At a press conference in the heart of Silicon Valley, five men in suits posed for a photograph that shed unprecedented light on the world’s most powerful intelligence partnership. The men belonged to the Five Eyes espionage alliance, each representing intelligence services from Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US. Until then, they had never appeared together in public. Their smiles to the camera contrasted against a dark warning shared by one group member, Britain’s head of MI5, Ken McCallum. The UK had seen a sharp rise in aggressive attempts by foreign states to steal the country’s high-tech secrets, he warned. The biggest threat of all: China. According to McCallum, more than 20,000 people in the UK have been approached by Chinese agents online as part of “epic scale” espionage efforts. One alleged Chinese spy created fake profiles on LinkedIn to contact thousands of British officials – offering cash, trips to China and paid speaking gigs as ways of extracting state secrets. Reports of China’s covert spy network in the UK will weigh on the minds of City bosses, as corporations fortify their offices with costly cyber defences to protect their data being stolen by ransomware gangs. While some UK companies are now spending millions of pounds spent on cyber insurance, many remain uncovered. Most vulnerable are Britain’s small and medium-sized businesses, according to Jamie MacColl, a cyber research fellow at defence think tank Royal United Services Institute. “A lot of organisations just don’t view it as an important risk, particularly smaller companies. They might think, you know, a cyber attack is something that happens to someone else, or it’s something that only happens to large corporations,” he says. The coverage gap can be partly blamed on insurance fees. A decade ago, cyber insurance was cheap and easy to buy. Insurance companies cut their prices to spark demand in a nascent market. “Naive insurers entered into the cyber insurance market with not a lot of cybersecurity expertise, wrote policies that had very high limits and no kind of security requirements to get a policy. They all got burnt when ransomware became an issue,” says MacColl. The rise of Russian-backed cyber hackers demanding multi-million pound ransoms from City firms left underwriters lumbered with mounting losses. Some insurers were forced to leave the cyber risk market entirely. Profit-seeking insurers hiked prices and made it harder to qualify for protection, with many companies not meeting the higher minimum security requirements. While costs have since come down as more cyber insurers re-entered the market over the past year, how much these policies will actually cover has also been hotly debated. Where trade secrets are stolen by cyber spies, the answer is typically straightforward. While insurance will often pay for follow-on investigation and compliance costs after a cyber attack, the loss of intellectual property and proprietary information is not usually covered. Insurers can easily determine the value of financial losses from a company’s day-to-day operations being disrupted, but the same can’t be said for trade secrets. “It’s hard to put a value on them. That’s not to say there’s no damage, but it’s harder for insurers to quantify,” says Josephine Wolff, an associate professor of cybersecurity policy at Tufts University in the US. More complex is who foots the bill in the case of a catastrophic cyber attack. Lloyd’s of London, the biggest and oldest global insurance market in the world, last year began excluding devastating “state-backed” cyber attacks from its standard insurance policies. The new rule stopped insurers selling protection against state-sponsored cyber attacks which are so severe they “significantly impact” a country’s ability to function. It sought to protect insurers from being exposed to enormous costs of systemic cyber warfare, updating war exclusions first introduced to protect earlier risk managers from being crippled by the costs of replacing sunken battleships during the Spanish Civil War. “Think the digital equivalent of a nuclear strike. This remotest of possibilities, like a nuclear strike, is not one that insurers can cover as standard,”  James Burns, head of cyber strategy at insurance company CFC Underwriting, wrote on LinkedIn. The overhaul came after Western powers blamed Russia for the NotPetya hack in 2017, one of the most destructive cyber attacks in history which shut down computer systems of companies in more than 60 countries. After a lengthy legal battle, insurers were left on the hook for billions of dollars in insurance claims. However, it is not clear how the cyber exclusions will actually work in practice. “We haven’t seen a lot of big tests of them yet. We haven’t seen a lot of attacks where insurers have denied big claims and people have gone to court to fight out what it all really means,” says Wolff.     Source: BSS

A fossil discovery suggests that mammals may have preyed on dinosaurs several times their size, according to a new study published Tuesday. The fossil, first stumbled upon by a farmer in 2012, was uncovered at a site known as "China's Pompeii" in the country's northeast. There, millions of years ago, a volcanic eruption took place, burying plants and animals. Scientific Reports, the journal that published the study, said the fossil showed two creatures — a mammal and a dinosaur — from around 125 millions years ago, during the Cretaceous period. Even though the mammal is much smaller, researchers think it was attacking the dinosaur when they both got caught in the volcanic flow, study author Jordan Mallon, said. The mammal is perched on the dinosaur, its paws gripping the reptile's jaw and a hind limb while its teeth are stuck into the ribcage. A paleobiologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Mallon said he had "never seen a fossil like this before." The new find suggests that mammals may have actually preyed on dinosaurs several times their size and didn't just scavenge ones that were already dead, Mallon explained. Fossil shows two creatures, with the mammal attacking the bigger-sized dinosaur Researchers think the mammal was attacking the dinosaur when they both got caught in the volcanic flow. The mammal in the fossil duo is the meat-eating Repenomamus robustus, which is about the size of a house cat, Mallon said.

The shootings occurred in multiple locations in the small town of Arkabutla. It is believed the suspect, who is being held in custody, acted alone. A gunman killed six people in a small rural town in the southern US state of Mississippi on Friday, local officials said. A suspect has been taken into custody. Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesperson Bailey Martin confirmed the killings in Arkabutla, in Tate County, to AP news agency. What do we know so far? The shootings all occurred in Arkabutla, a town consisting of fewer than 300 people which is situated some 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Memphis, Tennessee. Among the victims were a man fatally shot in a store and a woman killed inside a home, Memphis-based WMC-TV reported, citing Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance. Four more people were later found dead by deputies, according to the media outlet.  Governor Tate Reeves' office said he had been briefed on the shootings and a male suspect was in custody. "At this time, we believe he acted alone," Reeves said in a statement. "His motive is not yet known." Shannon Brewer, a dispatcher for the Tate County Sheriff Department, also confirmed that a suspect was being held in custody.

India has embraced technology in every field of activity. It is adopting smart farming methods through technology and innovation in the agriculture sector and this may prove to be a game changer in the days to come by substantially raising farmers income.   How is this method beneficial? Smart farming involves the application of sensors and automated irrigation practices. It can help monitor agricultural land, temperature and soil moisture. This would enable farmers to monitor crops from anywhere. Moreover, smart farming can help integrate digital and physical infrastructures, which would benefit small farmers. Agri-based startups can reach out to the farmers and help them gain access to such viable and cost-effective solutions. Agri-based, tech-driven startups have been very innovative in assisting farmers and revolutionising farming techniques. They have also addressed one of the most powerful headwinds (climate change) through climate-smart farming. In a unique move, the Indian government is implementing a Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM), which includes India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA), Farmers’ Database, Unified Farmers Service Interface (UFSI), funding to the states on the new technology (NeGPA), revamping Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), Soil Health, Fertility and profile mapping.   According to a report published by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) in 2019, there were more than 450 argi-based tech-driven startups in India as of 2019. This number has skyrocketed in the last two years as the sector witnessed a surge in investments and funding. Agri-based tech-driven startups have been very innovative in assisting farmers and revolutionising farming techniques. They have also addressed one of the most powerful headwinds (climate change) through climate-smart farming.   Under the NeGPA programme funding is given to the governments in various Indian states for Digital Agriculture projects using emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Internet of Things (IOT), Block chain etc. Adoption of drone technologies is being done too. To promote smart farming, the government promotes startups in the agriculture sector and nurtures agri-entrepreneurs.   The ‘Per Drop More Crop’ component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichai Yojana (PMKSY-PDMC) aims to increase water use efficiency at the farm level through micro irrigation technologies like drip and sprinkler irrigation systems. PMKSY is a scheme initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.   The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) promotes innovation, extension and education in agriculture. A total of 1,575 field crop varieties were released for different agricultural crops during 2014-21. During 2014-21, 91.43 crore agri-advisories were provided to farmers through mobiles. ICAR developed 187 mobile apps on different farm and farmer related services during 2014-21.   The agriculture sector plays a vital role in enriching India’s economy. Agriculture accounted for almost 17.8 per cent of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2019- 20. According to the World Bank’s collection of development indicators, employment rate in the Indian agriculture sector stood at 41.5 per cent in 2020. From a socio-economic standpoint, agriculture is a vital sector which requires focus and awareness at all levels.   According to India Brand Equity Foundation, the rising population and changing diets have created a huge pressure on land in India. Farmers are struggling to keep up as crop yields level off, soil degradation rises, water shortage increases, biodiversity declines, and natural calamities become more frequent. Furthermore, agriculture accounts for almost 14 per cent of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions.   In the meantime, the NITI Aayog (erstwhile Planning Commission of India) conducted a study entitled “Efficacy of Minimum Support Prices on farmers”, in 2016, which found, among other things, that MSP declared by the government has encouraged 78 per cent of the farmers covered under the study for adopting improved methods of farming such as high yielding varieties of seeds, organic manure, chemical fertilizer, pesticides and improved methods of harvesting etc.   Additionally, oilseeds, pulses and copra of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) are procured from registered farmers under Price Support Scheme of the umbrella scheme of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), as per its prescribed guidelines.   The Indian national Budget for 2018-19 had announced the pre-determined principle to keep Minimum Support Price or MSP at levels of one-and-half times of the cost of production. Accordingly, government has increased the MSPs for all mandated Kharif (including wheat), Rabi and other commercial crops with a return of at least 50 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production from the agricultural year 2018-19.   Moreover, India’s National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) is the only source of enrolment for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), on which farmer applications from various designated sources including banks/financial institutions are entered. Specific cut-off dates have been prescribed for enrolment of farmers, debit of premium, remittance of farmers’ premium to concerned insurance company and uploading of data of farmers on NCIP.   The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been incentivising setting of food processing industries through central sector umbrella scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and centrally sponsored scheme ‘PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme across all the country.   Under scheme of creation of infrastructure for agro processing clusters, a component scheme of PMKSY, the scheme is aimed at development of modern infrastructure and common facilities to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach and also to create modern infrastructure for food processing closer to production areas and to provide integrated and complete preservation infrastructure facilitates from the farm gate to the consumer.   Source: Newsroomodisha.com

Owing to the rise in threat of terrorism, India called for effective implementation of the UN action plan to prevent illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. Notably, the Eighth Biennial Meeting of States on the implementation of the UN Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and the International Tracing Instrument for illicit SALW was held in New York from June 27 to July 1, 2022. During the meeting, India emphasized the importance of full and effective implementation of the UN Program of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, particularly their significance in dealing with the threat of terrorism as an important global challenge. India urged strengthening the implementation of these instruments, including through improved national efforts in controlling illicit trade in SALW, and developing a mechanism for tracing of illicit SALW, to make it more effective. India also underlined the importance of international cooperation and assistance, particularly support to developing countries in the implementation of these instruments and a fellowship program for them. The outcome document of the Eighth Biennial Meeting recognized the adverse effects of illicit arms trade in exacerbating terrorism and emphasized the role of these UN instruments in addressing the threat posed by terrorism. It also affirmed the resolve of States to enforce and apply adequate national controls to the entire lifecycle of SALW. States also agreed to strengthen tracing measures for illicit small arms and explore means for enhancing international cooperation in tracing them with the involvement of the UN. The meeting considered the implications of recent technological developments in the field of SALW, illicit trafficking concerns and ways to address their aggravating effects on the instruments. Towards the fourth review conference in 2024, the outcome document agreed on a comprehensive analysis of trends, challenges and opportunities in the implementation of these two UN instruments and consider recommendations on their effective implementation. The meeting adopted an outcome document aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Program of Action as well as the International Tracing Instrument against illicit trafficking of SALW. Source: ANI

Indian Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said that ISRO has the requisite technologies and expertise to provide information on advance warning of cyclones, monitoring of coastlines and coral reefs using space-based inputs to support small island states to help them protect from inundation due to rising temperatures. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said, "ISRO is gearing up to provide such information to some of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Indian Ocean Region." He said, "India, the UK, Australia, Fiji, Jamaica, and Mauritius jointly launched an initiative, Infrastructure for the Resilient Island States (IRIS) to provide technical support on disaster resilience of infrastructure systems to SIDS, during the 26th Conference of Parties held in Glasgow, the UK by United Nations." The Minister said that IRIS will also support SIDS by facilitating access to existing financial mechanisms for resilient infrastructure development. IRIS will extend its support on-demand basis to 58 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) across geographic regions. ISRO carries out prediction of track, intensity, landfall time, and location of all cyclones originating in Indian Oceans using space-based inputs. While India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the mandated agency to provide the Cyclone forecast advisories, ISRO supports IMD in improving the prediction methodologies and publishing the R&D outputs for the help of all. ISRO has carried out a vulnerability assessment of the selected states along the Indian coastal region and has identified coastal stretches that are susceptible due to sea-level rise. ISRO provides near real-time prediction of storm surge and surge induced inundation for the Indian coast during cyclones using satellite observations and numerical model. Maps of coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden have been published and are updated regularly. A region-specific Coral Bleaching Monitoring System based on sea surface temperature data is hosted on ISRO's VEDAS geoportal. Source: ANI  

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $150 million loan to Bangladesh to provide financing for cottage, micro, and small-sized enterprises (CMSEs) operated by youth, returning migrant workers and rural entrepreneurs, particularly women, who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.      The loan to Bangladesh Bank, the nation's central bank, will be on-lent to participating financial institutions (PFIs), which in turn will help 30,000 CMSEs operated by the beneficiaries.      The project aims to facilitate employment creation and help these vulnerable groups recover from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, said a press release.      The release said youth unemployment remains in the country, and they are more severely affected as they concentrate in sectors such as retail trade, accommodation, and food services, which were worst hit by the pandemic.      About 400,000 overseas migrant workers have returned since the start of the pandemic, and many remain unemployed. Rural incomes have stayed depressed and nonfarm employment opportunities remain limited. Rural enterprises were severely affected, putting further pressure on rural employment.      "ADB supports the Bangladesh government's long-term strategy to tackle the country's employment challenges, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic," said ADB Principal Financial Sector Specialist for South Asia Dongdong Zhang.      "Promoting access to finance will help address a critical challenge of helping vulnerable groups in the immediate term and developing CMSEs in the long term,"Zhang added.      Given the limited access of women to finance and their high concentration in retail, travel, and hospitality sectors, they have borne brunt of the impact of the pandemic. The project has targeted to disburse 20 percent of the funds to microbusiness led by women to support their recovery.      ADB will provide an additional $900,000 technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund for Bangladesh Bank and PFIs to help them strengthen their risk management capacities, business process, and information systems.      The assistance will also boost their support of CMSEs by incorporating mobile finance, value chain financing, and sustainable financing tackling climate change.      This project builds on the $250 million policy-based Strengthening Social Resilience Program, approved by ADB in June 2021, to strengthen Bangladesh's social protection programs and resilience of vulnerable groups.      It also complements the $50 million additional financing to the ongoing Microenterprise Development Project, approved in December 2020, to help restore economic activities of microenterprises affected by COVID-19 in the country. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the private banks to supplement the government’s credit programme for the small traders under its stimulus packages announced to offset the Covid-19 fallout alongside serving the distressed humanity. “The state-owned banks have been extending support to the credit programme (for the small traders). In this case, if the private banks come forward, there is no doubt that they will be ultimately benefited once the trade and commerce starts in full swing after the present COVID-19 situation,” she said. The Prime Minister said this while receiving donations virtually through a videoconference from her official residence Ganabhaban. Some 35 commercial banks under Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) provided a total of 25,95,000 pieces of blankets to the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund to help the poor during the upcoming winter season. On behalf of the premier, her Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus received the donations. Sheikh Hasina said there is a programme of economic support for the small traders at low interest rate under the facilities the government is providing under its incentive packages. “However, I think that the private banks need to be more sincere to this end … as you always stand beside the people and in this case you’ll also have to stand beside them,” she said. Extending thanks to the BAB for its generosity of providing this donation, the premier said the association leaders stand beside the people when any disaster takes place in the country. “We could provide more assistance to the people for their generosity,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said the menace of natural disasters could be more in the country during the winter in the way it (country) experienced flood and other natural calamities. Expressing happiness over providing winter clothes meaning blankets before the arrival of winter, the Prime Minister said the people will be immensely benefitted for it. “I extend my sincere thanks to the BAB for this,” she said. Mentioning that the entire world, including Bangladesh, is witnessing stalemate in everything due to the coronavirus, Sheikh Hasina praised the people of Bangladesh for their courage and mental strength in facing the situation. In this connection, she mentioned her government’s timely and proper steps to combat the COVID-19. Expressing apprehension over the second wave of Covid-19, the PM said the Covid-19 situation has largely been brought under control in Bangladesh, but the resurge in Covid infection is seen in many countries, including the European ones. In this context, she stressed the need for taking cautionary measures in Bangladesh. “We need to be aware from now on. We are already taking appropriate measures in this regard and urging everyone to be further aware of this…protect yourself and protect others.” She said all should be conscious so that the second wave of Covid cannot leave adverse impact on the country’s economy and not hamper the livelihood of the people as well as the wheels of economy remain moving. Sheikh Hasina said the government is setting up 100 economic zones across the country and there is the scope to make massive investment there. Noting that the country’s foreign currency reserve is over US$40 billion, she said the government has a target to increase the reserve to $50 billion during the golden jubilee of the country’s independence. The Prime Minister said she always wants Bangladesh to stand on its own feet, to be self-reliant without owing to anyone and move in the world arena with dignity. She said the government has taken a plan to carry out some development works with own finance not borrowing from the external sources rather from the local banks. “We can do many development works ourselves without borrowing from others. Or we can do the works with a loan from our banks…. We’ve also taken measures to do at least some works with our own finance. You will know the details very soon,” she said. Noting that the government’s goal is that no people will remain homeless and landless in the country in the Mujib Borsho, the Prime Minister asked the BAB representatives to help the homeless and landless people in their respective areas by providing them with houses. “If there are any homeless or landless people in your areas, you can give them some houses,” she said, adding the government has been providing houses to the homeless and landless families. “There will be no more poverty in our country, if we all work together and work in our own areas,” she continued. Sheikh Hasina said the government has brought down the poverty rate to 20 percent in the country, but the economic slowdown caused by Covid-19 hampered the pace of the poverty alleviation. She, however, hope that the government will be able to make a poverty-hunger-free Bangladesh and give the people a beautiful life, returning to the previous pace of poverty alleviation. Alongside ensuring food security, the government’s goal is to remove malnutrition, increase employment and revive the rural economy, added the premier. “We have to increase the purchasing power and financial capacity of the people of the country, then the market for our products will be in our country,” she said. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the Bangladesh Export Zone Authority (BEZA) to promote small entrepreneurs, particularly the young generation, alongside attracting foreign investment.   “It (BEZA) will have to work in a way so that foreign investment comes on one hand and local people can invest on the other, or we can promote small investors. That means we need to attract and promote our young generation,” she said while addressing the 7th meeting of the BEZA Governing Board. The Prime Minister said the young generation should not only run after jobs as they can do something (take ventures). “We’ll have to work keeping eyes on these,” she added. She joined the virtual meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban through a videoconference, while other participants were connected from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet Division office. Sheikh Hasina said the government is setting up special economic zones across the country to attract investment, create jobs and protect arable and forest lands. “There’s no doubt our economy is an agriculture dependent one but we need industrialisation at the same time. Because, no country can make progress without industrialisation,” she said.  The Prime Minister said the government has been on all-out efforts to gear up industrialisation with a view to creating jobs, enhancing production, raising the purchasing power of people, fulfilling local demands and boosting exports. “While going for industrialisation, we’ve to keep it in mind that arable lands must be protected to ensure food security for the growing population in a small country like Bangladesh. It’s [Bangladesh] a delta nation. So, it’s also indispensable to maintain the balance of nature. With eyes on these, we’ll have to create jobs simultaneously,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said the government wants to set up special economic zones not only in Dhaka or port areas but also across the entire country as it has a goal to create jobs for a huge population and use agricultural goods as raw materials for the agricultural industry or food-processed one. The government, she said, has been providing various incentives to attract local and foreign investment.      Mentioning that Bangladesh has already gained much progress in drawing investments and building small entrepreneurs, Sheikh Hasina hoped that her government would be able to continue this progress.    The Prime Minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman nationalised Pak government-owned mills and factories as those had remained abandoned and sick ones. Due to the measures taken by the Father of the Nation, Bangladesh made a quick turnaround recovering from a war-ravaged country, said Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu. “Coming to govern the state, I wondered seeing he had created the bases for everything in every sector,” she said adding the Bangabandhu left no sector untouched. “Unfortunately, the politics of killings and coups started in the country exactly in Pakistani style after the killing of the Father of the Nation on August 15, 1975,” she said. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh could not get desired development after the killing of Bangabandhu. “The Bengalis had remained neglected and dependent on others for a long time,” she added.    Source: UNB AH

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda said, small team of armed forces will work along with police in field after December 15 on the occasion of election. He said these in a special meeting with law enforcement agencies at the Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon in the capital on Thursday. Earlier, the meeting started at 10:45 am in the Nirbachan Bhaban auditorium with CEC in the chair. To the police administration the CEC said, a small team of armed forces will meet you within December 15. After December 15 small team of armed forces will be deployed in each district, you will work after coordinating with them. To the all officials of the republic the CEC said, it is not possible only for the Election Commission (EC) to hold a fair election to meet the expectation of people. The CEC directed for working by not controlling rather with liberty to the police administration. He also remarked that there will be surveillance of EC over the all out activities of police. CEC, the other four Commissioners, EC Secretary, Inspector General of Police, public safety division Secretary, all metropolitan police Commissioners, Deputy Inspector General of Police and Police Supers were present in the meeting. According the EC declared election schedule the date of voting is on December 30. Last date of nomination papers submission on November 28, scrutinizing on December 2 and last date of nomination papers withdrawal on December 9. AH