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Panel led by former ISRO chief formed to overhaul exam system, India

Kavya Kapoor
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Amid a row over irregularities in competitive exams, the ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA).

In an expedited action, the panel will have its first meeting tomorrow (Monday). The committee is slated to submit its report within two months. The reforms that recommended will be implemented by the next exam cycle. The panel will also look into the exam calendar and make suggestions, a source said.

The panel will make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of the NTA.

Former AIIMS-Delhi director Randeep Guleria, University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor BJ Rao, professor emeritus in IIT-Madras’ Department of Civil Engineering K Ramamurthy, People Strong co-founder and Karmayogi Bharat board member Pankaj Bansal, IIT-Delhi Dean of Student Affairs Aditya Mittal and Education Ministry Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal are other members of the panel.

The committee has also been tasked with examining the existing security protocols related to the setting of the papers and other processes for different examinations and making recommendations to enhance the robustness of the system.

The NTA, which is under fire over the lapses in the conduct of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) and the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), on Sunday conducted a retest for the medical entrance exam for 1,563 candidates earlier awarded grace marks to make up for the loss of time at six centres.

While NEET-UG 2024 is under scanner over several irregularities, including alleged paper leaks, the UGC-NET was cancelled a day after it was conducted as the ministry received input that its integrity had been compromised.

Taiwan President Defends Democracy Against China Threats

Siddharth Mehta
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Taiwan President Lai Ching-te defended democracy, calling autocracy the real evil, as China threatened severe penalties for Taiwan independence. Lai emphasized that China has no right to punish Taiwan’s citizens for their beliefs and called for dialogue between the two nations. Relations remain strained over sovereignty claims.

Democracy is not a crime and autocracy is the real evil, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Monday after China threatened to impose the death penalty in extreme cases for diehard Taiwan independence separatists. China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has made no secret of its dislike of Lai, who took office last month, saying he is a separatist, and staged war games shortly after his inauguration.

On Friday, China ramped up its pressure on Taiwan by issuing new legal guidelines to punish those it says support the island’s formal independence, though Chinese courts have no jurisdiction on the democratically governed island. Asked about China’s move at a news conference at the presidential office in Taipei, Lai first reiterated his sympathy for recent flooding in southern China before responding.

I want to stress: democracy is not a crime; it’s autocracy that is the real evil. China has absolutely no right to sanction Taiwan’s people just because of the positions they hold. What’s more, China has no right to go after Taiwan people’s rights across borders, he said. According China, anyone who does not uphold reunification is therefore a Taiwan independence supporter, Lai added.

I also want to call on China to face up to the existence of the Republic of China and have exchanges and dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected, legitimate government, he said, using Taiwan’s formal name. If this is not done, relations between Taiwan and China will only become more and more estranged. Lai rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future. He has repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed.

China says any move by Taiwan to declare formal independence would be grounds to attack the island. The government in Taipei says Taiwan is already an independent country, the Republic of China, and that it does not plan to change that. The Republican government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong’s Communists.

Hyundai Motor Boosting EV Range with NCM Batteries and Manufacturing Expansion, South Korea

Neha Sharma
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Hyundai Motor Boosting EV Range with NCM Batteries and Manufacturing Expansion, South Korea

Hyundai Motor Group is reinforcing its supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and enhancing internal manufacturing capabilities to offer EV models with extended driving ranges.

Recent agreements with lithium suppliers, including Chilean company SQM, signify Hyundai’s commitment to securing essential lithium hydroxide for its EV batteries. By opting for lithium hydroxide, Hyundai aims to utilize high-capacity NCM batteries known for their energy density, enabling longer driving ranges compared to traditional LFP batteries.

The move towards NCM batteries is evident in Kia’s upcoming EV models like the EV3, designed to deliver impressive driving ranges of up to 501 kilometers on a single charge. Hyundai’s Casper Electric SUV also promises a maximum range of 315 kilometers, showcasing the group’s emphasis on offering competitive driving capabilities in the EV market.

To address cost concerns associated with NCM batteries, Hyundai is ramping up battery production at its Indonesian plant in collaboration with LG Energy Solution. By internalizing production, Hyundai seeks to mitigate the financial burden on customers while providing high-performance EVs with enhanced driving ranges.

Industry experts emphasize the importance of affordable EV options that deliver both value and performance to bridge the gap in EV adoption. As governments consider scaling back subsidies, manufacturers must focus on diversifying their supply chains and optimizing battery technology to meet the evolving demands of eco-conscious consumers.

The ongoing efforts by Hyundai Motor Group to strengthen its battery supply chain and production capacities underscore its commitment to driving innovation in the EV sector. By prioritizing driving range, affordability, and sustainability, Hyundai is poised to make significant strides in shaping the future of electric mobility.

Australian Supermarkets Face Heavy Fines for Anti-Competitive Practices

Shreya Gupta
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Australian supermarket chains will face large fines for anti-competitive behavior under new laws. The federal government has accepted all recommendations of a review into the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, imposing new obligations on large supermarket chains to treat their suppliers fairly. Legislation introduced to parliament will make the code mandatory for chains with annual revenue exceeding 5 billion Australian dollars. Supermarkets will be required to deal with suppliers in good faith to prevent retribution against those who raise concerns. Severe breaches will result in fines of three times the benefit from misconduct, 10 million AUD, or 10 percent of turnover in the preceding 12 months. Treasurer Jim Chalmers stressed these measures are about ensuring fair prices for families and farmers. Woolworths Group and Coles Group, major supermarket chains in Australia, face increased scrutiny following these developments.

Senior Conservative Official Steps Aside in UK Election Betting Scandal

Siddharth Mehta
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London: A second senior Conservative official has stood aside amid an election betting scandal that has engulfed Britain’s ruling party just two weeks from polling day.

Nick Mason, the Tories’ chief data officer, has taken a leave of absence from his role 11 days from the July 4 election as the regulator probes his possible use of privileged information to bet on the vote, several British media outlets reported.

The betting scandal has dealt a heavy blow to the Conservatives as they battle to revive its struggling campaign ahead of the vote. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing severe criticism over his handling of the saga, as calls grow for him to suspend party figures who are being probed by the Gambling Commission.

The revelation was first reported by The Sunday Times which claimed dozens of bets had been placed with potential winnings worth thousands of pounds. The watchdog was also reported to have widened its inquiries to investigate whether people with inside knowledge may have asked a third party to place a bet for them.

Police Detain Five Over Drug-Like Substance in Pune Bar, India

Sophia Anderson
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Police Detain Five Over Drug-Like Substance in Pune Bar, India

Police have launched a probe and detained five persons after a viral video purportedly showed some people with a drug-like substance at a bar in Pune, an official said on Sunday.

Two policemen were also suspended after it came to light that the bar allowed a group of youngsters to party on its premises beyond permissible time, a senior official said.

A video widely shared on social media purportedly showed some youths sitting with a powdery substance, while many others dancing to loud music at the bar located on Fergusson College Road.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Sandeep Singh Gill, five people have been detained over the matter and the process of registering a case was underway.

Prima facie, an event organiser named Akshay Kamthe took 40 to 50 youths to the bar named L3 located at FC Road in Pune city for a late-night party. He managed to get the main door of the bar closed and allowed the youths to enter from the backdoor, the official said.

Police said the party started after 1.30 am, after the closing time for such joints, on Sunday and went on for the next few hours. Before having a blast at L3, the group had another party in the Hadapsar area, they said.

The party at L3 was held flouting the rules. We are probing whether any narcotic substance was consumed in the party. Two police personnel of the Shivaji Nagar police station have been suspended (for lapses), Gill said.

The incident comes in the wake of a crackdown by the Pune police on bars and lounges following the Porsche car crash that claimed the lives of two techies last month in the city’s Kalyani Nagar.

The minor son a builder was driving the Porsche after consuming alcohol at two joints when it fatally knocked down the two software professionals in the early hours of May 19, according to the Pune police.

India Boosts Naval Strength with New Kalvari-class Submarine Deal Valued at ₹35,000 Crore

Neha Sharma
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New Delhi: Talks on acquiring additional Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines for the Navy have progressed, with state-owned Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) in advanced discussions for a potential ₹35,000-crore deal that will help boost India’s underwater strength.

Sources said that the new submarines — three additional Kalvari-class which are under negotiation — will be larger than their predecessor and will be packed with modern electronics that will give them better strength and longer endurance.

Technological advances in propulsion will also be integrated on the new boats, which will be able to travel further than their predecessors that have already demonstrated the ability to reach as far as Australia as part of operational deployments.

MDL has submitted a detailed techno-commercial bid for the contract to the Defence Ministry, which has promised at least 60% indigenous content in the new boats, with a large chunk of the work going to Indian sub suppliers and the MSME sector.

While the final pricing will be determined after hard negotiations between MDL and the Ministry, the deal could be valued at around Rs 35,000 crore, sources said, adding that this would be in line with international prices for new submarines of the class. The order is expected to create close to 5,000 jobs over the years, with a major part of the contract value staying within the India ecosystem.

Given the urgent requirement of conventional submarines, the order for additional submarines will come as a relief for the Navy as the largest fleet of Russian-origin Kilo class boats are already stretching their service life. The Navy is also pursuing a case to construct six conventional submarines in India under Project 75I.

MDL is currently constructing the Kalvari class of submarines under Project 75 with French assistance, with the sixth and final one likely to be delivered by the end of this year. As per MDL’s proposal, the additional submarines can be delivered within six years.

The high percentage of indigenous content in these submarines is expected to lead to significant technology transfer, paving the way for future submarines of the class to be fully designed and developed indigenously. This new development aligns with India’s efforts towards enhancing its naval capabilities and ensuring maritime security in the region.

Special Counsel Seeks Gag Order on Trump Over FBI Threat Claim

Siddharth Mehta
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Special Counsel Seeks Gag Order on Trump Over FBI Threat Claim

Special Counsel Asks Judge to Impose Gag Order on Trump, Citing New FBI Threat

Special counsel Jack Smith’s office again requested a federal judge impose a gag order on former President Donald Trump in his classified records case, citing new evidence of an alleged threat targeting an FBI agent. In a court filing submitted on June 21, Mr. Smith urged U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to rule in his favor, referring to a recent incident where a Trump supporter allegedly threatened an FBI agent. The motion emphasized the need to protect law enforcement agents involved in the case and highlighted the seriousness of the threat made. Trump’s legal team has opposed the gag order, arguing it infringes on his First Amendment rights and timing is suspect as he is a leading candidate for the 2024 election. The judge has not yet ruled on the latest request for a gag order.

Beware: 3 in 10 Job Postings Potentially Fake, Could Harm Trust – Study

Shreya Gupta
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Beware: 3 in 10 Job Postings Potentially Fake, Could Harm Trust – Study

A recent survey by Resume Builder found that three out of every ten job postings are potentially fake. The survey, as shared by Business Insider, was conducted among nearly 650 hiring managers. Stacie Haller, chief career advisor at Resume Builder, expressed concern over the ethical implications of this practice, noting that it undermines trust among current and prospective employees. She emphasized that such tactics could backfire by damaging a company’s reputation when exposed. Interestingly, the prevalence of fake job listings isn’t limited to small firms or staffing agencies; increasingly, larger companies are adopting this strategy. This trend adds to job seekers’ frustration, particularly in industries like technology, where the job market remains competitive despite overall strength in employment opportunities. Haller pointed out that the reasons for posting fake jobs range from attracting external talent to managing internal workforce perceptions. However, she questioned whether such practices boost work productivity or create employee anxiety. She urged employers to adopt more transparent hiring practices to build trust and avoid misleading potential candidates. Despite the ethical concerns, the survey also revealed that some applicants who applied for fake positions were contacted for interviews, indicating that these listings sometimes yield real job opportunities despite the deception. As for job seekers, Haller advised them to verify the authenticity of listings by researching the hiring company and checking the posting date, suggesting that outdated postings are often red flags for potential scams or misleading advertisements.

Muslim Family Targeted in Hate Crime Attack at Texas Swimming Pool, US

Sophia Anderson
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‘exas woman ‘tried to drown’ 3-year-old Palestinian child’

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on the Texas police to conduct a hate crime probe on an attack against a Muslim family.

The attack, which occurred at a local swimming pool in Euless, Texas, on 19 May, saw Elizabeth Wolf attack a mother and two children after hearing them speak a foreign language.

After questioning the mother, Wolf then attempted to drag the 6-year-old and 3-year-old children into the deep end of the pool where they were swimming, although the 6-year-old managed to flee.

As well as dragging the kids into the deep end of the pool the attacker grabbed the hijab off the mother and beat her with it whilst attempting to put the three-year-old child’s head under water.

After an intervention from a member of the public and arrest by the police, the woman shouted to a bystander to tell her [the mother] I will kill her, and I will kill her whole family.

In a statement, the children’s mother said: We are American citizens, originally from Palestine, and I don’t know where to go to feel safe with my kids. My country is facing a war, and we are facing that hate here.

My daughter is traumatized; whenever I open the apartment door, she runs away and hides, telling me she is afraid the lady will come and immerse her head in the water again.

Also, my husband’s employment is jeopardized due to having to leave work to accompany me and our four kids whenever we have appointments and errands to run.

CAIR-Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan said that she feared a new level of bigotry is arising in the US and added she was devastated that the perpetrator was given bail the day after her arrest.

We ask for hate-crime probe, a higher bail bond, and an open conversation with officials to address this alarming increase in Islamophobia, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian sentiment, she added.

Wolf has since been charged with attempted murder and injury to a child.

The statement from CAIR comes amid a rise of hate-crime related incidents, with CAIR saying that in the last three months of 2023 3,578 complaints were made to Muslim civil rights groups about hate-crimes, employment discrimination and education discrimination.

The number if 178 percent higher than the last three months of 2022.

Additionally, data from the Center for the Study of hate and Extremism at California State University also showed a rise in in hate crime incidents driven by an uptick in anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim attacks post outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza.

An analysis of 25 US cities found hate crimes rose an average of 17 percent, although some cities saw a larger increase, including Los Angeles which saw a 48 percent rise in anti-Jewish hate crimes and Chicago which saw a 300 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes.

A number of notable incidents of hate crimes post 7 October, including an incident where three college students of Palestinian descent were shot in Vermont in November.

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