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 Hindustan Times October 21, 2020 Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) Ministry Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha chaired a high-level meeting to review the various interventions made by the Ministry in the recent months to contribute to the preventive steps and management of Covid-19. Principal secretaries and secretaries of AYUSH and health departments of different states and UTs took part in the meeting held through video conferencing. An official release said on Tuesday that Kotecha appraised the states about the recently released National Ayurveda and Yoga Protocol for Management of Covid-19, the need to expedite the operationalising of AYUSH Health Wellness Centres approved under National AYUSH Mission (NAM) and the urgent need to improve the expenditure and fund flow under NAM. The AYUSH Grid project of the Ministry, which aims to establish a unified IT backbone for the sector, was discussed in detail. Information about the completion of a c...

 Hindustan Times October 21, 2020 The challenge for the Indo-Pacific is getting more acute by the day. For all the efforts that China has made to ensure that the term Indo-Pacific gets a decent burial, it has failed miserably in ensuring such an outcome. From Australia, Japan, and India to the European Union (EU) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) member-states, the Indo-Pacific narrative is today widely accepted and reflected in foreign policy outlooks. The idea is a structural imperative now for all regional stakeholders and this has been made possible due to China’s behaviour. The only thing left now for Beijing is to mobilise regional states through fear-mongering, something it is adept at. This was what China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, tried to do during his trip last week to Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, and Singapore. Calling on Asian countries to remain vigilant over the United States (US)’ plans in the region, Wang described Washington’s Indo-P...

 Hindustan Times October 21, 2020 The education ministry, after consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs, is considering making it mandatory for Indian universities to obtain prior permission from the government before signing any memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with educational institutions of countries that share land borders with India. The proposal was mooted by the education ministry after an August 9 review of China-funded Confucius Centres attached to universities here and also MoUs signed between Indian and Chinese universities. The Confucius program is financed by the Office of Chinese Language Council International which has been linked to China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD) now headed by President Xi Jinping. Ostensibly meant to teach Chinese language and culture, the Confucius program has been accused of promoting China’s viewpoint and act as a vehicle for propaganda. Several countries including Australia and the US have previously had issues with t...

 Hindustan Times October 22, 2020 Britain on Thursday said it would partner with an Oxford-based firm to provide testing for the T cell response of coronavirus vaccine candidates to try to assess their immune responses. T cell immunity is thought to be essential to protection against infection from the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus, and could provide longer term immunity than antibodies. The UK Vaccine Taskforce has chosen Oxford Immunotec to supply T cell testing for its assessment of different vaccine candidates. “It is important to be able to assess the different vaccines head-to-head and the T cell response is part of our portfolio of accredited assays that we are employing for cross comparisons,” Kate Bingham, chair of the UK Vaccines Taskforce, said in a statement. Britain has signed supply deals for six different coronavirus vaccine candidates, including those being made by AstraZeneca and Pfizer and BioNTech, seen as among the frontrunners in the race for a vaccine. Oxford Immunot...

 Hindustan Times October 22, 2020 The US State Department in a federal notification Wednesday proposed to make changes to its existing visa regulations under which foreign professionals, which would fall under H-1B, would not be issued temporary visa for business, as has been widely prevalent currently. If finalized, this proposal will eliminate any misconception that the “B-1 in lieu of H policy” provides an alternative avenue for foreign professionals to enter the US to perform skilled labour that allows, and potentially even encourages them and their employers to circumvent the restrictions and requirements relating to the H non-immigrant classification established by the Congress to protect US workers, the State Department said. The move is likely to impact a lot of Indian companies who send their technology professionals on B-1 visas for a short stay to complete the jobs on site in the US. On December 17, 2019, the California Attorney General announced a USD 800,000 settlement...

 The Caravan October 20, 2020 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday appealed to the Government of India to safeguard the rights of human rights defenders and NGOs, and their ability to carry out their crucial work on behalf of the many groups they represent. Bachelet expressed regret at the tightening of space for human rights NGOs in particular, including by the application of vaguely worded laws that constrain NGOs‟ activities and restrict foreign funding. “India has long had a strong civil society, which has been at the forefront of groundbreaking human rights advocacy within the country and globally,” the High Commissioner said. “But I am concerned that vaguely defined laws are increasingly being used to stifle these voices.”  Bachelet cited as worrying the use of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), which a number of UN human rights bodies* have also expressed concern is vaguely worded and overbroad in its objective. The Act prohibi...

 Hindustan Times October 22, 2020 In line with its mandate to open up the space sector for private players, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released the draft of a new Spacecom Policy 2020 to govern the commercial use of orbital slots, satellites, and ground stations for communication needs. The policy details how private players can get authorisation for setting up new communication satellites and ground stations. Comments on the draft policy have been sought, with the last date of submission being November 4. The policy will come into effect once the Union cabinet clears it. Allowing private players in the space communication sector will also enable India to keep pace with the growing demand for satellite-based broadcasting, network connectivity, and global mobile personal communication. This will also establish India as a significant player in the global space communication sector, the document states. The policy will allow only Indian entities to seek authoris...

 Hindustan Times October 21, 2020 There were hardly any celebrations in Beijing this month when President Xi Jinping’s China, often rebuked for human rights violations, made it back to the United Nations human rights council this month. Because tucked behind Beijing’s win, was a huge loss of support that many see as a reflection of China’s track record. Beijing secured only 139 votes for its inclusion in the world body’s 47-member Human Rights Council, the lowest vote among the 15 countries selected. Its tally also reflected a loss of support from 41 UN member states that had supported China in the 2016 election. China had then claimed its 180 votes - up from 167 in 2009 and 167 in 2013 - was evidence of “credit given by the international community to China for its achievement in developing human rights.” This time, the Chinese foreign ministry primarily focused on the fact that it was its fifth stint in the council. The seat on the rights panel, however, hasn’t insulated China. Tw...

 Hindustan Times October 21, 2020 The US sued Google on Tuesday, accusing the $1 trillion company of illegally using its market muscle to hobble rivals in the biggest challenge to the power and influence of Big Tech in decades. The Justice Department lawsuit could lead to the break-up of an iconic company that has become all but synonymous with the internet and assumed a central role in the day-to-day lives of billions of people around the globe. Such an outcome is far from assured, however, and the case is likely to take years to resolve. The lawsuit marks the first time the US has cracked down on a major tech company since it sued Microsoft Corp for anti-competitive practices in 1998. A settlement left the company intact, though the government’s prior foray into Big Tech anti-trust - the 1974 case against AT&T - led to the breakup of the Bell System. The federal government’s complaint against Alphabet Inc’s, which alleges that Google acted unlawfully to maintain its position ...

 Hindustan Times October 21, 2020 Against the backdrop of Nagaland government and civil society urging negotiating groups in the Naga peace talks to come together towards achieving ‘One Solution for One People’, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), who have been engaged in talks with Centre since 2017, on Tuesday questioned the soundness of the ‘Framework Agreement’ of 2015 signed between the Centre and the NSCN (IM). Without naming NSCN (IM) directly, the NNPGs blamed the organisation for making toxic political expletives in statements and interviews, and for unprecedented labelling of apex Naga tribal bodies and civil societies as ‘anti-Naga’ and ‘traitors’ without compunction. This allegation comes close on the heels of an interview given by the NSCN (IM) chief Th. Muivah to a media house where he claimed that Nagas did not accept the union of India and there would be no settlement without a separate Naga flag and Constitution. “After twenty-three years of political talks...

 Hindustan Times October 21, 2020 In a thinly-veiled reference to Pakistan, India said the principle of self-determination continues to be “deliberately misinterpreted and misused” by a particular nation, even though it was not established by the United Nations(UN) to be used as a justification for undermining the territorial integrity of any member state.“ Since the principle of self-determination, as considered on the agreed agenda of this committee, continues to be deliberately misinterpreted and misused by a particular delegation, it is pertinent to highlight once again that the United Nations has established the principle as a vehicle for the worthy cause of decolonization of the 17 Non Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs) on the agenda of this committee, and not as a justification for undermining the territorial integrity of any member state,” India said in a statement on ‘NSGTs and decolonization.’ India said it strongly believes that pursuing a pragmatic approach towards deco...

Hindustan Times October 21, 2020 The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will begin a three-day virtual plenary meeting on Wednesday that will decide on the next course of action against Pakistan with regard to steps taken by the country to crack down on fund-raising by terror groups. The multilateral watchdog, which counters money laundering and terror financing, put Pakistan on its list of “jurisdictions under increased monitoring” or “grey list” in 2018 for not doing enough to curb financial activities of terror groups. The grey list now has 18 countries, ranging from Iceland to Mauritius and Panama, and most of these nations have been cited for lax money laundering regimes and none face as serious charges related to terror financing as Pakistan. After a plenary meeting in February, FATF warned Pakistan that all deadlines set for implementing an action plan against terror financing had expired, and that the country had largely addressed only 14 of 27 action items in the plan. Accordi...

 Hindustan Times October 22, 2020 The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is considering multiple steps to reboot the economy through financial market reforms, the capital markets regulator’s chairman, Ajay Tyagi, said on Wednesday. Development of the bond markets is essential to help the Centre achieve its investment target for the infrastructure sector, Tyagi said at the inaugural session of the 11th edition of the CII Financial Markets Summit, being held on 21-22 October. “It will be challenging to achieve the government’s ₹100 trillion investment target for infrastructure by 2024-25 unless the bond market is adequately developed,” he said. The capital markets have recovered after the initial disruptions following the coronavirus outbreak, he said. “We have observed that recovery has been broad-based. Not only large-caps, but mid- and small-caps have also recovered since the lows hit in March,” Tyagi said. The corporate bond market needs to become more r...

 Hindustan Times October 22, 2020 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is constantly trying to be innovative in announcing measures to boost liquidity and to aid the economic recovery while following counter-cyclical policies in sync with the fiscal policy, governor Shaktikanta Das said on Wednesday. Das said the economy was at the cusp of recovery and pointed out that governance in banks and non-bank lenders, especially the functioning of their boards, the chief executive officer and various board committees are important given the financial sector’s role in supporting the turnaround. Das was speaking at the virtual release of the book ‘Portraits of power’ by Fifteenth Finance Commission (FFC) Chairman NK Singh. FFC’s recommendations to be submitted to President Ram Nath Kovind this month end will form the basis for the central government’ tax revenue sharing with states for the five years from FY22. The FFC is expected to pitch for the union and state governments to re-prioritise thei...

The Reuters October 22, 2020 The Indian economy will suffer its deepest contraction on record this fiscal year and recent government stimulus does not go far enough to significantly boost activity depressed by the coronavirus pandemic, according to economists polled by Reuters. With over 7.6 million coronavirus infections, India is the second worst hit country in the world after the United States and the spread shows no signs of abating. While the government has removed most restrictions imposed on businesses to slow the spread of the virus, the Reserve Bank of India issued gloomy economic forecasts earlier this month but kept interest rates unchanged citing rising inflation. That puts the onus on the government, which last week announced another round of fiscal stimulus to boost demand by $10 billion. But the Oct. 13-21 poll of 55 economists showed they were more pessimistic about this fiscal year’s outlook than just two months ago. Nearly 90% of economists, 34 of 39, who responded to...

Firstpost October 21,2020 Amid the border tensions with China, India is seeking to finalise a crucial military pact with the United States during the 2+2 dialogue between the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries to be held on 26 and 27 October in New Delhi. The last of four military communication foundational agreements, Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA) will be signed with the US to further tighten the strategic clinch between the two countries. Officials on Monday said BECA, which will enable the US to share advanced satellite and topographical data for long-range navigation and missile-targeting with India, is expected to be inked during the two-plus-two dialogue. Defence minister Rajnath Singh and external affairs minister S Jaishankar will hold the dialogue with their US counterparts Mark Esper and Mike Pompeo during the 2+2 dialogue later this month. "The agreement will ensure that the armed forces of the two countries ...

Telegraphindia October 21,2020 If we want to stay within 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming, there are just about three decades left for ‘Energy Transition 4.0’ to culminate in ‘net zero’ emissions. Transition from wood to coal took over a century, from coal to refined oil products took about three decades, and from refined oil to increased reliance on natural gas has taken another four decades. All previous transitions were driven by economic considerations but ET 4.0 needs to balance energy security and access, decarbonization and economic development. Decarbonization of power-generation, which accounts for about 40 per cent of the total energy CO2 emissions, might occur sooner than later due to favourable levelized cost of electricity using solar photovoltaic, pace of deployment, and political support for the transition. For instance, NextEra Energy, which owns NextEra Energy Resources, the world’s largest operator of wind and solar energy projects, has surpassed ExxonMobil in ma...

Telegraphindia October 21,2020 The allocation of coal blocks for commercial mining will be delayed as the nominated authority to conduct the auction has sought additional information and clarification on the technical bids submitted by bidders. The nominated authority has sought “supplemental information” and “additional clarification” on the technical bids submitted by the bidders, causing a delay, according to the auction website. The government received bids for 23 of the 38 coal blocks for commercial mining. A total of 42 domestic companies submitted bids. The technical bids were submitted on September 29 and are being examined by the authority. It was supposed to evaluate the financial bids from October 19 and a technical evaluation committee will make final offers to the qualified bidders by  November 9. Global giants had stayed away from the bidding and there were no bids for 15 of 38 coal mines on offer. Gautam Adani-controlled conglomerate Adani Enterprises placed the high...

Telegraphindia October 21,2020 The government has banned natural gas and coal-bed methane (CBM) producers from buying their own produce in the newly notified gas marketing freedom guidelines. The government on October 15 notified the natural gas marketing reforms that give producers the freedom to discover the market price of gas through a standard e-bidding process. The notification, which follows the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approving gas reforms, also gives them the liberty to market or sell the gas produced to anyone, including affiliates. However, the producer or any member of its gas field consortium cannot bid and buy the fuel, the notified guidelines said. “Sale to affiliates will be allowed if affiliates participate in the open competitive process,” it said. “However, the contractor or its constituents shall not be eligible to participate in the bidding process.”  “Seller and buyer will not be the same entity,” it added. https://www.telegraphindia.com/business...

Moneycontrol October 21,2020 Reliance Jio and US-based Qualcomm will join hands to fast-track the deployment of 5G mobile internet based on homegrown technologies, putting India in an exclusive club of nations with the capability to offer superfast speeds of 1 gigabyte per second (Gbps) to users. The partnership builds on the commitment by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, who announced in July that Jio was developing made-in-India 5G technology, giving the country control over coveted know-how that is the foundation of a digital economy. The two companies also announced that they achieved speeds of 1 Gbps on Jio’s 5G solution using a Qualcomm platform. For illustration, what this means is that it will be possible to download a typical movie with a file size of one gigabyte in just one second. The partnership also includes Radisys Corporation, a US subsidiary of Jio. With an indigenous network, India will not have to rely on equipment from Chinese companies such as Huawei and...

Moneycontrol October 21,2020 Sweden is banning Chinese tech companies Huawei and ZTE from building new high-speed wireless networks after a top security official called China one of the country's biggest threats. The Swedish telecom regulator said Tuesday that four wireless carriers bidding for frequencies in an upcoming spectrum auction for the new 5G networks must not use equipment from Huawei or ZTE. Wireless carriers that plan to use existing telecommunications infrastructure for 5G networks must also rip out any existing gear from Huawei or ZTE Wireless, the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority said. The agency said the conditions were based on assessments by the Swedish military and security service. Huawei said it was surprised and disappointed by the rules. Sweden is the latest country to prohibit Huawei from playing a role in building 5G networks and its decision is likely to add to tensions between the Chinese government and Western powers. U.S. officials have waged an inte...