University of Hong Kong & Sydney has found Kangaroos can communicate with humans
Kowloon [Hong Kong]: A recent study by the City University of Hong Kong in collaboration with the University of Sydney has found that unlike other domesticated animals like dogs, horses, or goats; Kangaroos, which have never been domesticated can intentionally, communicate with humans.
The research involved kangaroos, marsupials that were never domesticated, at three locations across Australiaand revealed that kangaroos gazed at a human when trying to access food which had been put in a closed box. The kangaroos used gazes to communicate with the human instead of attempting to open the box themselves, a behaviour that is usually expected for domesticated animals. Ten out of 11 kangaroos tested actively looked at the person who had put the food in a box to get it (this type of experiment is known as ‘the unsolvable problem task’). Nine of the 11 kangaroos additionally showed gaze alternations between the box and the person present, a heightened form of communication where they look between the box and human.
Despite never having been domesticated, kangaroos can ask humans for help in a similar way to dogs and horses, researchers say https://t.co/D6v7y5V3bG
The research builds on previous work in the field which has looked at the communication of domesticated animals, such as dogs and goats, and whether intentional communication in animals is a result of domestication. Lead author Dr Alan McElligott, the University of Roehampton (now based at the City University of Hong Kong), previously led a study which found goats can understand human cues, including pointing, to gather information about their environment.
Dr Alan McElligott said: “Through the new study, we were able to see that communication between animals can be learnt and that the behaviour of gazing at humans to access food is not related to domestication. Indeed, kangaroos – showed a very similar pattern of behaviour we have seen in dogs, horses and even goats when put to the same test.
“Our research shows that the potential for referential intentional communication towards humans by animals has been underestimated, which signals an exciting development in this area. Kangaroos are the first marsupials to be studied in this manner and the positive results should lead to more cognitive research beyond the usual domestic species,” he said.
According to Dr Alexandra Green, School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney, Kangaroos are iconic Australian endemic fauna which is adored by many worldwide but also considered as a pest. This research draws attention to the cognitive abilities of kangaroos and helps foster more positive attitudes towards them.
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and bp on Friday announced the start of production from the R Cluster, an ultra-deep-water gas field in block KG D6 off the east coast of India.
RIL and bp are developing three deepwater gas projects in block KG D6 – R Cluster, Satellites Cluster, and MJ — which together are expected to meet approximately 15 percent of India’s gas demand by 2023. These projects will utilize the existing hub infrastructure in the KG D6 block. RIL is the operator of KG D6 with a 66.67 percent participating interest and bp holds a 33.33 percent participating interest.
R Cluster is the first of the three projects to come onstream. The field is located about 60 km from the existing KG D6 Control and Riser Platform (CRP) off the Kakinada coast and comprises a sub-sea production system tied back to CRP via a sub-sea pipeline. Located at a water depth of greater than 2000 meters, it is the deepest offshore gas field in Asia. The field is expected to reach plateau gas production of about 12.9 million standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) in 2021.
“We are proud of our partnership with bp that combines our expertise in commissioning gas projects expeditiously under some of the most challenging geographical and weather conditions,” said RIL Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani.
This is a significant milestone in India’s energy landscape for a cleaner and greener gas-based economy. Through our deep-water infrastructure in the Krishna Godavari basin we expect to produce gas and meet the growing clean energy requirements of the nation,” he said in a statement.
bp Chief Executive Bernard Looney said this start-up is another example of the possibility of a partnership with Reliance, bringing the best of both companies to help meet India’s rapidly expanding energy needs. “Growing India’s own production of cleaner-burning gas to meet a significant portion of its energy demand, these three new KG D6 projects will support the country’s drive to shape and improve its future energy mix,” he said.
RIL said that the next project, the Satellites Cluster, is expected to come onstream in 2021 followed by the MJ project in 2022. According to estimates, peak gas production from the three fields is expected to be around 30 mmscmd (1 bcf/d) by 2023 which is expected to be about 25 percent of India’s domestic production and will help reduce the country’s dependence on imported gas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation through his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on December 27.
“How would you sum up the year gone by? What do you look forward to the most in 2021? Share this, and more in the final Mann Ki Baat of 2020 on 27th December. Write on MyGov, NaMo App or record your message on 1800-11-7800,” PM Narendra Modi tweeted. In the 71st edition of his monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’, emphasizing on strong, vibrant, and active alumni network, PM Narendra Modi had urged educational institutions to adopt innovative methods and develop creative platforms for engagement with alumni.
How would you sum up the year gone by? What do you look forward to the most in 2021? Share this, and more in the final #MannKiBaat of 2020 on 27th December. Write on MyGov, NaMo App or record your message on 1800-11-7800. https://t.co/5b0W9ikuHn
The Prime Minister said that a strong vibrant and active alumni network is needed not only in big Colleges and Universities but also in schools of our villages.
“Mann ki Baat” is the Prime Minister’s monthly radio program to the nation, which is broadcasted on the last Sunday of every month.
The large gathering was witnessed, even as the threat of pandemic of COVID-19 has not subsided.
Srinagar, J&K —
Amid sobs and tears, people attended the last rites of slain Jammu & Kashmir Police Constable, PSO Manzoor Ahmad at his native village Nagam Chadoora in J&K’s Budgam district.
The last rites of the slain cop were attended by thousands of people from the locality, with tears rolling down the eyes of his close relatives.
The large gathering was witnessed, even as the threat of pandemic of COVID-19 has not subsided.
It is pertinent to mention here that Manzoor was killed in a suspected militant attack in Natipora area of Srinagar yesterday, just outside the residence of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Parvez Ahmad.
In the attack, the Personal Security Officer (PSO) received bullet injuries, after which he was shifted to Bone and Joints Hospital, Barzulla. However, the wounded PSO Manzoor Ahmad succumbed soon afterwards.
“He had bullet injuries and succumbed,” a doctor at the hospital said.
PSO Manzoor Ahmad (Belt number 328) was a selection grade constable in Jammu & Kashmir Police.
** This news is part of a special edition series and IT IS NOT FOR REPRODUCTION.
Vijay Diwas or Bijoy Diwas is Celebrated in India and Bangladesh each as a Victory over Pakistan and its Troops
Every year, 16th December is celebrated as Vijay Diwas or Victory Day in India. This day commemorates India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971. This was a unique victory for the Indian Army. It was also a proud moment for Bangladesh as they got separated from Pakistan and got their own identity.
Background and Significance
The history of this day dates back to the 1971 Pakistan War, which lasted for 13 days. The war started on December 3rd and ended on 16th December. During this war, the Pakistan Army surrendered to the Indian Army. December 16th is also celebrated as Independence Day of Bangladesh known as Bijoy Diwas.
The war between India Pakistan was initiated due to the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Pakistan was ill-treating the Bangladeshi people and the election results of then-known East Pakistan were undermined. This led to a liberation war by Bangladesh. The credit for India’s victory over Pakistan is equally shared with Bangladesh.
Patriotic Quotes on Vijay Diwas by Well-Known Leaders
“Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?” – Mahatma Gandhi.
“So long as you do not achieve social liberty, whatever freedom is provided by the law is of no avail to you.”- BR Ambedkar
“Every citizen of India must remember that… he is an Indian and he has every right in this country but with certain… duties.”- Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel
Uttarakhand Health Secretary Amit Negi has tested positive for COVID-19. The information was provided by RS Uniyal who is the private secretary of health secretary
The secretariat management officer has been informed in this regard. Two other officers working at the State Secretariat along with the Health Secretary Amar Negi have tested positive for COVID-19.
“All three officials have been quarantined and are following the COVID-19 protocols. The offices of all the three officials will be sanitized,” Uniyal added.
Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) has appointed Hemant Kumar as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and key managerial personnel from Tuesday.
Hemant Kumar has been associated with JSPL for more than nine years and is a strategic planner with cross-functional experience of working in close coordination with senior leadership teams in the formulation of business strategy for operating plans and long term plans. Kumar has over 28 years of experience with leading industrial houses like Dalmia Cement, Jindal Saw Ltd, Hero Motors, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
Hemant Kumar has been instrumental in efficiently managing the treasury functions and largely responsible for handling a wide portfolio of corporate finance functions.
Source- Social Media
Hemant Kumar is an alumnus of Shri Ram College of Commerce besides a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and an associate member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India.
JSPL is an industrial powerhouse with a dominant presence in the steel, power, mining, and infrastructure sectors. The company says it is continuously scaling its capacity utilization and efficiencies to capture opportunities for building a self-reliant India.
Uttar Pradesh Police has issued challans for over 59.17 lakh vehicles with respect to violations of COVID-19 protocols.
“For violation of COVID-19 related protocols, challans have been issued for over 59.17 lakh vehicles so far and 81,000 vehicles have been seized by the police,” Dharmendra Singh, DIG (Law and Order) said at a press conference.
Uttar Pradesh reported 1354 new cases of COVID-19, 1852 discharged cases, and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours. Total discharged cases in the state are 5,41,579. The active cases are 18,382, while the death toll due to the virus is 8103.
According to the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), five states, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Kerala, and Maharashtra account for 56 percent of total active cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Tech giant Google has discontinued manufacturing the Google Home Max smart speaker
Washington [US]: Tech giant Google has discontinued manufacturing the Google Home Max, it’s the company’s smart speaker designed with high-quality sound in mind.
According to The Verge, the company has told the outlet that Google Home Max has sold out of the product on the Google Store. On checking the Google Home Max page on the Google Store, one can see that the white and black models are listed as out of stock. As reported by The Verge, even though Google is discontinuing the Google Home Max, the company still plans to support it with software updates and security fixes.
“Existing Google Home Max users shouldn’t worry as they won’t see any change in their service. We’ll continue to offer software updates and security fixes to Google Home Max devices. We’re committed to delivering great sound and whole-home audio features across all of our Assistant-enabled products,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
The Google Home Max launched in December 2017 for USD 399.
Indian Army kills two Pak soldiers along LoC opposite J-K’s Naushera sector
Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: Indian Army killed two Pakistan Army soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC) opposite the Naushera sector in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, said sources on Wednesday.
According to sources, the incident happened on Tuesday. “Two Pakistan Army soldiers were killed along LoC opposite Naushera sector by Indian Army while retaliating to ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army there yesterday.”
On December 13, Vice Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Lt Gen Satinder Kumar Saini had said that the number of ceasefire violations at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir has increased with an escalation in the calibre of artillery used by the other side to target innocent civilians.
