ZANU-PF Party to Launch Impeachment Process for President Robert Mugabe
Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party will launch the Parliamentary process for impeaching President Robert Mugabe. The decision came after Mugabe missed a deadline to resign given to him by his party.
North Korea Designated as State Sponsor of Terrorism
President Donald Trump designated North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, allowing the United States to impose additional sanctions and penalties against Pyongyang as it continues to pursue nuclear weapons programmes. North Korea is pursuing nuclear weapons and missile programmes in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions and has made no secret of its plans to develop a missile capable of hitting the US mainland.
Merkel Not to Resign After Germany Coalition Talks Fail
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she saw no reason to resign after the collapse of talks about a threeway coalition government, adding her conservative bloc would enter any new elections more unified than before.Merkel said she is “very skeptical” about the idea of running a minority government and new election would be a better option if it’s not possible to form a coalition. Merkel’s attempt to build a coalition of her conservatives and two smaller parties collapsed on Sunday.
The government has granted infrastructure status to the logistics sector, including cold chain and warehousing, which is likely to reduce cost of capital and encourage job creation and manufacturing. The inclusion of logistics sector in the harmonised master list of infrastructure sub-sectors was considered in the 14th institutional mechanism meeting. “Logistics Infrastructure” has been included by insertion in the master list of infrastructure sub-sectors in the renamed category of “Transport and Logistics”. The move will enable the logistics sector to avail infrastructure lending at easier terms with enhanced limits, access to larger amounts of funds as external commercial borrowings (ECB), access to longer tenor funds from insurance companies and pension funds, and be eligible to borrow from India Infrastructure Financing Company Limited (IIFCL).
SBI Life to Reduce Premium Rates for Term Plans
To compete with rivals, SBI Life Insurance will reduce premium rates for its term plans. The premium revision will depend upon the age of insured person and the period for which the policy has been subscribed.
Donear Group Acquires OCM Woolen Mills
The promotors of Textile Player Donear have acquired OCM woolen mills. The acquisition will make the Donear Group the largest branded menswear fabric manufacturer.
Grigor Dimitrov claimed the biggest title of his career and sent out a huge statement of intent as he beat David Goffin to win the ATP finals. Dimitrov’s unbeaten run earned him $2.5 million, while the 1,500 ranking points have catapulted him to end an impressive year ranked third in the world- behind only all-time greats Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Bina Agarwal wins International Balzan Prize
Academician Bina Agarwal was presented the International Balzan Prize by Switzerland President Doris Leuthard at a ceremony in Swiss Parliament building at Berne. She was selected for the award specifically “For challenging established premises in economics and the social sciences by using an innovative gender perspective”.
Jana Novotna Dies of Cancer
Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna was a true winner but it was the misfortune of the brilliant Czech, who died on Monday aged 49, to always be recalled for one of sport’s most famous and heartrending meltdowns despite her collection of 100 tennis titles.
First Indigenous Powered Submarine set to be Commissioned
Eighteen years after an action plan was announced for having 24 modern submarines by 2030, the first indigenous conventionally powered submarine is set to be commissioned in mid-December. The submarine named ‘ Kalvari’ will be the first diesel-electric version to be commissioned under the action plan announced in 1999. The Kalvari is the first of the six scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines being built by Mazagon Docks Limited, in collaboration with France’s Naval Group.
New Delhi to Get ‘Eco-Friendly’ Industrial Hub
The Delhi government is planning to build an eco-friendly industrial hub at Ranikhera by 2021. The industrial estate would cater to specific needs of IT, ITeS industry, and research and will have 10-12 clusters of different industries. The new facility promises to be a large multilevel manufacturing hub for industries to set up or expand activities in the “non- polluting” manufacturing sector.