Oil briefly fell past the psychologically important $50 a barrel mark as hopes for an extraordinary OPEC+ meeting to decide on further production cuts to deal with the demand hit from the coronavirus diminished.
Ministers from the group and its allies are unlikely to hold an early meeting this month, while one planned for March will go ahead, Azerbaijan Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov told the RIA Novosti newswire. Russia has been resisting Saudi Arabian efforts to reduce output after OPEC+ technical experts recommended an additional cut of 600,000 barrels a day through June.
* Beijing says patrol was necessary action while Taipei says it was a threat to regional peace and stability
Taiwan's air force scrambled on Sunday to intercept jets from mainland China that flew around the island.
Beijing said the flight was a "necessary action" under "current security situation across the Taiwan Strait".
Taipei's defence ministry described the People's Liberation Army's patrol as a threat to regional peace and stability.
Beijing has been flying what it calls "island encirclement" drills on and off since 2016 when Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen first took office.
Beijing maintains that the self-governed island, which broke away in 1949 after the civil war, remains part of China, and that Tsai, who was re-elected last month, wishes to push the island's formal independence. She says Taiwan is an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name.
Moves come days before Islamic Revolution anniversary, routinely used by Iran to display tech advances for armed forces.
In the space of a few hours on Sunday, Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile and launched a domestically-built satellite - which failed, however, to reach orbit.
The launch of the satellite happened at 7:15pm local time at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran's Semnan province, some 230km (145 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran. State television said, however, that a Simorgh rocket could not put the Zafar 1 communications satellite into orbit due to a low speed.
* Iran tried, despite US opposition to the program, to put a satellite into orbit on Sunday, but it was unsuccessful, a defense official told state media, according to Reuters. * "It was launched with success and ... we have reached most our aims ... but the 'Zafar' satellite did not reach orbit as planned," the official told state television Sunday. * The latest failure marks the fourth time in a row Iran has been unable to successfully put a satellite in space.
Iran's latest attempt to put a satellite in space in spite of US opposition ended in failure, an Iranian defense ministry official told state media, Reuters reported Sunday.
"It was launched with success and ... we have reached most our aims ... but the 'Zafar' satellite did not reach orbit as planned," the official told state television Sunday.
The latest failure marks the fourth time in a row Iran has been unable to successfully put a satellite in space.
In January 2019, the Iranian rocket carrying the satellite into space failed to reach the "necessary speed" during the third stage of flight, a senior telecommunications official told state media, the Associated Press reported at the time.
Fugitive mother-of-three Anne Sacoolas - who is accused of killing Harry Dunn - was a CIA agent, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Pictured: Mrs Sacoolas back home in Virginia last week, where she was pictured filling up her car
* Anne Sacoolas crashed into Harry Dunn's motorbike outside RAF Croughton * British Ministers and officials are aware of Mrs Sacoolas's career in espionage * US government sources said Mrs Sacoolas was 'not active' while in the UK * However, a security source told the Mail: 'You never really leave the CIA' * Harry's mother Charlotte Charles said things are 'beginning to fall into place'
The American woman accused of killing Harry Dunn was a CIA agent, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Fugitive mother-of-three Anne Sacoolas, who fled Britain after crashing into the teenager's motorbike outside an air base last August, is understood to have served as a senior spy.
British Ministers and officials are aware of Mrs Sacoolas's career in espionage, but she was not declared as an agent when she came to the UK alongside her intelligence officer husband Jonathan.
WNU Editor: There is not much that the family of Harry Dunn can do. Anne Sacoolas may have once been a CIA officer, but she is the wife of an intelligence officer based at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire, and when this terrible accident occurred she did have diplomatic immunity. Bottom line. The only way that Anne Sacoolas can go back to the U.K. is if the U.S. extradites her there, and for now the US is saying no. On another note. Who leaked the intel that she was a former senior CIA spy?
More News On Claims that Fugitive American Anne Sacoolas Wanted For The Death Of Harry Dunn Was A Senior CIA Officer
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey has sent major reinforcements to Syria's northwestern Idlib region and "all options are on the table", a senior official said on Sunday, as Ankara tries to stem rapid advances by Syrian government forces.
The government offensive in Idlib, the last major enclave of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad, has driven more than half a million people from their homes toward the closed Turkish border, threatening a new humanitarian crisis in Syria.
Turkey, which already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees, says it cannot absorb any more and has demanded Damascus pull back in Idlib by the end of the month or face Turkish action.
Large convoys of military vehicles carrying tanks, armored personnel carriers and other equipment have crossed into Syria to reinforce a dozen Turkish military positions, several of which are now surrounded by advancing Syrian troops.
Greek island a 'powder keg ready to explode' as boat landings lead to tensions with local people.
Greek authorities are struggling to cope with rising tension on islands where pressure from a new influx of refugees and migrants has reached a critical point.
Friction is growing between local people and asylum seekers landing in boats from Turkey. Last week the region's most senior official likened the situation on Lesbos to a "powder keg ready to explode". Kostas Moutzouris, governor of the north Aegean, said: "It's crucial that a state of emergency is called."
More than 42,000 men, women and children are estimated to be on Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Leros and Kos. Unable to leave because of a containment policy determined by the EU, they are forced to remain on the islands until their asylum requests are processed by a system both understaffed and overstretched.
WNU Editor: This crisis is only going to escalate. Syria military forces launched a major military offensive a few weeks ago that has created a massive refugee crisis that in turn (I predict) will result in many trying to flee to Europe .... 500,000 flee Syrian regime's deadly offensive in Idlib (The Guardian).
The Air Force in October 2019 announced plans to purchase small numbers of AT-6 (shown at top) and A-29 aircraft (shown at bottom) as part of its light attack experiment. Air Force photos.
U.S. Special Operations Command is looking to pick up 75 light attack aircraft to conduct "armed overwatch" missions in conjunction with ground forces, according to new solicitation.
SOCOM plans on holding several industry days with defense contractors in March for the new Armed Overwatch program which is intended to provide U.S. special operations forces with "deployable and sustainable manned aircraft systems" for "close air support, precision strike, and SOF intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in austere and permissive environments," according to the Feb. 3 solicitation.
Based on the outcome of those industry days, SOCOM intends to then award a follow-on indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to furnish the command with an expected total of 75 light attack aircraft over a five-year base ordering period, according to the solicitation.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday unveiled his nuclear doctrine advocating a more coordinated European Union defence strategy in which France, the bloc's only post-Brexit nuclear power, and its arsenal would hold a central role.
In a much anticipated speech to military officers graduating in Paris, Macron called on EU member states to play a more direct role in halting a new nuclear arms race, saying they "cannot remain spectators" against a threat to the continent's collective security.
"In the absence of a legal framework, they could rapidly face a new race for conventional weapons, even nuclear weapons, on their own soil," said Macron.
The Visiting Forces Agreement allows the US military to send troops for training missions alongside Filipino soldiers. The above file photo from 2002 shows American soldiers at a base in Zamboanga, Philippines
* Philippines expected to terminate Visiting Forces Agreement with Washington * Defense pact allows US military to send soldiers to train in the Asian country * Duterte's defense secretary says the president 'is not changing his decision' * Last month, State Department revoked visa of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa * Dela Rosa was Duterte's police chief during brutal anti-drug crackdown
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered his government to terminate a security accord that allows the United States military to train with his country's soldiers, according to one of his advisers.
'The president said he is terminating the [Visiting Forces Agreement],' Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was quoted as saying by local Filipino news media on Friday.
'I asked for clarification and he said he is not changing his decision.'
Trump speaks to reporters with US hostage negotiator Robert O'Brien after he named O'Brien as his fourth White House national security adviser [Tom Brenner/Reuters]
National security adviser Robert O'Brien is expected to make major cuts to the National Security Council staff as early as next week, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
Some people with knowledge of the impending change previously said once President Donald Trump's impeachment trial had concluded, O'Brien was expected to oust about a dozen or so officials as part of an effort to streamline the NSC, which critics charge has become too large.
O'Brien has largely been downsizing the NSC by attrition and getting staffers detailed to the council from other departments to return earlier than planned to their home agencies, but one of the sources told CNN it looks like the final phase will involve more direct firings and cuts.
"So it's bloated. We're going to bring it back to a size that's manageable and efficient. And look, the folks who are there, they really need to want to serve the President," O'Brien told Fox News' Laura Ingraham Tuesday night.
"What I said when I came to the NSC is that I would drastically downsize it," he added.
BAKU -- Voting continues across Azerbaijan in snap parliamentary elections amid pledges of reform in the wake of a government shakeup by entrenched President Ilham Aliyev.
Meanwhile, irregularities including multiple voting, interrupted video feeds at polling stations, and hindrance or abuse of independent observers were reported in the early hours of voting.
Officials said turnout was around 27 percent by noon local time.
Some opposition parties are not participating in the elections over continued lack of access to fair coverage among government-dominated media. Critics have cast serious doubt on hopes of genuine reforms that might strengthen the country's long-beleaguered opposition.
Confirmed: Internet partially shut down #Iran from 11:45 a.m. local time (08:15 UTC); real-time network data show national connectivity fall to 75% after authorities reportedly activated "Digital Fortress" isolation mechanism; incident ongoing 📉
An official of Iran's Telecommunications Infrastructures Company on Saturday said a cyberattack "temporarily" disrupted Internet services but was repelled by Iran's home-grown firewall DEZHFA.
Sadjad Bonabi who made the announcement in a tweet on Saturday morning said the disruption affected some mobile operators as well as home internet providers. According to Bonabi who is a member of the board of directors of the Telecommunication Infrastructures Company owned by the Ministry of Telecommunications, the attack was repelled by DEZHFA, a home-developed firewall.
In a tweet the Internet watchdog Netblocks said that from11:45 a.m. local time the national connectivity in Iran had fallen to 75% after authorities reportedly activated "Digital Fortress" isolation mechanism. Net blocks said the incident is ongoing.
Two U.S. soldiers were killed and six were wounded Saturday when American and Afghan troops were fired on during a mission in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan, U.S. officials told Fox News.
The casualties occurred when an Afghan wearing an army uniform suddenly opened fire, The Associated Press reported.
The U.S. military has not officially called the incident an "insider attack," because the motive remains unclear and the shooter "was not one of the soldiers on the patrol," a U.S. defense official told Fox News.
Such attacks have been frequent occurrences in the nearly two decades U.S. troops have been deployed in the country. In 2012, for example, 25 percent of American military deaths in Afghanistan were caused by allied Afghan forces, military officials have said.
The coronavirus death toll in China has risen to 811, surpassing the toll from the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003, according to data released on Sundayhttps://t.co/JNzWdzqEx5
In the middle of the coronavirus epidemic, President Xi of China slipped out of public view for an entire week. Some suggested that the retreat signaled an effort to distance himself from the political risks he faces if efforts to contain the virus fail. https://t.co/osEfCy4xcs
Turkish military sends reinforcements to the Syrian border, as the Syrian regime continues its offensive in the country's northwest pic.twitter.com/1tStIYwCZy
Radiation has apparently leaked into atmosphere from nuclear plant near Dimitrovgrad, Russia. It's being detected 45 kilometers away and employees of the plant are quarantined in the building. Governor of the region has just denied anything is happening.https://t.co/FQVuh5CTLz
Staff wearing protective suits check passengers arriving to board a flight, chartered by the U.S. State Department to evacuate Americans and Canadians from China due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus, at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in China, February 7, 2020. Among them was Canadian citizen Edward Wang and his mother. He was eager to be back in Canada and nervous about the lack of hospital beds in Wuhan. The outbreak has killed more than 600 people. Courtesy of Edward Wang via REUTERS
No worse than a 'bad cold' say some experts, but others fear it could kill 14,000 people in Hong Kong alone
Pathologists, microbiologists and public health experts from the University of Hong Kong have expressed different views about the lethality of the Wuhan coronavirus in a bid to help governments shape their strategies against the epidemic.
Based on different scientific evidence and viewpoints, some said the mortality or fatality rate, which indicates the lethality of the Wuhan coronavirus could be as low as 0.6% and that it may go down further if more minor cases are recorded.
Others said even if the mortality rate was between 1-2%, compared with 7% of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the Wuhan virus could kill tens of thousands of people due to it being highly contagious.
GERMANY has been rocked after CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer will not enter the race to take over from Angela Merkel as Chancellor, a party source has revealed, with senior ministers left in shock over the announcement.
IRAN has taunted US President Donald Trump over "failed" space missions as it unveiled plans for a fresh satellite launch - just hours after an unsuccessful bid to put a probe in orbit using a new short-range missile.
THE coronavirus crisis shows no signs of abating after a record number of deaths yesterday, amid fears the deadly outbreak is more contagious than previously thought.
THE head of the German state of Thuringia, who was elected with the help of the far-right, has resigned just one day into his role in a bitter row after Angela Merkel branded the election "unforgivable".
Learn the difference between physical capital and human capital, and how to find the value of each type of capital in a company's financial statements.
The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, and has an economy shrouded in secrecy. Here are some little known facts that will give you a peek into the mysterious world of the Vatican's finances.
Cash is something companies love having, but when it comes to debt financing and when dividends are paid, extra cash can be interpreted as a bad thing.
Corruption is a problem all over the world. Here are some industries that consistently rank high on corruption indexes and why they have such a problem.
Learn about Porter's Five Forces Model, a framework used to analyze external threats to companies, and discover which forces pose the biggest threats to Delta.
Fundamental analysis is the method of analyzing companies based on factors that affect their intrinsic value. Find out how qualitative ones are evaluated.
There are the nine major types of financial institutions. Understand the major types of financial institutions that exist and learn the purpose of each.
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The quality of a workplace raise is in the eye of the receiver. The same bump in pay can leave some with a big grin, while causing others to wonder why they didn't get more. This raises the question: What exactly is a "good" raise?
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Some debt collectors will say or do anything to get people to pay them. Although you may owe money, but you still have rights. Discover the 5 things debt collectors are forbidden to do.
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Protect your credit score by understanding how creditors report information about your debts and payments, which can affect your ability to borrow money.
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Discover how video sharing service Vimeo makes money without advertising. Revenue comes from upload and storage fees plus 10% of Vimeo on Demand sales and rental.
One of five tests taxpayers must pass in order to claim a dependent, proving they paid at least half of prospective dependents' annual living expenses.
Back taxes are taxes that have been partially or fully unpaid in the year that they were due. Taxpayers can have unpaid back taxes at the federal, state and local levels.
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, your income (unless exempt), including what's earned outside the U.S., is usually subject to U.S. income tax.
Strategic acquisitions have been key to Facebook's growth and success, and the company has acquired more than 50 companies or properties since it's formation in 2004.
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A value-added tax (VAT) is a consumption tax placed on a product whenever value is added at each stage of the supply chain, from production to the point of sale.
The Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) is an investment theory stating that share prices reflect all information and consistent alpha generation is impossible.
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You'll need an ACR I-Card and other documents to open a bank account in the Philippines. Be sure to read the fine print about how much money is insured.
Find out why barriers to entry for U.S. drug companies are so high and how the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, inhibits competition in pharmaceuticals.
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This idea has been debated for decades, but could it really work? Which countries would benefit? What are the downfalls? How would supply and printing factor in?
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Read about some possible exceptions to the law of demand in microeconomics price charts, and learn why those exceptions do not necessarily disprove the law.
Competitive intelligence is the act of collecting and analyzing actionable information about competitors and the marketplace to form a business strategy.
Bank of Maharashtra Admit Card 2020 will release soon. Applicants of Part-Time Sub Staff jobs can check the BOM admit card 2020 from the official website www.bankofmaharashtra.in. To make it easy for the applicants in downloading the admit card, we will give the direct link in our page. Candidates just need to click on the link and download their call letter online. Also, read the complete article, for the exam date and time details of Sub Staff exam.
BOM call letter for Sub Staff written examination announced by the official in a few days. Candidates who are waiting can download the admit card on our page. Here we provide a direct link which is updated immediately when released. Hence, keep checking our page regularly. Aspirants can check the exam pattern for the written test in the sections below.
When the Bank of Maharashtra had announced the recruitment notification, a huge number of candidates interested in Bank Jobs had applied for the Sub Staff Jobs. The Bank officials received the applications to fill 450 Part-Time Sub Staff Posts. BOM is planning to conduct the Part-Time Sub Staff written test in the upcoming dates. Aspirants need to have the call letter in order to attend the written test. Hence download the hall ticket collect the Bank of Maharashtra Admit Card 2020 from the official website www.bankofmaharashtra.in or from the below attached link.
Bank of Maharashtra Part Time Sub Staff Hall Ticket 2019 – Download
General Awareness (with special reference to Banking Industry)
50
50
Total
200
200
Sub Staff exam applicants check the exam pattern given here. Candidates start your exam preparation with the help of syllabus to perform well in the written test. Aspirants check the exam scheme and schedule your time table according to the more weight-age topics first.
Bank of Maharashtra Hall Ticket 2020
Applicants can download the admit card for the post of Generalist Officer, Specialist Officer from 04th February 2020 Hence, the bank will issue the hall ticket on its official portal at the scheduled date. Moreover, the exam date has been declared as 22nd February 2020. So, Contenders are suggested to download the Bank 0f Maharashtra Officer Admit Card from the below table.
Bank of Maharashtra Officer Admit Card 2020 – Overview
(Bank of Maharashtra Officer Hall Ticket 2020 – Download Here)
Download BOM Hall Ticket for Exam
The Bank of Maharashtra Admit card is available for download at the official website www.bankofmaharashtra.in 10 days before the exam date. Candidates are advised to download BOM Hall Ticket by just a single click on the link provided below. After downloading the Bank of Maharashtra Call letter aspirants can check the exam dates and time available on it. Individuals who are interested in collect the BOM Admit card 2020 from the official portal follow the steps below to avoid the confusion.
Steps to Download Bank of Maharashtra Admit Card 2020 Online
Firstly, log in to the official website of Bank of Maharashtra which is www.bankofmaharashtra.in.
Now, the home page will appear on the screen.
There search for the Bank of Maharashtra Sub Staff Admit card 2020.
Click on that appropriate link.
Next, enter the application number, date of birth and required details of the candidate.
Click on the submit button.
Now, the Bank of Maharashtra Part Time Sub Staff Hall Ticket will display on the screen.
Download the hall ticket.
Finally, take the printout of BOM Admit card 2020 and carry it during the exam.
DRDO Admit Card 2020: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has decided to release it’s DRDO Exam Hall Ticket 2020. As admit card is important for each and every aspirant to take up the examination. Moreover, the DRDO Exam Admit Card 2020 contains important information like the exam date, timings, and venue that help candidates to reach the examination hall on time. However, the DRDO Hall Ticket 2020 will be available here when released by the officials at www.drdo.gov.in.
DRDO CEPTAM 09 Tier II Admit Card 2020 OUT – Candidates who have cleared the Tier I Exam can now download Tier II Admit Card. Therefore, the exam will be held on 20th January 2020. Hence, check with the result of Tier 1 Examination and download the DRDO Admit Card.
DRDO Apprentice Admit Card 2020 – The Recruitment and Assessment Centre is going to issue the admit card in the month of February 2020. Thus, Candidates who are going to take down the examination should download the DRDO Admit Card before the exam date. Make sure to get the hall ticket by providing valid credentials.
DRDO Apprentice Exam Admit Card 2020 – Download Here
DRDO Scientist Admit Card 2019 is released from Defense Research and Development Organisation. The Candidates who had applied for the Scientist post can download their DRDO Admit Card from the Official website or by clicking from below. Only applied candidates can go for the Written Exam. The Candidate must check their DRDO Admit Card, such name and other important details should be presented based on the DRDO Requirement.
DRDO CEPTAM A & A Hall Ticket 2019 will be on the 02nd Week of November 2019. Thus, the exam will be held from 17th November to 23rd November 2019. Hence, Candidates are suggested to download the admit card from the below section. Make sure to download the admit card before the exam date.
DRDO CEPTAM – Technician A Hall Ticket 2019 will be released soon on its official site. Hence, Candidates who are interested to take down the examination can download the DRDO CEPTAM Admit Card from the below section. Therefore, the board has announced the Re-Exam date which will be held on 23rd October 2019.
Individuals can make use of the table given above to check the exam pattern and prepare according to the subjects that have more weight-age. Only those aspirants who clear the examination can take up further rounds. Hence make use of the opportunity issued by the board and get ready for the examination.
Download DRDO CEPTAM Exam Admit Card
The Defence Research and Development Organisation has decided to release its DRDO Admit Card 2020 every year. As hall ticket is important for those aspirants who are taking up the examination. However, individuals can make use of this page as we have provided direct links and steps to download DRDO Exam Admit Card 2020. Failing to carry DRDO Exam Hall Ticket 2020 will not be allowed to take up the examination. Read through the article given below and download the hall ticket here. Moreover, the admit card contains important information like the exam date, timings, and venue.
Steps to download DRDO Hall Ticket
First, visit the official website of Defence Research and Development Organisation i.e www.drdo.gov.in
It redirects to the home page.
Click on the download link.
Enter the application number, date of birth and password details.
Then, click on the submit button.
Now, the DRDO Hall Ticket will display on the screen.
Download the DRDO Admit Card 2020.
Finally, take a print out of the Hall Ticket and carry the admit card while attending the examination.
Gondwana University Result 2020Released: Dear Students !!! Gondwana University has discharged the B.Sc 1st, 2nd, 6th Sem and B.Pharm assessment result as per the Faculty of Department on 08th February 2020. Those who have attended the Winter 2019 Sem exam for B.Sc 3rd and 5th Semester and also various other courses can check the updated Gondwana University Result Winter 2020. Here, the Students can get the direct link to check Gondwana University Results. All the understudies can check the Gondwana University Summer/Winter Result 2020 on this recruitment.guru site with no perplexity.
Gondwana University has conducted the Sem examination as subdivided into Winter and Summer sessions. The University has announced the Summer Session exam results and also Gondwana University Result for Winter 2020 for the previously conducted exams. The individuals who are scanning for the refreshed Sem test results can get it here through Online mode. Affiliated colleges and students who are studying under the Gondwana University can check with the Sem examination result for the B.Sc, B.E Civil Engineering and also various other courses from the below-given table. The Gondwana University Results 2020 will be chosen by the Faculty of Department to get their individual outcomes. Get the latest updates from this page of recruitment.guru
Latest Gondwana University Results Winter 2020: Click Here
The University of Gondwana is a school set up in 2011 in the city of Gadchiroli, in the area of Maharashtra, central India. It takes its name from the Gondwana area in focal India. On July 23, 2010, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly reliably passed an objective to develop the University of Gondwana for the territory including the regions of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. The objectives were proposed by the Minister of Higher Education and Technology of the time, Rajesh Tope. The new school was combined by notice in the subsection of section 3 of the Maharashtra University Act of 1994. On September 27, 2011, the University of Gondwana was removed from RTMNU, Nagpur.
Gondwana University Revaluation Result 2020
Gondwana University conducts customary similarly as reinforcing appraisal for the people who are thinking under the University. Those understudies who have shelled in the essential Sem appraisal makes them increment the probability of getting going in the test. The people who wish that their evaluation paper should be surveyed before long to improve their scoring can experience the revaluation opportunity. For each and every Sem, Students can apply for the revaluation after the statement of the Gondwana University Result of the Main evaluation. The Gondwana University will take as long as seven days to process the test papers to report the Gondwana University Revaluation Results. To get the invigorated Gondwana University Result of Revaluation to take a gander at the Official Website @ gondwanaexams.org. similarly as on this page.
Karnataka Bank Syllabus 2020 – Are you searching for Karnataka Bank Exam Syllabus? Then scroll down the page to catch up with the Probationary Officer & Clerk Exam Syllabus Details. In this article, we have stated the syllabus & exam pattern details. Go through it and plan for the exam preparation to crack the Karnataka Bank Exam 2020
Aspirants who are preparing for the Karnataka Bank Probationary Officer Exam which is going to be conducted on 16th February 2020 check out this section to get an idea about the exam pattern & syllabus for the PO Exam. Get ready well and do your best in the written examination. Aspirants are advised to go through the given details for better preparation before you start with the exam preparation.
General Awareness (with special reference to the banking industry)
40
40
Computer Knowledge
20
20
Quantitative Aptitude
50
50
Total
250
Karnataka Bank PO Syllabus 2020
Reasoning
Analogy
Arithmetical Reasoning
Blood Relations
Number Series
Coding-Decoding
Non-Verbal Series
Number Ranking
Alphabet Series
Directions
Decision Making
Mirror Images
Clocks & Calendars
Cubes and Dice
Embedded Figures
English Language
Sentence Rearrangement
Fill in the Blanks
Comprehension
Grammar
Vocabulary
Synonyms
Unseen Passages
Verb
Subject-Verb Agreement
Tenses
Error Correction
Adverb
Articles
Idioms & Phrases
Antonyms
Quantitative Aptitude
Number System
Percentages
Decimal & Fractions
Average
Simplification
Problems on Ages
Profit and Loss
Time and Work
Ratio and Proportions
Time and Distance
HCF & LCM
Mixtures & Allegations
Simple & Compound Interest
Data Interpretation
General Awareness
International & National Organizations
Abbreviations
Current Affairs – National & International
Awards and Honors
Budget and Five Year Plans
Important Days
Important Financial & Economic News
Sports
Books and Authors
Science – Inventions & Discoveries
Countries & Capitals
Computer Awareness
Basic of Computers
Computer Organization
Generations of the computer
Input & Output Device
Shortcuts & Basic knowledge MS word
MS Excel
MS Powerpoint
Memory Orientation
Internet
LAN
WAN
Modem
Computer Abbreviations
Modern-day Technology
Karnataka Bank Law Officer Syllabus
Karnataka Bank Syllabus for Law Officer Exam 2020. Get insight and knowledge about the Exam Pattern and the Syllabus for the Karnataka Bank Law Officer Exam. In this section, we have updated the mandatory things required for exam preparation. So aspirants who are keen to appear for the Karnataka Bank Law Officer Exam and wish to make the job yours get the exam pattern & syllabus details from this section.
Karnataka Bank Limited is India’s 12th biggest private area bank. It is an ‘A’ Class Scheduled Commercial Bank situated in Mangaluru in Karnataka, India. Karnataka Bank Limited has a system of 848 branches, 1540 ATMs and 330 e-anterooms/scaled-down e-halls across 22 states and 2 association regions. It has 8,275 representatives and over 10.21 million clients all through the nation. The slogan of the bank is “Your Family Bank Across India”. Karnataka Bank Limited has received Core banking, Internet banking and has set up its “MoneyPlant” [1540 Automated Teller Machine] framework the nation over. Karnataka Bank Limited was fused on 18 February 1924 and initiated business on 23 May 1924. In 1960 Karnataka Bank Limited procured the Sringeri Sharada Bank, which was built up in 1942 had four branches.
SKU Result 2020 – Students who have composed their Semester Exams under the Sri Krishnadevaraya University can look at the SK Results here. The SK University Results discharged for assessments like BA, B.Com, B.Sc, BBA, BBM MBA, and others. SKU Result Manabadi 2019 pronounced by the semester shrewd. For a point by point data about the SKU semester test result, understudies can look at the official site @skuniversity.ac.in
Sri Krishnadevaraya University has discharged the SK Results for all the Under Graduate and Post Graduate Degree courses. Competitors can download prompt outcomes from the webpage. Sri Krishnadevaraya University will discharge the semester results as per the course astute. When the college announces the outcomes we will refresh with the most recent gave connect. Understudies can likewise download the SKU Result Marksheet from the underneath section. For those Students, to get the imprints, the University has given the Sri Krishnadevaraya University Re-Evaluation Process. Understudies who are restlessly hanging tight for SKU Final Results 2020 need to focus on the data gave here.
How to Download Sri Krishnadevaraya University Result 2020?
Visit the Official Website of Sri Krishnadevaraya University @skuniversity.ac.in
On the home page, click on the Exam Results.
A new page opens with various results.
Select for the respected results link.
Now enter your Roll Number and hit on the submit button.
Within a few seconds, the results will display on the front screen.
Students can now download OR take a screenshot for future use.
About Sri Krishnadevaraya University
Sri Krishnadevaraya University is a state-funded college in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India, established on July 25, 1981. The college is named after a supporter of learning and expressions of the human experience, Sri Krishnadevaraya, of the Vijayanagara realm of the sixteenth century. The college is a branch of the past Postgraduate Center of Sri Venkateswara University that began in 1968. In this manner, in 1976, the SVU Postgraduate Center achieved independent status. Its Vice-Chancellor for the initial two terms was M. Abel. In 1987, with a capital expenditure of Rs. 1.2 crores, Sri Krishnadevaraya Institute of Management was begun with subsidizing from the UGC.
SVU Revaluation Exam Result
Sri Krishnadevaraya University conducts ordinary just as strengthening assessment for the individuals who are concentrating under the University. Those understudies who bombed in the fundamental semester assessment has one progressively opportunity to score well. For every single semester, Students can apply for the revaluation after the declaration of the primary assessment results. The Sri Krishnadevaraya University will take up to seven days to process the test papers to report the Sri Krishnadevaraya University Revaluation Exam Results. Currently, the University of Sri Krishnadevaraya has discharged the revaluation results for UG, PG with all-locale Students. So Students can check the Revaluation results from the official site just as on this. We have connected the immediate connect to get the Supply/Revaluation Results.
Madras University Recruitment 2020 | University Research Fellowship | 41 Job Vacancies: The Madras University invites offline applications from the interested candidates to recruit 41 candidates for University Research Fellowship Vacancies. Eligible aspirants should send the duly filled application to the concerned address. The last date for receipt of the Madras university application is 17th February 2020.
University of Madras Recruitment 2020
Here we have provided a direct link for the University of Madras jobs vacancy 2020 notification and application form in the below sections. Before apply to these openings candidates must have ensured he/ she should full fill the desired eligibility (i.e.) educational qualification, age limit, experience and etc. Do stay in touch with our page to get the latest Employment News about the Madras University 2020 Notification.
Madras University Faculty Jobs 2020 | Professor & Other Posts | 32 Job Vacancies: Download University of Madras Application Form @ www.unom.ac.in. Madras University has announced Latest Job Notification to recruit 32 candidates for Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, and Professors Vacancies. Applicants who are willing to apply for these vacancies can apply through Offline Process. Eligible aspirants should send the filled application form to the given address via offline. The last date for receipt of the Madras university application is 27th January 2020.
Before apply to these openings candidates must have ensured he/ she should full fill the desired eligibility (i.e.) educational qualification, age limit, experience and etc. Here we have provided a direct link for the University of Madras jobs vacancy 2020 notification and application form from the below sections. Do stay in touch with our page to get the latest Employment News about the Madras University 2020 Notification.
Madras University is the mother of all the old Universities of south India. The University area of jurisdiction has been confined to three districts of Tamil Nadu in recent years. This is consequent to the establishment of various universities in the State and demarcation of the University territories. This University has been growing from strength to strength while widening its teaching and research activities.
The University imparts both Under Graduate and Post Graduate Education through the Affiliated Institutions which are spread over the districts of Chennai, Thiruvallur, and Kancheepuram. Apart from teaching, research activities in Arts, Humanities, Science, Management, and Technology shape the academic tenor of the University. A number of institutions affiliated to Madras University concentrate on research activities offering Ph.D., Programmes in their respective fields of specialization.
Madras HC Hall Ticket 2020 Released for Xerox Operator Oral Test – Here we have the direct link to download the admit card at the upcoming table. Hence, the court will conduct the oral test on 17th February 2020. For the exam purpose, the board has issued the Madras High Court Admit Card on 08th February 2020. So, candidates can download the hall ticket from here by providing valid details.
Madras High Court Oral Test Admit Card 2020 – Overview
Madras HC Xerox Operator Admit Card 2020 – Download Here
Madras High Court Admit Card 2020 – The High Court of Madras has released the Admit card details for Assitant Reader, Assitant Operator and Various other posts. The Candidate who had applied for the mentioned posts, can check and download their Admit Card from the official website, through the below link. The Madras High Court Admit Card contains the vital information of the candidates and more other important details such as exam centre, exam venue and more. So the candidate needs to download the Admit Card details based on the availability on the official website, the candidate who failed to bring the Madras High Court Admit Card are not allowed to write the exam. As per the update from the Madras High Court, the exam will be held on 06th January 2020. For more details, the candidate can refer to the official website.
Ass Reader, Operator Admit Card 2020 – Download Here
Details on HC Madras Hall Ticket 2020
It is compulsory for all the applied candidates to bring the hcmadras.tn.nic.in Computer Operator Hall Ticket 2020 at the examination centre. Besides the Madras High Court Admit Card 2020 you can also obtain valid original Identity Proofs which is also a part of checking. Make use of this page to acquire your MHC Admit Card 2020 as soon as possible. Fill all the required details in Madras High Court Recruitment 2020 Hall Ticket.
Candidate’s Name
Date of Birth
Exam Venue and Address
Exam Timing
Date of examinations
Important Things to Download Madras High Court Admit Card 2020
The Madras High Court Hall Ticket 2019 will be released for only the shortlisted candidates. Hence, Aspirants must download the admit card by providing valid information. As mentioned above, Participants have to carry the Original Identity Proofs to the exam. Listed ID Proofs are valid to appear for the exam. Anyone of the document is enough for verification. So, make sure to carry the document along with the Madras High Court Admit Card 2019.
Original Photograph
Voter Card
Pan Card
Employee ID
College ID
PAN Card
Passport
Driving License
Any other ID proof issued by a Gazetted Officer
Bank Pass Book with the photograph
How to Download Madras High Court Hall Ticket 2020?
Visit the “Madras High Court Admit Card”
Enter the Login details
Click on to the Submit Button.
A Call Letter page will arise on the screen.
Enter all the valid details in that.
Check once for the clear view of the details you entered.
Now go to the Download option to get the Admit Card.
HPPSC Previous Question Papers for a various job role is available here. Candidates looking for Himachal Pradesh PSC previous question papers can find in the sections below. As the previous year question paper is important for the aspirants who are going to appear for the written examination. We collected various posts exam paper and given in the pdf format below. Hence, go through the page and find the direct download links for HPPSC previous year paper pdf. Interested can visit the official website i.e., hppsc.hp.gov.in for more details.
All HPPSC Exam Papers – Previous Question Paper Pdf
Candidates are advised to refer the HPPSC syllabus & exam Pattern before going to previous year papers. Knowledge of exam paper pattern and topics helps the applicants a lot in preparation and in scoring marks. Find the complete topic wise syllabus details and free pdf in our HPPSC Syllabus page. Visitors can also find all the latest notifications released by the Public Service Commission in our HPPSC Recruitment 2019 page.
HP Allied Services Previous Papers
Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Allied Services Exam Previous Year paper Pdf is available in this section. To make it easy for the candidates who are looking for Allied Services exam paper. The commission has given the preliminary exam date for HP Allied Services as 09th February 2020. We have given the year wise previous question paper for HPPSC Allied Services exam 2020.
Hence, check the exam pattern for both prelims and mains and download the pdf given. Practice all exam paper given below for better understanding. Practicing more model question papers helps the candidates in scoring more marks.
HPPSC Allied Services Exam Paper Pattern – Prelims
Subject
No of Questions
Total Marks
Duration
General Knowledge of HP
200
200
3 hrs
HP Allied Services Mains Exam Question Paper Pattern
Paper
Subject
Marks
Duration
I
English (Conventional)
150
3 hrs
II
Hindi (Conventional)
150
3 hrs
III
General Knowledge
200
3 hrs
Both prelims and mains will have objective type multiple choice question and answers.
0.25 marks will be negative for the wrong answer.
HPPSC Allied Services Prelims Previous Year Paper Pdf
HP PSC Previous Year Papers for State Eligibility Test (SET) is available in this section. Applicants of SET examination can find the previous year exam paper for free of cost here. Himachal Pradesh State Government conducts the SET every year in order to fill the various vacancies. Job seekers who are eligible will be applied and looking for old exam papers in order to start their preparation. Hence, in order to help those contenders in finding the HPPSC SET previous year question papers easily, we provided the direct link below. Find the complete exam pattern details and download the previous exam papers and start your preparation today.
Himachal Pradesh PSC State Eligibility Test Pattern
Session
Papers
Questions
Marks
Duration
First
I
50
100
75 mins
First
II
50
100
75 mins
Second
III
75
150
150 mins
Download HPPSC SET Exam Previous Papers
This is the direct link for the official State Eligibility Test exam papers given by the Himachal Pradesh PSC. Hence, download the pdf and start the preparation. Find the complete syllabus for SET 2019 in our HPPSC Syllabus page.
HP Judicial Services Previous Papers Pdf – Civil Judge
In this section find the HPPSC Judicial Services Previous Papers for both preliminary and mains examination. The HPPSC exam paper given for Civil Judge below is free to download. Candidates just need to click on the link to save the pdf into your google drives or download the pdf for further reference. Go through the following sections to get HPPSC previous year question papers with solutions.
HPPSC JS CJ exam date for prelims exam is given as 1st March 2020 & mains exam is given as 30th March to 3rd April 2020. Interested applicants can visit the official website of Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission @ www.hppsc.hp.gov.in for more details. Check the complete exam pattern details for preliminary and mains examination in the section below and start your preparation.
H.P.J.S Preliminary Exam Question Paper Pattern
Paper
Subjects
Marks
Duration
I
Civil Law – I
100
1 hr
II
Civil Law – II
100
1 hr
III
Criminal Law
100
1 hr
HP CJ Judicial Services Mains Exam Paper Pattern (Narrative Examination)
Paper
Subjects
Marks
I
Civil Law – I
200
II
Civil Law – II
200
III
Criminal Law
200
IV
English Comprehension
200
V
Language (Hindi)
100
Total
900
Viva – Voca
100
Download HPPSC Judicial Services Exam Papers
Find the HPPSC Judicial Services Exam Papers with their Solutions. Aspirants searching for this papers can download from the links below. The Last 5 Years HP PSC Judicial Services exam papers are tabulated in the pdf format below. Click on the link to access and download the pdf.
Applicants of HPPSC Assistant Professor exam previous papers can find in this section. We have collected the A P recruitment written examination previous year paper from the official web. Hence, candidates who are for HPPSC AP previous papers can for various vacancies download below. To make it easy we have given the year wise HPPSC exam paper for Assistant Professor in the table below. Hence, just click on the link to download the pdf for free of cost.
The Commission is going to select the candidates based on their performance in the written test. Hence, we advise the applicants to go through the details below and start your preparation. Asst Prof exam paper consists of objective type questions from the General Knowledge, Technical related subjects. Find the complete topic wise syllabus in our HPPSC Syllabus page.
Himachal Pradesh Assistant Professor Exam Paper Pattern
S.No
Subjects
Questions
Duration
1
Respective essential qualification
80
2 hrs
2
General Knowledge of H.P
10
3
General Knowledge of National/ International Level
10
Total
100
Download Himachal Pradesh PSC Exam Sample Papers Pdf
HPPSC Exam Paper – Agriculture Development Officer
Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission recruitments the Agriculture Development Officer (ADO). Aspirants who applied for the ADO vacancies can find the previous year question paper in on our page. The HPPSC ADO written examination will be having objective type MCQ’s for 100 marks. Where part 1 will have questions related to the subject which carries 80 marks. Part 2 & 3 will have General Knowledge questions on HP and National & International level Current Affairs. However, here is the complete exam paper pattern and previous year question paper for HPPSC ADO recruitment.
Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Development Officer Exam Pattern
S.No
Subjects
Questions
Duration
1
Respective essential qualification
80
2 hrs
2
General Knowledge of H.P
10
3
General Knowledge of National/ International Level
Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission Exam Paper Pdf
Here are the direct links for HPPSC exam paper for various recruitment written exam. Click on the links given below to check the exam pattern details and download the previous year paper pdf for free of cost. The papers are taken from the official website of HPPSC. Hence, candidates can download the pdf and start your preparation for the respective vacancy. Share the page URL with your friends who are in search of HPPSC exam previous year question paper pdf.
Hello Folks !! Latest DTU Assistant Professor Syllabus 2020 along with Exam Pattern is available here. Are you searching for DTU Assistant Professor Syllabus 2020 to start preparation? If yes! then read this entire page to get the required material for better preparation. Here on this page, you will find out the latest Delhi Technological University Syllabus 2020 and DTU Assistant Professor Exam Pattern here. Prepare well for the written exam by using DTU Exam Syllabus 2020 which helps to know the important topics covered for the written exam. By knowing the DTU Assistant Professor Syllabus 2020 important topics you can easily analyze in which you are strong or weak.
If you want to crack the written examination successfully then make a perfect plan by taking the help of DTU Assistant Professor Exam Pattern 2020 which is available on this page. Also, refer to Delhi Technological University Syllabus 2020 and Exam Pattern to get an idea about the exam scheme. Moreover, take the assistance of DTU Previous Papers with Solutions, Preparation Tips shared on this page to score qualifying marks in the written exam. Make a preparation plan to clear the written exam by using the DTU Assistant Professor Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Selection Procedures and also Previous Papers shared on this page. Scroll down to view the detailed information about DTU Assistant Professor Syllabus 2020.
DTU Assistant Professor Selection Process 2020 detailed information is given in this section. The Assistant Professor selection Procedures will be based on the following rounds. Candidates who want to get through this examination have to perform well in all of these rounds. So, the Delhi Technological University Assistant Professor selection procedures are mentioned below
Screening Test
Document Verification
Personal Interview
Delhi Technological University Assistant Professor Syllabus 2020
Name Of Discipline
Syllabus
Software Engineering
Same As For GATE 2020 For Computer Science and Information Technology
Computer Engineering
Information Technology
Management (DSM)
Unit I, Unit II, Unit III, Unit IV, Unit V, Unit VI, Unit VII, Unit VIII, Unit IX, Unit X
Management(USME)
Economics (USME)
Micro Economic Analysis, Macro-Economic Analysis, Development & Planning, Public Finance, International Economics, Indian Economy, Statistical Methods
Mathematics& Computing
Set, Relation & Functions, Data Structures & algorithms, Operating System, Probability and Statistics, Statistical Quality Control
Applied Physics
Same As For GATE 2020 For Physics
Engineering Physics
Bio-Technology
Same As for GATE 2020 For Bio-Technology
Electronics & Communication Engineering
Same As for GATE 2020 For Electronics & Communication Engineering
GPSC Exam Papers for various Gujarat Public Service Commission is available on our page. Searching for GPSC Question Papers? Then come let's check all the latest and upcoming GPSC Exam Question Papers with Answers details here. GPSC Exam Papers gives an overview of the kind of questions asked in the prelims and mains examinations. We are here to help you in finding the relevant and official GPSC Exam Papers for you.
GPSC Exam Papers with Answers Pdf
Gujarat Public Service Commission(GPSC) Exam Paper with Answer Pdf is free on our page. Generally, Gujarat PSC conducts the prelims and Mains examination as part of their selection process. Also, divides the posts into three classes, i.e., Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 while releasing the notifications.
However, it leads to a bit of confusion while checking the GPSC Exam paper with Answers and Study Material. Hence, to avoid all the confusions we are given you links in the table below with a live vacancy name and class details. Hence, find the relevant link and start downloading the GPSC Exam Paper with Answer.
GPSC Exam Papers – Old Question Paper with Answers Pdf
Candidates who are looking for GPSC Question Papers are advised to first check the Syllabus and Exam Pattern details. As the Syllabus gives you the complete details regarding the topics need to cover, it is important. Hence, just visit our GPSC Syllabus page and check the Syllabus and Exam Pattern details in English/Gujarathi. Also, we provide the links to download the Syllabus pdf. Later, Job Seekers can check the latest GPSC jobs details in our Recruitment page.
Gujarat PSC Police Inspector Previous Year Papers Pdf
Gujarat Public Service Commission has released exam date of GPSC Police Inspector exam 2020 and also released new recruitment notification for 2020 recruitment. Candidates who have applied for 2020 exam can prepare for the exam using GPSC model exam question papers with solutions pdf. And also applicants who have not applied for 2020 exam. Here, is the golden opportunity for you. Applicants can apply for 2020 GPSC Police Inspector Recruitment before the last date. The last date to apply is on 10th January 2020. For further details related to exam read further sections of the article.
GPSC Account Officer Model Papers with Solution Pdf
Gujarathi Public Service Commission released recruitment notification to fill various Account Officer posts. Candidates who are interested in Govt Jobs in Gujarat, here is the golden opportunity for you people. The Application process of GPSC Recruitment 2020 is already over and now applicants are waiting for exam date to get announced. The Board has released the exam date and it is scheduled to be conducted in the upcoming months. Thus, candidates need to make use of GPSC Account Officer Previous year question papers pdf given in this article to score better marks in the exam. Also, check for GPSC Account Officer syllabus & exam pattern in the below section of the article by clicking on the link given.
Gujarat PSC Exam Question Paper – Overview
Description
Details
Organization Name
Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC)
Post Name
Account Officer
Vacancies
Various
Category
Previous Papers
GPSC Account Officer Exam date 2020
Update Soon
Official Website
gpsc.gujarat.gov.in
Selection Process:
Written Exam (Prelims & Mains)
Interview
GPSC Account Officer Prelims Exam Pattern | GPSC AO Sample Paper Pdf
Papers
Subjects
Marks
Paper I
General Studies
200
Paper II
Accountancy & Auditing
200
Total
400
Gujarat PSC AO Mains Test pattern Pdf
Papers
Subjects
Marks
Paper 1
Gujarati Language
150
Paper 2
English Language
150
Paper 3
General Studies
200
Paper 4
Accountancy & Auditing – 1
200
Paper 5
Accountancy & Auditing – 2
200
Total
900
The Prelims exam will be of Objective type questions.
The mains exam will be of Descriptive Type questions.
Duration of exam will be of 3 Hours for each Paper.
Gujarat Account Officer Old Test Paper Pdf – www.gpsc.gujarat.gov.in
Gujarat PSC Engineering Services Previous Year Papers Pdf
Gujarat Public Service Commission released recruitment notification for various Engineering Services posts. Applicants who are interested in GPSC Jobs 2020 need to apply before the last date. Already applied candidates need to start preparing for the exam using GPSC Engineering Services question papers pdf to score better in the exam. Also, don’t forget to check Gujarat PSC Engineering Service syllabus & exam pattern details to understand the pattern of the exam and the topics that are important in the exam.
GPSC Engineering Service Exam Question Paper – Overview
Description
Details
Organization Name
Gujarat Public Service Commission
Post Name
Executive Engineer & Deputy Executive Engineer (DEE) Posts in Gujarat Engineering Service, Class-I & Class- II, Gujarat
Vacancies
Various
Category
Previous Papers
GPSC Engineering Service Exam date 2020
25th January, 1 & 2nd February 2020
Official Website
gpsc.gujarat.gov.in
Selection Process:
Written Test
Personal Interview
Gujarat PSC Engg Services Prelims Exam Pattern Pdf
Exam Type
Subjects
Time
Max Marks
Objective Type
General Studies
2 Hours
100
Engineering Aptitude
100
Civil Engineering
3 Hours
300
Total Marks
500
The exam will be of both Objective type questions.
Duration of exam is 5 Hours
Gujarat PSC Engineering Services Mains Test Pattern Pdf
Exam Type
Subjects
Time
Max Marks
Descriptive Type
Gujarati
3 Hours
100
English
3 Hours
100
Civil Engg I
3 Hours
200
Civil Engg II
3 Hours
200
Civil Engg III
3 Hours
200
Total
800
Interview
100
Gujarat PSC Engineering Service Last Year Sample Papers Pdf Download
Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) Recruitment Notification 2020 has been released by the Board for Horticulture Officer Posts. Applicants who are all searching for GPSC HO Previous year exam question papers with answers pdf can get it on this page. You will also be able to get complete GPSC Horticulture Officer syllabus along with exam pattern details. For much more details read further sections of the article or check the official website.
Applied for the Gujarat Public Service Commission Deputy Section Officer Recruitment. Then find the GPSC Question Paper for નાયબ પ્રધાન class-3 Exam going to be held in the upcoming months. Hence, go through the Exam details below and download the GPSC Question paper for Deputy Section Officer and start preparing for Prelims Examination.
Gujarat Public Service Commission(GPSC) Previous Papers for the post of State Tax Inspector is available here. The GPSC Recruitment announced the Vacancies for Tax Inspector. The Candidates who applied for the GPSC Jobs can check the GPSC Previous Year Question Papers in the section below. Also, download the free GPSC Previous Question Papers Pdf from the direct link below. Interested candidates can also refer the GPSC State Tax Inspector Syllabus details later.
Description
Details
Post Name
State Tax Inspector
No of Vacancies
Various
Category
Previous Papers
GPSC STI Prelims Exam Date 2020
29th March 2020
GPSC State Tax Inspector Mains Exam Date 2020
Update Soon
Official Website
gpsc.gujarat.gov.in
Download GPSC Old Question Papers with Answers Pdf
GPSC Administrative Service Question Papers – Class 1 & 2
GPSC Previous Papers for Gujarat Administrative Services Class I, Civil Services Class I & II and Municipal Civil Services Class II is available here. The aspirants who are looking for the GPSC Question Papers for Class I and Class II Posts prelims and Mains Examination is here. However, we provided direct links in the section following. Hence, Click on the link and download the free GPSC Preliminary and Mains Exam Pattern pdf.
Description
Details
Post Name
Gujarat Administrative Services Class I, Civil Services Class I & II and Municipal Civil Services Class II
No of Vacancies
Various
GPSC AS Mains Exam Date 2020
23rd February, 8th & 15th March 2020
Category
Previous Papers
Download GPSC Old Question Papers with Answers Pdf
The GPSC Previous Papers for the Post of Principal, Veterinary Officer, Paediatrician, Research Officer & Other. A few days back Gujarat Public Service Commission has announced various Vacancies for the posts listed above. However, here is the latest GPSC Recruitment details. Also, the aspirants who applied for the respective Vacancies can check with the GPSC Old Question Papers and Study material details in the section below. Furthermore, download the free GPSC Previous Year Question Papers Pdf from the direct links. Also, check out the updated GPSC Syllabus & Exam Pattern details for Pediatrician, Veterinary Officer & Other Posts. For more details visit the Official gpsc.gujarat.gov.in Website.
Description
Details
Post Name
Principal, Veterinary Officer, Pediatrician, Research Officer & Other
GPSC Jobs
various
Category
Previous Papers
Cracking a GPSC Prelims and Mains Examinations is not easy for the contenders. However, here are the GPSC Old Question papers for various posts for both Prelims and Mains Examinations. Hence, aspirants can download free GPSC Previous Papers Pdf from the direct link below just by a single click. Hope the material will be useful for your preparation. Keep visiting and share the URL with your friends and family members. Furthermore, here is the GPSC Veterinary Officer, Pediatrician, Research Officer & Other Old Question Papers Pdf download links.
GPSC Previous Question Papers Pdf – AE (Civil) Class 2, Law Officer, Dental Surgeon
Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) Previous Papers are available here for free download. The Gujarat Public Service Commission released the GPSC AE Recruitment Notification for various Engineering Jobs. In this page, we provide you with Gujarat PSC Assistant Engineer Civil Last Ten Years Question Papers along with Solutions. It is a valuable suggestion for the applicants who are appearing for the GPSC Assistant Engineer Written Test 2020 to check the Old Question Paper with Answers Pdf below. The GPSC Previous Papers will help the applied aspirants to get a better score in the GPSC First round of Selection process. Candidate can also check the Official website i.e., gpsc-ojas.gujarat.gov.in for Exam Papers.
Description
Details
Name of the Organization
Gujarat Public Service Commission
Name of the Posts
Assistant Engineer (Civil), Class – II
Category
Previous Papers
GPSC AE, Law Officer, Dental Surgeon Exam Date 2020
2nd February 2020
Official Site
www.gpsc.gujarat.gov.in
Gujarat PSC Law Officer / Dental Surgeon / Asst Engineer Exam Question Paper Pattern Pdf
Subjects
Questions
Marks
Exam Duration
General Studies
100
100
3 Hours
Concerned Subject
200
200
Total
300
300
180 Minutes
Download the Gujarat PSC Previous Papers Pdf
Gujarat PSC AE (Civil), Dental Surgeon, Law Officer Material
The GPSC abbreviated as Gujarat Public Service Commission. Gujarat PSC is a State Government Organization functioning under the Gujarat State Govt. The GPSC Headquarters located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The Official Website of GPSC is www.gpsc.gujarat.gov.in. The PSC Gujarat does all the required procedures to recruit talented aspirants for various vacancies in Gujarat Government. For that, every year GPSC Gujarat releases notifications to appoint selected candidates into suitable GPSC Jobs.
MUMBAI: The government may generate upfront payments of only around Rs 10,000 crore from spectrum auctions in the next fiscal year starting April 1, given the financial challenges faced by two major telcos Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, telecom department officials have estimated.This implies that the next spectrum sale could fetch it only around Rs 35,000-40,000 crore overall as against the Rs 5.86 lakh crore worth of airwaves that the government wants to put on sale at base price, experts said.Telcos pay upfront 25% for the sub-1 GHz band and 50% for higher bands they win in auctions. The balance is paid over 16 years in equal instalments.Senior officials told ET that loss-making mobile phone operators Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel — facing a combined Rs 89,000 crore in new statutory dues — are expected to give the 5G spectrum a miss in the upcoming sale planned in March-April. 74053784 Airtel, though, is likely to pick up some 4G airwaves, especially in eight circles where its permits are expiring."Of the three players, Jio may take some 5G spectrum but not much, besides some 4G. We expect it will do so to get the firstmover advantage," said a government official, who did not want to be named.Loss-making Vodafone Idea, facing a survival threat and in the midst of a costly integration process, is expected to largely give the auctions a miss, officials said.Spectrum Renewal HopesThis means without the adjusted gross revenue dues, the government will fall way short of its Rs 1.33 lakh crore budgeted for the next fiscal year, with only Rs 20,000-25,000 crore expected to come from licence fees and spectrum usage charge.Airwaves across the 4G bands of 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz, besides 5G spectrum in the 3300-3600 MHz bands, will be offered to Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio.The auction, expected in the first quarter of the next fiscal year, will see some 8,293.95 MHz of airwaves at an estimated total base price of Rs 5.86 lakh crore.These numbers, however, look very optimistic.'Unrealistic Pricing'"The government planning an auction is commendable, however, given the reserved prices for the most sought-after bands and the present financial condition of the industry, we do not believe the government will be able to garner any more than Rs 6,000-7,000 crore as upfront payment," said Rajan Mathews, director-general of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents all private telcos."This is not to negate the fact that there are tremendous opportunities in India, but what is getting in the way is the unrealistic pricing of the key spectrum bands that are for 5G, and the 700 MHz band," Mathews added.The government had cleared a base price for 5G airwaves at Rs 492 crore per MHz and proposed the sale of a minimum 20 MHz blocks, which would mean a telco would have to spend close to Rs 50,000 crore for 100 MHz — the quantum it needs to offer quality 5G services.For the 700 MHz band, which was unsold at the previous auction, the DoT has cut the base price by 43% to ?6,568 crore a unit, or ?32,840 crore for a block of 5 MHz.Telcos have described the rates as expensive.Earlier this week, Bharti Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal reiterated in an earnings call that the 5G airwaves were priced too high. "…we will not pick it up at those prices", he said.Previously, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio had termed the 5G base prices as too expensive."At the stage that we are in and where there is tremendous pressure based on their financial health, the upcoming auctions are expected to be muted," said Prashant Singhal, global technology, media and telecommunications (emerging markets) leader at EY.Spectrum RenewalAll hopes are pinned on spectrum renewal."The best case for the government is to realise value from spectrum renewals from the incumbents, and this may help the government raise Rs 25,000 crore at most, of which Rs 10,000 crore may accrue in FY21. Over and above this has to be 5G spectrum auction, which seems very unlikely given the ecosystem and spectrum pricing," said Rajiv Sharma, head of research at SBICap Securities.If there is a 50% reduction in current 5G prices, then there may be some interest for 3,500 MHz and another Rs 20,000 crore could be raised in the fiscal year starting April 1, 2021, he said."So, to sum up, spectrum auction is not going to be more than Rs 35,000 crore," Sharma said.Already weighed down by debt of over Rs 7 lakh crore, loss-making telcos Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are now facing over Rs 35,000 crore and Rs 53,000 crore, respectively, in adjusted gross revenue dues after a Supreme Court order last October.Both have filed a plea in the top court to be allowed to negotiate with the DoT on longer timelines and modalities for payment, in a bid to soften the financial blow. The court has yet to hear the matter.
NEW DELHI: A high-level committee constituted by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) is contemplating restrictions on the exports of some crucial antibiotics and vitamins in light of the coronavirus outbreak, said people aware of the matter. This comes as traders have been raising the prices of some bulk drugs for pharmaceutical companies amid the prolonged shutdown in China.India imports bulk drugs from China to manufacture antibiotics and then exports finished products to other countries. The committee is mulling various measures to ensure that India doesn't face any shortage of essential medicines in case the lockdown in China continues.Bulk drugs or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) needed to manufacture antibiotics like metronidazole, chloramphenicol and azithromycin aside from Vitamin B6 are imported from Hubei province, whose capital Wuhan is the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak. Hubei is also rich in minerals and India also imports borax, copper, gypsum, rock salt, coal and magnesium from the province."We are looking at the export-import data, the bulk drugs and the finished product which may get disrupted in the next few days in case the lockdown in China persists," said a person who is part of the committee. 74054105 Panel writes to companies"If need be, the export of these medicines may be restricted," the person said.The committee is examining the impact of the shutdown in China on the pharmaceutical sector in India. The DoP on Friday asked Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to examine to what degree India depends on China for bulk drugs, possible shortages of molecules and measures that can be taken to keep the situation under control.The committee of experts formed by DoP comprises Joint Drugs Controllers, officials from the directorate general of foreign trade and executives from pharma lobby groups. The lobby groups — Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA), Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), and Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (BDMA) of India — are working with the government to determine the stock position with pharma companies."We have written to the companies to share their inventory position with us — how much stock is available with them? If they have any Plan B in case their APIs get exhausted," said another member of the committee.India is dependent on China for a large number of APIs and intermediates required to manufacture pharmaceutical formulations.China's decision to extend the Lunar New Year holidays and the quarantine of more than 45 million could make imports of key raw materials difficult. At least 24 provinces, municipalities and regions in China have told businesses not to resume work before February 10. The Lunar New Year holiday was initially set to run from January 24 to 30, with work resuming on January 31. Hubei has told businesses not to reopen until at least February 14. Some expect the shutdown to be extended further."As of now we are ok," said Cipla Global CFO Kedar Upadhye. "We store APIs and intermediates… we do store two months of stock as part of the inventory holding norms. So, if the plants do not start by end February, then it will become a delicate situation not only with us, but for entire pharma industry in terms of supply chain."Jiangsu province, which has over 128 pharmaceutical units, is more than 700 km away from the epicentre. Shandong province has 118 facilities that make APIs and intermediates on which India is dependent. "The situation will be clear in the next few days. If the lockdown continues, the pharma industry will face shortages."Traders dealing in bulk drugs or APIs in India have already started to increase prices sharply. APIs are key raw materials used to manufacture pharmaceutical formulations like tablets, capsules, and syrups. According to industry sources, on average, API prices have increased 10-15%. However, in some cases, the increase has been more than 50%.The industry is bracing for difficult times ahead as the coronavirus spreads."We are already seeing the impact with a steep increase in rates of some key raw materials and seeing some shortages," said Sunil Attavar, president of Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers' Association (KDPMA). "The prediction that our overdependence on a single source of APIs and KSMs (key starting materials) is a strategic risk is unfortunately true. More than price increases the industry is afraid of shortages that will disrupt production and availability of some essential medicines."
Some taxpayers were expecting the tax slabs to be widened. Others were hoping the exemptions and deductions would be increased. Everybody wanted the tax structure to be simplified and their tax to come down. Budget 2020 dashed a lot of these hopes. While it has indeed widened the tax slabs and reduced the tax rates, taxpayers who opt for the new regime will have to forego most of the exemptions and deductions that taxpayers avail of.Out go all the exemptions and deductions under Chapter VI-A, including the house rent allowance (HRA), investments under Section 80C, NPS contribution, medical insurance premium and even the leave travel allowance which is tax free if claimed once in a block of two years. The deductions under Chapter VI-A add up to a huge amount. In their returns for the financial year 2017-18, individual assessees claimed deduction for more than Rs 4.45 lakh crore.The removal of tax exemptions and deductions certainly makes compliance less tedious, but avid tax planners who maximised their tax deductions will probably pay more tax under the new regime. In effect, the budget has tried to put more money in the hands of taxpayers by curtailing the incentives to save.On its part, the Finance Ministry expects four out of five taxpayers to move to the new tax regime. It analysed the income and investment data of 57.8 million taxpayers and found that 69% would save on tax under the new system. Another 20% might want to switch to avoid the hassles and paperwork involved in tax planning.New tax slabs and rates 74024695 Will you benefit?Tax was already quite confusing for the average Indian. With three more tax slabs, the new tax regime has only added to the confusion. Taxpayers are trying to figure out whether the new tax structure is more beneficial. Several websites have come out with calculators that help individuals figure this out. The Income-Tax Department itself has launched an e-calculator to estimate the tax liability under the new tax slabs. It compares taxes in the old and the new tax regime.You don't really need to do an elaborate calculation to know this. The answer is actually quite simple. Anyone claiming tax exemptions and deductions of more than Rs 2.5 lakh in a year will not gain from the new structure.This threshold of Rs 2.5 lakh includes the standard deduction of Rs 50,000 for which no investment is required. All salaried taxpayers are eligible for this, which leaves only an additional deduction of Rs 2 lakh. Of this, Rs 1.5 lakh is taken care of by Section 80C investments. The average taxpayer also claims exemption for HRA or claims deduction for the interest paid on a home loan. Then there are other deductions such as the contribution to the NPS, the interest on education loans, treatment of illness and for disabilities. There is also the small but widely claimed exemption of up to Rs 10,000 for savings bank interest under Section 80TTA.What goes outSome of the 70 exemptions and deductions you won't get in new regime. Check which of these you are claiming now.Standard deduction: Rs 50,000House rent allowance: Depends on salary structure and rent paidHousing loan interest: Rs 3.5 lakh for affordable housing, Rs 2 lakh for othersInvestments under Sec 80C: Rs 1.5 lakhLeave travel allowance: Tax free if claimed once in block of two yearsNPS contribution: Rs 50,000Medical insurance premium: Rs 25,000 (Rs 50,000 for parents and senior citizens)Savings bank interest: Rs 10,000 under Sec 80TTAInterest income (for senior citizens): Rs 50,000 under Sec 80TTBEducation loan interest: Interest paid for eight consecutive yearsDisability of self or dependant: Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.25 lakh depending on disabilityTreatment of self or dependant for specified disease: Rs 40,000 (Rs 1 lakh for senior citizens)Donations to specified entities: 50-100% of the amount donatedWhat staysSome 50 tax exemptions have been left untouched in the Budget. These include:Standard deduction on rent: 30% of the rent receivedAgricultural income: No limitIncome from life insurance: If insurance cover is 10 times the annualised premiumRetrenchment compensation: Rs 5 lakhVRS proceeds: Rs 5 lakhLeave encashment on retirement: Rs 3 lakh (No limit for govt workers)This threshold of Rs 2.5 lakh deduction applies to income above Rs 15 lakh. The breakeven point is even lower for those in the lower income brackets. Mrinal Chakraborty claims deductions of only Rs 2.2 lakh, but will pay more tax if he shifts to the new regime. "The 2020 budget has not lived up to the expectations of taxpayers. The income tax proposals are disappointing," says Ankur Choudhary, Co-Founder & CIO, Goalwise.com. 74024718 In Pic: Mrinal Chakraborty, 31 years, IT professional, PuneLow income taxpayerHe doesn't claim too many deductions but his tax will rise by more than Rs 16,000 if he switches to the new structure.Taxable income: Rs 8.2 lakhDeductions claimedStandard deduction: Rs 50,000Sec 80C: Rs 1.5 lakhMedical: Rs 20,000Total deductions: Rs 2.2 lakhTax (old): Rs 33,800Tax (new): Rs 49,920 74024739 In Pic: Medha Gupta, 35 years, private sector employee, NoidaTaxpayer with high deductionHRA exemption and deductions reduce her tax significantly. She will lose roughly Rs 48,000 under the new structure.Taxable income: Rs 11 lakhDeductions claimedStandard deduction: Rs 50,000HRA: Rs 1.68 lakhSec 80C: Rs 1.5 lakhMedical insurance: Rs 50,000TOTAL DEDUCTIONS: Rs 4.18 lakhTax (old): Rs 50,856Tax (new): Rs 98,800Can anybody save Rs 78,000?Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget speech that a taxpayer earning Rs 15 lakh will save Rs 78,000 in tax under the new regime. However, this assumes that the taxpayer is not claiming any deduction at all. In reality, the standard deduction applies automatically to all salaried taxpayers. Also, there are several expenses that are eligible for tax benefits, such as tuition fee of up to two children which can be claimed as a deduction under Section 80C. 74024760 In Pic: Sameer Gokhale, 49 years, CEO of tech firm, PUNEHigh income earnerMoving to new structure will hike his tax by Rs 52,000 but reduce compliance headaches for this high-income earner.Taxable income: Rs 38 lakhDeductions claimedStandard deduction: Rs 50,000Sec 80C: Rs 1.5 lakhHome loan interest: Rs 1.8 lakhMedical insurance: Rs 12,000Donations: Rs 25,000Total deductions: Rs 4.17 lakhTax (existing): Rs 8.60 lakhTax (new): Rs 9.12 lakhThe new tax structure will suit those who don't claim too many deductions or want to avoid the paperwork of tax planning. This could include non-salaried taxpayers (including consultants) who are not eligible for the host of exemptions and deductions under Chapter VI-A. It could also include senior citizens who do not draw a pension from their employer and are therefore not eligible for the standard deduction of Rs 50,000.However, senior citizens earn a big chunk of their income from interest and enjoy an exemption of Rs 50,000 for interest income under the newly introduced Section 80TTB. Retired PSU staffer T. Joseph gets pension from his former employer and also earns interest. He will be better off in the existing tax regime. 74024769 In Pic: T. Joseph, 61 years, Retired PSU employee, DelhiSenior citizen pensionerHis tax will shoot up by Rs 18,200 under the new structure. He is better off in the existing regime.Taxable income: Rs 9 lakhDeductions claimedStandard deduction: Rs 50,000Sec 80C: Rs 1.5 lakhInterest income Sec 80TTB: Rs 50,000Total deductions: Rs 2.5 lakhTax (old): Rs 41,600 Tax (new): Rs 59,800No incentive to saveThe option to remove tax exemptions and deductions is also worrying investment experts. Section 80C forces individuals to save, and they will be weaned off savings if there is no tax incentive. "The impetus seems to be towards spending, rather than focusing on longer term financial security for individuals. Individuals who opt for the new tax regime and forgo tax exemptions may end up spending money than use it towards their financial safety and security," says Tarun Chugh, Managing Director and CEO of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance. "The alternative provided to individuals for lower tax rates if they do not claim exemptions and deductions does not seem too attractive. The new system discourages investments," says Dhiraj Relli, Managing Director & CEO, HDFC Securities.In fact, tax benefits are the prime drivers of investment decisions in India. The NPS was always a very good investment opportunity but it started attracting investors only after the additional tax deduction of Rs 50,000 was introduced in 2015. It became even more popular after the new rule that makes 60% of the corpus tax free on maturity came into effect. "Doing away with the exemptions goes against the basic concept of financialisation of savings," rues Swarup Mohanty, Managing Director and CEO, Mirae Asset Mutual Fund.On the other hand, some experts feel that the budget has done the right thing by separating tax benefits from investments. "In the name of tax savings, many taxpayers are making significant and far reaching investment mistakes. This misbuying may stop after the tax incentives are removed," says Nitin Vyakaranam, Founder and CEO of financial planning firm Arthayantra. His views are echoed by others. "The core objective of insurance is protection. It's time the middle class bought insurance for its real benefit, which is protection," says Yashish Dahiya, Co-founder & CEO, Policybazaar.com.Choose between old and newTo be fair, taxpayers will have the option to switch to the new tax structure. "This is a good move because taxpayers will be able to make the choice depending on their financial situation," says Sudhir Kaushik, Co-founder of Taxspanner. "Taxpayers who avail several exemptions and deductions such as house rent allowance and Section 80C deductions may not benefit from switching to the new system," says Amit Maheshwari, India Tax Leader at Ashok Maheshwary & Associates.What's more, CBDT chairman P.C. Mody has clarified that individual taxpayers will have the option to switch from the old regime to the new structure and vice versa every year. If a taxpayer has made certain investments or expenses in a certain year, he can shift to the old system. However, Mody also clarified that business owners won't have this option to switch back and forth every year.The budget has, however, left the surcharge on tax untouched. Taxpayers with income between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore will continue to pay 10% surcharge on the tax. The surcharge is 15% for income between Rs 1 crore and Rs 2 crore, 25% for between Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore and 37% for income over Rs 5 crore.So taxpayers earning just below these threshold limits will not benefit if they forego the exemptions and move to the new tax regime.id: 74024374
New Delhi: Yum! Restaurants India, owner of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, had an 'exceptional quarter-basis value innovation and expanding digital channels', the restaurant chain's global chief executive David Gibbs said in a post earnings call for the fourth quarter."India had another exceptional quarter with 12% same-store sales growth, ending the year with 10% same-store sales growth. Their momentum is attributable to marketing around value innovation and expanding digital channels," he said. Gibbs named India, Canada, Japan and Europe as markets with internationally strong sales momentum for the year.In a simultaneous development, Yum! Restaurants, Indian subsidiary of Yum! Brands, has picked up minority stake in its largest franchise partner RJ Corp-owned Devyani International (DIL), one of the first franchisees globally where the restaurant major has acquired equity stake. This follows DIL's acquisition of 74 KFC restaurants from Yum! over the last 18 months."Yum! is looking at India as its next biggest bastion of growth after China, and the strategic equity investment strengthens our association with them. Our consumption outlook is double digit growth for the business, riding on scale investments," RJ Corp chairman Ravi Jaipuria told ET. DIL operates 500 KFC and Pizza Hut stores in India.A notice by Competition Commission of India (CCI), approving the proposed combination between Yum! Restaurants and DIL, estimated the book value of the assets of the business undertaking comprising of 61 KFC restaurants at less than ?350 crore.The India development comes at a time when the Kentuckyheadquartered restaurant chain said its 2020 results were likely to fall short of its long-term outlook, weighed down by the deadly coronavirus outbreak in its biggest market China and lagging sales of Pizza Hut in home market the US. "While Yum's business model is highly diversified, this will certainly be a headwind for 2020," Gibbs told analysts.Yum!'s overall presence in India is spread across quick service brands KFC and Pizza Hut and mexican cuisine based Taco Bell. In all, it operates over 1,000 restaurants in the country.74053788 DIL president Virrag Josshi said the company would double the base of KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants over the next four-five years. "Over the next five years, DIL plans to invest over ?1,000 crore in growing its brands including KFC, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, Vaango and food courts."Yum! follows the global strategy of doing away with capital-intensive operations to instead focus on brand growth and development. Over 98% of the KFC business globally, spread across 145 countries, is now operated by independent franchise owners. In India, while Pizza Hut is already entirely franchised, KFC's company-operated footprint is under 10% in India.The chain, which competes aggressively with Domino's, McDonald's and Burger King, has split its entire franchise operations between two partners. Besides DIL, its other franchise partner in India is Sapphire Foods, set up by a consortium of funds led by Samara Capital in 2016.
MUMBAI: The government may generate upfront payments of only around Rs 10,000 crore from spectrum auctions in the next fiscal year starting April 1, given the financial challenges faced by two major telcos Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel, telecom department officials have estimated.This implies that the next spectrum sale could fetch it only around Rs 35,000-40,000 crore overall as against the Rs 5.86 lakh crore worth of airwaves that the government wants to put on sale at base price, experts said.Telcos pay upfront 25% for the sub-1 GHz band and 50% for higher bands they win in auctions. The balance is paid over 16 years in equal instalments.Senior officials told ET that loss-making mobile phone operators Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel — facing a combined Rs 89,000 crore in new statutory dues — are expected to give the 5G spectrum a miss in the upcoming sale planned in March-April. 74053784 Airtel, though, is likely to pick up some 4G airwaves, especially in eight circles where its permits are expiring."Of the three players, Jio may take some 5G spectrum but not much, besides some 4G. We expect it will do so to get the firstmover advantage," said a government official, who did not want to be named.Loss-making Vodafone Idea, facing a survival threat and in the midst of a costly integration process, is expected to largely give the auctions a miss, officials said.Spectrum Renewal HopesThis means without the adjusted gross revenue dues, the government will fall way short of its Rs 1.33 lakh crore budgeted for the next fiscal year, with only Rs 20,000-25,000 crore expected to come from licence fees and spectrum usage charge.Airwaves across the 4G bands of 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz, besides 5G spectrum in the 3300-3600 MHz bands, will be offered to Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio.The auction, expected in the first quarter of the next fiscal year, will see some 8,293.95 MHz of airwaves at an estimated total base price of Rs 5.86 lakh crore.These numbers, however, look very optimistic.'Unrealistic Pricing'"The government planning an auction is commendable, however, given the reserved prices for the most sought-after bands and the present financial condition of the industry, we do not believe the government will be able to garner any more than Rs 6,000-7,000 crore as upfront payment," said Rajan Mathews, director-general of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents all private telcos."This is not to negate the fact that there are tremendous opportunities in India, but what is getting in the way is the unrealistic pricing of the key spectrum bands that are for 5G, and the 700 MHz band," Mathews added.The government had cleared a base price for 5G airwaves at Rs 492 crore per MHz and proposed the sale of a minimum 20 MHz blocks, which would mean a telco would have to spend close to Rs 50,000 crore for 100 MHz — the quantum it needs to offer quality 5G services.For the 700 MHz band, which was unsold at the previous auction, the DoT has cut the base price by 43% to ?6,568 crore a unit, or ?32,840 crore for a block of 5 MHz.Telcos have described the rates as expensive.Earlier this week, Bharti Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal reiterated in an earnings call that the 5G airwaves were priced too high. "…we will not pick it up at those prices", he said.Previously, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio had termed the 5G base prices as too expensive."At the stage that we are in and where there is tremendous pressure based on their financial health, the upcoming auctions are expected to be muted," said Prashant Singhal, global technology, media and telecommunications (emerging markets) leader at EY.Spectrum RenewalAll hopes are pinned on spectrum renewal."The best case for the government is to realise value from spectrum renewals from the incumbents, and this may help the government raise Rs 25,000 crore at most, of which Rs 10,000 crore may accrue in FY21. Over and above this has to be 5G spectrum auction, which seems very unlikely given the ecosystem and spectrum pricing," said Rajiv Sharma, head of research at SBICap Securities.If there is a 50% reduction in current 5G prices, then there may be some interest for 3,500 MHz and another Rs 20,000 crore could be raised in the fiscal year starting April 1, 2021, he said."So, to sum up, spectrum auction is not going to be more than Rs 35,000 crore," Sharma said.Already weighed down by debt of over Rs 7 lakh crore, loss-making telcos Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are now facing over Rs 35,000 crore and Rs 53,000 crore, respectively, in adjusted gross revenue dues after a Supreme Court order last October.Both have filed a plea in the top court to be allowed to negotiate with the DoT on longer timelines and modalities for payment, in a bid to soften the financial blow. The court has yet to hear the matter.
By G ChokkalingamFounder, Equinomics Research & AdvisoryI am holding 100 shares of Lupin bought at Rs 1,600. Please suggest what to do. S V GOPALI suggest adding more shares to reduce average cost as I believe that divestment of Japanese business is significantly positive and it would be able to resolve most of regulatory issues of US FDA in about 18 months' time. While short-term target could be around Rs 900, which is around 21 times FY2021E EPS, the stock could recover beyond Rs 1,100 in 2-3 year period.I bought 100 shares of IEX at Rs 178. Shall I buy or wait for correction? JAYDEEP BHATTACHARJEEYou may sell IEX and use proceeds to buy BSE, which is much cheaper than IEX in terms of valuation multiple. While BSE trades around 17 PE, IEX trades over 28 PE on expected earnings of FY2020. BSE is evolving as an exchange, offers dividend yield of around 5.5 per cent, and its cash holding and current market value of CDSL together exceed its market cap substantially.I am holding 500 shares of Aditya Birla Capital at Rs 175. Can I purchase more for average? H N JAJUAditya Birla Capital is trading around 2.3 times of its book value. The fair value is around Rs 120 in my view.I hold 18,000 shares of Yes Bank at an average cost of Rs 203. Is there any likelihood of recovering my investment over next one year? RAJEEV BATRAYes Bank is trading around 0.5 times price-to-adjusted book value. It is very difficult for an analyst to predict whether any new investor would come into Yes Bank at a good price with substantial resources and to forecast what would be the quantum of incremental stress from NPAs in the next two quarters. However, even if the bank faces another 30 per cent dent on its current net worth in terms of additional NPAs, its price-to-adjusted book value would be still around 1time. Hence, if you are a risk-taking investor, you may hold on to Yes Bank for long-term (2 to 3 years) to possibly recover a significant portion of cost.I hold shares of IDFC First Bank at Rs 45 and my investment horizon is 5 years. Can it turn out to be a dark horse? OJAS AGARWALYou may hold it with a target price of around Rs 65, which is close to 2 times its current adjusted book value. Renewed competition from both existing and new banking players, almost peak out of banking penetration in urban centres and huge equity capital base of the bank will act as a drag for any upside beyond Rs 65.I have 5,500 shares of R Systems at Rs 54. Please advise. MALAIARASANYou may exit R Systems if it moves to around Rs 75 as it already trades around 1.2 times enterprise value-toannual revenues and at a PE valuation of around 17x current year's earnings. These valuation multiples are higher than other mid-sized IT companies like Cyient .I am holding CSB Bank at Rs 292, Future Retail at Rs 412, Havells India at Rs 662 and Oriental Bank at Rs 54. Should hold or sell? N S KHANNAIf CSB moves up 5 per cent to10 per cent from the current level, please sell it as it trades at the costliest valuation of over 2.5 times price-to-adjusted book value in the old private sector banking space. Considering the substantial fall in the stock price and significant fall in valuation multiple to 26 times current year earnings and also the business collaboration with Amazon, you may hold Future Retail stock till it recovers your cost price. I find PE multiple of over 52 for the current year's expected earnings quite stretched considering poor year-or-year revenue growth, and hence, suggest selling the stock, if Havells India moves close to your cost price. Hold Oriental Bank for one to two years with a target price of around Rs 73, which is 1 time the current adjusted book value. I firmly believe that the PSU banks would be able to finally come out of the rising NPA stress within 12 to18 months and then start rectifying significant discount seen in their market prices in relation to their adjusted book values.Please send your queries on Stocks to et.stocks@timesgroup.com; Mutual Funds to et.mfs@timesgroup.com; Tax to et.tax@timesgroup.com; Insurance to et.insurance@timesgroup.com; Realty to et.realty@timesgroup.com.
The February derivatives series is abuzz with activity as stocks react to the budget announcements and corporate earnings. Traders have added short positions in the futures of select PSU stocks as a hedge while subscribing to the latest tranche of CPSE ETF. ET takes a look at 5 stocks which are gaining momentum in the February derivatives series.COAL INDIACMP (Rs ): 184.95 OI Chg in February Series (%): 113.1 Share Price Change in February series (%): -12.7Select PSU stocks are the top OI gainers in the February series. The 7th trance of CPSE ETF was launched last month. "These stocks are part of CPSE ETF. There was a 3% ETF discount and to capture that, they apply for the units and go short in top stocks of the basket," said Amit Gupta, head of derivatives, ICICIdirect. The stock has support at Rs 160 and if it holds that, short covering can take the stock to Rs 220, said Gupta. Analysts said these short positions will see closure towards the end of the series.NTPCCMP (Rs ): 115.6 OI Chg in February series (%): 84.7 Share Price Change in February series (%): -3.1NTPC has also seen addition of short positions as investors shorted the futures and applied in the ETF. Motilal Oswal has maintained 'buy' rating on NTPC with a target price of Rs 154 but said risks related to government divestment and uncertainty on value accretion over the potential acquisition of NEEPCO and THDC could be an overhang on the stock in the near term.EICHER MOTORSCMP (Rs ): 19,736 OI Chg in February series (%): 15 Share Price Change in February series (%): -6.9The stock has fallen in the February series tracking weak December quarter results. "...we do not expect a sharp pick-up in volumes over the near term. In the absence of sufficient upsides to current stock price and uncertainty on BS VI platforms, we downgrade to 'neutral' from 'buy' with TP of Rs 21,800 (Rs 25,600 earlier)," said Citigroup Global Markets in a recent note.ITCCMP (Rs ): 213.40 OI Chg in February series (%): 10 Share Price Change in February series (%): -10.5An increase in indirect taxes on cigarettes in the Union budget on February 1 has dampened sentiment around the stock. Kotak Institutional Equities has lowered the target price on the stock to Rs 300 from Rs 320 and maintained 'buy' rating. "ITC's 3QFY20 (third quarter) print, while decent, wasn't good enough to lift the muted sentiments on the stock. To add to the pressure, the Union budget raised NCCD on cigarettes substantially – portfolio-level weighted-average increase of around 10% in total tax incidence per stick," said Kotak Institutional.HINDUSTAN UNILEVERCMP (Rs ): 2,159.95 OI Chg in February series (%): 13.3 Share Price Change in February series (%): 12.1Traders have built long positions in the February futures of Hindustan Unilever after the FMCG major reported better-than-expected result for the December quarter. CIMB Securities has recently upgraded the stock to 'add' with a higher target price of Rs 2,313. "Ability to grow ahead of the market and its continued focus on new product launches are encouraging. We believe margins will continue to expand and leverage benefits due to the merger of GSK Consumer will be visible in FY21," said CIMB Securities.
BENGALURU: Technology platforms are fighting to control misinformation regarding the novel coronavirus through search prompts, removal of content and by teaming up with fact checkers, amid a social media deluge of alarming warnings, possible cures and rumours regarding the virus that originated in China.On Friday, Twitter launched a dedicated search prompt for India with the ministry of health and family welfare and the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that individuals immediately get authoritative health information from the right sources when they search about the virus.Facebook, Google and YouTube also flash the same link to the WHO website if 'coronavirus' or related terms are searched on their platforms. 74050818 Some Indians have enthusiastically taken to the Internet to 'educate' fellow users on the prevalence of the virus, possible prevention measures and cures.While most videos correctly ask people to avoid crowded places, wear a mask and maintain basic hygiene, some have incorrectly claimed that ayurvedic remedies, including garlic and mint leaves, can cure the virus. Some have even created alarm by saying patients infected by the virus have a zero survival rate.The virus, first identified in Wuhan in Hubei Province last year, causes respiratory illness. It is transmitted between people and animals. Scientists have yet to find a vaccine for the infection. The death toll has crossed 800 in China, while total infected cases have crossed 37,500.Facebook has also started removing content with claims and conspiracy theories that have been debunked by the WHO or other credible health experts and which could cause harm to people who believe them. The social media behemoth is focusing on claims where, if someone relies on the information, it would make them more likely to get sick or not get treatment. This includes claims related to false cures or prevention methods - like for instance ones that say that drinking bleach cures the infection - or claims that discourage treatment or create confusion about health resources that are available."As the global public health community works to keep people safe, Facebook is supporting their work in several ways, most especially by working to limit the spread of misinformation and harmful content about the virus and connecting people to helpful information," said Kang-Xing Jin, Head of Health at Facebook in a blogpost.Chinese short-video platform TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has put out a warning in 8 Indian languages for its users, asking them to verify facts with trusted sources, including the WHO or resources from the local government while creating, viewing or interacting with novel coronavirus-related content.It has also asked users to report content that they think violates TikTok's community guidelines. Videos with #Coronavirus hashtag have been viewed a staggering 786 million times on TikTok.
Duty hike: Hitting consumers to benefit industry Raising import duties hits consumers & also makes India more uncompetitive; yet, govt also wants to push exports
Bail reform: SC's bail for 2002-riots convicts is beyond the pale Rehabilitation should be as much, if not more, a focus of the criminal justice system as retribution, but its contours must be decided by the legislature—if needed, it can consult the judiciary— to reflect the will of the people.
Facebook receives plenty of pointed criticism, including for refusing to police political speech on Facebook, its seemingly endless string of privacy breaches, and its apparent coziness of late with the Trump administration, among other things.
One of the platform’s most prominent critics, somewhat unexpectedly, has become comic, writer, and actor Sacha Baron Cohen. Indeed, his powerful speech to the Anti-Defamation League in November, characterizing Facebook as the “greatest propaganda machine in history,” quickly went viral. (We republished it here.)
Baron Cohen isn’t done railing against Zuckerberg, either. Yesterday, he tweeted in frustration, “We don't let 1 person control the water for 2.5 billion people. We don't let 1 person control electricity for 2.5 billion people. Why do we let 1 man control the information seen by 2.5 billion people? Facebook needs to be regulated by governments, not ruled by an emperor!
We don't let 1 person control the water for 2.5 billion people.
We don't let 1 person control electricity for 2.5 billion people.
Why do we let 1 man control the information seen by 2.5 billion people?
It was short, sweet, and to the point (and presumably gave a frustrated Baron Cohen a lift).
One might imagine that Musk, who has always spoken his mind, has been emboldened of late thanks to the skyrocketing value of Tesla of late. But Musk has long been a critic of Facebook, tweeting in 2018 after deleting his companies’ Facebook pages that he doesn’t “like Facebook. Gives me the willies. Sorry.”
Musk and Zuckerberg have butted heads in the past over the future of artificial intelligence, too, with Musk calling Zuckerberg’s understanding of the future of AI “limited” in 2017.
“Miss Americana,” a new Netflix documentary about Taylor Swift, is worth watching — if you go in with the right expectations.
At least, that’s according to two out of three hosts of the Original Content podcast. Darrell was the holdout; he didn’t hate the movie or think it was poorly made, but he’s much more skeptical about celebrity culture in general and argues that everyone would be better off ignoring celebrities altogether.
Your other hosts don’t go quite that far. Instead, we admit to a guarded admiration for Swift and her music, and we enjoyed “Miss Americana” as a window into Swift’s world. Not a completely transparent window — despite being directed by Lana Wilson, the film feels like it was guided by Swift’s perspective, focusing on her chosen themes of tabloid persecution and political awakening — but a revealing one nevertheless.
What comes across clearly is the utter insanity of the musician’s life, lived under intense (and often unfair) media scrutiny.
The film also demonstrates the extraordinary talent, ambition and luck that Swift must have needed to get where she is. And it boasts a few glimpses into her songwriting and recording process, and into what appears to have been an agonizing decision to endorse Democrat Phil Bredesen’s ultimately unsuccessful run for one of Tennessee’s Senate seats in 2018.
You can listen in the player below, subscribe using Apple Podcasts or find us in your podcast player of choice. If you like the show, please let us know by leaving a review on Apple. You can also send us feedback directly. (Or suggest shows and movies for us to review!)
And if you’d like to skip ahead, here’s how the episode breaks down:
Convertible notes are not just for early stage startups any more.
These promissory notes, which are structured as debt that convert into equity upon a specific event such as a certain date or the closing of a priced investment round, are increasingly being adopted by established companies that have already raised millions of dollars in venture capital.
In the past, these financial instruments have been the province of founders that weren’t sure how to value their companies. If they agreed to sell a fixed percentage of their startup when they didn’t have a lot of customer traction, they might be giving up a lot of upside in their company. Convertible notes allow companies more time to develop their businesses before deciding who gets what.
In recent months, however, more established companies that have already raised priced rounds have raised money via convertible notes. According to the WSJ, Juul Labs, the e-cigarette maker, recently raised more than $700 million in convertible debt to fund its operations. NeueHouse. a venture-backed nine-year-old, New York-based company that provides workspace to creatives is in the process of raising $15 million in convertible debt, shows an SEC filing. And a crytpo exchange that has raised several rounds of venture funding, LedgerX, just closed on $3.8 million in debt.
Why would these older companies want to steal a page from the early-stage startup handbook? Because they want to avoid the negative blowback that might result from a “down round,” or a round that establishes a valuation lower than the previous valuation.
VCs don’t like down rounds as it means “writing down” the holdings in their financial statements to their own investors. Down rounds can also publicly signal that a startup’s growth is slowing, or hammer home the fact that investors overestimated how much their original stake was worth.
Convertible notes are a convenient band-aid, giving companies a little breathing room to fix their products, search for possible buyers, or move into a different space if what’s plaguing them applies more to their industry than their specific products or services.
From all outward appearances, the e-cigarette maker Juul definitely needs some time to get its ducks in a row. The company is under growing regulatory and financial pressure from investigations into its marketing practices and mounting lawsuits by a growing number of school districts and counties (among them, the Ceres Unified School District, outside of Modesto; the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District; and Bucks County, Pa.)
While Juul once seemed like such a sure bet that Altria purchased a 35% stake in the company for $12.8 billion, Juul’s future is now a lot less clear. On January 30th, Altria marked down the value of its stake by $4.1 billion, and it now values the entire company at just $12 billion, a 68% decline from the original valuation that Altria ascribed to Juul when it invested.
According to the WSJ, the $700 million will only convert to equity if Juul’s next round values the company between $10 billion and $25 billion. If the valuation of the next round is lower than $10 billion or higher than $25 billion, the $700 million will be treated as debt.
The lower valuation protects investors from holding mere shares in a company whose value is plummeting; in this case, it would be much better to have control of a solid company asset (think the receivables, computers, and real estate that secures the debt). Conversely, the higher cap gives investors the assurance that their equity will not be unduly diluted by an unrealistically high valuation from a new investor.
If all goes well, investors benefit because their money converts into equity at a discount to the price paid by the next investor. It’s more exciting than receiving just a straight percentage on their money, which they would earn with traditional debt.
And in some sense, the use of convertible notes by later-stage companies can be viewed as a positive sign. After all, if these companies were irretrievably broken, they wouldn’t be able to raise any money at all.
Still, it’s a desperate look for Juul, in particular, which in 2018 was considered to be among the most highly valued private companies in the world.
It suggests that the company’s future is so unpredictable that it can no longer satisfy the requirements or traditional lenders, which insist that borrowers meet a broad array of financial milestones, like hitting revenue targets and maintaining minimum levels of cash on hand.
When Ubisoft first approached “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” stars Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day about creating a new show set in the video game industry, McElhenney said they weren’t interested — at least, not initially.
“Anything that we had ever seen in the past, from a movie or television show perspective, the industry was always presented in such a negative light,” he told me. “It was the butt of the joke. The characters themselves were derided, and it was very specific to geek culture … We just had no interest in that.”
And yet McElhenney, Day and “It’s Always Sunny” writer Megan Ganz ended up creating “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet,” which premieres on Apple TV+ this weekend. McElhenney explained that a visit to the Montreal offices of Ubisoft — publisher of “Assassin’s Creed”, “Prince of Persia” and other major game franchises — changed his mind.
“Once we went to Montreal and met all of the devs that worked at Ubisoft, that all work in communion to make these games, [we realized] how many different, disparate personalities there really were and how much they were all all united by their love of games,” he said.
So McElhenney decided that “this just seemed like a really interesting and new place to set those kinds of stories.” And just as he assumes most “Sunny” viewers aren’t tuning in to learn the fate of Paddy’s Pub (the Philadelphia bar run by the show’s main characters), “The approach we took was, the general audience is not going to care about the success or failure of a video game, they’re going to care about the interpersonal dynamics of the characters themselves.”
Ganz also said she didn’t know much about video game development when McElhenney first approached her about collaborating on the show, but she started to see parallels between that world and a TV writers’ room.
“Except that instead of everyone being a writer, they all have very specialized jobs that they care about, like just the writing or just the design or just the money that’s being made,” she said. “And I thought, well, that’s really fun because that presents something that’s even more complex than your typical writers’ room — you have all these sort of Greek gods that all control their very specific part of the world.”
Of course, “Mythic Quest” had a writers’ room of its own, which Ganz said was divided evenly between people with deep knowledge of the industry (like Ashly Burch, who’s done extensive voiceover work on games like “Team Fortress 2” and “Fortnite,” and who also plays a game tester on the show), and those like Ganz herself, “who maybe played casually when they were younger” but ultimately didn’t know much about that world.
“We did that because ultimately, if you come up with a script or a joke that satisfies both of those people, then you’re going to satisfy as much of the audience as you possibly can,” she said.
The goal, she added, was not “pandering to the video game community,” but rather “to be authentic and not make fun of them, but also be authentic in terms of talking about some of the toxicity that happens in the video game space, the gender dynamics that are at play.”
It wasn’t just a learning process for the writers. F. Murray Abraham (who won an Oscar for playing Salieri in “Amadeus”) plays an eccentric science fiction writer who works on the game, and he told me that when it came to video games, “I had no idea. I knew something, I was aware of it, but not the size of it, the success of it, the reach of it, my God.”
All the “Mythic Quest” writers and actors I spoke to said that their approach has evolved significantly from the original pilot script. For example, there’s McElhenney’s character Ian Grimm, the creative director of the massively multiplayer online roleplaying game that gives the show its name.
“In the first draft of the script, we made Ian a little bit more of just a straight buffoon,” McElhenney said. “We read through it and we realized it just felt false. It was missing something, that if we didn’t want this to feel like a live action cartoon — like ‘Sunny’ often does, which is by design — and we wanted these people to feel real and authentic, that we needed to believe that he really should have that position.”
The question, then was how to make him competent, but in a funny way. They went with a pilot episode where Ian and lead engineer Poppy (played by Charlotte Nicdao) end up in a passionate debate about the properties of the game’s brand new shovel. While that debate will probably seem silly to most viewers, McElhenney said it also conveys “that thing that so many people in the creative arts have, or don’t have — the ability to see the most minor detail, the reason why something is going to work, or why it might not work.”
Throughout that process, the writers also tapped Ubisoft for advice. Jason Altman, Ubisoft’s head of film and television, is an executive producer on the show, and he recalled bringing in different team members to help the writers understand everything that goes into the development process.
In addition, Ubisoft Red Storm (the studio behind the Tom Clancy game franchise) pitched in by building the game segments that we actually see on the show.
“What they created were actually small gameplay sandboxes that we could bring to set, and the actors could sit and play with them and it would actually inform their performances,” Altman said.
He acknowledged that there were challenges, like helping the “Mythic Quest” writers realize that the developers needed time to do their work — but ultimately, he said the Red Storm team had “a great time” creating something that gave the show “a real sense of authenticity.”
Ganz and McElhenney also had plenty of praise for the developers, particularly for their openness to adding silly comedic elements like ridiculous gouts of blood. McElhenney pointed to one episode that required them to create “a really believable Sieg Heil Nazi salute.”
“There’s no way they’re going to go for that, it’s going to take a follow-up phone call,” he recalled thinking. “And they were like, ‘Okay great.’ And I was like, ‘Wait, what do you mean, okay great?’ They said, ‘No, we do Nazis all the time’ — and we put this in the show — ‘because Nazis make the best villains, everybody hates Nazis.”
I was also curious about why the show focuses on the development of an ongoing MMORPG, rather than launching a new game. Altman had an answer for me: “I think it represents what's happening within the game industry. You don't just launch a game and forget it, the development team lives with it, you’ve got live services and live events. It’s the way games are operated right now.”
Plus, he said it reflects another aspect of development, the fact that teams “don’t just spend six months together, they spend years together, and the success that they create together binds them together.”
David Hornsby — who, like McElhenney, is both a writer, executive producer and actor on the show — told me that the writers’ understanding of show’s distribution also evolved, since Apple TV+ hadn’t launched (or even been officially announced) when “Mythic Quest” first got picked up.
“We weren’t sure if it wasn’t going to be binge-able from the start, we heard incrementally,” Hornsby said. “Apple is good at keeping secrets.”
Ultimately, they did find out that all nine episodes would drop at once, which Hornsby said led them to structure the season “like a movie — we know where we are going to be in the middle of the season, the story arcs for each of our characters.”
I also brought up Apple TV+ with McElhenney, who said the team had offers from a number of studios.
“It was scary,” he said. “And I remember we were discussing it, we were like, do we go with a known quantity? Or do we jump into the waters of mystery, because even though it’s the biggest company in the world, you don’t know if it’s going to work.”
So why choose Apple? “We just felt like, if you’re gonna bet on somebody, why not bet on a trillion dollars? They seem to have the resources and something figured out.”
A couple of weeks out, Mobile World Congress organizer, the GSMA, has issued some fairly sweeping safeguards over growing concerns around the coronavirus. After a number of high profile back outs, including ZTE, LG, NVIDIA and Ericsson, the company issued a new list, including a ban of visitors originating from the Hubei province, whose capital Wuhan is believed to be the origin of the epidemic.
Per GSMA CEO John Hoffman,
All travelers from the Hubei province will not be permitted access to the event
All travelers who have been in China will need to demonstrate proof they have been outside of China 14 days prior to the event (passport stamp, health certificate)
Temperature screening will be implemented
Attendees will need to self-certify they have not been in contact with anyone infected.
More than 800 people have died from the virus, surpassing the 774 people who were killed by SARS circa 2002-2003. Hoffman adds that the organizer will be increasing a disinfectant program around the site and promoting a "no handshake policy." As the organization notes, some 5,000-6,000 people from China attend the show each year, accounting for around 5-6 percent of visitors.
U.K. startup Daye is rethinking female intimate care from a woman's perspective, starting with a tampon infused with cannabidiol that tackles period pain.
It's also quietly demolishing the retrograde approach to product design that women are still subjected to in the mass market “femcare” space — an anti-philosophy that not only peddles stale and sexist stereotypes, but also can harm women's bodies.
Those perfumed sanitary pads stinking out the supermarket shelf? Whomever came up with that idea has obviously never experienced thrush or bacterial vaginosis. Nor spoken to a health professional who could have told them vaginal infections can be triggered by perfumed products.
The missing link: There are few people with a vagina in positions leading product strategy. And that's the disruptive opportunity female-led femcare businesses like Daye are closing in on.
The Index Ventures-backed startup is shaking up a tired category by selling the flip-side: thoughtfully designed products for period care that first do no harm and second take aim at actual problems women have — starting with dysmenorrhea. The overarching strand is building community — to help women better understand what's going on with their bodies and reinforce shifting product expectations in the process.
We chatted with Index principal Hannah Seal about the fund's investment in Daye, and to get her thoughts more broadly on a new generation of female-focused startups that are driving long-overdue innovation.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Snowflake, the cloud-based data warehouse company, doesn’t tend to do small rounds. On Friday night word leaked out about its latest mega round. This one was for $479 million on a $12.4 billion valuation. That’s triple the company’s previous $3.9 billion valuation from October 2018, and CEO Frank Slootman suggested that the company’s next finance event is likely an IPO.
Dragoneer Investment Group led the round along with new investor Salesforce Ventures. Existing Snowflake investors Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ Capital, Madrona Venture Group, Redpoint Ventures, Sequoia, and Sutter Hill Ventures also participated. The new round brings the total raised to over $1.4 billion, according to PitchBook data.
All of this investment begs the question when this company goes public. As you might expect, Slootman is keeping his cards close to the vest, but he acknowledges that is the next logical step for his organization, even if he is not feeling pressure to make that move right now.
“I think the earliest that we could actually pull that trigger is probably early- to mid-summer timeframe. But whether we do that or not is a totally different question because we’re not in a hurry, and we’re not getting pressure from investors,” he said.
He grants that the pressure is about allowing employees to get their equity out of the company, which can only happen once the company goes public. “The only reason that there’s always a sense of pressure around this is because it’s important for employees, and I’m not minimizing that at all. That’s a legitimate thing. So, you know, it’s certainly a possibility in 2020 but it’s also a possibility the year thereafter. I don’t see it happening any later than that,” he said.
The company’s most recent round prior to this was $450 million in October 2018. Slootman says that he absolutely didn’t need the money, but the capital was there, and the chance to forge a relationship with Salesforce also was key in their thinking in taking this funding.
“At a high level, the relationship is really about allowing Salesforce data to be easily accessed inside Snowflake. Not that it’s impossible to do that today because there are lots of tools that will help you do that, but this relationship is about making that seamless and frictionless, which we find is really important,” Slootman said.
Snowflake now has relationships with AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform, and has a broad content strategy to have as much quality data (like Salesforce) on the platform. Slootman says that this helps induce a network effect, while helping move data easily between major cloud platforms, a big concern as more companies adopt a multiple cloud vendor strategy.
“One of the key distinguishing architectural aspects of Snowflake is that once you’re on our platform, it’s extremely easy to exchange data with other Snowflake users. That’s one of the key architectural underpinnings. So content strategy induces network effect which in turn causes more people, more data to land on the platform, and that serves our business model,” he said.
Slootman says investors want to be part of his company because it’s solving some real data interchange pain points in the cloud market, and the company’s growth shows that in spite of its size, that continues to attract new customers at high rate.
“We just closed off our previous fiscal year which ended last Friday, and our revenue grew at 174%. For the scale that we are, this by far the fastest growing company out there…So, that’s not your average asset,” he said.
The company has 3400 active customers, which he defines as customers who were actively using the platform in the last month. He says that they have added 500 new customers alone in the last quarter.
There are two – that’s right two – launches happening this Sunday, and both are set to broadcast live on NASA’s official stream above. The first is a NASA International Space Station resupply mission, with a Norhtrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft launching aboard an Antares rocket from Wallops Island in Virginia at 5:39 PM EST (2:39 PM PST). The second is the launch of the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, a joint scientific mission by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) that’s set to take off aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 11:03 PM EST (8:03 PM PST).
The ISS resupply mission is the 13th operated by Northrop Grumman, and will carry around 8,000 lbs of experiment materials, supplies for the STation’s astronaut crew, and additional cargo including various cargo. If all goes to plan, the Cygnus spacecraft will get to the Space Station on Tuesday at around 4:30 AM EST, where astronauts on board will capture the spacecraft with the station’s robotic arm for docking.
The NASA/ESA Solar Orbiter mission is a bit more of an event, since it’s a launch of a very special payload with a dedicated mission to study the Sun, launching aboard a brand new custom configuration of ULA’s Atlas V rocket tailor-made for the Orbiter. The Orbiter has a mass of nearly 4,000 lbs, and a wingspan of nearly 60 feet, and is carrying a complement of 10 instruments for gathering data from our Solar System’s central player.
Solar Orbiter will take the first ever direct images of the Sun’s poles once it arrives at our star, but it first has to get there, using the gravitational force of both Earth and Venus to help propel it along its path. Already, the planned launch of Solar Orbiter has been delayed by a few days – and timing is key to making sure those gravitational forces can work as designed to get it to tis goal, so here’s hoping today’s launch goes off as planned.
As its name implies, Solar Orbiter is designed to orbit the Sun – and it’ll do so from a relatively close distance of around 26 million miles away. That’s closer than Mercury, the planet in our solar system closest to the Sun, and at that distance it’ll still face max temperatures of around 520 degrees Celsius (968 degrees Fahrenheit). To endure those temps, the spacecraft is protected by a titanium heat shield that will always be oriented towards the star, and even its solar panels will actually have to tilt away from the Sun during the spacecraft’s closest approach to make sure they don’t get too hot while powering the satellite.
Solar Orbiter will study the Sun’s polar regions, as mentioned, and shed some light on how its magnetic field and emissions of particles from the star affect its surrounding cosmic environment, including the region of space that we inhabit here on Earth. After launch, Orbiter should make its way to Venus for a flyby this December, then cost paths with Earth for a planned approach in November, 2021, before making its first close approach to the Sun in 2022.
Check back above for live views of both launches, with the stream for the first mission kicking off shortly after 5 PM EST (2PM PST).
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory designs, builds, and operates billion-dollar spacecraft. That makes it a target. What the infosec world calls Advanced Persistent Threats — meaning, generally, nation-state adversaries — hover outside its online borders, constantly seeking access to its “ground data systems,” its networks on Earth, which in turn connect to the ground relay stations through which those spacecraft are operated.
Their presumptive goal is to exfiltrate secret data and proprietary technology, but the risk of sabotage of a billion-dollar mission also exists. Over the last few years, in the wake of multiplesecuritybreaches which included APTs infiltrating their systems for months on end, the JPL has begun to invest heavily in cybersecurity.
I talked to Arun Viswanathan, a key NASA cyber security researcher, about that work, which is a fascinating mix of “totally representative of infosec today” and “unique to the JPL’s highly unusual concerns.” The key message is firmly in the former category, though: information security has to be proactive, not reactive.
Each mission at JPL is like its own semi-independent startup, but their technical constraints tend to be very unlike those of Valley startups. For instance, mission software is usually homegrown/innovative, because their software requirements are so much more stringent: for instance, you absolutely cannot have software going rogue and consuming 100% of CPU on a space probe.
Successful missions can last a very long time, so the JPL has many archaic systems, multiple decades old, which are no longer supported by anyone; they have to architect their security solutions around the limitations of that ancient software. Unlike most enterprises, they are open to the public, who tour the facilities by the hundred. Furthermore, they have many partners, such as other space agencies, with privileged access to their systems.
All that … while being very much the target of nation-state attackers. Theirs is, to say the last, an interesting threat model.
Viswanathan has focused largely on two key projects. One is the creation of a model of JPL’s ground data systems — all its heterogeneous networks, hosts, processes, applications, file servers, firewalls, etc. — and a reasoning engine on top of it. This then can be queried programmatically. (Interesting technical side note: the query language is Datalog, a non-Turing-complete offshoot of venerable Prolog which has had a resurgence of late.)
Previous to this model, no one person could confidently answer “what are the security risks of this ground data system?” As with many decades-old institutions, that knowledge was largely trapped in documents and brains.
With the model, ad hoc queries such as “could someone in the JPL cafeteria access mission-critical servers?” can be asked, and the reasoning engine will search out pathways, and itemize their services and configurations. Similarly, researchers can work backwards from attackers’ goals to construct “attack trees,” paths which attackers could use to conceivably reach their goal, and map those against the model, to identify mitigations to apply.
His other major project is to increase the JPL’s “cyber situational awareness” — in other words, instrumenting their systems to collect and analyze data, in real time, to detect attacks and other anomalous behavior. For instance, a spike in CPU usage might indicate a compromised server being used for cryptocurrency mining.
In the bad old days, security was reactive: if someone had a problem and couldn’t access their machine, they’d call, but that was the extent of their observability. Nowadays, they can watch for malicious and anomalous patterns which range from the simple, such as a brute-force attack indicated by many failed logins followed by a successful one, to the much more complex, e.g. machine-learning based detection of a command system operating outside its usual baseline parameters.
Of course, sometimes it’s just an anomaly, not an attack. Conversely, this new observability is also helping to identify system inefficiencies, memory leakage, etcetera, proactively rather than reactively.
This may all seem fairly basic if you’re accustomed to, say, your Digital Ocean dashboard and its panoply of server analygics. But re-engineering an installed base of heterogeneous complex legacy systems for observability at scale is another story entirely. Looking at the borders and interfaces isn’t enough; you have to observe all the behavior inside the perimeter too, especially in light of partners with privileged access, who might abuse that access if compromised. (This was the root cause of the infamous 2018 attack on the JPL.)
While the JPL’s threat model is fairly unique, Viswanathan’s work is quite representative of our brave new world of cyberwarfare. Whether you’re a space agency, a big company, or a growing startup, your information security nowadays needs to be proactive. Ongoing monitoring of anomalous behavior is key, as is thinking like an attacker; reacting after you find out something bad happened is not enough. May your organization learn this the easy way, rather than joining the seemingly endless of headlines telling us all of breach after breach.
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