Year: 2020

In order to protect national security, China confirmed a new law that restricts sensitive exports allowing Beijing to reciprocate against the US as tensions mount between the sides over trade and technology.   The National People’s Congress Standing Committee passed the law, which will apply to all companies in China, and will be in effect on December 1.   Export controls under the law will apply to civilian, military and nuclear products, as well as goods, technologies and services related to national security.   A list of controlled items will…

Following the news that the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) in India has invited an expression of interest (EOI) for the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure on major highways and expressways;   “Despite a wide EV portfolio from major OEMs, inadequate charging infrastructure has been a major factor hindering the acceptance of EVs for public and private mobility across India. Against this backdrop, the move is a positive development for the Indian EV market and is set to boost EV uptake for intercity transport.   “India has set…

Indian Americans of all faiths prefer Joe Biden to Donald Trump, support for the Democrat is stronger from Muslims (82 per cent) than Hindus (67 per cent).   Over 70 per cent of registered Indian American voters plan to vote for Joe Biden in next month’s US presidential election, according to the 2020 Indian American Attitude Survey (IAAS), and only 22 per cent of the rest will vote for Donald Trump.   The data, based on responses from 936 Indian Americans surveyed online in the first 20 days of September,…

The US administration (Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security) Interim Final Rule (IFR) issued on October 6, 2020 proposing several changes, including revising definition of occupations and positions qualifying for H-1B visa, increasing minimum wage level and reducing tenure for onsite third-party employee H-1B visa categories from 3 years to 1 year, is credit negative for the sector. India and Indian IT services companies are the largest consumers of H-1B visas (71% in FY2019) and will be directly impacted if the Interim Final Rule (IFR) is implemented in…

The TRP manipulation case has taken a step ahead after the Mumbai crime branch issued summons to 5 more people in connection with the TRP scam. Those summoned include Republic TV Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Vikar Khanchandani and two Chief Operating Officers (COOs). The media house has also approached the Supreme Court in connection with the ongoing probe and the petition is likely to be heard in a week, the officials have been told.   A team of the police recorded the statement of the distribution head of the channel.…

Keki Mistry, vice chairman & CEO, HDFC Ltd said that the “worst is behind us” and the economic recovery has been faster than expected. Stating that the December quarter growth could outperform the expansion logged in the corresponding quarter a year ago, Mistry said that the Indian economy has shown its resiliency.   Mistry said at an online dialogue organised by the All India Management Association (AIMA). He, however, said that interest rates have bottomed out.   The government should identify the job creating sectors and address their issues on…

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted PM Narendra Modi again on the purchase of a VIP aircraft by tweeting a two-minute video clip. In the video clip, jawans in a truck were complaining how their lives were being put at risk by ferrying them in a non-bullet-proof vehicle.   Rahul baba is catching the old episode of Pulwama terror tragedy ,where Forty-two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were killed and many others injured.Seems this issue is again going to raise by the opposition in the coming election.  It had…

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s major plan was announced to boost his country out of recession by spending 140 billion euros ($162 billion) of European Union aid to reshape the economy, with the aim of creating 800,000 jobs over the next three years.   The program is a response to the sharp downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic and its worldwide disruption of economies. The plan focuses primarily on getting Spain to transition to green energy and a digital economy, which will take up about 70% of the financing.  …

After the death of Ram Vilas Paswan, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday was handed over the additional charge of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution the government said.   “The President of India, as advised by the Prime Minister, has directed that Piyush Goyal, Cabinet Minister, be assigned the charge of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in addition to his existing portfolios,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a press release.   Goyal also holds the Commerce and Industry portfolio in the Union…