Showing posts with label MP News in Hindi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MP News in Hindi. Show all posts

Thursday, 30 October 2014

Delhi's Trilokpuri prohibitory orders relaxed for 11 hours

"The prohibitory order relaxation has been effective from 6 am and will go up to 5pm on Thursday," said Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Beniwal. Two groups of Hindus and Muslims clashed on Diwali Oct 23 after which the authorities imposed prohibitory orders banning Gatherings and movements of people.

Police gave a six-hour relaxation in view of the Chhath Puja on Wednesday. Besides, police decided to organise a community meeting Thursday."We will hold a meeting with both the groups and they would also sing national anthem, so that we can inculcate a sense of harmony and bring peace in the area," said Beniwal.

So far, 68 people have been arrested for the clashes. Trilokpuri, divided into 36 blocks, is being manned by over 1,000 security personnel from Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force and Central Reserve Police Force along with over 30 police vans, water cannons and riot control vehicles.


First high speed train on Delhi-Agra section on November 10

“Rail Coach Factory (RCF) has manufactured four coaches of the high speed train so far and the work was going on war footing to manufacture the remaining ten coaches by November 10 to turn out the first rake,” RCF General Manager Pramod Kumar said on Thursday. RCF engineers in consultations with RDSO (Research Development and Standard Organisation) had made some changes in these coaches in designing of coupler system for more smoother ride than Shatabdi and Rajdhani coaches, installation of smoke and fire detection system and automatic sliding of inner doors besides Passengers information system.

The GM said “the approximate cost of one high speed coach would be between Rs 2.25-2.50 crore.” He said that high speed coaches manufactured in RCF for Shatabdi and Rahdhani express trains are capable of running at the optimum speed of 160 kilometer per hour.
  
The GM said “railways has selected ten routes on which high speed trains would run as announced by railway minister in his budget speech. Initially speed of these trains would be 160 kilometer on select rail routes and gradually it would be enhanced up to 200 kilometer after upgrading the signalling system,barricading the area,” he said. “The railway board and officials of railway department had already conducted a trial on these coaches on Delhi–Agra section at a speed of 160 kilometer and covered the 200 kilometer distance in 99 minutes a few days ago,” a railway official said.

“The RCF has also started working on the high speed coaches capable of running at a speed of 200 kilometer per hour by making some changes like automatic outer doors, changes in braking system with the provision of electropneumatic brakes, noise reduction with better sound insulation, provision of TV set on the back of every seat in the executive chair cars and WI-Fi system besides improved vestibules,” the GM said.He said that high speed coach capable of running at 200 kilometer per hour would be rolled out by June next year.


Black buck case: Second witness identifies Sonali, Neelam, Tabu

"The next prosecution witness, Mangilal, also recognised Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam in the court today during examination," Assistant Public Prosecutor Praveen Verma said.

on Tuesday, prosecution witness Sheraram had recognised them in the court. Both the villagers had claimed to have chased the vehicle in which the actors were going to hunt the antelope.

The actresses appeared in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (Rural) today for the identification.

"Mangilal narrated the same description as that of Sheraram on Tuesday," said Verma.

Mangilal told the court that both he and Sheraram had chased the vehicle, with Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan and the three actresses were on board for hunting the black buck.

"His statements matched with those given by him to the forest officials during investigation in 1998," Verma said.

After the examination of Mangilal, cross examination of the previous witness, Sehraram, was resumed by the counsel of Salman Khan.

"We will continue the cross examination on Thursday," said H M Saraswat, Khan's counsel.

Meanwhile, the counsel of Khan withdrew the application moved in the High Court seeking permission to club the two cases against the actor, one under Wildlife Act and other under Arms Act.

In his application, Khan had said that since the trial in the Arms Act case has neared conclusion while it is yet to begin in the poaching case, in which the arms with expired licence had allegedly been used by Khan.

Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Oil India seeks more hydrocarbon concessions globally

"We are aggressively looking for a lot of good property from where we can bring crude oil into India," Sunil Kumar Srivastava, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of OIL, said.
  
"The government of India is very supportive of our overseas ventures. They are encouraging us to go global to help reduce energy import volumes," he said.
  
"The more oil and gas we bring into the country, it would help reduce the country's energy import bill," he said on the sideline of the Singapore International Energy Week.
  
India imports about 75 per cent of its crude oil and 30 percent of its natural gas requirements a year.
  
Among its major ventures abroad, OIL has invested USD 900 million on four per cent farm-in stake in offshore Mozambique.
  
OIL and ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) had announced a 10 percent farm-in acquisition with Mozambique in January this year.
  
The company operates in 11 overseas countries and produces small quantities of hydrocarbon in the United States, Venezuela and Russia.
  
Srivastava, along with B C Tripathi, CMD of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and Nishi Vasudeva, Hindustan Petroleum's CMD were among the eight nominees for Platts Asia CEO of Year award which went to Chengyu Fu, Chairman of China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group).

RBI seeks comment on draft criteria to use Depositor Education Fund

The draft proposes that agencies already engaged in bank depositors’ education and awareness or proposing to take up depositors’ education programmes, organising seminars, symposia, and research can be considered for assistance from the Depositor Education Fund.
  
These institutions could be a public charitable trust, registered societies, companies, university, any other educational institution recognised by government, state owned institutions, regimental fund or non-public fund established by the armed forces to be eligible to use these funds.

"The institutions/organisations/associations, shall unless specific exemption has been made in this regard by the Committee, be in existence for a minimum period of five years prior to date of application for registration," RBI said in notification seeking public comments on the draft criteria.

Further, the institutions will be required to have a minimum of 20 members and should have a clean track record, should not be for benefit of any individual, religion, community, or caste and should maintain regular accounts of its receipts and expenditure.

Among others, the institutions should utilise the money received only for activities permitted by RBI or Fund.

RBI has asked for comments from public, banks, academia, industry and other stakeholders by November 28, 2014.

The criteria for registering institutions, organisations and associations for grant of financial assistance is part of the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund Scheme, 2014.

E-commerce can't be back-door entry to multi-brand retail: India

"There has been a lot of talk on e-commerce. We are conscious that e-commerce should not become a back door entry for multi-brand retail," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said here.

She, however, clarified that she is not "pronouncing any policy on e-commerce."

Referring to India's largest e-retailer and its so-called 'Big Billion Day' sale earlier this month which had led to complaints, she said, "Post the Flipkart issue, a lot of inputs have come from concerned citizens, retailers and consumers and these complaints are being looked into."

"That does mean any investigation is going on into any particular e-commerce company," Sitharaman added.

"There is nothing promised on e-commerce at the moment."

The senior BJP leader, who is also the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, is here on a two-day visit to hold discussions with investors and members of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) on the government's newly-launched 'Make in India' campaign.

In reference to the US Trade Representative's (USTR) controversial decision to initiate a review of India's Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime, the minister dismissed it as a "pedagogic exercise."

"I would only look at it as an exercise to understand policies of other countries. India and its courts are conscious of our intellectual property rights and we hold on to defending everything that is due to us and we shall work and engage with the United States to explain our position to them but clearly we stand our ground," she said.

She emphasised the Indian government clearly understands its intellectual property rights.

"The laws that prevail in India are very buoyant, vibrant, up-to-date and robust and that has been established by the various judgements that have come from Indian courts," she said, adding that a more definitive policy framework is being worked on and the government hopes to announce a new IPR policy by early next year.

Sitharaman will hold talks with UK business secretary Vince Cable before heading back to India later today.

She admitted that various sections of the UK industry and government had made references to the retrospective tax issue as well as specifically Vodafone and the recent court judgement.

"Our position has been very clear and we reinforce the view that we will not resort to retrospective taxation. At the same time, this government is working on simplifying the entire taxation framework completely and this will be an important tool with regard to ease of doing business in India."

Sensex surges 150 points in morning trade to regain 27,000-mark

Besides, covering-up of short positions by speculators ahead of monthly expiry in the derivatives segment, supported the rally.

The 30-share barometer regained the psychological 27,000-mark for the first time since September 23 by surging 150.26 points, or 0.56 percent, to 27,031.08 with all the sectoral indices, led by auto, realty and oil & gas, trading in positive zone with gains up to 0.97 percent.

The gauge had gained 127.92 points in the previous session on rising rate cut hopes and good earnings.

Also, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty gained 38.80 points, or 0.48 percent, to 8,066.40.

Brokers said besides sustained buying by investors on hopes of further reforms and encouraging earnings by some more bluechip companies, covering-up of short positions by speculators in view of tomorrow's monthly expiry in the derivatives segment, influenced the trading sentiment.

In addition, a firming trend at other Asian markets following overnight gains in the US, accelerated buying activity on the domestic bourses here, they said.

Among other Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei rose 1.38 percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was trading 0.87 percent higher in early trade.

US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.12 percent down in Tuesday's trade.

Rupee up 7 paise against dollar in morning trade

Besides, the dollar's weakness against other currencies overseas as investors await news from US Federal Reserve about interest rate plans for the world's largest economy and a higher opening in the domestic equity market supported the rupee, forex dealers said.

The rupee had slipped by two paise to close at 61.32 against US dollar in yesterday's trade due to some demand for the American unit in an overall lacklustre trade.

Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex regained the 27,000-mark by surging 150.26 points, or 0.56 per cent, to 27,031.08 in morning trade on Wednesday.

PwC partners Google to offer business solutions to clients

"Rapid pace of innovation in technology has fundamentally changed how and where work gets done, driving organisations to transform their businesses for the future. Together, PwC and Google can help that transformation happen," PwC said in a statement.

From Google firms get innovation, technology platforms and Internet scale, while PwC brings deep industry experience, a broad range of business services and cutting-edge client insights, from strategy through execution, it added.

Together PwC and Google will help companies collaborate more effectively, better use technology and information and adapt to the disruptive forces shaping the world.

"PwC is teaming with Google to offer our joint knowledge and capabilities to clients, giving them one place to go, maximising experience and assets from both organisations," PwC Vice Chairman (Transformation) Mike Burwell said.

The two plan to help firms succeed by leveraging PwC's business insights along with Google Apps, Google's suite of cloud enabled collaboration and productivity tools.

Besides, using the combined power of PwC's analytical acumen and Google's Cloud platform to help businesses make the most of technology and information and be better equipped to compete, creating new services to reinvent and optimise operations, connect with consumers and provide an enhanced customer experience.

PwC has also begun to introduce Google for Work products to its own operations. PwC is transitioning 40,000 people in US and 5,000 people in Australia to Google Apps.

India ranked 142 in latest 'Ease of Doing Business' report: World Bank

The drop in India's ranking from last year's 140 is mainly because other nations have performed much better, bank officials said.

In the 2014 report, India had 52.78 points and in this year's report it has 53.97 points.

The latest ranking, however, does not take into account the latest slew of measures taken by Modi Government to make India a business friendly destination.

"We do not want to send the impression that the drop in India's ranking is connected in any way with the current political situation (government)," Augusto Lopez-Claros, Director, Global Indicators Group, Development Economics, World Bank Group said.

"It is absolutely true that the new government of Mr Modi has made it very clear that they see the creation of a better investment climate and a more friendly business friendly environment in India a top priority. However, it is important to remember that the new Government did not come into office until the second half of May," he said.

Highly appreciative of the steps taken by the new Indian Government, World Bank officials, however, asserted that there was a very high likelihood of India significantly jumping up the ladder in the next ease of doing business.

Singapore with 88.27 points occupies the top position in the ease of doing business followed by New Zealand, Hong Kong, Denmark and South Korea.

Among other major countries, the US has been ranked seventh, Britain (eight), China (90), Sri Lanka (99), Nepal (108), Maldives (116), Bhutan (125), and Pakistan (128).

In a conference call with reporters, World Bank officials cautioned against linking the latest ranking with the steps taken by the new Indian Government.

Noting that the cut off of ease of doing business is May 31st, Lopez said whatever the government would do and whatever is in the pipeline is going to have an impact on these indicators only next year.

When asked about the ambition of the new Indian Government to move up the ladder and gain a ranking within top 50 countries, Lopez said, "There is no reason, why not?".

"Absolutely, it can be done. There are many examples of countries who through focused efforts, through intelligently designed reforms have managed to make very substantial improvement," he said.

Though India did drop a little bit in terms of its ranking, the ease of doing business has improved over the last 12 months, he said.

Rita Ramalho, lead author of the Doing Business report, World Bank said India's ranking dropped, despite improvement in its business environment, because other countries improved.

"There is a continuous improvement across the world. India improved, but others improved at a faster pace," Ramalho said.

Jaitley to meet IT official to review revenue collection

All Principal Chief Commissioners and Chief Commissioners of I-T department in the country have been asked by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to assemble for the meeting in the national capital tomorrow ( Wednesday), a senior I-T official said.
  
The CBDT has also asked these officers to update and prepare latest reports about the status of tax collections in their respective regions before the meeting.
  
Among host of issues that pose a challenge to the revenue collection, official said, the FM would review the shortage of tax collection under Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) category.
  
CBDT Chairman K V Chowdary, gauging the importance of the subject, today held a video conference session with the top I-T officers asking them to pull up their socks and ensure a larger chunk of revenue under this category.
  
Officials, citing a CBDT data, said while during the same period last year TDS collections stood at 14.5 per cent, this year it was lagging behind at 9.3 per cent.
  
"The high-level meeting on Thursday will discuss threadbare about these issues which are posing a challenge to the revenue work.
  
"The CBDT has asked all cadre controlling chief commissioners to prepare the latest data of tax collection in their regions which should be updated till October 20 and this would be presented to the FM," the officer said.
  
The meeting is not only expected to review the job done till now but also to strategise steps that would bolster these efforts, he added.

AirAsia plans to induct 10 more aircraft next year

"I think realistically we may do ten aircraft by next year. January and February, probably we won't have many. Ten more aircraft next year, taking the total tally to 15 aircraft," AirAsia CEO Mittu Chandilya said.
  
He was speaking on the sidelines of unveiling of Bangalore Raptors official team jersey ceremony in the presence of ace Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj who is conducting the Champions Tennis League (CTL).
  
Chandilya, also the owner of the Bangalore franchise of CTL, said the airliner planned to put in place one aircraft- a-year plan. "It depends upon when the aircraft are ready because our schedules are very tight and by next year we really want to have one-aircraft-a-year plan."
  
He, however, said there would be no change and variations in the type of aircraft the airliner plans to induct. "There will be no change and no variation in the type of aircraft to be inducted. We will induct A-320s which will be a mix of ceos (current engine option) and neos (new engine option)," he added.

The airliner will be getting neos in 2016 as per delivery, Chandilya said.
  
He said he would be announcing two new routes next week, but refrained from divulging the information in detail. "I will be announcing two new routes next week. I think it will be exciting," he said.
  
Chandilya said growth was key factor for the airliner and its targets will be based on scales. "Growth is something very key to us. Our entire targets will be based on scales and I think we are slowly reaching to where we need to go."
      
Asked whether the new route falls in the eastern parts of India, Chandilya said, "Of course it will be in India. I rather keep it surprise because you guys will see. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise, but I think it will be exciting routes," he said.

L&T bags contract to build 'Statue of Unity' for Rs 2,979 crore

Work on the 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Patel is to be completed at a cost of Rs 2,979 crore, said Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel who presided over the function of handing over the work order.
  
"This huge construction work will be completed in four years at a cost of Rs 2,979 crore. The contract has been given to the country's leading construction company Larsen and Toubro," Patel said in her address, while giving the contract order to L&T.
  
"Rs 1,347 crore will be spent on the main statue, Rs 235 crore will be spent on the exhibition hall and convention centre, while Rs 83 crore will be spent on the bridge connecting the memorail to the main land and Rs 657 crore would be spent to maintain the structure until 15 years after it is completed," Patel said.
  
The 182-metre-tall 'Statue of Unity', which would be double the size of New York's 'Statue of Liberty' (93 metres), would inspire future generations, Patel said.
  
"The project will include an exhibition hall and audio- visual presentation on the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which will become the centre of attraction for tourists from the all over the world," she said.
  
Patel also said that 75,000 cubic metres of concrete, 5,700 metric tonne of steel structure, 18,500 steel rods and 22,500 metric tonne of bronze will be used for the project.
  
Patel claimed that the 'Statue of Unity' project will generate employment in the tribal area of Narmada district as well as boost the tourism sector.
  
The 'Statue of Unity' will be built at Sadhu Island approximately 3.5 km south of Sardar Sarovar Dam at Kevadia area in Narmada district of the state of Gujarat.
  
The project was launched by the former Gujarat Chief Minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2013, on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary.
  
Modi had also launched a country wide campaign to collect iron to build the 'Statue Of Unity' and the Gujarat government has claimed that iron was collected from around seven lakh villages across the nation.
  
The Gujarat state government had invited expression of interest from all over the world for the project.
  
After completion of the tender process, L&T has been given the contract of to execute the 'Statue Of Unity' project.
  
Leading construction company Turner Construction, which built Dubai's famous architectural structure 'Burj Khalifa', is a consultant to the project.

BHEL bags Rs 422 crore order for Uttarakhand hydel project

Located in Chamoli district, Vishnugad Pipalkoti project is on Alaknanda river. It comprises four hydro generating sets of 111 MW capacity each.
  
The order, valued at Rs 422 crore, is for setting up of hydro generating sets and associated electro-mechanical works for the Vishnugad Pipalkoti project, BHEL said in a statement today.
  
The order has been awarded by THDCIL (formerly known as Tehri Hydro Development Corp Ltd).
  
The scope of work envisages "engineering, procurement and construction of all hydro generating sets and associated electro mechanical works and is to be executed in a tight schedule of 48 months", the statement said.
  
This is the second major order bagged by BHEL for a hydro power project in Uttarakhand this year.
  
Earlier, an order for the 2x60 MW Vyasi hydel project was received from Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) in March.
  
State-owned BHEL is executing hydro power projects having capacity of about 9,500 MW.

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

West Indies will be at World Cup, says official

The West Indies cut short their India tour this month over an internal pay dispute, despite a fifth and final One-Day International, a Twenty20 match and three Tests still to be played. The situation has raised doubts as to whether the Caribbean side will be able to fulfil its upcoming international engagements, including a tour of South Africa followed by the World Cup.

Harnden said he was confident the issues would be resolved and the West Indies would play in the World Cup being jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from mid-February. "We see that everyone's very focused on resolving the situation as quickly as possible," Harnden said.

"We've got 108 days until the World Cup and from our point of view I've no doubt the West Indies will be here and entertaining the crowd as only they know how." The World Cup 2015 will begin on February 14, with New Zealand taking on Sri Lanka in Christchurch and England facing Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Former Australian paceman Glenn McGrath said the home side could win its fifth one-day World Cup trophy given the current form of bowler Mitchell Johnson, despite this week's loss to Pakistan in the first Test in Dubai. Johnson delayed Pakistan's win by top-scoring for Australia in the second innings with 61, and also took three wickets.

"We've been playing some pretty good cricket of late and we're a tough team to beat at home in our home conditions," McGrath said. "If you look at the T20s and three one- dayers we won them so it has only been that last Test. To me the true indicator of where the Australian team is, is this next Test, whether they learnt a lot from that first game."

Real to fight federation over Zidane punishment

The 42-year-old who inspired France to the 1998 World Cup trophy and was also a member of the Euro 2000 title winning side has been coaching Real's reserve side Castilla but the federation claims he does not possess the required coaching qualifications.
Real have said they will appeal against the punishment by 'all legal avenues open to them'. The reserve team's assistant coach Santiago Sanchez was also punished.

Real issued a statement yesterday declaring their "total disagreement" with the decision taken against one of their former iconic players, who scored a wonder goal for the 'meringues' when they beat Bayer Leverkusen to win the 2002 Champions League trophy.

They pointed out that Zidane "has been authorised by the French Football Federation to work as a head coach in the category Real Madrid Castilla currently find themselves in".

Zidane who was linked with the head coach post at another of his former clubs Bordeaux in the close season was elevated to reserve team coach at the beginning of this season following a single campaign as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant which saw Real win a 10th European Cup in May.

Spanish coaching school, the Cenafe, has submitted a complaint to the Spanish Federation against Real, claiming they are using assistant Sanchez's name on the teamsheet to bypass the regulations.

The case has sparked controversy in Spain with national team coach Vicente del Bosque telling Cope radio station that "everyone should have a coaching badge".

Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez used tougher language, describing Real's actions as "shameful". However, both Ancelotti and Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff have spoken out in support of Zidane.

ICC may offer olive branch to banned players

The provision in the players' code of conduct will come up for approval in next month's board meeting in Dubai and may specifically benefit Pakistan's pace-man Mohammad Aamer whose five year ban expires in August next year.

ICC chief executive David Richardson confirmed that rules on banned players are likely to be relaxed.

"The revised code is being discussed in the meetings and hopefully we could bring it to you in finality in the November meeting," Richardson told reporters at the ICC headquarters in Dubai.

"There is a provision now in the revised code which will allow a player who has been banned internationally to play domestic cricket a certain period up from his ban coming to an end."

Under the process, if the provision is approved, a banned player will have to apply with the ICC to get permission to feature in the domestic cricket.

The ICC will seek recommendations from its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit as well as from the home board and the ICC Board before clearing the player to feature in domestic matches.

Aamer was one of three Pakistani players, besides Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif, who were banned for five years for their role in a spot-fixing scandal on the Pakistan tour of England in 2010.

The trio and their agent Mazhar Majeed orchestrated a deal to bowl deliberate no-balls in a Test against England in return for money.

The ICC tribunal headed by Michael Beloff QC banned the then captain Butt for ten years with five suspended, Asif for seven years with two suspended and Aamer for five years.

The trio was also jailed in UK in 2011 for breaking the gambling act of the country.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last year requested the ICC to relax certain conditions of Aamer's ban as he had pleaded guilty. The ICC had formed a committee to look into the matter and review the code.

Butt and Asif also wish for greater leniency and have criticised the PCB for only supporting Aamer. Before the ban Aamer was regarded as the "hottest property" of the game by legendary Pakistan pace-man Imran Khan.

Babies can read eye cues at seven months

"Our study provides developmental evidence for the notion that humans possess specific brain processes that allow them to automatically respond to eye cues," said study co-author Tobias Grossmann from University of Virginia.

While wide-open eyes exposing a lot of white indicate fear or surprise, a thinner slit of exposed eye such as when smiling expresses happiness or joy.

For the study, the researchers used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure the brain activity of seven-month-old infants while showing images of eyes wide open, narrowly opened, and with direct or averted gazes.

They found that the infants' brains responded differently depending on the expression suggested by the eyes they viewed.

They viewed the eye images for only 50 millisecond which is much less time than needed for an infant of this age to consciously perceive this kind of visual information.

"Like adults, infants are sensitive to eye expressions of fear and direction of focus, and that these responses operate without conscious awareness," Grossmann pointed out.

"The existence of such brain mechanisms in infants likely provides a vital foundation for the development of social interactive skills in humans," Grossmann added.

The study appeared online in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

NASA tool to identify drought-resilient plants

The instrument called the ECO system Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) will monitor one of the most basic processes in living plants: the loss of water through the tiny pores in leaves.

It is a high-resolution thermal infrared radiometer, which works like a giant thermometer from space to measure the temperature of plants and the amount of heat radiating from Earth's surface.

"If we find a plant is too hot, that is because it is not getting enough water to cool itself down," said Josh Fisher, research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, California.

When people lose water through their pores, the process is called sweating. The related process in plants is known as transpiration.

Because water that evaporates from soil around plants also affects the amount of water that plants can use, ECOSTRESS will measure combined evaporation and transpiration, known as evapotranspiration, US space agency said.

"If plants do not get enough water, they show signs of stress. By measuring evapotranspiration, we get an early indicator of that stress, and we can do something about it before the plants collapse," Simon Hook, a research scientist at JPL and the project's principal investigator, explained.

By combining the instrument's measurements with other ecosystem data, scientists would be able to calculate how efficiently plants use water to process carbon dioxide and identify plants likely to be more resilient during droughts.

"That has huge implications for our understanding of global water and carbon cycling, and which plants are going to live or die in a future world of greater droughts," Fisher noted.

US man beats one in 9.7 trillion odds to win lottery twice

Stokes, who has won USD 25,000 a year for up to 20 years, which equals a USD brought the prize down to USD 390,000 pre-tax, or USD 273,000 after tax.

His winnings were doubled to USD 546,000, after his family gifted him a season pass to the Massachusetts State Lottery Lucky for Life drawing with their lucky numbers and he bought a second ticket with the exact same numbers.

Stokes plans to use the winnings to pay for his son’s college tuition and his daughter’s remaining car payments, as well as take his family on a vacation.