NATIONAL NEWS
A mixed bag for the BJP
The results of the bypolls across 11 States for three Lok Sabha and 29 Assembly seats were announced on November 2. A significant outcome is the blow that the BJP suffered in Himachal Pradesh, losing all three Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat that went to the polls in the State that it rules. Himachal Pradesh is also the home State of the party’s president J P Nadda. The party, however, swept all five seats in Assam picked up victories in ones and twos in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana. The party’s allies also won in Meghalaya and Mizoram. The TMC swept West Bengal bypolls 4-0 while the Congress had some news to cheer, having defeated the BJP in straight contests in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.
Pledge to cut methane emissions
At the ongoing CoP26 global climate conference in Glasgow, world leaders have pledged to stop deforestation by 2030. They also decided to slash emissions of the greenhouse gas methane to slow climate change. The pledge to cut methane, which is eighty times more powerful than CO2 as a greenhouse gas, is one of the most effective ways of slowing climate change. However, the fact that the larger economies could not reach an agreement on a much more rapid reduction in the use of fossil fuels, has not gone well with the poorer economies, which bear the brunt of climate change.
A spy scandal
The CBI has filed a charge sheet against six people, including two serving Navy commanders and two retired officers, for allegedly leaking confidential commercial information about a submarine refit and upgrade programme. The Navy is also conducting an internal inquiry into the allegations. The allegation is that the serving commanders shared information with the retired officers, one of whom worked with a Korean company. During a raid in September, ₹2 crore in cash was allegedly seized from the premises of a retired Navy officer.
COP26: PM Modi meets Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in Glasgow Climate Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 2, 2021, met Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on the sidelines of the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow. Both PM Modi and Bill Gates discussed ways to further sustainable development and mitigation of climate change. Gates had expressed optimism about this year’s UN Climate Conference where he said innovation will take center stage. Bill Gates in a tweet said, “By bringing the world together at COP26, we can find more ways to accelerate the development and adoption of the clean technologies we need to reach net-zero emissions.” Meanwhile, speaking at the COP26 Summit, PM Modi announced 5 goals for India to mitigate climate challenges. One of these five goals stated that India will achieve its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2070. On Day 2 of the COP26 Summit, PM Modi launched Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) that aims to achieve sustainable development through a systematic approach to resilient, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
EC announces bypolls to Rajya Sabha seats in West Bengal, Kerala on November 29
The Election Commission (EC) on October 31, 2021, announced by-polls to one Rajya Sabha seat each in West Bengal and Kerala on November 29, 2021. The poll notification will be issued on November 9, 2021. The two seats fell vacant after the resignation of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Arpita Ghosh from West Bengal on September 15, 2021, and Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K. Mani from Kerala on January 11, 2021. The last date of filing nominations is November 16. The polling will be held on November 29 from 9 am to 4 pm. As per established practice, counting of votes will be conducted one hour after the voting phase ends.
GST collection in October 2021 crosses Rs 1.3 lakh crores, 2nd highest ever since GST introduction
The gross GST revenue collection in October 2021 exceeded Rs 1.3 lakh crores. The GST revenue collection for October 2021 has been the 2nd highest ever since the introduction of GST. The highest GST revenue collection was reported in April 2021. The GST revenue collection for October 2021 are 24 per cent higher than the GST revenues collection in October 2021. The trend reflects economic recovery. The revenues would have been higher if the supply of semi-conductors would not have been disrupted, the government said. In October 2021, the GST revenues were at Rs 1,30,127 crores of which IGST was Rs 67,361 crores (including Rs 32,998 crores from import of goods), SGST was Rs 30,421 crores, and CGST was Rs 23,861 crores, and cess at Rs 8,484 crores (including Rs 699 crores on import of goods). In October 2021, the revenues from the import of goods were 39 per cent higher and from the domestic transactions (including import of services) were 19 per cent higher than revenues from these sources during October 2020.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Pakistan, China unlikely to attend meeting of NSAs by India on Afghanistan on November 10
Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf said that he will not attend the meeting of National Security Advisers (NSAs) called by India on Afghanistan on November 10, 2021, citing the reason that his country will not attend any meeting where there is no representation from the Taliban regime from Afghanistan. India has extended the invitation to NSAs of Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
Taliban announces complete ban on use of foreign currency in Afghanistan
The Taliban on November 2, 2021, announced a complete ban on the use of foreign currency in Afghanistan. The move will make sure to cause further disruption to an economy that has been pushed to the brink of collapse by the abrupt withdrawal of international support. The surprise move by the militant group came hours after at least 25 people were killed and more than 50 wounded when gunmen attacked Afghanistan’s biggest military hospital after two heavy explosions at the site in Central Kabul. Taliban in a statement, shared with the journalists by one of their spokespersons, said that the economic situation and national interests in the country required that all the Afghans use Afghan currency in their every trade. The use of US dollars has been widespread in the markets of Afghanistan, while the border areas use the currency of the neighboring countries such as Pakistan for trade. The Taliban government has been pressing for the release of billions of dollars of the Central Bank reserves as the drought-stricken country faces a cash crunch, new migration crisis, and cash crunch. Afghanistan has parked billions of dollars in assets overseas with various central banks in Europe and the US Federal Reserve. However, that has money has been frozen since the Islamist Taliban ousted the Western-backed government in Afghanistan in August 2021.
SPORTS NEWS
T20I series – India vs New Zealand: Rahul likely to be captain for Team India
As per media reports, KL Rahul is likely to be Captain for Team India during the upcoming T20I series against the New Zealand team. The T20I series between India and New Zealand will be played on November 17 in Jaipur, November 19 in Ranchi, and November 21 in Kolkata. The two-Test Matches will be played from November 25 to 29, 2021 in Kanpur and from December 3 to 7, 2021 in Mumbai.
