Month: January 2020

After the Duke and Duchess of Buckingham Palace announced their exit from the “royal duties”, the news has raised a controversy both publicly and privately. The couple’s decision was of course not accepted by the Buckingham Palace and Queen Elizabeth II has called for a meeting to discuss about Prince Harry and Megan’s future as working royals.   The royal controversy has arisen as Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s decision to step back from the royal duties was allegedly not accepted by the family’s most senior members, after the Duke…

The Modi government has warned the drug maker companies against bribing doctors for their benefit. The government has warned pharma companies to strictly adhere to rules while marketing medicines and medical devices, after a report revealed glaring instances of pharma companies bribing doctors.   In the report published by the NGO, Support for Advocacy and Training Health (SATHI), it is revealed that the medical companies bribe doctors with foreign trips, expensive smartphones, purchase of cars and even a female companion.   At the review meeting a few days back, three…

A BJP office in the Paschim Burdan district of West Bengal was turned down into ashes, following which the saffron party has put the blame on TMC, the ruling party in the state. The party office in Salanpur area in Asansol was set ablaze on Sunday night and an investigation is on to ascertain the cause of fire, a senior police officer said.   TMC has however clearly denied the accusations. It states that the incident is the result of agitation between the goons and the saffron party.   “As…

Officials from New Delhi and Washington are working out mutually convenient dates for US President Donald Trump’s visit to India on a standing invitation, a year after he expressed his inability to attend the Republic Day parade in the Indian capital.   According to a person familiar with the planning of the tour, the visit could take place as early as the second half of February. However, the timing will depend on the duration of the US Senate trial, expected to start this week, to determine if Trump should be…

Indian Navy which is one of the largest navies in the world is taking steps to reduce the carbon emission and also meet the global standards.   The Indian Navy in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has carried out extensive trials for the fuel that will be supplied to run the various ships and frigates of the Navy.   “Successful introduction of the new fuel is a landmark occasion highlighting the enormous potential which exists within the country to produce world class products,” the Navy said in a statement.…

A Canara Bank automated teller machine (ATM) served Rs 500 notes when customers wanted to withdraw Rs 100 notes in Karnataka on Wednesday, sparking a public rush to withdraw Rs 1.7 lakh rupees, an official said on Saturday.   “The ATM cash handling agency made a goof up. Instead of loading the Rs 100 notes, they filled that tray with Rs 500 notes, leading to Rs 1.7 lakh being withdrawn,” Kodagu superintendent of police Suman D. Pennekar said.   Pennekar said whenever a customer tried to withdraw Rs 100, the…

Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy while commenting on India’s economy said that it is going through dire times and added that the government needs to print notes and put them in the hands of people to boost demand. He further said that “tax terrorism” should be controlled to encourage investors.   He was speaking on the sidelines of a program at Indus University.   “The measures that can be taken are…first Income Tax needs to be abolished. The tax terrorism in our country needs to be reined in so that…

Yes Bank co-promoter Rana Kapoor, and his family-run firms Yes Capital (India) Pvt. Ltd and Morgan Credits Pvt. Ltd, have exited the bank, thus losing all control and voting rights.   Their decision to bring their stakes in Yes Bank down to zero came amid a spate of investor exits over the past three months.   Kapoor, in his personal capacity, had sold a part of his direct stake between last August and October in the form of non-convertible debentures, primarily to repay debts taken by the promoter group firms.…

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has urged Siemens to reconsider its plan in helping develop the controversial Australian coal mine project by Adani.   As the wildfire continues to ravage Australia, Thunberg has urged Twitter followers to help by “pushing to make the only right decision, #Stop Adani”.   Adani is the name of a new coal mine under construction in Queensland. Run by India’s Adani Power, the Australian government approved the project last year that is expected to produce 8-10 million tonnes of thermal coal a year.   Siemens…

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland will address the 2020 Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, India next week.   The Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics. In her speech, the Secretary-General will highlight the need for multilateral responses to navigate the most pressing issues facing the global community. She will focus on how women can lead the way in tackling the complex and interconnected challenges of the 21st century.   The Secretary-General Scotland said, “India holds a valued place in the modern Commonwealth, with her government, people and institutions…