Airbus completes world's first test flight with Gas to Liquid fuel on civil aircraft

An Airbus A380 aircraft has successfully completed the world’s first ever flight by a commercial aircraft using a liquid fuel processed from gas (Gas to Liquids - GTL) in the first stage of a test flight programme to evaluate the environmental impact of alternative fuels in the airline market. The flight from Filton, UK to Toulouse, France, lasted three hours. The flight was piloted by Hugues van-der-Stichel and Frank Chapman, the company said in the release recently

The A380 is siad to be one of the most fuel efficient airline model today, it is powered by Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines. The fuel GTL Jet Fuel was provided by Shell International Petroleum. The tests are running in parallel to the agreement signed in November 2007 with the Qatar GTL consortium partners and the results will be shared.

The A380 was chosen because the aircraft is already the environmental benchmark in air travel. It has four engines including segregated fuel tanks making it ideal for engine shut down and re-light tests under standard evaluation conditions. During the flight, engine number one was fed with a blend of GTL and jet fuel whilst the remaining three were fed with standard jet fuel.

Under Airbus’ overall alternatives fuels research programme, this is the first step of a long-term Airbus testing phase to evaluate viable and sustainable alternative fuels for the future. GTL could be available at certain locations to make it a practical and viable drop-in alternative fuel for commercial aviation in the short term. GTL has attractive characteristics for local air quality, as well as some benefits in terms of aircraft fuel burn relative to existing jet fuel. For instance, it is virtually free of sulphur. Synthetic fuel can be made from a range of hydrocarbon source material including natural gas or organic plant matter made by a process called Fischer-Tropsch.

Testing GTL today will support future second generation bio-fuels, but which are not presently available in sufficient commercial quantities. Airbus will study viable second generation bio-fuels when they become available.

Sjoerd Post, Vice President Shell Aviation said “we are pleased to have successfully completed this flight, which will pave the way for approval of synthetic jet fuel in the future, we are proud to be part of this consortium which is exploring cleaner fuels for the Aviation industry.”

“This has been a great achievement. Fuel and environment are key challenges aviation is facing and for which technology and international research collaboration open up new horizons. Our alternative fuels roadmap requires innovation, diversity of ideas and options that need to be explored, said Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders. “This takes bold cross industry and cross border collaboration and that's what we are showing today with our groundbreaking first test flight with alternative fuels. It is part and parcel of Airbus' commitment to providing leadership as an eco-efficient enterprise”, the release conculded.

ArcelorMittal to construct steel plant in Egypt

Luxembourg: ArcelorMittal announced that it has been awarded a license from the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Egypt’s Ministry of Trade and Industry to construct a steel plant in Egypt.

ArcelorMittal won the license in a competitive bidding process paid approximately USD 60 million. Under the terms of the license, the plant will produce 1.6 million tons of steel using DRI technology and 1.4 million tons of billets through the Electric Arc Furnace Route.

Construction of the plant, which is located close to the Northern Red Sea Coast, is expected to start in 2009.

Aditya Mittal, CFO and Member of the ArcelorMittal Group Management Board, said: “We are pleased to have been successful in this auction. This forms part of our three-dimensional growth strategy to look for opportunities to expand our business in the three key areas of geography, product and value chain. The Middle East is a growth market for the steel industry and it makes sense for ArcelorMittal to expand its presence in the region."

India's first public-private aerospace research consortium formed

Boeing, IISc, Wipro and HCL enters into an agreement


Boeing has entered into an agreement with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and two leading Indian information technology companies to develop wireless and other network technologies for aerospace-related applications.

The agreement, signed by representatives from Boeing, IISc's Society for Innovation and Development, Wipro Technologies and HCL Technologies, forms the Aerospace Network Research Consortium (ANRC).

Led by Boeing, the ANRC is India's first public-private aerospace research consortium.

"We have a great need for advanced affordable aerospace network R&D," said Naveed Hussain, Engineering and Technology vice president for Boeing in India. "It is part of Boeing's strategy to leverage top research capabilities anywhere in the world and we look forward to working with our Indian partners to benefit from their tremendous capabilities and talents in this area."

"We are pleased to be part of this consortium," said Professor Veni Madhavan, chief executive of IISc's Society for Innovation and Development. "This collaborative approach will help permit research at IISc to be utilized for appropriate and interesting applications in the aerospace industry."

Initially established as a four-year collaborative effort, the agreement can be extended based on mutual interests. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Researchers from Boeing Phantom Works, the company's advanced R&D unit, and Commercial Airplanes will represent Boeing.

ICRISAT signs MOU with Crop and Food Research of New Zealand

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Crops (ICRISAT) and Crop and Food Research, a Crown Research Institute of New Zealand, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently, in Lincoln, New Zealand, which would mutually benefit India and New Zealand in crop science research.

The MOU, which was signed earlier by ICRISAT Director General William Dar and was carried to New Zealand by the joint ICRISAT-Government of Andhra Pradesh delegation, was countersigned by Crop and Food Research CEO Mark Ward.

According to Dr William Dar, the collaboration will strengthen the partnership between ICRISAT and New Zealand's national research institutes and will leverage mutual strengths in agriculture and food science research.

Both organizations will work together to develop the proposed Bio Food Knowledge Center (BFKC) at the Agri-Science Park within ICRISAT. Early discussions have identified many opportunities to leverage New Zealand's world-class agri science for the benefit of progressing ICRISAT's mission and goals and significantly accelerate the commissioning of the BFKC.

The signing of the MOU is one of the key outcomes from a joint ICRISAT and Government of Andhra Pradesh delegation currently visiting New Zealand. The delegation also met with two prominent Cabinet Ministers, Honorable Pete Hodgson, Minister of Research, Science and Technology, Economic Development and Tertiary Education; and Hon Jim Anderton, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Biosecurity.

ICRISAT will continue to explore collaboration with other Crown Research Institutes in New Zealand, namely AgResearch and HortResearch.

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ArcelorMittal signs MoU with Mauritania

ArcelorMittal announces that it has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (Mou) with Societe Nationale Industrielle et Miniere (SNIM), Mauritania, on the December 26, 2007, the company siad in the release.

Under the MoU, ArcelorMittal and SNIM will jointly develop a large iron ore mining project, using the El Agareb Iron ore resource in Mauritania, which is estimated to contain more than 1 billion tonnes rich grade of Magnetite resource.

In the first phase of project development, ArcelorMittal will conduct exploratory works and a feasibility study. Onward project execution will be progressed by a Joint Venture Company to be created between SNIM and ArcelorMittal.

At the exploratory and prospecting stage, ArcelorMittal's share will be 30 per cent with an option to increase the stake to 70 per cent once project execution starts. Subject to the feasibility study, ArcelorMittal intends to develop a 25 Million tonnes per year mine.

Aditya Mittal, CFO and member of ArcelorMittal’s Group Management Board, said:
“Mauritania’s strategic location in West Africa makes it an ideal choice for iron ore supplies to
ArcelorMittal’s European steel mills. This large iron ore project would further strengthen our existing presence in the region and will create substantial employment opportunities for the people of Mauritania while accelerating growth in Mauritanian economy.”

SNIM is one of the oldest Iron ore producing companies in Africa, producing more than 12 million
tonnes per year of iron ore with world class production facilities and infrastructure. ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel company, is one of the oldest consumers of SNIM’s iron ore, having been a customer for more than two decades.

Sri Lankan Minister For Nation Building killed In Terror Attack

Colombo, Sri Lanka (AHN) - After the death of military intelligence, 'Colonel' Charles, three days back, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) strike back. They killed Sri Lankan Minister D M Dassanayake in a powerful landmine attack near Colombo on January 8.

The minister’s convey was ripped apart by the attack killing him and injuring 11 others. The attack happened as the vehicles crossed the Rukmani Devi junction along the Colombo-Negombo road.

The minister was, with two other were admitted to hospital's intensive care unit, but later succumbed to their injuries, reports rediff.com

Nine others were also injured in the explosion and were receiving treatment.

Violence has increased after the Sri Lankan government pull out of the cease fire agreement with the LTTE vowing to 'demonstrate' its 'military strength'.

Steve Buchnor Sacked To Keep Sprit Of The Game Alive, Not On BCCI Complain

West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor was sacked from the remaining India-Australia Test series and cleared Harbhajan Singh to play. The ousted of Steve has nothing to do with BCCI complain, but to keep sprit of the game alive, ICC Chief said.

Bucknor will be replaced by Billy Bowden, New Zealander. He will stand alongside Pakistan's Asad Rauf, who had been originally appointed for this game.

International Cricket Council (ICC) has also cleared Harbhajan from the three test ban for allegedly making racial comments on Andrew Symonds.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said, “It is accepted that Steve, and his on-field colleague Mark Benson, did not have good games by their very high standards and we feel that given the added pressure and attention Steve's presence would have at the third Test, it is better for the match and for Steve himself if he does not take part," and added the fourth and final Test at Adelaide, which starts on January 24, will be umpired by Bowden and Rauf, as per the original appointments, the rediff.com reported.

However, Mike Procter will continue as match referee as planned, who has banned Harbhajan Singh without any proof, in the five hour hearing.

Removing of Steve Bucknor for the remaining match has noting to do with BCCI complain against Bucknor. The decision was made in the best interests of the game and the series, Speed said.

Steve Bucknor sacked

Jamican umpire, Steve Bucknor has been sacked for the third test between India and Australia, which is scheduled to be held in Perth.

However, India bowler Harbhajan Singh, who was banned by match refree Mick Poctor can play the third test.

Indian Board members have stick to thier demands that ban on Harbhajan must be suspended, but no decision has been taken so far bi International Cricket Council (ICC).

People Of India Wants Team India To Come Back

After the unfair decision of Match Referee Mike Proctor to ban Harbhajan Singh for three test matches and the blunder in umpiring of Steve Bucknor, people in India wants their team to abandon the Test series in Australia. Many Indian politicians have also voiced their concerned about the behavior of Australian team members.

All eyes are set to the meeting of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) meeting in New Delhi on January 8. The BCCI is waiting for ICC to suspend the ban on Harbajan.
However, Indian Team has still not left Sydney for Canberra, waiting for BCCI orders. India was play a two day practice match in Canberra before the third test in Perth.

BCCI President Sharad Pawar on evening of January 7 said, "(The team) should not leave Sydney, and they should not go to Canberra. They should stay there. So we expect something from the ICC. We have also called a meeting of BCCI", reported Times Now.

ArcelorMittal acquires Austrian steel distribution company

To enhance it’s presence in Central Europe, ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel company, announces that it has acquired 100 per cent stakes of the Eisen Wagner GmbH, the Austrian steel distribution company.

Gonzalo Urquijo, member of ArcelorMittal's group management board and in charge of its Steel Solutions and Services division, commented: "This acquisition enables us to set foot in the very competitive and dynamic Austrian steel distribution market". "Once Eisen Wagner will be integrated into our Central European distribution network, it will allow ArcelorMittal to both strengthen its presence within this market and better serve its customers in Austria".

Eisen Wagner, one of the leading steel distribution companies in Austria It sold 140,000 tons and out of this 60,000 tons of steel products were processed in 2007. Its last yearly turnover from the year ending 28 February 2007, was 127 million euros, for a staff of 262.

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ICL Announces Calendar for the year 2008

December 17th, 2007:
Subhash Chandra, Chairman Essel Group along with Mr. Kapil Dev , Chairman Executive Board ICL today announced the cricket calendar for Indian Cricket League (ICL) for the year 2008. ICL will be having 5 tournaments next year.

All set to revolutionise the game of cricket, Indian Cricket League conducted the first ICL 20-20 Championship at the newly built cricket stadium at Panchkula , Chandigarh between November 30th and December 16th. The tournament witnessed world class facilities matching international standards followed in cricket tournaments world over. The high standard production facilities included 30 camera set up, higher technical specifications such as the inclusion of Fly cam, Hawk Eye, Zoomer, Snickometer, Speedgun and Third umpire.

Calendar Year 2008
S.No
Month
Tournament
Particulars
1
February 08
Domestic Championship
50 Over tournament
Indian players to play
2
February – March 08
Triangular Series to field ICL XI.

20 20 Over Tournament
3
March – April 08
ICL Grand Championship
20 20 Over Tournament
8 Teams to participate in the tournament.
Increase of 2 Teams.
4
April – May 08
ICL to Open Academies in prominent cities.

5
September – October 08
ICL Invitation Cup
20 20 Over Tournament
8 Teams to participate in the tournament
6
November – December 08
ICL 20 20 Indian Championships 2nd Edition.
20 20 Over Tournament
8 Teams to participate in the tournament.

Praj Industries joins ICRISAT for sweet sorghum ethanol consortium

Praj Industries joined hands with ICRISAT by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to become a member of the institute's Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Research Consortium (SSERC) on December 10, 2007.

Dr William Dar, Director General of ICRISAT and Shashank Inamdar, CEO & Managing Director of Praj Industries, signed the MOA at Hyderabad.According to Dr William Dar, this partnership will go a long way in enhancing the commercialization of sweet sorghum for bioethanol production globally.

Production of ethanol from sweet sorghum as a biofuel can provide additional income to dryland farmers and does not compromise their food security. Through the ICRISAT Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Research Consortium (SSERC), the institute promotes the technology for producing the biofuel through public-private partnership.

The overall goal of this consortium is to strengthen sweet sorghum research at ICRISAT and at its partners' locations to improve the livelihood options of the smallholder farmers in the semi-arid tropics.Praj Industries based in Pune, Maharashtra, India, is a leading biofuels technology company with a number of ethanol and biodiesel production plants to its credit.

Praj, with its global operations, aims to provide end-to-end solutions backed by several years of research and development resources to support the biofuels industry.

Through the MOA, Praj Industries could avail the sweet sorghum research outputs of ICRISAT to further refine their bioethanol engineering activities. This includes the testing of sweet sorghum varieties and hybrids along with technical know-how on sweet sorghum cultivation aspects.

Through this partnership, ICRISAT and Praj can work together to tap into the huge global opportunity to benefit millions of farmers by offering new market opportunities through the sweet sorghum for ethanol technology.

Global Crop Diversity Trust to fund ICRISAT's Genebank

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has entered into an agreement with the Global Crop Diversity Trust (GCDT), to ensure the long-term availability of funds for the conservation, characterisation and distribution of germplasm (seeds) in the ICRISAT's Genebank for the benefit of agriculture and food security for mankind.

Dr William Dar, director general of ICRISAT and Prof Cary Fowler, executive director of the GCDT, signed the agreement, recently during the Annual General Meeting of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) at Beijing, China.

Under the agreement, the Trust will commit $ 8 million and ICRISAT $ 2 million, totaling an endowment of $ 10 million. The proceeds from the endowment will be used for genetic resources conservation and management activities at ICRISAT.

As per the agreement, the endowment's support for the sorghum germplasm collection will begin in 2007, pearl millet from 2008 and chickpea in 2009, to be followed by other ICRISAT mandate crops. The aim is to raise at least US$ 450,000 per year as return from the endowment to meet critical operational needs such as regeneration, characterization, conservation and viability testing for the crop collections held in trust at ICRISAT.

According to Dr William Dar, the long-term partnership with the GCDT, an international fund established to ensure conservation and availability of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, will ensure that there is steady financial support to ICRISAT's Genebank.

ICRISAT holds more than 118,000 accessions of germplasm for pearl millet, sorghum, chickpea, groundnut, pigeonpea and six small millets in its Genebank, Dr Dar added. "This global treasure holds the genetic material to overcome some of the future breeding bottlenecks and can help breeders develop varieties that can overcome drought, pest and disease infestations."

According to Dr CLL Gowda, ICRISAT's Global Theme Leader for Crop Improvement, the genetic resources at ICRISAT are to be preserved for eternity. This is a big responsibility that the Center is shouldering, to ensure that the genetic resources are conserved safely and will be available for the future generations.

Through the agreement ICRISAT and GCDT will conserve and make available the ICRISAT-held collections through:

* Long-term storage, management and curation of germplasm;

* Safe duplication of the collection;

* Characterization and evaluation of germplasm;

* Documentation of the germplasm and provision of data in publicly-available documentation systems;

* Distribution of the germplasm in accordance with the International Treaty;

* Providing training and capacity building;

* Partnering with other genebanks and networks; and

* Providing conservation services to others.With the committed continuous support from GCDT, ICRISAT's germplasm collection holds the future for dryland agriculture in the developing countries.

Tata Chemicals joins ICRISAT's sweet sorghum ethanol consortium

Tata Chemicals (TCL), a leading company in the Tata group of industries joined hands with ICRISAT by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for entering the Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Research Consortium (SSERC) on 17 November 2007.

Dr William Dar, Director General of ICRISAT and Homi R Khusrokhan, Managing Director of TCL, signed the MOA at Hyderabad.

According to Dr William, this partnership will go a long way in enhancing the commercialization of sweet sorghum for bioethanol production.

Production of ethanol from sweet sorghum as a biofuel can provide additional income to dryland farmers and does not compromise their food security.Through the ICRISAT Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Research Consortium (SSERC) the Institute promotes the technology for producing the biofuel through public-private partnership.

Tata Chemical is today a leading manufacturer of inorganic chemicals, fertilizers and food additives. The company has an annual turnover of about $ 1.5 billion and is part of the $ 28.8 billion Tata Group, India's foremost business conglomerate.

Recently TCL has entered biofuels production and is setting up a plant in Nanded, Maharashtra, for manufacture of bioethanol from sweet sorghum. Through the MOA, TCL can now avail the sweet sorghum research outputs of ICRISAT.

This includes supply of seeds of sweet sorghum varieties and hybrids along with technical know-how on sweet sorghum cultivation aspects.

Khusrokhan said that he was very happy that TCL had joined the consortium and was very impressed by the wonderful developmental work done by ICRISAT all around the world.It is envisaged that there is a huge global opportunity for all partners to work together to benefit millions of farmers by offering new market opportunities through this new venture.

Continental Airlines to offer free helicopter service

Offer valid for BusinessFirst travellers

Continental Airlines is offering customers travelling across the Atlantic on qualifying BusinessFirst tickets complimentary fares for the eight-minute scheduled helicopter transfers between its New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport, and two locations in Manhattan.

"Continental already offers the most convenient way to get to Manhattan, with its exclusive customs and immigration facilities and AirTrain service to Penn Station in Midtown," said Jim Summerford, the airline's Vice President Europe, Middle East & India."

He also thanked to thier partner, US Helicopter for getting to Manhattan even quicker – and at no extra fare to our highest-yield customers.

The offer applies to BusinessFirst customers travelling to New York on fares booked in the airline's J and D class of service and originating from any of the 29 cities in 16 countries in Continental's trans-Atlantic route network.

Customers travelling on return tickets qualify for complimentary fares for helicopter transfers in both directions between New York Liberty and Manhattan; those on one-way tickets qualify for a one-way transfer. While the fare is waived, customers are liable for applicable taxes. The offer is subject to availability and to changes or cancellation at any time. US Helicopter has a different baggage allowance policy than Continental.

US Helicopter operates scheduled flights Monday-Friday, every business day.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline, with more than 3,100 daily departures serving 144 U.S. and 138 international destinations. Across the Atlantic, Continental operates over 300 departures weekly from 29 cities in 16 countries to its U.S. gateway hubs at New York, Houston and Cleveland, with onward connections to more than 230 cities throughout North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

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