Tag: Latest Affairs

NATIONAL NEWS 

Centre agrees to grant permanent commission to 11 women Army officers.

The Central government on Friday agreed to grant permanent commission (PC) to 11 women Army officers who meet the eligibility criteria, after the Supreme Court threatened to initiate contempt proceedings. The Centre, which was initially reluctant, conveyed its acquiescence to a Bench led by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud to grant PC to the officers within 10 days. Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers, who have not approached the court but nonetheless meet the various eligibility criteria, would be granted PC in three weeks, the government informed the court. In October, the court similarly intervened with the government in favour of granting PC to 39 other SSC women officers. We appreciate the fair stand of the Army authority in putting at rest all outstanding issues pertaining to women SSC officers, the court recorded at the end. The Bench, also comprising Justice A.S. Bopanna, was hearing a contempt petition filed by the 11 officers, who alleged they were denied PC despite crossing the eligibility threshold. However, the court said that by way of abundant caution, it is clarified that those officers who have disciplinary and vigilance clearance will be eligible to grant of PC, subject to their meeting of other conditions.

 

PM to inaugurate Kashi temple corridor on December 13 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor project on December 13 in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, alongside families of those who had been displaced due to the project. The project inauguration comes with just a few months to spare for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and has significance in terms of cultural politics for the State. According to senior sources in the BJP, at least 400 families were asked to vacate the area, many of the encroachments around the historic temple cleared to make way for the project that encapsulates the vision of the Holkar queen of Indore, Ahalya Bai Holkar, who created a series of temples and vistas leading up to the Ganga ghat. The project connects the temple with the ghats of the Ganga, with a paved walkway around 320 metres long and 20 metres wide. It will also have facilities for a museum, library, a facilitation centre for pilgrims, and a Mumuksha Bhawan (salvation house). According to Shashi Kumar, head of U.P. BJP’s social media cell, the function would see the presence of the main ‘archakas’ of the 12 ‘Jyotirlingas’ (of which Kashi is one), with water from all major rivers of the country being brought in for the ‘abhishek’ of main deity Baba Vishwanath (Lord Shiva). The project is an important one for Modi and was pegged at ₹600 crore (approximately) after it was launched in March 2018. An estimated ₹300 crore was spent on purchasing land and buildings around the temple complex, and for resettlement compensation alone. 

 

Battle of ideologies is most important in today’s India: Rahul Gandhi 

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that the battle of ideologies has become one of the most important ones in today’s India, while accepting that the ideology of his party had been overshadowed by the hate-filled orientation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It is important to understand why we find ourselves in the situation where we find ourselves. Today, whether we like it or not, we have to accept that the divisive ideology of the RSS and the BJP has overshadowed the loving, affectionate and nationalistic ideology of the Congress. Our ideology is alive and vibrant but it is overshadowed, Gandhi said. He was speaking at the inaugural session of a four-day national orientation camp for organisation training at Sewagram Ashram in Wardha district of Maharashtra. The moment we crystallise ours’ [ideology], we will envelope them [the BJP-RSS]. Just like Lord Shiva used to consume poison, Congress ideology will make the BJP’s ideology, [of] hate disappear, he said. Commenting on the training, Gandhi said that spreading the Congress’ ideology was only one part of it. Our ideology spreads only when fear and pain within an individual is overcome. We must focus on strengthening our workers to make them fearless and pain-less. We are countering the ideology which thrives on fear and pain. We stand with smile, love and respect to others crossing the boundaries of caste, religion and region, against those who offer nothing but hate, anger and abuse, he said. 

 

Covaxin safe, shows 77.8% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19: Lancet study 

Two doses of Covaxin, India’s indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, offer 77.8% protection against symptomatic disease and present no serious safety concerns, according to an interim analysis of its phase 3 trial published in The Lancet on Friday. Covaxin, an inactivated whole virus vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, recently received emergency use approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) for people aged 18 and above. The phase-3 trial findings indicate that Covaxin induces a robust antibody response with no severe vaccine-related adverse events or deaths reported among the trial participants, the authors of the study said. The phase 3 trial findings indicate that Covaxin induces a robust antibody response with no severe vaccine-related adverse events or deaths reported among the trial participants. File image. The majority of the adverse events, including headache, fatigue, fever, and pain at the injection site, were mild and occurred within seven days of vaccination, they explained. The vaccine is administered in a two-dose regimen, 28 days apart, and can be stored and transported between 2-8 degrees Celsius. The trial took place from November 16 to May 17 this year, with participants aged 18 and older randomly assigned to receive two doses of the vaccine or a placebo. The researchers recorded 24 positive cases among 8,471 people in the vaccine group and 106 positive cases among 8,502 people in the placebo group, suggesting an overall vaccine efficacy of 77.8 per cent, the authors said.  

 

HC expresses displeasure against targeting of Manika Batra by TTFI 

The Delhi High Court Friday expressed strong displeasure that star table tennis player Manika Batra was being allegedly targeted by the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) for dragging the sports body to the court by raising her grievances. Justice Rekha Palli said the player cannot be targeted and if she was being targeted, then it was a serious problem. The high court was hearing a petition by Batra seeking quashing of rules mandating compulsory attendance at the National Coaching Camp for selection in international events. It directed the TTFI to place before it the communications with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) regarding Batra, who made a complaint against the national sports body. The court’s order came after Batra, the country’s top-ranked women’s table tennis player, claimed that she was being targeted by the national federation for raising her grievances in the court and now the international federation was also treating her like an accused. The averment was vehemently denied by the counsel for TTFI. The high court had on September 23 stayed the TTFI’s rule mandating compulsory attendance at the National Coaching Camp for selection in international events and had asked the Centre to conduct an inquiry into Batra’s complaint against the sports body. On Friday, the court was informed by the Centre’s counsel Apoorv Kurup that the enquiry report was ready and the judge asked them to file it in a sealed cover before it. In the petition, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Khel Ratna awardee has alleged that the federation was carrying out its selection processes in a non-transparent manner, targeting certain individuals such as herself. She has asserted that the national coach, in a clear conflict of interest, was running a private table tennis academy simultaneously and on one occasion, pressurised the petitioner to throw away a match only with a view to help one of his trainees at his private academy to qualify for the Olympics, 2020. The plea stated that Table Tennis is an individual sport, which requires specialised training with support staff and thus the rule against personal coaching is arbitrary, irrational, absurd, and has no nexus with achieving excellence in an individualised sport.  

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

India’s Bimal Patel elected to UN’s International Law Commission

Professor Bimal Patel from India has been elected to the International Law Commission for a 5-year-term starting January 1, 2023, by topping the Asia-Pacific group for the election at the United Nations on November 12, 2021. Patel is a Vice-Chancellor at Rashtriya Raksha University and a Member of the National Security Advisory Board of India. Patel topped the Asia-Pacific group with 163 votes in the UN General Assembly out of 192 members present and voting. TheThe Asia-Pacific group saw 11 very strong candidates contesting for 8 seats. The 11 candidates by nationality included candidates from India, Japan, China, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Cyprus, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Mongolia, and Lebanon. India topped the Asia-Pacific group with 163 votes on the account of Bimal Patel, followed by 162 votes for Thailand, 154 votes for Japan, 145 votes for Vietnam, 142 votes for China, 140 votes for South Korea, 139 votes for Cyprus, and 123 votes for Mongolia. 

 

UN Climate conference to continue till afternoon of November 13

The President of the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference in Scotland, Alok Sharma has said that he expected the negotiations for a deal will continue into the afternoon of November 13, 2021. The President of the COP26 said that he envisages the formal plenary meetings in the afternoon to adopt the decisions and close it on Saturday. The two-week COP26 was originally scheduled to end on November 12, 2021.

 

US President to virtually meet Chinese President on Nov 15

The President of the United States Joe Biden will virtually meet the President of China Xi Jinping on November 15, 2021. The leaders will discuss the ways to responsibly manage the competition between US and China. Biden will make clear of US’s intention and be clear about its concerns with China.

 

Johnson & Johnson to separate company’s Consumer Health Business

Johnson & Johnson has decided to separate the consumer health business of the company and to create a new public traded company. The separation will create two global leaders that will be better positioned for delivering improved health outcomes for the patients and consumers through innovations.

NATIONAL NEWS 

UAPA: Supreme Court agrees to fix date to hear plea to quash FIRs by Tripura police

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to fix a date and hear a petition filed by several persons to quash the FIRs registered against them under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for social media posts alleging communal violence in Tripura. Tripura Police have booked 102 social media users, including journalists and activists, under the UAPA and accused them of criminal conspiracy and forgery. The police have sent notices to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to freeze their accounts and sought information on them. The State police had registered a case under UAPA against Supreme Court lawyers who were part of a fact-finding team which released a report on the alleged instances of communal violence in Tripura. These lawyers were part of the fact-finding team which investigated these incidents in Tripura. Social media users who posted messages like ‘Tripura is burning’ have also been charged under UAPA, advocate Prashant Bhushan addressed a three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana during the mentioning of the case for urgent hearing. Chief Justice Ramana suggested the petitioners could approach the High Court first. Bhushan replied that the petition had also challenged the constitutionality of certain provisions in the UAPA. The Editors Guild of India had recently condemned the Tripura Police’s invocation of the draconian UAPA in the case.

 

India demands $1 trillion as ‘climate finance’ 

 India has demanded a trillion dollars over the next decade from developed countries to adapt to, and mitigate, the challenges arising from global warming, and has kept this as a condition for delivering on climate commitments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a senior official who is part of ongoing climate agreement negotiations in Glasgow told The Hindu. India’s five-fold plan, as Modi spelt out on November 2, is as follows — India’s non-fossil energy capacity would reach 500 GW by 2030; it will meet 50% of its electricity requirements with renewable energy by 2030; reduce its total projected carbon emissions by a billion tonnes by 2030; it will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy to less than 45% and achieve net zero by 2070.   Net zero is when a country’s carbon emissions are offset by taking out equivalent carbon from the atmosphere, so that emissions in balance are zero. However, achieving net zero by a specific date means specifying a year, also called a peaking year, following which emissions will begin to fall. Nationally Determined Contributions are voluntary targets that countries set for themselves, which describe the quantum and kind of emission cuts they will undertake over a fixed period to contribute to preventing runaway global warming. India’s last NDC was submitted following the Paris Agreement of 2015. Before COP26 began on November 1, countries were expected to provide updated NDCs. India, however, did not furnish one. He added that developing countries, as a group, had demanded $1 trillion annually. Gupta did not, however, clarify the members of this group, or if India had formally communicated these demands, or if they had emerged as part of the negotiations. Delivering on climate finance is among the stickiest points of contention between developed and developing countries because developed countries, as a group, have failed to provide $100 billion annually by 2020, as promised from a decade ago. With the conference scheduled to draw to an end on Friday, nearly 200 countries are yet to finalise a final text of an agreement.

 

Jairam Ramesh moves privilege motion against Culture Minister Kishan Reddy 

Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh on Thursday moved a privilege motion against Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy over the appointment of former MP Tarun Vijay as the chairperson of the National Monuments Authority, a post for which, Ramesh said, Vijay was not qualified. In a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu ahead of the winter session of Parliament from November 29, Ramesh cited a section of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010 that says the chairperson of the NMA should have proven experience and expertise in the field of archaeology, country and town planning, architecture, heritage, conservation architecture or law…. The Congress leader wrote that for the first time, the government had appointed a chairperson whose educational and professional background does not meet the requirements of law passed by Parliament in March 2010. That the appointee is a former MP is irrelevant and makes no difference whatsoever. I would like to move a privilege motion against the Union Minister of Culture in this regard for wilfully disregarding the provisions of law passed by Parliament. He has, in fact, made a mockery of this law, Ramesh wrote. Vijay had been a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2010 to 2016 and his profile on the House website says he is a journalist and writer by profession, having served as the chief editor of the RSS magazine Panchjanya for about two decades. He holds a B.A. degree from Osmania University, Hyderabad, the profile says. When reached for response, Vijay declined to comment, saying he was busy and that the matter pertained to the Minister. Reddy took over the Culture portfolio from Prahlad Singh Patel after the Cabinet expansion in July last.

 

Delhi HC seeks Centre’s stand on plea to label all products as vegetarian or non-vegetarian 

The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the Centre’s stand on a plea for labelling all items used by the public, including home appliances and apparel, as vegetarian or non-vegetarian on the basis of their ingredients and items used in manufacturing process. A bench headed by Justice Vipin Sanghi observed that everyone has the right to know and follow their belief and asked the Central Government to seriously examine the plea by Ram Gaua Raksha Dal — a trust working towards the welfare of cows — which claims that there are certain non-vegetarian products that are unknowingly used or consumed by those professing vegetarianism due to absence of proper disclosures. There can be no denying the fact that every person has the right to know which springs from right to free speech. The issue raised by the petitioner has a bearing on a person’s right to life in as much as the person is entitled to profess and follow his beliefs, said the bench, also comprising Justice Jasmeet Singh. It said a copy of the order be given to the concerned secretaries of Ministries of Health and Consumer Affairs for their consideration and directed that a response be filed in three weeks. The petitioner, represented by lawyer Rajat Aneja, has highlighted in the petition that there are several items and commodities which are used in everyday lives without those professing vegetarianism realising that they are either derived from animals or processed using animal-based products. Aneja told the court that bone char or natural carbon is used for polishing or refining white sugar, which is not fit for the consumption of people professing vegetarianism. Bone china products and even crayons have ingredients of animal origin, he added. The petition has asserted that the information regarding the usage of any non-vegetarian component ought to be disclosed and be considered as a factor to declare that product as non-vegetarian.

 

Won’t have airlines in India to board if fare limits not increased: Aviation Minister 

There won’t be any airline in India to board if limits on domestic airfares are not increased as oil prices have jumped from $22 each barrel to $85 in the last eight months, Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. At the ‘Times Now Summit 2021’, he said aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is about 40% of an airline’s cost structure in the country. Domestic air travel became costlier on August 12 this year when the Aviation Ministry raised the lower and upper caps on domestic fares by 9.83% to 12.82%. The Ministry had increased the lower limit for flights under 40-minute duration from ₹2,600 to ₹2,900 — an increase of 11.53%. The upper cap for flights under 40-minute duration was increased by 12.82% to ₹8,800. The reason for the Aviation Ministry raising the fare bands is that airlines must be given some cushion when there is a 400% jump in the prices of raw materials. If you are not able to give a 12.5% hike on the revenue side then you and I won’t have an airline to board, he added. India had imposed lower and upper limits on airfares based on flight duration when services resumed on May 25, 2020, after a two-month Covid lockdown. The lower caps were imposed to help the airlines that have been struggling financially due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions. The upper caps were imposed so that passengers are not charged huge amounts when the demand for seats is high. The caps mentioned by the government in its order does not include the passenger security fee, user development fee for the airports and the GST. These charges are added on top when a ticket is booked.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

Taliban welcomes NSA meeting by India on Afghanistan

Taliban on November 11, 2021, welcomed the Delhi regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan. The Taliban group claimed that they have already fulfilled all the demands mentioned for the India conference on Afghanistan. The Taliban group said it welcomes the India meeting. We are trying to make solid steps in governance, and countries should not be worried about Afghanistan soil being used against anyone, said the Taliban Group in media reports. The National Security Adviser (NSAs) of the National Security Councils of eight countries including India participated in the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan. India’s NSA Ajit Doval chaired the meeting.

 

UN Security Council calls for immediate end to violence in Myanmar

The UN Security Council in a statement dated November 10, 2021, called for an immediate end of violence across Myanmar following the reports of clashes between the armed forces and militant groups. The UNSC while expressing concern over the violence noted that the ‘recent developments pose particular serious challenges for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees and internally displaced persons’. The Council highlighted the need for improving the health and humanitarian situation in Myanmar. The UN Relief Chief Martin Griffiths said that the humanitarian situation in Myanmar is deteriorating. The USD 385 million humanitarian support for Myanmar is less than half funded as of yet.

NATIONAL NEWS 

Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Weapon seized from Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s son was fired, confirms FSL report

A forensic report has confirmed that weapons recovered from Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra and others after the Lakhimpur violence had been fired. Protesting farmers had alleged that Ashish Mishra had opened fire. Though the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report confirmed that the weapons had been discharged, it does not specify whether they were fired on the day of the violence or some other day. Four weapons, including a rifle belonging to Ashish Mishra alias Monu Mishra, had been seized following the Lakhimpur violence. A pistol owned by Ankit Das, nephew of former Union Minister Akhilesh Das, and a repeater gun, which was with Das’ bodyguard Lateef Kale, were also among them. The special investigation team (SIT) probing the case is yet to issue an official statement on the FSL report. After the arrest of Ashish Mishra, Das and Kale, the SIT had recovered their licensed weapons – a rifle, pistol, revolver and a repeater gun – and sent them for forensic examination on October 15. According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the police on a complaint of Jagjit Singh, a native of Bahraich district, the entire episode was premeditated for which the conspiracy was hatched by the Minister and his son. Ashish Mishra and 15-20 unnamed men were mentioned as accused and charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, rash driving and rioting among others. Of them, police have so far arrested 13. Minister Ajay Mishra had refuted the allegations that his son was involved in the episode that took place near his native Banbirpur village in the Tikonia area of the district. The FIR has been lodged under Indian Penal Code Sections 147, 148, 149 (all three related to rioting), 279 (rash driving), 338 (causes grievous hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life), 304A (causing death by negligence), 302 (murder) and 120B (party to a criminal conspiracy).

Centre to restore MPLAD scheme

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved restoration and continuation of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which was suspended in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the Cabinet presided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the scheme has been restored for the remaining part of financial year 2021-22. The scheme will continue till 2025-26. Funds will be released at the rate of ₹2 crore per MP for the remaining period of 2021-22 in one instalment, he said. From 2022-23 to 2025-26, funds will be released under the scheme at the rate of ₹5 crore per annum to each of the MPs in two instalments of ₹2.5 crore each, he added. In April last year, the government had suspended MPLADS during 2020-21 and 2021-22, and said that the funds would be used for managing health services and the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Under the scheme, MPs can recommend development programmes involving expenditure of ₹5 crore every year in their constituencies.

In blow to AAP, MLA joins Congress in Punjab

In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab, its Bathinda rural MLA Rupinder Kaur Ruby on Wednesday joined the Congress. Ruby said the stupendous performance of the Congress Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi during the past 50 days has been far better than that of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal’s Government in Delhi, prompting her to join hands with the Congress. Ruby announced her resignation through her twitter handle on Tuesday night saying: Mr. @ArvindKejriwalji Convener, AAP & @BhagwantMannji. This is to hereby inform u that I am resigning with immediate effect from the membership of Aam Aadmi Party. Please accept my resignation. Thx Rupinder Kaur Ruby. (MLA Bathinda, rural). Channi said it is a matter of great pride and honour for them as Ruby has joined the party highly moved by the pro-people policies of his government. Leader of the Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema (AAP) said Ruby has changed her loyalties as she does not stand a chance to get re-nomination in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Odisha government launches road safety initiative ‘Rakshak’ to train first responders

Odisha government on November 10, 2021, launched a first-of-its-kind road safety initiative called Rakshak. Under the state-level program, 300 master trainers will train and empower the local people across all the 30 districts to provide help to the road accidents victims. Under Rakshak, 30,000 volunteers near accident-prone spots will be trained as First Responders to road accidents. The 30,000 first responders will be equipped to administer first aid and pre-hospital trauma care to accident victims. As per sources, India reports around 1.5 lakh people every year dying in road accidents. Odisha reports more than 5,000 road accidents victims.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

India seeks greater consultation on Afghanistan

India had been keenly observing the unfolding situation in Afghanistan and the time had come for close cooperation and consultation among the regional countries for the all-round security of Afghanistan, said National Security Adviser Ajit Doval addressing the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Wednesday. Russian representative Nikolai P. Patrushev said dialogue mechanisms should not complicate the unfolding situation in the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. This is the third meeting of the process that was initiated by Iran in 2018. We had the second meeting there as well. We are grateful to Iran for that. We are meeting today to discuss matters related to Afghanistan. These have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbours and the region. This is a time for close consultation amongst us and greater cooperation, interaction and coordination among the regional countries, Doval said initiating the discussion. The meeting has drawn representation by the heads of the national security establishment of all the Central Asian countries, Russia and Iran. Pakistan and China too were invited to participate in the consultation but both have stayed away. This is the first meeting of the security heads of these countries that India is hosting since the Taliban took power in August after dislodging the Government of President Ashraf Ghani. Doval is accompanied in the meeting by Samant Goel, head of the Research and Analysis Wing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other Indian diplomats who have been part of Afghanistan-related initiatives in recent months. Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai P. Patrushev praised the role of various regional dialogue mechanisms that had been framed to deal with the political situation in Afghanistan. However, he appeared to favour the Moscow consultation which he praised for broad participation by all sides. Such dialogue mechanisms should not complicate the work of each other but rather complement each other. The Moscow format of consultation on Afghanistan retains its important potential because of the broad participation of the stakeholders, Patrushev said, asking for stability in the region around Afghanistan.

South Africa’s last apartheid president FW de Klerk died at the age of 85

South Africa’s last apartheid president FW de Klerk passed away at the age of 85 on November 11, 2021 after suffering from mesothelioma cancer, confirmed the FW de Klerk Foundation. FW de Klerk was South Africa’s last apartheid president who oversaw the end of the country’s white minority rule. FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their efforts in moving South Africa towards democracy away from institutionalized racism. Frederik Willem de Klerk was a South African politician who was President of South Africa from 1989 to 1994 and Deputy President from 1994 to 1996. FW de Klerk was the last President from the era of white-minority rule. Klerk’s government dismantled the apartheid system and introduced democracy in South Africa. The apartheid system in South Africa was referred to as the brutal system of racial discrimination in the country. Klerk led the National Party from 1989 to 1997. Prior to being elected to the Parliament as a member of the National Party that institutionalized the apartheid system, FW de Klerk was studying law. In 1978, Klerk was appointed for a series of ministerial posts including Internal Affairs. He was born in Johannesburg in 1936.

NATIONAL NEWS 

96 countries have agreed to mutual acceptance of COVID vaccination certificates, says Health Minister; Covaxin in U.K.’s approved list from November 22

Ninety six countries have agreed to mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certificates with India, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday. TheThe government continues to be in communication with the rest of the world so that beneficiaries of the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination programme are accepted and recognised, thereby easing travel for education, business and tourism purposes, Mandaviya said in a statement. At present, 96 countries have agreed to mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and also those who recognise Indian vaccination certificates of travellers fully vaccinated with Covishield/WHO-approved/nationally approved Covid vaccines, Mandaviya stated. Consecutively, persons travelling from these countries are provided certain relaxations as enunciated in the Union Health Ministry’s guidelines on international arrivals issued on October 20, 2021. For those who wish to travel abroad, the international travel vaccination certificate can also be downloaded from the CoWIN portal, the ministry said. Meanwhile, the U.K. Government has said that India’s Covaxin will be added to its list of approved COVID-19 vaccines for international travellers from November 22, meaning that those inoculated with the Bharat Biotech-manufactured jab will not have to self-isolate after arrival in England.

Rafale scam trail ends at PM’s door, says Congress

The Congress party on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi government of covering up corruption in the Rafale scam and shying away from registering an FIR even 36 months after evidence emerged on middleman Sushen Gupta’s role in the deal. Addressing a press conference, party spokesperson Pawan Khera said the government is busy burying the black melting pot of corruption, kickbacks and collusion. And in doing so, it has undermined national security, jeopardised the interests of Indian armed forces, and caused a loss to the exchequer of ₹41,000 crore, he added. French investigative journal Mediapart in fresh revelations had exposed how middleman Gupta got hold of confidential documents belonging to the Indian Negotiating Team (INT) in 2015 from the Ministry of Defence. The documents detailed the stance of Indian negotiators during the final lap of negotiation and in particular how they calculated the price of the aircraft. This gave a clear advantage to Dassault Aviation (Rafale), Khera claimed, citing the Mediapart report. The corruption can be tracked to PM Modi’s doorstep, the Congress leader said. The evidence in this case had first came up on October 4, 2018 when two former Union ministers of the BJP — Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha — submitted a file to then CBI Director Alok Verma. On October 11 the attorney general of Mauritius also sent documents about the middleman Gupta, the Congress spokesperson said. The Congress leader also alleged that on Prime Minister Modi’s directions the anti-corruption clauses — no bribery, no gift, no influence, no commission, no middlemen — was removed. Were the anti-corruption clauses deleted to escape responsibility from bribery and commission to be paid in the Rafale deal? Why was the deletion of anti-corruption clauses approved by the Prime Minister and the Modi government in September 2016, despite the Defence Ministry’s insistence upon including it in the inter-governmental agreement in July 2015, Khera asked. 

BJP demands Rahul’s response on fresh ‘revelation’ by Mediapart 

Reacting to a French media report that commissions were paid between 2007 and 2012 for securing the Rafale deal with India, the BJP on Tuesday said the INC (Indian National Congress) should be renamed as I Need Commission and alleged that the failed negotiations for the aircraft took place when the Congress was in power and they failed because of the latter’s dissatisfaction with the ‘cut’. At a press meet at the BJP headquarters, spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the Congress, especially its former president Rahul Gandhi, who has been alleging corruption in the purchase of the fighter aircraft by the Modi Government, of spreading canard, disinformation and lies. Patra also sought Gandhi’s response to the fresh revelation by French investigative portal Mediapart. Thirteen India Specific Enhancements to the Rafale fighter jet were demanded by the Indian Air Force. Mediapart has claimed that bogus invoices were used that enabled the French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation to pay at least €7.5 million in secret commissions to a middleman to help it secure the Rafale deal with India. According to its investigation, the Dassault Aviation paid the kickbacks to the intermediary in Mauritius between 2007 and 2012, putting it in the time frame when the Congress-led UPA was in power. The Supreme Court and the CAG have already gone into the contents of the Rafale deal signed by the Modi Government and found nothing wrong in it, Patra said. He said Gandhi had made the alleged corruption in the purchase a big election issue during the 2019 polls but it failed to make any impact. The BJP retained power with a bigger majority, he said.

Punjab Cabinet accepts resignation of Attorney General Deol 

The Punjab Cabinet has accepted the resignation of Attorney General A P S Deol and the post left vacant by him will be filled by Wednesday, said Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in Chandigarh. State Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has been pushing for the replacement of Attorney General Deol, who had represented former Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini in cases related to the 2015 desecration incidents and police firing on protesters. Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Channi said the AG had resigned a few days ago. The Cabinet today accepted it (resignation), said Channi, adding that it would be sent to the State Governor. Tomorrow, the new AG will be appointed, said Channi.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 

China capable of blockading its key harbours, says Taiwan.

China’s armed forces are capable of blockading Taiwan’s key harbours and airports, the island’s Defence Ministry said on Tuesday, offering its latest assessment of what it describes as a grave military threat posed by its giant neighbour. China has never renounced the use of force to bring democratic Taiwan under its control and has been ramping up military activity around the island, including repeatedly flying war planes into Taiwan’s air defence zone. Taiwan’s defence ministry, in a report it issues every two years, said China had launched what it called gray-zone warfare, citing 554 intrusions by Chinese war planes into its south western theatre of air defence identification zone between September last year and the end of August. MilitaryMilitary analysts say the tactic is aimed at subduing Taiwan through exhaustion. AtAt the same time, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is aiming to complete the modernisation of its forces by 2035 to obtain superiority in possible operations against Taiwan and viable capabilities to deny foreign forces, posing a grave challenge to our national security, the Taiwan Ministry said. AtAt present, the PLA is capable of performing local joint blockade against our critical harbours, airports, and outbound flight routes, to cut off our air and sea lines of communication and impact the flow of our military supplies and logistic resources, the ministry said.

Japan confirms season’s 1st Avian Flu outbreak

Japan on November 10, 2021, confirmed Avian Flu outbreak at a chicken farm in Akita prefecture, Northeastern Japan. The season’s first Avian Influenza outbreak was confirmed through genetic testing at a chicken farm in Yokote. 1,43,000 birds on that farm will be culled. The Akita prefectural government has banned the delivery of chickens or eggs from farms within 10 kms of the chicken farm in Yokote. It has asked the Self-Defense Force to resolve the issue. PM Fumio Kishida has also called the Farm Ministry and governmental agencies to take preventive measures. On November 9, a veterinarian reported to local health authorities about the increasing number of chickens dying at a farm in Yokote. After a simple test of 13 chickens from the farm showed 12 chickens positive for Avian Flu.

NATIONAL NEWS

Centre amends Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 for increasing protection of consumer rights. The amendments will come into effect from April 1, 2022. The Consumer Affairs Ministry omitted Rule 5 defining Schedule II determining the pack sizes of different types of commodities. The Ministry introduced a new provision for indicating the unit sale price on pre-packed commodities to enable easier comparison of prices of commodities at the time of purchase. TheThe amendment makes it mandatory to declare the date of manufacturing on the pre-packed commodities for pre-packed commodities. TheThe amendment has also made declaring MRP in Indian currency inclusive of all taxes. The removal of illustration has simplified the provisions for manufacturers for declaration of MRP on the pre-packed commodities.

 

Malayalam actress Kozhikode Sarada passes away at 75

Veteran Malayalam actress Kozhikode Sarada passed away at the age of 75 on November 9, 2021. Sarada was admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on November 7 after she reported difficulty in breathing. OnOn November 8, Sarada suffered cardiac arrest while she was undergoing treatment. She died at the same hospital where she had worked as a nursing assistant for 27 years. SaradaSarada had made her acting debut with Angakkuri movie in 1979. She had acted in several TV serials and more than 100 movies.

 

Ghosts of aircraft deals past

Past aircraft deals are coming back to haunt the government again with two such deals back in focus today. The first is the Rafale deal, in which the Indian government purchased multi-role combat aircraft from the French company Dassualt. The French investigative website Mediapart has now alleged that a middleman, Sushen Gupta, was paid at least 7.5 million euros by Dassault between 2007 and 2012 to secure the purchase. Apparently, the payment was facilitated through a shell company in the Mauritius which was “overbilled” for IT contracts. A more stinging allegation is that the CBI has not probed this even though the papers on this have been available since October 2018. The Mauritian Authorities had sent the papers to the CBI when in connection with the probe into the AugustaWestland VVIP chopper kickback deal case. Sushen Gupta, who is said to have facilitated the kickback payment in that deal, was arrested by the ED in 2019 in the same case. Coincidentally, this news comes a day after news reports about the government lifting the ban on the Italian Defence company involved in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal. The procurement ban was lifted just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Rome.

 

Regional NSAs to arrive today for dialogue on Afghanistan

Security Czars of Russia, Iran and five Central Asian countries will arrive in Delhi on Tuesday ahead of the “Delhi regional security dialogue” on Afghanistan chaired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who will also meet his counterparts bilaterally. Officials involved in the dialogue said that the meeting, which Pakistan and China have declined to participate in would seek to share a “common understanding of concerns” shared by Afghanistan’s neighbours due to the Taliban takeover, and build consensus on the way forward to deal with the threats emanating from the Taliban takeover on August 15.

 

Mamata likely to expand Cabinet today

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may expand her Cabinet on Tuesday and she is likely to keep the finance portfolio for herself and make Chandrima Bhattacharya the minister of-state in that department, a top source in the government said on Monday. Former Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra, who had expressed his inability to continue as a minister owing to his fragile health conditions, might be made an advisor.

 

Patnaik, Reddy likely to discuss disputed Andhra-Odisha border

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy are likely to discuss the disputed border between the two states as well as inter-state river projects at a meeting here on Tuesday. At the meeting scheduled to be held from 5 pm at the Lok Seva Bhavan here, the chief ministers are likely to take up the dispute over the Kotia cluster of villages in Koraput district, construction of Neradi barrage over the Vamsadhara river, and the Polavaram multi-purpose project on the Godavari river, officials said.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Vietnam launches country’s first metro rail service in Hanoi

The Vietnam Railway on November 6, 2021, launched the country’s first metro rail service in Hanoi. The 13.1-km-long Line 2A of Hanoi Metro will connect Cat Linh to Yeh Nghia with 12 stations. TheThe 12 stations on the Vietnam’s first metro rail service are Cat Linh, La Thanh, Thai Ha, Lang, Thoung Dinh, Vanh Dai 3, Phung Khoang, Van Quan, Ha Dong, La Khe, Van Khe and Yen Nghia. The Chinese firm CRRC has supplied a total of 13 Rolling Stock (metro trains) for Vietnam’s first metro rail service in Hanoi. CRRC delivered the first metro train to Vietnam in March 2017. Vietnam will use Third Rail DC for its metro rail service to ensure stability, safety, and urban landscape.

 

China delivers largest, most advanced warship to Pakistan navy

China on November 8, 2021, delivered the largest and most advanced warship to the Pakistan navy in a commissioning ceremony in Shanghai. The frigate has been designed and built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC). hee Type 054/P frigate has been named PNS Tughril. The frigate is the first hull of the four ‘Type 054’ frigates batch being built for the Pakistan Navy. The Type 054 frigates can execute naval warfare missions in a highly intense multi-threat environment. The PNS Tughril is a technologically advanced and highly capable platform with enormous potential for surveillance, surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, and underwater firepower. PNS Tughril is equipped with an electronic warfare system, modern self-defence capabilities, state-of-the-art combat management.

 

SPORTS NEWS

ICC T20 WC: BCCI, ECB receives approval for 100 per cent attendance for crowd for finals

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) received approval from the UAE authorities for 100 per cent attendance of the crowd for the ICC T20 World Cup finals. ApprovalApproval for 100 per cent attendance means that all the 25,000 seats at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium will be available for fans to fill for the finals of the ICC T20 World Cup on November 14, 2021. All COVID-19 protocols are to be followed.

 

Rohit Sharma becomes 3rd cricketer to score 3,000 runs in men’s T20I World Cup 2021

Indian batter Rohit Sharma on November 8, 2021, became the 3rd cricketer in the world who accumulated 3,000 T20I runs. Rohit achieved this feat during the match against Namibia in ICC men’s T20 World Cup at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. IndianIndian skipper Virat Kohli is currently at the top with a tally of 3,227 runs followed by New Zealand’s Martin Guptill with 3,115 runs and India’s Rohit Sharma with 3,0008 runs.

 

 

NATIONAL NEWS 

Rain batters Chennai, several areas flooded 

Heavy overnight rain led to flooding in several areas of Chennai on November 7. Nungambakkam recorded 21.5 cm of rainfall, the highest recorded in a 24-hour period since 2015. Tamil Nadu has received a 43% surplus rainfall and Chennai registered a 26% excess since October 1. Following rain in the catchment areas leading to heavy inflows, the State Government gradually began releasing surplus water from reservoirs around Chennai including Poondi and Chembarambakkam. From an initial 500 cusecs, the discharge from Chembarambakkam was increased to 2,000 cusecs in the evening. With more heavy rain forecast for the city over the next 48 hours, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a two-day holiday for schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet and Kancheepuram districts. He visited flooded areas in the city and directed officials to ensure food supply for residents displaced and affected by the floods. Commuters wade through a waterlogged area following heavy rain in Chennai.

 

SC to hear Lakhimpur Kheri violence matter today The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on November 8 the matter related to the October 3 Lakhimpur Kheri incident in which eight people, including four farmers, were killed in violence during a farmers’ protest. A bench comprising Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli would hear the matter in which the apex court had on October 26 directed the Uttar Pradesh government to provide protection to witnesses under the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018. The top court had also asked the Uttar Pradesh government to record the statements of other witnesses before the judicial magistrate under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and expedite the examination of digital evidence by experts. 

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for expansion of 2 Pandharpur highways 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for four-laning of five sections of Shri Sant Dnyaneshawar Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965) and three sections of Shri Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg (NH-965G) via video conferencing on November 8. The development is designed to facilitate pilgrims’ journey to Pandharpur, a town associated with Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshawar. Dedicated walkways for ‘Palkhi’ (palanquin) will be constructed on either side of these national highways, providing hassle-free and safe passage to devotees, the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement. 

CBI arrests former Assam CM Hiteswar Saikia’s son The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the eldest son of former Assam Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia in a bank loan default case. The CBI team arrested Ashok Saikia, also the brother of Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia, from his Guwahati residence in a case related to a ₹9.37 lakh loan taken from the Assam State Cooperative and Agriculture Development (ASCARD) Bank in 1998. The case was initially registered at Guwahati’s Paltan Bazar police station and transferred to the CBI in 2001 after two complaints were filed with the probe agency’s Kolkata branch. Mr. Ashok Saikia was convicted in one of the cases in 2013. 

Petrol to be cheaper by ₹10 in Punjab from Monday, diesel by ₹5 

The Congress-led government in Punjab on October 7 announced a reduction in value added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, making them cheaper by ₹10 and ₹5 per litre respectively in the State. The new rates will be effective from midnight. Currently, petrol and diesel rates in Punjab are ₹106.20 and ₹89.83 per litre respectively. The move, which will cost the state nearly ₹6,000 crores, comes days after the BJP-led central government reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel, and several other States, including Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, slashed VAT rates on the fuels to give relief to consumers. TheThe move by Punjab cabinet comes days after the BJP-led central government reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel.

 

Climate talks resume in Glasgow on November 8 India is among 27 countries to sign up for a sustainable agriculture action agenda at the conclusion of the first week of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, laying out new commitments to make farming more sustainable and less polluting. Among other developments from week one of the COP26 climate summit, the World Bank will commit to spending $25 billion in climate finance annually to 2025 through its Climate Action Plan, including a focus on agriculture and food systems. After a brief break on November 7, the climate talks will resume on November 8 and conclude at the end of the summit on November 12. 

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Pakistan Hindu Council to celebrate Diwali at temple that was attacked in 2020 

The Pakistan Hindu Council will organise a grand function on November 8 to celebrate Diwali at a century-old temple in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which was vandalised and set on fire by a mob led by a radical Islamist party last year, a media report said on November 7. Pakistan’s Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad has been invited by the Council to celebrate the festival of lights at the Teri Temple in Karak, the Dawn newspaper reported.  The grand function to celebrate Diwali is being organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC), which will also host a large number of pilgrims from the Sindh and Balochistan provinces. 

Nicaragua’s Ortega seeks re-election in questioned vote 

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega sought a fourth consecutive term in elections on November 8 against a field of little-known candidates while those who could have given him a real challenge sat in jail. Voting was orderly and speedy as voters noted the absence of long lines at more than 13,000 polling places around the country. Voting closed on the evening of November 8 without reported incidents. But US President Joe Biden strongly criticised the vote as a “pantomime election that was neither free nor fair, and most certainly not democratic”. 

 

SPORTS NEWS 

T20 WC | Shastri-Kohli partnership eyes winning end to significant chapter in Indian cricket Outgoing head coach Ravi Shastri and skipper Virat Kohli, who will lead the country for one last time in the shortest format, would aim to finish India’s underwhelming T20 World Cup campaign on a positive note with a victory over Namibia in the team’s final Super 12 match on November 8.  Around 6:30 pm, New Zealand hit the winning runs against Afghanistan much to the disappointment of the Indian fans, who were hoping against hope that a miracle will happen under the blazing afternoon sun at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.