The Daily Brief – 26th February 2019

The government has released the draft e-commerce policy that focuses on six broad issues of the e-commerce sector, which includes data, infrastructure development, e-commerce marketplaces, regulatory issues, stimulating domestic digital economy and export promotion through e-commerce. Every e-commerce company will have to construct a registered business entity in India as the importer on record or as the entity through which all sales in India are transacted.

The government of Himachal Pradesh has made an announcement of Monkey as Vermin for the period of one year in 11 districts of the state. The state government had urged the centre to declare Monkeys as vermin. Vermin refers to pests or nuisance animals which spread diseases or destroy crops or livestock. In India Section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 empowers the states to send a list of wild animals to the Centre requesting it to declare them vermin for selective slaughter.

Deloitte’s Global CEO, Punit Renjen in the presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched Deloitte’s global initiative ‘WorldClass’ in India for the empowerment of women. WorldClass programme in India, with an aim to support 10 million girls and women by 2030 through education and skills development, will focus on improving girls’ retention rate in school, higher educational outcomes, and skills development for women to access employment.

For the first time, India will attend the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers Meet as a Guest of Honour. The 46th Session of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers is going to be held in Abu Dhabi from March 1 to 2, 2019. Established in 1969 and Headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the OIC aims to provide a collective voice to the Muslim world and safeguard and protect interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony.

US President Donald Trump has announced the nomination of Kelly Knight Craft as the new US ambassador to the UN after the resignation of Nikki Haley. The appointment would be formalised after the approval by the US Senate. Kelly Knight Craft is currently serving as the US ambassador to Canada, first woman to hold this post. Previously she had served as an alternate delegate to the UN during President George W Bush’s reign where her focuses included Africa.

Afghanistan has launched a new export route to India through the through the Chabahar Port of Iran. Chabahar port is seen as a testimony of healthy cooperation between India, Iran and Afghanistan this will ensure economic growth. This route allows both India and Afghanistan to engage in trade bypassing Pakistan. India is the largest export destination for Afghanistan with exports of $740 million in 2018.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the National War Memorial to the nation on February 25, 2019 in New Delhi. It is a fitting tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation, post-independence with the names of 25,942 martyrs etched in stone forever. The layout of the National War Memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely: Amar Chakra or Circle of Immortality, Veerta Chakra, Tyag Chakra and Rakshak Chakra or Circle of Protection.

The 91st Academy Awards, popularly known as Oscar Awards, were conferred on February 24, 2019. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ won the most Oscars at the award show. Green Book was named the best picture, while ‘Roma’ director Alfonso Cuaron was named the best director. Best Actor and Best Actress were won by Rami Malek and Olivia Colman respectively. The first Oscar Awards were presented on 16 May 1929.