Today’s Top 10 News: DNP News brings to you top 10 breaking stories of the day to keep you abreast of all the latest developments from India and around the world.
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1. U.S. mission in India will increase personnel numbers to expedite the visa application process
The United States announced on Sunday that it was launching a “surge” in staffing and a number of other measures to increase the capacity for visa processing across the nation. It promised to bring its visa staff across the U.S. embassy and five consulates in India back up to full strength in the following few months. The assertion was made despite processing durations of up to two years at U.S. missions in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad for a standard visitor visa for tourist or business (B1/B2). The embassy added that Saturday, January 21, was the first of several Saturdays when visa offices across India will remain open. According to Mumbai Consular Chief John Ballard, “Our consular employees across India are putting in the extra hours to accommodate the demands of overseas travellers and reduce wait times.” He continued, “This is a part of a mission-wide effort to discover creative ways to ease travel to the United States.”
2. Fifth Scorpène-class submarine, Vagir joins Indian Navy
On January 23, the Indian Navy received the fifth Scorpène-class conventional submarine, Vagir, which had been delivered to the Navy. On November 12, 2020, Vagir was put into the water, and sea trials began on February 1 of the following year.
At the annual police meeting that ended on January 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated prison reforms to enhance jail management as well as the repeal of outdated criminal laws. On January 21 and 22, Mr. Modi attended the 57th All-India Conference of Director Generals and Inspector Generals of Police, which was put on by the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
4. Drone carrying heroin shipment downed near the Pakistan-India border in Amritsar
In a combined operation on Sunday, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police shot down a drone that was being used to bring drugs into the country close to the international border between India and Pakistan in Amritsar. Since November 29, five drones have been found in the Tarn Taran and Amritsar regions. According to Punjab Police, the hexacopter that was shot down in Kakkar village was transporting five kilogrammes of heroin. Two people were apprehended by the police after attempting to flee, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amritsar Rural Swapan Sharma. The hybrid drone, believed to be worth Rs. 10 lakh, was put together using components made in the US and China and was outfitted with cutting-edge technology, according to Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
5. Ten people killed in mass shooting at Monterey Park in Los Angeles, California
Following a Lunar New Year celebration, a gunman opened fire at a ballroom dance club in the Los Angeles region, killing 10 people and injuring 10, leading to a manhunt for the perpetrator in the nation’s latest mass shooting disaster. The injured were brought to hospitals and, according to Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Capt. Andrew Meyer, their situations ranged from stable to serious. He claimed that 10 persons passed away at the site in Monterey Park.
6. China follows India in providing Sri Lanka with financial guarantees for IMF rescue package
Days after India backed Sri Lanka’s efforts to win the loan from the global lender to recover from its worst-ever economic crisis, China has provided the debt-ridden nation the financial assurances required by the IMF to release a $2.9 billion bailout package for the country. According to The Sunday Times, China’s Exim Bank released a letter on Saturday granting Sri Lanka a two-year repayment moratorium and accepting the extended cash facility from the International Monetary Fund (EFF).
7. India’s 1.4 billion people could emerge as the next growth engine for global economy
The economic change of India is picking up speed. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking the initiative to embrace the opportunity, international firms are looking beyond China. This fiscal year, the government will spend the most on capital investments—nearly 20% of its total budget—in at least ten years. The country, which may have just surpassed China as the world’s most populous, is getting closer than ever to realising its economic potential under Modi. To get there, he’ll have to contend with the downsides of its extraordinary scale, including the lingering bureaucracy and corruption that have hindered India’s progress and the severe inequality that characterises the 1.4 billion-person democracy.
8. Focus on MSMEs, public spending for affordable housing, and job-creating development in the Union Budget of 2023
Ranen Banerjee, Partner and Leader – Economic Advisory Services, PwC India, advises Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to concentrate on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and public sector capex-led initiatives for employment creation. Ranen Banerjee outlines the key measures that the Union Budget 2023 can take to boost job growth in the economy. According to Ranen Banerjee, projects in the construction industry that involve governmental capital expenditures or spending related to affordable housing will create jobs. Further apprised, “it will spark demand or consumption from the base of the pyramid and then it will spiral across the economy.”
9. Kapil Dev’s No-Nonsense Response to Virat Kohli vs. Sachin Tendulkar Comparison
In their respective periods, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar are undoubtedly the two best batsmen. Before retiring in 2013, Tendulkar, who made his international debut in 1989, had 100 hundreds (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs). On the other side, Kohli has been in charge for more than a decade. The highest among active players, Kohli has so far amassed 74 international tonnes (27 in Tests, 46 in ODIs, and one in T20Is). Only three ODI tonnes separate the 34-year-old from Tendulkar’s 49-hundred record. While Tendulkar and Kohli have frequently been contrasted, there is disagreement on who is the best batter in history. In a recent conversation, Kapil Dev, the captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning India team, was asked to weigh in on the age-old argument between Sachin and Kohli over who is the better batter. Kapil Dev, though, provided the ideal response, stating that while everyone is free to choose their favourite players, the new era would have better players than the earlier ones. “A player of that calibre, you don’t have to pick one or two. It’s a team of XI players. I might have my own likes or dislikes, but every generation is going to get better. In our time, Sunil Gavaskar was one of the finest then we saw Rahul Dravid, Sachin, Virender Sehwag and this generation Rohit, Virat and next generation will be better. You will see a better cricketer and performing better,”
10. Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi square off in the “star versus fan” drama “Selfiee” trailer
Selfiee’s producers just released the film’s trailer, which stars Emraan Hashmi and Akshay Kumar. The movie, which is being helmed by Raj Mehta and is being made by Dharma Productions, will premiere on February 24. The film’s three-minute trailer introduces Emraan Hashmi as Om Prakash, a cop and ardent Vijay fan, and Akshay as superstar actor Vijay. Om devises a ridiculous scheme to fulfil his son’s demand for a selfie with Vijay by calling the actor to the RTO at seven in the morning to obtain a driver’s licence. Om is keen to fulfil his son’s wish. The actor becomes upset by this and lashes out at the officer in front of his son. In this drama film, the fan later starts a war against his idol.
