Latest news with #OHB
Time of India
02-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Honey buzzard dares where angels would fear
1 2 3 Chandigarh: The Rock Honey bee (Apis dorsata) deploys formidable air defences by virtue of its massed stings. When the bee stings as a last resort, it is a kamikaze act because it dies due to internal bleeding. But two renowned creatures of the Indian wilderness, the Oriental Honey buzzard (OHB) and the Sloth bear, penetrate hives with an impunity, scarcely bothered about the stings or unnerved, as lesser mortals would be, by the attendant swarming and buzz that reaches a terrifying crescendo. The buzzard does not even spare the nests of hornets and wasps, which are devoid of honey, but contain the larvae that the carnivorous buzzard relishes. At the iconic Sukhna Lake, the life of the OHB (Pernis ptilorhynchus ruficolilis) got showcased in just a few minutes. And, a White-throated kingfisher took an opportunistic swipe in the wake of the buzzard's tumultuous hunt of the ferocious insects. ""While photographing kingfishers at the lake, a sudden burst of alarm calls from mynas, babblers and other small birds drew my attention. I followed the commotion and there it was, a buzzard. Harassed, heckled and mobbed in mid-air by the smaller birds, the buzzard flew from tree to tree, but seemingly not too bothered by the chaos. After all, if the buzzard can take on bees, wasps and hornets what are small birds to get so nervous about? Eventually, the buzzard landed on a branch, eyes fixed on a hive of Yellow Paper wasps. The buzzard lunged at the hive and sent the wasps scattering. Amid the frenzy, an observant kingfisher seized the moment and like a good opportunistic hunter snatched one of the disoriented wasps in mid-air — a lucky, quick snack had come its way amidst the buzzard drama. Meanwhile, with the wasp comb clenched tightly in its talons, the buzzard flew off to relish its meal in peace to a perch hidden among the leafy boughs," Anuj Jain, a Chandigarh-based, award-winning wildlife photographer, told the TOI. Sloth bears sport thick, matted hair to ward off insect stings and possess a slew of other adaptations to get to termite mounds and concealed hives. The buzzard, too, is an accomplished evolutionary hunter and has been witnessed feeding on the larvae, pupae and adults of bees in frontal attacks. Buzzards cling onto the hive and tear off the outer defences to get to the chambers bearing the larvae. Or, they take a swoop at the hive and make off with a chunk by ripping it off with their talons. They also indulge in wing-flapping and whistling calls at the hive to rattle the bees and get them to scatter in sheer panic. Buzzards can set upon one hive in multiple numbers, adding to the destruction. Though they are named 'Honey buzzards', these raptors predominantly feed on larvae and also take other prey such as small rodents, young birds, frogs, lizards, grasshoppers and termites. Stomach and crop contents of buzzards have turned up considerable quantities of wax from hives. Buzzards wield a pair of deceptively-charming eyes, with the irises ranging from a rosy golden yellow to orange-red tints. Buzzards also cause collateral damage when they disturb bee hives. The infuriated bees set upon nearby humans such as golfers who do not realise who the agent provocateur actually was! On the 2nd hole green of the iconic Chandigarh Golf Club, a few years back, a golfer concentrating on his putt was set upon by bees. Whereas his playing mates and caddies were able to lie down and escape the bees, an ailment prevented the golfer from doing so and he was stung badly, and later hospitalised. The caddies reported that a `cheel' (buzzard) had set upon a massive beehive on a tree just opposite the green on the Sukhna lake's embankment. This bird was busy clawing away at the hive. The disturbed bees flew hither and thither because they could not do much damage to their arch foe as nature has protected the buzzard with specialised adaptations. Similarly, a flabbergasted maid in a posh Sector 4 bungalow of Chandigarh watched wide-eyed as a buzzard made repeated attacks on a bee hive in the mango tree and came out unscathed. What kind of a bird was this, the maid had wondered? While attacking hives hanging from lofty trees in Chandigarh's parks, buzzards have set off bee attacks on "love birds cooing" on the benches below, leading to much consternation in the youngsters but palpable relief in the middle-aged moralists disgusted at unseemly public demonstrations of Valentine's ardour round the year! For the moral army, the buzzard was a proverbial god-sent as young couples fled with shrieks replacing the earlier courtship twitter.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Europeans plan new gravitational wave observatory in space
European researchers aim to gain new insights into the universe with a gravitational wave observatory in space. The European Space Agency (ESA) and the space company OHB based in the German city of Bremen have now signed an important contract for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission at the Paris Airshow, an OHB spokeswoman announced on Tuesday. OHB has been awarded the contract as the main contractor for the construction of the observatory, she said, adding that the contract is worth €839 million ($963 million). The Bremen-based company plans to build the observatory together with partners. The core of the mission is a constellation of three spacecraft, which will follow Earth in its orbit around the sun in the form of an equilateral triangle with sides of 2.5 million kilometres. Each spacecraft is to carry free-floating test masses made of a gold-platinum alloy. In space, gravitational waves distort spacetime and thus also minimally change the distances between the test masses, OHB said. The mission is led by the ESA. It is a collaboration between ESA, its member states, the US space agency NASA, and an international consortium of scientists. 'Einstein himself would be proud' "As the first space mission designed to capture gravitational waves, LISA will open a brand-new window on the dark universe and test the known laws of physics to their extreme," said ESA's Director of Science Carole Mundell, according to the announcement. According to the chief executive of OHB System AG, Chiara Pedersoli, the observatory will enable scientists to see the universe with new eyes. "Personally, I am certain [Albert] Einstein himself would be proud to witness how mankind continues to build upon his legacy by proofing his theory." The launch of the mission is planned for mid-2035.
Mid East Info
10-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
NBO's Muzn Islamic Banking Collaborates with OHB on Home Financing Offer with Added Credit Card Benefit - Middle East Business News and Information
Muscat: The National Bank of Oman's (NBO) Muzn Islamic Banking has partnered with Oman Housing Bank (OHB) to offer customers a home financing opportunity to support their homeownership aspirations. As part of the collaboration, customers who apply for Iskan Home Financing through OHB and select Muzn Islamic Banking will receive a complimentary Muzn Credit Card upon request with the first-year annual fee waived. Available until 30 June 2025, this limited-time offer supports homeowners by providing accessible, value-driven financing solutions. The offer combines subsidised financing under OHB's Iskan initiative and Muzn Islamic Banking Shari'a-compliant Credit Card, blending affordability with convenience and ethical banking benefits. This also enables new homeowners to conveniently finance essential home-related purchases such as appliances, furniture and other setup costs, supporting a smoother transition into their new homes. Commenting on the partnership, Salima Obaid Issa Al-Marzoqi, Assistant General Manager and Chief Islamic Banking Officer at Muzn, said: 'We are pleased to collaborate with OHB to support families on their homeownership journey. This initiative enables customers to benefit from OHB's subsidised Iskan Financing Programme while experiencing the Shari'a-compliant value-added services and high standards of Muzn Islamic Banking's financial offerings.' To ensure a seamless and rewarding banking experience, customers can select Muzn Islamic Banking on the Iskan digital platform when applying for home financing. Once approved, eligible applicants may request a Muzn Credit Card, which will be issued with the first-year annual fee waived. This initiative reflects Muzn Islamic Banking's ongoing efforts to deliver responsible financial solutions that are tailored to the needs of today's customers. By working with Oman Housing Bank, Muzn Islamic Banking continues to support government efforts in housing development while strengthening its commitment to Shari'a-compliant, customer-first banking.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
LBS Bina, Oriental Holdings sign RM7bil MOU for industrial project in Melaka
KUALA LUMPUR: LBS Bina Group Bhd has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oriental Holdings Bhd (OHB) to jointly develop an integrated mixed-use industrial project in Klebang, Melaka, with an estimated gross development value (GDV) exceeding RM7 billion. The landmark development will comprise primarily industrial and commercial components, strategically located within the Straits of Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (SM-WEZ). Klebang was chosen for its advantageous coastal location, expanding infrastructure, and alignment with Melaka's long-term economic transformation goals. The MOU was signed by LBS executive director Datuk Sri Daniel Lim and OHB group executive chairman Datuk Loh Kian Chong in the presence of Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh. The Chief Minister's attendance highlights the state government's strong support and underscores the project's pivotal role in driving economic growth and urban development in Melaka. LBS Bina group executive chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Lim Hock San, hailed the agreement as a key milestone in the group's expansion into Malaysia's southern region. "In partnership with OHB, we are excited to shape Klebang into a vibrant, sustainable township. By combining our expertise and shared vision, we aim to deliver lasting value, both in building sustainable developments and uplifting Melaka's economic and social landscape. We look forward to a strong, long-term partnership built on shared goals and mutual success," Lim said. The primary focus of this mixed-use industrial development is to cater to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sectors such as oil and gas production, manufacturing, food and beverage supply chains, and warehousing. Furthermore, given the development's frontage along a main access road, the industrial units offer commercial value, as they can also function as retail showroom warehouses. Additionally, Melaka ranks sixth among Malaysian states in terms of industrial property transactions. Notably, the demand for vacant plots and semi-detached industrial units has recorded double-digit growth, driven by both investors and owner-occupiers. Covering approximately 561 acres, the development will be implemented in four phases. LBS Bina stated that detailed land demarcations and development plans will be finalised in forthcoming Definitive Agreements, to be mutually agreed upon by both parties. Enhancing the project's connectivity and long-term potential is the upcoming West Coast Expressway (WCE), which will stretch from Banting, Selangor, to Gelang Patah, Johor. Once completed, the highway is expected to relieve traffic on the North-South Expressway and serve as a catalyst for growth in key coastal towns including Klang, Port Dickson, Melaka, Muar, and Batu Pahat. Corporate Jan 27, 2025 @ 12:55am LBS Bina unveils three-year roadmap to reach new milestones Property Apr 28, 2025 @ 3:41am LBS Bina's 'Makan Angin Lokal' campaign achieves RM537mil in bookings Corporate Feb 20, 2025 @ 9:39pm LBS Bina posts 11-year high PATMI of RM240.2mil Property Jan 16, 2025 @ 5:16am LBS Bina marks Merdeka Campaign success with RM30,000 cash prizes for eight winners
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Space photo of the day for May 7, 2025
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The European Space Agency (ESA) is two dozen steps closer to launching Plato, a spacecraft that will search for terrestrial planets outside of our solar system, after the installation of 24 of its 26 cameras. ESA's Plato, or PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars, mission will use its 26 cameras simultaneously to study terrestrial exoplanets in orbits up to the habitable zone of sun-like stars. The mission will measure the sizes of these worlds and discover exomoons and rings around them. Plato will also characterize the planets' host stars by studying tiny light variations in the starlight it receives. As pictured here, the work to give Plato its sensitive eyes is nearing completion. Twenty-four of the 26 cameras have been installed on the spacecraft's optical bench, the structure that keeps all cameras firmly pointed in the right direction. Two more "fast" cameras will be installed in the coming weeks. "This activity is one of the most critical in building the satellite. The cameras are delicate elements that must be attached to the spacecraft's supporting structure with great accuracy, to ensure that they are very precisely aligned," said Thomas Walloschek, ESA's Plato project manager, in a statement. At present, the Plato spacecraft is under assembly at OHB, an aerospace contractor, in Germany. When it launches in 2026, Plato will be sent into a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange point-2 (L2). Plato's 24 cameras are arranged in four groups of six that have the same field of view. The lines of sight of the four groups are offset by an angle of 9.2 degrees. With this configuration, the cameras can survey a very large area of the sky, more than 2000 square degrees, at once. The 24 identical cameras will make images every 25 seconds, while the two "fast" cameras will make them every 2.5 seconds. Each of the 24 cameras is equipped with four CCD light sensors for a total of 81.4-megapixel images per camera, resulting in two-billion-pixel images for the overall spacecraft. These will be the largest images ever for a space mission. You can read more about Plato, Europe's planet-hunting telescope, and more about exoplanets.
