Govt working with spice makers to ensure EtO norm compliance; asks Everest to take corrective action
New Delhi, May 20 (PTI) The government has found that some samples of Everest Spices were non-compliant under the strictest standards (0.1 mg per Kg) regarding presence of ethylene oxide and it has been asked to take corrective measures, an official said on Monday. In view of the reports on the recall of two Indian […] Key Points
ThePrintAir India Express cancels 75 flights; normal services by tomorrow
Air India Express on Friday cancelled around 75 flights due to cabin crew shortage and operations are expected to normalise by Sunday, an official said, a... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaNEET UG 2024 correction window dates released, notice here
NEET UG 2024 correction window dates have been released. Check notice here. | Competitive Exams Key Points
Hindustan TimesWTO meet: India to oppose no customs duty policy on ecomm transmissions
New Delhi is of the view that e-commerce needs to be looked at from a development dimension and not from the “eyes of big tech companies”. The moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions is in place since 1998 and gets extended every two years when the WTO ministerial conferences take place. “There is no question of extending the moratorium. We have given a final extension. There will be no more extension…We are in favour of continuation of the work programme,” said the official. Key Points
Economic TimesHouthi strike damages cargo ship
The Houthis identified the vessel as the Star Iris. The group's military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said in a televised statement the ship was American but maritime-shipping trackers said the Marshall Islands-flagged ship was Greek-owned. Key Points
Economic Times
Niti Aayog to estimate gap between states' renewable capacity, future needs
The Niti Aayog is conducting an analysis to estimate the potential gap between states' renewable energy capacities and their future electricity needs under existing purchase obligations. This initiative aims to assist states in planning their power resources effectively. The assessment considers states' capabilities in solar, wind, and hydro energy, projecting their ability to meet renewable purchase obligations independently or rely on other states. Key Points
Economic TimesCUREC 2023 exam date announced, check notice here
CUREC 2023 exam date has been announced. The official notice is given here. | Competitive Exams Key Points
Hindustan TimesNew EV policy in works, talks on with global carmakers: Official
The government is actively engaging with both domestic and international stakeholders to formulate a policy aimed at boosting the local production of electric vehicles (EVs). Discussions are underway to involve potential investors from countries like Germany, the UK, and South Korea. Key Points
Economic Times'Unidentified insurgents' target Assam Rifles troops with IED attack in Manipur, no injuries
Incident took place Thursday morning when troops were out on routine patrol duty. IED blast was followed by an ambush of their Casspir vehicle. Key Points
ThePrintMumbai police receive message threatening ‘disruption’ during India-NZ World Cup semi-final
The threat was posted on X Tuesday, tagging the Mumbai police’s official handle. It also contained the image of a gun, hand grenades, and bullets, an official said. Key Points
ThePrint
FMGE Exam: NBE announces Foreign Medical Graduate Exam likely in January 2024
FMGE Exam will likely be conducted in January 2024. The official notice is attached here. | Competitive Exams Key Points
Hindustan TimesExclusive: US warned China to expect updated export curbs in October-US official
The Biden administration warned Beijing of its plans to update rules that curb shipments of AI chips and chipmaking tools to China as soon as early October, a U.S. official said, a policy decision aimed at stabilizing relations between the superpowers. Key Points
ReutersLand acquisition, flyovers and tunnels raised Bharatmala cost: Official
The cost of highway projects under India's Bharatmala programme has risen above initial estimates due to the construction of wider highways and tunnels, as well as more expensive land acquisition, top Roads Ministry official said. TThis programme was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in July 2017. Key Points
Economic Times44 IT hardware companies log in for PLI sops
IT hardware companies have been told about the licensing portal where it takes five to 10 minutes to get approval for an import licence, this official said. “The regulations being imposed are from a security point of view, and these regulations will not create any disruption anywhere,” the official said. Key Points
Economic TimesCabinet approves Rs 1.39 lakh cr for last mile BharatNet connectivity
The cabinet has approved a last-mile broadband connectivity plan under the BharatNet project for 6.4 lakh villages across the country with a financial outlay of Rs 1.39 lakh crore, a top government official said. The broadband connectivity project has already connected 1.94 lakh villages, with the rest likely to be completed in two and a half years. Key Points
Economic Times
Cabinet secretary reviews progress of PLI scheme in certain sectors; another meeting likely soon
Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba on Thursday reviewed the progress of the production-linked incentive scheme (PLI) for sectors that are generally doing very well like pharma and electronics, a senior official said. Another such review is expected for the remaining sectors, the official said. Key Points
Economic TimesBank manager loses Rs 5.10 lakh in cyber fraud while trying to sell household items
A manager in a leading bank lost Rs 5.10 lakh in a cyber fraud while she was trying to sell some household items on an online marketplace, a Nagpur police official said on Sunday. Key Points
The Tribune IndiaLand customs stations in NE proposed to be doubled to 50
“We are planning to take the number to at least 50 by the end of this fiscal,” a senior official told ET on condition of anonymity. All the land customs stations will be equipped with advanced technology infrastructure, artificial intelligence and real-time reporting to stop the smuggling, said another official. Key Points
Economic TimesFinance Ministry employee arrested for passing on official secrets to contact
Contractual employee of Finance Ministry arrested for leaking confidential data. Case registered against Ghaziabad resident for passing on official secrets for money. Key Points
mintUS intends to open consulates in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad: White House
The US will open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to strengthen people-to-people relationships. A senior administration official cited that Indian students have become the largest foreign community in the US, receiving a record 125,000 student visas last year and an increase of 20% YoY. Meanwhile, India's forthcoming Seattle consulate, slated to open by 2023, will be reciprocated with a new US consulate in India Key Points
Economic Times
PhonePe cashback offer scam leaves Delhi Police official in financial trouble, Rs 2 Lakh lost
tHE Delhi Police official received a call from an unfamiliar number informing him that he had won a cashback offer from a transaction he had made on PhonePe. However, in order to receive the cashback, he was instructed to download a different app. Key Points
India TodayHSCAP Plus One Trial Allotment 2023 result today: How to check
According to the HSCAP's official website, the trial allocation result (merit quota) has been made public. By logging in to the official portal with their username and password, candidates can view the status of their selection. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia to push for creation of Artificial Intelligence-based portal at G20
“An international body such as the UNCTAD could house it”, a senior government official said. The discussions are at initial stages but the attempt is to push for tangible outcomes that can provide some solution, the official added. It will attempt to push some of these issues at the upcoming meeting of the Trade and Investment Working Group, to be held in June Kewadiya in Gujarat. Key Points
Economic TimesSenior DRDO official held in suspected honey trap case with Pakistan links
The official has worked on several strategically significant projects of the DRDO including several missiles. He has been booked under official Secrets Act. Key Points
The Indian ExpressMaharashtra: Fraudsters dupe man trying to get refund of Rs 4.8 lakh for cancelled air tickets
The Chitalsar police have registered a case under the IT Act on the basis of the man’s complaint. A probe is on, said an official, adding that no arrest has been made yet. Key Points
Firstpost
Air India Dubai-Delhi flight incident: DGCA orders derostering of entire crew pending investigations
Aviation watchdog DGCA has directed Air India to deroster the entire crew of a Dubai-Delhi flight after a pilot allowed a female friend into the cockpit in late February, according to a senior official. While there was no immediate comment from Air India on the latest development, the airline, on April 21, said it had taken a serious note of the reported incident and that investigations were underway. Key Points
Economic TimesIndian army cancelled convoy hours before truck was ambushed on same route in Jammu, says official
An Indian army official has revealed that the convoy that was ambushed on the Jammu-Srinagar highway was scheduled to travel earlier but was cancelled due to security reasons. Read more on The Hindu. Key Points
The HinduPeople need to remain vigilant against new COVID strain: Official
A new COVID-19 variant has been isolated and studied in India, with a top Union Health Ministry official saying it poses less of a risk of hospitalisations. However, he urged people to remain vigilant. The official suggested the current surge in cases can be attributed to the spread of the XBB 1.16 variant, as the country recorded a single-day jump of 3,641 fresh cases taking the total number of cases to 4.47 crore. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 6.12%, while the weekly positivity rate dropped to 2.45%. Key Points
Economic TimesUkrainian pilot pair in Arizona to fly military simulators: US official
Two Ukrainian pilots are in Arizona to fly flight simulators and be evaluated by the US military. The Arizona "familiarization event" is a first and will facilitate dialogue between Ukrainian and US personnel and provide an opportunity to observe how the US Air Force operates. Key Points
India TodayBritish national deported back to Dubai as e-visa not accepted at Indore airport
This was not the first time an international passenger who came to Indore with an e-visa has faced problems. In the last four years, several international passengers have been sent back to Dubai as they came to Indore on e-visas, the official said. | Latest News India Key Points
Hindustan Times/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/5ERD7FM4UJKZNLRF3UAE3DJH7I.jpg)
U.S. to push debt relief, Ukraine aid at G20 finance meeting in India
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel to India next week for G20 finance meetings that will focus on unblocking distressed-country debt restructuring, boosting support for Ukraine and reforming multilateral development banks. Key Points
ReutersNEET SS Counselling 2023: Special round qualifying percentile reduced, notice here
NEET SS Counselling 2023 special round qualifying percentile reduced. Check official notice here. Key Points
Hindustan TimesIt is now time for some developed members to abandon higher moral ground: India at WTO agri meet
New Delhi, Oct 19 (PTI) India on Thursday told WTO members that its success in feeding a large population demonstrates the country’s understanding of what is best for developing nations at the negotiation table, an official said. The observations were made at an agriculture negotiation meeting in Geneva, chaired by Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Türkiye. […] Key Points
ThePrintIndia's longest transportation tunnel opens in Jammu on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's longest railway tunnel on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. The 12.77-km-long tunnel, known as T-50, is part of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section, allowing trains to run from Baramulla to Sangaldan. The section brings India a step closer to realizing the goal of running a train from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia, UK close to concluding FTA talks, working to iron out issues on IPRs, rules of origin
India and the UK are close to wrapping up negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), with the remaining issues largely relating to intellectual property rights, rules of origin and investment treaty, according to a senior government official. The UK will be the first developed country with which India has such a comprehensive FTA. Key Points
Economic Times
Liquor policy case: 'AAP could be made accused'
Central investigating agencies are likely to make AAP an accused in the Delhi liquor policy case, as the Enforcement Directorate is readying a supplementary charge sheet. The policy was scrapped by the Delhi government in August 2022. The charge sheet may highlight alleged beneficiaries, including AAP as a political party and Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader Kavitha Kalvakuntla. Kavitha has denied all allegations against her. Key Points
Economic Times