Month: February 2022

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Interview Kerala Science

ISRO prepares to boost space economy with structural reforms

My mission is to continue this work and to follow the footsteps of my seniors who have made yeoman contributions in the development of space science in the country and ISRO has played a stellar role in it… ISRO’s new Chairman S. Somanath speaks with Arun Lakshman

With space sector reforms and growth of India’s space economy his topmost priorities, ISRO’s new Chairman

says that ‘Gaganyaan’, the ambitious project to put a human crew in space, is another key objective and the space agency expects that the mission would help lay the robust foundation for a sustainable human flight programme in the long run.

As the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is undertaking in-depth research and new projects and programmes to take space technology and space to a higher level and for benefits to the common man, it is also for promoting new entrepreneurs and for more and more programmes that would be useful to explore space and for bringing in benefits to mankind, Somanath in an exclusive interview. Following are excerpts:
What are the major programmes in pipeline for ISRO?

The Indian Space Research Organisation is in the process of adapting and adopting to new challenges and opportunities. India will be launching two major space missions in the 75th year of Independence and the ISRO is in an advanced stage of developing the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV). We are also in the process of the first launch of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

While Covid has put our plans on the backburner or delayed our launches, we are hopeful of completing the landing trial or testing the landing gear mechanism of RLV soon. RLV is a priority and it will bring down the cost of launch drastically as also we need launch vehicles that need to be used even up to 15 times. The scaling down of costs would reflect on more launches and eventually the benefit is transferred to a large number of people.

The design and development of SSLV are almost done and we will be launching it within months.

Gaganyaan will be a top priority and with the Covid pandemic on, it has been delayed a bit but the ambitious push to put a human crew in space is on and we, at the ISRO, hope that the mission would help lay the foundation for a sustainable human space flight programme in the long run. Chandrayan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions are some of the projects awaiting immediate attention.

Can you explain the proportionate impact that a fleet of satellites will have on communication technology?

We aim to have the capability of transmitting directly to handheld devices without any time lapse. This will revolutionalise the information and the infotainment industry. In a similar manner, the low-cost launch will also help improve space application using remote sensing satellites or other low orbit satellites. With the help of Artificial Intelligence, we hope to bring out more services that bring benefit to more people and more lives. Other than this more eyes in the sky would help fine-tune the existing meteorological models along with other observation needs.

There are reports on emerging commercial opportunities in the Space sector. Your comments

There are a lot of emerging opportunities in the space sector and there is a huge enthusiasm among the country’s young entrepreneurs to explore the emerging commercial opportunities in the space sector. We have opened our doors to these game changers and they can explore the envelope of possibilities in this sunrise sector instead of confining their skills and imagination to a particular area of space science.

I can say that there are many skilled and qualified youngsters who are in discussions with the ISRO for their startups that are entering the field. However, there are risks involved in rocket manufacture and developing other launch vehicles and risk is a great factor in the manufacturing and assembling of satellites.

The maximum interest being envisaged in the commercial side is on the low-risk area of application development based on space-based data and becoming providers of space-based services opens a vista of opportunities to these youngsters who have the entrepreneurial bug and ISRO is fully supporting them.

How are the strides in Indian space research beneficial to common man?

While most of the nations were used space for projecting another dimension of their defence power, we, in India, used it for reaching the scientific benefits to the common man of the country. The giant strides the country has made in telemedicine, weather forecast, agriculture, and distance education are a few examples that we can showcase on the contribution we have made in space research that is directly transferred as benefits to common man.

My mission is to continue this work and to follow the footsteps of my seniors who have made yeoman contributions in the development of space science in the country and ISRO has played a stellar role in it.

We know that there are several departments in the country that need the support of space technology and we will improve interactions with them to develop user-based initiatives in these areas. At present we are in direct contact with some government institutions and we will expand it to a larger number and spread our wings with indirect contact with some government bodies. The idea is to bring them all under one umbrella and develop products that uplift the lives of common people in the country.

There are a lot of discussions on graveyard orbits being in use by major players in space. Please explain

Graveyard orbit is used when the change in velocity required to perform a de-orbit maneuver is too large. For satellites in geostationary orbit and geosynchronous orbits, the graveyard orbit is a few hundred kilometers beyond the operational orbit. The transfer to a graveyard orbit beyond geostationary orbit requires the same amount of fuel as a satellite needs for about three months of stationkeeping.

We are planning to put an old satellite into graveyard orbit in the near future. This is done when a satellite is nearing its life and the remaining life is less than a few months and when the controls are still active.

Could you tell us about your journey to ISRO?

I did my schooling at St. Augustine High School, Aroor which is a government-aided school, and those days the pass percentage in the school was very low – around 30 per cent of those who write the Class 10 board exam. I was the topper in Kerala for physics, chemistry, mathematics, and biology in school and it was a great achievement those days that gave me a morale booster. My father was a Hindi teacher but he was scientifically oriented and he was the one who inculcated or rather kindled the interest in science in me.

Those days we did assemble our own radio and my father was keen that I read good science publications during my school days. I did my pre-university at the prestigious Maharajas College in Ernakulam and did my BTech in Mechanical Engineering from TKM College of Engineering, Kollam. I did my Master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore with a specialisation in Dynamics and Control and I joined the ISRO in 1985.

ALSO READ-TWIST: ISRO case gets a new version – martyr or kingpin?

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-Top News EU News UK News

Britain to introduce new bill to scrap EU laws two years since Brexit

Although it then left the 27-member bloc’s single market and customs union, it kept many European laws on the books, pledging to change or repeal them individually post-Brexit…reports Asian Lite News

The UK government will introduce new legislation allowing it to change or scrap retained European Union laws, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said to mark two years since Brexit.

The new “Brexit Freedoms Bill”, which was announced on Monday, will make it easier to amend or remove what he called “outdated” EU laws that London has kept on its statute books as a “bridging measure” after leaving the bloc.

It will be part of what the UK leader dubbed a “major cross-government drive to reform, repeal and replace” the European laws retained and cut red tape for businesses.

“The plans we have set out today will further unleash the benefits of Brexit and ensure that businesses can spend more of their money investing, innovating and creating jobs,” Johnson said in a statement.

“Our new Brexit Freedoms Bill will end the special status of EU law in our legal framework and ensure that we can more easily amend or remove outdated EU law in future.”

The move is part of a flurry of announcements expected imminently from the government in key policy areas, as it also grapples with the growing international crisis over Russia’s military build-up near Ukraine.

However, critics have accused Johnson of rushing out half-baked plans and so-called “red meat” policies to shore up support among his own increasingly disgruntled Conservative MPs.

That follows persistent calls for him to resign over claims of lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street and several other recent scandals.

Britain left the EU on January 31, 2020, but continued to abide by most of its rules and regulations until the start of 2021 under the terms of its withdrawal deal.

Although it then left the 27-member bloc’s single market and customs union, it kept many European laws on the books, pledging to change or repeal them individually post-Brexit.

Meanwhile, the government insists it has made “huge strides” outside the EU, striking some trade deals with countries and forging a new independent foreign policy built around a “global Britain” mantra.

But it has also been beset by issues blamed on Brexit, with the increased paperwork needed causing delays and even shortages of products while some industries complain of growing labour shortages.

Meanwhile, special arrangements agreed for Northern Ireland, aiming to avoid a “hard” border on the island of Ireland, have proved highly contentious there and led to increased political instability.

ALSO READ-UK targets significant progress in Brexit talks by February

Categories
Education India News

Army Goodwill Schools redefine Kashmir youth

Army Goodwill Schools Pic credits Twitter @ChinarcorpsIA

The Indian Army has helped the children of Kashmir to hold pens and build their future while on the other Pakistan Army has tried its best to provide the children of Kashmir with guns and explosives to fight its proxy war….reports Asian Lite News

 The Army Goodwill Schools (AGS) in Kashmir during the past thirty years of Pakistan sponsored turmoil have played a pivotal role in imparting education to children. Nearly one lakh students have passed out from these institutions run by Srinagar-based Chinar Corps.

At present there are 28 Army Goodwill Schools in Kashmir, which educate more than 10,000 students each year. The Army has set up many schools in far-off areas where government and private schools don’t exist. These institutions are providing education to such children who are deprived of proper schooling and don’t have access to learning.

The Army Goodwill Schools have devised special scholarship schemes for the children from weaker sections of the society. The basic aim is to equip the Generation-Next with knowledge and skills to compete with the world.

In present day Kashmir, AGSs are the symbol of quality education, imparting knowledge and values to the students. The quality infrastructure, diverse co-curriculum and focused educational mechanism have been the benchmark of these schools.

Over the years, the academic results of AGSs have shown a steady growth. The whole hearted efforts put in by the dedicated staff members of the schools have yielded positive results. The systematic approach adopted towards overall development of students has ensured that they carve a niche for themselves in the society. With the inception and impact of technology in education, the Indian Army has incorporated innovative changes in the existing learning and teaching methodology.

Proud alumni express gratitude

Pass outs of Army Goodwill Schools proudly call themselves as alumni of these institutions. In December 2021, the Army Goodwill School Hajinar in frontier district of Kupwara organised an alumni meet. It was attended by the ex-students of the school who shared their experiences with the students studying at AGS Hajinar, which was established in 1999, when Pakistan was busy training Kashmiri youth to become militants. The former students shared their memories with the students and made them aware of the circumstances during which they were enrolled at AGS Hajinar. The alumni narrated their success stories and thanked the Army for providing them with the guidance and help when they needed it most. At present nearly 500 students are enrolled at Hajinar Army School.

Army Goodwill Schools Pic credits Twitter @ChinarcorpsIA

Army sponsoring undergraduate courses

In August 2021, the Army took one more initiative for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. It announced that it would sponsor undergraduate courses and school education to selected children and youth from J&K in residential schools and colleges functioning under the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) across the country. The move has helped the students to explore the career opportunities available in the country and has also integrated them with the rest of the country. Under this initiative seats have been reserved in undergraduate courses in some Army-run colleges like Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology and Army Institute of Fashion Design in Bengaluru, Army Colleges of Nursing in Guwahati, and Jalandhar.

Army Goodwill Schools Pic credits Twitter @ChinarcorpsIA

Signs another MoU with IBF

In January 2022, the Indian Army signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indrani Balan Foundation (IBF) for financial sustainability of Army Goodwill Schools in Kashmir. This was the second MoU signed with the foundation for financial sustainability of additional four Army Goodwill Schools at Baraub, Dawar, Balapur & Behibagh in Kupwara, Shopian and Kulgam districts respectively and the Army Goodwill Public School (AGPS), Pahalgam in Kashmir.

Indrani Balan Foundation is a welfare foundation that is active in a variety of philanthropic work across India. The foundation under Punit Balan has vast experience of social work in fields of education, health and sports, which contributes immensely in improving the quality of education as well as self-sustainability of schools.

ALSO READ: Kashmiri youth, fed up with delays, construct their own cricket pitch

Last year, Chinar Corps had signed a similar MoU with the same foundation for financial sustainability of five AGSs of Uri, Wayne, Trehgam & Hajinan in Baramulla & Kupwara districts for five years.

In addition, the Foundation has built a new infrastructure for Pariwar School Society for Specially-abled children of Baramulla. This year, the MoU focuses on the four Army Goodwill Schools (AGSs) and Army Goodwill Public School (AGPS) and would entail financial support of Rs. 3,28,00,000 per year for the next five years.

Army Goodwill Schools Pic credits Twitter @ChinarcorpsIA

People repose faith

The path breaking steps taken by the Indian Army in Kashmir vis-a-vis education have gone a long way in building strong bond between the local populace and the soldiers, who besides fighting the Pakistan sponsored insurgency have been at the forefront to empower the children of a common man in Kashmir. The citizens of Kashmir by admitting their children in Army Goodwill Schools have reposed faith on the Army. They have sent a strong message to Pakistan and the ultras sponsored by it that they know who their true friend is and who their enemy is.

ALSO READ: Kashmir handicraft all set to conquer European markets

The stark contrast between the two armies is clearly visible. The Indian Army wants Kashmiri children to excel in their lives and shine as stars, while the Pakistan Army wants them to die and end up in graveyards.

People of Kashmir are holding the hand of the Indian Army strongly and are treading on the path that would lead them towards prosperity and a bright future. They don’t want their children to die for the sake of a country which wants to keep Kashmir burning to avenge the defeats which it has faced in all the conventional wars it has fought with the Indian Army since 1947.

Visible difference

Efforts of the Indian Army to reach out to the people of Kashmir and make them self-reliant are ample proof of the fact that it’s People’s Army and it’s a true-friend of Kashmiris. It has gone out of way to help them out in every field. It has guided their children in the most turbulent times and has ensured that they don’t go astray.

On one hand Indian Army has helped the children of Kashmir to hold pens and build their future while on the other Pakistan Army has tried its best to provide the children of Kashmir with guns and explosives to fight its proxy war.

Since 1990 Pakistan Army has turned the children and youth of Kashmir into cannon fodder by showing them dreams about the so-called Azadi, while on the other hand the Army Goodwill Schools in Kashmir have prepared responsible citizens who are serving the nation. These institutions are symbols of empowerment of common Kashmiri, who want to live a peaceful and dignified life.

ALSO READ: This time, Muslim Brotherhood holding reins of Kashmir conflict

Categories
Arab News EXPO 2020 UAE News

Israeli President visits Sheikh Zayed Mosque and launches National Day at Expo 2020

Israeli President visits Sheikh Zayed Mosque and launches National Day at Expo 2020 (ANI)

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on his second day of visit to the United Arab Emirates, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and opened Israel’s National Day at Dubai Expo 2020 on Monday…reports Asian Lite News

Leaders of both countries discussed aspects of cooperation under the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement, signed by the two nations in 2020 and touched on various regional and international developments, issues of common concern, and international efforts to accelerate the pace of global recovery.

On Herzog’s visit to the mosque, he was accompanied by Michal Herzog; Mohammed Al Khaja, the UAE’s ambassador to Israel; Amir Hayek, Israeli Ambassador to the UAE; and several senior Israeli officials, reported Khaleej Times.

They were educated by one of the Centre’s cultural tour professionals on the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s noble message, which emphasises ideals of cohabitation, tolerance, and openness to cultures, as espoused by the late founder’s rich legacy.

ALSO READ: Sheikh Mohammed receives Israeli president

Dr Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, accompanied the Israeli President and accompanying delegation on a tour of the mosque’s halls and external corridors, reported Khaleej Times.

They also learned about the mosque’s history, components, and aesthetic features of Islamic art and architecture and about the mesmerising fusion of architectural styles from different eras that reflect commonalities between cultures and unite the world through art.

On his second day of the visit, Herzog also launched national day at Dubai Expo 2020. Notably, this is the first-ever visit of the Israeli President to UAE. (ANI)

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-Top News Asia News UK News

NATO, UK will ‘support’ Ukraine if invaded by Russia, but won’t send troops

Truss did say it was “very unlikely” British troops would be involved should there be a fight for Ukraine…reports Asian Lite News

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated on Sunday that NATO would not send troops to Ukraine should Russia invade.

“We are focusing on providing support,” Stoltenberg said, adding, “There is a difference between being a NATO member and being a strong and highly valued partner (such) as Ukraine. There’s no doubt about that,” he said in an interview with BBC.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss told Sky News that her country will seek to tighten sanctions on Vladimir Putin so there is no place for his oligarchs to hide.

She said the short-term profits came at a real cost of longer term threats to democracy and freedom in the UK and other Western allies.

So-called “Londongrad” has come under renewed attention as a primary destination for politically sensitive Russian businessmen and their capital.

Last week, the US warned that the UK’s acceptance of what it called Russian “dirty money” threatened the effectiveness of any sanctions regime Washington will seek to impose to deter and potentially punish Russia.

Washington has been coordinating with allies should Moscow follow through on its military build-up on Ukraine’s borders and invade and occupy parts of that country beyond Crimea and the eastern region known as the Donbas.

Truss did say it was “very unlikely” British troops would be involved should there be a fight for Ukraine.

“This is about making sure that the Ukrainian forces have all the support we can give them,” Truss said.

CNN reports UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will speak this week. On Sunday, Johnson said the potential for Russian military action in Ukraine is “increasingly concerning.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also reiterated his position that NATO cannot claim to be defensive with foreign interventions such as the ones that occurred in Afghanistan, Libya and the former Yugoslavia under its belt.

Russian state-run Tass reported Lavrov told the program “Sunday Time” on Russia’s Channel One that Russia intends to protect its interests.

“When the Cold War was going on and the Berlin Wall existed, it was clear what territory to defend,” he said.

He added that requests are being sent to NATO and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Russia’s requests are a follow up to ultimatums against NATO expansion and force posture in NATO member states previously issued by Russia.

Russia has sent over 100,000 troops to Ukraine’s borders and in recent days moved blood supplies closer to what could evolve into a front line.

Nonetheless, Russia’s national security adviser Nikolai Patrushev said talk of war with Ukraine consisted of “self-serving fabrications” of the West.

“We don’t want war, we don’t need it at all,” Russian state-run Interfax news agency quoted Patrushev.

The US and NATO rejected Russia’s demands but US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan has said the US offered to reduce military exercises and missile numbers in Europe. Lavrov previously derided both the US and NATO’s responses, but he conceded that the US proposals offered “grains of rationality” on secondary issues.

Former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul wrote on Twitter, “For the Russian Foreign Minster (with whom I interacted with for five years back in the day), that’s as (complimentary) as he gets!”

ALSO READ-Russia, India on the same page on Taliban govt

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-Top News India News

Russia, India on the same page on Taliban govt

Vershnin further added that both India and Russia strengthen coordination and interaction on major international issues, including on international platforms…reports Asian Lite News

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershnin, after Monday’s consultations on UNSC issues between him and Reenat Sandhu, Secretary West in the Ministry of External Affairs, said ‘it is premature to talk about recognizing the current government in Kabul’.

Vershnin said, “Russian and Indian stances [on Afghanistan] are similar and identical in many respects. They boil down to the fact that now it is premature to talk about recognizing the current government in Kabul.”

“We expect the current Afghan leadership to fulfil the obligations they have assumed, especially with regard to the inclusivity of the government and with regard to other measures, including in the human rights area,” he added.

He also mentioned that it is clear that humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people should be provided, and it is being provided by both us and India.

Vershnin said that the aid to Afghan people “should be continued, for reasons including that the 20-year presence of the Americans and their allies in Afghanistan that has caused the situation to become so deplorable these days, including from a humanitarian perspective.”

“India has been in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for the second year, and it was interesting and important for us to compare our notes following the results of their first year in the UNSC with regard to all issues on the agenda of the Security Council. The consultations were business-like, detailed and friendly.”, said Vershnin.

He further added that both India and Russia strengthen coordination and interaction on major international issues, including on international platforms – in New York, Geneva and Paris, within the UNESCO.

During the consultations, the Russian side informed the Indian Side about their point of view about what is going on around Ukraine and on the tensions fanned by the Western nations, NATO and the United States.

“We also touched upon issues of insuring strategic stability in this area, the more so as Russia has repeatedly voiced its point of view publicly, and we once again communicated it to the Indian friends,” Vershnin said after the consultations. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Boris warns Russia against ‘catastrophic invasion’

Categories
-Top News COVID-19 UK News

Covid-19 daily dashboard amended to include reinfections

Global Covid caseload tops 330.2 mn

The new data shows that reinfection rates averaged around 1.4 percent of cases until 16 November 2021, when a spike in infections took place following the emergence of the Omicron variant…reports Asian Lite News

From yesterday, UKHSA has begun including data on possible reinfection episodes in its coronavirus (COVID-19) dashboard – the UK’s main source of information about the virus.

Positive tests for any variant of COVID-19 within a 90-day time period are now considered part of the same case episode, and positive tests outside those parameters are now considered as reinfection episodes.

This is an evolution of the previous UKHSA methodology whereby people who tested positive for COVID-19 were counted only once in case numbers published on the daily dashboard, when they first tested positive.  Repeat positive tests were not included.

Reinfections data is now included within and also alongside infection totals for England and Northern Ireland. Data from Scotland and Wales will follow in the days ahead.

As of 31 January, updated figures for England show 14,845,382 episodes of infection since the start of the pandemic with 588,114 (4.0%) reinfections added to the total case number for England, covering the whole pandemic.

The new data shows that reinfection rates averaged around 1.4 percent of cases until 16 November 2021, when a spike in infections took place following the emergence of the Omicron variant. Following that increase in the number of people infected, reinfections rose – with reinfections now representing around 10% of episodes per day.

Professor Steven Riley, UKHSA’s Director General of Data and Analytics, said, “Reinfection remained at very low levels until the start of the Omicron wave.  It is right that our daily reporting processes reflect how the virus has changed. We continue to see downward trends in case numbers and incidence of illness as we work to reduce the impact of the pandemic on our day-to-day lives.  With vaccination still a great defence against infection and illness, please get jabbed as soon as possible.”

As part of the changes made, UKHSA has used more accurate algorithms to check existing surveillance data.  This has identified extra cases of infection that were previously removed as duplicates. These additional 173,328 cases represent around 1.5% of all infections in England.

Global Covid caseload tops 374.3 mn

The additional cases reinstated by the more accurate algorithm typically had very poor identifying information, with just 25% having NHS numbers. Improved systems have now made it possible to publish this data with confidence.

The total number of infection episodes in Northern Ireland now stands at 542,855 with 22,913 reinfections (4.2%).

ALSO READ-Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tests positive for Covid-19

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-Top News Asia News

Bilawal rejects Gilani’s resignation as opposition leader

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Gilani stepped down as the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate after his absence led to the passage of the State Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2021, in the Upper House of the Parliament….reports Asian Lite News

: Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday has refused to accept PPP leader Yousaf Raza Gillani’s resignation as the leader of the Opposition in the Senate terming his services as a “shining example” for democrats.

Bilawal expressed regret over the role of chairman of the Senate in passing the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2021 and said it was passed the bill “in connivance with the government,” reported Geo News.

The Senate on Friday passed the SBP (Amendment) Bill 2021 amid an outcry from the opposition.

On January 13, the National Assembly passed the SBP autonomy bill along with the supplementary finance bill — both these bills were a requirement by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

The approval of the State Bank amendment bill was necessary to ensure Pakistan’s sixth review of the USD 6 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFE) gets cleared by the IMF’s Executive Board which is scheduled to meet on February 2 to decide the disbursement of the USD 1-billion tranche.

Gilani stepped down as the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate after his absence led to the passage of the State Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2021, in the Upper House of the Parliament.

“I have submitted my resignation to my party; I do not want to be the Opposition leader anymore,” Gilani said while addressing on the floor of the Senate. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Taliban appoints new Attorney General

Categories
-Top News UK News

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tests positive for Covid-19

Truss is the second UK cabinet minister to contract coronavirus, after the UK’s Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi who earlier confirmed his positive diagnosis on Sunday…reports Asian Lite News

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Tuesday, Feb 1 tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after she made a speech in the House of Commons about Russia, the latter informed on Twitter.”Thankfully I’ve had my three jabs and will be working from home while I isolate,” Truss said, as she informed that she has isolated as per the COVID-19 appropriate protocols. UK’s foreign secretary was scheduled to make a crucial trip to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as tensions over Russia’s military build-up at the border.  Prime Minister Boris Johnson will still travel to take stock of the emerging situation.

Truss is the second UK cabinet minister to contract coronavirus, after the UK’s Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi who earlier confirmed his positive diagnosis on Sunday. Truss addressed the House of Commons, earlier in the day as she vouched for tough crippling sanctions against the Russian individuals for flaring tensions with Ukraine. She was seated just three seats away from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson without a mask as he answered questions about Sue Gray’s report on Partygate scandals.

It remains unclear at this time if someone else came in contact with the UK’s foreign secretary. Truss was separated by Home Secretary Priti Patel, who was also seen mask-less, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who was wearing a mask the whole time at the House of Commons. On Truss’ other side, Health Secretary Sajid Javid was seated who was seen wearing a face covering. UK’s foreign secretary had also attended meeting of hundreds of Conservative MPs earlier in the day, according to Sky News.

Earlier yesterday, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had informed that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and that he was in good health and would continue to work remotely while adhering to public health norms. Trudeau was placed in seclusion last week when one of his children tested positive. He also urged people to be “vaccinated and boosted.”Canada PM Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter, “This morning, I tested positive for COVID-19. I’m feeling fine ‘ and I’ll continue to work remotely this week while following public health guidelines. Everyone, please get vaccinated and get boosted.”

ALSO READ-US FDA okays Moderna’s Covid-19 jab for adults

Categories
-Top News Dubai UAE News

UAE Innovates 2022 kicks off today

The festival comprises hundreds of events across the UAE, including conferences, workshops and awards, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk

UAE Innovates 2022 kicks off on Tuesday with all seven emirates participating in one of the largest innovation festivals in the world to instil a culture of innovation and engage the community in innovative experiences and initiatives that contribute to the UAE’s next 50 years.

Overseen by the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre of Government Innovation (MBRCGI), UAE Innovates 2022 runs through February, engaging federal and local government entities, the private sector, academia, and community members in futureproof initiatives that improve wellbeing and help create more resilient government models.

The festival comprises hundreds of events across the UAE, including conferences, workshops and awards.

Huda Al Hashimi, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, said, “The UAE Government is keen to consolidate innovation across all vital sectors. The nationwide festival will embrace creative ideas and innovations and engage the community through projects and initiatives. UAE Innovates 2022 includes events at Expo 2020 Dubai, in line with its mission to connect minds and create the future, bringing together the UAE’s best talents to showcase the most impactful government innovations.”

The festival, which concludes its activities on 28th February, includes more than 60 dedicated events at Expo 2020 Dubai. One of the central installations at Expo 2020 Dubai will be an MBRCGI exhibition at Festival Garden, which will highlight innovative government experiences. Government entities will organise dedicated sessions and workshops in various fields of innovation.

UAE Innovates 2022 kicks off today

The Ministry of Interior will display four innovative products, including the Emirates Sniper project, which is a remote-controlled vehicle used for security at events, the Emirates Falcon drone project, the Fire Robot project, which is a mini fire-extinguishing mechanism, and the Bin Woriqa smart service project to provide doctors easy access to hospitals.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Port Security is also organising the “Our Digital Services” exhibition. It displays identity and citizenship services, golden residency, digital customs services, proactive services, digital faceprint authentication services, and smart application services.

Dubai Courts will be showing its digital litigation initiative, the interactive and integrated smart system that enables customers to conveniently access all litigation services around the clock. The Child Rights Law “Wadeema”, the first law available in an interactive illustrated manner, to facilitate the delivery of information to children and help them understand their rights, will also be on display.

The Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence is showcasing innovative solutions that adopt artificial intelligence tools to reduce food waste and enhance food security through the early detection of plant diseases. The project leverages data analysis tools to support farmers in various production and marketing stages.

In collaboration with the Emirates Youth Council, the Ministry of Economy is organising an event that highlights innovative projects and the achievements of young talents, to motivate young people to innovate. Dubai Police is organising an innovation exhibition inside the Fazaa Pavilion to showcase the latest security innovations.

The Emirates Health Service (EHS) will hold a virtual dialogue session on the human genome, precision medicine and pharmacogenetics. It will highlight the UAE genome programme and its positive impact on the healthcare sector.

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) is organising a workshop entitled “The Entrepreneurial Mindset: The Symbol of Future Generations”. It reviews many inspiring innovative stories and several practices and tools used by successful entrepreneurs in the 21st century.

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The Ajman Chamber will launch the advanced programme for entrepreneurship and industrial innovation to help develop the skills of industrial entrepreneurs and build knowledge in industrial design and manufacturing.

The Human Resources Department in Fujairah will organise an event in the Future Foresight Hall, showcasing 3D and AI-based smart services.

MBRCGI’s month-long event concludes with the UAE Innovates Award, celebrating and recognising some of the most impactful innovations implemented at the local and federal government levels over the last 12 months.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Centre of Government Innovation launched UAE Innovates in 2016 following the success of UAE Innovation Week.