Headlines at a Glance – 24th July 2020
Govt sanctions permanent commission to women officers in Indian Army
The Ministry of Defence has issued the formal government sanction letter for grant of Permanent Commission (PC) to Women Officers in the Indian Army, paving the way for empowering Women Officers to shoulder larger roles in the organisation, said Indian Army spokesperson. The order specifies grant of permanent commission to Short Service Commissioned (SSC) Women Officers in all ten streams of the Indian Army i.e Army Air Defence (AAD), Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Army Service Corps (ASC), Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), and Intelligence Corps in addition to the existing streams of Judge and Advocate General (JAG) and Army Educational Corps (AEC). Their Selection Board will be scheduled as soon as all affected SSC women officers exercise their option and complete requisite documentation.
SOURCE: Livemint
India to boost Rafale capabilities with HAMMER missiles under emergency order
With the Rafales arriving in the country in the middle of a dispute with China, the Indian Air Force is further boosting the capabilities of the combat aircraft by equipping it with the HAMMER missiles from France. The order for the HAMMER standoff missiles with the capability to take out any type of targets at the range of around 60-70 kms is being processed under the emergency powers for acquisition given to the armed forces by the Narendra Modi government. HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) is a medium-range air-to-ground weapon designed and manufactured for the French Air Force and Navy initially. The HAMMERs would give India the capability to take out any bunkers or hardened shelters in any type of terrain including the mountainous locations such as Eastern Ladakh, the sources said.
SOURCE: Hindustan Times
First-ever container cargo from Kolkata via Chattogram port reaches Agartala: MEA
The first-ever container cargo from Kolkata via Bangladesh’s Chattogram port has reached Agartala, the External Affairs Ministry said on Thursday, terming it a “historic milestone” in the Indo-Bangladesh connectivity and economic partnership. Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya had last week flagged off the first trial container ship from Kolkata carrying cargo meant for Agartala that reached the city via the Chattogram port. MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said it will help in further development of the northeastern region. “Another historic milestone in India-Bangladesh connectivity & economic partnership as the first ever container cargo from Kolkata via Chattogram port reaches Agartala. This will help in further development of the north eastern region,” he said in a tweet. India and Bangladesh have enhanced cooperation in shipping and inland water trade in the recent years.
SOURCE: The New Indian Express
Piyush Goyal participates in the 10th BRICS Trade Ministers virtual meeting
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has called for all nations to enhance transparency in their trade and build trust to prevent losing their role as a preeminent trade partner. Addressing the 10th BRICS Trade Ministers virtual Meeting today, Mr Goyal said, it is trust and transparency which determines the sustainability of global supply chains and nations must demonstrate their compliance with global rules of trade to remain a part of global trade flow. The Minister said that the ongoing crisis has exposed the world to vulnerabilities, forcing us to explore ways to support each other. He said that Trade can be an engine of reviving growth in such a scenario.
SOURCE: Economic Times
China’s Tianwen-1 Mars mission takes off
China successfully launched its first Mars probe, Tianwen-1, on Thursday from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan. The probe includes an orbiter and a rover and it is expected to reach Mars in February to explore the planet for 90 days, according to China National Space Administration (CNSA). Tianwen-1 will join eight spacecraft – American, European and Indian – either orbiting Mars or on its surface with other missions underway or planned. Tianwen 1, or Quest for Heavenly Truth 1, will fulfill three scientific objectives: orbiting the red planet for comprehensive observation, landing on Martian soil, and sending a rover to roam the landing site. It will conduct scientific investigations into the planet’s soil, geological structure, environment, atmosphere, and water, media reports said.
SOURCE: Business Standard
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