Australia’s Victoria province is all set to bring in a law against dowry, making it a criminal offence. The draft Bill is ready, and will be tabled in the legislature soon. Marie Segrave, Associate Professor in Criminology, played a key role.
World’s First AI Politician Developed
Scientists have developed first artificial intelligence politician, that can answer queries on local issues such as policies around housing, education and immigration. The virtual politician, called SAM, was created by Nick Gerritsen, in New Zealand.
Memorial in France to honour Indian soldiers
On December 2, a unique Indian Armed Forces Memorial will be inaugurated at Villiers Guislain, right at the spot where the Indian cavalry had resisted a German counterattack during the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. The Indian Tricolour will be hoisted and French children will sing Jana Gana Mana. Besides cementing the historical bonds between the two countries, the memorial will honour Indian servicemen who have remained a footnote of history for a century.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) may lower the interest rate on PF deposits this fiscal from 8.65% in 2016-17 due to lower income on bonds and its plan to credit ETF (exchange trade funds) investments directly into the account of subscribers. The subscribers will also have the option to withdraw money while taking advances from their accounts, either by liquidating ETF units or from cash component.The finance ministry has been nudging the labour ministry to align the EPF rate with its small savings schemes like public provident fund.
Nepal Firm to Develop Himalayan country’s biggest hydroelectric plant
A state-owned Nepali power company will develop the Himalayan country’s biggest hydroelectric plant after the government scrapped a deal with a Chinese company. Nepal’s cabinet scrapped a $2.5 billion deal with China Gezhouba Group Corp to build the Budhi Gangaki hydroelectric plant this month citing lapses in the award process.
PVH to merge Calvin Klein, Tommy operations
American clothing giant Philip Van Heusen Corporation (PVH) plans to consolidate its two Indian joint ventures running Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein operations to create a company with retail sales topping Rs 1,000 crore. The new legal entity, taking shape shortly, will have Arvind as an equal partner and managed by Tommy Hilfiger CEO Shailesh Chaturvedi, reporting to the board. The combined operations will emerge as New York-listed PVH’s flagship business in Asia’s third-largest economy, and a possible vehicle for future inroads into a key market.
The Indian Air Force has approached Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for retrofitting part of its Soviet origin Mi-17 medium lift helicopter fleet with advanced navigational aids. Nearly 60 helicopters will be retrofitted with the Tactical Air Navigation system (TACAN) as well as the VHF Omni-directional radio Range (VOR) equipment and instrument landing system.
Top seed Arynka Sabalenka of Belarus drubbed unseeded opponent Dalila Jakupovic of Slovenia in straight sets in a one-sided final to win her maiden WTA Singles Crown at the $1,25,000 L&T Mumbai Open Tennis Tournament.
Indians Finish with Five Gold Medals and Two Bronze
Indian boxers grabbed five gold medals at AIBA Women’s Youth World Championship. Nitu, Jyoti Gulia, Sakshi Choudhary, Shashi Chopra, and Ankushita Boro made it five wins in five finals for the Indians. India has also two bronze medals, secured by Neha Yadav, and Anupama, making it the nation’s best ever performance at the marquee age-group event.
Sindhu Loses in Hong Kong Super Series
PV Sindhu suffered a second successive loss to world no. 1 Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in the final of the $400,000 Hong Kong Super Series.
With winter on Delhi’s doorsteps, the city’s feathered guests have started arriving. While thousands of migratory birds have already made the capital’s water bodies their temporary homes till summer, more are expected to arrive as the mercury dips further.The list of birds arriving in Delhi this year include the pallid harrier — a raptor— which has been spotted for the first time at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. Though the pallid harrier has been spotted in Delhi before, it remains an uncommon sight.
While experts have spotted black redstart, grey-headed canary-flycatcher and red-breasted flycatcher among the passerine birds, water birds such as barheaded goose, greylag goose, lesser whistling duck and tufted duck have also arrived in large numbers at the wildlife sanctuary.
MP clears bill to award death for rape of girls aged below 12
The Madhya Pradesh government approved a bill to award capital punishment to those convicted of raping girls aged 12 and below.
The bill came up for discussion in the cabinet following a recent announcement by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan that laws will be strengthened to protect girls. Briefing journalists after the meeting, state finance minister Jayant Malaiya said the bill known as Public Safety Bill would be introduced in the assembly’s winter session beginning Monday.