Prison tag

The suggestion for the introduction of electronic tracking of prisoners granted parole or furlough may merit consideration as a viable means of decongesting prisons. 

The idea of having a pilot programme to make undertrials who pose low or moderate risk wear devices that will track and restrict their movements has been mooted in a research report of the Supreme Court of India's Centre for Research and Planning. 

The Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, contains a provision that says "prisoners may be granted prison leave on the condition of their willingness to wear electronic tracking devices" so that their movement and activities may be monitored. 

How India could counter the CBAM

Protectionism is a threat to the collaboration required between the developed and developing world in addressing climate issues. 

Innovative protectionist ideas, such as the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU-CBAM), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and the EU Deforestation Regulation, have led to concerns in developing nations. 

The CBAM is meant to ensure that imported products bear a carbon emission cost comparable to the cost imposed on goods produced within the EU. 

The dangers of high-altitude sickness

While the Himalayan States witness a steady stream of tourists, healthcare facilities beyond major towns like Shimla are inadequate to handle cases of high-altitude sickness.

The primary cause of high-altitude sickness is rapid ascent without allowing the body time to acclimatise. Gradual ascent, which allows the body to adapt to lower oxygen levels, is the best way to prevent high-altitude illnesses.

To better manage high-altitude tourism, it is essential to implement a mandatory registration system for tourists entering remote mountain areas. 

Is imposing tariffs on Chinese imports a good idea?

Donald Trump, the President-elect of the U.S., has promised to impose tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese imports to correct the huge trade deficit the U.S. has with China. 

The imposition of tariffs by the U.S. will raise the domestic price of such products in U.S. markets. If the tariffs are across the board and cover a large part of consumer goods sold in the U.S., then it will increase domestic inflation. 

If China and other countries; which are threatened by U.S. tariffs, respond with appropriate tariffs of their own on American goods, it will trigger another round of global trade wars. 

At the G-20 summit, India and China discuss the resumption of flights, visa issuance

India and China announced that they would disengage their troops along the Line of Actual Control, the two countries have agreed to discuss the "next steps" in their relationship, including the resumption of direct flights, visas, journalist permissions, river-data sharing and allowing Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar.

This announcement was made after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, their first interaction since the LAC disengagement agreement on October 21, and a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia. 

'India's vision for free, open maritime network is finding resonance across the world'

Stating that oceans are a shared heritage for nations and societies, as well as the lifeline for international trade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that over the last decade, the capacity of the country's ports has doubled. 

"By enhancing port efficiency, reducing turnaround times and strengthening last-mile connectivity through expressways, railways and riverine networks, we have transformed India's shoreline," Mr Modi said in a message from his camp office in Nigeria delivered at the ongoing inaugural edition of the thought leadership summit 'Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue' organised by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and waterways in partnership with Observer Research Foundation (ORF). 

India and Italy to negotiate defence industrial road map, focus on maritime sector

India and Italy agreed to negotiate a defence industrial road map, and agreement for the mutual protection and exchange of classified information as well as an agreement on cooperation in the maritime and port sectors. 

This was stated in the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, which outlines its vision for the next five years.

"Negotiate a defence industrial road map, between the two Ministries of Defence and promote a Memorandum of Understanding between the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers and the Italian Industries Federation for Aerospace, Defence and Security," the joint action plan said. 

Paying 'huge costs' for climate action says India at COP29

As part of India's official statement at the Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku, Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh said "huge costs" were being levied upon India for the voluntary "climate action" it was undertaking.

Countries have entered into negotiations and are expected to decide on a new financial target that would facilitate the global transition away from a fossil fuel economy.

"COP29 is the COP for Climate Finance - the New Collective Quantified Goals on Climate Finance for mobilising climate finance for meeting the needs and priorities of developing countries. 

We all need to appreciate that huge costs are being imposed on a developing country like ours for undertaking climate actions," India submitted. 

T.N. has the highest number of women councillors: report

Nearly 46% of the councillors in India are women, and in 19 out of the 21 capital cities that have active urban local bodies, including Patna, Shimla, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar, the figure goes well over 60%.

Among the States, Tamil Nadu has the highest number of women councillors, according to a road map on urban transformation in India released.

The other States in the top 10 are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar and Chhattisgarh.

According to the report "Road map for India's city- systems reforms" by Janaagraha, a not-for-profit organisation, 17 States have legislated for 50% women's quota, over the constitutional minimum of 33%. 

Daniel Barenboim and Ali Abu Awwad presented Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for 2023 was presented to classical pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian peace activist Ali Abu Awwad. 

Mr. Barenboim was selected for his contribution to fostering peace through musical and cultural dialogue initiatives and Mr. Awwad for his advocacy for dialogue through his organisation Roots, an outfit that he started after spending time in jail. 

India, U.K. to re-launch trade talks in new year: Starmer

India and the U.K. have decided to re-launch discussions to conclude a 'free trade' deal in the new year, following the election of a new Labour government in the U.K.

The announcement of the imminent resumption of talks, which began in 2022 during the Boris Johnson Conservative government, was announced by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rio de Janeiro, on the fringes of the G20 Summit.

"A new trade deal with India will support jobs and prosperity in the U.K. - and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across our country," Mr. Starmer said. 

Bilateral trade between the two. countries is valued at £42 billion ($53.2 billion) in the twelve months to June 2024, according to official U.K. data. 

Putin signs revised nuclear doctrine amid Ukraine war

President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine declaring that a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country.

Mr. Putin's endorsement of the new nuclear deterrent policy comes on the 1,000th day after he sent troops into Ukraine, on February 24, 2022.

The signing of the doctrine, which says that any massive aerial attack on Russia could trigger a nuclear response, demonstrates Mr Putin's readiness to tap the country's nuclear arsenal to force the West to back down as Moscow presses a slow-moving offensive in Ukraine.