As brain-computer interfaces advance, experts warn of serious ethical concerns. Questions about privacy, consent, and misuse highlight the urgent need for global regulations on brain-reading technologies.


Brain-reading devices raise ethical concerns over use of brain-computer interfaces 

Google unveiled a new quantum computer, which marks a turning point in the evolution of information technology. Watch this report for more details!

Google Unveils Revolutionary Quantum Computing Chip

Exploring the advancements in brain-computer interface technology, this story explores its potential to transform multiple facets of human life.

Are brain implants the future of computing?

The Antikythera mechanism, an ancient device discovered over a century ago, has long been considered the world's oldest known computer.

New research has now revealed that this remarkable artifact was used to track the Greek lunar calendar, rather than the solar calendar used by the ancient Egyptians, contrary to previous beliefs.

The Antikythera mechanism, created around 2,200 years ago, is a shoebox-sized device containing intricate bronze gears that were used to model the motions of the sun, moon and planets.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-species-was-also-wiped-out-along-with-dinosaurs-in-meteor-strike-736285">This species was also wiped out along with dinosaurs in meteor strike</a>

One key component, the "calendar ring", was used to track the days of the year, with each hole representing a single day.

Recent analysis by researchers at the University of Glasgow has determined that the mechanism likely had 354 or 355 holes, corresponding to the 354-day lunar calendar used in ancient Greece, rather than the 365-day solar calendar.

This finding contradicted the previous belief that the device followed the more accurate Egyptian solar calendar.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroids-thrashing-mars-more-than-ever-thought-leaving-craters-on-red-planet-736281">Asteroids thrashing Mars more than ever thought, leaving craters on Red Planet</a>

"Glasgow team's results provide fresh evidence that one of the components of the Antikythera mechanism was most likely used to track the Greek lunar year," the researchers stated.

Study co-author Graham Woan, an astrophysics professor at the University of Glasgow, said, "The precision of the holes' positioning would have required highly accurate measurement techniques and an incredibly steady hand to punch them."&nbsp;

Watch | Lancet study claims half of Indian adults are physically unfit

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"It's a neat symmetry that we've adapted techniques we use to study the universe today to understand more about a mechanism that helped people keep track of the heavens nearly two millennia ago."&nbsp;

<h2>2020 study&nbsp;</h2>

The new research builds on a 2020 study that also concluded the Antikythera mechanism tracked the lunar calendar.&nbsp;Andrew Thoeni, a co-author of that earlier paper, expressed satisfaction that "more scholars are now accepting and validating our findings."

Diomidis Spinellis, a professor who has studied the Antikythera mechanism, praised the latest work, stating, "The Antikythera mechanism is a gift that keeps on giving... Despite its severe corrosion and many missing elements, the application of increasingly sophisticated technologies and innovative cross-disciplinary analysis continues to provide impressive insights into this remarkable artifact."

(With inputs from agencies)

The Antikythera mechanism, an ancient device discovered over a century ago, has long been considered the world's oldest known computer. New research has now revealed that this remarkable artifact was used to track the Greek lunar calendar, rather than the solar calendar used by the ancient Egyptians, contrary to previous beliefs.

The Antikythera mechanism, an ancient device discovered over a century ago, has long been considered the world's oldest known computer. New research has now revealed that this remarkable artifact was used to track the Greek lunar calendar, rather than the solar calendar used by the ancient Egyptians, contrary to previous beliefs. The Antikythera mechanism, created around 2,200 years ago, is a shoebox-sized device containing intricate bronze gears that were used to model the motions of the sun, moon and planets. Also Read | This species was also wiped out along with dinosaurs in meteor strike One key component, the "calendar ring", was used to track the days of the year, with each hole representing a single day. Recent analysis by researchers at the University of Glasgow has determined that the mechanism likely had 354 or 355 holes, corresponding to the 354-day lunar calendar used in ancient Greece, rather than the 365-day solar calendar. This finding contradicted the previous belief that the device followed the more accurate Egyptian solar calendar. Also Read | Asteroids thrashing Mars more than ever thought, leaving craters on Red Planet "Glasgow team's results provide fresh evidence that one of the components of the Antikythera mechanism was most likely used to track the Greek lunar year," the researchers stated. Study co-author Graham Woan, an astrophysics professor at the University of Glasgow, said, "The precision of the holes' positioning would have required highly accurate measurement techniques and an incredibly steady hand to punch them." Watch | Lancet study claims half of Indian adults are physically unfit × "It's a neat symmetry that we've adapted techniques we use to study the universe today to understand more about a mechanism that helped people keep track of the heavens nearly two millennia ago." 2020 study The new research builds on a 2020 study that also concluded the Antikythera mechanism tracked the lunar calendar. Andrew Thoeni, a co-author of that earlier paper, expressed satisfaction that "more scholars are now accepting and validating our findings." Diomidis Spinellis, a professor who has studied the Antikythera mechanism, praised the latest work, stating, "The Antikythera mechanism is a gift that keeps on giving... Despite its severe corrosion and many missing elements, the application of increasingly sophisticated technologies and innovative cross-disciplinary analysis continues to provide impressive insights into this remarkable artifact." (With inputs from agencies)

Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek 'computer' tracked lunar calendar

A talented student from India has been offered a&nbsp;package of more than USD 40,000 a year. But he is not likely to take it up. For those who don't know, the pay packet amounts to more than 3 million Indian rupees. The precocious talent does not want more money. Then why is he not accepting the offer? Read on

Vedant Devkate, a student from Indian city of Nagpur was offered this pay packet after he beat thousands of web developers across the world to win a coding competition. After his triumph, a US-based company, Infolinks, sent him an offer letter. Vedant&nbsp;wrote a 2066-line code to create a website. Videos can be uploaded and viewed on animeeditor.com, the website Vedant created. Users can also blog and chat. One can also create chat bots.

Vedant, who beat a thousand coders across the world is not even 15 years old.

Vedant's father is an electrical engineer while his mother is a Computer Science professor. Like every other teen, Vedant likes to use smartphones, laptops and other digital devices.

Worried that he was too engrossed in playing video games, his mother thought of teaching him coding. However, after initial training from his mother, it was his effort that sharpened his coding skills.

Vedant searched online for coding courses and completed 24 of them.&nbsp;

One day, when he was browsing Instagram, he stumbled upon the coding competition and decided to enter the fray. There were more than a thousand participants from across the world.&nbsp;

The family was stunned when Infolinks sent an offer letter via e-mail. They even thought that it was a fake offer. But when Vedant's teacher did some verification, it turned out that the offer was indeed genuine.

"We were elated when he got the offer. He was selected from among a thousand developers. This is big. We are proud of him," said Ashwini Devkate, Vedant's mother.

Vedant can not take up the job offer as he is still a minor, but the company, surely surprised by the teenager's precocious talent has now said that a job will be waiting for him whenever he completes his education.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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A talented student from India has been offered a package of more than USD 40,000 a year. But he is not likely to take it up. For those who don't know, the pay packet amounts to more than 3 million Indian rupees.

A talented student from India has been offered a package of more than USD 40,000 a year. But he is not likely to take it up. For those who don't know, the pay packet amounts to more than 3 million Indian rupees. The precocious talent does not want more money. Then why is he not accepting the offer? Read on Vedant Devkate, a student from Indian city of Nagpur was offered this pay packet after he beat thousands of web developers across the world to win a coding competition. After his triumph, a US-based company, Infolinks, sent him an offer letter. Vedant wrote a 2066-line code to create a website. Videos can be uploaded and viewed on animeeditor.com, the website Vedant created. Users can also blog and chat. One can also create chat bots. Vedant, who beat a thousand coders across the world is not even 15 years old. Vedant's father is an electrical engineer while his mother is a Computer Science professor. Like every other teen, Vedant likes to use smartphones, laptops and other digital devices. Worried that he was too engrossed in playing video games, his mother thought of teaching him coding. However, after initial training from his mother, it was his effort that sharpened his coding skills. Vedant searched online for coding courses and completed 24 of them. One day, when he was browsing Instagram, he stumbled upon the coding competition and decided to enter the fray. There were more than a thousand participants from across the world. The family was stunned when Infolinks sent an offer letter via e-mail. They even thought that it was a fake offer. But when Vedant's teacher did some verification, it turned out that the offer was indeed genuine. "We were elated when he got the offer. He was selected from among a thousand developers. This is big. We are proud of him," said Ashwini Devkate, Vedant's mother. Vedant can not take up the job offer as he is still a minor, but the company, surely surprised by the teenager's precocious talent has now said that a job will be waiting for him whenever he completes his education. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Teenager gets USD 40k job offer after winning competition, but he won't join

PC gamers are known to indulge in gaming for hours at an end. A nasty powercut may bring their winning streak to an abrupt, annoying end but if this technology becomes widely available, the gamers can just collect some algae and resume their game.

This may sound funny but engineers from University of Cambridge have actually done this. No, they didn't randomly collect algae and went "Splendid!" over tea as it generated electricity. Read on.

The engineers were able to successfully run a microprocessor for more than six months using a current generated by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Ultimately, these engineers want to provide power for more electric devices.

"The growing Internet of Things needs an increasing amount of power, and we think this will have to come from systems that can generate energy, rather than simply store it like batteries," says Christopher Howe, a biochemist.

Internet of Things is connecting a large number of appliances. But some of these are in such remote locations that costant power supply may be a problem. In such conditions, a solution like deriving energy from a living organism makes a lot of sense.

"Our photosynthetic device doesn't run down the way a battery does because it's continually using light as the energy source," says Howe.

The Bio-photovoltaic cell consists of aluminium wool. The biological part consists of blue-green algae.

An AA-battery-sized version of the cell was able to produce just over over four microwatts per square centimetre of power.

Decode the geostrategy, diplomacy, and ideologies of the world’s unending wars. Catch our special series ‘World at War’ every Saturday at 8:30 PM IST and Sunday at 10:30 PM IST only on WION.

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&nbsp;

PC gamers are known to indulge in gaming for hours at an end. A nasty powercut may bring their winning streak to an abrupt, annoying end but if this technology becomes widely available, the gamers can just collect some algae and resume their game.

PC gamers are known to indulge in gaming for hours at an end. A nasty powercut may bring their winning streak to an abrupt, annoying end but if this technology becomes widely available, the gamers can just collect some algae and resume their game. This may sound funny but engineers from University of Cambridge have actually done this. No, they didn't randomly collect algae and went "Splendid!" over tea as it generated electricity. Read on. The engineers were able to successfully run a microprocessor for more than six months using a current generated by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Ultimately, these engineers want to provide power for more electric devices. "The growing Internet of Things needs an increasing amount of power, and we think this will have to come from systems that can generate energy, rather than simply store it like batteries," says Christopher Howe, a biochemist. Internet of Things is connecting a large number of appliances. But some of these are in such remote locations that costant power supply may be a problem. In such conditions, a solution like deriving energy from a living organism makes a lot of sense. "Our photosynthetic device doesn't run down the way a battery does because it's continually using light as the energy source," says Howe. The Bio-photovoltaic cell consists of aluminium wool. The biological part consists of blue-green algae. An AA-battery-sized version of the cell was able to produce just over over four microwatts per square centimetre of power. Decode the geostrategy, diplomacy, and ideologies of the world’s unending wars. Catch our special series ‘World at War’ every Saturday at 8:30 PM IST and Sunday at 10:30 PM IST only on WION. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Engineers from Cambridge run computer on algae

Microsoft warned Saturday evening that it had detected a highly destructive form of malware in dozens of government and private computer networks in Ukraine that appeared to be waiting to be triggered by an unknown actor.

In a blog post, the company said that Thursday — around the same time that government agencies in Ukraine found their websites had been defaced — investigators who watch over Microsoft’s global networks detected the code. “These systems span multiple government, nonprofit and information technology organisations, all based in Ukraine,” Microsoft said.

The code appears to have been deployed around the time that Russian diplomats, after three days of meetings with the United States and NATO over the massing of Russian troops at the Ukrainian border, declared that the talks had essentially hit a dead end.

Ukrainian officials blamed the defacement of their government websites on a group in Belarus, though they said they suspected Russian involvement. But early attribution of attacks is frequently wrong, and it was unclear if the defacement was related to the far more destructive code that Microsoft said it had detected.

Microsoft said that it could not yet identify the group behind the intrusion, but that it did not appear to be an attacker that its investigators had seen before.

The code, as described by the company’s investigators, is meant to look like ransomware — it freezes up all computer functions and data, and demands a payment in return. But there is no infrastructure to accept money, leading investigators to conclude that the goal is to inflict maximum damage, not raise cash.

It is possible that the destructive software has not spread too widely and that Microsoft’s disclosure will make it harder for the attack to metastasize. But it is also possible that the attackers will now launch the malware and try to destroy as many computers and networks as possible.

Warnings like the one from Microsoft can help abort an attack before it happens, if computer users look to root out the malware before it is activated. But it can also be risky. Exposure changes the calculus for the perpetrator, who, once discovered, may have nothing to lose in launching the attack, to see what destruction it wreaks.

For President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Ukraine has often been a testing range for cyberweapons.

An attack on Ukraine’s Central Election Commission during a presidential election in 2014, in which Russia sought unsuccessfully to change the result, proved to be a model for the Russian intelligence agencies; the United States later found that they had infiltrated the servers of the Democratic National Committee in the United States. In 2015, the first of two major attacks on Ukraine’s electric grid shut off the lights for hours in different parts of the country, including in Kyiv, the capital.

And in 2017, businesses and government agencies in Ukraine were hit with destructive software called NotPetya, which exploited holes in a type of tax preparation software that was widely used in the country. The attack shut down swaths of the economy and hit FedEx and the shipping company Maersk as well; U.S. intelligence officials later traced it to Russian actors. That software, at least in its overall design, bears some resemblance to what Microsoft warned of Saturday.

The new attack would wipe hard drives clean and destroy files. Some defense experts have said such an attack could be a prelude to a ground invasion by Russia. Others think it could substitute for an invasion, if the attackers believed a cyberstrike would not prompt the kind of major sanctions that President Joe Biden has vowed to impose in response.

Microsoft warned Saturday evening that it had detected a highly destructive form of malware in dozens of government and private computer networks in Ukraine that appeared to be waiting to be triggered by an unknown actor.

Microsoft warned Saturday evening that it had detected a highly destructive form of malware in dozens of government and private computer networks in Ukraine that appeared to be waiting to be triggered by an unknown actor. In a blog post, the company said that Thursday — around the same time that government agencies in Ukraine found their websites had been defaced — investigators who watch over Microsoft’s global networks detected the code. “These systems span multiple government, nonprofit and information technology organisations, all based in Ukraine,” Microsoft said. The code appears to have been deployed around the time that Russian diplomats, after three days of meetings with the United States and NATO over the massing of Russian troops at the Ukrainian border, declared that the talks had essentially hit a dead end. Ukrainian officials blamed the defacement of their government websites on a group in Belarus, though they said they suspected Russian involvement. But early attribution of attacks is frequently wrong, and it was unclear if the defacement was related to the far more destructive code that Microsoft said it had detected. Microsoft said that it could not yet identify the group behind the intrusion, but that it did not appear to be an attacker that its investigators had seen before. The code, as described by the company’s investigators, is meant to look like ransomware — it freezes up all computer functions and data, and demands a payment in return. But there is no infrastructure to accept money, leading investigators to conclude that the goal is to inflict maximum damage, not raise cash. It is possible that the destructive software has not spread too widely and that Microsoft’s disclosure will make it harder for the attack to metastasize. But it is also possible that the attackers will now launch the malware and try to destroy as many computers and networks as possible. Warnings like the one from Microsoft can help abort an attack before it happens, if computer users look to root out the malware before it is activated. But it can also be risky. Exposure changes the calculus for the perpetrator, who, once discovered, may have nothing to lose in launching the attack, to see what destruction it wreaks. For President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Ukraine has often been a testing range for cyberweapons. An attack on Ukraine’s Central Election Commission during a presidential election in 2014, in which Russia sought unsuccessfully to change the result, proved to be a model for the Russian intelligence agencies; the United States later found that they had infiltrated the servers of the Democratic National Committee in the United States. In 2015, the first of two major attacks on Ukraine’s electric grid shut off the lights for hours in different parts of the country, including in Kyiv, the capital. And in 2017, businesses and government agencies in Ukraine were hit with destructive software called NotPetya, which exploited holes in a type of tax preparation software that was widely used in the country. The attack shut down swaths of the economy and hit FedEx and the shipping company Maersk as well; U.S. intelligence officials later traced it to Russian actors. That software, at least in its overall design, bears some resemblance to what Microsoft warned of Saturday. The new attack would wipe hard drives clean and destroy files. Some defense experts have said such an attack could be a prelude to a ground invasion by Russia. Others think it could substitute for an invasion, if the attackers believed a cyberstrike would not prompt the kind of major sanctions that President Joe Biden has vowed to impose in response.

Microsoft warns of destructive cyberattack on Ukrainian computer networks

A new issue with the Boeing's 737 Max has been discovered. After being grounded citing safety issues, Boeing has been running tests and reviews involving the Max.&nbsp;

CNN reported that during a recent review, an issue with the plane's flight computers was found. &nbsp; 
 
According to the source, the issue does not pertain to the software revisions made by Boeing after two fatal crashes that killed 346 people. Additionally, the issue is not capable of causing trouble during flight.

After a series of crashes and doubts, Max has remained grounded since March.

<h6><img alt="ggg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="311c5cc2-01a5-45bc-93aa-e9fa26487216" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_34.jpg" /> 
Image:&nbsp;In this file photo taken on March 27, 2019 employees work on Boeing 737 MAX airplanes at the Boeing Renton Factory in Renton, Washington | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Reportedly, the issue was discovered while booting up a computer on the Max, and specifically pertains to a function called ''software power-up monitoring''. This feature looks for inconsistencies while switching on a computer, almost akin to the steps taken by any conventional computer during start-up.

The source further added that the process of turning on happens when the plane is grounded, averting scope of any risks while flying. They also said that the test was designed to find such issues and to troubleshoot them.

Many analysts believe that a software issue with the safety system led to two crashes.&nbsp;

"We are making necessary updates and working with the FAA on submission of this change, and keeping our customers and suppliers informed," Boeing said in a statement. "Our highest priority is ensuring the 737 MAX is safe and meets all regulatory requirements before it returns to service."

<h6><img alt="Boeing" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf122078-25a6-41d6-90ac-80b081456ea5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%285%29_17.jpg" /> 
Image:&nbsp;In this file photo taken on March 12, 2019 a stands next to a Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane on the tarmac at the Boeing Renton Factory in Renton, Washington | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Will this impact the company's submission of the software changes to the Federal Aviation Administration? Nobody quite knows yet.

Boeing has lost billions of dollars due to the ongoing crisis. There were more cancellations than new business for the company. Due to the crashes, the order for 737 Max jets fell by 183 units.

On Friday, Fitch Ratings, an American credit rating agency and one of the "Big Three credit rating agencies" downgraded the company's long-term ratings to ''A-'' from ''A''.

&nbsp;

A new issue with the Boeing's 737 Max has been discovered. After being grounded citing safety issues, Boeing has been running tests and reviews involving the Max.

A new issue with the Boeing's 737 Max has been discovered. After being grounded citing safety issues, Boeing has been running tests and reviews involving the Max. CNN reported that during a recent review, an issue with the plane's flight computers was found. According to the source, the issue does not pertain to the software revisions made by Boeing after two fatal crashes that killed 346 people. Additionally, the issue is not capable of causing trouble during flight. After a series of crashes and doubts, Max has remained grounded since March. Image: In this file photo taken on March 27, 2019 employees work on Boeing 737 MAX airplanes at the Boeing Renton Factory in Renton, Washington | AFP Reportedly, the issue was discovered while booting up a computer on the Max, and specifically pertains to a function called ''software power-up monitoring''. This feature looks for inconsistencies while switching on a computer, almost akin to the steps taken by any conventional computer during start-up. The source further added that the process of turning on happens when the plane is grounded, averting scope of any risks while flying. They also said that the test was designed to find such issues and to troubleshoot them. Many analysts believe that a software issue with the safety system led to two crashes. "We are making necessary updates and working with the FAA on submission of this change, and keeping our customers and suppliers informed," Boeing said in a statement. "Our highest priority is ensuring the 737 MAX is safe and meets all regulatory requirements before it returns to service." Image: In this file photo taken on March 12, 2019 a stands next to a Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane on the tarmac at the Boeing Renton Factory in Renton, Washington | AFP Will this impact the company's submission of the software changes to the Federal Aviation Administration? Nobody quite knows yet. Boeing has lost billions of dollars due to the ongoing crisis. There were more cancellations than new business for the company. Due to the crashes, the order for 737 Max jets fell by 183 units. On Friday, Fitch Ratings, an American credit rating agency and one of the "Big Three credit rating agencies" downgraded the company's long-term ratings to ''A-'' from ''A''.

New issue with Boeing 737 Max's computer software discovered: Sources

Google Ceo Sundar Pichai said on October 23that Google have achieved a breakthrough in computer research, by solving a complex problem in minutes with a so-called quantum computer that would take today's most powerful supercomputer thousands of years to crack.

Google claims quantum supremacy

A PIL was filed on Monday in the Supreme Court challenging the government's notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system.

The petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma seeks to quash the government's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-empowers-security-intelligence-agencies-for-mass-surveillance-185626">December 20 notification.</a>

According to the government's notification, 10 Central probe and snoop agencies are now empowered under the Information Technology (IT) Act for computer interception and analysis, Ministry of Home Affairs officials said.

The 10 agencies notified under the new order are the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (for Income Tax Department), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and the Delhi Police commissioner.&nbsp;

A PIL was filed on Monday in the Supreme Court challenging the government's notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system.

A PIL was filed on Monday in the Supreme Court challenging the government's notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any computer system. The petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma seeks to quash the government's December 20 notification. According to the government's notification, 10 Central probe and snoop agencies are now empowered under the Information Technology (IT) Act for computer interception and analysis, Ministry of Home Affairs officials said. The 10 agencies notified under the new order are the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (for Income Tax Department), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and the Delhi Police commissioner.

PIL filed in SC against order authorising 10 govt agencies to monitor any computer

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday responded to Congress leader Anand Sharma's remark over Home Affairs Ministry's move to allow ten agencies to monitor any computer.

Jaitley stated that the same order of authorisation was repeated that was existing since 2009.&nbsp;

"You are making a mountain where a molehill does not exist," Jaitley stated.&nbsp;

Jaitley added that the order came into existence after Congress party-led Opposition joined hands on to oppose the government's move to authorise 10 Central agencies to intercept "any information" on computers.

Jaitley was responding to former Union minister Anand Sharma's remark which noted that the BJP government is converting India into a surveillance state through its recent order.

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FM Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha responds to Congress leader Anand Sharma over MHA order allowing ten agencies to monitor any computer: On 20 December, same order of authorisation was repeated that was existing since 2009. You are making a mountain where a molehill does not exist <a href="https://t.co/sTcY3bqGOE">pic.twitter.com/sTcY3bqGOE</a>
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"It is the ultimate assault on fundamental rights and the right to privacy. It is also in direct conflict with the Supreme Court judgement that the right to privacy is a fundamental right. The government has done it by strength we collectively oppose it," Sharma told reporters.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-empowers-security-intelligence-agencies-for-mass-surveillance-185626">Centre on Friday authorised select security and intelligence agencies</a> for purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource.

The agencies empowered by the government in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, include the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Narcotics Control Bureau (NIB), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Cabinet Secretariat (RAW) and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) read with rule 4 of the Information Technology ( Procedure and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009, the Competent Authority hereby authorises Security and Intelligence Agencies for the purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under the said Act," read the notice issued by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba.

The direction from the Ministry of Home Affairs comes as a follow up to a 2009 notification, wherein the then UPA government had stated that no person shall carry out the interception, monitoring, or decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under sub-section (2) of section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, except by an order issued by the competent authority.

"Such order may be issued by an officer, not below the rank of the Joint Secretary to the Government of India, who has been duly authorised by the competent authority," the 2009 notice read.

(With inputs from PTI)

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday responded to Congress leader Anand Sharma's remark over Home Affairs Ministry's move to allow ten agencies to monitor any computer.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday responded to Congress leader Anand Sharma's remark over Home Affairs Ministry's move to allow ten agencies to monitor any computer. Jaitley stated that the same order of authorisation was repeated that was existing since 2009. "You are making a mountain where a molehill does not exist," Jaitley stated. Jaitley added that the order came into existence after Congress party-led Opposition joined hands on to oppose the government's move to authorise 10 Central agencies to intercept "any information" on computers. Jaitley was responding to former Union minister Anand Sharma's remark which noted that the BJP government is converting India into a surveillance state through its recent order. FM Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha responds to Congress leader Anand Sharma over MHA order allowing ten agencies to monitor any computer: On 20 December, same order of authorisation was repeated that was existing since 2009. You are making a mountain where a molehill does not exist pic.twitter.com/sTcY3bqGOE — ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2018 × "It is the ultimate assault on fundamental rights and the right to privacy. It is also in direct conflict with the Supreme Court judgement that the right to privacy is a fundamental right. The government has done it by strength we collectively oppose it," Sharma told reporters. The Centre on Friday authorised select security and intelligence agencies for purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource. The agencies empowered by the government in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, include the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Narcotics Control Bureau (NIB), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Cabinet Secretariat (RAW) and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, news agency PTI reported. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) read with rule 4 of the Information Technology ( Procedure and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009, the Competent Authority hereby authorises Security and Intelligence Agencies for the purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under the said Act," read the notice issued by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba. The direction from the Ministry of Home Affairs comes as a follow up to a 2009 notification, wherein the then UPA government had stated that no person shall carry out the interception, monitoring, or decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under sub-section (2) of section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, except by an order issued by the competent authority. "Such order may be issued by an officer, not below the rank of the Joint Secretary to the Government of India, who has been duly authorised by the competent authority," the 2009 notice read. (With inputs from PTI)

Order to monitor computers exists since 2009: Arun Jaitley

European air travellers faced mass disruption on Tuesday with around half of all flights at risk of delays following a technical problem at Eurocontrol, the agency in charge of the continent`s skies.

Several of the EU`s biggest airports, including Amsterdam`s Schiphol, warned of problems and advised passengers to check on their flights because of the computer breakdown.

"Today 29,500 flights were expected in the European network. Approximately half of those could have some delay as a result of the system outage," said a statement from Eurocontrol.

The Brussels-based agency, which coordinates European air traffic control operators, said the cause "has been identified and action is underway to return to normal operations" but that that would not happen until "late this evening".

The breakdown comes a day after the Easter holidays when many travellers are on the move around Europe, and as commuters across France faced disruption from a massive rail strike in protest at President Emmanuel Macron`s reforms.

"We have never had anything like this before," a Eurocontrol spokesman told AFP.

Brussels airport said departures were limited to 10 flights an hour. The Belgian airport manages 650 flights a day, according to its website.

Several airports across the continent warned of problems, with Schiphol saying that the "system failure" at Eurocontrol could have "possible consequences" for departures.

Helsinki, Prague and Copenhagen airports also said traffic was facing delays.

Eurocontrol said that there had been a "failure of the Enhanced Tactical Flow Management System", which tracks and manages traffic demand across the continent.

"Contingency procedures are being put in place which will have the effect of reducing the capacity of the European network by approximately 10 percent," the agency said in an initial statement.

It added that flight plans filed before 1026 GMT were "lost" and asked airlines to refile them.

It added that air traffic control had not been directly affected and "there are no safety implications arising from this incident".

Several of the EU`s biggest airports, including Amsterdam`s Schiphol, warned of problems and advised passengers to check on their flights because of the computer breakdown

European air travellers faced mass disruption on Tuesday with around half of all flights at risk of delays following a technical problem at Eurocontrol, the agency in charge of the continent`s skies. Several of the EU`s biggest airports, including Amsterdam`s Schiphol, warned of problems and advised passengers to check on their flights because of the computer breakdown. "Today 29,500 flights were expected in the European network. Approximately half of those could have some delay as a result of the system outage," said a statement from Eurocontrol. The Brussels-based agency, which coordinates European air traffic control operators, said the cause "has been identified and action is underway to return to normal operations" but that that would not happen until "late this evening". The breakdown comes a day after the Easter holidays when many travellers are on the move around Europe, and as commuters across France faced disruption from a massive rail strike in protest at President Emmanuel Macron`s reforms. "We have never had anything like this before," a Eurocontrol spokesman told AFP. Brussels airport said departures were limited to 10 flights an hour. The Belgian airport manages 650 flights a day, according to its website. Several airports across the continent warned of problems, with Schiphol saying that the "system failure" at Eurocontrol could have "possible consequences" for departures. Helsinki, Prague and Copenhagen airports also said traffic was facing delays. Eurocontrol said that there had been a "failure of the Enhanced Tactical Flow Management System", which tracks and manages traffic demand across the continent. "Contingency procedures are being put in place which will have the effect of reducing the capacity of the European network by approximately 10 percent," the agency said in an initial statement. It added that flight plans filed before 1026 GMT were "lost" and asked airlines to refile them. It added that air traffic control had not been directly affected and "there are no safety implications arising from this incident".

Half of European flights face delays after computer failure

Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners underpriced their 2013 $24.9 billion buyout of Dell Inc [DI.UL] by about 22 per cent, and may have to pay tens of millions to investors who opposed the deal for the computer maker, a Delaware judge ruled on Tuesday. 
 
The ruling, which applies to about 5.5 million Dell shares, is a victory for the specialized hedge funds that have increasingly tried to squeeze more money from mergers using a type of lawsuit known as appraisal. 
 
The lawsuits allow investors who oppose a deal, such as the bitterly contested Dell buyout, to sue and ask a Delaware judge to determine a fair deal price. 
 
Activist investor Carl Icahn urged Dell shareholders to vote down the deal and take their case for fair value to court. Initially around 40 million shares sought appraisal, although the bulk were removed for procedural reasons.&nbsp; 
 
In Tuesday`s ruling, Vice Chancellor Travis Laster said fair value was $17.62 per share, not the $13.75 per share deal price. 
With interest, investors who sought appraisal will collect about $20.84 per share. 
 
The Dell investors presented evidence that fair value was $28.61 per share, which would have cost Michael Dell and Silver Lake hundreds of millions of dollars. The buyers` contended fair value was $12.68. 
 
Dell and a lawyer for the stockholders, Stuart Grant, declined to comment. Tuesday`s ruling can be appealed.&nbsp; 
Laster said the Dell buyout took advantage of a dip in the company`s stock price and its board never determined the intrinsic value before negotiating. 
 
&quot;The original merger consideration was dictated by what a financial sponsor could pay and still generate outsized returns,&quot; wrote Laster. 
The judge dedicated much of the opinion to explaining why deal price was not a fair value indicator, particularly in a management-led buyout. Delaware judges had used deal price in appraisals involving the closely watched buyouts of Ancestry.com in 2012 and BMC Software Inc in 2013. 
 
The added cost to the buyers from Tuesday`s ruling is about $36 million. 
 
About 3.9 million appraised shares were held by affiliates of Magnetar Capital.&nbsp; 
 
A small number of hedge funds have built a strategy of swooping in just before a deal closes, when there is less risk a deal would collapse, and buying stock for the sole purpose of seeking appraisal. 
 
Investors who seek appraisal do not get paid at the deal`s closing, but they collect interest of 5 percentage points above the federal discount rate while the case is pending. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has complained that encourages hedge funds to bring cases because they can earn a return even when a deal price is found to be fair. 
 
One of the biggest losers from the Dell case may be T Rowe Price, one of the few mutual fund managers to test the appraisal strategy. 
Dell was able to knock out T Rowe Price`s stock, which was the bulk of the shares in the case, because the fund manager mistakenly voted in favour of the buyout. 
 
T Rowe Price stood to collect around $190 million if its Dell stock had been appraised. Laster also ruled on Tuesday the fund manager was not entitled to interest on its shares. 
 
&quot;T Rowe Price runs mutual funds and allocates capital, but they may regret trying to do this themselves,&quot; said Minor Myers, a professor at Brooklyn Law School in New York. &quot;This is just one of the pitfalls with appraisal, and it`s not for novices&quot;.

Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners hugely underpriced their 2013 $24.9 billion buyout of Dell Inc, and may have to pay tens of millions to investors

Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners underpriced their 2013 $24.9 billion buyout of Dell Inc [DI.UL] by about 22 per cent, and may have to pay tens of millions to investors who opposed the deal for the computer maker, a Delaware judge ruled on Tuesday. The ruling, which applies to about 5.5 million Dell shares, is a victory for the specialized hedge funds that have increasingly tried to squeeze more money from mergers using a type of lawsuit known as appraisal. The lawsuits allow investors who oppose a deal, such as the bitterly contested Dell buyout, to sue and ask a Delaware judge to determine a fair deal price. Activist investor Carl Icahn urged Dell shareholders to vote down the deal and take their case for fair value to court. Initially around 40 million shares sought appraisal, although the bulk were removed for procedural reasons. In Tuesday`s ruling, Vice Chancellor Travis Laster said fair value was $17.62 per share, not the $13.75 per share deal price. With interest, investors who sought appraisal will collect about $20.84 per share. The Dell investors presented evidence that fair value was $28.61 per share, which would have cost Michael Dell and Silver Lake hundreds of millions of dollars. The buyers` contended fair value was $12.68. Dell and a lawyer for the stockholders, Stuart Grant, declined to comment. Tuesday`s ruling can be appealed. Laster said the Dell buyout took advantage of a dip in the company`s stock price and its board never determined the intrinsic value before negotiating. "The original merger consideration was dictated by what a financial sponsor could pay and still generate outsized returns," wrote Laster. The judge dedicated much of the opinion to explaining why deal price was not a fair value indicator, particularly in a management-led buyout. Delaware judges had used deal price in appraisals involving the closely watched buyouts of Ancestry.com in 2012 and BMC Software Inc in 2013. The added cost to the buyers from Tuesday`s ruling is about $36 million. About 3.9 million appraised shares were held by affiliates of Magnetar Capital. A small number of hedge funds have built a strategy of swooping in just before a deal closes, when there is less risk a deal would collapse, and buying stock for the sole purpose of seeking appraisal. Investors who seek appraisal do not get paid at the deal`s closing, but they collect interest of 5 percentage points above the federal discount rate while the case is pending. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has complained that encourages hedge funds to bring cases because they can earn a return even when a deal price is found to be fair. One of the biggest losers from the Dell case may be T Rowe Price, one of the few mutual fund managers to test the appraisal strategy. Dell was able to knock out T Rowe Price`s stock, which was the bulk of the shares in the case, because the fund manager mistakenly voted in favour of the buyout. T Rowe Price stood to collect around $190 million if its Dell stock had been appraised. Laster also ruled on Tuesday the fund manager was not entitled to interest on its shares. "T Rowe Price runs mutual funds and allocates capital, but they may regret trying to do this themselves," said Minor Myers, a professor at Brooklyn Law School in New York. "This is just one of the pitfalls with appraisal, and it`s not for novices".

US court rules $24.9 billion Dell buyout underpriced by 22 per cent

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