Category: Politics

We, the leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, convened today in person as “the Quad” for the first time. On this historic occasion we recommit to our partnership, and to a region that is a bedrock of our shared security and prosperity—a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is also inclusive and resilient. Just six months have passed since our last meeting. Since March, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused continued global suffering; the climate crisis has accelerated; and regional security has become ever-more complex, testing all of our…

India currently has six approved COVID-19 vaccines. However, Zydus Cadila’s, Johnson & Johnson’s, and Moderna’s vaccines are not yet available in India. Considering the gigantic vaccination drive in India, any delay in their availability will impact the overall market potential of the recently approved COVID-19 vaccines, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.  On 17 September 2021, India set a world record with over 25 million vaccinations in a single day. According to GlobalData’s Pharma Intelligence Center, India is ranked second globally after China in the total number of…

A gigantic carcass of a 40-ft-long whale was found on Tuesday washed ashore from the Arabian Sea on the remote Mardes Beach in Maharashtra’s Vasai on Tuesday. The locals after spotting the carcass, which was weighing over 30 tonnes, summoned forest officials who rushed there to ascertain the mammal’s species. The carcass was decomposing rapidly and letting off a strong suffocating stench in the entire vicinity. However, the officials failed to ascertain the species as the creature was already highly decomposed. They surmised that the gigantic marine creature may have…

The investigation going around the three tonnes of heroin that was seized at Mundra port on Sunday allegedly uncovered the involvement of Afghan nationals by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Though no arrests have been made so far, the DRI added that the shipment was estimated to be worth over ₹ 19,900 crore. The consignment — with one container carrying nearly 2,000 kg of heroin and another holding nearly 1,000 kg — originated from Afghanistan and was shipped from a port in Iran to Gujarat, the DRI said. The agency said…

Competition Commission of India (CCI) gave its nod to Adani Ports on September 20 to acquire a 10.4 percent stake in Gangavaram Port in Andhra Pradesh. “Commission approves proposed acquisition of 10.40% equity shareholding of Gangavaram Port by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zones Ltd,” CCI said in a statement. The CCI approval comes a month after Adani Ports received the approval from Andhra Pradesh government to acquire the stakes in Gangavaram Port. The total amount of the deal is Rs 644.78 crore, and the transaction is expected to be…

Around three tonnes of heroin was seized at Mundra port on Sunday in Gujarat. However, according to sources, this is just a tip of the iceberg, as the drug smugglers had earlier imported 24 tonnes and placed it in the distribution channel that is operational in several parts of the country. Going by the estimate of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the heroin seized on Sunday was worth Rs 9,000 crore, while the earlier consignment that was sneaked into the country would be valued at more than Rs 70,000…

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday welcomed Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković. This followed soon after him holding discussions with his Saudi counterpart Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on regional and bilateral issues. Jaishankar discussed ways to take the strong, traditional friendship between India and Serbia forward.   “Warm and fruitful discussions with Serbian FM Nikola Selaković. Reaffirmed our strong political bonds and independent stance in global politics. Agreed to take forward our long-standing cooperation, especially on the economic side,” Tweeted Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) later. The two leaders…

Charanjit Singh Channi has taken oath as the chief minister of Punjab today in a ceremony that was skipped by his predecessor Capt. Amarinder Singh. The ceremony was attended by Rahul Gandhi. Channi is likely to call on the sulking Captain after his oath-taking ceremony. The Captain’s sudden exit befuddled the top brass, even as the high command decided to put up a show of strength after months of infighting between Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Channi will be the first Dalit to hold the post in the state. Sukhjinder…

Over 2.50 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in the country on 17th September, which was yesterday. It also happened to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and it was no less an unforgettable and emotional moment for him on his 71st birthday. “With your efforts, India has created a world record of administering over 2.5 crore vaccines in a single day, a feat not even the most powerful nations have been able to achieve,” Modi said during an interaction via video link with healthcare workers and beneficiaries. “We saw how…

While opening up about his experiences during the Covid pandemic, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari shared how he utilised that time.   “In Covid-19 time, I did two things – I started cooking at home and giving lectures through video conference”, he said.   The Minister of Road Transport and Highways was speaking at an event in Haryana, where he had gone to review the progress of the new Delhi-Mumbai Expressway.   “I delivered many lectures online, which were uploaded on YouTube. Owing to huge viewership, YouTube now pays me Rs…