The Tesla founder formally endorsed Trump’s candidacy for US president on Saturday after the former president survived a shooting at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania…reports Asian Lite News
Tech billionaire Elon Musk said he plans to commit roughly $45 million each month to a new fund backing Donald Trump for US president, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Musk’s donations will go to a political group dubbed America PAC, which will focus on promoting voter registration, early voting and mail-in ballots among residents in swing states ahead of the November general election, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Musk is one of several major backers of the new fund, with others reportedly including Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, former US ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft and cryptocurrency investors Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.
The Tesla founder formally endorsed Trump’s candidacy for US president on Saturday after the former president survived a shooting at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on the social media platform X, which he acquired in 2022.
Musk, the wealthiest man in the world with an estimated net worth of $250 billion, has grown increasingly friendly with Trump over the course of the 2024 US election.
In March, the two met in person during a donor breakfast hosted at the Florida residence of billionaire Nelson Peltz.
Though individual campaign donations in the United States are capped at $3,300 per person, loopholes in the campaign finance system allow political mega-donors to contribute to funds known as political action committees or “PACs,” which support candidates.
Trump previously decried mail and absentee voting, but has backtracked on his criticisms after it became clear Democrats had an edge among mail voters.
According to the industry body, the implementation of industrial electricity tariffs for telecom infrastructure across all states is crucial…reports Asian Lite News
The Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) on Monday urged the government to extend input tax credit for telecom towers under the GST regime in the upcoming Union Budget 2024-2025, which would significantly reduce costs for infrastructure providers and ultimately benefit consumers.
A business pays input tax credit on a purchase that it can use to reduce its tax liability when it makes a sale.
Additionally, the industry body also requested clarity on the eligibility of related infrastructure and accessories for input tax credit, as the current ambiguity is leading to substantial financial exposure for the industry.
“As we approach the upcoming budget, the DIPA urges the government to prioritise policies that will accelerate the development of robust digital infrastructure across India,” said Tilak Raj Dua, Director General, DIPA.
“Our nation’s digital future hinges on the rapid expansion of telecom networks, particularly 5G, and improved connectivity in rural areas,” he added.
According to the industry body, the implementation of industrial electricity tariffs for telecom infrastructure across all states is crucial.
“This could reduce operational costs by up to 20 per cent, freeing up resources for network expansion,” it said.
DIPA also recommended the swift implementation of the amended right of way (RoW) rules across all states and union territories.
This standardisation is vital for streamlining infrastructure deployment and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
As the industry awaits the complete telecom rules under the new Telecommunication Act 2023, it requested clear guidelines on the definition of telecommunication networks, fair RoW grants, and the separation of telecom infrastructure from property considerations.
Musk also said that the last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt…reports Asian Lite News
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Sunday confirmed his full support for Donald Trump after an assassination attempt on the former US President during an election rally.
In a post on his X social media platform, the tech billionaire said: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”
Criticising the US Secret Service, Musk said the head of the Secret Service (SS) Kimberly Cheatle and the “leader of this security detail should resign”.
“Extreme incompetence or it was deliberate. Either way, the SS leadership must resign,” he posted.
After the shooter was shot dead, Trump gathered himself and said “Wait, wait, wait”, before he started pumping his fist.
Trump continued to pump his fist towards the crowd, saying “Fight.”
Musk also said that the last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt.
Roosevelt served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909.
On October 14, 1912, former US President Theodore Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt while campaigning for the presidency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The bullet lodged in Roosevelt’s chest and he declined suggestions to go to the hospital immediately. Instead, he delivered his scheduled speech.
Roosevelt carried the bullet with him for the rest of his life. He lived another seven years, dying in 1919 at age 60.
Meanwhile, billionaire Bill Ackman formally endorsed President Trump following the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. Over 19 million people viewed Ackman’s endorsement post since its release late Saturday night.
“I came to this decision some time ago, as many @X followers have already understood from my supportive posts of Trump and my criticisms of @POTUS Biden,” Ackman stated. He explained that he hadn’t formally endorsed Trump earlier due to the need for a detailed explanation of his reasoning and to address counterarguments.
Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, said it would take a “long-form post” to fully explain his stance. He hadn’t found the time or urgency to write it before the shooting at a Trump rally, which injured Trump’s ear, left one attendee dead, and critically injured two spectators. Ackman considers the upcoming presidential election one of the most significant in his lifetime and has recently spent time with Trump. He urged voters to “keep an open mind” and promised a detailed post explaining his position in the future. In January, Ackman criticized President Biden’s fitness to serve and called for him to step aside during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawkbox.”
The EV industry expects FAME-3, charging infrastructure funds, localisation incentives, renewable integration, priority lending, and reduced GST in the government budget…reports Asian Lite News
As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gears up for the Union Budget 2024-25 on July 23, the electric vehicle (EV) sector is optimistic about potential announcements that could spur industry growth.
The EV sector is at a critical juncture, with every player striving to capture market share.
The industry anticipates that the government will introduce FAME-3, allocate funds for charging infrastructure, provide incentives for the localisation of EV components, integrate EVs with renewable energy sources, implement a priority lending scheme, and reduce GST on EV services, among other measures.
“To achieve the ambitious target of 30 percent EV penetration by 2030, continued government support is essential. As EV manufacturers invest heavily in research and development to reduce costs, government assistance is needed to make EVs more affordable and narrow the price gap with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles,” said Aryaman Tandon, Managing Partner at Praxis Global Alliance for the Mobility sector.
“The industry also hopes the FAME scheme will expand to include private buses and commercial vehicles (CVs), which have so far been limited to State Transport Undertakings (STUs). Reducing customs duties on imported EV components and supporting local R&D in battery technology, as seen in the last budget, will further accelerate local manufacturing and create jobs,” he added.
Supporting the continuation of FAME, Nimish Trivedi, Founder & CEO of Evera, said, “Government subsidies on electric vehicles under schemes like FAME-II led to a 48 percent increase in EV adoption in 2023. It’s imperative that FAME continues to stimulate this growth further.”
The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme, introduced in 2015, promotes electric and hybrid vehicles in India and has completed two terms: FAME-1 and FAME-2.
Industry players are also calling for tax rationalisation. Mukesh Taneja, CEO and Co-Founder at GT FORCE, said, “We expect the government to consider reducing GST rates on EV components and batteries from the current 18 percent to 5 percent. This tax rationalisation would help offset potential price increases resulting from the conclusion of subsidy programmes and keep EVs affordable for the masses.”
Discussing the need to promote EV adoption, Bharath Rao, founder and CEO of Emobi, said, “Accelerating EV adoption will be a key focus in the upcoming FAME III and Budget 2024 discussions. Significant progress has been made in the electric two-wheeler (E2W) segment, with sales exceeding a million units under FAME II. Given that E2Ws constitute the largest share of vehicle sales in India, we urge the government to continue prioritising this segment.”
Akash Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Zypp Electric, added, “Inclusion in the priority lending scheme and reducing GST for EV services from 18 percent to 5 percent will accelerate EV-led delivery adoption.”
He further emphasised that significant investment in infrastructure, such as charging stations and advanced battery technology, is crucial for realising the full potential of these efforts.
Hyder Khan, CEO and Director of Godawari Electric Motors, commented, “We urge the government to consider increased subsidies for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, as well as incentives for domestic manufacturing and R&D initiatives. Additionally, investments in charging infrastructure and battery technology are crucial to overcoming existing barriers to widespread EV adoption.”
As the growth of electric vehicle sales slows worldwide, industry leaders stress that government support is imperative.
Capital costs and a shortage of rapid-charging stations are the major reasons for sluggish EV demand worldwide, according to Goldman Sachs.
“The EV industry anticipates several key measures to boost growth and adoption. Increased subsidies will make electric vehicles more affordable for a wider range of consumers. Expanding the network of charging stations, particularly those powered by renewable energy sources, is critical for supporting EV infrastructure,” said Amit Raj Singh, founder and MD of Gemopai.
Ayush Lohia, CEO of Lohia, demanded a comprehensive policy for the EV industry, stating, “The government needs to formulate a comprehensive policy on electric vehicle (EV) parts, ensuring transparency and establishing a level playing field within the industry. Additionally, including commercial vehicles in EV incentives is pivotal for fostering widespread growth and aligning with our shared vision of a sustainable future.” (ANI)
Congress attacks govt over tax burden on middle class
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre on Sunday, over the recent tax collection data, and said that individuals are paying more tax than companies, and the middle class is bearing the weight of heavy taxation while Rs 2 lakh crore has been put in “pockets of billionaires” due to slashing of corporate taxes.
He highlighted that income tax collection stood at Rs 3.61 lakh crores and gross corporate tax collections were Rs 2.65 lakh crores, from April 1 to July 1, 2024.
Taking to social media platform X, Jairam Ramesh said, “As we head towards the Budget on July 23rd, data has just been released that gross personal income tax collections amounted to Rs 3.61 lakh crores during April 1-July 1 2024 while gross corporate tax collections were Rs 2.65 lakh crores. This reconfirms and re-establishes the point we have been making for quite some time–that individuals are paying more tax than companies.”
The Congress general secretary further highlighted that during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure, personal income tax was 21 per cent of total tax collection, while today it has risen to 28 per cent, while corporate tax on companies has fallen from 35 per cent to 26 per cent.
He also criticised the 2019 move of the Centre to reduce corporate tax rates and said that it didn’t trigger private investment as was being anticipated, instead private investment has fallen from 35 per cent under UPA rule to under 29 per cent today.
“When Dr. Manmohan Singh left office, personal income tax was 21% of total tax collections, while corporate tax was 35%. Today, the share of corporate taxes out of total tax collection has dropped sharply to its lowest level in a decade, at just 26%. Meanwhile, the share of personal income tax in total tax collection has shot up to 28%,” Ramesh said.
“Corporate tax rates were slashed on 20 Sept 2019 in the hope that it would trigger a private investment boom. But that has NOT happened. Instead, private investment has collapsed, from a peak of 35% of GDP under Dr. Manmohan Singh, to below 29% during 2014-24. The corporate tax cut has put over Rs. 2 lakh crore in the pockets of billionaires, while the middle class continues to bear the weight of heavy taxation,” he further stated. (ANI)
These episodes pose varying degrees of credit risks depending on the sector, size of the company and its relationship with the customers…reports Asian Lite News
Cyberattackers allegedly stole 300 million South African rand (about 16.6 million US dollars) from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure over the past 10 years, Minister Dean Macpherson said Wednesday.
The amount could be more as investigations continue, Macpherson said in a statement.
According to him, in May this year, cyber criminals have stolen 24 million rand from the department.
The minister said he has asked the South African Police Service, State Security Agency as well as experts in the information and communications technology and cybersecurity industry to investigate the matter.
“It has become clear that the department has been a soft target and playground for cyber criminals for over a 10-year period and this should have been picked up a lot earlier,” Macpherson said, adding that those responsible for protecting the department from cyber criminals must be held accountable.
Four officials from the department, including three senior management officials and one middle management official, have been suspended, and 30 laptops have been seized by the investigators. “The cyber theft forced the department to shut down its payment system, thereby delaying paying its creditors,” said Macpherson.
The investigation will be expanded and deepened to find the masterminds and the beneficiaries of this grand theft, Macpherson said.
Meanwhile, the reputational risk from cyberattacks is rising for many companies globally, as episodes have become more publicised, Moody’s Investors Service said on Friday.
These episodes pose varying degrees of credit risks depending on the sector, size of the company and its relationship with the customers.
“Companies whose customers can easily switch to a competitor or whose business activities rely more heavily on trust are more exposed to reputational risk stemming from cyberattacks,” Moody’s said in a report.
“These risks are growing because of increased disclosure of attacks, both from cybercriminals, who are increasingly identifying the organisations they attack, and from more stringent disclosure requirements put in place around cyber events. Cyber resiliency planning and crisis management actions are essential components to mitigate the risks,” it said.
According to the report, increased disclosure is contributing to rising reputational concerns.
“In the past, many companies avoided disclosing cyber incidents, fearing such disclosures could invite further attacks or damage their reputation. However, cybercriminals are now publicly identifying the companies they attack, and new laws and regulations are requiring companies to notify the customers and stakeholders whenever data is compromised,” the report said.
“The increased disclosure is allowing customers to learn more about a company’s cyber track record and to factor cybersecurity into their business decisions,” it added.
As per the report, reputational damage brings higher costs and can weaken revenue.
“Damaged reputations can result in increases in the cost of capital, regulatory costs and additional costs for attracting and hiring talent. Companies with damaged reputations may also lose the support of customers, investors and other counterparties, causing a reduction in revenue,” the report elaborated.
Besides, the report cited that companies with lower customer bargaining power or confidence-sensitive business models have more exposure to cyber-related reputational risks.
“The effects vary, with acute financial consequences for some companies and little or no impact for others. Companies can employ various strategies to reduce customer churn and limit reputational harm, although these strategies can be expensive or frustrate customers,” the report suggested.
“Healthcare and financial institutions are particularly at risk because of the sensitive data customers entrust to them, and the relative ease in switching providers,” it said.
The aim of the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list is to showcase the wealth of talent on the British digital scene; from startup founders, creatives, social entrepreneurs, technologists, venture capital and angel investors to the policymakers and game changers
Diversity UK unveiled the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2024 list at a celebratory event in London. The list honours the contributions of British Asians to the UK’s tech industry and highlights leading women innovators in HealthTech and ImpactTech.
The event organised by equality charity Diversity UK marks a decade of championing entrepreneurs in the sector. The sector has not only grown, making the UK the third-largest tech ecosystem in the world and first in Europe, but innovators have focused on the most pressing global challenges; from climate change and health tech to harnessing the power of Generative AI. This year’s theme was innovation, particularly ‘scaling for impact’ (financial, environmental, human & social capital).
The findings of the research commissioned from an independent Cambridge Venture Project (CVP) team, published in the Asians in Tech Impact Report 2024 demonstrate that initiative inspires, empowers, and connects founders; helping them get funding and support.
The CVP team also focussed their research on the healthtech and life sciences sector, finding that nominees in the sector demonstrated two important positive economic indicators. Firstly, the number of years before a healthtech start-up receives their first funding has been reducing, and secondly, healthtech start-ups have been hiring employees in addition to the original founders.
Women have also held their own in the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list, accounting for 48% of shortlisted nominees in 2024. The representation of women has risen from 21% in 2015 up to a peak of 52% in 2021 and is at 48% in 2024, despite the fact that nearly 23% were new nominees in 2024
“We are doubly pleased to be recognising twenty-seven of the most inspirational Asian stars with the Asian Tech Pioneers Awards”, said Lopa Patel MBE, Chair of Diversity UK, who has helmed the initiative since its inception, “these are individuals at the peak of their tech journey; from being serial venture builders or deep-tech investors to pioneering social entrepreneurs and innovators”.
Asian Tech Pioneers 2024 with hosts from Diversity UK
Asian tech entrepreneurs
Britain loves its Asian tech entrepreneurs; 24% of this year’s list is made up of Startup founders or co-founders; and 29% are in the Business category, incorporating AI, creative industries, fintech and more established corporate enterprises; 16% are Investors, including angel investors, incubators, private equity and venture capitalists. The Healthtech & Life Sciences sector accounts for a healthy 17% and ImpactTech and Greentech sectors a burgeoning and blooming 14% of nominees.
Among the innovators shortlisted in this year’s index were Veena Adityan, Founder & CEO of SmartBell, a company that provides innovative solutions for animal health insights; Sona Chandra, President of AI, Pangea Bio, that harnesses the power of data and AI to enable the scalable translation of nature’s metabolome into medicine; Priya Guliani, CEO of EarthID, a decentralised Identity platform that enables organisations to safeguard, minimise and reuse personal identifiable information; Shakardokht Jafari, the first Afghan woman to earn a PhD in Medical Physics, who developed an efficient and low cost method of measuring a medical dose of radiation and became the CEO of Trueinvivo and Devi Kolli, Co-Founder & CEO of i3 Simulation, a healthcare data company specialising in improving simulation development process using AI, Machine Learning (ML) and Extended Reality (XR) technologies.
Top 5 Categories
In addition to the Chair’s Award (selected by the Chair of the Judging Panel) and Asian Tech Pioneers Awards (selected by the Judging Panel); Top 5 individuals are highlighted in the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list in five categories. The Top 5 categories for 2024 are:
Startups (entrepreneurs who have set up in the past 5 years or so)
The aim of the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list is to showcase the wealth of talent on the British digital scene; from startup founders, creatives, social entrepreneurs, technologists, venture capital and angel investors to the policy makers and game changers. The key objective is to address the perceived lack of diversity in the tech sector by highlighting the business models, innovation, funding and support networks being created by these Asian digital entrepreneurs. Shortlisted nominees not only gain considerable media attention, they also make valuable connections to help fund or scale their business; are part of a network of innovators; can pitch their ventures at Tech Showcases; are recognised in industry publications and go on to win other competitions and awards.
Sponsors on the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2024 list include business support network Barclays Eagle Labs; one of the UK’s leading independent suppliers of steel storage containers, Bell Container Ltd, global law firm Eversheds Sutherland and financial planning advisory, Futurum Financial Advice.
The Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list and Diversity UK are the brainchild of the digital media entrepreneur Lopa Patel MBE, who has long been recognised as an evangelist for STEM and the tech industries in the UK.
Asian Tech Pioneer Alex Yeung being presented his award by Jon Gill, Partner Eversheds Sutherland VJW07445Asian Tech Pioneer Amit Rai being presented his award by Jon Gill, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland VJW07628Asian Tech Pioneer Bea Bakshi being presented her award by Alex Danks, Principal, Futurum Financial Advice VJW07696Asian Tech Pioneer Bobby Thandi being presented his award by Jon Gill, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland VJW07392Asian Tech Pioneer Dama Sathianathan being presented her award by Poonam Sharma from Barclays Eagle Labs VJW07416Asian Tech Pioneer Farid Khan being presented his award by Alex Danks, Principal, Futurum Financial Advice VJW07404Asian Tech Pioneer Harvinder Atwal being presented his award by Jon Gill, Partner, eversheds Sutherland VJW07568Asian Tech Pioneer Julia Fan Li being presented her award by Alex Danks, Principal, Futurum Financial Advice VJW07546Asian Tech Pioneer Pei-Hao Eddy Su being presented his award by Krishna Majeethia, Director, Bell Container Ltd VJW07467Asian Tech Pioneer Pei-Hao Eddy Su being presented his award by Krishna Majeethia, Director, Bell Container Ltd VJW07471Asian Tech Pioneer Priya Oberoi VJW07385Asian Tech Pioneer Roy Hotrabhvanon being presented his award by Jon Gill, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland VJW07649Asian Tech Pioneer Rupa Ganatra Popat being presented her award by Jon Gill, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland VJW07717Asian Tech Pioneer Sherif Elsayed-Ali being presented his award by Krishna Majeethia, Director, Bell Container Ltd VJW07457Asian Tech Pioneer Shruti Ajitsaria being presented her award by Poonam Sharma, Barclays Eagle Labs VJW07526Asian Tech Pioneers 2024 with hosts from Diversity UKAsian Tech Pioneers 2024Chair’s Award winner Vin Murria OBE with Diversity UK Trustees VJW07982cLopa PatelPriya Guliani at the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2024 list launch VJC07780Shakardokht Jafari at the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2024 List launch Vjc08053Toshan Tamhane keynote speaker at the Asians in Tech 2024 Launch VJC07788Toshan Tamhane keynote speaker at the Asians in Tech 2024 Launch VJW07732
Speaking about the progress in the field of AI, he said that in the last decade, the entire field has witnessed huge progress in AI…reports Asian Lite News
Open AI Vice President Srinivas Narayanan on Wednesday said that his company which runs ChatGPT will support the AI Missions and application development initiatives of India.
“Open AI is committed to backing India in its India AI Mission and application development initiatives to ensure that Indian developers can build on our models and benefit society,” Narayanan said while addressing the Global India AI Summit in the national capital today.
The OpenAI executive urged the Union Ministry of Information and Technology to continue with the conversations where the company can add value.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) hosted the two-day Global India AI Summit 2024 in the national capital.
Recognising the importance of the Indian market, Narayanan said that the OpenAI leadership has places the country on top while making policies.
“We have been developing a growing habit as a leadership team to keep learning from India. We’re keeping India in mind in whatever important decisions we are making, the OpenAI VP said.
Speaking about the progress in the field of AI, he said that in the last decade, the entire field has witnessed huge progress in AI.
“We launched GPT just 1.5 years ago. We thought it would be a low-key research preview, but in the last 18 months, we have seen that people are using it in transformative ways, and it’s impacting people’s daily lives, including here in India.”
Highlighting the widespread use of AI, he said that AI is being used in a lot of industries across the world.
“AI has already added speed and dynamism to the already dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem in India. Entrepreneurs understand market gaps. They are building innovative products. We’re reducing the cost of intelligence, enabling developers to write code and helping them create completely conversational and natural interfaces to computing,” he said.
During the same event in his inaugural speech, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised on the shared responsibility to work towards the safe use of AI.
OpenAI is an American artificial intelligence research organisation founded in December 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco. Sam Altman is its the Chief executive officer of the company. (ANI)
India, France working together on AI, says envoy
France’s Permanent Representative to OECD, Amelie de Montchalin, said that India and France are working together as the two nations share the same vision on what artificial intelligence (AI) can bring as a tool for more development, innovation and prosperity.
Amelie de Montchalin noted that France and India have digital public infrastructure in common.
On being asked about India and France’s role in AI, Montchalin said, “So, India and France are really working together because we have the same vision of what AI can bring as a tool for more development, as a tool for innovation, as a tool for prosperity. But, we also have the same values.”
“We want to keep our sovereign autonomy to make sure that we are having the control of our technologies. We have the same vision of cyber. So, the fact that we work together is also the sign that we want to make sure that AI is at the service of all people, all across the planet, so without division between what we call the north and the south,” she added.
Asked whether there is any discussion between two nations in terms of AI, Amelie de Montchalin said, “So as you know, France and India, we have something in common, which are digital public infrastructure. I was in charge of civil service reform and I was in charge of the digital public services in France. And they are very close and very similar in their thinking from what you do here in India with your very successful digital public infrastructure. So we will continue to work together on this.”
“We are also discussing as part of the global partnership on AI, how to be AI for good, open AI solutions to face climate change, agriculture, smart cities, water resources, and make sure that these algorithms are free, open, not just for India and France, but also to other developing and emerging countries, and this is something I know in India wants to do even more and that France will support and we will do together,” she added.
She lauded India for organising the ‘Global IndiaAI Summit’ and called it a “major success.” She stated that the conference in Delhi is a follow-up to the G20 Summit in Delhi held in 2023. French envoy also talked about the AI Action Summit set to be held in February 2025 and added that India will be invited to the Summit.
Speaking about India’s role in the propagation of AI, Montchalin said, “So I think it’s a major success to have this Delhi conference today, this ministerial meeting of the Global Partnership on AI. I think it’s also the follow-up of your G20. I must say that what happened today between the ministers was something that President Macron and Prime Minister Modi have discussed here in Delhi in September 2023.”
“So, less than one year after, we are having the results and the outcome and the new dynamic of this group now joining more than 40 countries together from the north, from the south, from the east, from the west, from all around the planet to work together. And we will have in February 2025 in Paris what we call the AI Action Summit where India will be invited, where we will continue to work together. And for me, it’s really a good place today to be because the vision we have in common is one that, for me, will bring success to our people, to the planet and to innovation,” she added. (ANI)
Space Pioneer, a leading company in the commercial rocket sphere, specializes in liquid-propellant rockets….reports Asian Lite News
A Chinese rocket, Tianlong-3 crashed on Sunday after an accidental launch during a ground test, its company Space Pioneer said in a statement, CNN reported.
Space Pioneer, a leading company in the commercial rocket sphere, specializes in liquid-propellant rockets.
According to CNN, the incident occurred when the first stage of the Tianlong-3 rocket detached from its launch pad due to a structural failure. The rocket landed in a hilly area of Gongyi city in central China.
In a statement, Space Pioneer explained that the connection between the rocket body and the test platform failed, causing the first-stage rocket to separate from the launch pad.
“Due to the structural failure of the connection between the rocket body and the test platform, the first-stage rocket was separated from the launch pad,” Space Pioneer, also known as Beijing Tianbing Technology, said.
“After liftoff, the onboard computer was automatically shut down, and the rocket fell into the deep mountains 1.5 kilometers [0.9 miles] southwest of the test platform. The rocket body fell into the mountain and disintegrated.”
As per the company’s statement, there were no injuries after the crash as people in the area were evacuated in advance of the rocket test.
In April 2023, Space Pioneer successfully launched its Tianlong-2 rocket, becoming China’s first commercial launch operator to send a liquid carrier rocket into orbit, according to state media, as per CNN.
Tianlong-3, the rocket that crashed on Sunday, is a large liquid carrier rocket. It was made to help construct China’s satellite internet network.
Space Pioneer claims that the Tianlong-3’s performance is comparable to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, adding that it will be capable of launching the rocket over 30 times per year after the rocket’s first successful flight.
The accident comes just days after China’s Chang’e-6 lunar module returned to Earth from space, where it collected the first ever samples from the far side of the moon.
The mission was a key milestone in China’s “eternal dream” – as articulated by Chinese leader Xi Jinping – to establish the country as a dominant space power and comes as a number of countries, including the United States, also ramp up their own lunar exploration programs. (ANI)
The decision by Indian policymakers follows similar measures introduced by the European Union…reports Asian Lite News
India is poised to enforce a new regulation mandating USB-C connectors on all smartphones and laptops by 2026, aligning with global efforts to standardize charging solutions and reduce electronic waste.
According to a report obtained by GSM Arena, smartphone manufacturers must comply with the USB-C standard by June 2025, while laptops must adopt USB-C ports for charging by the end of 2026.
The decision by Indian policymakers follows similar measures introduced by the European Union, which recently implemented regulations mandating USB-C connectivity starting this year.
According to GSM Arena, the move aims to simplify the user experience by ensuring that all compatible devices use a universal charging cable, thereby reducing the proliferation of proprietary chargers and cables.
This transition is expected to encompass a wide range of devices beyond smartphones, including tablets, Windows laptops, and MacBooks, fostering interoperability across different platforms.
Notably, the mandate does not extend to smaller accessories such as fitness bands, smartwatches, earbuds, or basic feature phones, emphasizing a focus on larger electronic devices like smartphones and laptops, as per GSM Arena.
While the Indian Union IT ministry has not issued an official statement yet, reports indicate that discussions with industry leaders have already taken place, receiving favourable responses towards the upcoming regulation.
The introduction of USB-C across smartphones and laptops in India is anticipated to streamline production processes for manufacturers, potentially reducing costs associated with producing multiple types of chargers and cables, as per GSM Arena.
It also aims to contribute positively to environmental sustainability efforts by minimizing electronic waste generated from obsolete charging technologies.
As the regulation progresses towards implementation, stakeholders in the tech industry and consumers alike are expected to adapt to the standardized USB-C requirement, which promises a more seamless and eco-friendly future for electronic devices in India. (ANI)
Union Minister Jitendra Singhtook stock of the already operational projects and gave directions for upcoming plans….reports Asian Lite News
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday that India’s nuclear power generation capacity is set to increase by around 70 per cent in the next five years with the addition of 7 new reactors.
Jitendra Singh, who also holds Independent charge of the Department of Atomic Energy, convened a high-level meeting to review the 100-day Action Plan of the Department here on Tuesday.
Highlighting India’s progress in nuclear energy and renewable energy, Jitendra Singh said: “Installed capacity of 7.48 GWe will become 13.08 GWe by 2029, which is an over 70 per cent increase with the addition of 7 new reactors.”
He also took stock of the already operational projects and gave directions for upcoming plans.
Jitendra Singh directed the department to integrate and collaborate to harness full potential, by capacity building and sharing of knowledge, resources and expertise.
He also emphasised on indigenous development of technology.
“Indigenous technology development and promoting energy security should be our priority,” Singh said.
He recalled that the government has allowed joint ventures with public sector units, increasing budget through collaboration, use of next generation technologies, and increasing cooperation.
Speaking on the ease of doing research and scaling up activities, he said: “We are giving single-point approval to promote ease of science and promote ease of living for citizens by application of nuclear technology.”
Jitendra Singh said that the department is suitably designing the 220MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) to use a Bharat Small Reactor (BSR) for captive nuclear power generation. He also informed that DAE is working on Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR) 220 MW to use light water-based reactors by replacing Calandria by a pressure vessel.
Jitendra Singh said BHAVINI, a public sector undertaking, is in progress to complete initial fuel loading of Prototype Fast Breeder reactor and its 1st approach to criticality is expected in the coming months.
This is the first fast breeder reactor to produce more fuel than it consumes.
The minister emphasised that along with energy security, health and food security, radiopharmaceuticals & nuclear medicine, agriculture, and food preservation should also be focused.
“Development in radiation technology will lead to economic and societal benefit for common citizens and promote ease of living and promote research in basic, applied and translational sciences using subatomic particles,” he added.
Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, along with senior officials of the department were present for the review meeting.
