Latest news with #SDR
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
June 20, 1985, Forty Years Ago: $4 bn aid for India
The Aid-India consortium pledged total assistance of four billion dollars to India during the fiscal year 1985-86, which represents an increase of over five per cent in real terms. India will get 3.9 billion dollars in terms of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) as against 3.7 billion dollars last year. This is an increase of 200 million dollars or 5.5 per cent in real terms. In pledging four billion dollars, the World-Bank led consortium has maintained its assistance to India at approximately last year's level. Pak criticises India India expressed 'regret' at the statement of Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zain Noorani, about the human rights of Indian Muslims. An official spokesperson said, 'we regret that the minister should have spoken in such terms about India's internal affairs.' Noorani had made the statement while referring to the anti-reservation agitation in Gujarat. He alleged that the state government has instigated a communal riot to divert attention from the agitation. Cong chief killed The city Congress (I) president, Neta Hakimuddin, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on the Prahlad Nagar road in Meerut. The DIG, police, Nathu Lal told PTI that the Congress (I) leader, who was riding on a rickshaw, was shot from point-blank range by some persons. The bullets hit him on the temple and he died on the spot, he said. The assailants managed to escape.
The Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Sun
Sixteen leprosy cases detected in Kelantan since 2023
GUA MUSANG: Sixteen leprosy cases have been detected in Kelantan from 2023 up to the middle of this year. State Health Director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said three cases were recorded this year, seven in 2023 and six throughout 2024. 'In 2023, there were seven cases, five were Multibacillary (MB) type and two were Paucibacillary (PB). For 2024, six cases were recorded, all of which were of the MB type. 'The Health Ministry (MoH) has implemented preventive treatment for leprosy through the administration of Single Dose Rifampicin (SDR) to individuals who had close contact with patients, as a step to reduce the risk of infection,' he told reporters after opening the 2025 Kelantan-Level World Leprosy Day celebration at Kampung Pasir Linggi, Pos Lebir, here today. He said all patients who have completed treatment must undergo extended monitoring at treatment centres, five years for PB cases and ten years for MB cases. 'The treatment duration for PB patients is six months, while for MB cases it is 12 months. The MoH carries out continuous monitoring, especially in areas identified as high-risk,' he said. Dr Zaini said leprosy does not have distinct symptoms and is often confused with other skin conditions, such as 'panau' (tinea versicolor), a superficial fungal skin infection that causes discolored patches on the skin. 'There may be whitish patches on the skin, but a key difference is the loss of sensation in the affected area due to nerve damage. 'Therefore, early screening and collecting skin smears are essential for laboratory analysis,' he said.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Air India faces Rs 1,000 cr liability as legal claims mount after AI171 crash
Reuters Aircraft accidents, though rare, leave a devastating impact that extends far beyond the wreckage of lives. Compensation becomes not only a matter of monetary redress, but a crucial step toward accountability, closure and rebuilding the aftermath of last week's AI 171 tragedy, Air India offered ₹1 cr as compensation per deceased person to his or her next of kin. While this announcement was prompt and appears generous, the airline could be on the hook for a much higher amount. Families may have significant claims, depending on how the investigation unfolds. India has ratified the 'Montreal Convention' - Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air - by incorporating it into the Carriage by Air Act 1972. This provides for a 2-tier compensation system defined in terms of special drawing rights (SDR), an international reserve asset created by IMF to supplement official reserves of its member countries. Accordingly: The airline must compensate the kin of the deceased passengers up to SDR 128,821 (₹1.6 cr), regardless of any fault or wrongdoing by the airline. This compensation is the absolute minimum, without exception. Some media reports have indicated that the ₹1 cr offered by AI is separate, and in addition to the SDR amount required under the convention. Kin of the deceased may seek compensation over and above this SDR amount, based on actual loss. This would be calculated on lost income, and companionship of victims who sustained their families and dependents. AI could avoid higher compensation only if it proves there was no negligence, wrongful act or omission by the airline (including its servants or agents, which include various third parties engaged by the airline to service the aircraft or assist with the flight).Alternatively, the airline could defend itself if the accident occurred solely due to wrongful acts, or omissions of a third party, such as in the case of terrorism. The legal burden is on the airline to prove that the mishap did not occur due to its conduct, or that it occurred due to the conduct of a third such cases, families of Indian victims could also approach consumer fora under the Consumer Protection Act 2019. The consumer protection law is in addition to remedies available under the Montreal Convention as read with the Carriage by Air families of foreign passengers, legal options extend beyond India. Since the convention applies almost globally, they could file lawsuits in their home countries, where compensation standards may be India has also offered ₹1 cr to the families of the deceased medical college students and staff, and people on the ground. Securing higher compensation is more challenging for families of victims on the ground. Both Carriage by Air Act and Consumer Protection Act are meant for passengers on the ill-fated aircraft. The next of kin of ground fatalities would have to approach a civil court in India seeking compensation under Fatal Accidents Act 1855, which provides compensation to the family of a person who dies in the case of wrongful option is a tort law claim, where damages for negligence could be sought. In both these options, Air India would be liable if it's at fault - that is, if the accident was a result of its act, omission or oversight. The total compensation payout to victims could well exceed ₹1,000 cr. Beyond victim compensation, Air India also faces significant costs for property damage, aircraft loss, emergency response and disrupted the compensation payout in cases of similar incidents has touched ₹4,500 cr ($500 mn). Air India likely maintains adequate insurance coverage that would cover these costs, or at least a substantial part. But if claims exceed coverage, the financial hit could be severe. Vaidyanathan is managing partner, and Sarvankar is senior associate, BTG Advaya (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Worrying cracks hiding behind MG Motor's own 'house of Windsor' Is India ready to hit the aspirational 8% growth mark? INR1,300 crore loans for INR100? Stamp duty notice to ArcelorMittal, banks. Why failed small businessmen die by suicide when those behind big blow-ups bounce back? Stock Radar: Falling trendline breakout on daily and weekly charts likely to push stock to record highs; check target & stop loss Handle volatility in conventional & unconventional ways: Capital gains & dividend yield. 6 stocks with dividend yield of 4-8%; return of over 22% Keys to wealth creation: Strong balance sheet & patience. 5 large-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of up to 38% Defence stocks: Black & white, and many shades of grey. 10 stocks with an upside potential of up to 30%
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
The move to war readiness requires more than good intentions
It led to a relevant conversation with a friend who remembered visiting HM Naval Base Devonport as a 17-year-old Royal Navy reservist and seeing first-hand the battle scars on HMS Avenger following her return from service in the Falklands war. For him, it made very real the reality of the UK's involvement in that conflict, and it was an example that returned to me when reading the SDR. Read more: The task force deployed to the Falkland Islands for the conflict comprised a staggering 127 ships, which included 69 Naval and Royal Fleet auxiliary assets. The balance was made up by requisitioned Merchant Navy vessels including cruise liners, ferries, cargo ships, freighters, tankers and tugs. The planning and capacity for readiness for war is a sharp reality check. Overall, the SDR can be commended for the solid ambition it lays out for our defence strategy. Notable statements that evidence an honest review and sharp conclusions include the statement of a commitment to NATO first but not NATO only, and the focus on a move for our Armed Forces from "joint" to "integrated" that suggests a breaking down of any existing silos between the three branches of our Armed Forces to deliver 'a more lethal and agile combat force'. From an industrial strategy perspective, the Prime Minister's introduction states an aim to 'drive a new partnership with industry and a radical reform of procurement, creating jobs, wealth, and opportunity in every corner of our country'. As an ambition, this is music to the ears of every company large and small either currently supplying UK defence or aspiring to do so. The "defence dividend" for UK companies can be a catalyst to drive skills, equipment and infrastructure benefits that will deliver increasing social and economic benefits for communities. Read more: In addition, it can bring innovation and cost efficiencies in defence procurement, new export opportunities for industry, and crucially build greater capacity for defence delivery in the unfortunate instance that we move from readiness for warfighting to being on a war footing. If the SDR gets a solid pass mark for ambition, for me its challenge is that there is a lack of evidence that it goes beyond warm words and good intentions. There are a lot of detailed recommendations (sixty-two to be pedantic) within its 144 pages that are hard to tally with last week's spending review which confirms an average annual real growth in the defence budget from 2023/24 to 2028/29 of just 3.6%. The "defence dividend" and crucial capacity increase will only come from the reality of contracts that crystallise demand, flows down the supply chain, and enables long-term planning for investment with all its benefits. Having demand gets us through the first gate, the second is turning the PM's statement of ambition for procurement reform and reduced regulatory burden into a reality, to ensure that these opportunities meet the aim to make defence more accessible and transparent for small to medium-sized enterprises. Whilst the investment of £6 billion for six or more "always on" energetics and munitions factories is certainly new, statements for the attack submarine fleet expansion feel like a bit of overlap with existing programmes and a recycling of the intent announced under the AUKUS partnership, which itself is apparently under review by the Trump administration as part of its 'America first' agenda. Read more: This, combined with a notable absence of mention for the continuation programmes for conventional naval ships, highlights a lack of detail which makes it difficult to delineate the new from continuation. Companies – large or small – cannot initiate the investment that extends capacity and so builds capability, on warm words and good intentions. The well-argued statements of the need to be ready for warfighting have to be backed by action – and contracts – that enable that chain of activity and investment to deliver growth in defence capacity. This will not happen overnight of course, but to match the stark realities and ambitions outlined in the SDR we are surely on a critical path. I look forward to the publication of the defence industrial strategy which will hopefully provide further insight and direction for our engineering and manufacturing sector in Scotland on how they can contribute to the national effort. Paul Sheerin is chief executive of Scottish Engineering.
The National
7 days ago
- Business
- The National
Where is scrutiny of UK's nuclear submarine plans?
In particular, there has yet to be any serious scrutiny of the proposal to build 12 nuclear-propelled submarines under the Aukus agreement, the military co-operation agreement between the US, UK and Australia. This scrutiny is especially necessary given that the Pentagon this week announced a review of its commitment to the agreement, raising questions about whether the billions of pounds committed by the UK Government are destined for the drain. The Aukus agreement's main aim is the material support of the Australian Navy in the Indo-Pacific, primarily by providing it with eight nuclear-powered submarines of the kind announced in the SDR. This means several of the 12 nuclear submarines will probably end up lurking around in the South China Sea, contributing nothing to the defence of the UK and raising regional tensions. READ MORE: Jeremy Corbyn says police 'picked on him' as Gaza protest case dropped No mainstream journalist or news organisation has questioned the Government over whether this is a sensible use of public resources or even a rational 'defence' strategy in any meaningful sense of the word. There has been no coverage of the fact the Government's watchdog the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) recently declared the manufacture of nuclear reactors to power the new Dreadnought submarines 'unachievable'. It gave the nuclear reactor project its lowest rating of 'red' in January of this year, as reported by The Ferret in February. While the IPA assessment rated the delivery of the new Aukus-class submarines as 'amber' ('facing significant issues requiring management attention'), it is widely assumed that the same nuclear reactors will power both the prospective nuclear-armed Dreadnought and Aukus submarines. In short, the Government's own infrastructure office just this year assessed that an indispensable component of all these submarines is not deliverable. This was hardly given a moment's airtime during the media furore on the SDR. (Image: PA) This alone is a serious indictment of Britain's elite journalists and indicates that their role has not been to question the Government's obscene military spending plans but rather to promote them. It therefore falls to citizens and civil society to raise the questions over serious doubts about the Government's costly nuclear plans. The Pentagon's review of its commitment to Aukus to determine if it aligns with the new administration's 'America First' agenda carries a weight of irony. Less than two weeks ago, UK Defence Secretary John Healey was espousing the supposed great benefits of the 'special relationship' with the US in terms of military co-operation and trade. Wednesday's development highlights just how little the UK gains from obsequiously aligning with US geopolitical interests, such as attempting to corral China in the Indo-Pacific. The unreliability of this relationship should compel a total reassessment of the predominant ideology about UK security, which currently prioritises being an arm of the US military in far-flung corners of the world over genuine domestic security. UK CND recently published an Alternative Defence, focusing on strengthening domestic social investment and a programme for common international security. The full report is on the UK CND website. The UK Government's irrational and incoherent military spending plans come at a time when the current generation of submarines based at Faslane are in an increasingly atrocious state of disrepair. Serious radioactive risk incidents at the naval base are increasing. The Vanguard nuclear-armed submarines are going on record-long assignments while their substitutes sit rusting in the repair docks. Crew are likely enduring awful conditions during six-month stints underwater, with some reports saying they ran out of food during the last assignment. Meanwhile, the Dreadnoughts that will supposedly replace these ailing vessels are unlikely to enter service for 10 years at least – if the reactors to power them can be built at all. The UK's nuclear superpower farce is unsustainable and a disaster waiting to happen. Those of us who understand this in Scotland must support the parties which oppose nuclear weapons in the run-up to the 2026 election, and keep up the pressure on Scottish parliamentarians to support the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Samuel Rafanell-Williams is Scottish CND's communications officer
