Friday, January 23, 2026
Home Blog Page 1378

Greenland losing 25 bn tons of ice sheet every year: Study

New Delhi (NVI): Greenland ice sheet is losing 25 billion tons of ice per year, according to a study, with researchers warning that if this rate continues, the global sea level will rise approximately 3 to 5 inches by 2100.

Greenland lost a whopping 3.8 trillion tonnes of ice between 1992 and 2018, leading to a rise in global sea levels by 10.6 millimeters, according to the study, during which 89 polar scientists from 50 scientific institutions assessed the current rate of ice loss by combining 26 satellite data sets from 1992 through 2018.

The study to track global warming’s effects on Greenland also measured changes in the Greenland ice sheet’s volume, flow and gravitational potential.

This means that Greenland’s current rate of ice loss has accelerated from 25 billion to 234 billion tons per year, a whopping nine times increase in faster melt rate.

Warmer air at the surface of the ice sheet is responsible for about half of the ice that Greenland is losing each year.

Warmer ocean temperatures around Greenland’s coastline, icebergs calving into the ocean and the ice sheet shedding ice into the ocean more quickly accounts for the other half of the ice loss.

For perspective, 3.8 trillion tons of ice melting off of Greenland and into the ocean between 1992 and 2018 is the same as adding the water from 120 million Olympic-size swimming pools to the ocean every year, for 26 years.

This extra water is enough to cause at least 0.4 inches of sea level rise just from Greenland alone.

Even a small bit of sea level rise exacerbates the impacts of flooding during storm surges, high tides and hurricanes and exposes more and more people around the globe to increased flooding.

The findings in this study are consistent with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s worst-case climate warming projections.

Is global warming responsible for chinstrap penguin decline?

New Delhi (NVI): Climate change is a major threat to global biodiversity. Antarctic ecosystems are no exception. A population of chinstrap penguins is feeling the heat, with more than one-third of a breeding colony lost in the past 20 years, new research finds.

The last decade was the hottest ever recorded on Earth, and 2019 was the second hottest year ever measured. The data has raised new concerns, and one of the places most seriously affected is Antarctica, at the bottom of the planet.

A warming planet, which is causing sea ice in Antarctica (and elsewhere) to melt, may ultimately be to blame for the plummeting penguin population, the researchers said. That’s because the chinstraps’ main food, shrimplike creatures called krill, depend on algae that attach to that ice.

Chinstrap penguins in Antarctica has seen a 36 per cent decline since 1991, in what researchers say is a consequence of declining krill populations. There has been a decline of around 150,000 chinstraps since the last major survey 50 years ago.

Scientists and researchers from Stony Brook, Northeastern Universities and Greenpeace have counted each member of the chaotic colony on foot from island to island across the Antarctic Peninsula, comparing different penguin populations to see how the animals are adapting to climate change. While it looks frigid, it is one of the fastest-warming areas on Earth.

“Sea ice is really what brings all of the ocean life here together. If there is less sea ice, there’s less krill, which means less food for the chinstrap penguins,” says a researcher.

Penguins are a lot like people – they need food and a good environment to thrive. The researchers say that if the world continues to warm, other species – even human beings – will be affected.

In addition, to protect the organisms that call the Antarctic home, we need to reduce human impact by reducing overfishing, tourism and even research activity.

Visakhapatnam to host international naval event ‘MILAN’ 2020

New Delhi (NVI): After successfully hosting the International Fleet Review (IFR) in February 2016, Visakhapatnam is gearing up to host another International Naval event ‘MILAN’ in March 2020.

MILAN 2020 is a multilateral naval exercise aimed to enhance professional interaction between friendly foreign navies and learn from each other’s strengths and best practices in the maritime domain.

The exercise with the theme ‘Synergy Across the Seas’ would provide an excellent opportunity for Operational Commanders of friendly foreign navies to interact with each other in areas of mutual interest.

MILAN series of biennial, which commenced in 1995, was conducted at Andaman and Nicobar Command until 2018, is being conducted for the first time on the mainland at Eastern Naval Command.

Cows have individual voices, study finds

New Delhi (NVI): Cows can ‘talk’ to each other about how they feel, through their moos, according to a new study.

The animals have individual vocal characteristics and change their pitch depending on their emotions, according to research by the University of Sydney. The study was done by a PhD student from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Alexandra Green.

Alexandra Green, the study’s lead author, said, “Cows are gregarious, social animals. In one sense it isn’t surprising they assert their individual identity throughout their life.”

The study recorded 333 samples of cow grunts and moos and analysed them using acoustic analysis programs with assistance from colleagues in France and Italy.

It found that cows use individual voices to keep in contact with the herd and express emotions like excitement and distress.

Cows ‘talk’ to one another and retain individual identity through their lowing.

The study was done on a herd of 18 Holstein-Friesian heifers over five months.

Talking about the animals she studied, Green also said, “They have all got very distinct voices. Even without looking at them in the herd, I can tell which one is making a noise just based on her voice.”

It was known previously that mother cows and their calves communicate, but this is the first time that a study has suggested the cows keep these individual voices throughout their life.

It also found the animals studied would speak to each other during their sexually active period, while waiting for or denied food and when kept separate from the group.

The research concludes that farmers should integrate the knowledge of individual cow voices into their daily farming practices.

S.Africa planning e-visa for Indians

New Delhi (NVI): Aiming to tap more tourists from India, South Africa is going to launch online visa application facility next week for Indian travellers and if the pilot project succeeds, a full rollout will take place from April 1, 2020.

While stating this, South African Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said talks are also underway with India for granting a multiple-entry visa to her country.

“We have a positive outlook for the India market,” the minister said.

“South Africa has taken several measures to provide ease of access to Indian tourists including bringing changes in the visa regime,” the minister said.

“The online visa application system pilot testing will happen from next week and if the pilot project goes without any glitch, a full rollout will take place from 1st April 2020,” she said.

In 2019, South Africa piloted a new e-visa system in New Zealand. On successful completion, there is an intention to begin rolling-out e-visas in other countries, with India being amongst top priority markets.

With the aim to further stimulate travel and tourism from India, the Minister indicated that the piloting of e-visas for the market was under serious consideration and would be initiated shortly.

This comes close on the heels of an initiative launched in 2018 pre-vetted visas for top tour operators to fast-track visa processing.

The newly-appointed Minister, along with the COO charted out South African Tourism Board’s India-specific growth strategy for the new year.

As South African Tourism sets its sights on doubling international tourist arrivals from 10.5 million to 21 million by 2030, India is expected to play a significant role in achieving this long-term goal.

From January to October 2019, the destination welcomed 81,316 Indian visitors to South Africa – a 5.48% year-on-year increase.

The average length of stay saw an 8% year-on-year increase in the first half of 2019 from 25 nights to 27 nights.

Total Indian traveller spends in the first half of 2019 were at a 4-year high with South African Tourism achieving 64% of its annual spends target within this period.

In November 2019, the South African Minister of Home Affairs announced that the country was doing away – with immediate effect – the need for unabridged birth certificates previously required by minors visiting from international countries.

Bengaluru has potential of becoming the aviation capital of India: Aviation secy

Bengaluru (NVI): Bengaluru has the potential of becoming the aviation capital of India, Civil Aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said today.

Addressing the industry meet ahead of “Wings India 2020” here, Kharola said over the last decade, India has witnessed a robust civil aviation market.

“Through this event, we aim to provide a congenial forum that will cater to the rapidly changing dynamics of the sector, focusing on new business acquisition, investments, policy formation and regional connectivity,” he said.

“Bengaluru, being the IT capital of India, has the potential of becoming the aviation capital of India,” he added.

Asia’s largest civil aviation event “Wings India 2020” is a flagship event of the Indian Civil Aviation industry will be held at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad from March 12-15, 2020.

‘Wings India 2020’- a four-day event themed: “Flying for All’’ is an international platform focused on the new business acquisition, investments, policy formation and regional connectivity in the civil aviation industry.

Civil Aviation Joint Secretary Usha Padhee said the summit aims to bring all players, facilitators, and regulators of aviation fraternity under one roof to explore opportunities together.

“It’s a platform for all civil aviation sector stakeholders to achieve greater synergies; learn from best practices of each other,” she added.

‘Wings India 2020’ is also Asia’s largest and most popular gathering in the industry which is organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, AAI and FICCI the event is expected to attract top leaders, special invitees in foreign ministers for civil aviation and global CEOs, suppliers, strategic partners, organizations and the media.

Goyal to lead Indian delegation at WEF 2020

New Delhi (NVI): Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will lead the Indian delegation to the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos from January 20 to 24.

During the WEF, Goyal will hold bilateral meetings with Ministers of Australia, South Africa, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Korea and Singapore.

He will also meet the Director General of World Trade Organization and Secretary General of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Apart from this union minister will hold bilateral meetings with CEOs of companies, attend WEF sessions and round tables on Accelerating Investments in Indian Railways and attracting Global Institutional Investments in India.

He will also participate in an informal WTO Ministerial gathering being held in Davos during this period.

The WEF annual meeting in Davos engages the world’s top leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas at the beginning of the year.

The theme of the 2020 meeting is stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World.

Others to participate in the WEF are Union Minister of State for Shipping and Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh L. Mandaviya and Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, Finance Minister of Punjab and the IT Minister of Telangana.

Voice calling, SMS facilities restored for prepaid phones in J&K

Mubashir Bukhari

Sringar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday restored voice calling and short messaging service (SMS) facilities for all prepaid users across Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides,  2G mobile data services were restored on postpaid mobiles in all 10 districts of Jammu. In Kashmir division, 2G data was restored in Kupwara and Bandipora districts only. However, mobile internet shall remain suspended in Budgam, Ganderbal,Baramulla,Srinagar,Kulgam,Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama.

J&K Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal while addersing a press conference said that after a careful review, the competent authority has ordered today that voice and  SMS facilities shall be restored on all local prepaid SIM cards across J&K.

He said that after the assessment of the overall security scenario in the UT of J&K pursuant to directions dated 14.01.2020 relating to the regulation of telecom services does not indicate any immediate adverse impact in the areas where internet access was provided.

“However, there have been number of reports of the use of internet in cross border terrorism/terror activities, incitement, rumour-mongering, etc. as also misuse of pre-paid mobile connections by anti-national elements. Considering all the relevant factors, we are satisfied that it is absolutely necessary so to do, in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the Security of the State and for maintaining public order, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and sub-rule (1) of Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, hereby issue the followings directions, in addition to & in partial modification of Government Order No. Home -03 (TSTS) of 2020 Dated: 14.01.2020: a) ,” he said.

According to the order issued by J&K Home department, users can access only 153 whitelisted websites. ” 2G mobile data services on the post-paid moblies for accessing whitelisted websites shall be allowed in all 10 districts of Jammu divison and to begin with, the revenue distrits of Kupwara and Bandipora. The mobile internet connectivity shall, however, remain suspended in the districts of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kulgarn, Shopian and Pulwama,” the official order reads.

Besides the order said that Voice and SMS facility only shall be restored on all local pre-paid sim cards across the UT of J&K. “Further, in order to consider provision of mobile Internet connectivity on such sim cards, the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) shall initiate the process for verification of credentials of these subscribers as per the norms applicable for post-paid connections,” the order reads.

The Internet Service Providers (ISPs BSNL/Private Service Providers) has been directed  to provide fixed line Internet connectivity, with precautions as already directed, to those companies that are engaged in Software (IT/ITES) Services.

UN report forecasts 5.7 per cent growth for India in 2019-20

New Delhi (NVI): The Indian economy is expected to register a GDP growth of 5.7 per cent in the current financial year (2019-20) and may grow to 6.6 per cent in the next fiscal, a UN report says while observing that continued structural reforms would be required to bring the growth back to previous levels.

“After experiencing a sharp economic slowdown from 6.8 per cent in 2018 to 5.7 per cent in 2019, India has committed to an ambitious fiscal expansion to complement the country’s already loose monetary policy,” said the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2020 report.

“The combination of the fiscal stimulus and financial sector reforms, boosting investment and consumption, is expected to support a recovery in growth to 5.8 to 5.9 per cent, but it will take continued structural reforms to bring India’s growth back to its previous levels,” it added.

It states that the GDP growth in India and few other large emerging countries may gain some momentum this year after the global economy recorded its lowest growth of 2.3 per cent in 2019 due to prolonged trade disputes.

However, the report has pegged the India GDP growth estimate for 2020-21 at 6.6 per cent, lower than 7.4 per cent estimated earlier by the WESP.

The report has also forecast a 6.3 per cent GDP growth for India for fiscal year 2021-22.

“Growth in South Asia is projected to rebound in 2020, but the region will continue to face daunting challenges to sustainable development,” says the report.

While global growth of 2.5 per cent in 2020 is possible, the report cautions that a flareup of trade tensions, financial turmoil or an escalation of geopolitical tensions could derail a recovery. In a downside scenario, global growth would slow to just 1.8 per cent this year, it says.

A prolonged weakness in global economic activity may cause significant setbacks for sustainable development, including the goals to eradicate poverty and create decent jobs for all. At the same time, pervasive inequalities and the deepening climate crisis are fueling growing discontent in many parts of the world, according to the report.

With regard to South Asia, the report says the economic growth in the region is forecast to recover to 5.1 per cent in 2020, after falling to a decade-low of 3.3 per cent in 2019, but it will remain well below the rates seen in the recent past. The region struggled in 2019 with a combination of external headwinds, notably the global economic slowdown and falling trade, and country-specific domestic challenges. As the effects of one-off shocks wane and governments respond with vigorous fiscal expansion, economic activity will rebound in most of the countries, the UN study says.

Kiran Shaw conferred with Australia’s highest civilian honour

Australia’s High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu with Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.

New Delhi (NVI): Biocon company founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has been conferred with Australia’s highest civilian honour Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division.

Shaw was invested as an Honorary Member within the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division by Australia’s High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu at a ceremony in Bengaluru.

“The Australian government has chosen to bestow this honour on Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw for her immense contribution in advancing Australia’s bilateral relationship with India,” Sidhu said.

“Mazumdar-Shaw is a tireless champion of the commercial, educational, and people-to-people links between the two countries and this award recognises her commitment to progressing the Australia-India partnership,” the High Commissioner added.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the founder of Biocon – one of India’s largest bio-pharmaceutical companies. She contributes immensely to promoting women in STEM through the joint research programs developed between Biocon and Deakin University, Australia, as part of her deep and long-standing commitment to gender equality.

Shaw is also recognised for her sustained and significant contribution to industry academia collaboration between Australia and India.

Honorary appointments in the Order of Australia are made to foreign nationals who have made an outstanding contribution to Australia or humanitarian contribution at large.

Mazumdar-Shaw is the fourth Indian citizen to be awarded with this honour. This follows the conferment of batsman Sachin Tendulkar in 2012, Former Attorney General of India, Soli Jehangir Sorabjee in 2006 and Mother Teresa of Kolkata (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu) in 1982.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Indian and Australian businesses, the diplomatic corps, and family, friends and peers of Mazumdar-Shaw.

1...1,3771,3781,379...1,513Page 1,378 of 1,513

MUST READ