Facebook Bought Parse to Build Apps for the Mobile Platforms

Facebook on 26 April 2013 announced that it bought the San Francisco-based Parse, a startup which specialises in powering the mobile applications. This has been done in order to make this social networking site friendlier for tablet computers as well as the smartphones. 

Though the amount for the deal was not announced, but it is estimated to be somewhere around 85 million US dollar. Buying Parse for Facebook would help the developers in building the apps rapidly for the span devices as well as mobile platforms. 

Parse facilitates software developers’ tools in order to build the applications as well as handling the behind-the-scenes tasks like data storage as well as servers in order to handle the services for app users, respective of mobile devices involved. 

This in turn would help in getting rid of the need for managing the servers as well as complex infrastructures, thereby allowing for greater concentration on building the excellent user experience. 

Parse laid its foundation in June 2011. It was looking for new round of funding when Facebook approached it for the deal. 

Facebook now has the priority of following over one billion members on smartphones as well as tablets, which are becoming much-used gadgets in today’s times.

Indian Railways Reduced the Advanced Booking Period of the Tickets to 60 Days

The Indian Railways reduced the advanced booking period of the tickets from four months duration to two months, with effect from 1 May 2013. This has been done to prevent the enormous amount of cancellations after the booking process. 

The Railway notification issued on 25 April 2013 declared that the advance reservation period (ARP) in order to book the reserved train tickets was being reduced from 120 days to 60 days from 1 May 2013. It was also declared that the bookings which were done up to 30 April 2013 under already-existing ARP of 120 days will not be changed. 

Railway officials believed that this action would help the genuine travellers and reduced touts that booked bulk tickets in advance. No change was introduced to ARP limit of 360 days for foreign tourists. 

Cancellation of booking which was made beyond the time duration of 60 days shall be permitted. At present, tatkal tickets are being issued when a person produces self-attested photocopy of a valid identity proof.

India Cut down Oil Import from Iran

Keeping into view the US and European sanctions which was made it difficult to ship oil from the Persian Gulf nation, India has cut down the import of crude oil from Iran by over 26.5 per cent in the financial year ended 31 March 2013.

As per the official source India imported about 13.3 million tonnes of crude oil from Iran in 2012-13 fiscal, which was steeply down from 18.1 million tonnes shipped in the 2011-12 financial year. 

India is counted among world’s fourth-largest oil importer while the decline in its import was sharper than by Iran’s other two big buyers, China and South Korea. 

It is important here to note that the US and EU have shut down the use of their financial systems for Iranian crude trade, and Washington recently imposed more treasury sanctions on trade with Iran which is making the imports from the Islamic nation even more complicated.

Some facts and Figures
    
• In 2012-13, Iran has slipped three places to become India’s sixth-largest crude oil supplier. 
• Iran, which was India’s second biggest supplier of crude oil after Saudi Arabia in 2010-11, supplied 13.3 million tonnes during 2012-13. 
• The supplies from Iran were behind Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Venezuela, Kuwait and the UAE. 
• India had in 2011-12 demoted Iran to the third spot with 18.1 million tonnes of imports. These were behind 32.5 million tonnes from Saudi Arabia and 24.1 million tonnes from Iraq. 
• Iran had in 2009-10 supplied 21.2 million tonnes, which came down to 18.5 million tonnes in 2010-11 and to 18.1 million tonnes in the year after. 
• During 2012-13, Iranian supplies made up for 7.2 per cent of the India’s oil imports, down from 10.5 per cent in the previous fiscal (2011-12). 
• India, which relies on import for 79 per cent of its oil needs, bought a total of 182.5 million tonnes crude in 2012-13.

Lucknow Zardozi Became a Brand

The world famous textile embroidery handicraft of Lucknow, Lucknow Zardozi became a full-fledged brand after being accorded with the Geographical Indication (GI) registration by Chennai-based Geographical Indication Registry.

Lucknow Zardozi is primarily a very intricate needle handicraft work. Lucknow Zardozi has now been registered under the brand of Lucknow Zardozi and its registration has been secured by Kalatmak Handicrafts Self Help Group Foundation, Lucknow. 

This handicraft has remained traditionally important and prevalent in Lucknow and the six surrounding districts of Barabanki, Sitapur, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Hardoi and Amethi.

After the registration of the handicraft, individual stakeholders including the manufacturers, artisans, retailers, exporters etc. in these districts, can now become the authorised user of the brand after paying the requisite fee and getting themselves registered with the Registry.

With the GI Registration, the craft now is accredited with the official recognition. This would in turn help the stakeholders in checking imitation, product differentiation as well as derivation of more economic benefits from its trade. 

What is Geographical Indication (GI)?

Geographical Indication of any good is defined as aspect of the industrial property that refers to geographical indication referring to any country or a particular place situated therein. 

It is basically a sign or a name which is used on certain products which relate specifically to a geographical location or the origin, which can be a town, region or the country. 

Using GI can act as the certification of the product and that it holds certain qualities and enjoys certain reputation because of its geographical origin. 

India, which is also a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 and it came into force from 15 September 2003.

SPACE DEBRIS : Kessler Syndrome can be Hazardous

The European Space Agency (ESA) on 25 April 2013 during the 6th European Conference on Space Debris in Darmstadt, Germany announced that the Space Junk such as the debris of rockets should be removed from the orbit of the Earth. The announcement was made to avoid potential catastrophic collisions with operational spacecrafts and satellites that would cost a loss of millions of Euros for satellite operators as well as knock out GPS and Mobile network. 

The Agency said that the quantity of debris in the space environment is close to a situation of collision, which will make space hazardous. The agency made it clear that there is an urgent need of pulling out the redundant objects out from the sky. 

As per the present estimates from scientists, there exist nearly 30000 items of size more than 10 cm that circles the Earth at average speeds of 25000 kp0068. Many of the circling particles are complete rocket bodies and satellites and many are fragments. The debris in the orbit is the result of the explosion of the fuel tanks and batteries as well as from the impact of high-velocities between the objects. Debris with size 10 cm and above are traceable by the radars but the one smaller than it move unseen in the orbit, which would result in catastrophic collision among these materials. 

The researchers agreed to the point that the debris-environment in the orbit would become unstable within few decades and this phenomenon is called Kessler Syndrome. Removal of five to ten large debris, every year can be the solution to reverse the process of debris growth in the orbit. European Space Agency in 2012 launched Clean Space initiative that aims at developing the technology to capture and remove space debris safely.

Etihad Airways took over 24 % Stake in Jet Airways for 379 Million Dollars

bu Dhabi based Etihad Airways on 24 April 2013 confirmed taking over of 24 per cent minority stake in Jet Airways for 379 million dollars (2058 Crore).

With the take over Etihad Airways will be subscribing to 27.3 million new shares at 754.74 rupees per share. It will be the first time that a foreign airline will be picking up a stake in an Indian airline.

Etihad Airways is on an aggressive expansion drive and is also going to make a 150 million Dollars equity investment in Jet's frequent flyer programme and spend 70 million  Dollars to buy Jet's three pairs of Heathrow slots through the sale and leaseback . Including the 379 million dollars equity investment, Etihad will drive in all around 600 million dollars into Jet Airways.

It is important here to note that Jet's majority ownership will remain with Indian nationals and Jet's founder and non-executive chairman Naresh Goyal will hold 51 per cent of the airline after the deal, which is subject to shareholder approval. (49 % FDI allow in Aviation in INDIA according to 2012 Reforms)

Also, as a part of the deal Jet will establish a hub in Abu Dhabi and expand its reach through Etihad Airways' global network.

The partnership is supposed to bring in significant benefits and opportunities for global growth to both airlines. The deal will allow Etihad Airways to compete more effectively in one of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the world INDIA.

India and UAE Air Services to Enhance Weekly Seat Capacity

The Union Government of India and the Government of UAE on 24 April 2013 signed an MoU on Air Services as a follow up of the two day bilateral negotiation at Abu Dhabi. A bilateral agreement was signed by both sides to increase the number of weekly airline seats by four times that is available at present, between India and Abu Dhabi. 

With this agreement the number of seats between India and Abu Dhabi has been increased to 50000 passengers per week from existing capacity of 13300 + 2% flexibility (total 13,600) Seats per week with eleven points of call available to UAE. The arrangements in the agreement will extend over a period of three years. 

Distribution of the seats increased for all these years are as follows 

•  11000 seats per week in year 2013
•  12800 seats per week up to winter schedule 2014 
•  12870 seats per week up to winter schedule 2015

Few important facts about the agreement signed

•  UAE made a demand from India to allocate additional 40000 seats every week grant for Goa, Amritsar, Pune and Lucknow as additional points of calls and removal of maximum cap that is prescribed from each point of call in terms of seats/frequency per week. It also demanded for allowing third country/domestic code share facility. 
•  India made a request to UAE to grant the change of gauge facility at Abu Dhabi for Indian Carriers with an assurance of fifth freedom rights from the UAE. 
•  Both sides have also agreed to extend 3rd country and domestic code share facility of designated airlines of either side. The UAE have agreed to Indian request of change of gauge facility. While both sides have agreed to allow designated airlines of each side to have the option to change the aircraft in the territory of the other party.

The agreement on availability of seats came up with the exhaustion of the entire capacity of 13300 and following the demands of the Indian carriers like Jet Airways, Air India, Spice Jet and Indigo for increase in the number of seats. Following the results of the agreements signed, the air carriers of both the countries will be able to plan their future course of operations in next three years. Whereas the change of gauge facility signed between the two nations will also ensure operational and commercial flexibility to the Indian carriers to deploy equipment following the market demand. The agreement will also play a major role by increasing the international connectivity of the Indian passengers by facilitating local and international route networking.

Largest Biogas Plant of the World Inaugurated in Finland

The largest biogas plant of the world was inaugurated on 12 March 2013 in Finland. The biogas plant was inaugurated on the western coast of Finland. 

The plant is built near the already-present coal-fired power plant in Vaasa in Central Finland. The 140 MW biomass gasification factory would help the country in cutting down the use of coal by up to 40 percent. 

The largest biogas plant of the world is fuelled primarily with the help of wood residue from the large forestry sector of Finland. This plant, apart from reducing the use of coal, will also help in reducing the emission of carbon dioxide by 230000 tonnes per year. It will also help in facilitating electricity as well as heating for the Vaasa to approximately 61000 residents.

Chris Gayle Hit Fastest Century in the History of Cricket during IPL

Chris Gayle, the West Indies opener, hit the fastest ever century in the history of cricket by reaching 100 in merely 30 balls during Royal Challengers Bangalore-Pune Warriors IPL match on 23 April 2013. 

Gayle scored a total run of 175 runs in merely 66 balls, which included 17 sixes and 13 boundaries. It is important to note that this is the most number of runs scored in any T20 innings. This was also his fourth century in the IPL career. 

With Gayle’s performance, the total score Royal Challengers Bangalore was 263 for five, which is one of the highest total in this format of the game. Previously, the highest total in this format was 260 by Sri Lanka. 

Jamaican Chris Gayle also became the highest-ever individual scorer in a T20 game, beating Kolkata Knight Riders' Brendon McCullum who had hit 158 off 73 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi holds the record of fastest century in ODI (37 balls) and Viv Richards is the record-holders for fastest century (56 balls) in the Test cricket history.
 
The previous record holders of fastest centuries are as follows:

• 30 balls: Chris Gayle, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Pune Warriors, IPL, 23 April 2013
• 34 balls: Andrew Symonds, Kent vs. Middlesex, Twenty20 Cup, 2 July 2004
• 35 balls: Louis van der Westhuizen, Namibia v Kenya, unofficial T20 international, 7 November 2011
• 37 balls: Shahid Afridi, Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka, ODI, 4 October 1996
• 37 balls: Scott Styris, Sussex vs. Gloucs, Twenty20 Cup, 24 July 2012
• 37 balls: Yusuf Pathan, Rajasthan Royals vs. Mumbai Indians, IPL, 13 March 2010

Russia Launched Bio-Satellite (BION-M) Called Orbital Noah's Ark into Space

Russia on 19 April 2013 launched the bio-satellite (BION-M) called orbital Noah's Ark into space with various living organisms such as 45 mice, 15 geckos, micro-organisms, plants, snails and eight Mongolian gerbils. These living organisms were included in the flight in order to comprehend the effects of such long flights on the living organisms. 

The latest bio-satellite blasted off aboard Soyuz 2 rocket from Baikonur launch pad in Kazakhstan. The bio-satellite is on the 30-day mission. During its 30-day mission, the bio-satellite will participate in over 70 genetic, biological and physiological experiments, which in turn, will help in preparation for the flights to Mars as well as other planets. 

The results of this satellite will be studied on 18 May 2013 when this satellite will return back to Earth. Among various experiments on the list, one of it includes studying the extra-terrestrial origin theory on Earth. 

On the outer skin of this satellite, there is an attachment of meteorite-type heat-resistant material that has tiny holes which carry various fungi and bacteria. These microbes will face exposure to freezing temperatures, re-entry heat as well as space vacuum. This is done in order to see whether these microbes can survive their travel through the space.

Nokia Launched the Cheapest Handset Nokia 105 in Indian Markets

Nokia launched the most affordable mobile Nokia 105 at the price of 1249 Rupees in order to rope in low income group customers and also the first-time buyers. 

Nokia 105 is the colourful mobile in the Nokia family and is also the cheapest colour screen entry-level mobile in the Indian markets. This mobile is said to be the successor of Nokia 1280.

Features and Specifications of Nokia 105

• Dust-proof key may
• Splash-proof key mat
• Excellent battery life (Standby time of up to 35 days and talk time of up to 12.5 hours)
• Single SIM
• 1.45-inch true color screen
• User-friendly interface
• FM radio
• Up to five pre-loaded games
• Speaking clock
• Flashlight 
• Multiple alarm clock capabilities