Bengaluru, Oct 31: Bengaluru-headquartered Dynamatic Technologies Ltd and Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO) have signed an MoU for jointly designing, developing and manufacturing futuristic solutions for the defence and aerospace, healthcare and agriculture industry.
“Our partnership with CSIO is aligned to Government of India’s vision of #AatmaNirbharBharat. Symbiotic relationships between private sector and government research labs will go a long way in our endeavour to build a self-reliant India”, a Dynamatic statement said.
The MoU was inked to develop collaborative activities in the research areas of Multi-spectral surveillance payloads of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), spraying technologies including electrostatic techniques for agricultural purposes using UAS, Instrumentation for ventilators and respirators and instrumentation for homeland security applications, it said. (PTI)
Dynamatic inks pact with CSIR-CSIO for joint development of futuristic solutions
Death toll reaches 26 in quake that hit Turkey, Greek island
Izmir (Turkey), Oct 31: 0Rescue teams on Saturday plowed through concrete blocs and debris of eight collapsed buildings in search of survivors of a powerful earthquake that struck Turkey’s Aegean coast and north of the Greek island of Samos, killing at least 26 people.
More than 800 others were injured.
The quake hit Friday afternoon, toppling buildings in Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city, and triggering a small tsunami in the district of Seferihisar and on Samos. The quake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks.
Early on Saturday, onlookers cheered as rescued lifted teenager Inci Okan out of the rubble of a devastated eight-floor apartment bloc. Friends and relatives waited outside the building for news of loved ones still trapped inside, including employees of a dentist’s surgery that was located on the ground floor.
Two other women, aged 53 and 35, were rescued from another collapsed two-story building.
At least 24 people were killed in Izmir, including an elderly woman who drowned, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, or AFAD.
Two teenagers were killed on Samos after being struck by a collapsing wall. At least 19 people were injured on the island, with two, including a 14-year-old, being airlifted to Athens and seven hospitalized on the island, health authorities said.
The small tsunami that hit the Turkish coast also affected Samos, with seawater flooding streets in the main harbour town of Vathi. Authorities warned people to stay away from the coast and from potentially damaged buildings.
The earthquake, which the Kandilli Institute said had a magnitude of 6.9, struck at 2:51 pm (1151 GMT) in Turkey and was centred in the Aegean northeast of Samos. AFAD said it measured 6.6.
It was felt across the eastern Greek islands and as far as Athens and in Bulgaria. In Turkey, it shook the regions of Aegean and Marmara, including Istanbul. Istanbul’s governor said there were no reports of damage in the city, Turkey’s largest.
Authorities warned residents in Izmir not to return to damaged buildings, saying they could collapse in strong aftershocks.
More than 3,000 rescue personnel were sent to Izmir, as well as relief supplies. The Turkish Red Crescent set up kitchens.
In a show of solidarity rare in recent months of tense bilateral relations, Greek and Turkish government officials issued mutual messages of solidarity while the presidents of Greece and Turkey held a telephone conversation.
Relations between Turkey and Greece have been particularly tense, with warships from both facing off in the eastern Mediterranean in a dispute over maritime boundaries and energy exploration rights. The ongoing tension has led to fears of open conflict between the two neighbours and NATO allies. (AGENCIES)
Trump and Biden intensify their election campaigns
Washington, Oct 31: US President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden have intensified their poll campaigns for the November 3 presidential elections, both on the ground and in the virtual domain, making a case before Americans as to why they should vote for them.
Trump, a Republican, is seeking re-election to the White House. Biden, 77, who has been a Senator for several decades and was a vice president during the Obama Administration is urging his countrymen to put him in the Oval Office for a four-year-term beginning January 20, 2021.
On Friday, Trump addressed three rallies in battle ground States of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota which the president hopes to wrest from the Democrats after several decades.
Biden, whose campaign has mostly been in the virtual domain, including through zoom calls, was also campaigning in three states of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Vice President Mike Pence was in Arizona, while Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris was making stops in Texas, a Republican bastion, which many political analysts say is in play this time.
In addition to this Trump’s family members- daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and sons Eric and Donald J Trump Jr- were campaigning aggressively for their father in various battle ground States.
So are Jill Biden, the former second lady and Dough Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris, making a case for the Biden-Harris ticket.
The Democrats whose campaigns, in the past led by former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, were known for a grass root movement and ground game, have moved their campaign into the virtual domain.
With no dearth of money that it raised in the last three months, the party has flooded the digital domain and air waves across the country with its campaigning, particularly in the battle ground States.
The few election rallies of the Biden campaigns are restricted to drive-in car rallies, that at times number a few hundred at the most, or a few dozen in person maintaining COVID-19 social distancing measures. The Biden campaign has described it as a responsible campaigning.
The Trump campaign says that the Bidens have not been able to attract people towards their side and reflects a lackluster response from Americans. On the other hand, the Biden campaign has accused the Republican Party and Trump of being irresponsible by holding massive rallies which they say are super spreaders for the coronavirus.
For the Republicans, President Trump is the star campaigner and the best messenger. His rallies have been attracting large crowds on an average ranging between 15,000 to 25,000, which is considered to be a big number by American standards in the time of COVID-19.
His rallies are full of energy and enthusiasm, with many of his supporters driving for hours and waiting at the venue to listen to their leader.
In their election rallies, both Biden and Trump emphasise on one common point, urging people to come out and vote. The two leaders broadly use the first half of their speech by ripping apart the policies of their opponents and even launching a scathing personal attack.
The second half of their speech is devoted to presenting their vision and key policy elements of what their administrations will do, if voted to power.
While both the Trump and Biden campaigns have a different pathway, the two leaders promise to create jobs, make the US a manufacturing hub, address the challenges posed by China, and promise not to raise taxes for the majority of Americans.
Both the campaigns argue that they have the best plan and it is only under them that the US can retain its core values of liberty and freedom.
On Saturday, Biden would be joined by former president Barack Obama in Michigan. They will “discuss bringing Americans together to address the crises facing the country and winning the battle for the soul of the nation,” his campaign said on Friday.
His running mate Harris would be in Florida, another battle ground State.
Over the next three days, Trump, as per his campaign, is planning to address as many as 14 election rallies in key battle ground States. On Saturday, the president is carpet bombing key State of Pennsylvania with as many as four rallies in one day. On Sunday and Monday, his election rallies are in Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Iowa.
As of Friday, Trump’s last election rally was scheduled to be held at Grand Rapids in Michigan at 10.30 pm on Monday. Trump is known for adding more stops to his campaign at the last minute. (PTI)
Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings owner buying Dunkin’ Brands
New York, Oct 31:Dunkin’ doughnuts and coffee is being combined with Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby’s sandwiches.
Inspire Brands Inc. Said Friday that it is acquiring Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. For USD 11.3 billion, including the Dunkin’ Brands’ debt that Inspire will be taking on.
The private-equity firm will pay USD 106.50 in cash for all of Dunkin’ Brands’ shares, which closed Friday at USD 99.71. Dunkin’ Brands’ stock surged to an all-time high earlier this week after the company confirmed the two were in merger talks.
Dunkin’, based in Canton, Massachusetts, also owns the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain. There are 12,500 Dunkin’ stores and 8,000 Baskin-Robbins outlets worldwide.
Dunkin’ was founded in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts. Baskin-Robbins — known for its promise of 31 flavors — was founded in 1945 in Glendale, California.
Atlanta’s Inspire Brands, which was founded in 2018, is rapidly joining the largest restaurant groups in the U.S. In addition to Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby’s, it owns the Sonic burger chain, Jimmy John’s restaurants and Rusty Taco. It has annual sales of more than USD 14 billion.
Inspire is part of the private equity company Roark Capital Group, also based in Atlanta. Roark also backs Focus Brands — the owner of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Cinnabon — and CKE Restaurants, which owns the Carl’s Jr. And Hardee’s burger chains.
The deal will give Inspire a spot in the breakfast category, which was the fastest-growing segment of the restaurant industry before the pandemic hit.
The acquisition comes as the global pandemic has hammered restaurants’ sales. Dunkin’ Brands’s systemwide sales fell 1.3 percent in the third quarter after tumbling 21 percent in the second quarter and the company said franchisees closed 553 restaurants permanently.
Inspire said it expects the deal to close by the end of the year. (Agencies)
Sigourney Weaver, Elizabeth Banks to topline ‘Call Jane’
Los Angeles, Oct 31: Hollywood veteran Sigourney Weaver and actor Elizabeth Banks are part of the star-studded cast of upcoming women’s rights drama “Call Jane”.
The film will be directed by “Carol” scribe Phyllis Nagy from the Blacklist script by “The Resident” writers Hayley Schore and Roshan Sethi.
Actors Kate Mara and Rupert Friend will also star in the movie, which will be produced by Robbie Brenner, Kevin McKeon and David Wulf, reported Deadline.
The story follows Joy (Banks), a traditional 1960s housewife who unexpectedly falls pregnant. She then finds the Janes, an underground abortion movement led by Virginia (Weaver).
The group saves her life and gives her a sense of purpose: to help other women take control of their destinies.
Schore and Sethi will also serve as executive producers alongside Michelle Mason Vella.
Lee Broda, Erica Kahn, and Judy Bart. Leal Naim and Thomas R Burke will co-produce the project. It will start production early next year. (PTI)
Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings owner buying Dunkin’ Brands
New York, Oct 31:Dunkin’ doughnuts and coffee is being combined with Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby’s sandwiches.
Inspire Brands Inc. Said Friday that it is acquiring Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. For USD 11.3 billion, including the Dunkin’ Brands’ debt that Inspire will be taking on.
The private-equity firm will pay USD 106.50 in cash for all of Dunkin’ Brands’ shares, which closed Friday at USD 99.71. Dunkin’ Brands’ stock surged to an all-time high earlier this week after the company confirmed the two were in merger talks.
Dunkin’, based in Canton, Massachusetts, also owns the Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain. There are 12,500 Dunkin’ stores and 8,000 Baskin-Robbins outlets worldwide.
Dunkin’ was founded in 1950 in Quincy, Massachusetts. Baskin-Robbins — known for its promise of 31 flavors — was founded in 1945 in Glendale, California.
Atlanta’s Inspire Brands, which was founded in 2018, is rapidly joining the largest restaurant groups in the U.S. In addition to Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby’s, it owns the Sonic burger chain, Jimmy John’s restaurants and Rusty Taco. It has annual sales of more than USD 14 billion.
Inspire is part of the private equity company Roark Capital Group, also based in Atlanta. Roark also backs Focus Brands — the owner of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and Cinnabon — and CKE Restaurants, which owns the Carl’s Jr. And Hardee’s burger chains.
The deal will give Inspire a spot in the breakfast category, which was the fastest-growing segment of the restaurant industry before the pandemic hit.
The acquisition comes as the global pandemic has hammered restaurants’ sales. Dunkin’ Brands’s systemwide sales fell 1.3 percent in the third quarter after tumbling 21 percent in the second quarter and the company said franchisees closed 553 restaurants permanently.
Inspire said it expects the deal to close by the end of the year. (AGENCIES)
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha speaking during Youth Engagement & Outreach Programme in Srinagar on Saturday.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha speaking during Youth Engagement & Outreach Programme in Srinagar on Saturday.
LG Ladakh R K Mathur attending a function to celebrate first Foundation Day of UT.
LG Ladakh R K Mathur attending a function to celebrate first Foundation Day of UT.
Police foiling protest march of Cong activists towards Civil Secretariat in Jammu. —Excelsior/Rakesh
Police foiling protest march of Cong activists towards Civil Secretariat in Jammu. —Excelsior/Rakesh
MD SFC, Rajesh Shavan during visit to Lolab and Kupwara areas.
MD SFC, Rajesh Shavan during visit to Lolab and Kupwara areas.