politicodiary

At a time when the world is crying out loud for zero emissions and renewable sources of energy consumption, India has some 31 companies submitting their bids for coal mining and management. There are some 15 coal mines lined up with 28 coal mine auctions in place. This is the fifth tranche of auctions. Under the second attempt of the third tranche, a total of nine coal mines were put up for auctions and six bids have been received against six coal mines. It will still take India time to switch off coal and completely move onto more renewable sources of energy. “The bids will be evaluated by a multi-disciplinary Technical Evaluation Committee and Technically Qualified Bidders would be shortlisted for participation in the electronic auction,” the ministry added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in 2020 launched the auction of 41 coal mines for commercial mining, saying this is a major step in making India self-reliant in the energy sector. On the flipside, India is also moving towards de...

In a strange occurrence, North Korea has suddenly stopped import of Covid-19 prevention and control products from China. It still isn’t out of the woods, but it decided to do the same. While this is the case, Covid-19, according to the local media has been contained within the country. Earlier North Korea was sourcing face masks, thermometers, rubber gloves, ventilators or vaccines  from China. Meanwhile the US and South Korea had offered to provide help, including vaccines, but Pyongyang has not responded. Earlier on, North Korea had imported more than 10.6 million masks, nearly 95,000 thermometers and 1,000 non-invasive ventilators from China. This was between January-April of 2022. As the country refuses to share any statistics on this with the world, the WHO has a feeling the cases of infection are much higher in the real sense of the word. It is also worth noting that the exports from China to North Korea has slumped a lot since May. Overall, China’s exports to North Kor...

Would you imagine an organization like the United Nations being instrumental in cases of sexual harassment going unreported? This is truer than it can get. A number of cases against women who were sexually harassed and, on some occasions, raped as well, have gone unnoticed and no one (except one) is talking about it. Purna Sen was appointed the spokeswoman on harassment, assault and discrimination in 2018  for the United Nations. She spoke to a leading British media house that recently developed a documentary on how women have been harassed at work front under the title, ‘The Whistleblowers: Inside The UN’, said there were women at the UN who had been "approached, accosted and raped". The more men were allowed to get away with it, she said, "the more they will keep doing it". Ms. Sen did not mince her words as she announced that the treatment of whistleblowers at the United Nations really needed some serious examination and couldn’t have been rubbished so easily...

The Agneepath scheme was meant to induct younger talent into the country. But the decision seemed to have backfired over communal issues, again. Three days and more than 600 people have been arrested with some 130 FIRs filed. Once filed, the police is obligated to take action against it. Bihar, Punjab and parts of UP saw huge protests amongst youth. Reservation seems to be the call to action. Its sad but even the armed forces are looking for reservations. Internet had to be suspended in 12 districts of Bihar of the 38. The protest had gradually taken communal proportions, as it always happens in our country. The promising government scheme was intended to induct highly skilled and motivated youth from all strata of society. More than 300 train routes were badly affected through the last three days. The government was forced to give reservation of 10 percent to Agniveers. These will be spread across CAPFs for Agniveers, and give them a 3-years age relaxation too. So they can join ...

Another diplomat of Indian origins has does India proud as he becomes a part of the United Nations Technological division, giving special support to the Secretary General Antonio Guterres’. In a formal release, it is mentioned that Mr. Gill holds a PhD in Nuclear Learning in Multilateral Forums from King’s College, London, a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and Electrical Communications from Panjab University, Chandigarh and an Advanced Diploma in French History and Language from Geneva University and he is fluent in English, French, Hindi and Punjabi. Currently, there are 1750 and more diplomats working in various capacities in the United Nations. Gill would be making active contribution towards achievement of the sustainable goals. Making a formal statement, justifying his appointment, the formal UN statement has said that he has come across as a “thought leader on digital technology” who has a solid understanding of how to leverage the digital transformation responsibly and inc...

  A Russian crude oil provider Rosneft is holding back its hand to shake with two eager Indian buyers, sources have confirmed. As Kremlin entered into the so called ‘special military operations’ in the Ukraine, defying all Western warnings, it has been severely hit by sanctions and the world isn’t buying crude from this world’s largest seller. Now India seems to be facing empty barrels as Russia is retracting from selling it more crude. Drawn to the discounts offered, three Indian state refiners – Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Hindustan Petroleum – opened negotiations with Rosneft earlier this year for six-month supply deals. Apart from IOC, the other two are not being entertained. The reasons being given are that Russia is not interested in levying any kind of rebate or concession on its crude as it has found various other means to get it out in the world on better pricing. India largely buys Russian Urals crude, but the most recent IOC deal includes an option...

  It’s a shameful moment for Potus as a former leader in the US Central Command has been implicated in sharing classified information with Qatar. The now retired general was actually a lobbyist for the Qatar government and lied about his role . It has been Qatar’s modus operandi to influence key officials and academia to lobby for itself, for freebees, fam trips and monetary gains too. General John Allen now serves as the head of Brookings Institutions, one of Washington’s premium think tanks . His association came to light in 2017 when he was about to retire and yet to join the American think tank. Allen collaborated with Richard Olson, a former US ambassador to Pakistan, and Imaad Zuberi, a Pakistani-American venture capitalist and political fundraiser, who is serving a prison sentence for falsifying records to conceal his work as a foreign agent while lobbying US government officials, tax evasion and illegal campaign contributions. A spokesperson for Allen has justified hi...

Rapper Nicki Minaj has landed her foot in her mouth as she went on twitter to say that her friends had actually become impotent after taking the Covid-19 shot.    “My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied (sic),” her tweet read. She has been slammed on the social media for making such claims, while parts of the world are getting ready to take the jabs again. The young artist who has some 22 million followers has been embarrassed by making such false claims. Meanwhile, an American Senate Bill 866 now allows minors to receive vaccinations without permission from their parents has passed the California Assembly Judiciary Committee, and is headed to the Assembly. Its ironic when a youth has now got the right to go ahead and get hims...

With this latest bout in shooting, the US has entered the 233 rd case in mass shooting. This info has been shared by the Gun Violence Archive. In the most recent incident, a gunman is said to have used a rifle and hand gun too, in the shooting on the St. Francis Hospital campus. Four people, including the shooter, were shot to death and several were left injured. While police arrived, shots could be heard from the second floor. Police and public were both taken aback by the sudden outburst of gunshots. The attack might have been condemned but gun violence is becoming a dangerous part of American life and the law genuinely needs to be done with, that gives Americans the right to hold guns. Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt has been quoted by the media condemning the incident and saying, “What has happened in Tulsa is a senseless act of violence and hatred.” Mayor GT Bynum has been offered all state resources he might need to respond to those who have lost their lives and t...