Day: September 15, 2023

Dam of death: almost a quarter of the Libyan city of Derna has been washed away

Manish Kumar

The sheer numbers of people dead or unaccounted for in the Libyan city of Derna is overwhelming survivors, who say they had minutes to get away before the coastal city was devastated by a tsunami-like torrent. Sky News TV crews have reached the port city where people have been using their bare hands to dig for loved ones. Reports suggest almost a quarter of the city has been washed away and reduced to an apocalyptic wasteland, following a massive flood fed by the breaching of two dams in heavy rains.…

DAC approves proposals worth Rs 45,000 crore, including procurement of 12 Su-30MKIs for IAF

Manish Kumar

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), approved a total of nine acquisition proposals totalling Rs 45,000 crore.  Among the proposals, the ministry okayed the procurement of 12 Su-30MKIs for the Indian Air Force, which would be manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).  These would be the most modern Su-30 MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force; they will come mounted with multiple Indian weapons and sensors, Defence officials said.  The Indian Air Force will also be getting avionic upgradation of Dornier aircraft to improve the accuracy and reliability of…

China’s Defence Minister “mysteriously” went “missing”: The US claims ‘He is under house arrest’

Manish Kumar

As China’s Defence Minister, Li Shangfu, “mysteriously” went “missing” from public view, the US ambassador to Japan has now questioned whether the Communist regime has placed him under house arrest.   The US Ambassador claimed that the defence minister had not seen for the past three weeks and added he did not show up for his trip to Vietnam.  A report by a paper claimed that the US government believes that the Chinese minister has been placed under investigation. However, the report did not state the nature of the investigation. …

‘Alien bodies’ presented in Mexican Congress panned as ‘stunt’

Manish Kumar

A UFO hearing in Mexico’s congress that featured the presentation of alleged remains of non-human beings faced swift international backlash.  Mexican journalist and long-time UFO enthusiast Jaime Maussan showed politicians at the hearing on Tuesday two tiny “bodies” displayed in cases, with three fingers on each hand and elongated heads.  Maussan has made similar controversial claims in the past.  NASA officials fielded questions about the Mexican presentation as they released their own report on recommendations for helping the Pentagon detect and examine UAP.  A UFO hearing in Mexico’s congress that…

The Only Indian Firm on TIME World’s 100 Best Companies List: Infosys

Manish Kumar

IT giant Infosys Ltd is the only Indian company to find a place in the top 100 list of the World’s Best Companies of 2023, compiled by TIME Magazine and online data platform Statista.  TIME and Statista named a total of 750 companies changing the world in a new statistical ranking, throwing some light on the world economic order.  Infosys was placed at the 64th spot in a list that was topped by tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms.  Besides Infosys, seven other Indian companies found their…

Amid India’s push for biofuels and the recent launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance, Oil India to invest 8000 Cr in Ethanol

Manish Kumar

State-run Oil India (OIL) is planning to invest around ₹8,000 crore in the 2G ethanol space, as part of its overall target of achieving net zero emissions by 2040.  The company is investing ₹25,000 crores to achieve net zero by 2040, in areas including 2G ethanol, green hydrogen, compressed biogas (CBG), and solar power.  Crude oil prices have been on the rise in recent times, Oil India, being a prominent player in the industry, is well-prepared to handle such fluctuations and maintain its production goals.  In terms of solar power,…

India to draft new policy in push for EV investment, the commerce minister said

Manish Kumar

India will come up with a new policy to attract electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and encourage greater investment in the sector.  A news agency reported last month that India was working on an EV policy that would cut import taxes for automakers that committed to some local manufacturing, citing sources.  Asked about the government’s plans, the minister said consultation on the new policy will be held with the industry.  Tesla’s senior executives with an interest in building a factory in India met Goyal in August.   Tesla plans to produce…

The Supreme Court has come down hard on SpiceJet Chairman: “Not Bothered Even If You Die”

Manish Kumar

The Supreme Court has come down hard on SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh, warning him he will be sent to Tihar jail for non-compliance.  The Supreme Court asked Ajay Singh to pay $ 5,00,000 towards an installment to the Swiss firm along with a $ 1 million defaulted amount.  The bench told Mr Singh he would have to abide by the consent terms and warned, “We are not bothered even if you die. It is too much. We will send you to Tihar jail if you do not…

The Opposition bloc INDIA has reached out to the Telugu Desam Party leadership: in an attempt to pursue Naidu!

Manish Kumar

The Opposition bloc INDIA has reached out to the Telugu Desam Party leadership, days after the arrest of its chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu in an alleged corruption case.  The TMC, a leading constituent of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, or INDIA, contacted the TDP leadership since Naidu’s arrest.  In the last four years, the TDP’s principal rival in Andhra, the state’s ruling YSR Congress Party, has supported the central government in Parliament on crucial bills.  The BJP state unit stayed away from Monday’s state-wide bandh called by the TDP…

Himanta Sarma’s wife threatening Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi with a defamation suit, saying Slanderous campaign

Manish Kumar

Assam CM helped wife’s firm get ₹10 crore subsidy: Congress claims  The subsidy was approved under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, it is alleged.  Records from Parliament shared by Gogoi, as well as the ministry website, show that a grant-in-aid of Rs 10 crore under a Central scheme was approved for Riniki’s company to set up a food processing unit in Assam.  Rinika said her firm had not claimed the subsidy or received any money.  The controversy over allegations that a company run by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa…