India
Home Ministry extends COVID-19 guidelines till February 28
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order on January 27, 2021 extending the COVID-19 “guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution” till February 28. The guidelines permit opening of cinema halls and theatres at a higher capacity as opposed to 50% seating strength allowed till now. Swimming pools have also been permitted to open for all.
Statue Govind Ballabh Pant unveiled at its new location in Delhi
A statue of freedom fighter Govind Ballabh Pant that was removed from the Parliament premises recently was unveiled at its new location, a roundabout opposite Gurdwara Rakab Ganj on Pandit Pant Marg in New Delhi on January 27, 2021. Pant served as Union Home Minister from 1955 to 1961.
Economy & Corporate
International Customs Day observed on Jan 27
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) observed the International Customs Day on January 27, 2021. The theme for this year as given by World Customs Organisation (WCO) is “Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and Resilience for a sustainable supply chain”.
Textiles Ministry signs MoU with Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan
The Textiles Committee of the Ministry of Textiles has signed a Memorandum of Understanding- MoU with Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre, Japan to boost export of Textile and Apparel to Japanese market. The main objective of the MoU is to provide required support to textile’s trade and industry for ensuring quality as per the requirement of Japanese buyers.
India’s new farm laws have potential to raise farm income: IMF
India’s recently-enacted agri laws have the potential to increase farmers’ income, but there is a need to provide a social safety net to the vulnerable cultivators, IMF’s Chief Economist Gita Gopinath has said.
World
India inks MoU with IEA for global energy security, sustainability
India on January 27, 2021 inked a strategic partnership agreement with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to strengthen cooperation in global energy security, stability and sustainability. This partnership will lead to an extensive exchange of knowledge and would be a stepping stone towards India becoming a full member of IEA. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Power Secretary Sanjiv Nandan Sahai and IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.
India pledges $150,000 for UN peacebuilding as a token of engagement
- S. Tirumurti, permanent representative of India to the United Nations, on January 26, 2021 announced a pledge of USD 150,000 to activities of the UN fund this year.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day observed on Jan 27
International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust (International Holocaust Remembrance Day) was observed on January 27, 2021. The day commemorates the tragedy of the Holocaust during the Second World War. On January 27, 1945, Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and death camp, was liberated by Soviet Union’s Red Army.
Russia’s lower house approves extension of arms control treaty with US
Russia’s lower house of parliament, State Duma, on January 27, 2021 approved an extension of the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) with the United States for five years. The treaty limits the numbers of strategic nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers that Russia and the United States can deploy. The Kremlin said that the two countries had reached a deal to extend the pact which was signed in 2010 and is set to expire by the end of January 2021.
Indonesia: 2,968-m Mount Merapi volcano erupts
Mount Merapi, Indonesia’s most active volcano, erupted on January 27, 2021 with a river of lava and searing gas clouds flowing down its slopes. The 2,968-meter volcano is on the densely populated island of Java and near the ancient city of Yogyakarta. Merapi’s last major eruption in 2010 killed 347 people.
Italy: PM Giuseppe Conte resigns
Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte resigned on January 26, 2021. He tendered his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella who invited him to stay on in a caretaker capacity. The coalition government has been fatally weakened by the withdrawal of Italia Viva party.
Antony Blinken sworn in U.S. Secretary of State
Antony Blinken was sworn in U.S. Secretary of State on January 26, 2021 after his 78 to 22 confirmation at the Senate.
