Stanford scientists have developed a new wristband-type wearable device that can analyse sweat to diagnose and monitor diseases like diabetes and cystic fibrosis.

The new sensor collects sweat, measures its molecular constituents, such as chloride ions and glucose and then transmits the results for analysis and diagnostics.

Unlike old-fashioned sweat collectors, the new device does not require patients to sit still for a long time while sweat accumulates in the collectors.

The two-part system of flexible sensors and microprocessors sticks to the skin, stimulates the sweat glands and then detects the presence of different molecules and ions based on their electrical signals.

The more chloride in the sweat, for example, the more electrical voltage is generated at the sensor's surface.

The team at Stanford University in the US used the wearable sweat sensor in separate studies to detect chloride ion levels – high levels are an indicator of cystic fibrosis – and to compare levels of glucose in sweat to that in blood.

High blood glucose levels can indicate diabetes.

Conventional methods for diagnosing cystic fibrosis – a genetic disease that causes mucus to build up in the lungs, pancreas and other organs – require that patients visit a specialised centre and sit still while electrodes stimulate sweat glands in their skin to provide sweat for the test.

Children have to sit still for 30 minutes while an instrument attached to their skin collects sweat.

By comparison, the wearable sweat sensor stimulates the skin to produce minute amounts of sweat, quickly evaluates the contents and beams the data by way of a cellphone to a server that can analyse the results.

People living in remote villages in developing countries, where conventional testing is unavailable, could also benefit from a portable, self-contained sweat sensor, he said.

The wearable device is robust and can be run with a smartphone, which can send measurements to a cloud and receive a result right back after review at a specialised centre.

Researchers also measured glucose levels in sweat, which correspond to blood glucose levels, making the device potentially useful for monitoring pre-diabetes and diabetes.

However, the technology can also be used to measure other molecular constituents of sweat, such as sodium and potassium ions and lactate. The platform can be used to measure virtually anything found in sweat.

"Sweat is hugely amenable to wearable applications and a rich source of information," said Ronald Davis, professor at Stanford.

A wearable sweat sensor allows for frequent monitoring to see how patients respond to a treatment or if they are complying with treatment, said Carlos Milla, associate professor at Stanford.

The study was published in the journal PNAS.

China on Tuesday defended the strategic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passing through PoK over which India has lodged strong protests, saying the project has "no direct link" with the Kashmir issue as it was an "economic" venture.

Seeking to allay India's concerns, China also said New Delhi was welcome to actively participate in the 'One Belt One Road' (OBOR) project, a pet initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"First, I want to say that we welcome India's participation in the building of the One Belt One Road project," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said addressing a media briefing on the OBOR summit to be held here from May 14 -15.

OBOR is the official name for the multi-billion dollars Silk Road project initiated by Xi to expand China's connectivity and strategic influence in the neighbourhood and around the world.

The OBOR summit has posed a dilemma for India as the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the initiative which passes through the Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Commenting for the first time on India's objections over the CPEC, Wang said, "You also mentioned CPEC, I want to reiterate that economic corridor is economic." 

It is for the purpose of serving economic cooperation and development, Wang said, replying to a question about what specific steps China was willing to take to address India's concerns to enable it take part in the OBOR summit.

"It (CPEC) has no direct link with (the) political and boundary dispute. Certain sections of the CPEC have raised concern on the Indian side. But these disputes are not the result of the economic corridor and economic activities," Wang said, defending the project over which India has protested to China in the past.

Economic activities in these regions are not the direct result of the CPEC. China has been providing support to Pakistan in these areas for many years, Wang said.

"This is a contribution China is making for the development of neighbouring countries, it is a constructive contribution China is making," he said.

"As for the dispute of Kashmir, China's position remained unchanged. Also, CPEC has no relationship with the dispute in certain regions…if India wants to take part in the OBOR, there are many channels and ways," he said.

Wang also said China has taken positive note of India's participation in another project — the Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM) corridor.

"India is taking part in the project in its own way. For example, we have this BCIM which is one of the major economic corridors China is planning with the neighbouring countries," he said.

"We have taken note of India's positive attitude on this.

In addition to the BCIM economic corridor, we can also have further discussion of cooperation on the OBOR," Wang said.

He said 28 heads of state and government will participate.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sri Lankan Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe and Myanmar State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi are among the leaders that have confirmed their participation.

"Although, an Indian leader will not be here but India will have a representative," Wang said, without specifying who would be representing India.

"We welcome Indian representative, members of the Indian business community and financial community to take part in the discussions at the summit," Wang said.

In addition to the 28 leaders, 16 Foreign Ministers and Vice Ministers, 190 officials of 92 countries will be taking part in the summit which would discuss various aspect of the project, he said.

Representatives of 110 countries besides UN Secretary General, heads of World Bank and IMF will also be taking part in the event, Wang said.

The summit will have 1,200 participants, Wang said.

Kings XI Punjab have lost their third match on the trot but batsman Manan Vohra feels there is no need to press the panic button just yet as the side will regain momentum during its home matches.

Vohra's 95-run knock went in vain against Sunrisers Hyderabad last night and the visitors went down by five runs in a chase of 160.

It was Punjab's third successive loss but Vohra denied that his team is under any pressure as of now.

"This is still early stage of the tournament. But we would like to get back the winning momentum once we are back to our home ground. Hopefully, by god's grace, things will happen," he said after the match.

Punjab will be playing their first home game of the season in Mohali on April 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Reflecting on the team's performance last night, Vohra said it was a good bowling effort to restrict Hyderabad to 160.

"…because the wicket was batting-friendly, it was slower on one side. Bowlers did their job as well as the fielders," he pointed out.

"We just lost our way in between, in the early stages of the chase. I got a great opportunity to finish the game, but I could not do that. I am pretty sad about this," Vohra said in the post-match press conference.

With seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalping five wickets, Sunrisers Hyderabad put up a superb all-round show after captain David Warner led with a 70-run knock.

"David Warner is a legend of this game. He just changed gears. Still, I think 160 was not a bad total to stop them," Vohra said.

Hyderabad's wicket-keeper-batsman Naman Ojha said his team could have won more easily.

"We dropped too many chances. I think we should have taken it. I think it was a slow and low wicket. We thought 160 was a good total on this wicket because the ball kept low," he said.

The Punjab government on Monday decided to operationalise all the accounts linked with the beneficiaries of the social security welfare schemes within 15 days with a view to provide timely financial assistance to the needy.

Decision to this effect was taken on Monday in a high level meeting chaired by Razia Sultana, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development Department.

The meeting was conducted to review the progress of various social security welfare schemes, in which DPOs (District Program Officers) DSSO (District Social Security Officers) and Program Heads participated. Another important decision taken in the meeting was to implement the Maternity Benefit Scheme in all the districts of the state.

Under this scheme the financial assistance of Rs.6000 would be given to the pregnant women registered with the Anganwari Centres from the period of delivery of the child to the age of 6 months.

Razia Sultana also directed the senior officers of the department to prepare an action plan for quarterly review of the working and progress achieved by different field level officers. The Minister also issued instructions for the anganwari workers to conduct survey on new born children in all the villages to prepare a data base of the sex ratio on monthly basis.

This data base would be used to chalk out elaborate policy to improve the sex ratio of the state. She instructed to start the website of the department so as to generate information regarding various welfare schemes and policy of the department to the poor and needy citizen.

SK Sandhu, Additional Chief Secretary, Social Security and Women & Child Development also issued directions for the officers of the headquarters to make two days field visits in a month to grasp the problems prevalent at grass root level and to ensure the redressal for the benefit of general public. He also asked the district officers to furnish their work appraisal reports to headquarter on fortnightly basis.

In the end, Minister exhorted the officers to work sincerity and diligence and to sensitize the public about the various welfare schemes of the department through various modes of communication.

Amongst others, who were present in the meeting included Ashwani Kumar, Special Secretary, Sukhwinder Singh, Director, Rajneesh Kumar, Additional Director, Kiran Dhawan, Additional Director, Lilly Chaudhary, Joint Director and all Deputy Directors.

E-tailers and modern retail have not made much progress in India, says veteran industrialist Adi B Godrej, who finds 'Kirana' merchants to be efficient, particularly in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) space.

"They (e-tailers in India) are not making much progress, even modern retail in India is not making much progress," the Chairman of the Godrej Group said, while talking about the scene in this space.

In FMCG space, over 90 per cent of the sales comes from 'Kirana' merchants, who are very efficient, added the former President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

"I think it (e-tailing) has not done very well in India, especially fast moving consumer goods. It may have done well in things like clothing and all that," he said.

He rejected suggestions in some quarters that India's growth in general is largely job-less.

"That's not correct at all. We are creating lot of jobs, especially in the unorganised sector," Godrej said.

On the recent Supreme Court order banning sale and consumption of alcohol within a 500 metres distance of national and state highways, he said it's not a good ruling because many of these highways are in the cities.

"Supreme Court ruling didn't say only liquor shops; it said any place serving liquor, even hotels and restaurants.

How can you do it in cities ? It (the SC order) needs modification. I can understand it (the liquor ban) in 'mofussil' highways but it shouldn't be inside cities," he said.

Czech tennis player Tomas Berdych stormed into the second round of ATP Monte-Carlo Masters, defeating Russian qualifier Andrey Kuznetsov, while German youngster Alexander Zverev edged past Italian veteran Andreas Seppi.

Berdych, the highest ranked player in the first round, lost 6-4 in the first set. However, the 2015 runner-up managed to turn the table by winning the next two sets at 6-3, 6-4 in a match which lasted two hours, on Monday, reports Xinhua news agency.

In the other match, 19-year-old Zverev, ranked 14th, eased past Seppi 6-1, 6-2. 

"I like playing on clay because it's the surface that I grew up on," said Zverev after a brilliant play in the ATP 1000 tournament.

In an all-British match, Kyle Edmund defeated Daniel Evans 7-5, 6-1 to book a second-round clash with defending champions Rafael Nadal.

Second-seeded Novak Djokovic and home player Gilles Simon heated up for their singles second-round encounter in Monday's doubles first round where Djokovic and compatriot Viktor Troicki got past Simon and his partner Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 7-5, 6-3.

Australia has said that it was having a "good look" at the situation with respect to the long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, days after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's visit to the country.

The FTA issue emerged prominently during the first official visit of Turnbull to India where he met his counterpart Narendra Modi.

The two leaders confirmed that the progress on the proposed deal has been very slow and asked chief negotiators from the two sides to meet and reinvigorate the talks on the long stalled deal.

Last year, Australian trade minister Steve Ciobo announced that a stocktake of issues surrounded the deal.

Yesterday, the trade minister said "We're having a good look at the situation with respect to India. Certainly, what India's asking goes well beyond anything that Australia has done, in terms of any FTAs that we have put in place, and we're not willing to go to that extent." 

The trade minister said that he wanted to have a look at what it was that India was offering with respect to goods exports.

"From my perspective, I want to make sure that Australia's national interest is well served, which means doing a deal that's good for Australia and not just doing a deal to get one over the line, if it's not serving our national interest well," Ciobo said.

The issues of tariffs and labour mobility have been areas of concern between the two sides.

Meanwhile, Ciobo who left for Japan on Tuesday has expressed his trip would build on free trade deals with Asian neigbour and promote Australian food, beverage, financial services and health sector.

Bilateral trade between India and Australia reached 12.16 billion dollars, almost double compared to what it was a decade ago. The volume of Australia's investment in India is around USD 7 billion.

The talks for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) or FTA between the two sides started in 2011 in a bid to boost bilateral trade and investment.

Both sides were expecting to conclude negotiations by December 2015, however, there were differences in areas like duty cut on dairy products and wines.

Several rounds of negotiations have been completed for liberalising trade and services regime, besides removing non- tariff barriers and encouraging investments.

A special cleanliness drive will be launched from May 1 to June 15, 2017 involving all departments of the Haryana government to check the spread of malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases in the state.

In this connection, the Public Health Department has been directed to make all water pipes free of leakage throughout the state by June 15.

This was stated by Haryana Health Minister, Anil Vij, while presiding over a meeting of the State Level Malaria Working Committee for Inter-Sectoral Coordination.

Vij also issued directions to the Health Department to do anti-larvae spray at all possible places where mosquitoes could breed. He directed officials of the Urban Local Bodies to issue notices to owners of all vacant plots in the urban areas to ensure cleanliness and make available fogging machines in all districts.

The Public Works Department (Buildings and Roads) has been told to fill up pits on the roads or near residential areas. 

Participation of public representatives would be ensured in the drive. Besides, the Education Department has been directed to spread awareness among students of schools, colleges and other educational institutions about these diseases.

He also appealed to the people to observe dry-day every Sunday to dry up all water containers and refill them. Poster and banners should be put up outside schools and colleges regarding prevention of these diseases.

Scientists have discovered a bizarre species of shipworm – a giant, black worm-like animal that plants itself into mud like carrots and gets energy from noxious fumes of sulphur.

The existence of the creature has been known for centuries. The tusk-like shells, measuring three to five feet long, were first documented in the 18th century.

"The shells are fairly common. But we have never had access to the animal living inside," said Daniel Distel, a research professor at Northeastern University in the US.

Scientists set up an expedition and found live specimens of Kuphus polythalamia planted like carrots in the mud of a shallow lagoon.

With a live giant shipworm finally in hand, researchers carefully washed the sticky mud caked to the outside of the giant shipworm shell and tapped off the outer cap, revealing the creature living inside.

"I was awestruck when I first saw the sheer immensity of this bizarre animal," said Marvin Altamia, researcher at the University of the Philippines.

"Being present for the first encounter of an animal like this is the closest I will ever get to being a 19th century naturalist," said Margo Haygood, a research professor at the University of Utah.

Since the animal had never been studied rigorously, little was known about its life history, habitat, or biology.

"We suspected the giant shipworm was radically different from other wood-eating shipworms. Finding the animal confirmed that," said Haygood.

The worm was was found in a remote habitat – a lagoon laden with rotting wood.

Normal shipworm burrows deep into the wood of trees that have washed into the ocean, munching on and digesting the wood with the help of bacteria.

Unlike its shipworm cousins, Kuphus lives in the mud. It also turns to bacteria to obtain nourishment, but in a different way.

Kuphus lives in a pretty stinky place. The organic-rich mud around its habitat emits hydrogen sulfide, a gas derived from sulphur, which has a distinct rotten egg odour.

This environment may be noxious for you and me, but it is a feast for the giant shipworm, researchers said.

Kuphus themselves do not eat, or if they do, they eat very little. Instead, they rely on beneficial bacteria that live in their gills that make food for them.

Like tiny chefs, these bacteria use the hydrogen sulfide as energy to produce organic carbon that feeds the shipworm.

This process is similar to the way green plants use the Sun's energy to convert carbon dioxide in the air into simple carbon compounds during photosynthesis.

As a result, many of Kuphus's internal digestive organs have shrunk from lack of use.

The study was published in the journal PNAS.

Most Asian markets have seen a slump in labour productivity with the exception of India, Indonesia and Philippines where it has gone up in the last eight years, says a report.

According to a report from Workforce Analytics Institute (WAI), a partnership between The Conference Board and Mercer, Singapore and South Korea showed largest drops in productivity per person with 3.12 per cent and 2.34 per cent respectively.

India, on the other hand, had the highest gain at 2.71 per cent, followed by Indonesia at 0.68 per cent.

"It is great to note that India is amongst one of only three countries in Asia where per person productivity has gone up in the last eight years," Mercer India Business Leader Talent Consulting and Information Solutions Shanthi Naresh said.

The report showed decrease in productivity during 2008- 2016 as against 1999-2007.

Naresh further said "over the years, we have seen several of our clients focus on a total rewards proposition to enhance employee engagement and retention".

The total rewards proposition goes beyond traditional compensation and benefits to include training, career advancement, flexible work options and innovation in benefits.

Growth of labour productivity per person employed in China including Hong Kong during 2008-16 stood at 5.82, for Combodia it was 4.86, Vietnam (4.23) and for India at 6.47.

"Across Asia we are riddled with economies showing weak or slowing growth. Against this backdrop, productivity combined with rising wage pressure poses a serious threat to organisations' profitability," Mercer Leader, Workforce Planning & Analytics Siddarth Mehta said.

Raising productivity is fast becoming a priority and especially crucial in an uncertain business climate. The research states three key approaches to enhance productivity — developing more effective leaders; leveraging technology; and enhancing employee engagement.

Yesteryear actress Asha Parekh says the late filmmaker Nasir Hussain was the only man she ever loved.

For years, the entertainment business has known of the celebrated actress' long-standing relationship with Hussain who not only introduced her in Dil Deke Dekho in 1959, they went on to collaborate on seven feature films, all superhits including Teesri Manzil and Caravan.

They also a shared a personal relationship that has come to light in Asha Parekh's new autobiography The Hit Girl.

On the need to speak out about the love of her life, the actress said: "Yes, Nasir Saab was the only man I ever loved. It would've been worthless to write an autobiography if I didn't write about the people who mattered in my life."

She credits her co-author for putting that part of her life. "My co-author Khalid Mohamed handled the whole episode so discreetly and gracefully."

Asha Parekh reveals that she never got married as she never wanted to take Hussain away from his family. 

"I was never a homebreaker. There was never any ill will between me and Nasir Saab's family. In fact, I was so happy to see Nusrat (Hussain's daughter) and Imran Khan (grandson) at my book launch. I feel I've lived my life decently and without hurting anyone."

To retain, restore and revive the glorious history of the world, 18 April is marked as the World Heritage Day. The day seeks to create worldwide awareness on protecting important world monuments and historical sites. Here is a glimpse at some lesser known amazing historical sites and monuments listed in the World Heritage Sites.

Pavagadh Archaeological Park, located in the 16th century Hindu historical city of Champaner in Gujarat's Panchmahal district, was listed by UNESCO in 2004. Built by Sultan Mahmud Begada, the park beautifully documents the shift from Hindu to Muslim culture and architecture in the early 16th century. It houses palaces, mosques, tombs and temples, residential complexes, and agricultural structures dating back to the 8th-14th centuries. A religious park, it is highly praised by many visitors. 

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters: Located amid dense forest, it is a cluster of rock shelters. Discovered in 1957, it is truly an archaeological wonder. The site is said to be over 200,000 years old. It was added to the World Heritage list in 2003. Located in the foothills of Vindya Range in Madhya Pradesh, it is a "magnificent repository of rock paintings within natural rock shelters". It has traces of the stone age in the Indian Subcontinent. In fact, the traces of the first human life in the region can be seen here.. 

Mountain Railways: Set amid breathtaking beautiful green landscapes, Mountain Railways of India is a collective listing of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway, which added to the UNESCO's list in 1999, 2005 and 2008, respectively. They are a sight to behold and the train ride through the blue mountains and lush forest is a thrilling experience not to be missed.

His finishing skills called into question by critics, Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday received firm backing from spin legend Shane Warne, who feels that former India captain doesn't need to "prove anything to anyone".

Removed from captaincy before the start of the 10th edition of the ongoing Indian Premier League, Dhoni so far has had a quiet tournament for Rising Pune Supergiant by his standards, scoring only 61 runs in five games.

Warne on Tuesday took to twitter to back Dhoni, who has been a phenomenal limited-overs cricketer.

"@msdhoni does not have to prove anything to anyone, he's class & a wonderful player in all formats. MS is also a great captain & inspires!," Warne wrote on his twitter page.

Dhoni's strike-rate in the 10th IPL has been a dismal 87.14 with an average of shade over 15. He has managed to hit only two sixes in five games.

While he is still the undisputed No.1 keeper-batsman in the limited-overs format but inconsistent form over the past year has led to debated if he is still a potent match-winner.

Wrestler Geeta Phogat on Tuesday said she was focusing on the next year's Commonwealth and Asian games.

“A year is left for mega events, Commonwealth and Asian games. So I have started my practise which I am going to accelerate in a month,” Geeta told reporters here.

The wrestler said she will compete at the selection trail for the next world wrestling championship.

“My mind right now is focused on practise. So, I have decided to grace only 3 to 4 functions in a month,” she added.

Just when you thought you’ve got your the English Premier League’s pulse, it foes to spring surprises yet again.

A stunning upset, which fallout is still being measured and it may just have turned the tide in the title-race, dominates high points from Gameweek 33.

It isn’t over yet Chelsea!
It takes something special to beat Chelsea these days and Manchester United conjured a sparkling performance to stun the league leaders at Old Trafford on Sunday. Ander Herrera man-marked Eden Hazard out of the game, Marcus Rashford made David Luis and Gary Cahill look mighty slow in a game which the Red Devils surprised many by outplaying their fancied opponents.

The gap between the Blues and second-placed Tottenham Hotspur is just four points now (The difference was 10 points three games ago) and while there is no denying the Lilywhites have a much tougher run-in, the Blues will not be run for the title as many had thought earlier.

Race for top-four is very much alive
While most guarantee Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur the first two Champions League spots, the final two are too close to call at the moment. Liverpool (67 points), Manchester City (64 points) and Manchester United (60 points) are all neck-and-neck with 6th-placed Arsenal (57 points) not too far behind. Liverpool have played 33 games, City have played 32 while United and Arsenal both have played 31. The Reds have the easiest run-in of the lot and United have the toughest, but if Jurgen Klopp’s side have proved anything this season, it is that Liverpool prefer to play the big guns, rather than the small fry. So who’s your money on to finish in the top-four?

Bye-Bye Captain, Leader, Legend: John Terry
One of those announcements that Blues fans had been expecting since the turn of the year, but when it came, it caused many a ripple. Chelsea’s long-serving captain will be leaving at the end of the season, the capital club announced on Monday. The 36-year-old last started a league game in September, with Chelsea Antonio Conte deciding the veteran was unable to fit in his 3-4-3 formation. While his past two seasons have not been remarkable, admitted, there is no denying that the centre-back has been a fantastic servant for the Blues. Having made his debut way back in the 1998-99 season, the centre-back has 488 league appearances to his name, scoring an impressive 40 goals in that span. Terry’s sparkling trophy haul of four Premier League titles (and possibly a fifth this year), five FA Cups, three League Cups and of course, the UEFA Champions League proves that former schoolboy from Barking has had a career most can only dream of. A fitting farewell would be to win the Premier League in his final year at the club, but will destiny favour him one last time?

Life beyond Ibrahimovic for Manchester United?
With the Swede stalling on a contract for reasons unknown (Rumours say he wants Champions League football next year), Mourinho boldly rested his top-scorer for the crunch clash against Chelsea. Starting in his place was 19-year-old Marcus Rashford, who, with his direct running and impressive work rate terrorised the Chelsea defence all game long, scoring a well-taken opener for good measure as well. The tactic paid off handsomely, proving that United can play without the powerful but stationary at times, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

With Romelu Lukaku on the verge of exit from Everton and Antoine Griezmann being openly courted by the Red Devils, will we see a high-profile (Younger and much faster) forward at Old Trafford next summer?

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) here on Monday dismissed a petition by two firms belonging to Cyrus Mistry's family, seeking waiver of an eligibility condition for moving the forum against Tata Sons.

An NCLT bench of BSV Prakash Kumar and V Nallasenapathy said, "The waiver is dismissed, the company petition dismissed".

The two firms had sought to challenge Mistry's ouster from Tata Sons last year and alleged that there was mismanagement and oppression of minority shareholders.

They urged the NCLT to use its discretion and waive an eligibility condition for filing such a petition.

The tribunal had held last month that the plea was not maintainable, because the petitioner firms did not meet one of the eligibility criteria prescribed by the Companies Act.

The two Mistry family firms contended that under the Act, the tribunal can waive a requirement that petitioner should hold at least one-tenth of 'issued share capital' of the company, or represent at least one-tenth of the company's minority shareholders.

Tata Sons had argued that if preference capital was also considered, the petitioner firms held only 2.17 per cent of the total issued share capital of Tata Sons.

Mistry was removed as Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding firm of Tata Group, one of the country's largest conglomerates, last October.