5th OCTOBER 2014

In view of the international restrictions on Russia over Ukraine, Canada has decided to sign a contract with Antrix, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s commercial arm, for the launch of its satellite, industry sources said here on Saturday. At the inauguration of the International Astronautical Congress in Toronto on Monday, Canada announced that Antrix would be given the contract for the July 2015 launch of its M3M (Maritime Monitoring and Messaging Micro-Satellite) communications satellite.

The Goa government has instructed the organisers of the International Film Festival of India and the decennial Exposition of St. Francis Xavier here to ensure that the venue of each remains smoke-free. While the IFFI is scheduled from November 20 to 30, the exposition will be held in Old Goa between November 21 and January 5. The decision to ensure smoke-free venues was taken at a recent meeting of the District Task Force Tobacco Control to discuss matters pertaining to prohibition of smoking in public places and workplaces.

A 36-year-old Swede has become the world’s first woman to give birth after receiving a womb transplant, doctors said on Saturday, describing the event as a breakthrough for infertile women.   Weighing 1.775 kilos, the baby was born by Caesarean section at 31 weeks after the mother developed pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication, according to the medical journal The Lancet. Because of a genetic condition called Rokitansky syndrome, the woman was born without a womb, although her ovaries were intact. The surgeons said the exploit smashes through the last major barrier of female infertility — the absence of a uterus as a result of heredity or surgical removal for medical reasons.

China has test fired a new variant of its 10,000 km range missile, sharpening its nuclear deterrent in the wake of the ‘Pivot to Asia’ doctrine of the United States, which aims to bolter force levels around China’s periphery.

The long range missile, Dongfeng-31B was launched on September 25, ahead of China’s national day, reports the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post , citing U.S media reports.

China has already tested Dongfeng-31A, which also has a 10,000 km reach, capable of targeting Europe and the West Coast of the United States.

But the latest version may carry additional nuclear punch because it may be capable of mounting multiple warheads, unlike its earlier variant which can strike with only three warheads.

Chinese state media had earlier reported that Beijing was also working on the Dongfeng-41 system, which would have a 12,000 km range, capable of targeting all parts of the U.S. The daily from Hong Kong quoted Xu Guangyu, a Beijing-based retired PLA Major-General as saying that, “China needs to conduct intensive weapons tests and military drills because [the U.S.-led build-up] now in the Asia-Pacific area is not good for Beijing.”