Canadian border staff will begin "work-to-rule" strike

                                                                                     TOP NEWS IN NUTSHELLS (05 August 2021)

**NATIONAL NEWS**

• BOMMAI CABINET EXPANSION:  CM Basavaraj Bommai inducted 29 ministers into his cabinet on Wednesday. Yediyurappa's younger son and state BJP vice president B Y Vijayendra was not included in the cabinet.
• 6 TMC MPs SUSPENDED:  Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu suspended six TMC members for the day as disruptions continue in House over Pegasus snooping controversy.
• RAM TEMPLE: Ram temple in Ayodhya is likely to open for 'darshan' to devotees by 2023 end. The entire temple complex will, however, be ready by 2025.
• COVID CASES SURGE IN KERALA: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked Kerala govt to take more proactive measures and precautions to control the Covid 19 situation in the state.
• IT RETURND FILING DATE EXTENDED: Income Tax Return of Individuals, Professionals, Small Businesses etc. (Non-Audit Cases) last date has been extended up to  30 Sep 2021.
• UDAN SCEME: Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik -UDAN the first direct flight operations between Imphal and Shillong began last Tuesday.
• DELHI RAPE CASE: Delhi govt. ordered a magisterial inquiry into the alleged rape and murder of 19 years old girl at a crematorium near Delhi cantonment area. CM Kejriwal also announced ex-gratia financial assistance of Rs 10 Lakh for the victim’s family and assured that the Govt. will appoint the best lawyers in the case.
• RBI RELAXATION: RBI on Wednesday issued guidelines for the implementation of the circular on the opening of current accounts by banks. Banks have been given time until October end to implement the new rules on current account issued in 2020. Earlier the last deadline was 31^st July.

**INTERNATIONAL NEWS**

• TROOP DISENGAGEMENT ON LOC: India and  China have  agreed to disengage their troops from the Gogra Heights area of eastern Ladakh. The two sides had deployed their troops against each other in this region since May last year.
• RAFALE DEAL: India is likely to receive the last batch of Rafale fighter jets from France later this year. At a time when India and China are facing a protracted stalemate on the border, Rafales will greatly support the IAF.
• AFGHANISTAN CRISIS: India's Permanent Representative to the UN and President of Security Council for the month of August, TS Tirumurti said that the situation in Afghanistan is of deep concern to all members of the UN Security Council.
• INDO-US STRATEGY: The US has approved the sale of Harpoon Joint Common Test Set (JCTS) and related equipment to India for an estimated cost of $82 million. This decision is said to help strengthen the bilateral strategic ties and improve the security of a major defensive partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
• US ARMY CHIEF IN INDIA: The Chief of Staff of US Army General James C McConville is on a two-day visit to India.
• INDRA 2021: The Indo – Russia joint training Exercise INDRA 2021 commenced at Prudboy Ranges, Volgograd in Russia on 04 Aug.
• PROJECT CHEETAH: Project Cheetah is all set to take off.  India will  get upgraded & armed drones from Israel.
• INDIA-BANGLADESH TIES: Bangladesh Railway has earned a record revenue of over 176 crore Taka by carrying freight through the India-Bangladesh interchange points in the year 2020-21.
• CANADA WORKERS STRIKE: Nearly 9,000 Canadian border staff will begin "work-to-rule" strike action starting on 06 Aug, days before Canada begins allowing fully vaccinated U.S. visitors in the country for the first time in 16 months.