News Headline on 27 January 2021

1. Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju celebrates 2nd edition of 'Fit India School Week' with the students of Kendriya Vidyalaya
2. PM Sheikh Hasina launches COVID 19 vaccination programme in Bangladesh
3. Scientists find geological evidence of eastern Himalaya earthquake recorded in history
4. Cabinet approves Minimum Support Price of Copra for 2021 season
5. Bangladesh GDP growth rate fell to 0.5 percent in 2020: UN Agency
6. 72nd Republic Day celebrated at Indian Embassy in Jakarta
7. UK becomes first European nation to surpass over one lakh Covid-19 deaths
8. Boosting technologies that pole-vault to future & connect past
9. India's military might & economic progress on full display at 72nd Republic Day celebrations
10. Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurates Bharat Parv-2021 in New Delhi
11. Indian Embassy in Beijing celebrates 72nd Republic Day amid COVID protocols
12. Bangladesh-India ties special, new frontiers of cooperation opening between the two countries: PM Sheikh Hasina
13. 72nd Republic Day celebrations at the Indian Embassy in Seoul joined by South Korean leaders
14. Republic Day celebrated in Bangladesh
15. Liberation War fighter Lt. Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir and Musicologist Sanjida Khatun from Bangladesh awarded Padma Shree
16. President approves conferment of 119 Padma Awards
17. Six NIA Officials Awarded Police Medals on the Occasion of Republic Day 2021
18. China continues reporting locally transmitted COVID-19 cases

1.

Four soldiers have sustained splinter injuries from a grenade attack in Anantnag district, while the condition of the co-pilot of a crash-landed Dhruv helicopter remains critical. We had reported yesterday that Lt Col Rishubh Sharma, the other pilot of ALH Dhruv tragically lost his life.

2.

Keeping up with Chinese infrastructure and ease of habitation, the Centre has allocated almost Rs 20 crore to Uttarakhand – nearly half of the total provided to the state — for taking up work projects in sensitive areas along the China border.

3.

A total of 24 Naxals, including 12 women, have surrendered in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Dantewada district, expressing disappointment with the "hollow" Maoist ideology.

4.

The Supreme Court heard a plea filed by 17 women officers from the Indian Army alleging that the Army has not yet granted the Permanent Commission to even 50 per cent of women officers despite the top court's judgment.

5.

In news that could raise further tensions, Israel's top general said that its military was refreshing its operational plans against Iran and that any US return to a 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran would be "wrong."

6.

Forces to get light combat helicopters even before formal contract

As of now, the defence ministry has given approval for procurement of an initial batch of 15 LCHs (10 for Air Force and five for Army) but the numbers are expected to go up as the first ones enter service. The helicopters have been specially designed keeping the requirements of high altitude forces and the lessons learnt during the Kargil war, where such a capability was missed.

The LCH has successfully carried out a range of missions, including firing of an air-to-air missile – the first by a chopper developed in India. It is also equipped with a 20mm Turret gun and 70 mm rockets, the firing trials of which have already been completed.

7.

The age old dictum 'Butter vs Guns' takes front seat in Union Budget 2021

India needs to look at a five-year plan, that takes our defence allocation to beyond the 1.5% of GDP (ex-pensions) to 3%. NATO guidelines are for a minimum of 2% of GDP on defence, so +1% to begin with would be ideal given our geographic reality.

It is also relevant to look at how and where the allocations are being spent. As a country which has needs of fund for infrastructure, basic health services, affordable housing, water supply, etc, it is also not possible to keep enhancing the defence budget. Hence, as we develop a plan for an uptick in the defence budget, especially on capital side, we need to plan on how we reduce our revenue budget.

8.
Can Joe Biden solve the Pakistan puzzle?

Earlier, China rescued Pakistan in October 2020, but President Biden should not allow it to do so again. Should that happen, then Biden will signal that America's re-embrace of multilateralism has less to do with enhancing international security and rule-of-law, and more to do with shirking responsibility and glossing over the decline of international security, argued US bi-monthly magazine The National Interest.

Rather than blacklisting Pakistan, the FATF has repeatedly kept Pakistan on its "Grey List" offering it just a little more time in the hope that Pakistani officials might both show they take countering terror finance seriously and that Pakistani civilian leader has the ability to rein in the country's security apparatus.

9.

Russia, US extend nuclear arms pact as Biden, Putin talk

Russia and the United States have struck a deal to extend the New START nuclear arms control treaty, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, a move that preserves the last major pact of its kind between the world's two biggest nuclear powers.

Signed in 2010, the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a cornerstone of global arms control.

It limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads deployed by the United States and Russia to 1,550 each as well as the number of land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers that deliver them

10.

Chinese military exercises near Taiwan are a "solemn warning to external forces"

China views democratic Taiwan as part of its territory that must one day be reunified, by force if necessary, and the issue has quickly become a flashpoint for Joe Biden's administration.

The State Department said over the weekend that US commitment to Taiwan was "rock-solid", as Taipei reported multiple Chinese jets and bombers had flown into its air defence zone.

Today Market on 27Januar2021

Synopsis

National

COVID-19: Active cases only 1.65 per cent of total infections

The daily COVID-19 recovered cases in India have been surpassing daily new cases from the last 20 days, while the total active cases stand at 1,76,498 comprising just 1.65 per cent of the total infections, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

No one should do politics over violence: Fadnavis on farmers' protest on Republic Day

By Laxmi Devi New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said no one should do politics over violence that broke out during the farmers'' protest in the national capital on Republic Day as the matter is about the nation.

Ex-Jayalalithaa close aide Sasikala released after serving 4 years in prison

Expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala was released on Wednesday after serving four years imprisonment in a corruption case at a prison here.

Sourav Ganguly hospitalised again with discomfort in chest

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was on Wednesday hospitalised again with discomfort in the chest, less than a month after he underwent angioplasty here.

International

China: Military flights warn against interference in Taiwan

Beijing: The Chinese govt said Wednesday that actions like its warplanes flying near Taiwan last weekend are a warning against both foreign interference in Taiwan and any independence moves by the island.

UN panel: Yemen's war being fuelled by economic profiteering

United Nations, Jan 27 (AP) Economic profiteering is fueling the catastrophe in Yemen, where a six-year war has involved attacks on civilians, forced disappearances and other violations of human rights and international law, UN experts said in a new report.

Myanmar health workers receive first COVID-19 vaccinations

Health workers in Myanmar on Wednesday became the first people in the Southeast Asian country to be vaccinated against COVID-19, five days after the first vaccines were delivered from India.

IMF favours extension of pandemic support measures, thrust on infra investment in Budget

Ahead of India''s annual budget presentation next week, IMF''s Chief Economist Gita Gopinath has favoured the extension of the pandemic support measures, thrust on investment in infrastructure and expanding health sectors programmes like Ayushman Bharat, and a very credible divestment path for commercially viable companies.

Google says North Korea-backed hackers sought cyber research

Google says it believes hackers backed by the North Korean government have been posing as computer security bloggers and using fake accounts on social media while attempting to steal information from researchers in the field.

Business

Tiktok to shut down India business

New Delhi: Chinese social media firm Bytedance, which owns Tiktok and Helo apps, has announced the closure of its India business following continued restrictions on its services in the country.

Green strategic partnership vital milestone between India, Denmark: Danish ambassador

The recently-launched green strategic partnership between India and Denmark will not only create a green and sustainable future, but will also boost job creation, innovation and investments, the Danish ambassador to India said on Wednesday.

Legal

Farmers' tractor rally: Plea in SC seeks inquiry commission to look into violence on R-Day

New Delhi: A plea was filed in the SC seeking setting up of a commission, headed by a retired apex court judge, to inquire the violence during the protesting farmers' tractor rally in the national capital on the Republic Day.

Why Centre resisting direction to translate draft EIA in all vernacular languages: HC

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said it cannot understand why the Centre was "vehemently" resisting its order to translate the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) in all 22 languages in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution.

SC declines interim protection from arrest to makers of web series Tandav, others

New Delhi: The SC declined to grant interim protection from arrest to Ali Abbas Zafar, Director of web series ''Tandav'', and others seeking quashing of FIRs against them for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Hindus and issued notices UP, MP and other states on their pleas.

Entertainment

Varun Dhawan thanks fans for 'love and positivity' post marriage to Natasha Dalal

Mumbai: Actor Varun Dhawan on Wednesday expressed gratitude to his fans for sending their best wishes to him and fashion designer Natasha Dalal after they got married.

Owner of Raj Kapoor's ancestral home in Pakistan refuses to sell building at govt rate

The owner of Indian film legend Raj Kapoor''s ancestral home in Peshawar has refused to sell the building at the rate fixed by the provincial Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, saying the prime-location property has been severely undervalued.

Yami Gautam wraps shoot of 'Bhoot Police'

Actor Yami Gautam on Wednesday said she has wrapped up shooting for her upcoming film "Bhoot Police".

Netflix buys world rights to Venice Film Festival winner 'The Disciple'

Streaming platform Netflix has picked up critically-acclaimed and award-winning musical drama "The Disciple", directed by Indian director Chaitanya Tamhane.

I owe my fan base to action films: 'Monster Hunter' star Milla Jovovich

Hollywood star Milla Jovovich feels blessed to have amassed a dedicated fan following for delivering high-octane action sequences with her movies.

Sports

IPL auction confirmed for February 18 in Chennai

New Delhi: The IPL players auction ahead of the 2021 edition will be held in Chennai on February 18, the league organisers announced on Wednesday.

England cricket players arrive in Chennai for Tests versus India

Members of the England cricket team including captain Joe Root arrived in the city on Wednesday for the four-match series against India with the first two Tests to be played here.

Pant, Ashwin in contention for new ICC player of month awards for January

India''s senior off-spinner R Ashwin and swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant would be in contention for the newly-introduced player of the month awards announced by the International Cricket Council on Wednesday.

Shai and Kyle Hope test positive for COVID-19

West Indies opener Shai Hope and his brother Kyle have been ruled out of the the Barbados squad ahead of the Regional Super50 Cup after testing positive for COVID-19. "The Hope brothers, Shai and Kyle, have tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss the Cricket West Indies (CWI) CG Insurance Super50 Cup in Antigua, February 7 to 27," the Barbados Cricket Association said in a statement.

News in Detail