Day: October 18, 2023

UN strongly condemns attack on Al-Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza that killed hundreds

Manish Kumar

The United Nations, its top leaders, and agencies have expressed horror and strong condemnation over the killing of hundreds of civilians in a strike on a hospital in Gaza.  The airstrike on Al-Ahili hospital killed at least 500 people, Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry said, blaming Israel for the attack.  Israeli authorities have, however, denied involvement with the Israeli Defence Forces saying rockets misfired by Islamic Jihad militants towards Israel failed after launch and hit the hospital.  The top UN Human rights official said that while the full scale of the…

‘Upset my marriage plans’: Indian sprinter Dutee Chand on Top Court’s verdict on same-sex marriage

Manish Kumar

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand had plans to marry her partner had the Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriages in India.  “I have been living with Monalisa for five years. We are happy together and as adults, we have every right to make our own decisions.” Dutee Chand said   “We hope Parliament passes a law allowing same-sex marriages,” Dutee Chand said after the Supreme Court’s verdict on same-sex marriage.” She added.  The Supreme Court of India announced its verdict on Same-Sex marriage on Tuesday, refusing to legalize weddings between queer couples…

Putin praises ‘dear friend’ Xi, pitches Russia’s Northern Sea route

Manish Kumar

Putin praises ‘dear friend’ Xi, thanks for invite  Putin heaps praise on BRI  Putin says Northern Sea route is open for business  Some European delegates walk out as Putin speaks  President Vladimir Putin praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and invited global investment in the Northern Sea route which he said could deepen trade between east and west. Speaking on his second known trip outside the former Soviet Union since the Ukraine war, Putin thanked the Chinese leader for his invitation and said Russia…

11 AGMs among 60 staff suspended by Bank of Baroda over digital app row

Manish Kumar

Public-sector lender Bank of Baroda (BoB) has suspended over 60 employees, including 11 AGMs  The RBI found certain irregularities in the onboarding of new customers to the bank’s digital app, BOB World.  The bank accepted that serious irregularities were committed by the employee during his tenure.  Most of those suspended are from the Vadodara region.  Public-sector lender Bank of Baroda (BoB) has suspended over 60 employees, including 11 AGMs (assistant general managers), according to people familiar with the matter. “AGM-level officials are scale V officers who generally hold positions of…

NMDC: Leading Special Campaign 3.0 with Best Practices

Manish Kumar

NMDC, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Steel, is setting the standard for promoting a cleaner and greener India through its best practices as part of Special Campaign 3.0. These initiatives serve as a beacon for others to embrace  of Swachhata (Cleanliness) and environmental stewardship. Cleanliness Drives: Swachhata as a Way of Life Under the aegis of Special Campaign 3.0, NMDC has embarked on extensive cleanliness drives in and around its offices nationwide. Employees are at the forefront of this endeavor, participating in Shramdaan, or voluntary cleaning efforts,…

Israel-Hamas War could escalate further: Over 2,000 troops, warships and aircraft on high alert

Manish Kumar

Amid speculations that the ongoing conflict could escalate further, the US said it has ordered its 2,000 forces to be prepared to deploy.  The United States geared up its warships and lethal aircraft to provide Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) with whatever it needed to respond to the attacks by the militant group.  As of Tuesday, five shipments of US weapons and equipment had arrived in Israel.  US defence officials say the administration has already given Israel small-diameter bombs, other munition and interceptor missiles for its Iron Dome air defence system,…

900 Indian ‘peacekeeping’ soldiers present at the Israel-Lebanon border; another reason that India is cautious

Manish Kumar

Amid the Israel-Hamas war, tensions are rising at the Lebanon border and India is watching closely.   At present, 900 Indian troops are stationed at the 110-km-long Blue Line as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to ensure peace between the countries.   another 200 Indian soldiers deployed as part of the UN Disengagement Force (UNDOF) at Golan Heights between Israel and Syria.  India has maintained a firm commitment to UN peacekeeping forces since 1948. In fact, India is the fifth highest among troop-contributing countries  The…

Google pledges $8 million in grants to non-profits “providing relief to civilians affected in Israel and Gaza”

Manish Kumar

Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the company will provide $8 million in grants to non-profits who are “providing relief to civilians affected in Israel and Gaza.”  Google has 2 offices and over 2,000 employees in Israel.   Pichai said that the company has been “very focused on detecting and removing graphically violent, hateful or terrorist content, or coordinated disinformation campaigns,”  “Our Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Googlers are deeply affected by a concerning rise in Islamophobia, and are watching with dread as Palestinian civilians in Gaza have suffered significant loss…

Rahul Gandhi Fires Fresh Salvo on Adani: By ‘Over-Invoicing’ Of Coal Imports, Adani Group ‘fleecing’ people

Manish Kumar

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cited a media report to accuse the Adani Group of over-invoicing in coal imports and fleecing people to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore in electricity rates.  Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to come clean on the Adani issue by initiating a probe into the matter and defend his credibility.  Gandhi said that according to the report Adani doubled the price of coal from Indonesia to India and pocketed Rs 12,000 crore from “people’s money”.  Gandhi said that this overpricing of…

President Droupadi Murmu confers 69th National Film Awards

Manish Kumar

The 69th National Film Awards ceremony was held in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan today and the awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu.  The winners of the National Awards for the year 2021, announced in August, include Allu Arjun (Best Actor), Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon (Best Actress)  Rocketry: The Nambi Effect won Best Feature Film.   The Dada Saheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honor, went to legendary actress Waheeda Rehman.  Allu Arjun, who received the Best Actor award for Pushpa: The Rise.  President Droupadi Murmu conferred the 69th…