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1947 tripartite agreement on Gurkha soldiers ‘redundant’: Nepal minister

New Delhi (NVI): Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali has said that the 1947 Tripartite Agreement between India, the UK and Kathmandu, that allowed India and Britain to recruit Gurkhas, has become irrelevant now in the “changed political context”.

The Nepal FM’s remarks came yesterday while responding to lawmakers in the country’s parliament where Gyawali said that Nepal now wants to deal separately with India and the UK as the tripartite agreement involving Nepal, India and the UK was reached when the political context in Nepal was different, reports My Republica, a Kathmandu-based daily.

“We raised this issue during the recent visit of the prime minister to the UK. The relevance of the tripartite agreement is already over. We have told that we want to talk to India and the UK separately,” the Nepal daily quoted the minister as saying.

It is pertinent to mention here that earlier this year, Nepal had proposed to the UK a review of a 73-year-old tripartite agreement with India and Britain over the recruitment and deployment of Gurkha soldiers and their perks and facilities and replace it with a bilateral one.

Gyawali, while speaking in the parliament yesterday, said that Nepal wants to discuss the recruitment of Gurkha soldiers as bilateral issue with the UK.

He recalled that the issue of reviewing the tripartite agreement was included in the Joint Statement issued after the conclusion of the visit of Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli to the UK. He also said that the issue was raised with the British Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster during his visit to Nepal in February 2019.

According to the Nepal daily, the remarks of Foreign Minister Gyawali came at a time when a section of the lawmakers and intellectuals in the Himalayan country are raising questions whether it is appropriate to send Nepali youths to serve in the foreign armies.

Foreign Minister Gyawali said although joining the foreign armies was an important means of employment opportunity in the past, the policy now needs a review in the changed context, the newspaper reported.

-ARK

Infiltration bid foiled in J&K’s Kupwara; sniper rifle, ammo recovered

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An infiltration bid was foiled by the Indian Army in Machil sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district as terrorists trying to sneak into this side of LoC were pushed back after a heavy exchange of fire. They left behind a sniper rifle while escaping, besides other arms and ammunition.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that a gunbattle took place with infiltrators and the Army foiled the infiltration bid early this morning. “A huge quantity of ammunition including a sniper rifle left back by infiltrators was recovered,” he told NVI.

He said that early this morning at about 3 am, suspicious movement of unidentified persons was detected 600 meters on “own side of LoC” at Machil sector in Kupwara.

“Infiltrating militants were intercepted by own troops and a firefight ensued. After the first light, searches were carried out and a blood trail was seen in the area,” Colonel Kalia said. He said during the searches, 3 AK-47 rifles, a sniper rifle, 8 grenades and other war like stores were recovered while the searches in the area are in progress.

On July 16, a militant was killed after the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. On that day, Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps had tweeted: “Suspicious move of unidentified persons detected across the LoC at Keran Sector, #Kupwara this morning. Militants trying to infiltrate were intercepted by own troops; contact was established. Infiltration bid foiled. 01 terrorist killed, 01 AK recovered. Op in progress.”

Earlier on July 10, the Army had killed two militants who were trying to sneak in at Nowgam sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Prior to that, on June 30, the Army had said that an infiltration bid was foiled at Parkian Gali sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on the intervening night of June 29 and June 30 when a group of 6-8 militants, in two groups tried to sneak in. After the initial exchange of fire, the militants, according to the Army, escaped to the Pakistani side.

On June 1, another infiltration bid was foiled by the Indian Army at the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshehra sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, as three heavily armed militants were killed. In early April this year, the Army foiled a major infiltration attempt at LoC in north Kashmir’s Keran sector, killing five militants while losing five of its soldiers from elite forces in an operation.

-ARK

97 pc of Monsoon rainfall expected in August, says IMD

New Delhi (NVI): India is likely to receive 97 per cent of Monsoon rainfall in the month of August beginning tomorrow, according to the India Meteorological Department.

In August, the rainfall is likely to be 97% of the Long Period Average (LPA), IMD said in its Long Range Forecast report for the rainfall during second half (August-September) of the 2020 Southwest Monsoon.

Quantitatively, the rainfall over the country as a whole during the second half of the season is likely to be 104% of LPA with a model error of ±8%., the IMD said.

The probabilistic forecast suggests the rainfall over the country as a whole during second half of southwest monsoon season (August to September) most likely to be normal (94-106% of LPA).

However, the probability of above normal rainfall (>106% of LPA) is also higher than the corresponding climatological probability, IMD added.

The Southwest Monsoon began in June and will last till September.

Three killed as Pak security forces open fire at demonstrators at Chaman border

New Delhi (NVI): At least three persons were killed after Pakistani troops opened fire at minority Pashtun people yesterday who were staging a sit-in at Chaman border for crossing over to Afghanistan for Eid celebrations.

The Pakistani police and military have, however, denied the firing and said that the “mob” got violent and attacked a checkpost at the Chaman border crossing.

Apart from three people killed, including a woman, 20 others were injured in the “clashes” with Pakistan security forces, reports Dawn.

However, human rights activists have claimed that the Pashtun labourers including women and children were protesting peacefully and Pakistan forces resorted to an unprovoked firing that led to the incident.

Footage of the incident was shared by several Pashtun activists, showing smoke at the border crossing.

The Pakistan newspaper reported that a large number of people gathered and staged a sit-in at Friendship Gate yesterday with the intention to cross the border.

Frontier Corps (FC) personnel asked them to move away from the gate, but they refused to do so. The FC officials told them that the gate would not be opened until shifting of the protesters from the site, the Pakistan daily reported.

The demonstrators, most of them labourers from Pashtun minority were trying to cross over to Afghanistan had gathered near the crossing, demanding authorities to lift the months-long border closure during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to witnesses, after the initial gunshots fired by Pakistani forces, the protesters were provoked and torched some structures set there by the troops.


After the Chaman border incident, Pakistan also launched a heavy artillery firing in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province in Afghanistan yesterday, in which nine people were killed while 50 others were injured.

Bihar floods: Over 38 lakh people affected; NDRF teams deployed

(Image credits: @PIB_Patna)

New Delhi (NVI): As the flood situation in Bihar continues to worsen, nearly 38 lakh people have been affected while nearly 25,000 people have taken to shelter homes.

26 teams of the National Disaster Response Force/State Disaster Response Force (NDRF/SDRF) have been deployed in affected areas to help those in distress, according to the Bihar government.

Following incessant rainfall, the waters of Gandaki and Bagmati rivers have entered parts of Muzaffarpur district. Many houses of people in the district have been submerged underwater.

Moreover, the national power grid located in Dekuli village of Bahadurpur block is ravaged by floodwaters. Therefore, the electric supply was cut off in 14 districts of Bihar, according to media reports.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the state has received an average total rainfall of 22 mm, which was 89 percent in excess of normal.

The heaviest downpour was witnessed in flood-hit districts like East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, and Sitamarhi.

Indian Air Force helicopters are providing assistance by air-dropping relief materials in affected areas.

-CHK

Air Marshal B Suresh retires

New Delhi (NVI): Air Marshal B Suresh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the crucial Western Air Command superannuated today after an illustrious career spanning over four decades.

Air Marshal Suresh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force in the year 1980.

An alumini of the Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun and National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, the Air Marshal is a ‘Sword of Honour’ recipient from the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment. He did his post graduation from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and from Cranfield University, Shrivenham, UK.

Air Marshal Suresh is a highly experienced fighter pilot and has flown a variety of aircraft. During his distinguished career, the Air Marshal held a number of coveted Command and Staff appointments. He commanded a Fighter Squadron which specialised in maritime and night air strikes and was deployed along the western border during the Kargil conflict.

Before taking over the appointment of Director Operations (Joint Planning) which is responsible for Tri-service coordination, he commanded Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment. The Air Marshal has commanded one of the largest air bases of the IAF in the western sector as an Air Commodore. He was also the Air Assistant to the Chief of Air Staff.

The Air Marshal is a highly decorated officer having been awarded Vayu Sena Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in recognition of his distinguished and dedicated service to the Nation. He was also appointed as Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Hon’ble President of India.

-ARK

VP greets nation on Id-ul-Zuha

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi (NVI): Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today wished and greeted the people of the country on the auspicious occasion of Id-ul-Zuha.

“I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Id-ul-Zuha. It is a celebration of unswerving devotion to God and the boundless compassion and love the almighty has for is creation,” he said.

The festival inspires to inculcate empathy, practice sacrifice and promote peace and universal brotherhood, a release by Vice President’s Secretariat stated.

The Vice President added, “As India and the world continue to fight a relentless battle against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, we have been forced to celebrate almost all of our traditional festivals, which were otherwise celebrated with great splendour, at home in a more subdued manner.”

Under these circumstances, we have to be content with a modest celebration and strictly adhere to the safety protocols of wearing masks, practicing physical distancing and personal hygiene during all our celebrations, he stated.

“May this Eid brings peace, harmony and prosperity in our lives, country and the world,” Naidu concluded.

-CHK

Estonia came up with ideas to tackle the pandemic through a hackathon

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): In response to the spread of COVID-19 in Europe, Estonia, a recognized leader in the digital economy, held a three-day hackathon to tackle the effects of the pandemic.

The initiative went on to become the largest online hackathon in Estonia, and it came up with 1,000 programmers with solutions to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and create competitive advantages for the post-crisis period.

The hackathon was launched in March, just hours after the country declared a state of emergency and closed its borders.

But the virtual event attracted a truly global line-up of participants, with people joining in from more than 20 countries and across 14 timezones.

However, to qualify for inclusion, projects had to demonstrate their impact on the coronavirus crisis, be capable of being tested within 48 hours and they had to give Estonia a competitive advantage in a post-COVID world.

The best five were chosen to receive USD 5,700 seed funding to allow their creators to develop their ideas to the next stage – some have already gone into production to tackle the pandemic.

The winners of the hackathon was, an application to connect self-isolating vulnerable people with volunteers willing to help them is among the winning five.

Another was the ventilator which utilizes a standard hospital airbag, but automates the process of squeezing it using readily available machine parts and a hospital’s existing compressed air supply.

One team created an interactive medical volunteer database which enables doctors to get the help they need in a crisis, while another invented an app which allows companies to share workers, rather than laying them off in the pandemic.

Lastly, the organizers awarded funding to a health monitoring app which can be used to track the extent of an outbreak. As well as helping users identify their symptoms, the app also warns of nearby virus hotspots. It is already being used in Australia, as well as Estonia.

In addition to this, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid said the, hackathon embodied the spirit of Estonians who like to stay calm and tackle a problem head on.

“This is a genuine example of an initiative that leads people to look for solutions to the challenges we face,” she said.

According to a recent survey by the United Nations (UN), the country is one of the most advanced digital societies, ranked in the top three nations for e-government development.

Almost all state services are online and more than a third of Estonians use digital ID to access public services. During the lockdown, 99 per cent of government services remained available online in Estonia.

Apart from this, the World Economic Forum (WEF) in its report, named Estonia as Europe’s most entrepreneurial country. Europe’s Hidden Entrepreneurs, which said that entrepreneurship is a key driver of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

However, the nation is home to more than a thousand tech start-ups and four unicorns – tech start-ups that are valued at more than USD 1 billion. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, 43.8 per cent of voters cast their ballots electronically.

-RJV

What happens to a plane after it retires?

New Delhi (NVI): The iconic jumbo jet, Boeing 747, recently announced that it is withdrawing its entire fleet of the planes. The world’s biggest operator is the latest victim of the slump in air travel caused by the pandemic that has seen passenger numbers decline by almost two-thirds.

Two-thirds of the world’s airliners were grounded in April by the collapse in air travel caused by the pandemic, according to aviation data source Cirium.

So what happens to planes when they retire? Some will live on flying for other airlines, while a second option is to use them as freighters.

Cargo conversions of the smaller Boeing 777 and 767 have proved popular and a freight conversion of the A300 – the original Airbus, first built in 1972 – is still flying parcels for DHL.

Aircraft all have finite lives – the period they are safe to fly before metal fatigue poses a safety threat. When their time is up there is still value in a plane’s many systems and parts and breaking them up for spares is increasingly profitable.

That’s because while the plane itself may need retiring, most parts will have been replaced many times. Everything from the engines and undercarriages to the seats and window blinds may have years of life left when the plane is scrapped.

In addition to this, the second-hand aviation spares market is so big that Honeywell, which also makes new aircraft parts, set up a blockchain-based online marketplace to allow airlines to buy validated used parts. It sold USD 5 million worth of spares last year.

Airbus subsidiary Satair, which specializes in recovering parts from retired Airbus airliners, says the total market for recycled airliner parts will reach USD 6 billion by 2022 – 70 percent of that coming from the sale of used engines and their parts.

Furthermore, not all retired planes live on or become donors. Some simply go into storage. For example, the dry atmosphere of the Southwestern US makes it a popular location for aircraft boneyards, such as in California’s Mojave Desert, where planes wait in the often forlorn hope of a recall to the skies.

Others end up as museum exhibits. The prototype 747 – serial number 001 – has been restored at Seattle’s Museum of Flight. When the museum reopens after the pandemic, it may be among the last places you can climb aboard a jumbo jet.

-CHK

India extends ban on international passenger flights till Aug 31

UDAN scheme
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today announced that international commercial flights to and from India will remain suspended till August 31.

However, the restrictions will not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specially approved by the DGCA.

“The Government has decided to extend the suspension on the Scheduled International Commercial Passenger Services to/from India up to 2359 hours 1ST of 31st August, however, this restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA,” read an official DGCA statement.

During the suspension period due to Covid-19 in India, more than 2500 repatriation flights by foreign carriers to uplift stranded passengers to/from India has been approved, the aviation regulator said.

Under the Vande Bharat Mission, in total Air India and Air India Express have uplifted 2,67,436 stranded passengers and other charters have uplifted 4,86,811 stranded passengers during the period from 6th May to 30th July 2020.

-ARK

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