted on both matters.
The U.S. State Department clarified that Indian diplomat does not enjoy immunity from US laws. It is firm about its policies in support of the domestic workers.
Under the Vienna convention on consular relations (VCCR), the Indian Deputy Consul General enjoys immunity from the jurisdiction of US courts only with respect to acts performed in the exercise of consular functions.
Due to the fear that Ms. Khobragade may be detained again, posted to UN. Here, she will enjoy full diplomatic immunity and US can’t arrest her.
Sebi exempts govt from making open offer to IOB shareholders
Capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) exempted the government from making an open offer to public shareholders for acquiring shares of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB). The order was issued after the Government planned to raise its stake in IOB by 5% to 79 % by infusion of Rs 1,200 Crore. After the purchase government’s stake in IOB will raise by little over 5% to 79.01%.
SEBI in its order has said that the minimum public shareholder level in IOB, which is 10% for public sector units, would be maintained even after the proposed hike in Government hike in the bank. There will be no change in the management control of the bank.
Note: As per the rules, when entities holding 25% or more stake in a company acquire an additional 5% or more stake in the firm, they are required to make an open offer so as to provide an exit opportunity to the public shareholders.
UTIP Study: Kolkata ranked top in public transport among Indian cities
As per a study conducted by the International Association of Public Transport (UTIP), Kolkata (31) ranked top in the public transport among Indian cities. The other cities studied by the UTIP are Mumbai (41), Chennai (54), Hyderabad (55), Bangalore (65) and Delhi (79).
About the UTIP study
Study entitled ‘Future of Urban Mobility 2.0′
Data collected from 84 cities across the world
Released by Arthur D Little, a management consultant based in Boston and International Association of Public Transport (UITP).
The best cities are Hong Kong, Stockholm and Amsterdam, while the worst are Baghdad, Hanoi and Atlanta.
Parameters taken into account: share of trips made in public transport, smart card penetration, road density, frequency of public transport and initiatives taken in the public sector.
About International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
International organization for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry.
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Formation: 17 August 1885
It is a platform for worldwide cooperation, business development and the sharing of know-how between its 3,400 members from 92 countries.
It is the global advocate of public transport and sustainable mobility, and the promoter of innovations in the sector.
UN lowered India’s growth forecast to 4.8% for 2013
United Nations lowered India’s economic growth forecast for 2013 to 4.8% and warned emerging market economies of the possible negative impact of a tapering of the US Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program.
The UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects 2014 report lowered India’s economic growth forecast by 1.3 % for 2013, while it pegged India’s growth rate down 1.2 % at 5.3 per cent in 2014. It projects India’s economic growth at by 5.7 % in 2015.
As per the UN report:
China’s growth was expected to maintain a pace of about 7.5 % over the next few years, though India’s economy was forecast to grow by more than 5 %.
Global economy is expected to expand by 3.0 % in 2014 and by 3.3 % in 2015, compared with estimated growth of 2.1 per cent for 2013.
The predictions are based on an end to the euro’s protracted recession and somewhat stronger growth in the United States.
Indian scientists discovered insulin pills for diabetics
Indian scientists have discovered a pill form of insulin treatment, so now diabetes patients would be spared from the pain of jabbing themselves with a needle every day.
The process to transform delivery of this therapy from a shot to a pill was a challenge because body’s digestive enzymes that are so good at breaking down food also break down insulin before it can get to work. Besides, insulin doesn’t get easily absorbed through the intestine into the bloodstream.
To overcome these hurdles, scientists combined two approaches to shield insulin from the digestive enzymes and then get it into the blood.
They packaged insulin in tiny sacs made of lipids, or fats, called liposomes, which are already used in some treatments. Then, they wrapped the liposomes in layers of protective molecules called polyelectrolytes.
To help these “layersomes” get absorbed into the bloodstream, they attached folic acid, a kind of vitamin B that has been shown to help transport liposomes across the intestinal wall into the blood.
About Diabetes
Diabetes suppresses the production or use of insulin, which is a hormone that helps blood glucose or blood sugar become absorbed into cells and gives them energy.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, and type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make or use insulin very well, causing glucose to remain in the blood, which can lead to serious problems.
ndia rolls out its First indigenous LCA – Tejas
Tejas, India’s first indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which is all set to replace the MiG-21 series, developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as its principal partner.
Tejas is the smallest, light weight, single engine, single seat, supersonic, multirole, combat aircraft, and best in its class in the world. It has many features of stealth fighter aircraft. It will be used by both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Navy.
This fourth generation combat aircraft has Carbon Composites, light weight/high strength material for primary structures, quadruplex Digital Flight Control System; glass Cockpit and digital Avionics to give multirole capabilities with carefree maneuvering. These capabilities are further raised by several on-board Sensors, Communication and Navigation Systems that are supported by powerful Mission Computers and Cockpit Display System.
This is for the first time an indigenously designed and developed military fighter aircraft has certified for Indian Air Force
Features of stealth fighter aircraft
The aircraft has a totally digital fly-by-wire control system; the wings are made entirely of composite structures.
Built by unstable configuration’ technique. It has open architecture software for avionics. DRDO can update it as and when required.
It integrates a ‘glass cockpit’ in which information is displayed ‘real-time’ to the pilot.
What is the future planning of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)?
Plans to test fire the indigenous Astra missile and guns from the Tejas.
Working on MARK-II type Tejas aircraft, which has a better thrust and improved radar system than Mark-I type Tejas LCA (i.e. inducting in the Indian Air Force)
Working on the Combat variant, Trainer variant and Naval variants of Tejas.
DRDO developed a special facility in Goa, to notice the conditions for a Tejas for Navy landing, take-off and maneuver from an aircraft carrier.
Note: Stealth aircraft are designed to avoid detection using a variety of advanced technologies that reduce reflection/emission of radar, infrared, visible light, Radio-Frequency (RF) spectrum, and audio, collectively known as stealth technology.
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