[NATIONAL]

Jaishankar to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s president-elect Ebrahim Raisi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s president-elect Ebrahim Raisi on Aug 5 in Tehran. The External Affairs Minister will be on a two-day visit to Iran on Aug 5-6.

India’s defense exports in the last 7 years estimated at Rs 38500 crore

Among the major items exported were armored protection vehicles, weapons locating radar, light-weight torpedo and fire control systems, and tear gas launchers, MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt told the Lok Sabha. He said there were no plans for ‘robotic soldiers.’

Govt to collect sewage samples to test coronavirus intensity: What wastewater can tell us about COVID-19

By testing sewage across various localities, health authorities have, in the past, been able to detect the presence of coronavirus in clusters long before patients began pouring into hospitals. According to recent peer-reviewed research published in the journal, mBIO, tracking traces of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater may be useful in identifying the presence and intensity of emerging variants. According to the report, wastewater surveillance is being conducted across over 2,276 sites in 55 countries including India.

ED threatens Flipkart, founders with $1.35 billion fine: Report

India’s financial-crime agency has asked Walmart’s Flipkart and its founders to explain why they shouldn’t face a penalty of $1.35 billion for alleged violation of foreign investment laws, three sources and an agency official told Reuters.

Earth Observation satellite GISAT-1 launch slated for Aug 12, says ISRO

The Indian Space Research Organization has announced the date for its second rocket launch for the year 2021. Earth Observation satellite GISAT-1 also known as EOS-3 will be launched on Thu, Aug 12^th at 5:43 am, said ISRO, which is, however, tentative and is subject to weather conditions. GISAT-1 is meant to provide near-real-time imaging of a large region of interest at frequent intervals, quick monitoring of natural disasters, episodic events, and also obtain spectral signatures for agriculture, forestry, mineralogy, disaster warning, cloud properties, snow, glaciers, and oceanography.

Allegations of snooping serious, if correct: SC on Pegasus

In the listing case for Aug. 10, Bench says somebody should appear for govt in the next hearing. ‘Is there any prime facie evidence that phones were hacked,’ asked RS Prasad?

[NEIGHBORHOOD]

How a fake network pushes pro-China propaganda

A sprawling network of more than 350 fake social media profiles is pushing pro-China narratives and attempting to discredit those seen as opponents of China’s govt, according to a new study, shared with the BBC, found that the network of fake profiles circulated garish cartoons depicting, among others, exiled Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui, an outspoken critic of China.

UNSC to meet on Aug 6 under India’s Presidency to discuss Afghanistan situation- ANI

The UNSC will be meeting on Fri, Aug 6, under Indian Presidency to discuss the surge in violence by the Taliban in Afghanistan post US drawdown.

The US wants Pakistan to keep the border open for Afghan refugees

Amid a surge in violence by Taliban in Afghanistan post US drawdown, the influx of Afghan refugees has increased at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Considering the situation, the US wants Pakistan to keep its borders with Afghanistan open for Afghan refugees, reported Dawn.

Onus on India to create ‘conducive environment’ for talks, Pakistan FM Qureshi writes to UN

In his letter to the UNSC and UNGA, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said India must reverse all ‘unilateral and illegal measures’ imposed in J&K to create such an environment. The Foreign Minister has drawn attention to the measures taken by India on Aug 5, 2019, to consolidate its position in Kashmir, followed by additional steps to strengthen its hold, it said.

Myanmar envoy alerts UN to alleged ‘massacre’

Kyaw Moe Tun sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tue saying 40 bodies had been found in Kani township in July in the Sagaing area of northwestern Myanmar

Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir: PM Imran, COAS Bajwa calls out India for ‘2 years of oppression’ in IOK

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thu called out India over its continuous “inhuman military siege” and “unprecedented oppression” in occupied Kashmir. Their rebuke came as the country observed Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir mark two years since New Delhi stripped the valley of its special autonomy.

India’s defense exports in the last 7 years estimated at Rs 38,500 crore

• India exported military hardware and systems worth Rs 38,500 crore in the last 7 years, according to details provided by the Govt in the Lok Sabha on Aug 4.
• Replying to a question, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt said the major items exported during 2014-15 and 2020-21 included armored protection vehicles, weapons locating radar, light-weight torpedo, and fire control systems, and tear gas launchers.
• The value of defense exports was Rs 9,115.55 crore in 2019-20 and Rs 8434.84 crore in 2020-21, as per details.
• To a separate question, Bhatt said the construction cost for setting up the National War Memorial in Delhi was Rs 176.65 crore

“Further, Bharat Electronics Limited has been nominated to execute the project of enhancement of digital appeal at National War Memorial,” he said.

Jaishankar to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s president-elect Ebrahim Raisi ANI

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s president-elect Ayatollah Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi, as the 13^th President of Iran as  Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Tue confirmed, on Aug 5^th in Tehran.
• The Minister will be on a 2-day visit to Iran on Aug 5-6, where he also expected to meet other leaders during his visit.
• During his visit, EAM will call-on the President, and on the sidelines,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
• The swearing-in ceremony in Parliament is scheduled for Thu, will be attended by over 100 guests from 73 countries.
• Raisi will also present a list of new cabinet ministers, Sputnik reported.
• Following their legislation, the supreme leader issues a decree confirming a newly-elected president for the office several days before the inauguration ceremony.
• Raisi, former hard-line judiciary chief, won the June 18 presidential race in Iran with nearly 62% of the vote.
• Raisi on Thu said he had a comprehensive plan to save the Islamic Republic from the severe economic crisis as well as the health crisis caused by the coronavirus.
• Jaishankaralso held extensive talks with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif in Tehran, covering a range of key issues including the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan.
• Iran has been a key country for India in the Gulf region. The two sides have been jointly focusing on improving connectivity between South East Asia and Central Asia.
• At a connectivity conference in Tashkent last month, Mr Jaishankar projected Iran’s Chabahar port as a key regional transit hub, including Afghanistan.

EEAS Mora in Tehran ahead of Raisi’s inauguration

• European External Action Service (EEAS) Deputy Secretary-General Enrique Mora on Wed visited Tehran ahead of the ceremony and held talks with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, involved in the negotiations of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal negotiation in Vienna.
• Iranian Foreign Ministry, Mora, and Araqchi exchanged dialogue related to key regional issues including the Taliban unrest in Afghanistan.

The White House, meanwhile, had earlier made clear that US President Joe Biden has no plans to meet with the newly elected Iranian leaders as the US currently has no diplomatic relations with Iran, and not much has changed on that front.

UNSC to meet on Aug 6 under India’s Presidency to discuss Afghanistan situation-ANI

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will be meeting on Aug 6, under Indian Presidency to discuss the surge in violence by the Taliban in Afghanistan post US drawdown.
• Earlier on Tuesday, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar spoke to his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar about convening an emergency UN Security Council session on the current Afghanistan situation.
• The Afghan foreign ministry said Atmar talked about the escalating violence by the Taliban and foreign terrorist groups in Afghanistan and called for a meeting of the UNSC to discuss the situation.
• Meanwhile, the members of the UNSC condemned the attack against a United Nations compound in Herat, Afghanistan, which claimed the life of Afghan security forces guard and injured other officers.
• This comes amid the Taliban’s heavy offensives in Afghanistan. Moreover, the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Wed that they will continue their attacks on Afghan officials, after a car bomb attack on the country’s acting defense minister General Bismillah Mohammadi’s house.
• In the past few weeks, Afghanistan has witnessed a surge in violence as the Taliban has intensified their offensive against civilians and Afghan security forces with the complete pullback of foreign forces just a few weeks away. (ANI)

Britain will not recognize a Taliban govt. that takes power by force: U.K. envoy to U.N.

‘We are working alongside partners to try and make sure that we can return Afghanistan to a pathway towards security and prosperity. The U.K’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Barbara Woodward, says Britain is not prepared to recognize a Taliban govt that uses force to come to power.

In Jammu and Kashmir: India Vs Pakistan: Aug 5 will be remembered in history: PM Modi on Article 370 abrogation, building Ram Temple, Indian Olympic hockey win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thu said that Aug 5 will be remembered in history. The date, he said marked three significant developments in the country. It marked the second anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and also a year of laying the foundation stone of the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Today, also marked the triumph of the Indian men’s hockey team over Germany in the Tokyo Olympics, said, PM Modi.

Two years since Article 370 abrogation: Mehbooba Mufti leads protest in Srinagar

• On the second anniversary of the nullification of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K into two UTs, former J&K chief minister and the PDP president Mehbooba Mufti led a protest in Srinagar on Thu.
• Accompanied by less than 100 party leaders and workers, Mufti raised slogans and marched on the city’s Residency road to condemn the Aug 5, 2019, decision.
• The protesters raised slogans against the move and demanded that killing and atrocities in Kashmir be stopped and prisoners should be released.
• The PDP leaders and workers said they will never accept the decision taken by the BJP-led govt on Aug 5, 2019, and termed the decision and laws passed on that day as black laws.
• ‘Will force Centre to speak to Pakistan’: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti leads protest on Article 370 anniversary

630 militants, 85 security personnel killed in 3 years: Govt

• In the last three years, 630 militants and 85 security personnel have been killed in 400 encounters in J&K, stated by the Union Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai in a reply to the question in the parliament.
• “Jammu and Kashmir has been affected by terrorist violence that is sponsored and supported from across the border,” Rai said in a written reply to a question. He added, “In the last three years 400 encounters have taken place in which 630 militants were killed.”
• “The govt has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and has taken various measures, such as strengthening of security apparatus, strict enforcement of the law against anti-national elements, intensified Cordon and Search Operations to effectively deal with the challenges posed by the terrorist organizations. Security forces also keep a close watch on persons who attempt to provide support to terrorists and initiate action against them,” Rai added.
• A total of 51 grenade attacks were recorded in 2019, which reduced in only 21 in 2020.

“Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir”: PM Imran, COAS Bajwa calls out India for ‘2 years of oppression’ in IOK-Dawn

The Pakistan prime minister, Imran Khan in a series of tweets, said:

“Today marks two years since India’s unilateral and illegal actions of 5 Aug 2019 in IIOJK. In these two years, the world has witnessed unprecedented oppression in IIOJK (Indian ‘Illegally’ Occupied Jammu and Kashmir) by Indian Occupation forces. It is also witnessing Indian efforts to force demographic change and destroy Kashmiri identity.”

He praised the people of Kashmir for remaining “undaunted in their struggle for self-determination” and vowed to continue to raise his voice for their rights “till Kashmiris are allowed to decide their future according to UNSC resolutions”.

The Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR), the military’s media wing, quoted COAS Bajwa as saying that the “continuation of an inhuman military siege, machinations to bring demographic changes and gross violations of human rights and international laws are perpetuating humanitarian and security crises in IIOJ&K” that imperil regional security.

In another tweet, the ISPR added that the “resolution of Kashmir dispute as per UN Resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people is imperative for enduring peace and stability in the region.”

Kashmir, we are with you: President Alvi at a rally in Islamabad: President Dr. Arif Ali, Federal Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Sci and Tech Minister Shibli Faraz, and Railways Minister Azam Swati — all leaders of the ruling PTI —took out a rally outside the Parliament House in Islamabad to condemn India’s “barbarism and violence” in occupied Kashmir, a tweet said on the party’s official account.

At a Wed afternoon news briefing in New York, UN Secretary-General Spokesman Stephane Dujarric was asked what the UN position on this 70-plus-year-old dispute was. “Our position on Kashmir is well established and has not changed. I will leave it at that,” Dujarric had said.

The US wants Pakistan to keep the border open for Afghan refugees

Amid a surge in violence by Taliban in Afghanistan post US drawdown, the influx of Afghan refugees has increased at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Considering the situation, the US wants Pakistan to keep its borders with Afghanistan open for Afghan refugees, said a senior State Department official while briefing journalists on the new US refugee admission program for Afghan nationals.

• “Obviously, if people go north or if they go via Iran to Turkey …(they) have an opportunity both to enter the country as well as to register with either the government or with UNHCR,” the official added.
• Pakistan, however, appears reluctant to do so. Since 1979, Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans and more than 3 million are permanently settled in the country.
• Pakistani officials argue that their economy is not strong enough to absorb more refugees, reported Dawn.
• Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf who was on a US visit said at a briefing in Washington this week that arrangements should be made to keep displaced Afghans inside their country instead of pushing them into Pakistan.
• The demand by the US can further sore the already strained ties between the two nations as Washington is trying to rescue interpreters and others who worked for the US government agencies, and their families under Special Immigration Visa (SIV).
• The Taliban are especially targeting these people who helped America in their fight against terrorism in the region. Moreover, the Biden administration on Mon (local time) expanded access to refugee programs for Afghans who worked with the US.

Over 50 Taliban terrorists including Pakistani national killed in Afghan air force strikes

• At least 54 Taliban terrorists were killed including Ahmadi, a Pakistani national affiliated to Al-Qaeda terrorist network, and two Talibani commanders while 16 others were injured in airstrikes conducted by Afghan Air Force (AAF) on Tue night.
• The AAF has conducted strikes on the outskirts of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, the country’s Defense Ministry said on Wed.
• These airstrikes come as Afghanistan is witnessing a surge in violence as the Taliban has intensified its offensive against Afghan forces and civilians with the complete pullback of foreign forces just a few weeks away.
• Over the last few weeks, the Taliban have captured several districts in Afghanistan including Takhar, the country’s northeastern province.
• Nationwide, the Taliban controls 223 districts, with 116 contested and the government holding 68, according to the Long War Journal, whose calculations tally with CNN’s estimates.
• It says 17 of 34 provincial capitals are directly threatened by the Taliban.

Taliban says will keep targeting Afghan officials after the attack on Defence Minister’s house

The Taliban will continue their attacks on Afghan officials, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Wed, after a car bomb attack on the country’s acting defense minister’s house, reported Sputnik.

Myanmar envoy alerts UN to alleged ‘massacre’

Myanmar’s ambassador to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, who has refused to leave his post despite being fired after the Feb coup, has alerted the world body to a “reported massacre” by the military junta, in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tue saying 40 bodies had been found in Kani township in July in the Sagaing area of northwestern Myanmar

• The junta has denied the massacre, while AFP has not been able to independently verify the reports due to mobile networks being cut in the remote region.
• The representative wrote that soldiers tortured and killed 16 men in a village in the township around July 9 and 10, after which 10,000 residents fled the area.
• He said a further 13 bodies were discovered in the days following clashes between local fighters and security forces on July 26.
• Kyaw Moe Tun added that another 11 men, including a 14-year-old boy, were killed and set on fire in a separate village on July 28.
• In the letter, the ambassador repeated his call for a global arms embargo on the junta and “urgent humanitarian intervention” from the international community.
• “It is time for the UN, especially the UN Security Council, to take action.”
• Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army ousted the civilian leadership on February 1, launching a crackdown on dissent that has killed more than 900 people, according to a local monitoring group.
• Kyaw Moe Tun has passionately rejected the coup and brushed aside the junta’s claims that he no longer represents Myanmar. The United Nations still considers him as the rightful envoy.

The representative was sacked by the junta in Feb a day after he gave a three-finger salute at the UN General Assembly following an impassioned speech calling for the return to civilian rule.

Free grains in pandemic made poor feel govt is with them: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tue said free foodgrain to the poor under the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana has given confidence to people that the govt stands with them to reduce their distress during the pandemic. Referring to the Covid-19 situation as the “biggest crisis of the century”, Modi said the govt ensured that the poor feel that whatever might be the calamity, the country is with them and it did not let people sleep hungry.