NASA’s small N reactor to power Mars habitat
Washington: To provide safe and plentiful energy for future robotic and human missions for Mars and beyond, NASA is conducting experiments on Kilopower — a small nuclear reactor that can generate a reliable power supply. This pioneering space fission power system could provide up to 10 kilowatts of electrical power — enough to run two average households — continuously for at least 10 years, the US space agency said in a statement Friday. Four Kilopower units would provide enough power to establish an outpost. “We want a power source that can handle extreme environments. Kilopower opens up the full surface of Mars, including the northern latitudes where water may reside,” said Lee Mason, NASA’s Principal Technologist for power and energy storage. On the Moon, Kilopower could be deployed to help search for resources in permanently shadowed craters, Mason added.
Lalu ‘punisher’ judge seeks arms licence
Ranchi: A CBI judge who sentenced former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad in a corruption case has applied for a licence to obtain a revolver along with his family members. Shivapal Singh sent Lalu Prasad January 6 to three-and-a-half-years imprisonment. Singh, his son and daughter have applied for the licence. The application is in the process, official sources said Friday. The Ranchi District Bar Association had Thursday decided to boycott the court of the CBI judge. The Bar was unhappy as it was alleged that Singh had denied time to a lawyer in a Ranchi court whose father had died.
Lakhtakia appointed Director General, NSG
New Delhi: Senion IPS officer Sudeep Lakhtakia has been appointed Director General (DG) of the ‘black cats’ commando force NSG. An order appointing the 1984-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Telangana cadre was Friday issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The officer is currently serving as a Special DG in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) headquarters here. He will take over from incumbent S P Singh who will retire from the post of NSG DG January 31. Lakhtakia will be at the top post of the elite counter-terror force till July next, which is also his scheduled retirement.
Man held for Nirjhar Behera murder
Cuttack: Police Friday claimed to have solved the murder case of Nirjhar Behera and arrested a person in this connection. Police seized a sharp weapon from accused Sambit Kumar Senapati of Bolangir. According to police, Senapati is an in-law of the girl with whom Behera’s family had finalised his marriage. Senapati had opposed the marriage proposal and eliminated Behera to stall the wedding. The accused had an illicit affair with the girl, police said.
India in AG; inches closer to N-group entry
New Delhi: India received membership in the ‘Australia Group’ (AG) Friday. Reports said the development is expected give New Delhi’s efforts to become member of Nuclear Suppliers’ Group a leg-up. It will also help the country acquire critical technologies. In a press statement, the 42-member Australia Group said there had been “very strong support” for India’s membership at the grouping’s plenary meeting in June 2017. It said “consensus was reached” between sessions to admit India to the club. “With its admission into the AG, India has demonstrated the will to implement rigorous controls of high standards in international trade, and its capacity to adapt its national regulatory system to meet the necessities of its expanding economy,” the statement further said.
EVMs to have photographs of candidates in fray
Jaipur: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to be used in Lok Sabha by-elections to be held in Rajasthan January 29 will carry pictures of candidates along with their names. According to Chief Election Officer Ashvini Bhagat, this is being done to ensure there was no confusion if two candidates had the same name. Under the new arrangement, the EVMs will have the name of the candidate, his or her picture and the election symbol. Bhagat said although the method was tried out in the Dholpur Assembly by-election, it would be a first in a Lok Sabha election. Ajmer and Alwar are to hold Lok Sabha bye-elections January 29, while Assembly by-election will be held the same day in Mandalgarh.
TRAI recommends Net, MCA services in-flight
New Delhi: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Friday recommended that both Internet and mobile communications on board aircraft (MCA) service should be permitted as In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) in the Indian airspace. TRAI said it has arrived at the recommendation after analysing the comments received from consultations and open house discussions on the issue. “The operation of MCA services should be permitted with minimum height restriction of 3,000 metres in Indian airspace for its compatibility with terrestrial mobile networks,” it added. The sector regulator said Internet services through Wi-Fi onboard should be made available when electronic devices are permitted to be used only in flight/airplane mode.
Relief for Dutee Chand
New Delhi: Olympian sprinter Dutee Chand has been allowed to participate at the Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast in Australia on the condition that she clears the qualifying criteria set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). The relief came Friday as the Court Of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Lausanne, extended suspension of the contentious policy of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) that bars sportswomen with high male hormones from entry to competitions. The CAS issued an order with the consent of the parties according to which the proceedings of the case would be suspended for six months, during which the IAAF’s Hyperandrogenism Regulations will also remain suspended.
