Author: Mike Harrison

India has deep security relationship with Myanmar military. For India, the return to military rule by Myanmar’s Tatmadaw (Army) and the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi and the political leadership of the National League of Democracy (NLD), are a repeat of events thirty years ago, but the Modi government’s reaction, is likely to be starkly different to India’s strong public criticism of the Junta’s actions in 1989-90. “India does care about democracy in Myanmar, but that’s a luxury it knows it will not be able to afford for the time being. The only option will be to engage, building…

UN Secretary-General calls the move a ‘serious blow to democratic reforms’, seeks release of leaders. The United Nations led condemnation of Myanmar’s military on Monday after it seized power, calling for the release of elected leaders, including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the developments were a “serious blow to democratic reforms” and urged all leaders to refrain from violence and respect human rights, a U.N. spokesman said.  The U.S., Britain, Australia and the EU condemned the military’s coup and detentions and its declaration of a state of emergency. The Army said it had taken action…

His Senate trial is due to start on February 9. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday he had picked two lawyers to head his defence team days before his historic second impeachment trial, as Republicans braced for a battle over the future of their party.Mr. Trump’s Senate trial is due to start on February 9, but he had reportedly parted ways with several members of his initial legal team just a day ago. His lead lawyers, David Schoen and Bruce L. Castor, Jr, are “highly respected trial lawyers” with backgrounds in criminal law and defence, according to a…

His Senate trial is due to start on February 9. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday he had picked two lawyers to head his defence team days before his historic second impeachment trial, as Republicans braced for a battle over the future of their party.Mr. Trump’s Senate trial is due to start on February 9, but he had reportedly parted ways with several members of his initial legal team just a day ago. His lead lawyers, David Schoen and Bruce L. Castor, Jr, are “highly respected trial lawyers” with backgrounds in criminal law and defence, according to a…

Leading players in the Indian automotive sector have welcomed the Centre’s move to separately announce a voluntary vehicle scrapping policy to phase out old and unfit vehicles. While tabling the Union Budget for 2021-22, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the policy would help in encouraging fuel-efficient, environment-friendly vehicles, thereby reducing vehicular pollution and the oil import bill. Vehicles would undergo fitness tests after 20 years in automated fitness centres in the case of personal vehicles (PV), and after 15 years in the case of commercial vehicles (CV). Details of the scheme will be shared separately by the Ministry. Kenichi Ayukawa, president, Society…

However, gold and silver will become cheaper as a result of rationalisation in customs duty on imports of these precious metals. A large number of commonly used items, including refrigerators, air conditioners, LED lights and mobile phones, will become more expensive due to hike in customs duty on imported parts, as proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget for 2021-22. However, gold and silver will become cheaper as a result of rationalisation in customs duty on imports of these precious metals. Following is a list of imported items that will become costlier: – Compressors for refrigerators and…

His wife, Yulia Navalnaya, joined a protest in Moscow that took place despite unprecedented security measures that city authorities took ahead of the rally. A Moscow court on Monday has ordered the wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to pay a fine of 20,000 rubles (about $265) for violating protest regulations after she attended a demonstration in the Russian capital to demand his release.Tens of thousands took to the streets in dozens of Russian cities on Sunday, chanting slogans against Russian President Vladimir Putin and demanding that authorities free Navalny, who was jailed last month and faces a prison…

A video on the highlights from the Budget Speech 2021-22 of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2021-2022 in the Lok Sabha. For the first time, Ms. Sitharaman presented a paperless Budget. Significant announcements included a slew of hikes in customs duty to benefit Make in India, proposal to disinvest two more PSBs and a general insurance company, and numerous infrastructure pledges to poll-bound States. Fiscal deficit stands at 9.5% of the GDP, and is estimated to be 6.8% in 2021-22. Personal income tax slabs remain as is.  Here are some of the key highlights from…

In the current fiscal 2020-21, the government has made ₹20,000 crore provision for PSBs recapitalisation. The Union Budget 2021-22 strikes a right balance to boost health infrastructure as well as support the COVID-19-hit economy as there has been a push for more spending, bankers said on Monday. Unveiling the Union Budget 2021-22, that was for the first time came in a digital format, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced capital infusion of ₹20,000 crore into public sector banks in order to meet the regulatory norms. In the current fiscal 2020-21, the government has made ₹20,000 crore provision for PSBs recapitalisation. The…

It helps in formulating health, housing, skill, insurance, credit and food schemes for migrant workers, says Minister Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday announced the launch of a portal to collect information on gig, building and construction workers, among others, to formulate welfare schemes for migrant workers, as a part of her Budget 2021-2022 speech. “We have launched the One Nation One Ration Card scheme through which beneficiaries can claim their rations anywhere in the country. Migrant workers in particular benefit from this scheme — those staying away from their families can partially claim their ration where they are stationed,…