The White House has confirmed that U.S. intelligence officials have information indicating Russia has obtained such a capability, although such a weapon is not yet operational. Termed a nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), the weapon would emit electromagnetic energy and charged particles, disrupting satellites in Earth’s orbit, according to CNN. While experts acknowledge the weapon’s potential to cripple satellite constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink, they also highlight its indiscriminate impact on Russian satellites. If Russia were to deploy a nuclear EMP, it would contravene the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which prohibits placing weapons of mass destruction in space, Biden administration officials said. U.S. officials unanimously believe that even if Russia were to deploy a nuclear weapon in orbit, it would not be detonated.
Source:The Nation
February 19, 2024 00:03 UTC
Hamad I Mohammed/ReutersThe U.S. said on Sunday that it had successfully carried out a round of airstrikes on Houthi vessels and anti-ship cruise missiles, including the first unmanned underwater vessel the Iranian-backed militia is believed to have used since it began attacking ships in the Red Sea late last year. In a tweet, U.S. Central Command announced that five “self-defense” strikes had been conducted against the unmanned underwater vessel, one unmanned surface vessel, and three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time. The command said that the targets had “presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region.”“These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safe and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels,” Central Command said. Read more at The Daily Beast. Source: www.thedailybeast.com
Source:The Nation
February 18, 2024 22:18 UTC
Sri Lanka has the worst record among South Asian countries in blacklisting corrupt contractors in public procurement, according to a new report by Verité Research. The first issue can be attributed to gaps in the procurement guidelines of 2006, which govern almost all public procurement in Sri Lanka — except in a few instances such as pharmaceutical procurement. Sri Lanka has provisions not only to blacklist defaulting contractors, but also to publish their names in a public, online database. In fact, one of the key IMF recommendations is to enact a public procurement law in Sri Lanka that reflects international best practices by December 2024. The report by Verité Research, titled “Backwards in Blacklisting: Gaps in Sri Lanka’s Procurement Framework Enable Corruption”, is available on the Verité Research website – https://www.veriteresearch.org/publication/sri-lanka-procurement-corruption-gaps/
Source:The Nation
February 18, 2024 04:19 UTC
Published at 8:00 am, February 17, 2024QuestionDear Savvy Senior,What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s IRS tax filing requirement thresholds. You can access this tool at IRS.gov/Help/ITA – click on “Do I Need to File a Tax Return?” Or you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040. Check Your StateEven if you’re not required to file a federal tax return this year, don’t assume that you’re also excused from filing state income taxes. Tax Preparation HelpIf you find that you do need to file a tax return this year, you can free file through the IRS at IRS.gov/FreeFile if your 2023 adjusted gross income was below $79,000.
Source:The Nation
February 17, 2024 15:32 UTC
Source: phys.orgPlant leaves come in many different shapes, sizes and complexities. Some leaves are large and smooth, while others are smaller and serrated. Some leaves grow in single pieces while others form multiple leaflets. These variations in leaf structure play a crucial role in how plants adapt—and survive—in different environments.
Source:The Nation
February 17, 2024 09:59 UTC
Source: phys.orgOver the last decade, AI has reshaped the commercial sector and consumer habits—think recommender systems for online shopping or streaming services. While many businesses have jumped headfirst into artificial intelligence, it's unclear how the social and education sectors are thinking about this technology. Do they currently use it, are they interested in using it, and how?
Source:The Nation
February 17, 2024 06:00 UTC
Independent candidates - a majority backed by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf - won 93 of the 265 National Assembly seats that were contested in the February 8 election. To form a government, a party must win 133 seats out of 265 contested seats in the 266-member National Assembly. "According to our estimates, out of 177 [National Assembly] seats which were supposed to be ours, only 92 have been given to us. Hassan claimed there was a huge difference in the numbers of votes polled for National Assembly and provincial assembly seats. In a post on X, the PTI claimed that its "win of 180 National Assembly seats and a two-thirds majority in Parliament was cut down to half".
Source:The Nation
February 16, 2024 20:05 UTC
Source: phys.orgA paper-based platform developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) could help quickly detect the presence of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria.
Source:The Nation
February 15, 2024 18:29 UTC
NDB Bank nurtures Sri Lanka’s future leaders at EDEX Expo 2024BusinessNDB Bank showcased its commitment to the nation's youth and catering to the needs of their future at the prestigious EDEX Expo 2024 held at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) in Colombo from February 9th to 11th. The focal point of NDB Bank's participation at the EDEX Expo was the spotlight on its groundbreaking offering, the NDB ZEE Youth Account. At the EDEX Expo 2024, NDB Bank's dedicated “ZEE Spark” stall went above and beyond to support the aspirations of young attendees. In collaboration with esteemed education partners, NDB Bank introduced installment plans for higher education with 0% interest. The release said that NDB Bank's presence at EDEX Expo 2024 reaffirmed its position as a driving force for youth empowerment and development in Sri Lanka.
Source:The Nation
February 15, 2024 09:41 UTC
Source: phys.orgA picture is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes, and research has shown that the human brain does indeed better retain information from images than from text. These days, we are taking in more visual content than ever as we peruse picture-packed news sites and social media platforms.
Source:The Nation
February 14, 2024 17:06 UTC
In many regions, atmospheric rivers, like the one shown here in green, are expected to increase in frequency with climate change. Credit: NASA In many regions, atmospheric rivers, like the one shown here in green, are expected to increase in frequency with climate change. Credit: NASARibbons of water vapor called atmospheric rivers wind through the troposphere, moving the planet's moisture from near the equator toward the poles. Climate change is predicted to alter the timing and distribution of atmospheric rivers, potentially redistributing the global supply of water. More information: Lujia Zhang et al, Future Changes in Global Atmospheric Rivers Projected by CMIP6 Models, Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (2024).
Source:The Nation
February 13, 2024 18:03 UTC
Source: phys.orgShielded by the jungle for hundreds of years, the remains of a massive 2,500-year-old network of Ecuadoran cities are being threatened by road and farm encroachment just as its long-held secrets are being revealed, researchers say.
Source:The Nation
February 13, 2024 09:42 UTC
India’s UPI service launched in Sri LankaNewsA virtual launch introduced UPI transactions via LankaQR, enhancing digital payments for Indian tourists in Sri Lanka a short while ago, the President's Media Division said. Led by NPCI International Payments Limited & LankaPay Pvt Ltd, the initiative aims to rapidly expand, with 10,000 merchants set to accept UPI payments shortly after launch. By March 2024, this number will reach 65,000, providing a seamless payment solution for Indian tourists, the PMD said. The partnership with National Payment Corporation of India, allows Indian tourists and business travelers to pay at nearly 400,000 Lanka QR-enabled merchants using their familiar UPI payment apps. You can share this post!
Source:Sunday Times
February 12, 2024 18:11 UTC