Silicon Valley giant Apple has started hiring workforce for its retail store in India. Apple posted listings for 12 different job functions in the Indian market.

India: Apple starts hiring for retail stores across country, company posts listings

India and Japan are set to hold joint Air Exercise 'Veer Guardian-2023' at Japan's Hyakuri Air Base, next week in a bid to promote air defence cooperation between the two countries.

India and Japan to hold joint air exercise to promote defence cooperation

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) premier R&amp;D facility is creating “rat cyborgs” which will help in security forces' recovery operations and intelligence surveillance, said an official.&nbsp;

A team of DRDO's Young Scientist Laboratory is working on these rat cyborgs which will have cameras placed on the head and electronic commands will be used to guide them using semi-invasive brain electrodes, said DRDO’s Young Scientist Laboratory (DYSL-AT) Director, P Shiva Prasad, after the World Science Congress' session.&nbsp;

“This is the first time India had engaged in developing such technology. Some foreign nations already have it. It will help armed forces in Intelligence Surveillance and Recovery (ISR) operations. Phase 1 trials, in which the rat will be controlled through commands of the operator, are underway,” Prasad said.

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explained-fda-approves-new-alzheimers-drug-for-early-stages-patients-but-what-are-its-safety-concerns-550546">Explained: FDA approves new Alzheimer's drug for early-stages patients, but what are its safety concerns?</a>

“In Phase 2, scientists can actually feed images into the camera mounted on the head for the rat cyborg to find. An example of its use could be a situation like the 26/11 terror attack in which more than 200 rooms of a hotel had to be searched,” he added.

He explained that remote-controlled robots, which engage in ISR operations, face manoeuvrability issues like entering narrow spaces and climbing walls.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

He added that rats have more endurance for such tasks and scientists know how to encourage them by offering incentives based on food for missions.&nbsp;

WATCH| WION Fineprint | Scientists create human-rat hybrid brain!

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-scientists-create-human-rat-hybrid-brain-525196/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“In Phase 1, the electrodes will need to be implanted in the brain of the rats, while in Phase 2, we will go for wireless transmission. We have used three to four rats for the lab tests,” Prasad said.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) premier R&D facility is creating “rat cyborgs” which will help in security forces' recovery operations and intelligence surveillance, said an official.

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) premier R&D facility is creating “rat cyborgs” which will help in security forces' recovery operations and intelligence surveillance, said an official. A team of DRDO's Young Scientist Laboratory is working on these rat cyborgs which will have cameras placed on the head and electronic commands will be used to guide them using semi-invasive brain electrodes, said DRDO’s Young Scientist Laboratory (DYSL-AT) Director, P Shiva Prasad, after the World Science Congress' session. “This is the first time India had engaged in developing such technology. Some foreign nations already have it. It will help armed forces in Intelligence Surveillance and Recovery (ISR) operations. Phase 1 trials, in which the rat will be controlled through commands of the operator, are underway,” Prasad said. ALSO READ| Explained: FDA approves new Alzheimer's drug for early-stages patients, but what are its safety concerns? “In Phase 2, scientists can actually feed images into the camera mounted on the head for the rat cyborg to find. An example of its use could be a situation like the 26/11 terror attack in which more than 200 rooms of a hotel had to be searched,” he added. He explained that remote-controlled robots, which engage in ISR operations, face manoeuvrability issues like entering narrow spaces and climbing walls. He added that rats have more endurance for such tasks and scientists know how to encourage them by offering incentives based on food for missions. WATCH| WION Fineprint | Scientists create human-rat hybrid brain! “In Phase 1, the electrodes will need to be implanted in the brain of the rats, while in Phase 2, we will go for wireless transmission. We have used three to four rats for the lab tests,” Prasad said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian scientists create ‘rat cyborgs’ for security forces' intelligence surveillance

Dense fog and cold wave conditions are very likely to continue over north India. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Delhi-NCR region.

Dense fog, cold waves take over North India, IMD issues warnings

Squadron leader Avani Chaturvedi, the Indian Air Force's (IAF) first female fighter pilot, is set to take part in a maiden air exercise 'Veer Guardian-2023', which will be held at the Hyakuri air base in Japan.

Avani Chaturvedi to be first IAF woman fighter pilot to participate in aerial wargames abroad

Hit by weakening demand, the Indian economy is expected to grow at a slower 7 per cent rate in the current fiscal ending March 2023, setting the stage for the country losing the fastest-growing major economy tag.&nbsp;The 7 per cent expansion projected in the first official estimate released by the Statistics Ministry compares with 8.7 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2021-22.

The projections are much lower than government’s earlier forecast of 8-8.5 per cent growth but above the Reserve Bank’s projection of 6.8 per cent. If the forecast comes true, India’s GDP growth will be lower than Saudi Arabia’s expected 7.6 per cent expansion.

In fact, India’s GDP growth in the July-September quarter at 6.3 per cent was lower than the 8.7 per cent of Saudi Arabia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-mesmerising-view-of-train-passing-through-snow-covered-jammu-and-kashmir-550130">Mesmerising view of train passing through snow-covered Jammu and Kashmir</a>

The first advance GDP estimates, which are used to work out allocations and other fiscal projections for the next Budget due on February 1, proved to be more optimistic than the actual growth in three out of the last four years.

The projections suggest that despite the global headwinds and continued geopolitical uncertainty caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the recovery is on track though there are pressure points. Inflation has been sticky despite a 225 basis points increase in interest rates since last May, which is likely to moderate demand.

“We believe that buoyant albeit mixed domestic consumption should help to stave off some of the pain arising from weak exports during this period,” said Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, ICRA Ltd.

“Given the full-year projections released today by the NSO, we expect there to be some revisions in either the H1 or the H2 FY2023 sectoral numbers, in the subsequent data releases.” Sunil Sinha, Senior Director and Principal Economist, India Ratings &amp; Research, said the road ahead is not going to be easy so long as private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) does not recover fully and become broad-based.

“The household sector, which accounts for 44-45 per cent of the GVA, saw their nominal wage growth decline to 5.7 per cent during FY17-FY21 from 8.2 per cent during FY12-FY16. In fact, the real wage growth became nearly flat or even turned negative in some months of FY23 due to high inflation.

“Since much of the growth in consumption demand is driven by the wage growth of the household sector, a recovery in their wage growth is an imperative for a sustainable economic recovery,” he noted.

The first advance estimates for 2022-23 factored in discrepancies of Rs 4,06,943 crore, which is nearly double the amount of Rs 2,16,842 crore as per provisional estimates of GDP growth for 2021-22 released on May 31, 2022. The discrepancies were Rs 2,38,638 crore in 2020-21.

Also watch |&nbsp;India's EAM S. Jaishankar takes on Europe's charges, calls out China

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-eam-s-jaishankar-takes-on-europes-charges-calls-out-china-548995/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Discrepancies in the statistical GDP data refer to the difference in national income under production method and expenditure method.

As per the first advance estimates of national income released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Friday, the manufacturing sector output is estimated to decelerate to 1.6 per cent in the current fiscal from 9.9 per cent in 2021-22.

Similarly, mining sector growth is estimated at 2.4 per cent in the current fiscal as against 11.5 per cent in 2021-22.

“Real GDP or GDP (Gross Domestic Product) at Constant (2011-12) Prices in the year 2022-23 is estimated at Rs 157.60 lakh crore, as against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 2021-22 of Rs 147.36 lakh crore, released on 31st May, 2022,” an NSO statement said.

It stated that growth in real GDP during 2022-23 is estimated at 7.0 per cent as compared to 8.7 per cent in 2021-22.

It also said the nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices in the year 2022-23 is estimated at Rs 273.08 lakh crore, as against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 2021-22 of Rs 236.65 lakh crore.

The growth in nominal GDP during 2022-23 is estimated at 15.4 per cent as compared to 19.5 per cent in 2021-22.

The agriculture sector is projected to see a growth of 3.5 per cent in FY2022-23, higher than the 3 per cent expansion recorded in the previous financial year.

Trade, hotel, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting segment is estimated to grow at 13.7 per cent from 11.1 per cent in 2021-22.

Financial, real estate and professional services segment is projected to grow at 6.4 per cent in the current fiscal, up from 4.2 per cent in 202-22.&nbsp;However, construction sector growth is expected to decelerate to 9.1 per cent from 11.5 per cent a year ago.

Similarly, public adminstration, defence and other services growth is estimated to drop to 7.9 per cent this fiscal from 12.6 per cent in FY22.&nbsp;The growth in gross value added (GVA) at basic prices is pegged at 6.7 per cent this fiscal, down from 8.1 per cent in 2021-22.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Hit by weakening demand, the Indian economy is expected to grow at a slower 7 per cent rate in the current fiscal ending March 2023, setting the stage for the country losing the fastest-growing major economy tag.

Hit by weakening demand, the Indian economy is expected to grow at a slower 7 per cent rate in the current fiscal ending March 2023, setting the stage for the country losing the fastest-growing major economy tag. The 7 per cent expansion projected in the first official estimate released by the Statistics Ministry compares with 8.7 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2021-22. The projections are much lower than government’s earlier forecast of 8-8.5 per cent growth but above the Reserve Bank’s projection of 6.8 per cent. If the forecast comes true, India’s GDP growth will be lower than Saudi Arabia’s expected 7.6 per cent expansion. In fact, India’s GDP growth in the July-September quarter at 6.3 per cent was lower than the 8.7 per cent of Saudi Arabia. Also read | Mesmerising view of train passing through snow-covered Jammu and Kashmir The first advance GDP estimates, which are used to work out allocations and other fiscal projections for the next Budget due on February 1, proved to be more optimistic than the actual growth in three out of the last four years. The projections suggest that despite the global headwinds and continued geopolitical uncertainty caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the recovery is on track though there are pressure points. Inflation has been sticky despite a 225 basis points increase in interest rates since last May, which is likely to moderate demand. “We believe that buoyant albeit mixed domestic consumption should help to stave off some of the pain arising from weak exports during this period,” said Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, ICRA Ltd. “Given the full-year projections released today by the NSO, we expect there to be some revisions in either the H1 or the H2 FY2023 sectoral numbers, in the subsequent data releases.” Sunil Sinha, Senior Director and Principal Economist, India Ratings & Research, said the road ahead is not going to be easy so long as private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) does not recover fully and become broad-based. “The household sector, which accounts for 44-45 per cent of the GVA, saw their nominal wage growth decline to 5.7 per cent during FY17-FY21 from 8.2 per cent during FY12-FY16. In fact, the real wage growth became nearly flat or even turned negative in some months of FY23 due to high inflation. “Since much of the growth in consumption demand is driven by the wage growth of the household sector, a recovery in their wage growth is an imperative for a sustainable economic recovery,” he noted. The first advance estimates for 2022-23 factored in discrepancies of Rs 4,06,943 crore, which is nearly double the amount of Rs 2,16,842 crore as per provisional estimates of GDP growth for 2021-22 released on May 31, 2022. The discrepancies were Rs 2,38,638 crore in 2020-21. Also watch | India's EAM S. Jaishankar takes on Europe's charges, calls out China Discrepancies in the statistical GDP data refer to the difference in national income under production method and expenditure method. As per the first advance estimates of national income released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Friday, the manufacturing sector output is estimated to decelerate to 1.6 per cent in the current fiscal from 9.9 per cent in 2021-22. Similarly, mining sector growth is estimated at 2.4 per cent in the current fiscal as against 11.5 per cent in 2021-22. “Real GDP or GDP (Gross Domestic Product) at Constant (2011-12) Prices in the year 2022-23 is estimated at Rs 157.60 lakh crore, as against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 2021-22 of Rs 147.36 lakh crore, released on 31st May, 2022,” an NSO statement said. It stated that growth in real GDP during 2022-23 is estimated at 7.0 per cent as compared to 8.7 per cent in 2021-22. It also said the nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices in the year 2022-23 is estimated at Rs 273.08 lakh crore, as against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 2021-22 of Rs 236.65 lakh crore. The growth in nominal GDP during 2022-23 is estimated at 15.4 per cent as compared to 19.5 per cent in 2021-22. The agriculture sector is projected to see a growth of 3.5 per cent in FY2022-23, higher than the 3 per cent expansion recorded in the previous financial year. Trade, hotel, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting segment is estimated to grow at 13.7 per cent from 11.1 per cent in 2021-22. Financial, real estate and professional services segment is projected to grow at 6.4 per cent in the current fiscal, up from 4.2 per cent in 202-22. However, construction sector growth is expected to decelerate to 9.1 per cent from 11.5 per cent a year ago. Similarly, public adminstration, defence and other services growth is estimated to drop to 7.9 per cent this fiscal from 12.6 per cent in FY22. The growth in gross value added (GVA) at basic prices is pegged at 6.7 per cent this fiscal, down from 8.1 per cent in 2021-22. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India to grow at 7% in FY23, lose fastest growing economy tag to Saudi Arabia

An Indian town is falling apart. The buildings in the Himalayan town of Joshimath, a hot spot for many pilgrimages and tricks are cracking up due to soil shifting of the ground surface. Cracks have been reported at more than 600 houses.

India: Over 600 houses in Joshimath have developed cracks, leaving people in agony

The French carmaker Renault is reportedly looking up to build a mass-market electric vehicle in India. Watch this video to know more.

Renault considers making mass-market EVs in India

An unruly passenger who is said to have urinated on an elderly woman has been arrested. 34 year old was arrested by daily police from Bengaluru in South India and has been brought back to the national capital.

Air India Urination Case: Man arrested for peeing on woman on plane, sent to jail

Google is preparing to approach India's Supreme Court within days to try to block a ruling by the country's antitrust watchdog that will force the U.S. company to change how it markets its Android platform, two people familiar with its strategy told Reuters.

Is Google planning to challenge India's Android antitrust ruling at Supreme Court?

In India, the University Grants Commission which looks after coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of higher education in India would be coming up with norms for foreign universities and educational institutions to set up campuses in India.

India: University Grants Commission unveils draft norms allow foreign university campuses

The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has been declared a terrorist organisation and banned by the Indian government. The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday released a notification stating TRF was banned under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for terror activities, including recruitment and infiltration of terrorists from across the border into the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has been declared a terrorist organisation and banned by the Indian government. The Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday released a notification stating TRF was banned under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for terror activities, including recruitment and infiltration of terrorists from across the border into the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. “TRF is recruiting youth through online medium for furtherance of terrorist activities and has been also involved in carrying out propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into J&K," read the notification. The notification added that TRF's activities were detrimental to India's security. “The activities of the TRF are detrimental for the security and sovereignty of India. A large number of cases have been registered against the members/associates of the TRF relating to planning of killing of security personnel and civilians of J&K, co-coordinating and transporting weapons to support proscribed terrorist organisations." WATCH | Gravitas: Lashkar terrorist spills the beans on Pakistan's Kashmir plan × The terror outfit has gained notoriety in recent times for undertaking the brutal killings of Kashmiri Pandits, migrants and security forces in J&K. Ever since India abrogated the controversial Article 370, the funding routes of most terror outfits have dried up. With the UT more homogeneously assimilated with the rest of India, the terror outfits like TRF are attempting to recreate the chaos of 1989 when Kashmiri Pandits were driven out of their homes in a mass exodus. Lashkar and Jaish-e-Mohammad have been alleged to have concocted the name of the banned terror outfit. Resistance was added in the name to provide credence in global politics, according to experts related to the matter. Read more: Multiple terrorist attacks witnessed in J&K as new year begins The outfit was established to ensure that Pakistan did not face the heat from international agencies such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which scrutinised it for involvement in terror activities. TRF allowed Jaish and LeT to pull the strings whilst maintaining plausible deniability. According to data released by the J&K Police, the most number of terrorists (108) to be killed in 2022 in the valley were from TRF. “During the year 2022, a total of 93 successful encounters took place in Kashmir in which 172 terrorists, including 42 foreign terrorists, were neutralised. Maximum terrorists neutralised were from LeT/TRF (108) outfit followed by JeM (35), HM (22), Al-Badr (4) and AGuH (3) outfits,” said Vijay Kumar, ADGP, Kashmir Police. Read more: India: 172 terrorists killed in 2022, Jammu & Kashmir Police calls it a successful year (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Centre declares Lashkar's offshoot 'The Resistance Front' a terrorist organisation

Indian Supreme Court on Thursday stayed a Uttarakhand High Court order for the removal of encroachments from 29 acres of land claimed by the railways in Haldwani, a popular city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.&nbsp;

The Supreme Court termed it a "human issue" and said that 50,000 people cannot be uprooted overnight. The top court also asked the railways to find a practical solution to the issue.&nbsp;

During the hearing, a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S Oka said: "There is a human angle to it". The bench further added that there cannot be uprooting of several thousand people in seven days.&nbsp;

The bench said that those people must be living there for many decades and it may not be correct to say that paramilitary forces have to be deployed to remove people.&nbsp;

India's top court also stayed the high court's direction for the eviction of families within a week. The high court's order had also mentioned that their houses be demolished.&nbsp;

The petitioners had claimed that they are poor. They had also argued that they have been lawful residents of Mohalla Nai Basti and Line No 17 &amp; 18, Banbhulpura (Azad Nagar), Haldwani for more than 70 years.&nbsp;

The bench said: "There are two aspects of the issue. One, they claim leases. Two, they say people migrated after 1947, and the lands were auctioned."&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Indian Supreme Court on Thursday stayed a Uttarakhand High Court order for the removal of encroachments from 29 acres of land claimed by the railways in Haldwani, a popular city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.

Indian Supreme Court on Thursday stayed a Uttarakhand High Court order for the removal of encroachments from 29 acres of land claimed by the railways in Haldwani, a popular city in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Supreme Court termed it a "human issue" and said that 50,000 people cannot be uprooted overnight. The top court also asked the railways to find a practical solution to the issue. During the hearing, a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S Oka said: "There is a human angle to it". The bench further added that there cannot be uprooting of several thousand people in seven days. The bench said that those people must be living there for many decades and it may not be correct to say that paramilitary forces have to be deployed to remove people. India's top court also stayed the high court's direction for the eviction of families within a week. The high court's order had also mentioned that their houses be demolished. The petitioners had claimed that they are poor. They had also argued that they have been lawful residents of Mohalla Nai Basti and Line No 17 & 18, Banbhulpura (Azad Nagar), Haldwani for more than 70 years. The bench said: "There are two aspects of the issue. One, they claim leases. Two, they say people migrated after 1947, and the lands were auctioned." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Haldwani: SC stays Uttarakhand HC order for removal of encroachments from Railway land

Leaders of the European Union's two biggest economies, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor&nbsp;Olaf Scholz, will visit India in the first quarter of 2023. While the German chancellor is expected to be in Delhi in February, the French President will be in the Indian national capital in March.&nbsp;The bilateral visits will be in addition to visits in September to participate in the G20 summit in Delhi.

Talks are underway to firm up the key outcomes from the visit, even as the focus has been to increase economic engagement, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Remember, both France &amp; Germany have issued policy statements on the Indo-Pacific in which ties with India have been key.&nbsp;

Ahead of the French President's visit, likely to take place in March, his diplomatic&nbsp;adviser&nbsp; Emmanuel Bonne was in Delhi on Thursday. He took part in the 36th Indo-French strategic dialogue with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, met EAM Dr S Jaishankar and called on PM Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

A French readout said that his focus&nbsp;during the one-day Delhi visit was&nbsp;defence and security cooperation, the Russia-Ukraine conflict,&nbsp;cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, counter-terrorism cooperation, cyber-security, space, and civil nuclear energy.&nbsp;Ahead of Macron's visit, both sides have also been discussing ways to speed up the setting up of the civilian nuclear power reactors at Jaitapur, Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-pope-benedicts-funeral-begins-pope-francis-leads-proceedings-549648">Former Pope Benedict XVI laid to rest in solemn burial at Vatican</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron last visited India in March, 2018 during which he also visited Agra, Mirzapur and Varanasi other than holding key talks in Delhi. That time, in&nbsp; addition to the visit joint statements, "Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region” and the "India-France Joint Vision for Space Cooperation” were also issued.

When it comes to the German Chancellor's visit, this will be his first India visit since taking charge in December 2021. PM Modi visited Germany twice last year, first on a bilateral visit, then to attend the G7 summit. During the bilateral visit in March 2022, PM attended the&nbsp;6th Intergovernmental Consultations.&nbsp;A total of 14 agreements were signed in diverse fields such as green partnership, development cooperation, renewable energy, migration and mobility etc., after the key talks in Berlin.&nbsp;

Prime Minister and Chancellor also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on a Green and Sustainable Development Partnership. Germany and India support each other on UNSC expansion within the framework of the G4. The last meeting of the G4 was held at the level of Foreign Ministers on the side-lines of the 77th&nbsp;UNGA in September 2022.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Leaders of the European Union's two biggest economies, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, will visit India in the first quarter of 2023.

Leaders of the European Union's two biggest economies, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, will visit India in the first quarter of 2023. While the German chancellor is expected to be in Delhi in February, the French President will be in the Indian national capital in March. The bilateral visits will be in addition to visits in September to participate in the G20 summit in Delhi. Talks are underway to firm up the key outcomes from the visit, even as the focus has been to increase economic engagement, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Remember, both France & Germany have issued policy statements on the Indo-Pacific in which ties with India have been key. Ahead of the French President's visit, likely to take place in March, his diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne was in Delhi on Thursday. He took part in the 36th Indo-French strategic dialogue with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, met EAM Dr S Jaishankar and called on PM Narendra Modi. A French readout said that his focus during the one-day Delhi visit was defence and security cooperation, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, counter-terrorism cooperation, cyber-security, space, and civil nuclear energy. Ahead of Macron's visit, both sides have also been discussing ways to speed up the setting up of the civilian nuclear power reactors at Jaitapur, Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Also read | Former Pope Benedict XVI laid to rest in solemn burial at Vatican French President Emmanuel Macron last visited India in March, 2018 during which he also visited Agra, Mirzapur and Varanasi other than holding key talks in Delhi. That time, in addition to the visit joint statements, "Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region” and the "India-France Joint Vision for Space Cooperation” were also issued. When it comes to the German Chancellor's visit, this will be his first India visit since taking charge in December 2021. PM Modi visited Germany twice last year, first on a bilateral visit, then to attend the G7 summit. During the bilateral visit in March 2022, PM attended the 6th Intergovernmental Consultations. A total of 14 agreements were signed in diverse fields such as green partnership, development cooperation, renewable energy, migration and mobility etc., after the key talks in Berlin. Prime Minister and Chancellor also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on a Green and Sustainable Development Partnership. Germany and India support each other on UNSC expansion within the framework of the G4. The last meeting of the G4 was held at the level of Foreign Ministers on the side-lines of the 77th UNGA in September 2022.

German Chancellor Scholz to visit India in February, French President Macron in March

The two latest instances of men urinating on female fellow passengers on two separate Air India flights have sparked significant outrage. The aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), slammed the Tata Group-owned airline, stating its behaviour was "unprofessional" and resulted in "systemic failure" in reference to the November incident where a drunken male is reported to have urinated on a senior citizen. The First Information Report (FIR) states that despite the incident taking place late last year (November 2022), Air India finally reported it to the police on 4th January 2023 against the offender, a&nbsp;Mumbai-based man Shankar Mishra.&nbsp;

In addition to imposing a 30-day flying ban&nbsp;on the Mishra, Air India has begun an investigation into the event that happened on one of its flights from New York to Delhi on 26th November 2022.&nbsp;

Mishra was fired by his employer,&nbsp;US financial services company Wells Fargo&nbsp;as the VP of India business, on Friday.&nbsp;

“Wells Fargo holds employees to the highest standards of professional and personal behavior and we find these allegations deeply disturbing. This individual has been terminated from Wells Fargo. We are cooperating with law enforcement and ask that any additional inquiries be directed to them," Wells Fargo said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/joshimath-sinking-why-is-this-uttarakhand-town-falling-apart-550043">Joshimath sinking: Why is this town in India's Uttarakhand falling apart?</a>

A similar incident occurred on an Air India flight between Paris and Delhi in December of last year when a male passenger who was allegedly intoxicated urinated on a female passenger's blanket.

Airport authorities told news agency PTI that the man was detained by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as the plane touched down but was subsequently released after the two passengers reached a "mutual solution" and the accused provided a "written apology."

<h2>What are&nbsp;Air India's forward plans and DGCA's statutory amid such incidents?</h2>

In a letter to Air India's staff on Friday, the airline CEO Campbell Wilson emphasised that anyone who violates flight regulations will be subject to prompt action. He emphasised the significance of reporting unfavourable situations on flights to authorities, even if the crew thinks the issue has been rectified.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also issued an advisory on Friday, outlining how to deal with unruly passengers on board and who is responsible for what under the rules. All scheduled airlines' operational chiefs received the advisory. The DGCA instructed airlines to deploy restrictions whenever all conciliation efforts had failed.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
DGCA issues an advisory to Head of Operations of all Scheduled Airlines with regard to handling unruly passengers on board and respective responsibilities as per the regulations. <a href="https://t.co/b84yD3ya4u">pic.twitter.com/b84yD3ya4u</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1611335241754628096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The statutory body said, "In the recent past, DGCA has noticed a few incidents of unruly behaviour and inappropriate conduct by the passengers on board the aircraft during flight, wherein it is observed that post holders, pilots and cabin crew members have failed to take appropriate actions."

Also watch |&nbsp;India's EAM S. Jaishankar takes on Europe's charges, calls out China

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-eam-s-jaishankar-takes-on-europes-charges-calls-out-china-548995/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The DGCA stated that the pilot of an aircraft is in charge of maintaining flight safety, crew member safety, and the safety of passengers and goods carried by aircraft. Notably, many provisions of the 1937 Aircraft Rules, DGCA rules, circulars, and airline manuals specify a person's responsibilities for dealing with unruly passengers.

The cabin crew must diffuse a critical situation, according to the DGCA's additional statement.&nbsp;DGCA recommends 'handcuff-like device' to control unruly passengers on board.&nbsp;A senior DGCA official said they recommend devices kept in aircraft cabin used to restrain unruly passengers of level 3 type i.e. abusive physically violent category. The device looks&nbsp;like a handcuff. Some airlines in India like Air Asia are keeping it in the aircraft cabin.

The statutory body further stated that restraining devices should only be used after all other conciliatory measures have failed. In the meanwhile, it is the Director-in-Flight Services' responsibility to notify the DGCA of such situations in the manner specified by Cabin Safety Circular 02/2010.

Upon landing of the aircraft, airline representative shall lodge FIR with the concerned security agency at aerodrome, to whom, the unruly passenger shall be handed over," the DGCA said.

<h2>What will land a passenger on the no-fly list?</h2>

In accordance with the DGCA, instances of unruly behaviour include intentionally interfering with a crew member's performance of their duties, smoking inside an aircraft, using threatening or abusive language toward a crew member or other passengers, consuming alcohol or drugs that may cause disruption, and more.

Level 1, 2, or 3 behaviours have been designated as disorderly and will determine the length of the suspension.

Physical gestures, verbal abuse, and disorderly inebriation are examples of Level 1 behaviour and&nbsp;up to three-month suspension may result from this.

Level 2 physical abuse, which includes "pushing, kicking, striking, grabbing or unwanted touching or sexual harassment," will result in a six-month suspension.

Level 3 behaviour&nbsp;include those that pose a risk to one's life, such as endangering the aircraft's operational systems and engaging in "physical violence, including choking, eye gouging, deadly attack, attempted or successful breach of the flight crew compartment, etc." In such a case, the prohibition may last for a minimum of two years or longer might be permanent.

According to PTI, the Ministry of Home Affairs can also give the DGCA and the airlines a list of those who have been deemed "national security concerns" so they can be put on the no-fly list.

So far, only one Mumbai jeweller has been added to the no-fly list thus far, according to a report in The New Indian Express from 2020.

On a Jet Airways aircraft from Mumbai to Delhi in 2017, multimillionaire Birju Kishore Salla falsely claimed there were hijackers and explosives in the cargo hold. Salla placed the letter in the lavatory. As a result, the aircraft had to make an emergency landing at Ahmedabad Airport.

He was also prosecuted under the new Anti-Hijacking Act of 2016, making him the first individual to be placed on the no-fly list.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

The two latest instances of men urinating on female fellow passengers on two separate Air India flights have sparked significant outrage. The aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), slammed the Tata Group-owned airline, stating its behaviour was "unprofessional" and resulted in "systemic failure" in reference to the November incident where a drunken male is reported to have urinated on a senior citizen.

The two latest instances of men urinating on female fellow passengers on two separate Air India flights have sparked significant outrage. The aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), slammed the Tata Group-owned airline, stating its behaviour was "unprofessional" and resulted in "systemic failure" in reference to the November incident where a drunken male is reported to have urinated on a senior citizen. The First Information Report (FIR) states that despite the incident taking place late last year (November 2022), Air India finally reported it to the police on 4th January 2023 against the offender, a Mumbai-based man Shankar Mishra. In addition to imposing a 30-day flying ban on the Mishra, Air India has begun an investigation into the event that happened on one of its flights from New York to Delhi on 26th November 2022. Mishra was fired by his employer, US financial services company Wells Fargo as the VP of India business, on Friday. “Wells Fargo holds employees to the highest standards of professional and personal behavior and we find these allegations deeply disturbing. This individual has been terminated from Wells Fargo. We are cooperating with law enforcement and ask that any additional inquiries be directed to them," Wells Fargo said in a statement. Also read | Joshimath sinking: Why is this town in India's Uttarakhand falling apart? A similar incident occurred on an Air India flight between Paris and Delhi in December of last year when a male passenger who was allegedly intoxicated urinated on a female passenger's blanket. Airport authorities told news agency PTI that the man was detained by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as the plane touched down but was subsequently released after the two passengers reached a "mutual solution" and the accused provided a "written apology." What are Air India's forward plans and DGCA's statutory amid such incidents? In a letter to Air India's staff on Friday, the airline CEO Campbell Wilson emphasised that anyone who violates flight regulations will be subject to prompt action. He emphasised the significance of reporting unfavourable situations on flights to authorities, even if the crew thinks the issue has been rectified. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also issued an advisory on Friday, outlining how to deal with unruly passengers on board and who is responsible for what under the rules. All scheduled airlines' operational chiefs received the advisory. The DGCA instructed airlines to deploy restrictions whenever all conciliation efforts had failed. DGCA issues an advisory to Head of Operations of all Scheduled Airlines with regard to handling unruly passengers on board and respective responsibilities as per the regulations. pic.twitter.com/b84yD3ya4u — ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2023 × The statutory body said, "In the recent past, DGCA has noticed a few incidents of unruly behaviour and inappropriate conduct by the passengers on board the aircraft during flight, wherein it is observed that post holders, pilots and cabin crew members have failed to take appropriate actions." Also watch | India's EAM S. Jaishankar takes on Europe's charges, calls out China The DGCA stated that the pilot of an aircraft is in charge of maintaining flight safety, crew member safety, and the safety of passengers and goods carried by aircraft. Notably, many provisions of the 1937 Aircraft Rules, DGCA rules, circulars, and airline manuals specify a person's responsibilities for dealing with unruly passengers. The cabin crew must diffuse a critical situation, according to the DGCA's additional statement. DGCA recommends 'handcuff-like device' to control unruly passengers on board. A senior DGCA official said they recommend devices kept in aircraft cabin used to restrain unruly passengers of level 3 type i.e. abusive physically violent category. The device looks like a handcuff. Some airlines in India like Air Asia are keeping it in the aircraft cabin. The statutory body further stated that restraining devices should only be used after all other conciliatory measures have failed. In the meanwhile, it is the Director-in-Flight Services' responsibility to notify the DGCA of such situations in the manner specified by Cabin Safety Circular 02/2010. Upon landing of the aircraft, airline representative shall lodge FIR with the concerned security agency at aerodrome, to whom, the unruly passenger shall be handed over," the DGCA said. What will land a passenger on the no-fly list? In accordance with the DGCA, instances of unruly behaviour include intentionally interfering with a crew member's performance of their duties, smoking inside an aircraft, using threatening or abusive language toward a crew member or other passengers, consuming alcohol or drugs that may cause disruption, and more. Level 1, 2, or 3 behaviours have been designated as disorderly and will determine the length of the suspension. Physical gestures, verbal abuse, and disorderly inebriation are examples of Level 1 behaviour and up to three-month suspension may result from this. Level 2 physical abuse, which includes "pushing, kicking, striking, grabbing or unwanted touching or sexual harassment," will result in a six-month suspension. Level 3 behaviour include those that pose a risk to one's life, such as endangering the aircraft's operational systems and engaging in "physical violence, including choking, eye gouging, deadly attack, attempted or successful breach of the flight crew compartment, etc." In such a case, the prohibition may last for a minimum of two years or longer might be permanent. According to PTI, the Ministry of Home Affairs can also give the DGCA and the airlines a list of those who have been deemed "national security concerns" so they can be put on the no-fly list. So far, only one Mumbai jeweller has been added to the no-fly list thus far, according to a report in The New Indian Express from 2020. On a Jet Airways aircraft from Mumbai to Delhi in 2017, multimillionaire Birju Kishore Salla falsely claimed there were hijackers and explosives in the cargo hold. Salla placed the letter in the lavatory. As a result, the aircraft had to make an emergency landing at Ahmedabad Airport. He was also prosecuted under the new Anti-Hijacking Act of 2016, making him the first individual to be placed on the no-fly list. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: DGCA issues advisory to airlines for handling unruly passengers on board, what does it entail?

India assumed the G20 Presidency in December last year, the G20 coordinator described this moment as the mega national event. From solving the supply chain disruptions to taking the digitalisation movement worldwide. Watch the video to know more on what Harsh Shringla said.

Chief Coordination of India's G20 Presidency Harsh Shringla speaks to WION on India's priorities

This Indian Youtuber, actor, singer and writer can do everything except dancing. Meet Bhuvan Bam told WION that he has two left feet so he can't dance. The actor who is making his OTT debut with 'Taaza Khabar' spoke about what made him say yes to the story. A few months back Bam visited Brazil and he tells us what took him there. Watch the full interview to know more.

Exclusive: Here’s what took Indian Youtuber Bhuvan Bam to Brazil

Exclusive: Here’s what took Indian Youtuber Bhuvan Bam to

Joshimath, a spiritual town&nbsp;in Uttarakhand where Adi Shankaracharya, a religious reformer, acquired enlightenment in the eighth century, has become a matter of countrywide concern.&nbsp;Nearly 66 families have been forced to vacate&nbsp;their homes, the largest ropeway in Asia has been closed to tourists, two hotels have shut their doors for an indefinite period, and locals have taken to the streets. The events in Joshimath come as a second blow to the hill state, the first being the&nbsp;unrest in Haldwani over eviction notices. Many have drawn comparisons between the agitation in Haldwani and the protests in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh over the Citizenship Amendment Act 2020.

On Thursday (5 January),&nbsp;Joshimath villagers blocked the Badrinath national highway amid a new panic as water began to leak from the "Joshimath rock." The residents were already battling menacing cracks and crevices that started to form in their homes, on the roadways, and in their fields.&nbsp;

They heard noises coming from below the ground on Monday (2 January)&nbsp;around midnight. On Wednesday (4 January), many terrified families fled to safer areas, and more are waiting in line. The JP residential estate in Marwari was nearby when an aquifer also burst, adding to the commotion.

On Thursday (5 January), the terrified villagers, who have been pleading with the authorities to halt all construction activities in their "sinking" town, gathered on the streets holding torches. The town is "placed on an old landslide," making it vulnerable, and there is concern that the hillside on which it is built would collapse.

The Uttarakhand government assembled a team of scientists on Thursday (5 January) to determine the cause of the sinking of the land and the cracks in the buildings in an attempt to reassure the locals. The crew will visit the location and look into the cause.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-takes-g20-presidency-at-critical-time-will-provide-solutions-says-chief-coordinator-harsh-shringla-549951">"India takes G20 Presidency at critical time, will provide solutions," says Chief Coordinator Harsh Shringla</a>

By the evening of the&nbsp;same day, the Tapovan-Vishnugad hydro project and the current building of the Helang bypass, which are thought to be two of the primary causes of the sinking, were to be immediately suspended by the orders of the Chamoli district magistrate.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Land subsidence and cracks in many houses continue in Uttarakhand's Joshimath. Cracks have appeared on 561 houses in Joshimath, and water seepage continues from underground in JP Colony, Marwadi. <a href="https://t.co/vo7IxIh1Xl">pic.twitter.com/vo7IxIh1Xl</a>
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1610847313613959170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

News agency&nbsp;ANI&nbsp;stated that cracks have reportedly been observed in as many as 561 houses. “Now the process of increasing cracks in Singhdhar and Marwadi has started. Badrinath NH near Singhdhar Jain locality and JP Company Gate in Marwadi, near the forest department check post, is continuously cracking. This crack is increasing every hour which is worrying," said Joshimath Municipal Chairman Shailendra Pawar who spoke to ANI.&nbsp;

<h2>Sinking Joshimath: First signs of the impending doom</h2>

The devastating landslide in Chamoli, which caused many landslides, made the first mention of the cracks in homes in the national media in 2021. To add some support to the homes they are living in, the locals began using wooden poles. Seismic earthquakes continued to be frequent the next year as well.

Also watch |&nbsp;India's EAM S. Jaishankar takes on Europe's charges, calls out China

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-eam-s-jaishankar-takes-on-europes-charges-calls-out-china-548995/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Uttarakhand government nevertheless established an expert group in 2022. The researchers discovered that a few areas in Joshimath are "sinking" as a result of both man-made and natural factors. The panel discovered that structural faults and damage have been caused by ground subsidence, which is a gradual sinking or sudden settling of the earth's surface caused by the removal or relocation of subsurface components.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
उत्तराखंड: चमोली के जोशीमठ में ज़मीन के धंसने से कई घरों में दरारें आ गई हैं। स्थानीय अपने घरों को खाली कर सुरक्षित स्थानों की तलाश में भटक रहे हैं। 
 
एक स्थानीय ने बताया, "दरारों से कई लोग घर खाली करके चले गए हैं।सरकार तत्काल समाधान निकाले। हम घरों के बाहर रहने के लिए मजबूर हैं।" <a href="https://t.co/mv19LOmJ0p">pic.twitter.com/mv19LOmJ0p</a>
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) <a href="https://twitter.com/AHindinews/status/1609029309062316034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

More than 40 families are said to be living in "such risky conditions" in Joshimath's Gandhinagar, Ravigram, and Sunil regions, according to Lalita Devi, a former ward member of Gandhinagar who spoke to ANI.&nbsp; Additionally, 10 families are said to be living in homes that have wooden poles for additional support.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite a geological examination of the town, the inhabitants claimed that no assistance has yet been given to the affected families.

Notably, Joshimath in the Chamoli district is significant not just because it's close to the Indo-Tibet border but also because it's the last significant town on the roads to Badrinath, Valley of Flowers, and Hemkund.

<h2>Why is Joshimath prone to landslides?</h2>

The town's location is the main factor contributing to Joshimath's sinking. Experts have long cautioned that the landslide debris on which the city was built has a low bearing capacity and cannot support a rapid rate of construction. The slopes have become extremely unstable in the previous few decades due to increased building, hydropower projects, and the extension of the National Highway.

Researchers from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology did a survey in 2022 and found that these gneissic rocks are extremely worn-out , have a poor cohesive value, and have a propensity for high pore pressure when saturated with water, especially during monsoons.

<h2>Joshimath residents blame&nbsp;National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC)</h2>

The government has been charged with "turning a blind eye" to the complaints of the community on the NTPC projects.

Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti leader Atul Sati stated to The Times of India (TOI) that the NTPC confessed "the tunnel was witnessing water seepage from a punctured aquifer, leading to the drying of water sources in Joshimath" in 2020.

Environmentalist Ravi Chopra told TOI that the punctured aquifer inside the Joshimath mountain area would act like a leaking balloon. “Just as water will leak out of the balloon, causing it to gradually collapse, a similar phenomenon may have occurred inside the mountains in the area. ”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-top-court-steps-closer-to-decide-legal-status-of-same-sex-couples-550037">India's top court steps closer to decide legal status of same-sex couples</a>

NPTC officials refuted these assertions, claiming that Joshimath was not "sinking" as a result of the project and that the tunnel was dry, as quoted by the TOI.&nbsp;

<h2>How can Joshimath be revived?&nbsp;Experts suggest ways</h2>

An expert team led by Dr. Ranjit Sinha, Secretary of Disaster Management, has been dispatched by the government to Joshimath to address the situation, and it will deliver its report following a thorough investigation.

Experts advise that all construction and hydroelectric projects in the area be stopped immediately. The population must first move to a safer area, and only then should the town's planning be revised to account for the new variables and shifting geographical conditions.

One of the most important aspects that need investigation and development is drainage planning. As more and more garbage seeps into the soil, loosening it from the inside, the city is suffering from poor drainage and sewer management. The state administration has urged the irrigation department to check into the situation.

In order to preserve the soil capacity in the area, experts have also recommended replanting, particularly at sensitive sites. To save Joshimath, there needs to be a coordinated effort between the government and civil organisations with the help of military organisations like the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Joshimath, a spiritual town in Uttarakhand where Adi Shankaracharya, a religious reformer, acquired enlightenment in the eighth century, has become a matter of countrywide concern.

Joshimath, a spiritual town in Uttarakhand where Adi Shankaracharya, a religious reformer, acquired enlightenment in the eighth century, has become a matter of countrywide concern. Nearly 66 families have been forced to vacate their homes, the largest ropeway in Asia has been closed to tourists, two hotels have shut their doors for an indefinite period, and locals have taken to the streets. The events in Joshimath come as a second blow to the hill state, the first being the unrest in Haldwani over eviction notices. Many have drawn comparisons between the agitation in Haldwani and the protests in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh over the Citizenship Amendment Act 2020. On Thursday (5 January), Joshimath villagers blocked the Badrinath national highway amid a new panic as water began to leak from the "Joshimath rock." The residents were already battling menacing cracks and crevices that started to form in their homes, on the roadways, and in their fields. They heard noises coming from below the ground on Monday (2 January) around midnight. On Wednesday (4 January), many terrified families fled to safer areas, and more are waiting in line. The JP residential estate in Marwari was nearby when an aquifer also burst, adding to the commotion. On Thursday (5 January), the terrified villagers, who have been pleading with the authorities to halt all construction activities in their "sinking" town, gathered on the streets holding torches. The town is "placed on an old landslide," making it vulnerable, and there is concern that the hillside on which it is built would collapse. The Uttarakhand government assembled a team of scientists on Thursday (5 January) to determine the cause of the sinking of the land and the cracks in the buildings in an attempt to reassure the locals. The crew will visit the location and look into the cause. Also read | "India takes G20 Presidency at critical time, will provide solutions," says Chief Coordinator Harsh Shringla By the evening of the same day, the Tapovan-Vishnugad hydro project and the current building of the Helang bypass, which are thought to be two of the primary causes of the sinking, were to be immediately suspended by the orders of the Chamoli district magistrate. #WATCH | Land subsidence and cracks in many houses continue in Uttarakhand's Joshimath. Cracks have appeared on 561 houses in Joshimath, and water seepage continues from underground in JP Colony, Marwadi. pic.twitter.com/vo7IxIh1Xl — ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 5, 2023 × News agency ANI stated that cracks have reportedly been observed in as many as 561 houses. “Now the process of increasing cracks in Singhdhar and Marwadi has started. Badrinath NH near Singhdhar Jain locality and JP Company Gate in Marwadi, near the forest department check post, is continuously cracking. This crack is increasing every hour which is worrying," said Joshimath Municipal Chairman Shailendra Pawar who spoke to ANI. Sinking Joshimath: First signs of the impending doom The devastating landslide in Chamoli, which caused many landslides, made the first mention of the cracks in homes in the national media in 2021. To add some support to the homes they are living in, the locals began using wooden poles. Seismic earthquakes continued to be frequent the next year as well. Also watch | India's EAM S. Jaishankar takes on Europe's charges, calls out China The Uttarakhand government nevertheless established an expert group in 2022. The researchers discovered that a few areas in Joshimath are "sinking" as a result of both man-made and natural factors. The panel discovered that structural faults and damage have been caused by ground subsidence, which is a gradual sinking or sudden settling of the earth's surface caused by the removal or relocation of subsurface components. उत्तराखंड: चमोली के जोशीमठ में ज़मीन के धंसने से कई घरों में दरारें आ गई हैं। स्थानीय अपने घरों को खाली कर सुरक्षित स्थानों की तलाश में भटक रहे हैं। एक स्थानीय ने बताया, "दरारों से कई लोग घर खाली करके चले गए हैं।सरकार तत्काल समाधान निकाले। हम घरों के बाहर रहने के लिए मजबूर हैं।" pic.twitter.com/mv19LOmJ0p — ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) December 31, 2022 × More than 40 families are said to be living in "such risky conditions" in Joshimath's Gandhinagar, Ravigram, and Sunil regions, according to Lalita Devi, a former ward member of Gandhinagar who spoke to ANI. Additionally, 10 families are said to be living in homes that have wooden poles for additional support. Despite a geological examination of the town, the inhabitants claimed that no assistance has yet been given to the affected families. Notably, Joshimath in the Chamoli district is significant not just because it's close to the Indo-Tibet border but also because it's the last significant town on the roads to Badrinath, Valley of Flowers, and Hemkund. Why is Joshimath prone to landslides? The town's location is the main factor contributing to Joshimath's sinking. Experts have long cautioned that the landslide debris on which the city was built has a low bearing capacity and cannot support a rapid rate of construction. The slopes have become extremely unstable in the previous few decades due to increased building, hydropower projects, and the extension of the National Highway. Researchers from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology did a survey in 2022 and found that these gneissic rocks are extremely worn-out , have a poor cohesive value, and have a propensity for high pore pressure when saturated with water, especially during monsoons. Joshimath residents blame National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) The government has been charged with "turning a blind eye" to the complaints of the community on the NTPC projects. Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti leader Atul Sati stated to The Times of India (TOI) that the NTPC confessed "the tunnel was witnessing water seepage from a punctured aquifer, leading to the drying of water sources in Joshimath" in 2020. Environmentalist Ravi Chopra told TOI that the punctured aquifer inside the Joshimath mountain area would act like a leaking balloon. “Just as water will leak out of the balloon, causing it to gradually collapse, a similar phenomenon may have occurred inside the mountains in the area. ” Also read | India's top court steps closer to decide legal status of same-sex couples NPTC officials refuted these assertions, claiming that Joshimath was not "sinking" as a result of the project and that the tunnel was dry, as quoted by the TOI. How can Joshimath be revived? Experts suggest ways An expert team led by Dr. Ranjit Sinha, Secretary of Disaster Management, has been dispatched by the government to Joshimath to address the situation, and it will deliver its report following a thorough investigation. Experts advise that all construction and hydroelectric projects in the area be stopped immediately. The population must first move to a safer area, and only then should the town's planning be revised to account for the new variables and shifting geographical conditions. One of the most important aspects that need investigation and development is drainage planning. As more and more garbage seeps into the soil, loosening it from the inside, the city is suffering from poor drainage and sewer management. The state administration has urged the irrigation department to check into the situation. In order to preserve the soil capacity in the area, experts have also recommended replanting, particularly at sensitive sites. To save Joshimath, there needs to be a coordinated effort between the government and civil organisations with the help of military organisations like the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Joshimath sinking: Why is this town in India's Uttarakhand falling apart?

Uzbekistan authorities on Friday (January 6) arrested four people in connection with the ongoing investigation of an Indian-made cough syrup blamed for the deaths of 19 children.

Uzbekistan authorities on Friday (January 6) arrested four people in connection with the ongoing investigation of an Indian-made cough syrup blamed for the deaths of 19 children. The cough syrup- Doc-1 Max was manufactured by Indian-based pharmaceutical Marion Biotech. The company has suspended production of all medicines (including Doc-1 Max) at its unit in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Of these deaths in Uzbekistan, 18 children were from the southeastern city of Samarkand and the 19th victim, a one-year-old child, was from the Qashqadaryo region. ALSO READ | India-made cough syrup blamed for kids' deaths in Uzbekistan, production halted at unit Speaking to the news agency Reuters, the Uzbek state security service said on Friday that among the four arrested- two were senior employees of the Scientific Center for Standardization of Medicines, who circumvented the proper testing procedures for Doc-1 Max. The other two arrested were executives of Quramax Medikal- a company that imported Marion Biotech's medicines. In December last year, Uzbekistan's health ministry said the cough syrup contained ethylene glycol, a toxic substance, adding it was administered in doses higher than the standard dose for children. The 19 children died due to acute renal failure. Earlier, the government had temporarily suspended sales of all Marion Biotech medicines across Uzbekistan. On December 30, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that it was in touch with Uzbekistan's authorities and was in the process of gathering information and validating reports regarding the cough syrup deaths. ALSO READ | India's Maiden Pharmaceuticals culpable for cough syrup deaths: Gambia panel India's health minister Mansukh Mandaviya, meanwhile, said on December 29, 2022, that Indian investigators spoke to their Uzbek counterparts and Marion Biotech's facility was being inspected. Taking to Twitter, Mandaviya said that samples of the cough syrup were taken from the manufacturing premises and sent to the Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory in Chandigarh for testing. This is the second instance where an Indian pharmaceutical has come under the scanner for children dying after consuming cough syrups. Last year, Maiden Pharmaceuticals was held responsible for the deaths of at least 70 children in Gambia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Uzbekistan: Four arrested over Indian-made cough syrup deaths

Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency, Harsh Shringla has said that New Delhi takes over presidency at "critical time" at a time of "great deal of uncertainty, political , economic, security related uncertainty" and focus will be on solution. Speaking exclusively to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Shringla explained that "rest of the world looks to the G20 to provide solutions to many of the challenges that confront them, from issues like indebtedness, inflation, paying high prices for basic necessities like fuel, food". India took over the Presidency of the grouping on 1st December 2022 and will host the mega summit in September. Along the summit India also hosts over 200 meetings in 57 different locations. The mega grouping represents more than 80 percent of world GDP, 75 percent of international trade and 60 percent of the world population.

"India takes G20 Presidency at critical time" says Chief Coordinator Harsh Shringla

Tensions are rising between India and Pakistan cricketing establishments, Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Najam Aziz Sethi has taken a sarcastic jibe at the Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah claiming that he unilaterally announced the Asian Cricket Council's two-year calendar.

Cricket boards at war: Row over Asia Cup intensifies, BCCI and PCB on collision course again

Is it true that NITI Aayog, an Indian policy think-tank, has released information with regard to the privatisation of Indian banks? As per multiple reports, the so-called list enlists banks which will be kept out of the privatisation process and some other information about the upcoming plans on the same.&nbsp;Two banks and one general insurance company may be privatised in the future, as per the circulated news. Before getting clarity on whether the news is correct or not, let us look at its background of it. The government consolidated four out of ten banks in August 2019, reducing the country's overall number of public sector banks from 27 to 12.&nbsp;

The Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank were merged into PNB, according the proposal. Canara Bank and&nbsp;Syndicate Bank were consolidated.&nbsp;Union Bank was consolidated with&nbsp;Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank. The merger of Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank also took effect on 1 April, 2020.

<h2>So will State Bank of India be privatised?&nbsp;</h2>

According to the circulated news, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank, Canara Bank, State Bank of India, Indian Bank and Bank of Baroda will not be privatised. Moreover, the circulated news also said that none of the banks that were there in the consolidation process is eligible to participate in the privatisation process.&nbsp;The Indian government has set a current disinvestment objective for FY22 of Rs. 1.75 lakh crore.&nbsp;

<h2>All India Radio Service clears air</h2>

According to All India Radio Service, NITI Aayog has denied releasing any list of banks which are to be privatised.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NITI Aayog says that a fictitious message is being circulated in media regarding list shared by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NITIAayog?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NITIAayog</a> on privatization of Public Sector Banks. It clarifies that no such list has been shared by <a href="https://twitter.com/NITIAayog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NITIAayog</a> in any form. <a href="https://t.co/Ga9kbdmRNr">pic.twitter.com/Ga9kbdmRNr</a>
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) <a href="https://twitter.com/airnewsalerts/status/1611222380533383168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Taking to Twitter, the Indian Public Service Broadcaster, wrote, "NITI Aayog says that a fictitious message is being circulated in media regarding list shared by #NITIAayog on privatization of Public Sector Banks. It clarifies that no such list has been shared by&nbsp;@NITIAayog&nbsp;in any form."&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Is it true that NITI Aayog, an Indian policy think-tank, has released information with regard to the privatisation of Indian banks? As per multiple reports, the so-called list enlists banks which will be kept out of the privatisation process and some other information about the upcoming plans on the same.

Is it true that NITI Aayog, an Indian policy think-tank, has released information with regard to the privatisation of Indian banks? As per multiple reports, the so-called list enlists banks which will be kept out of the privatisation process and some other information about the upcoming plans on the same. Two banks and one general insurance company may be privatised in the future, as per the circulated news. Before getting clarity on whether the news is correct or not, let us look at its background of it. The government consolidated four out of ten banks in August 2019, reducing the country's overall number of public sector banks from 27 to 12. The Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank were merged into PNB, according the proposal. Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank were consolidated. Union Bank was consolidated with Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank. The merger of Indian Bank and Allahabad Bank also took effect on 1 April, 2020. So will State Bank of India be privatised? According to the circulated news, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank, Canara Bank, State Bank of India, Indian Bank and Bank of Baroda will not be privatised. Moreover, the circulated news also said that none of the banks that were there in the consolidation process is eligible to participate in the privatisation process. The Indian government has set a current disinvestment objective for FY22 of Rs. 1.75 lakh crore. All India Radio Service clears air According to All India Radio Service, NITI Aayog has denied releasing any list of banks which are to be privatised. NITI Aayog says that a fictitious message is being circulated in media regarding list shared by #NITIAayog on privatization of Public Sector Banks. It clarifies that no such list has been shared by @NITIAayog in any form. pic.twitter.com/Ga9kbdmRNr — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) January 6, 2023 × Taking to Twitter, the Indian Public Service Broadcaster, wrote, "NITI Aayog says that a fictitious message is being circulated in media regarding list shared by #NITIAayog on privatization of Public Sector Banks. It clarifies that no such list has been shared by @NITIAayog in any form."

DEBUNKED: Did NITI Aayog release a list of Indian banks for privatisation?

Indian cricket team captain Hardik Pandya was not a pleased man after his side surrendered the advantage in the series on Thursday. Pandya was especially not happy with the bowlers and pointed at Arshdeep Singh to get his basics right.

Indian cricket team captain Hardik Pandya was not a pleased man after his side surrendered the advantage in the series on Thursday. Pandya was especially not happy with the bowlers and pointed at Arshdeep Singh to get his basics right. During the post-match presentation ceremony, Pandya reflected on the extras bowled by his bowlers and called the players to tighten up their basics of the game. "Going for runs is fine but no balls aren't. Not blaming or being hard but he (Arshdeep) needs to go back and make sure these basic errors don't happen at this level. It's not about blaming but no ball is a crime," Pandya told Murli Kartik. The left-arm medium pacer had an off day in the field as he bowled as many as five no-balls during his two-over spell. Singh leaked 37 runs and became the first bowler in T20I history to bowl three no-balls on the trot. "Both bowling and batting - powerplay hurt us. We made basic errors which we shouldn't do at this level. Learning should be the basics we can control. You can have a bad day but shouldn't be going away from basics," added Pandya. Read more: IND vs SL 2023, 2nd T20I: Sri Lanka narrowly escape Axar Patel's late blitz to level series in Pune India were scratchy from the beginning after putting the visitors to bat first at the MCA Stadium in June. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put on an 80-run partnership in under nine overs before Chahal made the first breakthrough. After the wicket, India managed to claw their way back into the game as the Sri Lankan innings appeared going nowhere at the end of the 16th over as the scoreboard read 138/6. However, skipper Dasun Shanaka stepped onto the plate and single-handedly changed the course of the match. Striking at 254.55, the right-handed batter smoked six sixes and two fours en-route to his 22-ball 56. Courtesy of his magnificent knock, Sri Lanka managed a steep-looking score of 206 for six in 20 overs. Chasing the total, India got off to the worst possible start four wickets fell in the powerplay. Despite a salvo from Axar Patel at the fag end of the innings, India fell short of the target by 16 runs. Read more: EXCLUSIVE - Right people around me helped me taste success – Varun Kapur, ex-World No 1 in Junior Rankings The decider of the series will be played in Rajkot on Saturday, January 7th. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'He needs to go back...': Hardik Pandya has advice for this bowler after loss against Sri Lanka

india

India, News on India, stories on India, articles on India, India stories at Wion, India news, India latest news