Code Red! That is what the first of the many IPCC reports on the present climate science is calling the situation right now. The past five years have been the hottest on record since 1850. The temperature is likely to breach 1.5degC warming from pre-industrial levels by 2040 and heatwaves and droughts are going to be more severe. A sliver of hope: Drop fossil fuels now and we could prevent it breaching 2degC.
IN PARLIAMENT
Pegasus Row: In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, the ministry of defence said there was ‘no transaction’ with NSO Group Technologies.
For Amendment: The Opposition said that it will back the govt in passing the 127th consitutional amendment bill – requires 50% attendance and 2/3 majority in both houses – that will see states get back power to identify socially and economically backward classes and assigne quotas in jobs and education.
Legislative Business: Lok Sabha passed the LLP Amendment Bill, the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Rajya Sabha passed The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (aka retrospective taxation) and The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Tribunals Abolished: Parliament abolished nine appelate tribunals, including film certification, and referred cases pending before them to high courts or commercial courts. It also gave uniform terms and conditions for chairs of different tribunals.
“The reason for the Opposition to come together to support the 127th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2021, is the upcoming early elections next year in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur. Almost all the states going to the polls have a substantial OBC vote bank.”
Achiransu Acharyya, economist, Visva bharati university
INDIA NEWS
Re-Group: In a show of strength most opposition parties attended a dinner hosted by Congress’s Kapil Sibal at his residence in Delhi. One thing was on their agenda: unite to take on the BJP in 2024. They discussed not to fight each other in regional polls and a few told the Congress to get its act together.
Coronavirus News: Foreigners too can now get vaccinated in India.
Electoral Bonds: The BJP got 79% of the Rs 3400 crore donated through electoral bonds, while Congress got just 9% in 2019-’20. Anonymity is guaranteed through this route, except to the govt that can get to know if it wants.
Presidential Statement: India chaired a UNSC meeting on Monday with PM Narendra Modi speaking. He underlined the need to ensure maritime security and suggested five principles while dealing with the matter: remove barriers from legitimate maritime trade, encouraging connectivity, settling disputes as per int’l law, preserving resources and environment and jointly tackle maritime threats – natural and non-state actors.
New Mission: PM Narendra Modi launched a new scheme – National Edible Oil Mission- Oil Palm – to achieve self-reliance on cooking oil. The govt will invest Rs 11,000 crore.
Poison in Delhi Heart: During a protest against colonial laws in the heart of Delhi, some people raised anti-Muslim slogans and threatening them with death. The police is investigating.
“The government authority must realise that this is not how it will work…The line has been crossed by the government. You cannot let the third pillar of democracy come to a standstill.”
Supreme Court on govt not appointing judges across high courts. 455/1098 posts lie vacant
WORLD NEWS
Taliban’s In-Roads: The insurgent group won another provincial capital – Aibak of Samangan province – as the local govt pulled out its troops to protect the civilan population from harm. Total capitals under Taliban now six. Fighters from the group allegedly killed a radio station manager and abducted a journalist.
Communal violence: Temples and shops belonging to Hindus attacked in Bangladesh. The immediate cause for the violence was allegedly after Hindus moved to a shrine singing kirtans while the Muslims observed the mandatory Esha prayers.
That’s Nice, But That’s Crazy: The Hindu temple that was damaged last week was repaired and returned to the community. Meanwhile, the Hindu boy who allegedly urinated on the premises of a seminary that sparked the violence last week has become the youngest to be charged under the country’s blasphemy law.
Virus Rises: The deadly Marburg virus has been identified for the first time in west Africa’s Guinea. It is transmitted from fruit bats and monkeys to humans and between humans through body fluids.
“We may have done what was humanly possible, but in many cases it was not enough.”
GREECE PRIME MINISTER Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologises for failing to control wildfires
ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE & TECH
Smoking Up North: For the first time in recorded history, smoke from wildfires have reached the north pole.
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
Booming: From 94 last week, India’s business activity has touched 99.4 out of 100 in the Nomura business index. 100 is pre-pandemic level of business activity.
Situation Alarming: Tamil Nadu says its financials are in the doldrums blaming rising revenue deficit model of the previous government.
Venture Ends: Narayan Murthy’s Catamaran Ventures and Amazon have decided to shut Prione Business Services, the parent company of Cloudtail India, which is one of the biggest sellers on Amazon. For years, many businesses have complained that Amazon had preferences and promoted its own companies. The Supreme Court too had refused to stay an anti-trust inquiry into the company’s practices.
Search for Google: NSE IFSC will soon list international firms such as Google, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft for Indians to invest.
“We gave set up a business to seize the promise of hi-tech manufacturing of electronics, precision manufacturing assembly & testing and semiconductors.”
N Chandrasekaran, chairman, tata Sons
News Of Today 