WB approves $1.5 bn more to aid India’s low-carbon emission reforms

New Delhi, June 29 2024-

The World Bank on Saturday approved $1.5 billion in financing for a second operation to help India — which is the fastest-growing large economy in the world — accelerate the development of low-carbon energy.

The second ‘Low-Carbon Energy Programmatic Development Policy Operation’ will support reforms to boost the production of green hydrogen and electrolysers, critical technology needed for green hydrogen production.

This operation is aligned with the government’s energy security and with the World Bank’s Hydrogen for Development (H4D) Partnership.

According to the World Bank, the reforms are expected to result in the production of at least 450,000 metric tonnes of green hydrogen and 1,500 MW of electrolysers per year from FY25/26 onwards, said the World Bank.

In addition, it will also significantly help to increase renewable energy capacity and support reductions in emissions by 50 million tonnes per year.

The operation will also support steps to further develop a national carbon credit market.

“The World Bank is pleased to continue supporting India’s low-carbon development strategy which will help achieve the country’s net-zero target while creating clean energy jobs in the private sector,” said Auguste Tano Kouame, World Bank Country Director for India.

“Both the first and second operations have a strong focus on boosting private investment in green hydrogen and renewable energy,” Kouame added.

The Indian economy is expected to continue to expand at a rapid pace.

According to the World Bank, decoupling economic growth from emissions growth will require scaling up renewable energy, especially in hard-to-abate industrial sectors.

“India has taken bold action to develop a domestic market for green hydrogen, underpinned by rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity,” said Aurelien Kruse, Xiaodong Wang, and Surbhi Goyal, team leaders for the operation.

In June 2023, the World Bank approved the $1.5 billion first operation, which supported the waiver of transmission charges for renewable energy in green hydrogen projects, the issuance of a clear path to launch 50 GW of renewable energy tenders annually and creating a legal framework for a national carbon credit market. (Agency)

Central University of Punjab obtains 9th position in IIRF Top Universities in India 2024 Rankings

CU Central University of Punjab Building

Bathinda, June 29 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

In its ongoing effort to march towards academic excellence, research innovation, and holistic development, the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB), under the dynamic leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, has added another feather to its cap by obtaining the 9^th position in the “Central Universities (Overall)” category in the IIRF Top Universities in India 2024 Rankings.

With this accomplishment, the university has secured its place amongst top 10 Central Universities in IIRF Rankings consecutively second time in last two years.

The Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) has been conducted and published by Education Post, a monthly magazine on higher education, since 2012.

The Federation for World Academics guides the methodology and industrial feedback and plays the role of mentor for the IIRF Centre for Institutional Research in India.

IIRF ranks more than 1,000 institutions (including Universities, Engineering colleges, B-Schools, Law colleges, Design schools, Architecture colleges and Undergraduate colleges for BBA and BCA) across the country.

In the recently released Top Universities in India 2024 Rankings, the IIRF ranked Universities across the country on seven parameters i.e. Placement Performance; Teaching Learning Resources & Pedagogy; Research; Industry Placement and Integration; Placement Strategies & Support; Future Orientation; and External Perception.

The Central University of Punjab got an overall score of 980.35 out of 1000 points in all these parameters.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari congratulated all faculty members, officers, supporting staff, and most importantly, the students, including research scholars and other stakeholders of the university, dedicating this accomplishment to their hard work and commitment.

He appealed to all to work with renewed vigour and zeal for still better performance in the times to come.

The Central University of Punjab has received ‘A+ Grade’ from NAAC in its second cycle of assessment. The university has the distinction of being featured in top 100 Universities of India in NIRF rankings for the five consecutive times in last five years.

CUPB was ranked 9th in the the list of top 20 central universities in India in in the 2022 and 2023 edition of Outlook India ICARE Rankings.

The excellent performance of CU Punjab in the recently published IIRF Central Universities Rankings is a reflection of the quality of teaching and research atmosphere prevailing at the Central University of Punjab.

Leader of Opposition is not Constitutional but a statutory post: BJP leader

New Delhi, June 29 2024-

After Rahul Gandhi became Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, BJP slammed Congress leaders for saying that it is a Constitutional post.

Amit Malviya, who heads BJP’s IT cell, said that the post of Leader of Opposition (LoP) is not a Constitutional post. “It is a statutory post defined by a law passed by a non-Congress government in 1977 after the Emergency,” he pointed out.

He went on to express that Rahul Gandhi, who had failed thrice in Lok Sabha elections, has been tricked and given this post, saying that it is a Constitutional one.

However, as per rules, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has acknowledged Rahul Gandhi as the LoP.

On Friday, Gandhi was not allowed to speak on the NEET issue amid the discussion on the motion of thanks after the President’s address. Congress has made it a major issue, in response to which, Malviya made this comments. (Agency)

T20 World Cup: ‘Kuldeep is the backbone of the Indian team,’ says childhood coach Kapil Pandey

New Delhi, June 29 2024-

Kuldeep Yadav’s childhood coach Kapil Dev Pandey believes that Rohit Sharma-led Team India will bring the glory of the 2007 T20 World Cup back to India after 17 years of drought when they face South Africa in the final of Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday at Barbados.

India aim to reclaim the trophy that they last won in the inaugural 2007 edition while South Africa are into the final for the first time — after seven previous World Cup semifinal defeats across formats. The two sides have met six times in the T20 World Cup in the history of the tournament with India having an upper hand in the head-to-head matchup.

India defeated England in the semi-finals by 68 runs and continued their eight-match unbeaten streak to face Proteas in the finals.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, Pandey remains optimistic of India winning the T20 World Cup.

Excerpts of the interview.

Q: The Indian team is in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024, what are your thoughts on that?

A: India is performing exceptionally well and they have reached the final of the T20 World CUP after beating every team. We did the same in the ODI World Cup 2023 but lost in the finals to Australia. However, this time the team looks different, this is the best Indian T20I team to reach the final and I firmly believe that this team will bring back the glory of 2007 T20 WC and end the drought of 17 years.

Q: Do you think there is any need for changes in the Playing XI as few players have not performed well?

A: I know many players have not performed but they are big names of T2OI cricket, you just can’t ignore them. In big matches, you need players like those who can handle the pressure and I also believe that they will perform in the final against South Africa.

Q: Virat Kohli has been out of form in this T20 World Cup. Any advice to him that you would like to share?

A: He doesn’t need any advice or suggestions. He is a very big player and those who are questioning his performance will soon get an answer. He is a very confident guy and India needs him to perform on the big stage against Africa. All the players are performing well Kuldeep Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Axar Patel. So, I just want to wish them all the luck.

Q: Kuldeep has been performing very well in the past ICC tournaments, what are your thoughts on this?

A: Obviously, he is the backbone of the Indian team. He got the chance in the last four matches and has been performing very well. We all know what sort of player he is and I feel really proud to see him delivering for the country. (Agency)

T20 World Cup: Kaif backs Kohli ahead of final against SA, says ‘even Dhoni didn’t have a great run in 2011’

New Delhi, June 29 2024-

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his belief that Virat Kohli is poised to deliver a heroic performance, akin to that of MS Dhoni in the 2011 ODI World Cup final, against South Africa at Barbados.

Kaif drew a parallel between Kohli’s current form and Dhoni’s journey in the 2011 World Cup. He reminded fans that Dhoni, despite not having an exceptional tournament, rose to the occasion in the final against Sri Lanka, scoring an unbeaten 91* and sealing the victory with an iconic six over long-on. Kaif suggested that Kohli, who has not yet had a standout performance in this tournament, has the potential to emulate Dhoni’s heroics.

“Virat Kohli needs to remember that even Dhoni didn’t have a great World Cup in 2011, but he found form in the final. He is too good a player to slog; he can play ball on merit and dominate any bowling attack,” Kaif said in a video posted on ‘X’. “Dhoni’s six over long-on off Kulasekara is etched in everybody’s mind. That’s why I think Virat Kohli has a great chance to become a hero.”

Kohli, who has been crucial for India in past ICC events, has yet to shine in this tournament. However, Kaif reminded him of his brilliant century against South Africa at Eden Gardens in the ODI World Cup, encouraging Kohli to take confidence from that innings.

“He must forget that he is in poor form. He had hit a century when India last played South Africa in the ODI World Cup at Eden Gardens. He was brilliant that day and played very well, but he wasn’t slogging that day but was playing the ball on merit with proper cricket shots.”

India’s journey to the final has been impressive, with an unbeaten run leading up to the summit clash. The team, which has not won a major ICC title in 11 years, is determined to end their title drought. (Agency)

Pakistan counters US resolution with its own, seeks intervention in Kashmir ‘dispute’

Islamabad, June 29 2024-

In a tit-for-tat move against a recent US resolution calling for a probe into the February 8 elections, the Pakistan National Assembly on Friday passed a resolution proposed by a member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), condemning the move and demanding US intervention into what it termed as ‘ongoing human rights violations’ in Kashmir.

The resolution, introduced by PML-N member Shaista Pervez Malik, slammed the US resolution calling for a “full and independent investigation of claims of interference or irregularities in Pakistan’s February 2024 elections” that was passed on June 25 by the United States House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority, stating that it deliberately remained ignorant towards Pakistan’s electoral process.

It said the National Assembly takes serious notice of the resolution passed by the lower house of the US Congress concerning Pakistan, terming it as a blatant attempt to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.

“Such interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs was inappropriate and unbecoming of global powers. This kind of meddling in our country’s internal matters is unacceptable. It is not appropriate for any global power to interfere in the internal affairs of another country,” Malik added.

She also raised the Kashmir issue in her address, calling on the US Congress to adopt a resolution on what she termed the “ongoing genocide in Gaza”, “serious human rights violations in Gaza and Kashmir” and “state-sanctioned atrocities against minorities, particularly Muslims, in India”.

Seeking the US’ intervention in the Kashmir dispute, the resolution called on the international community to take immediate steps to “alleviate the sufferings of people” in Gaza and Kashmir.

The resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority with at least 368 members voting in favour, with only seven opposing it.

As the resolution sailed through the National Assembly, the opposition benches continued to chant slogans against the government as Malik lashed out at them, accusing them of encouraging an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty in light of foreign intervention in the country’s internal affairs.

“It is shameful that Pakistan’s sovereignty is under attack and some among us are encouraging this assault. It is regrettable that foreign powers are meddling in our internal matters,” she said.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office also raised serious concerns over the timing of the US resolution, stating that it “does not align well with the positive dynamics of bilateral relations between the two countries”. (Agency)

NTA announces new dates for June cycle UGC-NET, other exams

New Delhi, June 29 2024-

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday announced fresh dates for the recently cancelled NCET, Joint CSIR-UGC NET, and UGC-NET June 2024 cycle examinations.

Earlier, citing unavoidable circumstances, the examinations were cancelled/postponed, leaving scores of tense aspirants waiting for new dates.

The June cycle UGC-NET exam was earlier held on June 18 but was cancelled the very next day.

In a notification issued on Friday night, the NTA announced that the NCET 2024 will be held on July 10; Joint CSIR-UGC NET on July 25-27; while the UGC-NET June 2024 cycle exam will be held between August 21 and September 4.

The NTA notification suggested the candidates visit its official website www.nta.ac.in for further information.

It also said that the All India Ayush Post Graduate Entrance Test 2024 will be held as per its actual schedule on July 6. (Agency)

Five soldiers killed during tank exercises in Ladakh

Srinagar, June 29 2024-

Five Army soldiers were killed during a tank warfare exercise in the Ladakh region when the stream through which the tanks were passing suddenly got flooded.

Official sources told IANS from Leh town of Ladakh region that an exercise of tank warfare was going on in the Daulat Beg Ode area near the line of actual control (LAC) on Friday.

A stream which was being crossed by the tanks during this exercise suddenly got flooded due to cloudburst in the higher reaches.

“A tank was caught in the flashflood wherein five soldiers got killed,” sources said.

The sources ruled out any sabotage in this accident. Those killed in this mishap include a Junior Commissioned Officer. (Agency)

Not in a rush to bring Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore home: NASA

Washington, June 29 2024-

Denying that NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are stranded on the International Space Station (ISS), the US space agency and Boeing officials have said they are currently “not in any rush to come home.”

Amid multiple reports claiming that the two astronauts, sent to the orbiting laboratory onboard Boeing Starliner spacecraft earlier this month, are stranded after suspected helium leaks, NASA and Boeing officials said they are using “the luxury of time” to learn more before the astronauts return to Earth.

“I want to make it real clear that we’re not in any rush to come home,” Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew programme manager, was quoted as saying during a press conference late on Friday (US time).

“The station is a nice, safe place to stop and take our time to work through the vehicle and make sure we’re ready to come home,’ he added.

NASA and Boeing continue to evaluate Starliner’s propulsion system performance before returning to Earth from the orbiting lab.

The US space agency said they are now targeting the end of July for the next spacewalk outside the space station.

This change allows teams on the ground to continue to troubleshoot and understand the water leak in the service and cooling umbilical unit that forced an early end to a spacewalk on June 24.

Originally slated to spend eight days on the orbiting space laboratory, the astronauts reached the ISS on June 6.

According to NASA, the spacecraft requires seven hours of time to perform a normal end-of-mission and it “currently has enough helium left in its tanks to support 70 hours of free flight activity following undocking.” (Agency)

T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma & Co. seeking to end 11-year drought

Bridgetown (Barbados), June 29 2024-

Team India, in its third ICC final in the last 12 months, are seeking to end their 11-year drought of a big title and aim to win the Men’s T20 World Cup they last won in the inaugural edition in 2007, where current skipper Rohit Sharma played under MS Dhoni’s leadership.

On the other hand, South Africa are into a men’s ICC World Cup final for the first time – after seven previous efforts ended in defeats.

Both India and South Africa have made it to the title clash as the unbeaten teams in very contrasting styles – the Rohit Sharma-led side came out on top in tough New York pitches and adapted very well to triumph in its matches in the Caribbean so far, latest of it being a comprehensive 68-run win over defending champions England.

India’s campaign has been very much like their awe-inspiring and dominating run in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup, and would be keen to cross the last hurdle which they failed to go past against Australia in Ahmedabad when they play in their third T20 World Cup final. A title win for India will also serve as a fitting farewell to Rahul Dravid’s time as the head coach.

The Proteas, led by Aiden Markram & Co, have got luck on their way to be victorious in tight matches amidst challenging conditions in New York, as well as in the Caribbean, and then blew away a spirited Afghanistan in Trinidad. For South Africa, who won the 1998 ICC Knock-Out title (then called as Champions Trophy), Saturday is the perfect time for them to give their country the joy of winning the silverware.

For India, captain Rohit Sharma has been literally leading the charge from the front. After the ten-wicket annihilation at the hands of England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final at Adelaide, Rohit has led a transformation for India – changing his batting approach to a more attacking version and being selfless for the team’s cause, with no care given to milestones.

When it mattered the most, Rohit launched a sensational takedown of Australia in the Super Eights game at St Lucia, with the standout being taking 29 runs off Mitchell Starc. Against England on a tacky pitch in Guyana, Rohit mixed his aggressive play with cautiousness to make an important 57 and be one half of a crucial 73-run stand with Suryakumar Yadav.

Despite Virat Kohli and Shivam Dube having middling returns, Suryakumar, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, along with useful runs from Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have given solid support to Rohit in India making above-par totals and chasing whenever pushed into it. In terms of bowling, India have clicked as pacers and spinners are doing their jobs with perfection.

Meanwhile, South Africa have been helped by various individuals clicking at the right time to find themselves in the title clash. Reeza Hendricks has struggled for form at the top, but his unbeaten knock in the semi-final and hitting winning runs against Afghanistan should boost his confidence.

Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock will be aiming to come good in the final, and use his extensive CPL experience at Barbados, a venue where South Africa will be playing a game in this T20 World Cup for the first time.

Their dynamic middle order of Markram, Tristan Stubbs and Heinrich Klaasen can play pace and spin very, followed by the hugely experienced David Miller present to apply finishing touches to the batting innings. Their match-up against Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja will make for a riveting watch in the final.

Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje have put in fiery performances for South Africa on the fast-bowling front, using their tall heights and high release points to outclass batters. Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi can be more than handful if consistent bounce is found in abundance in Barbados.

For all the new-found weather geeks, there is considerable rain threat for the final match day, as well as on the reserve day. No team has ever won a Men’s T20 World Cup as an unbeaten side, which means India and South Africa have a golden chance to rewrite history. Who will achieve their eventual date with destiny of winning the title, it will be made crystal clear by the end of this weekend.

Match starts at 8pm IST on Star Sports (TV) and Disney+ Hotstar (Mobile)

Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ottniel Baartman, Bjorn Fortuin, Ryan Rickelton and Gerald Coetzee. (Agency)