California bans animal fur products
San Francisco: California has become the first US state to ban the manufacture and sale of animal fur.
Residents will no longer be able to sell or make clothing, shoes or handbags from fur as of 2023, reports the BBC. Governor Gavin Newsom also signed a bill banning most animals from circus shows, except cats, dogs and horses. It does not apply to rodeos.
“California is a leader when it comes to animal welfare and today that leadership includes banning the sale of fur,” Newsom said in a statement on Saturday.
The ban does not apply to leather, cow hides and the full skin of deer, sheep and goats, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. It also does not apply to stuffed animals.
Violators of the ban could face a fine of $500 or in repeat cases, $1,000.
Last May, Italian fashion house Prada announced that it would stop using fur, starting with its spring-summer 2020 line. In February, the UK’s Selfridges announced it would be banning the sale of exotic animal skins from February 2020. (IANS)
Solar panels stolen from school
Islamabad: Solar panels were stolen from a school located in an Afghan refugee camp in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an official said, adding that it was the second theft incident within a week. Shafiq Khan, the head teacher of the school established in Padhana Afghan refugee camp, told the police that the thieves last week decamped with three batteries and a converter used for supplying solar power, Dawn news reported on Sunday.
The police had hardly completed inquiry or recovered the stolen valuables the thieves removed five solar power plates from the same school on Friday night.
The teachers have demanded early arrest of the thieves and recovery of the stolen solar panels. (IANS)
Colombo’s Lotus Tower to remain closed for public
Colombo: Colombo’s Lotus Tower, which was inaugurated last month by President Maithripala Sirisena, would remain closed for public viewing until next year as it has not yet been fully completed, Project Director Shantha Gunananda said.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Gunananda said that the construction company, CEIEC, has refused to hand over the project till next year it was incomplete.
He said that TV and radio broadcasting and transmission from the tower could commence from mid next year.
He said the Chinese construction company has not yet informed about the estimated cost for the future expenses to complete the tower.
In early September, a Cabinet approval was given to set up a new state-owned enterprise (SOE) to commercialise the Lotus Tower and handle its financial operations.
Gunananda said the delay in the opening of the tower was an obstacle to invest in it and set up an SOE to manage it. A total of $104 million was spent for construction of the tower and 80 per cent of the cost has been funded by the EXIM Bank of China.
The tower comprises a telecommunication museum, restaurant, supermarkets, food courts, conference halls with a seating capacity for 400 people, a 1,000-seat auditorium, luxury hotel rooms, ballrooms and an observation gallery. It was inaugurated by Sirisena on September 16. (IANS)
Dubai-based Indian donates $140,756 to alma mater
Dubai: A Dubai-based Indian businessman has donated $140,756 to his alma mater NIT Warangal to help set up a state-of-the-art Innovation and Incubation centre.
Sudhakar R. Rao, THE founder and chairman of Gemini Group, made the generous contribution during NIT Warangal’s diamond jubilee celebrations recently, reports Gulf News.
A native of Tamil Nadu, Rao is an alumnus of the institute and pursued his degree in electrical engineering in the batch of 1977-82.
“Innovation, technology and disruption is at the core of every business making in big in today’s world. I am convinced there is an abundance of skill in terms of innovative thinking and technical know-how at NIT Warangal. The challenge is to harness this potential to solve meaningful, real world problems,” Gulf News quoted Rao as saying.
“With my humble contribution to setup this Innovation and Incubation centre, I urge every student to utilise this unique facility and ecosystem to realize their dreams and create a lasting impact on society,” he added. (IANS)