A Plane Carrying 71 People Has Reportedly Crashed Near Moscow

Photo by: JETPHOTOS

GLOBAL: Saratov Airlines flight 6W703 went off the radar after taking off from the city's Domodedovo airport, TASS Russian news agency reported just after 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday.

BNO NEWS reported A Saratov Airlines plane carrying more than 70 people has crashed on the outskirts of the Russian capital of Moscow, local officials say. At least 2 bodies have been found but the fate of the other passengers was not immediately known. 

The incident happened on early Sunday afternoon after the aircraft, an Antonov An-148, took off from Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport for a flight to Orsk, which is a city near the border with Kazakhstan. A total of 65 passengers and 6 crew members were on board.

Flight-tracking services showed that Saratov Airlines Flight 6W703 took off from Domodedovo Airport at 2:20 p.m. local time and reached an altitude of 6,400 feet (1,950 meter) about 5 minutes later. It then briefly lost and regained altitude before starting a steep drop.

Photo by: FLIGHT RADAR24

A passenger plane carrying 71 people crashed shortly after taking off from an airport outside Moscow on Sunday, according to reports.

Saratov Airlines flight 6W703 went off the radar after departing Domodedovo airport, TASS Russian news agency reported at around 3:30 p.m. local time.

Russia's Interfax news agency quoted emergency services as saying there is "no chance" of survivors. It reported that fragments of bodies were scattered at the site of the crash in the Ramenskoye district, about 50km south-east of Russia's capital.

President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government to form a commission to investigate the crash, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Tass news agency.

We have download the full ADS-B data from Flightradar24 ADS-B network for flight #6W703 The data show that the aircraft was falling with 22,000 feet per minute when the signal was lost. Last position 55.29950,38.39580 - FLIGHT RADAR24

Photo by: RUSSIA NEWS AGENCY

REFERENCE:
1.  Interfax news agency
2.  BNO NEWS
3. FLIGHT RADAR24

#Saratov Airlines flight 6W703

Winter Sonata Di Malaysia Belum Berakhir: Cuaca Sejuk, Kabus Tebal Di Kuala Krai

Screenshoot: www.myweather2.com

CUACA: Jika kita menyangka musim 'winter sonata' di Malaysia sudah berakhir apabila berlaku pada kira-kira 2 minggu pada Januari 2018, rupanya ia belum berakhir.

Pada 11 Februari 2018, suasana keadaan suhu rendah masih dirasai di Kuala Krai Kelantan disebabkan tiupan angin sejuk dari Tanah Besar China dalam fasa monsun timur laut.


BH ONLINE melaporkan Pengarah Jabatan Meteorologi Kelantan, Rabiah Al Adawiyah Zakaria, berkata Februari juga adalah tempoh yang mana suhu minimum harian terendah dicatatkan.

"Keadaan suhu sejuk ini juga berlaku di beberapa lokasi lain seperti Kerteh di Terengganu yang turut mencatatkan penurunan suhu minimum harian. Namun, tiupan angin terbabit tidak menyebabkan hujan lebat.

"Cuaca sejuk ini berlaku sejak semalam dengan suhu terendah 18.4 darjah Celsius bermula jam 6 hingga 8 pagi dan akan berubah kepada suhu maksimum pada waktu petang dengan mencecah 32.7 darjah Celsius," katanya ketika dihubungi BH ONLINE.

Kuala Krai pernah mencatat suhu paling rendah iaitu 15.7 darjah Celsius pada tahun 2014.

Tinjauan di daerah itu mendapati sebahagian penduduk, terutama kanak-kanak, terpaksa berpakaian tebal pada waktu pagi dan malam, walaupun ketika berada di dalam rumah.

Sebelum ini, beberapa hari pada 11 Januari 2018 lalu, kawasan Lembah Klang dan beberapa kawasan di Malaysia mengalami penurunan suhu sehingga 21 darjah celcius.

Namun keadaan itu berakhir (15 Januari 2018) apabila kebanyakan kawasan mencatatkan suhu di antara 30 hingga 32 darjah Celsius, yang dicatatkan jam 1 tengah hari hingga 2 petang (15 Januari).

Beberapa hari sejak 11 Januari 2018 lalu, kawasan Lembah Klang dan beberapa kawasan di Malaysia mengalami penurunan suhu sehingga 21 darjah celcius.

Namun keadaan itu berakhir hari ini (15 Januari 2018) apabila kebanyakan kawasan mencatatkan suhu di antara 30 hingga 32 darjah Celsius, yang dicatatkan jam 1 tengah hari hingga 2 petang (15 Januari).

SILA BACA: Fakta Menarik Berkenaan Cuaca Sejuk Dialami Di Malaysia 2018

http://ezli007.blogspot.my/2018/01/fakta-menarik-berkenaan-cuaca-sejuk.html

FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND DINO-THEMED PARK NOW OPEN IN KUALA LUMPUR

photo by: http://www.visionkl.com

JURASSICA, a first-of-its-kind edutaining prehistoric immersive experience that advocates planet and wildlife conservation in Malaysia, is now open at The Gardens Mall.

Rich in biodiversity, with a rapidly growing economy, Malaysia exemplifies the tension between conservation and economic development. 

Although it is gradually progressing, following governmental efforts for green product development, the practices of environmental responsible behaviour are still low among Malaysians.

 Making a conscious effort to practice offering environmentally friendly products and services, Tremendous Entertainment Group has conceptualised Jurassica - standing as an advocate to saving and conserving our planet, to spread awareness on environmental issues affecting global climate.

What happens in Jurassica

Unlike typical dino-themed parks and exhibitions, the message of planet conservation at Jurrasica is carried throughout the family fun, edutainment, immersive, exhibition space. 

Sprawled across 15,000 square feet, visitors dubbed as Earth Cadets travel through a time vortex to Jurassica. 

Here, Cadets collect vital prehistoric specimens needed to save the planet in an interactive RFID scavenger hunt while offering a sensory feast of endless fun for the whole family.

 Apart from the neon-lit hunt, Cadets face life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, an adrenaline pumping zip-line, a volcanic sky bridge, a sandpit, an interactive climbing wall, a live reptile zone, a 3-storey Jurrasic Gym and plenty more.


Malaysian Nature Society, WWF and Hi-5 support Jurrasica

At the Cretaceous Camp, Cadets will also enjoy daily talks by Jurassica’s resident reptile-handler and scheduled talks and workshops by several participating Non-governmental organisations including the Malaysian Nature Society, World Wildlife Fund and more.

Jurassica firmly believes in reusing and repurposing, so much so, that several sections in the exhibition were erected with recycled materials thanks to a partnership with the creative minds of Biji-Biji, a social enterprise that champions sustainable living. 

To enlist change, Jurassica has recruited Hi-5 – the popular preschool edutainment pop group – as ambassadors for Jurassica’s ‘Save Our Planet Program’, in hopes of echoing the message of planet conservation to a global audience. 

In addition, 10% of all Hi-5 merchandise sales available at Jurassica’s Gift Shop will be donated to similar causes as part of the Save Our Planet Program.


Experiencing Jurrasica

Tickets for children and adults are priced at RM48 for Malaysians and RM58 for non-Malaysians on weekdays while tickets on weekends including school and public holidays are at RM58 for Malaysians and RM68 for non-Malaysians. Opening hours are 10am to 10pm daily.

DIVIDEN KWSP 2017: Konvensional 6.90%, Syariah 6.40%

Photo by: PPIM.COM

INFO PELABURAN: Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) pada 10 Februari 2018 mengumumkan kadar dividen 6.90 peratus bagi Simpanan Konvensional 2017, dengan jumlah pengagihan pendapatan sebanyak RM44.15 bilion.

ASTRO AWANI melaporkan Pengerusinya, Tan Sri Samsudin Osman gembira dengan prestasi keseluruhan 2017 yang juga merupakan tahun terpenting buat KWSP memandangkan badan itu kini menguruskan dua skim simpanan dan mengisytiharkan dua kadar dividen.

Simpanan Syariah menunjukkan prestasi kukuh bagi pengisytiharan dividen yang pertama, mencatat 6.40 peratus dengan agihan dividen RM3.98 bilion.

“Ini membuktikan prestasi aset Syariah KWSP yang mapan, seterusnya memberikan berita baik kepada ahli kami yang telah bertukar kepada Simpanan Syariah.

“Untuk Simpanan Konvensional, kadar 6.90 peratus merupakan kadar tertinggi yang pernah diumum semenjak 1997,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Secara keseluruhannya, jumlah agihan dividen adalah RM48.13 bilion, naik 29.8 peratus berbanding tahun 2016.

Sementara itu, pendapatan pelaburan kasar untuk 2017 adalah RM53.14 bilion, jumlah tertinggi sejak penubuhan KWSP pada 1951.

Daripada jumlah tersebut, RM4.60 bilion diatribusi kepada Simpanan Syariah mengikut bahagiannya daripada jumlah keseluruhan aset Syariah, manakala selebihnya kepada Simpanan Konvensional.

“Sememangnya akan terdapat perbezaan pulangan Simpanan Syariah berbanding Simpanan Konvensional dalam jangka pendek.

“Walau bagaimanapun, dalam jangka masa panjang, prestasi kedua-dua skim ini dijangka tidak akan jauh berbeza memandangkan kedua-duanya mempunyai objektif dan strategi pelaburan yang sama,” jelasnya.

Pengkreditan Dividen 2017 akan dilaksanakan pada Ahad, 11 Februari 2018 dan pencarum boleh mendapatkan maklumat terkini melalui laman web KWSP di www.kwsp.gov.my atau aplikasi mudah alih i-Akaun.

Dalam pada itu, ahli KWSP yang ingin beralih ke Simpanan Syariah 2019 disaran mendaftar sebelum 24 Disember 2018.

SUMBER: ASTRO AWANI

F-16 Israeli Fighter Jet Crashes In Syria

Photo by: PAS.UK.COM

GLOBAL: One of the two pilots who ejected from an Israeli F-16 downed early Saturday was seriously injured. Both pilots parachuted to safety in northern Israel and were taken to hospital. 

The F-16 was hit during an IAF air strike against an Iranian facility in Palmyra, which early Saturday launched a UAV into Israeli air space. The drone was downed by an Israeli Apache and recovered intact.

According to local media, Apache helicopter downs Iranian drone that entered Israel, triggering alarms in Beit She'an region; IDF attacks Iranian targets in Syria in retaliation; Syrian return antiaircraft fire, F-16 pilots ejected and are alive; IDF: 'Incident is ongoing. Iran dragging the entire region to an adventure and will pay the price.'

An IDF Apache helicopter successfully intercepted early Saturday an Iranian drone that infiltrated Israel and originated from an airfield near Palmyra, Syria. The army later attacked targets in Syria and an F-16 was downed and crashed in Israel, with its pilots bailing out. Both pilots are alive. "Iran is dragging the region into an adventure and will pay the price for it," the IDF said.


A series of alarms once again sounded just before nine in the morning in communities in the Jordan Valley and Upper Galilee.

Saturday's events began when an alarm sounded at 4:25am in Beit She'an and the Gilboa and Emek HaMa'ayanot Regional Councils. The IDF initially said the alarm was not triggered by fire directed at Israel, and later released a statement elaborating on the events that transpired.


sing a fighter jet, the IDF intercepted an Iranian drone launched from Syria that infiltrated Israeli territory," the message said. "The aircraft was picked up by air defense systems at an early stage and was under surveillance until it was downed.

Syrian television, meanwhile, quoted a "military source" in saying that, "Israel carried out new aggression early morning against one of the army bases in the country's center, and our air defense mechanisms resisted and hit more than one plane."

Alarms were preceded by an explosion

Residents reported increased IAF aerial traffic in the Beit She'an Valley region and near the Jordanian border starting around 4am. Further alarms blared in the Golan Heights later, and sounds of the aerial activity were audible in northern and even central Israel.

Residents of one of the northern kibbutzim said they heard a distant explosion before an alarm sounded, and added they saw a helicopter flying over the Jordanian border. Some of the kibbutzim, however, received notification that the alarms were caused by a malfunction.


Alarms sounded again at 5:45am—this time in the Golan Heights and, highly irregularly so, in the northern Jordan Valley. Residents of said regions also reported hearing explosions and elevated aerial activity.

SOURCE:
1. www.ynetnews.com
2. SKY NEWS

INSURANS: Jika Anda Memiliki Proton Wira & Toyota Hilux Awas...

Photo by: MY NEWS HUB

TAHUKAH ANDA...Tuntutan insurans kenderaan pada 2017 berjumlah RM5.379 bilion iaitu bersamaan bayaran sebanyak RM14.7 juta setiap hari kepada penanggung insurans.

Jumlah itu sebenernya meningkat sebanyak tujuh peratus berbanding 2016 iaitu pada ketika itu sebanyak RM5.021 bilion. Apa yang menyebabkan jumlah itu meningkat pada mutakhir ini?

Utusan Malaysia Online melaporkan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM), Mark Lim berkata, antara penyumbang kepada peningkatan itu adalah tuntutan kes kecurian kenderaan.


Jumlah itu katanya  yang mana pada 2017 sahaja jumlah tuntutan adalah sebanyak 15,323 buah kenderaan, namun jumlahnya berkurangan daripada 20,005 buah pada 2016.

Jelas beliau, tuntutan terhadap kehilangan motosikal merekodkan jumlah tertinggi iaitu sebanyak 8,874 buah, kereta peribadi (5,625 buah) serta kenderaan komersial (824 buah).


Proton Wira & Toyota Hilux Model Paling Banyak Dicuri

Proton Wira dan Toyota Hilux terus menjadi model kenderaan yang paling banyak dicuri dalam tempoh 12 bulan pada tahun lalu, berdasarkan tuntutan bagi kes kecurian oleh Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia (PIAM).

Mengikut statistik yang dikeluarkan PIAM, berdasarkan rekod tuntutan untuk insurans kenderaan yang membabitkan kereta persendirian, motosikal dan kenderaan komersial mencatatkan penurunan sebanyak 23 peratus secara keseluruhannya.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif PIAM, Mark Lim, berkata pada tahun lalu, sebanyak 654 unit Proton Wira dan 537 unit Toyota Hilux direkodkan bagi membuat tuntutan kecurian menjadikan dua model itu adalah antara tertinggi yang membuat tuntutan insurans ketika ini.

Beliau menjelaskanProton Wira dan Toyota Hilux menjadi model yang paling banyak dicuri dengan masing-masing merekodkan 654 buah dan 537 buah kenderaan diikuti oleh Perodua Kancil (378 buah), Proton Iswara (340 buah) dan Pe­rodua Myvi (290 buah).

Sementara itu, jumlah tuntutan kecurian kenderaan berdasarkan kekerapan pula menunjukkan Toyota Vellfire (112 unit) dan Mitsubishi Pajero (77 unit) antara model 'hangat' yang kerap dicuri pada 2017 iaitu pada kadar 0.26 peratus.Antara model lain yang kerap dicuri termasuklah Toyota Hilux, Peugeot 308, Peugeot 508, Nissan Vanette, Lexus RX350, BMW 7, Proton Perdana dan Ford Courier.

“Oleh itu langkah liberalisasi insurans motor yang diperkenalkan pada tahun lalu membolehkan pemilik kenderaan mendapatkan polisi terbaik bagi memastikan mereka mendapat perlindungan yang sewajarnya,” katanya dalam taklimat prestasi industri insurans am 2017 di sini, pada 9 Februari 2018.

SUMBER: UTUSAN ONLINE/BH ONLINE

OH! Ini Rupanya Cara Kira Bonus Tabung Haji

Photo By: MOLE.MY

OH INI SEBENARNYA: Lembaga Tabung Haji (Tabung Haji) memaklumkan pengiraan hibah atau bonus bagi tahun kewangan 2017 adalah berdasarkan kepada baki purata minima bulanan iaitu sama seperti tahun-tahun sebelumnya.

Menurut Tabung Haji, hibah untuk tahun lalu itu merangkumi pengiraan baki purata minima bulanan iaitu jumlah deposit purata terkumpul bermula Januari hingga Disember 2017 dan didarabkan dengan hibah tahunan Tabung Haji sebanyak 4.5 peratus.

Bagi pendeposit yang belum menunaikan haji pula, Tabung Haji memperuntukkan hibah tambahan sebanyak 1.75 peratus yang didarabkan dengan baki purata minima bulanan.

“Pengiraan hibah haji berkenaan adalah tertakluk kepada jumlah maksimum sebanyak RM9,980,” jelas Tabung Haji dalam satu kenyataan di sini pada 9 Februari 2018.

Photo by: TABUNG HAJI

Sebagai contoh, individu dengan wang deposit sebanyak RM1,000 yang menyimpan RM100 setiap bulan bermula Januari hingga Disember 2017, akan memiliki baki purata minimum bulanan kira-kira RM1,733.33, menjadikan hibah diperoleh sebanyak RM78.

Pengiraan bagi hibah haji pula adalah baki purata minimum bulanan (Januari-Disember 2017 /12) x 1.75 peratus, namun tertakluk kepada jumlah maksimum RM9,980.

Screenshoot: TABUNG HAJI

APA YANG DIMAKSUDKAN HIBAH?

Hibah TH adalah “hadiah” yang diisytihar oleh TH, berdasarkan konsep Wadiah Yad Dhamanah iaitu mengikut kemampuan kewangan TH pada tahun semasa.

Hibah tidak wajib dibayar oleh TH. Walaupun amalan pemberian hibah dibenarkan, ia tidak boleh dijadikan sebagai amalan tetap bagi mengelakkan amalan tersebut dikira sebagai “‘urf” (kebiasaan) yang menyerupai syarat dalam kontrak deposit berasaskan wadi’ah. 

Mensyaratkan pulangan dalam bentuk hibah terhadap simpanan wadi’ah boleh menjerumuskan akad tersebut ke dalam riba yang diharamkan syarak dan pulangan itu menjadi sesuatu yang tidak bersih.

Pemberian dan cara hibah TH dilakukan adalah seperti yang termaktub dalam Akta Tabung Haji 1995, Sekyen 22 (1) & (2):

Seksyen 22;
(1)   Tertakluk kepada seksyen ini, Lembaga boleh mengikut budi bicara mutlaknya menentukan pada bila-bila masa sama ada wajar untuk mengisytiharkan suatu jumlah wang sebagai untung boleh agih berkenaan dengan apa-apa tempoh atau tahun tertentu Kumpulan Wang dan jika ia menentukan untuk mengisytiharkan sedemikian, Lembaga hendaklah, dengan kelulusan Menteri, mengisytiharkan suatu jumlah wang sebagai untung boleh diagihkan berkenaan dengan apa-apa tempoh atau tahun tertentu Kumpulan Wang itu.

ScreenShoot: Tabung Haji

(2)   Jika suatu perisytiharan dibuat di bawah subseksyen (1), Lembaga hendaklah juga menentukan cara, amaun dan masa bagi mengkreditkan untung boleh agih itu kepada setiap pendeposit.

Sejak ditubuhkan, TH sentiasa berusaha memberi Hibah Tahunan kepada para pendeposit kami. TH turut memberi tambahan hibah khas kepada para pendeposit sempena peristiwa-peristiwa istimewa seperti Hari Kemerdekaan Malaysia ke-50 (2007), Ulangtahun ke-50 TH (2012) dan Hibah Haji bermula 2013 sehingga kini.

Photo by: Hanshanis.com

SOALAN LAZIM - HIBAH TH 2017

1. Berapakah Hibah Pendeposit TH 2017?

Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) telah mengisytiharkan pembayaran Hibah Pendeposit Tahunan TH sebanyak 4.50% dan Hibah Haji sebanyak 1.75% kepada pendeposit yang layak bagi tahun kewangan 2017.

2. Apakah kadar pengagihan Hibah TH?

Pengagihan hibah TH 2017 adalah pada kadar 6.25 peratus yang akan memberi manfaat kepada 8.7 juta pendeposit atau 93 peratus pendeposit yang masih belum menunaikan ibadat haji. 

Manakala, 0.6juta pendeposit yang telah menunaikan haji akan menerima hibahpada kadar 4.50 peratus.

3. Apakah Hibah Tahunan?

Hibah Tahunan adalah “hadiah” yang diisytihar oleh TH, berdasarkan konsep Wadiah Yad Dhamanah iaitu mengikut kemampuan kewangan TH pada tahun semasa.

4. Apakah Hibah Haji ?

Hibah Haji adalah “hadiah khas” yang diberikan kepada pendeposit TH yang masih belum pernah menunaikan haji dan terhad kepada bayaran haji semasa (RM9,980).

5. Siapakah yang layak menerima Hibah Tahunan?

Semua pendeposit yang mempunyai akaun simpanan TH yang berstatus aktif sehingga 31 Disember 2017, layak menerima hibah tahun 2017 pada kadar yang diisytiharkan. 


6. Siapakah yang layak menerima Hibah Haji?

Semua pendeposit yang mempunyai akaun simpanan TH yang berstatus aktif sehingga 31 Disember 2017 dan belum pernah menunaikan haji.

7. Bagaimanakah bayaran Hibah Tahunan dan Hibah Haji dibuat?

Kedua-dua bayaran hibah ini akan dikreditkan terus ke dalam akaun
pendeposit.

8. Bilakah Hibah Pendeposit TH 2017 boleh disemak?

Hibah Pendeposit TH 2017 boleh disemak bermula Isnin, 12 Februari
2018.

9. Adakah pendeposit yang mempunyai akaun pelaburan KWSP di TH layak menerima hibah haji?

Tidak, kerana hibah haji hanya diberikan kepada pendeposit yang mempunyai akaun simpanan TH dan belum pernah menunaikan haji.

10.Bagaimanakah cara pengiraan Hibah Tahunan TH 2017?

Akaun Pendeposit TH Aktif
Kiraan: Baki purata minima bulanan X 4.50%
(Januari-Disember 2017/12 Bulan) X 4.50%

11.Bagaimanakah cara pengiraan Hibah Haji?

Akaun Pendeposit Belum Tunai Haji Akaun simpanan yang baki purata RM9,980 atau kurang Kiraan: Baki purata minima bulanan (tertakluk kepada maksimum RM9,980.00)
X 1.75% (Januari-Disember 2017/12 Bulan) X 1.75%



SUMBER: TABUNG HAJI

Airbus Opens Commercial Drone Services in Asia-Pacific

Photo by: REUTERS

PRESS RELEASE: Launches Airbus Aerial Asia, based in Singapore

•        Expands commercial drone business to Asia-Pacific in key sectors

•         Bernard Leong appointed Head of Airbus Aerial Asia

Singapore, 7 February 2018 – Airbus has launched the Asia-Pacific operations of its “Airbus Aerial” commercial drone services at the Singapore Airshow 2018. 

The newly established regional base of Airbus Aerial adds to two existing hubs based in Atlanta, U.S. and Munich, Germany.

“We have chosen Singapore as the headquarters for our Asia-Pacific operations because it is a well-established regional hub with excellent connectivity to key countries such as Australia, India, Japan and China,” said Jana Rosenmann, Head of Unmanned Aerial Systems at Airbus. 

“It is also a great centre for innovation and potential partnerships, enjoying strong support from the local government for start-ups as well as the development of smart technologies.”

Initially focussing on the development of new imagery services, Airbus Aerial leverages the latest software and aerospace technologies to provide actionable data and analysis of information provided by drones, satellites, high altitude aircraft and other sources. 

With its imagery services, Airbus Aerial targets a range of applications for industries such as insurance, agriculture, oil and gas and utilities, as well as state and local governments. 

During its first year in operation, Airbus Aerial played a critical role in the U.S., helping several major insurance companies assess damage and process claims faster than ever before. 

These results were achieved by providing before-and-after satellite imagery of affected areas and real-time imagery collected by drones during fly-overs. 
These images were then blended with proprietary Airbus data analytics to help insurers assess damage and prioritise resources.

These initial services were provided in 2017, following Hurricane Harvey in the Houston, Texas area and Hurricane Irma in southern Florida and, more recently, after the devastating wildfires in California.

The Asia-Pacific base of Airbus Aerial is led by Bernard Leong, who joined Airbus in January 2018. 

Previously, he was Head of Post Office Network and Digital Services at Singapore Post, with an extensive business and technology management background, including drone delivery and autonomous vehicles within the Asia-Pacific markets.

The first target of the Singapore team will be to explore potential within the Asian regional insurance market and extend Airbus Aerial’s footprint from the U.S. and Europe to the Asia-Pacific region. 

It will gather information to provide relief and recovery in disaster prone regions with dedicated disaster management support, and also identify local possibilities including agriculture, critical infrastructure monitoring like power lines and railroad, and oil and gas mining where the business model may fit.

Airbus Aerial Asia also aims in the next years to offer cargo drone services with autonomous logistic systems, applying the principle of supporting an open ecosystem while seeking strong partnerships with technology providers and drone operators in the Asian region.


About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016 it generated revenues of € 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. 

Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats and business aviation products. 

Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

PRESS RELEASE BY: AIRBUS

'WhatsApp Business'

Photo By: BUSINESS INSIDER

1. Facebook-owned WhatsApp launched a new stand-alone app, called WhatsApp Business, designed to help small businesses easily connect with their customers.

2. WhatsApp Business can be downloaded on the Google Play Store.

3.The app adds several new features including verified business profiles, smart messaging tools like quick replies, greeting messages and away messages, and messaging metrics. 

4. As of now, WhatsApp Business is aimed at smaller companies, but it plans to add an enterprise solution geared toward larger businesses, like airlines and banks, with a global customer base. 

5. The move to launch an app dedicated to businesses represents the fruition of several months of work by Facebook to monetize WhatsApp.

6. The launch of WhatsApp Business has given the messaging service a completely new dimension. 

7. WhatsApp Business gives companies and customers an official and secure way to communicate with each other.

8. WA Business also brings with it an interesting new function; it allows you to hook up your WhatsApp account using a landline number instead of your mobile number.

9. Although WhatsApp Business is designed for use by businesses, anybody can download the app. You will still need a mobile phone to run the app but you’ll be able to register your landline number instead of the number associated with your SIM card.

10. Once you’ve downloaded WhatsApp Business all you have to do is tell the app that you won’t be registering your mobile number but rather your landline. Normally WhatsApp sends an SMS to verify your number but for landlines, you’ll have to select the Call Me option.

11. After you receive the call and verify your number, you’ll be able to use WhatsApp Business with your landline number the same you use WhatsApp 
with your mobile number.

You should also know

1. You can use the WhatsApp Business app and your personal WhatsApp app on the same phone with different numbers.

2. Other than these new features, the WhatsApp Business app still has all the regular features like WhatsApp Web, broadcasts etc.

3. You can use a landline number on WhatsApp Business.

4. Customers will be notified that they are, or may be, chatting with a business account, depending on if the business has been verified or not.

5. Individuals still have control over their messages — a person can block a business account or report spam as usual.


Key features of WhatsApp Business app:

The key features of this new Whatsapp Business app are as follows:

1. Special Business Profiles that can contain more information than general user profiles. You can include your website, address with location, office timings, email address and more. These profiles will be easily recognizable and people will know that they’re talking to a business.

2. Better messaging tools that will allow you to communicate in a better way with your customers. For example, you can set up away messagesthat will be automatically sent to your customers when they message you at a time other than your office time. 

You can also set greeting messages that will be sent automatically when someone messages you for the first time, and quick replies that will allow you to quickly answer the frequently asked questions without having to type the answer manually several times.

3. Mass analysis of user statistics.For instance, you will be able to see the number of messages read, and also a number of other things to figure out what’s working and what’s not.

4. Just like normal WhatsApp Messenger, WhatsApp Business app will also work with WhatsApp web so you can send and receive messages from a computer.


REFERENCES:
1. BUSINESS INSIDER
2. SOFTNONIC
3. HITECHWIKI.COM