Google allots $300 mn to help news organisations

NEW YORK: Google has launched a new initiative, committing $300 million to help news publishers get more paid subscribers while stemming the flow of misinformation.

The internet giant described the Google News Initiative as part of an "effort to help journalism thrive in the digital age."

The announcement in New York followed a series of commitments to help the troubled sector by Google, which has been accused by some in the news industry of sapping revenues from the digital ecosystem.

"I have always believed that the future of Google and the future of our publishing partners were linked,"google chief business officer Philipp Schindler said in announcing the initiative.

"If you are not successful, we are not successful."

Google will enable its users to subscribe to news sites in as little as two clicks through their Google accounts, and will step up efforts to help news organizations add paying subscribers.

The initiative was developed with some 60 media partners including the Washington Post, Financial Times, French-based Le Figaro, Brazil's Grupo Globo and Italy's La Republica. NEW DELHI: Renewable energy solutions provider Suzlon Group on Wednesday said it has designed and manufactured the country's longest wind turbine blade at its Padubidri rotor blade unit.

The advanced blade (SB 63) measures 63 metres in length and has been specifically developed for Suzlon's new S128 wind turbine family with a rotor diameter of 128 metres, 1.5 times taller than the India Gate monument in terms of height, the company said in a statement.

The blade has been engineered with a carbon girder which provides the capability to utilise thinner aerodynamic profiles and provides higher lift with less drag, it added.

The S128 series offers 33 per cent more swept area (12,860 m2) and is expected to deliver 32 per cent more energy generation compared to the S111.

These rotor blades will be transported using an innovative two fold transport system, which will use a specialised Adapter Trailer' for the first time in India, which ensures safe and unbound manoeuvrability through hilly terrain while transporting the long blades, the statement added.

J P Chalasani, Group CEO, Suzlon Group, said: It has been our continuous endeavour to reduce the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) by leveraging technology. Our R&D efforts are focused on developing technologically advanced and innovative products. The new blade will offer higher aerodynamic performance and improved annual energy production (AEP) and will harness the optimal available wind resources.