"Welcome home, Meng Wanzhou": Huawei executive returns to China
Ending a prolonged extradition fight between the United States and the People's Republic of China, the Huawei CFO, Meng Wanzhou, was hailed as a hero upon her arrival in the country after serving nearly 3 years under house arrest in Canada. Meng was arrested in Vancouver in December 2018, for fraud charges related to alleged Iran sanction violations. Bejing, in a move widely interpreted as political retaliation, had detained two Canadians shortly after. They were freed on Friday following Meng's release.
Source - CNN Business
'Bharat Bandh' causes massive traffic jam in Delhi
A ‘Bharat Bandh’ was announced today by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a body of over 40 farmer unions, to mark the first anniversary since the farm laws were passed. They are seeking the withdrawal of three farm laws that they allege will give power to private firms to take over the agriculture sector. The group had said they will not allow movement on some sections of national highways. A massive traffic jam was seen at Gurugram-Delhi border today in the wake of the protest.
Source - NDTV
Ayushman Bharat digital mission launched by PM Modi
In a move to bolster the health ecosystem in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Under this, every citizen will now get a unique 14-digit health identification number, containing their health records. This Health ID under NDHM (National Digital Health Mission) is free of cost and voluntary. PM stated that the mission has the potential of bringing a revolutionary change in India’s health facilities.
Source - Mint
German election: Angela Merkel's party loses to rivals
Preliminary results showed the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), led by Chancellor nominee Olaf Scholz, winning by a share of 25.7% over Chancellor Merkel's center-right CDU-CSU bloc which garnered 24.1% of the votes. The Greens (3rd), and the liberal FDP (4th), will be vital in forming a governing coalition. In the fractured political landscape of the post-Merkel era, the most likely outcome will be a three-way alliance, ending the post-war tradition of two-party coalition governments, the top media report suggests.
Source - Economic Times
Pumps in the UK run dry; fuelled by panic buying over the weekend
The shortage of truck drivers in the UK has affected the gasoline supply chain, resulting in several service stations running dry, as trucker shortage sparks hoarding by the motorists over the weekend. The shortage of truck drivers has been exacerbated by the pandemic and Brexit, which resulted in tens of thousands of EU nationals leaving trucking jobs, and other occupations in the United Kingdom. Prime Minister Boris Johnson would consider calling in the army on Monday if the situation shows no sign of improving, UK media reports.
Source - CNN Business
Assam’s Judima wine becomes first north-eastern beverage to bag GI tag
A geographical indication (GI) tag was awarded to Assam's Judima wine, making it the first north-eastern beverage to get recognition. Award of a GI sign not only helps in tracing the origins of products but also helps in confirming authenticity and marketing of indigenous specialities. Principal scientist and head of Krishi Vikash Kendra, Subodh Maibongsha, and his colleagues at YADEM (Youth Association for Development and Empowerment) said that they were elated at the recognition Judima has received and now their aim is to scale the manufacturing and branding of the wine.
Source - Hindustan Times
India engages in talks with Taiwan over semiconductor shortage
Taiwan and India are working on a deal to bring chip manufacturing to India, along with tariff reductions on components for producing semiconductors, by the end of 2021. A chip plant worth an estimated $7.5 billion in India is in the talks, which will supply everything from 5G devices to electric cars. India to offer financial support of 50% of capital expenditure from 2023 as well as tax breaks and other incentives. This further has a chance to reignite geopolitical tensions with China.
Source - Mint
Bihar government 'tired of demanding special status', says minister
The decade-old demand for a special category status for Bihar was today dropped by the Bihar chief minister and member of Janta Dal (United), Nitish Kumar. He said that the state government is tired of demanding the special status and will now seek special assistance in every field instead.
Source - Hindustan Times
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