1. India, Australia convene fifth bilateral Cyber Policy Dialogue in New Delhi
Tags: International Relations International News
India and Australia held their fifth bilateral cyber policy dialogue on November 17, 2022 in New Delhi.
Important facts
The Cyber Policy Dialogue was held under the aegis of the India-Australia Framework on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation and Action Plan 2020-2025 for Comprehensive and Deepening Cyber Cooperation.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (Cyber Diplomacy Division) Muanpuii Saiawi from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Indian delegation consisted of senior officials from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Electronics and Information technology (MEITY), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and CERT-In.
The Australian delegation included senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Australian Federal Police.
Both sides agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration with the private sector and academia, including the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership.
In addition, India and Australia will jointly organise a Cyber Bootcamp and Cyber and Tech Policy Exchange in collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners and the 6th India-Australia Cyber Policy Dialogue will be held in 2023.
Agenda of Dialogue
The Cyber Policy Dialogue provides a bilateral forum to discuss high-profile issues of mutual interest.
It discussed strategic priorities, cyber threat assessment, capacity building for next generation telecommunications (including 5G technology) and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, and the latest developments in cyber at the United Nations.
About Australia
Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese
Governor-General: David Hurley
Capital: Canberra
Currency: Australian dollar
2. 8th Norway-India Joint Working Group Maritime meeting
Tags: International News
8th India-Norway Joint Working Group Maritime meeting was held on18th November,2022 in Mumbai.
Important facts
In the meeting discussion was held on use of alternative fuels like green ammonia and hydrogen for futuristic shipping.
Important discussions took place on Norway-India cooperation on a green maritime future. Both the countries presented their vision and plans for the Green Sea Zone.
Additional Secretary Ministry of Ports,Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) highlighted that the maritime trade with Norway dates back since 1600.
Norway has technical expertise in the maritime sector and India has maritime sector development capabilities and a large pool of trained seafarers, making the two countries natural complementary partners.
India is part of the Norway Green Voyage 2050 project, both sides agreed on the will, dedication, partnership and capacity building to achieve common goals.
India is a signatory to the Hong Kong Convention for the Recycling of Ships.
Minister of Ports,Shipping and Waterways - Sarbananda Sonowal
India-Norway Joint Working Group
India-Norway Joint Working Group (JWG) on Maritime meetings are being held on a regular basis.
The 7th JWG on Maritime was held in Oslo (Norway) in November, 2019.
During the 7th meeting issues related to cooperation in shipbuilding, enhancement of skill of seafarers and environment friendly ships were discussed.
Kingdom of Norway
It is a Northern European country and lies in the Scandinavian Peninsula. Scandinavian islands consist of Norway and Sweden.
It is one of the largest exporters of crude oil and natural gas in the world .It has significant oil and gas reserves in North Sea.
Prime Minister: Jonas Gahr Støre
Capital: Oslo
Currency: Norwegian krone
3. Wipro the first Indian company to set up European Work Council
Tags: Economy/Finance International News
The Indian IT giant company Wipro has reached an agreement with its employee representative to set up a European Works Council (EWC). It has become the first Indian company to set up an European works councils for its workers in Europe.
The 27 member European Union has mandated the companies which have more than 1000 employees across the European Union countries to set up EWC. Wipro which is in the business of IT (Information Technology)outsourcing has more than 1000 employees in the 13 European Union member countries.
European works councils (EWCs) are standing bodies that facilitate the information and consultation of employees in Europe. It provides an opportunity to employees of the company to be informed and consulted on the transnational companies’ strategy and status.
The first meeting of the Wipro EWC will take place in the first quarter of 2024 where the EWC will elect its chairman and select committee members.
WIPRO
It is a diversified Indian multinational company.
It was set up as Western India Vegetable Products limited company by Mohamedhusain Hasham Premji in 1945. It later changed its name to WIPRO and diversified in the business of Information Technology under Azim Premji.
It is now one of the top IT companies of India which is present in more than 100 countries of the world.
Chairman: Rishad Premji
Headquarters: Mumbai
4. For the first time, six women officers clear Defence Services Staff College examination
Tags: National Defence National News
For the first time in the history of the Indian Army six women officers have cleared the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) examination.
Important facts
Of the 15 women officers who appeared in this year's DSSC exam, six cleared it.
Every year, 1,500-1,600 officers appear for this prestigious exam but only around 300 get selected.
Six women officers will join the prestigious War College in Wellington, a move that comes after the Army granted permanent commission to women officers last year.
They will start their academic session from April 2023.
The DSSC course is run for Major and Lt Col equivalent ranks of the three Services.
After the completion of the DSSC course, officers will be eligible for important staff appointments to higher ranks of the Indian Army as well as for foreign postings.
About Defence Services Staff College (DSSC)
It is one of the oldest military institutions in India. It was set up in India in 1905 as the Army Staff College at Deolali and was relocated to Quetta, now in Pak, in 1907.
It was shifted to Wellington in 1947 after the partition of the subcontinent.
Many army officers have done the DSSC course, including former Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat.
5. For the first time, six women officers clear Defence Services Staff College examination
Tags: National Defence National News
For the first time in the history of the Indian Army six women officers have cleared the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) examination.
Important facts
Of the 15 women officers who appeared in this year's DSSC exam, six cleared it.
Every year, 1,500-1,600 officers appear for this prestigious exam but only around 300 get selected.
Six women officers will join the prestigious War College in Wellington, a move that comes after the Army granted permanent commission to women officers last year.
They will start their academic session from April 2023.
The DSSC course is run for Major and Lt Col equivalent ranks of the three Services.
After the completion of the DSSC course, officers will be eligible for important staff appointments to higher ranks of the Indian Army as well as for foreign postings.
About Defence Services Staff College (DSSC)
It is one of the oldest military institutions in India. It was set up in India in 1905 as the Army Staff College at Deolali and was relocated to Quetta, now in Pak, in 1907.
It was shifted to Wellington in 1947 after the partition of the subcontinent.
Many army officers have done the DSSC course, including former Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat.
6. IFSCA signs MoU with RBI in the field of regulation, supervision of regulated entities
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration in the field of regulation and supervision of regulated entities on 16 November, 2022.
Important facts
This MoU facilitates technical cooperation and exchange of information.
The objective of the agreement is to strengthen the security, stability and soundness of the respective financial ecosystem, thereby ensuring a conducive environment for optimal business growth and economic growth.
RBI is the central bank and monetary authority of India while International Financial Services Centers Authority is a unified regulator responsible for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in International Financial Services Centers established across the country.
About International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)
IFSCA was established on April 27, 2020, under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019.
It is headquartered in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
It is a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Center (IFSC) in India.
It is currently the maiden international financial services centre in India.
Prior to the establishment of IFSCA, trading in IFSC was regulated by the domestic financial regulators, RBI, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
IFSCA Chairperson - Injeti Srinivas
Governor RBI - Shaktikanta Das
7. Government of India to abolish National Anti-profiteering Authority
Tags: National Economy/Finance
Government of India has decided to abolish the National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) from1 December 2022 as its terms come to an end on 30 November 2022. From 1 December 2022 the Goods & Services Tax (GST) anti-profiteering complaints would be dealt with by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) .
The GST Council, in its 45th meeting in September 2021, gave another 1-year extension till November 30, 2022, to NAA and also decided to shift the work to CCI after that.
National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA)
The National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) was set up by the government of India on 30 November 2017 under section 171 of the Goods and Service Tax 2017. The Goods and Service Tax was implemented in India from 1 July 2017.
Function of the NAA
The main function of the NAA is to check the unfair profiteering activities by the registered suppliers under GST law.
It ensures that the benefits of the reduction in GST rates on goods and services done by the GST Council and of the Input tax credit are passed on to the recipients by way of commensurate reduction in the prices by the suppliers.
Who will deal with the anti-profiteering complaint under GST?
From 1st of December 2022, the investigation on complaints of profiteering by the consumers will be done by the Directorate General of Anti-profiteering (DGAP) which will then submit a report to CCI.
Competition Commission of India is the national competition regulator in India. It was set up in March 2009. Sangeeta Varma is the acting Chairperson of CCI.
8. Climate Change Performance Index 2023
Tags: International News
The 18th edition of the Climate Change Performance Index -2023, compiled by German watch and the Climate Action Network, was released on 15 November, 2022.
Important facts
India has improved by two places to rank eighth among 63 countries in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2023.
India's two-place jump can be attributed to lower emissions and increased use of renewable energy.
The report track climate performance of the European Union and 59 countries, which together account for over 92 per cent of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the world.
The rankings from Germanwatch, the NewClimate Institute and the Climate Action Network are based on the efforts countries are making to halve their emissions by 2030.
The report ranked no country for the first three places because "no country performed well enough in all index categories to receive a high overall rating.
Denmark is placed fourth, Sweden fifth and Chile sixth in the ranking.
India earned a high rating in the GHG Emissions and Energy Use categories, while it got a medium rating in Climate Policy and Renewable Energy sections.
China, now the world's biggest polluter, fell 13 places to 51st in this year's ranking and received a very low rating overall because of its coal-fired power plants.
The US rose by three ranks to the 52nd place.
Iran (63rd), Saudi Arabia (62nd) and Kazakhstan (61st) fared the worst.
About Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)
It is developed by not-for-profit organisations German watch and New Climate Institute (Germany) together with the Climate Action Network (CAN International).
It is an important tool for increasing transparency in international climate strategy and enables comparison of climate protection efforts and progress made by individual countries.
9. Indian company ReNew signs an agreement with the Egyptian government to set up Green Hydrogen plant in Egypt
Tags: Environment Economy/Finance International News
The Indian company ReNew Power Private Limited , has signed an agreement with the Egyptian government to set up a green hydrogen manufacturing facility at the Suez Canal Economic Zone in Egypt on 15 November 2022.The company will invest $8 billion in the project in phases.
Green Hydrogen refers to the breaking down of the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable sources of energy.
ReNew Power has partnered with Elsewedy Electric S.A.E. (Elsewedy) for this project. Elsewedy is a leading integrated energy solutions provider in the Middle East and Africa, which will be the local co-developer for the project.
Highlights of the project
According to the agreement, ReNew will set up a plant with a capacity to produce 20,000 tonne green hydrogen a year, which will later be raised to 220,000 tonnes, by relying on renewable energy sources.
The project is scheduled to be implemented in phases, the first of which will be a pilot to produce 20,000 tonne green hydrogen, through a 150 MW electrolyser equipped with 570 MW of renewable energy to produce 100,000 tons of green ammonia annually.
What is Green Hydrogen, Brown Hydrogen, Blue Hydrogen?
Hydrogen is the first and the smallest element in the periodic table.
Depending upon the production method the colour of the hydrogen can be Green, Brown, Blue or Grey.
Green Hydrogen
It refers to the breaking down of the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable sources of energy. Renewable source of energy means which can be used again and again like solar power, hydel, wind energy etc. It contains no carbon which is responsible for global warming.
Grey Hydrogen
Grey hydrogen is created from natural gas, or methane, using steam methane reformation. It produces Hydrogen and Carbon dioxide which is released in the atmosphere.
Blue Hydrogen
Blue hydrogen is produced mainly from natural gas, using a process called steam reforming, which brings together natural gas and heated water in the form of steam. It produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
Black and Brown Hydrogen
When black coal or lignite (brown coal) is used in the hydrogen-making process it is called as black or brown coal.
ReNew Company
ReNew is one of the largest renewable energy independent power producers globally. ReNew develops, builds, owns and operates utility-scale wind energy, solar energy and hydro projects.
As of October 10, 2022, ReNew has a gross total portfolio of 13.4 GW of renewable energy projects across India, including commissioned and committed projects.
The company has also announced investing one lakh crore in renewable energy projects, including battery storage in both Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Founder Chairman and CEO of the Company: Sumant Sinha
10. US imposes $1.4 mn fine on Air India over delay in refunds
Tags: International News
Tata Group-owned Air India has been fined $1.4 million in penalties for delayed refunds amounting to $121.5 million for delayed or cancelled flights, under an order from the US Department of Transportation.
Important facts
Under US law, airlines and ticket agents have a legal obligation to refund consumers in the event of a flight cancellation or a passenger not accepting the option offered.
According to US regulations, it is illegal for an airline to deny refunds and instead provide vouchers to such consumers.
The US Department of Transportation received a large number of complaints from air travellers that airlines had failed to provide timely refunds after cancellations or significant changes to flights.
The US Department of State has fined six airlines over delayed refunds, in what has been called a "historic" enforcement action.
The fine imposed on Air India is the third highest after Denver-based Frontier and TAP Portugal.
Apart from Air India, Frontier, TAP Portugal, Aero Mexico, EI AI and Avianca Airlines have also been fined by the US government.
