September 2023 - Page 23 of 40 - Lokmarg

Amid Rising Gas Prices, US Inflation Soars To 3.7%

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

Amid rising gas prices, the US inflation rose to 3.7 per cent, recording an acceleration for the second-straight month, CNN reported on Wednesday.

However, core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, continued to slow, CNN reported citing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Consumer Price Index, a closely watched inflation gauge, rose 3.7 per cent in August from a year earlier, up from July’s 3.2 per cent rise.

On a month-to-month basis, prices rose 0.6 per cent in August, compared with a 0.2 per cent gain in July.

However, the situation is roughly in line with economists’ expectations, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, the core inflation slowed to 4.3 per cent from 4.7 per cent for the 12 months ending in August, an indication that the Federal Reserve’s 11 rate hikes are working their way through the economy.

Monthly core inflation rose by 0.3 per cent in August, picking up significantly for the first time since February.

The inflation report released on Wednesday, likely keeps the Fed on track for a pause in rate hikes next week when central bank officials meet to deliberate monetary policy, according to CNN.

Notably, gas prices were the largest contributor to the CPI’s acceleration in August, accounting for more than half of the increase.

The CPI’s gasoline index jumped 10.6 per cent in August from the prior month, up sharply from the 0.2 per cent gain in July. The overall energy index, which includes gasoline, advanced 5.6 per cent in August from July. Rising shelter costs continued to feed into inflation, CNN reported.

Global oil prices have risen recently as OPEC+ nations cut production and demand soared. A deadly flood in Libya this week disrupted oil exports, which further pushed up prices at the pump.

The national average for regular gasoline stood at USD 3.85 a gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA, the highest level in 10 months. Gasoline prices are highly visible indicators of inflation, so more pain at the pump could also weigh on US consumers’ moods, as per CNN.

But, the economists are not expecting the volatile energy prices to prevent inflation’s slowdown in the months ahead.

“The pass-through effect from energy prices to core inflation is small, relative to the downdraft that we’re seeing from other areas,” Sarah House, senior economist at Wells Fargo, told CNN in an interview.

“Firmer energy prices, if sustained, could feed through to the core and make the Fed’s jobs harder in terms of returning inflation back to its 2 per cent target on a sustained basis, but I think we’re going to see that dynamic overwhelmed by the continued unwinding of some of the supply and even demand distortions that we’ve seen since the pandemic,” CNN quoted her as saying. (ANI)

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Indian C-295 Takes Off From Spain With IAF Chief

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

India’s first C-295 transport aircraft took off from Seville airfield in Spain with Indian Air Force chief Marshal VR Chaudhari onboard on Wednesday.

Before leaving Seville airfield, IAF Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari took a round of C-295 transport aircraft before flying and entered the cockpit for a sortie.

The Group Captain PS Negi is flying the aircraft with IAF chief onboard to India and will take stopovers at Malta, Egypt and Bahrain before landing at Vadodara air base in India.

Earlier today, the Head of Defence and Aerospace, Airbus, Jean-Brice Dumont gave symbolic keys of C295 aircraft to IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.

IAF Chief Chaudhari on receiving the delivery of the aircraft called it as a major milestone for India and said the induction of aircraft would improve IAF’s tactical airlift capabilities.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said, “It is a major milestone not only for IAF but for the whole country. This is for two reasons – first, for IAF it improves our tactical airlift capabilities. For a nation, it marks the beginning of a new era.”

“For Atmanirbhar Bharat, after the first 16 aircraft roll out from this plant, the 17th aircraft onwards will be made in India. It’s a big step for the Indian aviation industry where we will be manufacturing the first military transport aircraft in the country,” he added.

After receiving symbolic keys form the airbus officials, IAF chief marked the occasion as a momentous day and said it is a beginning of a new era.

He said, “It is a momentous day for us, for the IAF in particular and a nation as a whole to be receiving the first aircraft which marks the beginning of a new era, wherein we will be manufacturing 40 of these aircraft in India. This starts a new era where we will be manufacturing military aircraft in India.”

Moreover, on the handing over of C-295 transport aircraft to India, Airbus Head of Defence and Aeorapace Jean-Brice Dumont said that Make in India and Prime Minister Modi’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat are at the heart of his company and pointed to his team members saying they will have to learn ‘Bharat’.

The aircraft is the first of 16 C-295 that was produced in Spain and the remaining 40 will be made in an Indian facility in Gujarat’s Vadodara under a joint venture of Tata and Airbus.

The aircraft is expected to be inducted formally into the service at a ceremony in Hindan around September last week.

The Indian Air Force chief was personally involved in the contract at important stages as Deputy Chief of Air Staff where he was leading the contract negotiations.

Indian Defence Ministry and Airbus Defence and Space, Spain signed a contract for procurement of 56 C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force in September 2021. C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 Tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and paradropping of troops and cargo. Sixteen aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract and forty aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium within 10 years of the signing of the contract.

This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company.

All 56 aircraft will be installed with an indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite. The project will give a boost to aerospace ecosystem in India in which several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in the manufacturing of parts of the aircraft, according to a press release of the Ministry of Defence.

The programme will provide a major boost to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ of the Government as it offers a unique opportunity for the Indian Private Sector to enter into a technology-intensive and highly competitive aviation Industry.

The project is expected to augment domestic aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and an expected increase in exports. (ANI)

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Bill On Appointment Of CEC, Other Election Commissioners Among 4 Bills Listed For Parliament’s Special Session

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

A Bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is among the legislative business of the government for the upcoming Special Session of Parliament, beginning on September 18.

As per the Parliamentary Bulletin, apart from the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, and The Post Office Bill, 2023, are among the bills listed for the five-sitting long Special Session.

The Bill on Appointment of Election Commissioners was introduced in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session on 10 August.

This Bill also deals with the procedure for the transaction of business by the Election Commission. Besides, it proposes that the Election Commissioners will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will chair the panel.

The Bill, if it comes into effect, will negate the Supreme Court’s March 2023 judgement that held that the appointment of Election Commissioners will be done by the President on the advice of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India. However, in its judgement, the apex court had held that the procedure underlined by it would hold till a law is enacted by Parliament.

The proposed bill also evoked sharp reactions from the opposition parties with the Congress leader KC Venugopal earlier stating that the legislation aims to make the Election Commission a “puppet in the hands of Prime Minister”.

The Special Session will be held from September 18 to 22.

The Parliamentary Bulletin, also mentioned that a discussion on “Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings” will be held in Lok Sabha on the first day of the upcoming session. (ANI)

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Kim Jong Un Vows Full Support To Russia

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

Issuing support to Moscow in the ongoing war in Ukraine, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un told President Vladimir Putin that Russia will emerge victorious in the fight to “punish the evil forces”, adding that he would “always be standing with Russia”, CNN reported on Wednesday.

He praised Russia for having “stood up against the hegemonic forces” to defend its sovereignty and security – a veiled reference to the US and the West – and said he has expressed “the full and unconditional support to all that Russia does in response”, CNN reported.

Kim said the Russian military and its people will inherit the “shining tradition of victory” and demonstrate their reputation on the front line of the “military operation”.

The North Korean leader added that both the leaders had an “in-depth discussion” on the political and military landscape of Korean Peninsula and Europe.

Kim vowed to establish “a new era of 100-year friendship” between two countries, and proposed a toast to “the great Russia’s new victory” and Putin’s health.

Notably, these remarks come amid concerns of Russia getting into an arms deal with North Korea, according to CNN.

On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the country is considering and discussing some military cooperation with North Korea, CNN reported citing Russian state news agency Russia 1.

“Well, there are certain restrictions, and Russia complies with all these restrictions,” Putin told state-owned Russia 1. “But there are things that we can of course talk about, discuss, think about it. And here too there are prospects,” he added.

When asked by a reporter whether Russia would help North Korea launch its own satellites and rockets, Putin responded, “That’s exactly why we came here”, as per CNN.

Meanwhile, the Russian state media reported on Wednesday, citing Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, that the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were “very substantive,”

“The negotiations between Putin and Kim Jong Un were very substantive,” RIA reported, quoting Peskov. According to RIA, Peskov added that North Korea “shows huge interest in developing bilateral ties with Russia.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his first day of talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was “highly productive,” involving a “candid exchange of views” on both regional matters and bilateral relations.

The pair spent around five hours together on Wednesday, according to according to Russian state news agency TASS.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia on Tuesday for a closely watched summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia marks his first foreign trip since the COVID-19 pandemic as during the pandemic, North Korea’s borders were sealed, reported CNN. (ANI)

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‘The Kashmir Files’ Recognised Pain of Kashmiri Pandits: Director

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

Director Vivek Agnihotri’s film ‘The Kashmir Files’ recently won the prestigious Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration at the 69th National Film Awards.

Reacting to the news, Vivek told ANI, “This is a moment of pride. I am happy that the pain of the Kashmiri Pandit community is being recognized by the country.”

Helmed by Vivek Agnihotri, the film starred Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mithun Chakraborty and Darshan Kumaar in the lead roles.

Apart from this, actor Pallavi Joshi also bagged the Best Supporting Actress at the 69th National Awards for her performance in the film.

‘The Kashmir Files,’ on the life of Kashmiri Pandits during the 1990 Kashmir insurgency, is based on first-generation video interviews of victims of the Kashmiri massacre, making an account of their pain, suffering, struggle and trauma.

The movie, which was originally released on March 11, 2022, made it to the Oscars 2023 reminder list when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) released the list of 301 feature films eligible for this year’s Oscars.

Meanwhile, Vivek recently unveiled the trailer of his next film ‘The Vaccine War’ which stars Nana Patekar, Pallavi Joshi and Anupam Kher in the lead roles.

The trailer narrates the tale of the triumph of scientists and 130 crore Indian citizens who fought the battle against COVID-19. It gave a glimpse of the activities of scientists involved with the BBV152 vaccine, also known as Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech in partnership with the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Virology.

The film is all set to hit the theatres on September 28. (ANI)

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra Pro-Tem Speaker Selection

Anti-Hindu Coordination Committee, Patra Slams INDIA Bloc

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

Amid a row over Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Sambit Patra on Wednesday accused the INDIA alliance of conspiring to abolish “Hinduism”.

Launching a sharp attack on the INDIA alliance, Patra referred to the 14-member coordination committee which is set to meet at Sharad Pawar’s residence this evening as the “Anti-Hindu Coordination Committee” (AHCC).

“Today Anti-Hindu Coordination Committee (AHCC) meeting has been called at Sharad Pawar’s home. They will also discuss seat sharing. But before the coordination, the non-coordination and non-cooperation has started,” Patra said.

“This is not a meeting of campaign or seat sharing… Their only aim is to abolish Hinduism… The meeting is on the same topic… They called Hinduism dengue and malaria, corona, leprosy, and AIDS. They compare Hinduism with such diseases. They called it a world menace,” Patra said,” he added.

Countering Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over a remark on Sanatana, the BJP leader said that if such words were used against any other religion, they would have reached the United Nations.

“If such words were used against any other religion, they would have reached the United Nations with a complaint that India is intolerant. This is not by mistake, it is a well-designed statement… This is a design under which several years ago they said that Lord Ram is imaginary and nonexistent,” BJP leader said.

Patra recounted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s statement that they don’t fear from SIMI but from Hindus.

“When Rahul Gandhi said, that we don’t have risk from SIMI but from Hindus, this was not a disaster in statement, it is a well-understood statement,” he added.

Patra also attacked former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray’s Godhra remarks and questioned the Aam Aadmi Party’s support for the same and said that, “The 26 parties are one… it is clear from Uddhav Thackeray’s statement that another Godhra incident may happen… Aam Aadmi Party is supporting it saying that Uddhav Thackeray is a senior leader, he might be right… Samajwadi Party says Shriramcharitmanas should not be read… This morning SP said that the Ram Mandir should not be made… RJD leader says that the people applying ‘Tilak’ are dangerous to the nation.”

The first meeting of the Coordination Committee of the INDIA alliance, scheduled to be held on Wednesday in the national capital will discuss the Special Session of Parliament among other things.

Opposition’s Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in its third meeting in Mumbai on September 1 announced a 14-member coordination committee. (ANI)

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Mathura: Teen Dead, Several Injured After Getting Electrocuted At Event

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

A teenager died from electrocution and several others were injured in the Kosikala police station area of Mathura on Wednesday morning.

According to local sources, a religious preacher, Khatu Shyam Baba, was holding a session for his followers when an iron barricade got electrified and one teenager, seated in close proximity, received severe electric shocks and died at the scene.

More than half-a-dozen people were injured in the incident, sources informed further.

“All the injured persons were admitted to a nearby hospital. Some of them were discharged after receiving first-aid while the rest are still undergoing treatment at the hospital. We learned that the incident took place at 1.30 am on Wednesday morning when local artistes were singing bhajans (devotional songs) on stage and the devotees were sitting rapt in the audience,” the local SP said.

“The current from the generator electrified the iron barricade and bedlam broke after the teenager was electrocuted to death. The electricity supply in the area was stopped and injured rushed to a nearby hospital,” the officer added.

The SP confirmed that the generator set was the source of the electrocution incident.

“The family members of the deceased lodged a complaint. A case was registered and an investigation is underway,” the officer said.

The SP said the oeganiser had sought necessary permissions before holding the event, adding that it was accident that occured due to negligence. (ANI)

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Special Session Of Parliament: Govt Calls All-Party Meet On Sept 17

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

Ahead of the special session of Parliament, a meeting of the floor leaders of all parties has been called on September 17, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi informed on Wednesday.

A five-day special session of the Parliament will be held from September 18 to 22.

“Ahead of the parliament session from the 18th of this month, an all-party floor leaders meeting has been convened on the 17th at 4.30 PM,” Minister Pralhad Joshi posted on social media platform X, (Formerly Twitter).

“The invitation for the same has been sent to concerned leaders through email. Letter to follow,” he added.

The opposition has also criticised the BJP-led central government for calling a special session of Parliament without disclosing the agenda.

Earlier, the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister informed about the five-day special session of Parliament from September 18-22.

The agenda for the special session was however not revealed yet.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded last month, was held in the old Parliament building. The announcement of the Special Session came as a surprise in political circles with the parties gearing up for assembly polls in five states later this year. (ANI)

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Pak Trying To Push Terrorists Across LoC: Northern Army Commander

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

Amid ongoing gunfights between the security forces and terrorists in the Rajouri and Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday said Pakistan was trying to send radicalised gunmen from across the border to disturb peace in the Valley.

Two terrorists were gunned down in the ongoing Rajouri encounter while a soldier also laid down his life on the line.

Kent, a dog from the Army’s canine unit, also died shielding its handler from enemy fire.

Speaking to media persons at the conclusion of the two day North Tech Symposium 2023 in Jammu, the Northern Army commander said, “Pakistan is upto its old tricks of sending terrorists across the border to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir. At a time when the Valley has set sights on welcoming 2.25 crore tourists this year, Pakistan is trying to unleash terror in the region yet again. However, we will not led Pakistan succeed in its nefarious designs.”

He was reponding to questions on the gunning down of two terrorists in the ongoing encounter that broke out in the Narla area of Rajouri district on Tuesday.

Officials said earlier on Wednesday that one more terrorist were killed in the Rajouri gunfight.

“Second terrorist has been gunned down in the ongoing encounter in Narla area of Rajouri,” Mukesh Singh, additional director general of police (ADGP), Jammu, said.

A top police official had on Tuesday said one terrorist was gunned down and a soldier lost his life in the ongoing encounter in Narla area. Three security personnel, including a Special Police Officer (SPO), also sustained injuries in the exchange of fire.

“One terrorist neutralised; One Army jawan lost his life, three others including one police SPO injured in the ensuing encounter in Rajouri district,” ADGP, Jammu said in a statement on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, another encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the the Kukernag area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, according to Kashmir Police Zone.

“Some officers from the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police were injured in the trading of fire with the terrorists,” a police officer said. (ANI)

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AAI Gets Nod To Install Full-Body Scanners At 4 Airports

By LokMarg 13th September 2023

To make security checks quicker and error-free at India’s hypersensitive airports, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) received clearance from the Public Investment Board (PIB) to install full-body scanners that will cut down the passenger frisking time by half.

These full-body scanners will be installed at four airports in the country including Kolkata, Chennai, Pune and Goa.

In July, the government had floated a tender to procure 131 full-body scanners– that cut down the average passenger frisking time to 15 seconds from the current 30 and 600 new hand baggage scanners at over Rs 1,000 crore at airports run by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) but it was later withdrawn as it needed clearance from PIB.

Given that all the investment plans with an estimated cost of Rs 500 crores and more fall under the purview of PIB, the initial proposal was to install 131 full-body scanners and 600 new hand-baggage scanner machines at 43 airports that include Amritsar, Goa, Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Varanasi, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Raipur, Tirupati, Bhopal, among others at over Rs 1,000 crore at airports run by the AAI.

However, in a recent meeting between stakeholders involved in the safety and security of airports, it was decided that instead of going for the installation in one go as per the original plan, the PIB gave its nod for the installation of full-body scanners in the four airports that witness maximum footfall among all airports owned and managed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Home Affairs and others.

“After evaluating the success report of full-body scanners at these four airports, other airports in the queue will get the facility at the earliest. In the meeting, various aspects like procurement, installation, training of security personnel and operations were discussed,” said a senior official.

According to officials, these millimetre-wave technology-based full-body scanners work on the principle of body contours, i.e. these are designed to detect objects that could be concealed in the body.

“As the proposal needs approval of PIB, it was reviewed and now full-body scanners will be installed at four airports including thirteen scanners at Kolkata, twelve at Chennai, eight at Goa and five at Pune airport. These airports fall under the hypersensitive category as per BCAS”, added the official.

The AAI manages 137 airports in India, which include 24 international airports, 10 customs airports, and 103 domestic airports. (ANI)

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