Government challenges claims on flawed methodology in tiger census
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the Environment Ministry today sent a clarification regarding the recent study led by Oxford University which found the Ministry's methodology flawed and said that biologists themselves have used imprecise, low-quality data to question the tiger estimation methodology.
India to launch fourth navigation satellite on March 9
- "The launch is tentatively planned for March 9 evening around 6.35 p.m. However final green signal for the launch will be given days ahead of the satellite launch," M Y S Prasad, director, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, part of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- The satellite has a life span of around 10 years.
- Weighing 1,425 kg, the fourth of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) satellite-IRNSS-1D would be flown into space in an Indian rocket called Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL.
- The first satellite IRNSS-1A was launched in July 2013, the second IRNSS-1B in April 2014 and the third one October 16, 2014.
- Researchers have shown that an inexpensive metal-free catalyst can help us reduce the cost of generating clean energy from polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) cells.
- PEM cells are a type of fuel cell being developed for transport applications as well as for stationary and portable fuel cell applications.
- Such a low-cost catalyst can perform the same task earlier carried out by costly metal catalysts.
- The study was published in the journal Science Advances.
Scientists Examine ‘Rocks’, Confirm Kerala Meteor Fall
- The mystery behind the fireballs that lit up Kerala skies on Friday night has finally been resolved, with scientists confirming that it was meteor, as suspected.
- A team of experts from the State and Central government, who have been investigating the sighting of fireballs and the sonic boom that followed, said that the materials recovered from two different places in the State were sufficient evidence to confirm the meteor theory.
NASA researchers study of Ionosphere may help improve GPS Communications
- Scientists are studying the irregularities in Earth's upper atmosphere, that can distort GPS signals, to help overcome their effects on communications.
Signals travelling between Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites and electronic devices, especially at high latitudes, can get distorted in Earth's upper atmosphere. - The study was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
INTERNATIONAL:
- Jaishankar arrives in B'desh on day-long visit
Dhaka: Foreign Secy Jaishankar arrived on a daylong visit during which he'll hold talks with Bdesh's top leadership as part of ''SAARC Yatra'' to firm up India ties with group members.
- Afghan army takes on Taliban in first solo offensive
Kabul: The Afghan army is waging its largest-ever solo offensive against the Taliban, hoping to strike a decisive blow ahead of the spring fighting season and prove it can rout the insurgents without the aid of US and NATO combat troops.
- Aus bans travel to Iraq city of Mosul under new law
Canberra: The Iraqi city of Mosul, which is held by Islamic State movement fighters, today became the second terrorist hot-spot to be declared off-limits to Australians under new counterterrorism laws aimed deterring foreign fighters.
- 'Half million die every year in China in air pollution'
From K J M Varma Beijing, Mar 2 (PTI) A documentary highlighting China''s air pollution woes with claims that annually over half a million people die prematurely due to burning of coal has won praise after it went viral evoking mixed reactions.
- Iraq state TV: Operation to retake Tikrit begins
Baghdad: Backed by allied Shiite and Sunni fighters, Iraqi security forces today began a large-scale military operation to recapture Saddam Hussein''s hometown from the Islamic State, state TV said, a major step in a campaign to reclaim a large swath of territory in northern Iraq controlled by the militants.
- INS Sudarshini arrives in Singapore
From Gurdip Singh Singapore, Mar 2 (PTI) Indian Navy''s sail training ship, INS Sudarshini, arrived here on a five-day visit as part of celebrations to mark the 50 years of diplomatic relationship between India and Singapore.
- SL President says he dodged CEPA talks in Delhi
Colombo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has said that he deliberately avoided having Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India on the agenda during his recent visit to New Delhi.
- Moscow denounces 'abominable' Hebdo cartoon
Moscow: Russian parliament''s foreign affairs committee head has denounced a cartoon published in the latest issue of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo on truce in Ukraine
- Estonia's pro-NATO Reform party wins Par elections
Tallinn: Estonia''s governing pro-NATO Reform party topped parliamentary elections, defeating a Kremlin-oriented rival amid concerns over a militarily resurgent Russia, but analysts warned that forging a coalition would be difficult.
- French nuke plant shut down due to pipe defect
Strasbourg (France): Strasbourg (France), Mar 2 (AFP) Energy production has been shut down at France''s oldest nuclear power plant after a pipe defect was discovered, the station''s operators said.
- Iraq PM urges forces to spare civilians in Tikrit battle
Samarra (Iraq): Samarra (Iraq), Mar 2 (AFP) Iraq''s prime minister has announced the launch of a military operation to retake Tikrit from the Islamic State jihadist group, urging his troops to spare civilians in the battle.
Source: PTI,PIB,The Hindu,Indian Express
