RG 21 Story Updates

                                               Jack Ma and Alibaba IPO

In our June 8, 2013 post we reported on Jack Ma and Internet e-commerce giant Alibaba. At the end of the post we mentioned that there were rumors of an IPO (Initial Public Offering)  by 2015. The IPO happened in September 2014, and was the largest IPO ever for the New York Stock Exchange. The selling price of shares was around $68.00, but quickly rose to a high of $93.89. The IPO raised $25 billion, incidentally making Jack Ma the richest man in China. The RG21 post is here:

 http://research-group21.com/admin/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&blog_id=3&id=47

                                                Alibaba’s Jack Ma (Photo: china.org.cn)

                

                                                   US and Indian Mars Missions

On August 3, 2014 we reported about the US and India Mars missions. The Indian Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) Mangalyann was scheduled to enter Mars orbit on September 24, 2014 preceded by the NASA Maven vehicle on September 21, 2014. Both vehicles arrived on time and are now orbiting Mars collecting valuable data. Congratulations are in order for both NASA and India’s ISRO. Well done!

The RG21 post for August 3, 2014 is here: 

http://research-group21.com/admin/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&blog_id=3&id=180

                                              NASA Maven Orbiter (NASA)

                                                   India Magalyaan Orbiter ( ISRO)

                                               

                                                India-China Border Standoff

And finally, on July 20, 2013, RG21 reported on India’s plan to stand up a 45,000-man strike force by 2020 to deal protect its border interests with China. In the same post we also mentioned a three-week standoff in April 2013 in the Ladak Plateau region that had been settled peaceably. The Ladak Plateau area was again in the news in September 2014. On September 8, Indian troops erected an observation post in the region. China retaliated by starting construction of a road, which the Indians considered well within their territory. Another standoff ensued. Troop strength is estimated at about 800 for the Chinese and 1500 for the Indian side. Again, both sides agreed to a peaceful solution, and a pull back was scheduled for September 26, 2014. Clearly tensions will remain along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and in the Ladak region. RG21 will continue to monitor developments in the region. RG21post on India-China border tensions here:

http://research-group21.com/admin/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&blog_id=3&id=59

                                                            Indian Mountain Troops (Defense Radar.com)