2014, ഫെബ്രുവരി 7, വെള്ളിയാഴ്‌ച

DYSP’s vehicle rammed by sand miners



Kannur: The sand mafia in Kannur tried to kill the Irutti DYSP and his team of policemen who had tried to apprehend them for illegal sand mining. 

DYSP P Sukumaran and his team of civil police officers, Abdul Salam and Jenson, who had come to apprehend illegal sand miners in a taxi without notifying the local police, had a close call when their vehicle was rammed by a  sand-laden lorry. The officer had ventured out for the hunt on the day restrictions on sand mining was lifted in the district. 

The police team tried to block a sand-laden lorry at Irikkur Mamanakunnu,  which however did not stop. Giving chase, the police team overtook the lorry and instructed the driver to stop the vehicle. The lorry however did not stop and hit the car full force throwing it off the road. The police officers however had a miraculous escape. 

The lorry, which too lost control and crashed onto a wall was apprehended  while and the crew escaped. Since the lorry did not have a number plate, the police is trying to track it using its chassis number.  The DYSP and his team were hospitalised.

DYSP’s vehicle rammed by sand miners



Kannur: The sand mafia in Kannur tried to kill the Irutti DYSP and his team of policemen who had tried to apprehend them for illegal sand mining. 

DYSP P Sukumaran and his team of civil police officers, Abdul Salam and Jenson, who had come to apprehend illegal sand miners in a taxi without notifying the local police, had a close call when their vehicle was rammed by a  sand-laden lorry. The officer had ventured out for the hunt on the day restrictions on sand mining was lifted in the district. 

The police team tried to block a sand-laden lorry at Irikkur Mamanakunnu,  which however did not stop. Giving chase, the police team overtook the lorry and instructed the driver to stop the vehicle. The lorry however did not stop and hit the car full force throwing it off the road. The police officers however had a miraculous escape. 

The lorry, which too lost control and crashed onto a wall was apprehended  while and the crew escaped. Since the lorry did not have a number plate, the police is trying to track it using its chassis number.  The DYSP and his team were hospitalised.

Kerala close to achieving 100 per cent Aadhaar enrolment



Thiruvananthapuram: Figures indicate that a significant number of people in Kerala have received Aadhaar numbers. Among the 3.33 crore people in the state, three crores have received the unique identification number. 

State IT Mission Director, P Balakiran said that 90 per cent of residents in Kerala had received the Aadhaar number. Already Aadhaar cards have been issued via Akshaya centres to 1.47 crore people. Through NPR, about 1.16 crore people have received Aadhaar cards while 37 lakhs have received it via Keltron. The IT Mission said that 57 crore people have been issued the card in India. 

In Kerala, the maximum number of people who have taken Aadhaar are from Pathanamthitta, while Thiruvananthapuram tags behind all other districts in this respect.

Those who have applied for the card can update themselves about the status of the card at www.uidai.gov.in. An SMS message, UIDSTATUS  <14 digit enrollment number>  can also be sent to 51969 to update oneself.

Kerala close to achieving 100 per cent Aadhaar enrolment



Thiruvananthapuram: Figures indicate that a significant number of people in Kerala have received Aadhaar numbers. Among the 3.33 crore people in the state, three crores have received the unique identification number. 

State IT Mission Director, P Balakiran said that 90 per cent of residents in Kerala had received the Aadhaar number. Already Aadhaar cards have been issued via Akshaya centres to 1.47 crore people. Through NPR, about 1.16 crore people have received Aadhaar cards while 37 lakhs have received it via Keltron. The IT Mission said that 57 crore people have been issued the card in India. 

In Kerala, the maximum number of people who have taken Aadhaar are from Pathanamthitta, while Thiruvananthapuram tags behind all other districts in this respect.

Those who have applied for the card can update themselves about the status of the card at www.uidai.gov.in. An SMS message, UIDSTATUS  <14 digit enrollment number>  can also be sent to 51969 to update oneself.

India to launch four foreign satellites in 2014-15



Bangalore: India will launch four foreign satellites in 2014-15 in the Earth's lower orbit, using its workhorse polar rocket, an Indian space agency official said Friday. "Our commercial arm Antrix Corporation has signed agreements with a British firm Jan 29 and a Singapore agency Wednesday to launch their spacecraft onboard our polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV)," an official of the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) told IANS here.

The customers are DMC International Imaging, a subsidiary of the Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., for launching its three 350-kg disaster monitoring satellites and ST Electronics (Satcom and Sensor Systems) Pte. Ltd., Singapore, for launch of its 400-kg TeLEOS-1 earth observation satellite. 
"The launches will take place between 2014-15 when we receive the spacecraft from the customers. Details of weight of satellites, instruments to be taken onboard and their location in the polar (north-south) orbit will be worked out in coming months," the official said.

The satellites will be launched from the Indian spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh off the Bay of Bengal. The space agency is working towards launching SPOT-7, a French satellite onboard the PSLV with four micro-satellites in March/April. "We are on track to launch Spot-7 in the next two months with four smaller satellites," the official said. An Indian rocket placed SPOT-6 in the earth's lower orbit Sep 8, 2012.

The SPOT (Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre) is a constellation with a high-resolution optical imaging earth observation satellite system operated by the French space agency CNES (Centre National D'etudes Spatiales) at Toulouse since 1986. The space agency had earlier bagged a contract to launch an 800-kg German satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Programme) and a set of Canadian satellites this calendar year.

Antrix, which posted a revenue of Rs.1,300 crore in last fiscal (2012-13), is projected to grow 15 percent in this fiscal (2013-14) The space agency has launched 35 foreign satellites over the last decade-and-a-half.

India to launch four foreign satellites in 2014-15



Bangalore: India will launch four foreign satellites in 2014-15 in the Earth's lower orbit, using its workhorse polar rocket, an Indian space agency official said Friday. "Our commercial arm Antrix Corporation has signed agreements with a British firm Jan 29 and a Singapore agency Wednesday to launch their spacecraft onboard our polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV)," an official of the state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) told IANS here.

The customers are DMC International Imaging, a subsidiary of the Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., for launching its three 350-kg disaster monitoring satellites and ST Electronics (Satcom and Sensor Systems) Pte. Ltd., Singapore, for launch of its 400-kg TeLEOS-1 earth observation satellite. 
"The launches will take place between 2014-15 when we receive the spacecraft from the customers. Details of weight of satellites, instruments to be taken onboard and their location in the polar (north-south) orbit will be worked out in coming months," the official said.

The satellites will be launched from the Indian spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh off the Bay of Bengal. The space agency is working towards launching SPOT-7, a French satellite onboard the PSLV with four micro-satellites in March/April. "We are on track to launch Spot-7 in the next two months with four smaller satellites," the official said. An Indian rocket placed SPOT-6 in the earth's lower orbit Sep 8, 2012.

The SPOT (Satellite Pour l'Observation de la Terre) is a constellation with a high-resolution optical imaging earth observation satellite system operated by the French space agency CNES (Centre National D'etudes Spatiales) at Toulouse since 1986. The space agency had earlier bagged a contract to launch an 800-kg German satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Programme) and a set of Canadian satellites this calendar year.

Antrix, which posted a revenue of Rs.1,300 crore in last fiscal (2012-13), is projected to grow 15 percent in this fiscal (2013-14) The space agency has launched 35 foreign satellites over the last decade-and-a-half.

Have omega-3 rich diet for a super brain

New York: Include omega-3 fatty acids in your daily diet if you want a better developed brain. In a study conducted on monkeys with highly connected and well organised neural networks similar to humans, researchers found that monkeys that ate a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids had more developed brains than those who had a diet deficient in the fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids for the human body.
But while they are needed for human health, the body can't make them - it has to get them through food.For the first time, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) used functional brain imaging in live animals to see the large-scale interaction of multiple brain networks in a monkey.

These patterns are remarkably similar to the networks found in humans using the same imaging techniques.'The data shows the benefits in how the monkeys' brains organise over their lifetime if in the setting of a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids,' said Damien Fair, assistant professor of behavioural neuroscience in the OHSU's school of medicine.

The research also shows in detail how similar the networks in a monkey brain are to networks in a human brain but only in the context of a diet rich in omega-3-fatty acids, Fair added.The study measured a kind of omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, which is a primary component of the human brain and important in development of the brain and vision.

The scientists studied a group of older rhesus macaque monkeys that had been fed all of their lives either a diet low or high in omega-3 fatty acids - including DHA. The study found that the monkeys that had the high-DHA diet had strong connectivity of early visual pathways in their brains.

'Monkeys with the high-DHA diet showed greater connections within various brain networks similar to the human brain - including networks for higher-level processing and cognition,' said David Grayson, a former research assistant in Fair's lab and first author on the paper.

DHA is especially found in fatty fish and oils from fish including salmon, mackerel and tuna. 'It would be important to see how a diet high in omega-3s might affect brain development early and across lifespan,' Fair added.

Have omega-3 rich diet for a super brain

New York: Include omega-3 fatty acids in your daily diet if you want a better developed brain. In a study conducted on monkeys with highly connected and well organised neural networks similar to humans, researchers found that monkeys that ate a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids had more developed brains than those who had a diet deficient in the fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids for the human body.
But while they are needed for human health, the body can't make them - it has to get them through food.For the first time, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) used functional brain imaging in live animals to see the large-scale interaction of multiple brain networks in a monkey.

These patterns are remarkably similar to the networks found in humans using the same imaging techniques.'The data shows the benefits in how the monkeys' brains organise over their lifetime if in the setting of a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids,' said Damien Fair, assistant professor of behavioural neuroscience in the OHSU's school of medicine.

The research also shows in detail how similar the networks in a monkey brain are to networks in a human brain but only in the context of a diet rich in omega-3-fatty acids, Fair added.The study measured a kind of omega-3 fatty acid called docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, which is a primary component of the human brain and important in development of the brain and vision.

The scientists studied a group of older rhesus macaque monkeys that had been fed all of their lives either a diet low or high in omega-3 fatty acids - including DHA. The study found that the monkeys that had the high-DHA diet had strong connectivity of early visual pathways in their brains.

'Monkeys with the high-DHA diet showed greater connections within various brain networks similar to the human brain - including networks for higher-level processing and cognition,' said David Grayson, a former research assistant in Fair's lab and first author on the paper.

DHA is especially found in fatty fish and oils from fish including salmon, mackerel and tuna. 'It would be important to see how a diet high in omega-3s might affect brain development early and across lifespan,' Fair added.

Italian marines may escape death penalty



New Delhi: Two Italian marines, accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast, may escape death penalty with the Home Ministry on Tuesday agreeing not to press for the capital punishment against them. The Home Ministry conveyed this view to Attorney General G E Vahanvati during a meeting here, highly-placed sources told a news agency.

The Ministry is of the opinion that the duo should be tried under anti-terrorism Suppression of Unlawful Acts against safety of Maritime Navigation And Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act but the provision for death penalty should not be invoked. The ball is now in the court of the AG, who is expected to give his opinion shortly, the sources said.

The development came a day after the Supreme Court asked the government to resolve within a week all disputes arising over the issue of invoking anti-piracy law against the two. The MHA view is in consonance with the commitment given by India to Italy that provisions for death penalty will not be invoked against the two in the case related to 2012.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought sanction to prosecute the two marines -- Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone -- under SUA, which states that if a person causes death to any person, he shall be punished with death. A bench headed by Justice B S Chauhan yesterday directed the Centre to end the logjam in the issue in which ministries of Law, Home Affairs and External Affairs are involved and make its stand clear on February 10.

Vahanvati told the bench that the Centre has 'almost' resolved the issue and will respond on the next date of hearing. During the last hearing on January 20, the apex court had adjourned the case after Vahanvati had submitted that the Centre was trying to resolve all disputes with Italian government on the issue.

The case pertains to the killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by Latorre and Girone on board 'Enrica Lexie'. Fearing a pirate attack, the two officers had allegedly fired at the fishermen's vessel off Kerala coast on February 15, 2012, killing two of them. The marines were arrested on February 19, 2012.

Italian marines may escape death penalty



New Delhi: Two Italian marines, accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast, may escape death penalty with the Home Ministry on Tuesday agreeing not to press for the capital punishment against them. The Home Ministry conveyed this view to Attorney General G E Vahanvati during a meeting here, highly-placed sources told a news agency.

The Ministry is of the opinion that the duo should be tried under anti-terrorism Suppression of Unlawful Acts against safety of Maritime Navigation And Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act but the provision for death penalty should not be invoked. The ball is now in the court of the AG, who is expected to give his opinion shortly, the sources said.

The development came a day after the Supreme Court asked the government to resolve within a week all disputes arising over the issue of invoking anti-piracy law against the two. The MHA view is in consonance with the commitment given by India to Italy that provisions for death penalty will not be invoked against the two in the case related to 2012.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought sanction to prosecute the two marines -- Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone -- under SUA, which states that if a person causes death to any person, he shall be punished with death. A bench headed by Justice B S Chauhan yesterday directed the Centre to end the logjam in the issue in which ministries of Law, Home Affairs and External Affairs are involved and make its stand clear on February 10.

Vahanvati told the bench that the Centre has 'almost' resolved the issue and will respond on the next date of hearing. During the last hearing on January 20, the apex court had adjourned the case after Vahanvati had submitted that the Centre was trying to resolve all disputes with Italian government on the issue.

The case pertains to the killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by Latorre and Girone on board 'Enrica Lexie'. Fearing a pirate attack, the two officers had allegedly fired at the fishermen's vessel off Kerala coast on February 15, 2012, killing two of them. The marines were arrested on February 19, 2012.

India lags far behind China, US in R&D: Report


Washington: India lags far behind in field of scientific research and development globally which is led by the United States, while China exhibited the most dramatic R&D spending growth pattern, an official American report has said. Worldwide R&D performance (measured as expenditures) totalled an estimated USD 1,435 billion in 2011, which is the latest global total available.

The comparable figure for 2001 was USD 753 billion, which reflected a brisk, 6.7 per cent average annual growth over a decade, said the report released Thursday by the National Science Board. The American R&D increased to USD 407 billion in 2010 and to USD 424 billion in 2011. At just under 30 per cent of the global total in 2011, the United States remains, by far, the worlds largest R&D performer.

Nonetheless, with other countries also expanding their investments in R&D, the US share has declined since 2001, when it was 37 per cent, the report said. However, it is China which has continued to exhibit the most dramatic R&D growth pattern during this period.  At USD 208 billion of R&D expenditures in 2011, China is the worlds second-largest R&D performer.

While this is less than half the US level, the growth in Chinas R&D spending has averaged an exceptionally high 20.7 per cent annually in 200111. Indias figure was a mere USD 24 billion in 2007, the latest available figure in the report. Annual growth rate for US R&D averaged 4.3 per cent over the same period.

Corresponding average annual growth rates for the largest R&D countries of the EU (Germany, France, United Kingdom) are in the three per cent to six per cent range.  According to the report, the economies of East/Southeast and South Asiaincluding China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwanrepresented 25 per cent of the global R&D total in 2001 but accounted for 34 per cent in 2011.

China (15 per cent) and Japan (10 per cent) were the largest R&D performers in this group, it said. After the United States and China, Japan with USD 147 billion is the third largest spender in R&D. 
The largest EU performers spend comparatively less: Germany (USD 93 billion, seven percent), France (USD 52 billion, four per cent), and the United Kingdom (USD0 billion, three percent).

R&D spending by South Korea has also been rising in recent years and accounted for four per cent (USD 60 billion) of the global total in 2011. "Taken together, these top seven countries account for about 72 per cent of total global R&D.

The Russian Federation, Taiwan, Brazil, Italy, Canada, India, Australia and Spain make up the next tier of performers, with total R&D expenditures ranging from USD 20 billion to USD 35 billion. The top seven countries, along with the second group of eight economies, together account for 84 per cent of current global R&D," the report added.


 Washington: India lags far behind in field of scientific research and development globally which is led by the United States, while China exhibited the most dramatic R&D spending growth pattern, an official American report has said.

Worldwide R&D performance (measured as expenditures) totalled an estimated USD 1,435 billion in 2011, which is the latest global total available.

The comparable figure for 2001 was USD 753 billion, which reflected a brisk, 6.7 per cent average annual growth over a decade, said the report released Thursday by the National Science Board. The American R&D increased to USD 407 billion in 2010 and to USD 424 billion in 2011.

At just under 30 per cent of the global total in 2011, the United States remains, by far, the worlds largest R&D performer. Nonetheless, with other countries also expanding their investments in R&D, the US share has declined since 2001, when it was 37 per cent, the report said.

However, it is China which has continued to exhibit the most dramatic R&D growth pattern during this period.  At USD 208 billion of R&D expenditures in 2011, China is the worlds second-largest R&D performer.

While this is less than half the US level, the growth in Chinas R&D spending has averaged an exceptionally high 20.7 per cent annually in 200111. Indias figure was a mere USD 24 billion in 2007, the latest available figure in the report. Annual growth rate for US R&D averaged 4.3 per cent over the same period.

Corresponding average annual growth rates for the largest R&D countries of the EU (Germany, France, United Kingdom) are in the three per cent to six per cent range. 

According to the report, the economies of East/Southeast and South Asiaincluding China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwanrepresented 25 per cent of the global R&D total in 2001 but accounted for 34 per cent in 2011. China (15 per cent) and Japan (10 per cent) were the largest R&D performers in this group, it said. After the United States and China, Japan with USD 147 billion is the third largest spender in R&D.

The largest EU performers spend comparatively less: Germany (USD 93 billion, seven percent), France (USD 52 billion, four per cent), and the United Kingdom (USD0 billion, three percent). 
R&D spending by South Korea has also been rising in recent years and accounted for four per cent (USD 60 billion) of the global total in 2011."Taken together, these top seven countries account for about 72 per cent of total global R&D.

The Russian Federation, Taiwan, Brazil, Italy, Canada, India, Australia and Spain make up the next tier of performers, with total R&D expenditures ranging from USD 20 billion to USD 35 billion. The top seven countries, along with the second group of eight economies, together account for 84 per cent of current global R&D," the report added.

India lags far behind China, US in R&D: Report


Washington: India lags far behind in field of scientific research and development globally which is led by the United States, while China exhibited the most dramatic R&D spending growth pattern, an official American report has said. Worldwide R&D performance (measured as expenditures) totalled an estimated USD 1,435 billion in 2011, which is the latest global total available.

The comparable figure for 2001 was USD 753 billion, which reflected a brisk, 6.7 per cent average annual growth over a decade, said the report released Thursday by the National Science Board. The American R&D increased to USD 407 billion in 2010 and to USD 424 billion in 2011. At just under 30 per cent of the global total in 2011, the United States remains, by far, the worlds largest R&D performer.

Nonetheless, with other countries also expanding their investments in R&D, the US share has declined since 2001, when it was 37 per cent, the report said. However, it is China which has continued to exhibit the most dramatic R&D growth pattern during this period.  At USD 208 billion of R&D expenditures in 2011, China is the worlds second-largest R&D performer.

While this is less than half the US level, the growth in Chinas R&D spending has averaged an exceptionally high 20.7 per cent annually in 200111. Indias figure was a mere USD 24 billion in 2007, the latest available figure in the report. Annual growth rate for US R&D averaged 4.3 per cent over the same period.

Corresponding average annual growth rates for the largest R&D countries of the EU (Germany, France, United Kingdom) are in the three per cent to six per cent range.  According to the report, the economies of East/Southeast and South Asiaincluding China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwanrepresented 25 per cent of the global R&D total in 2001 but accounted for 34 per cent in 2011.

China (15 per cent) and Japan (10 per cent) were the largest R&D performers in this group, it said. After the United States and China, Japan with USD 147 billion is the third largest spender in R&D. 
The largest EU performers spend comparatively less: Germany (USD 93 billion, seven percent), France (USD 52 billion, four per cent), and the United Kingdom (USD0 billion, three percent).

R&D spending by South Korea has also been rising in recent years and accounted for four per cent (USD 60 billion) of the global total in 2011. "Taken together, these top seven countries account for about 72 per cent of total global R&D.

The Russian Federation, Taiwan, Brazil, Italy, Canada, India, Australia and Spain make up the next tier of performers, with total R&D expenditures ranging from USD 20 billion to USD 35 billion. The top seven countries, along with the second group of eight economies, together account for 84 per cent of current global R&D," the report added.


 Washington: India lags far behind in field of scientific research and development globally which is led by the United States, while China exhibited the most dramatic R&D spending growth pattern, an official American report has said.

Worldwide R&D performance (measured as expenditures) totalled an estimated USD 1,435 billion in 2011, which is the latest global total available.

The comparable figure for 2001 was USD 753 billion, which reflected a brisk, 6.7 per cent average annual growth over a decade, said the report released Thursday by the National Science Board. The American R&D increased to USD 407 billion in 2010 and to USD 424 billion in 2011.

At just under 30 per cent of the global total in 2011, the United States remains, by far, the worlds largest R&D performer. Nonetheless, with other countries also expanding their investments in R&D, the US share has declined since 2001, when it was 37 per cent, the report said.

However, it is China which has continued to exhibit the most dramatic R&D growth pattern during this period.  At USD 208 billion of R&D expenditures in 2011, China is the worlds second-largest R&D performer.

While this is less than half the US level, the growth in Chinas R&D spending has averaged an exceptionally high 20.7 per cent annually in 200111. Indias figure was a mere USD 24 billion in 2007, the latest available figure in the report. Annual growth rate for US R&D averaged 4.3 per cent over the same period.

Corresponding average annual growth rates for the largest R&D countries of the EU (Germany, France, United Kingdom) are in the three per cent to six per cent range. 

According to the report, the economies of East/Southeast and South Asiaincluding China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwanrepresented 25 per cent of the global R&D total in 2001 but accounted for 34 per cent in 2011. China (15 per cent) and Japan (10 per cent) were the largest R&D performers in this group, it said. After the United States and China, Japan with USD 147 billion is the third largest spender in R&D.

The largest EU performers spend comparatively less: Germany (USD 93 billion, seven percent), France (USD 52 billion, four per cent), and the United Kingdom (USD0 billion, three percent). 
R&D spending by South Korea has also been rising in recent years and accounted for four per cent (USD 60 billion) of the global total in 2011."Taken together, these top seven countries account for about 72 per cent of total global R&D.

The Russian Federation, Taiwan, Brazil, Italy, Canada, India, Australia and Spain make up the next tier of performers, with total R&D expenditures ranging from USD 20 billion to USD 35 billion. The top seven countries, along with the second group of eight economies, together account for 84 per cent of current global R&D," the report added.

Sony sells VAIO; to cut 5,000 jobs globally including India

 New York: In a move aimed at reinventing itself and cut mounting losses, consumer electronics giant Sony Thursday said it will sell its personal-computer business and cut 5,000 jobs to save about USD 1 billion annually.

Sony, which forecast a surprise USD 1.08 billion loss in the year ending March 2014, will sell its PC business, which sells notebooks under the Vaio brand, to buyout firm Japan Industrial Partners and will split the television division into a separate unit.

The Japan-headquartered company will also streamline its TV business by improving cost efficiencies, rationalising R&D spend among others.

"Sony and JIP today concluded a memorandum of understanding confirming the parties' intent for Sony to sell to JIP Sony's PC business currently operated under the VAIO brand," Sony said in a statement.

The world's No. 3 TV maker has seen sales of its key products dip as it struggled to find new hits and consumers shift to mobile devices of Apple and Samsung. It has lost ground in the TV business as well in a contracting market.

The only bright spot was its new PlayStation 4 game console, which sold more than 4.2 million units in the first six weeks after its November release, outpacing competing machines from Microsoft and Nintendo Co. 

As a part of the business transfer, Sony will stop planning, design and development of PC products and production and sales will also be discontinued after the Spring 2014 lineup to be launched globally, the statement added.

However, VAIO customers will continue to receive customer services and about 250-300 Sony Corporation and Sony EMCS Corporation employees involved in PC operations are expected to be hired by the new company established by JIP, it said.

As part of its cost optimisation drive, Sony will also reduce its global workforce. "....Sony is anticipating headcount reduction of approximately 5,000 (1,500 in Japan, 3,500 overseas) by the end of FY 2014," it said.

The company expects to take a hit of 70 billion yen in FY 2014 as restructuring expenses.

"Also Sony expects to allocate a further 70 billion yen (approximate) in restructuring charges in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, in order to implement these measures, which are expected to result in annual fixed cost reductions of more than 100 billion yen (approximate) starting in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016," it said.

According to analysts Sony's decision to sell its PC business is reasonable.

"The global PC market is dropping at the moment and when it comes to Sony, its worldwide PC market is small. Also the PC industry is moving towards consolidation with a few large players like Lenovo," Gartner Research Director Tracy Tsai told PTI. 

Sony has said it wants to concentrate on mobiles, gaming and imaging and the step to move away from the TC business seems reasonable, she added.

On TV business, Sony said its has been engaged in various cost reduction initiatives, as was first announced in November 2011.

"The initiatives include enhancing LCD panel-related cost efficiency and rationalising R&D expenses, while strengthening product competitiveness and operational efficiency in order to improve marginal profit ratio," it said.

Sony said it aims to leverage its technical expertise and assets accumulated within the TV business as key differentiation technologies across its entire product lineup.

"In addition, to help transform this business into a more efficient and dynamic organisation, optimised in size and structure for the current competitive business environment and fully accountable for its operations, Sony has decided to split out the TV business and operate it as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

"The targeted timeframe for this transition is July 2014. By implementing these measures, Sony is aiming to further enhance its TV business' profit structure and return the business to profitability during FY 2014," it added.


Sony sells VAIO; to cut 5,000 jobs globally including India

 New York: In a move aimed at reinventing itself and cut mounting losses, consumer electronics giant Sony Thursday said it will sell its personal-computer business and cut 5,000 jobs to save about USD 1 billion annually.

Sony, which forecast a surprise USD 1.08 billion loss in the year ending March 2014, will sell its PC business, which sells notebooks under the Vaio brand, to buyout firm Japan Industrial Partners and will split the television division into a separate unit.

The Japan-headquartered company will also streamline its TV business by improving cost efficiencies, rationalising R&D spend among others.

"Sony and JIP today concluded a memorandum of understanding confirming the parties' intent for Sony to sell to JIP Sony's PC business currently operated under the VAIO brand," Sony said in a statement.

The world's No. 3 TV maker has seen sales of its key products dip as it struggled to find new hits and consumers shift to mobile devices of Apple and Samsung. It has lost ground in the TV business as well in a contracting market.

The only bright spot was its new PlayStation 4 game console, which sold more than 4.2 million units in the first six weeks after its November release, outpacing competing machines from Microsoft and Nintendo Co. 

As a part of the business transfer, Sony will stop planning, design and development of PC products and production and sales will also be discontinued after the Spring 2014 lineup to be launched globally, the statement added.

However, VAIO customers will continue to receive customer services and about 250-300 Sony Corporation and Sony EMCS Corporation employees involved in PC operations are expected to be hired by the new company established by JIP, it said.

As part of its cost optimisation drive, Sony will also reduce its global workforce. "....Sony is anticipating headcount reduction of approximately 5,000 (1,500 in Japan, 3,500 overseas) by the end of FY 2014," it said.

The company expects to take a hit of 70 billion yen in FY 2014 as restructuring expenses.

"Also Sony expects to allocate a further 70 billion yen (approximate) in restructuring charges in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, in order to implement these measures, which are expected to result in annual fixed cost reductions of more than 100 billion yen (approximate) starting in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016," it said.

According to analysts Sony's decision to sell its PC business is reasonable.

"The global PC market is dropping at the moment and when it comes to Sony, its worldwide PC market is small. Also the PC industry is moving towards consolidation with a few large players like Lenovo," Gartner Research Director Tracy Tsai told PTI. 

Sony has said it wants to concentrate on mobiles, gaming and imaging and the step to move away from the TC business seems reasonable, she added.

On TV business, Sony said its has been engaged in various cost reduction initiatives, as was first announced in November 2011.

"The initiatives include enhancing LCD panel-related cost efficiency and rationalising R&D expenses, while strengthening product competitiveness and operational efficiency in order to improve marginal profit ratio," it said.

Sony said it aims to leverage its technical expertise and assets accumulated within the TV business as key differentiation technologies across its entire product lineup.

"In addition, to help transform this business into a more efficient and dynamic organisation, optimised in size and structure for the current competitive business environment and fully accountable for its operations, Sony has decided to split out the TV business and operate it as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

"The targeted timeframe for this transition is July 2014. By implementing these measures, Sony is aiming to further enhance its TV business' profit structure and return the business to profitability during FY 2014," it added.


2014, ഫെബ്രുവരി 6, വ്യാഴാഴ്‌ച

Truly Manglish [Malayalam movie Manglish.]

The fish vendor and the tourist - Mamooty and Caroline Beach would be playing the lead roles in the upcoming Malayalam movie Manglish.
Looks like Mammooty's fans are going to be dumbstruck with the megastars latest film - Manglish. Yes, that is right, Mammooty will be teaming up with the English actress Caroline Beach in the movie directed by Salaam Bapu. 

The movie is shot along the coasts of Kerala. Mammooty plays the role of fish-vendor while Caroline Beach plays the role of a tourist who is on a joy trip to Kerala.The movie showcases the uniquee chemistry between the two characters. 

This is Salaam Bapu's next venture afte the success of the movie Red Wine. There were rumours that Fahadh Faasil would also be acting beside Mammooty. But the director seems to denied the comments. Gopi Sundar will be the Music Director for the film.

Truly Manglish [Malayalam movie Manglish.]

The fish vendor and the tourist - Mamooty and Caroline Beach would be playing the lead roles in the upcoming Malayalam movie Manglish.
Looks like Mammooty's fans are going to be dumbstruck with the megastars latest film - Manglish. Yes, that is right, Mammooty will be teaming up with the English actress Caroline Beach in the movie directed by Salaam Bapu. 

The movie is shot along the coasts of Kerala. Mammooty plays the role of fish-vendor while Caroline Beach plays the role of a tourist who is on a joy trip to Kerala.The movie showcases the uniquee chemistry between the two characters. 

This is Salaam Bapu's next venture afte the success of the movie Red Wine. There were rumours that Fahadh Faasil would also be acting beside Mammooty. But the director seems to denied the comments. Gopi Sundar will be the Music Director for the film.

2014, ഫെബ്രുവരി 5, ബുധനാഴ്‌ച

EPFO approves Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension


New Delhi: Trustees of retirement fund body EPFO Thursday approved a proposal to provide a monthly pension of minimum Rs 1,000, a decision that will immediately benefit about its 28 lakh pensioners. The Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the apex decision making body of EPFO also decided to raise the monthly wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 from Rs 6,500 by amending the EPF scheme, 1952, so that more workers can be brought under its various social security programmes.

'The board has decided to approve the proposed amendments in the schemes to ensure that Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension under EPS-95 and also increased the wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 per month,' Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, who chaired the CBT meeting, told reporters here.At present, workers getting basic wages, including basic pay and DA, of up to Rs 6,500 are covered under the ambit of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

According an EPFO official, the Labour Ministry will soon move proposal before the Union Cabinet for its approval for the Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension as the government would have to make fund provisions for the purpose.'We have also reduced the administrative charges paid by the employers. Their burden would increase with the increase in wage ceiling,' the Minister said.

The board has also decided to reduce administrative charges from 1.10 percent of the basic wage, including basic pay and dearness allowance, to 0.85 percent.
Besides, the trustees have also approved a proposed change in the methodology of computing the pensionable salary.The pensionable salary will be calculated on the basis of average salary of the last 60 months instead of 12 months as provided in the EPS-95.

However, the proposed change in the methodology for computing pensionable salary was approved with a dissent note from the trade unionist members of the CBT.The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) runs social security programmes Employees' Provident Fund Scheme 1952, Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976. 

'Unionists have opposed the proposed amendment to the methodology for computing pensionable salary. I have suggested use of average salary of 24 months for the purpose,' D L Sachdev, a trustee, who is the All-India Trade Union Secretary, told PTI.He said unionists also expressed reservations about the Finance Ministry suggestions to withdraw two year bonus under the EPS-95 provided to subscribers who render 20 years of pensionable service.

However, the CBT did not take any decision regarding bonus under Employee Pension Scheme, 1995 (EPS-95). The trustee also deferred a decision on the proposal to increase retirement age under the scheme to 60 years from 58 years.
At present, under EPS-95, the EPFO subscribers cease to be a member of EPS-95 after attaining the age of 58 years and can apply for fixation of his/her pension thereafter.

However, there is no age bar for contributing to the EPF and EDLI schemes run by the EPFO.The government would have to provide an additional amount of Rs 1,217 crore to ensure the minimum pension of Rs 1,000 starting 2014-15. Pensioners are, therefore, expected to get benefit with effect from April 1 this year. The proposal has already been approved by the Finance Ministry.

The move to ensure Rs 1,000 minimum pension under EPS-95 will immediately benefit about 28 lakh pensioners including five lakh widows. There are about 44 lakh pensioners.The decisions regarding wage ceiling, reduction in administrative charges for employers and change in the methodology for computing pensionable salary can be notified and implemented by the Labour Ministry.

The proposal for raising wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 is expected to bring in 50 lakh more workers under the ambit of schemes run by EPFO.The minister also launched a software to monitor the compliance by the employers under the social security schemes run by the EPFO.


EPFO approves Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension


New Delhi: Trustees of retirement fund body EPFO Thursday approved a proposal to provide a monthly pension of minimum Rs 1,000, a decision that will immediately benefit about its 28 lakh pensioners. The Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the apex decision making body of EPFO also decided to raise the monthly wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 from Rs 6,500 by amending the EPF scheme, 1952, so that more workers can be brought under its various social security programmes.

'The board has decided to approve the proposed amendments in the schemes to ensure that Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension under EPS-95 and also increased the wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 per month,' Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes, who chaired the CBT meeting, told reporters here.At present, workers getting basic wages, including basic pay and DA, of up to Rs 6,500 are covered under the ambit of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

According an EPFO official, the Labour Ministry will soon move proposal before the Union Cabinet for its approval for the Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension as the government would have to make fund provisions for the purpose.'We have also reduced the administrative charges paid by the employers. Their burden would increase with the increase in wage ceiling,' the Minister said.

The board has also decided to reduce administrative charges from 1.10 percent of the basic wage, including basic pay and dearness allowance, to 0.85 percent.
Besides, the trustees have also approved a proposed change in the methodology of computing the pensionable salary.The pensionable salary will be calculated on the basis of average salary of the last 60 months instead of 12 months as provided in the EPS-95.

However, the proposed change in the methodology for computing pensionable salary was approved with a dissent note from the trade unionist members of the CBT.The Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) runs social security programmes Employees' Provident Fund Scheme 1952, Employees' Pension Scheme 1995 and Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme 1976. 

'Unionists have opposed the proposed amendment to the methodology for computing pensionable salary. I have suggested use of average salary of 24 months for the purpose,' D L Sachdev, a trustee, who is the All-India Trade Union Secretary, told PTI.He said unionists also expressed reservations about the Finance Ministry suggestions to withdraw two year bonus under the EPS-95 provided to subscribers who render 20 years of pensionable service.

However, the CBT did not take any decision regarding bonus under Employee Pension Scheme, 1995 (EPS-95). The trustee also deferred a decision on the proposal to increase retirement age under the scheme to 60 years from 58 years.
At present, under EPS-95, the EPFO subscribers cease to be a member of EPS-95 after attaining the age of 58 years and can apply for fixation of his/her pension thereafter.

However, there is no age bar for contributing to the EPF and EDLI schemes run by the EPFO.The government would have to provide an additional amount of Rs 1,217 crore to ensure the minimum pension of Rs 1,000 starting 2014-15. Pensioners are, therefore, expected to get benefit with effect from April 1 this year. The proposal has already been approved by the Finance Ministry.

The move to ensure Rs 1,000 minimum pension under EPS-95 will immediately benefit about 28 lakh pensioners including five lakh widows. There are about 44 lakh pensioners.The decisions regarding wage ceiling, reduction in administrative charges for employers and change in the methodology for computing pensionable salary can be notified and implemented by the Labour Ministry.

The proposal for raising wage ceiling to Rs 15,000 is expected to bring in 50 lakh more workers under the ambit of schemes run by EPFO.The minister also launched a software to monitor the compliance by the employers under the social security schemes run by the EPFO.


Google names its top woman to run YouTube

The most senior woman at Google, Susan Wojcicki, who has been a senior vice president for advertising and commerce, is changing jobs at the company to run YouTube.

Salar Kamangar, who has had the job of senior vice president of YouTube, will be staying at the company in an unspecified role having to do with early-stage ventures. Sridhar Ramaswamy, also a senior vice president for advertising and commerce, will run the ad business.

The move is a sign that Google is focusing sharply on advertising at YouTube. Wojcicki has overseen Google's incredibly profitable advertising, including successful new ad types for shopping and mobile.

Though eMarketer estimates that YouTube earns 21 per cent of all video ad revenue in the United States and earned $5.6 billion in gross revenue worldwide last year, the site has encountered bumps in its efforts to collect a larger percentage of TV advertising.

YouTube has been providing money and other support for producers to create more professional videos and has been experimenting with live programming like sports events. But video creators say ad prices are dropping precipitously, while it is getting more expensive for them to produce videos that break through the noise.

For Wojcicki, it is a chance to run her own operation, because YouTube operates as its own business. She has been a target for chief executive positions in the tech industry, and since last year, she has had to share her job with Ramaswamy after he was promoted to senior vice president of ads and commerce.

'Salar and the whole YouTube team have built something amazing,' Google co-founder Larry Page said in a statement after the possibility of the management change was first reported by The Information, a tech site. 'Like Salar, Susan has a healthy disregard for the impossible and is excited about improving YouTube in ways that people will love.'

Wojcicki has had an integral role at Google. It was her garage that Google's founders, Page and Sergey Brin, rented to start the company, and she became Google's 16th employee and later, Brin's sister-in-law.

She also pushed hard for Google's $1.65 billion acquisition of YouTube in 2006, which was a big risk at the time, and people at the company say she has always had affection for the service.

Google names its top woman to run YouTube

The most senior woman at Google, Susan Wojcicki, who has been a senior vice president for advertising and commerce, is changing jobs at the company to run YouTube.

Salar Kamangar, who has had the job of senior vice president of YouTube, will be staying at the company in an unspecified role having to do with early-stage ventures. Sridhar Ramaswamy, also a senior vice president for advertising and commerce, will run the ad business.

The move is a sign that Google is focusing sharply on advertising at YouTube. Wojcicki has overseen Google's incredibly profitable advertising, including successful new ad types for shopping and mobile.

Though eMarketer estimates that YouTube earns 21 per cent of all video ad revenue in the United States and earned $5.6 billion in gross revenue worldwide last year, the site has encountered bumps in its efforts to collect a larger percentage of TV advertising.

YouTube has been providing money and other support for producers to create more professional videos and has been experimenting with live programming like sports events. But video creators say ad prices are dropping precipitously, while it is getting more expensive for them to produce videos that break through the noise.

For Wojcicki, it is a chance to run her own operation, because YouTube operates as its own business. She has been a target for chief executive positions in the tech industry, and since last year, she has had to share her job with Ramaswamy after he was promoted to senior vice president of ads and commerce.

'Salar and the whole YouTube team have built something amazing,' Google co-founder Larry Page said in a statement after the possibility of the management change was first reported by The Information, a tech site. 'Like Salar, Susan has a healthy disregard for the impossible and is excited about improving YouTube in ways that people will love.'

Wojcicki has had an integral role at Google. It was her garage that Google's founders, Page and Sergey Brin, rented to start the company, and she became Google's 16th employee and later, Brin's sister-in-law.

She also pushed hard for Google's $1.65 billion acquisition of YouTube in 2006, which was a big risk at the time, and people at the company say she has always had affection for the service.

48 killed in Iraq violence

Baghdad: At least 48 people were killed and 119 others wounded in violent attacks across Iraq Wednesday, mostly in the capital city of Baghdad, authorities said. 
A series of bomb explosions rocked the Iraqi capital from morning to evening Wednesday, killing at least 37 people and wounding 91 others, Xinhua reported citing officials and police.

In the morning, a car bomb went off at a parking lot outside the Iraqi foreign ministry building in Baghdad, close to the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses government offices and the US embassy, an interior ministry source said. 
A statement issued by the foreign ministry said its guards foiled an attack carried out by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle at 9 a.m., but the attacker blew himself up before reaching the outer checkpoint.

According to the ministry's statement, 11 employees and guards were killed and 10 others wounded in the attack. Another attack occurred when a suicide bomber blew up his explosive vest at a restaurant frequented by security members. 
Brigadier General Saad Maan, the spokesperson of Baghdad Operations Command, said that at least 20 people were killed and 28 others wounded by the two attacks outside the foreign ministry and the restaurant.

A third blast took place Wednesday morning in Sinak commercial district on the eastern bank of the Tigris river that bisects the capital, leaving up to five killed and nine wounded, an interior ministry source said. Separately, a Katyusha rocket in the afternoon struck an intersection on Haifa street in downtown Baghdad and wounded six people, the source added.

Shortly before the sunset, two car bombs detonated in quick succession in Jesr Diyala district in the southeastern part of Baghdad, killing 10 people and wounding 24 others, a police source said. Another car bomb detonated in the nearby district of Zaafaraniyah, wounding eight people, the source added without elaborating.

In the evening, two people were killed and 10 others injured when a car bomb exploded near a restaurant in southern Baghdad. Six more people were wounded when a roadside bomb went off near a cafe in the same area, police said. 
A suicide car bomber attacked a checkpoint of the Iraqi army in Nuaimiya south of Falluja, 50 km west of Baghdad, killing five soldiers and wounding seven others, a police source said.

Another suicide car bomber attacked an army checkpoint in Saqlawiya town, some 20 km north of Fallujah, killing three soldiers and wounding 11 others, the source added. Three suicide bombers attacked a police headquarters in the city of Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, killing one policeman and wounding seven others, police said.

Unidentified gunmen attacked two checkpoints in Tikrit, 170 km north of Baghdad, and clashed with security forces, leaving two policemen dead and three members of the pro-government Awakening group wounded. Iraq is witnessing its worst violence in recent years. According to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, 8,868 Iraqis, including 7,818 civilians and civilian police personnel, were killed in 2013, the highest annual death toll in recent years.



മുപ്പതിനായിരം പേരുടെ ജീവനെടുത്ത ഭൂകമ്പമായിരുന്നു

[ മുപ്പതിനായിരം പേരുടെ ജീവനെടുത്ത ഭൂകമ്പമായിരുന്നു 1989-ല്‍ അര്‍മേനിയയില്‍ ഉണ്ടായത് .        നിമിഷങ്ങള്‍ക്കുള്ളില്‍ സര്‍വ്വതും നശിച്ചു ...