Green Humour
| Photo Credit: Rohan Chakravarty

Green Humour
| Photo Credit:
Rohan Chakravarty

Rohan Chakravarty is a cartoonist and illustrator from Nagpur. His series, ‘Green Humour’, consists of cartoons and comics on wildlife, nature conservation, environmental issues, sustainability, and all things green.

“Before sanctions, India was Venezuela’s second largest market for its crude,” according to ship tracking data.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

“Reliance Industries and Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA have resumed an oil swap that had been paused owing to U.S. sanctions on the South American country,” according to an internal PDVSA document showed on Thursday (December 19, 2024.)

Reliance and other refiners had imported Venezuelan oil earlier this year under a broad U.S. license that expired in April. In July, Washington granted Reliance an individual authorisation green-lighting the trade.

“Before sanctions, India was Venezuela’s second largest market for its crude. Owing to the U.S. measures and separate licenses issued to some of PDVSA’s joint venture partners, China has this year remained the main destination for Venezuela’s oil, followed by the United States and Europe,” according to ship tracking data.

Reliance Industries denies any cash payment for Venezuelan oil

“A supertanker carrying about 1.9 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey heavy crude departed earlier this month for Sikka port in Gujarat, while a unit of Reliance delivered a 5,00,000-barrel cargo of heavy naphtha to PDVSA this month in exchange,” according to the document. PDVSA and Reliance did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

“Reliance, which operates the world’s biggest refining complex, plans to pay in cash for the balance of the crude purchases after the swaps,” a source told Reuters in August, in an arrangement similar to past exchanges.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump told reporters this week his country does not need oil from Venezuela, which currently exports about 2,40,000 barrels per day (bpd) to the United States, mostly shipped by oil producer Chevron. Chevron did not provide comment on Mr. Trump’s remarks.

Possible changes in the U.S. sanctions regime on Venezuela, which since 2019 works through a combination of executive orders and licenses, could lead to a new interruption of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) heavy oil flows to the U.S., while also halting Venezuela’s imports of refined products from the United States.

“If that happens, the Venezuelan barrels currently exported to the U.S. are expected to be redirected to Asian destinations,” analysts and experts have said.

Venezuela’s government has said the U.S. sanctions are illegitimate measures that amount to an “economic war” designed to cripple Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro and his allies have cheered what they say is the country’s resilience despite the measures.

Albania announced a one-year ban on TikTok. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Albania on Saturday (December 21, 2024) announced a one-year ban on TikTok, the popular short video app, following the killing of a teenager last month that raised fears over the influence of social media on children.

Also Read | What happens next for TikTok after Supreme Court agrees to review potential US ban?

Prime Minister Edi Rama said after meeting with parents’ groups and teachers from across the country that the ban, part of a broader plan to make schools safer, will come into effect early next year.

“For one year, we’ll be completely shutting it down for everyone. There will be no TikTok in Albania,” Mr. Rama said.

Several European countries including France, Germany and Belgium have enforced restrictions on social media use for children. In one of the world’s toughest regulations targeting Big Tech, Australia approved in November a complete social media ban for children under 16.

Mr. Rama has blamed social media, and TikTok in particular, for fuelling violence among youth in and outside school.

His government’s decision comes after a 14-year-old schoolboy was stabbed to death in November by a fellow pupil. Local media had reported that the incident followed arguments between the two boys on social media. Videos had also emerged on TikTok of minors supporting the killing.

“The problem today is not our children, the problem today is us, the problem today is our society, the problem today is TikTok and all the others that are taking our children hostage,” Mr. Rama said.

TikTok said it was seeking “urgent clarity” from the Albanian government.

“We found no evidence that the perpetrator or victim had TikTok accounts, and multiple reports have in fact confirmed videos leading up to this incident were being posted on another platform, not TikTok,” a company spokesperson said.

Representational image only. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

“Export of special technical textile products grew 6.2% between April and November compared with the same period last year,” said Ashok Kumar Malhotra, Mission Director of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).

Mr. Malhotra told The Hindu on Friday (December 20, 2024) that the exports were worth ₹2,915 crore from April to November this year compared to ₹2,345 crore during April – November last year. “India imports a lot of technical textile products. With increasing consumption, the domestic demand is growing. It is important to promote domestic production and ensure that imports do not increase. India is gaining on exports now, especially of products such as diapers and sanitary napkins” he said.

Packing technology and geo textiles are two segments of technical textiles that are growing rapidly. “India has a strong base of natural raw materials. These need to be developed into functional textiles.”

“Of the total outlay of ₹1,480 crore for the Mission, more than 50% was already spent and another ₹500 crore is earmarked for creating the eco system by training the right personnel. Those who want to benefit from the schemes in the Mission can apply till March 2026,” Mr. Malhotra said.

“There are 12 centres of excellence for technical textiles and a report will be ready in another three months that will identify the centres that need to be moved to the next level of activities and new ones required,” he added.

StandardAero is also a MRO services provider for CFM LEAP-1B engines, which power SpiceJet’s Boeing 737 MAX planes. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

SpiceJet has entered into an agreement with US-based StandardAero that will provide the services for operationalising the airline’s grounded Boeing 737 MAX planes and three of the aircraft are expected to return to service by April 2025.

Seven Boeing 737 MAX aircraft of the no-frills carrier are on the ground.

The airline has inked an agreement with MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) services provider StandardAero for enabling restoration of its grounded Boeing 737-8 MAX fleet, according to a release on Friday (December 20, 2024).

StandardAero is also a MRO services provider for CFM LEAP-1B engines, which power SpiceJet’s Boeing 737 MAX planes.

The agreement with StandardAero follows successful arrangements with CFM International — the manufacturer of LEAP-1B engines — and the lessor for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

“These developments pave the way for the un-grounding and return to service of three Boeing 737 MAX aircraft by April 2025,” SpiceJet said in the release.

SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said the return of three fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will also provide a significant boost to the airline’s financial health.

The airline is working on strengthening its fleet and settling various disputes after recently raising ₹3,000 crore.

Currently, the airline has around 28 planes in operation.

In the past two months, the airline said it has resolved disputes with multiple lessors, including Export Development Canada, Engine Lease Finance Corporation, Babcock & Brown Aircraft Management, Aircastle (Ireland), Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited, Shannon Engine Support Limited and Genesis.

Shares of SpiceJet fell over 4% to ₹58.84 apiece in afternoon trade on the BSE.

Cupid Limited, which is into Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) has announced the appointment of four new directors on its board to strengthen governance.

“Smeeta Bhatkal, the Dean, BFSI at Welingkar Institute of Management; Santosh Desai, Managing Director and CEO of Future Brands Limited and Akshay Kumar who had previously worked with Unilever, Citibank, Standard Chartered, Bharti Airtel have joined as Independent Directors while Shaina NC, fashion designer & social worker has joined as a Non-Executive Director,” the company said in a statement.

Aditya Halwasiya, Managing Director, Cupid Limited said, “These four new appointments come at a pivotal time as the company is expanding its market presence and bringing in innovation to its product offerings.”

“As we embark on the next phase of growth, we are confident that the collective wisdom of our distinguished directors and their diverse perspectives will play a pivotal role in steering the company towards new and greater milestones,” he added.

Mr. Santosh Desai is one of India’s best-known social commentators and advertising and marketing professionals. He is the and the Founder of Think9 Consumer Technologies Private Limited. 

Mr. Akshay Kumar has had a successful corporate career in India and abroad working for global companies such as l, Millicom across multiple industries such as FMCG, Retail Banking, Telecom and Transportation. A MBA graduate from IIM Ahmedabad, he is a process oriented leader with a high market and customer sensitivity having taught International Marketing at IIM Shillong and IIM Bodh Gaya. Shaina NC is a renowned fashion designer, social worker and politician. 

Pharma major Cipla Ltd on Friday (December 20, 2024) said a fine of over ₹1 crore has been imposed on the company by GST authority for alleged inadmissible credit claim.

The company has received an order dated December 18, 2024 passed by the GST authority, imposing a penalty of ₹1,11,94,324 under applicable provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, Cipla said in a regulatory filing.

“The order has been passed by GST Authority on the contention that the company has availed inadmissible TRAN-1 credit. The GST Authority has ordered for recovery of the same along with applicable interest and penalty,” it added.

Cipla said based on assessment of facts and prevailing law, it is “of the view that the penalty levied is arbitrary and unjustified”.

“The company will file necessary appeals with the appellate authority in this regard. There is no material impact on the company’s financials or operations due to the said order,” it added.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel moving residents of Bhadrappa Layout to safety after heavy rains flooded the area on October 22, 2024.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

For Bengalureans, 2024 was a year of extreme weather. It began with an intense summer marked by a sweltering heatwave and an unprecedented lack of pre-monsoon showers.

Scorching start

The India Meteorological Department had predicted a dry summer, but the complete absence of rainfall during the pre-monsoon season caught many by surprise. Bengaluru, which typically receives 205.1 mm of rainfall during March, April, and May, recorded no rain. “This phenomenon was last observed in 1983. Since then, there has been rainfall in April every year,” said an IMD official.

The normal temperatures for Bengaluru during March, April, and May are 33.4°C, 34.1°C, and 33.1°C, respectively. On March 29, the city recorded 36.4°C, the highest March temperature in five years. April 28 saw the year’s peak temperature of 38.5°C, nearing the city’s all-time April high of 39.2°C recorded in 2016.

The prolonged dry spell led to demands for rescheduling work hours by pourakarmika unions and allowances for street vendors struggling to cope with the extreme heat. Meteorologists attributed the soaring temperatures and lack of rain to El Niño conditions.

Flooded Kogilu Cross after heavy overnight rains in Bengaluru on October 22.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR

Relief in the rain

The rains finally arrived on May 2, ending a five-month drought. As per the Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) data in May, Bengaluru received 148.6 mm of rainfall in May, exceeding the normal 97.5 mm by 52%. Although the pre-monsoon rainfall from January to May was slightly below normal (-3%), the monsoon season compensated for the deficit.

During the south-west monsoon (June to September), Bengaluru Urban received 418 mm of rain, slightly below the normal 471 mm. The rainfall pattern varied, with excess rains in June and August, normal rainfall in July, and a significant deficit in September.

The north-east monsoon brought a deluge, with Bengaluru Urban recording 363 mm of rainfall from October to mid-December, 68% above normal. Several parts of the city experienced heavy downpours during this period.

Despite the dry start, Bengaluru ended the year on a wetter note. From January 1 to December 18, the city received 932 mm of rainfall, surpassing the annual average of 842 mm by 11%.

From left, Vice President of Marketing and Sales of the Honda Cars India Ltd. Kunal Behl, the company’s President and CEO Takuya Tsumura, the company’s Marketing and Sales Director Ryuto Shimizu, and Product Development Team representative for the All-New Amaze from Honda R&D Asia Pacific Peerachet T at the global debut of the All-New 3rd Generation Honda Amaze, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Honda Cars India on Friday (December 20, 2024) said it will hike prices across its model range by up to 2 per cent from January next year, in order to partially offset the impact of rising input costs.

The company sells models like Amaze, City and Elevate in the domestic market.

The automaker will increase the prices of its models by up to 2% from the beginning of January 2025, Honda Cars India Vice President – Marketing and Sales Kunal Behl said.

The company has been making strong efforts to absorb price increases during this year, ensuring minimal impact on customers, he added.

“However, due to the continued rise in input costs and logistics, a small portion of this impact will be passed on to customers through a price revision from the new year,” Mr. Behl said.

Additionally, the all-new third generation Amaze which was launched at a very competitive introductory price, will also see a price revision by mid of next month, he added.

Already various carmakers including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors have announced price hikes from January.

नई द‍िल्‍ली. डच डेटा प्रोटेक्शन अथॉरिटी (DPA) ने नेटफ्लिक्स पर ये आरोप लगाया है क‍ि कंपनी ने साल 2018 से 2020 के बीच अपने ग्राहकों के पर्सनल डेटा का इस्तेमाल कैसे किया गया, इस बारे में पर्याप्त सूचना नहीं दी है. ल‍िहाजा अथॉर‍िटी ने नेटफ्ल‍िक्‍स पर €4.75 मिलियन यानी करीब 42.35 करोड़ रुपये का जुर्माना लगाया है.

यह जुर्माना साल 2019 में शुरू हुई एक जांच के बाद लगाया गया है. जांच में पता चला है कि स्ट्रीमिंग दिग्गज ने यूरोपीय यूनियन के जनरल डेटा प्रोटेक्शन रेगुलेशन (GDPR) की आवश्यकताओं को पूरा नहीं किया है.

यह भी पढें : PornHub पर लॉगइन नहीं कर पाएंगे ये लोग, एडल्‍ट वेबसाइट ने जारी क‍िया नोट‍िस

जांच में ये पाया गया:
डीपीए, इसे लेकर जो जांच कर रही थी, उसमें पाया गया क‍ि नेटफ्लिक्स की प्राइवेसी पॉलिसी में स्पष्टता की कमी है. खासकर कंपनी ने इस बारे में कोई स्‍पष्‍टता नहीं दी क‍ि वह अपने कस्‍टमर डेटा को कैसे संभालती है. कंपनी के पास इस बात का कोई स्‍पष्‍ट जवाब नहीं था क‍ि वह ग्राहकों के व्यक्तिगत डेटा की गोपनीयता को कैसे सुन‍िश्‍चत करती है. इसके अलावा, जब ग्राहकों ने नेटफ्लिक्स से डेटा की बारीकियों के बारे में पूछताछ की, तो उन्हें भी पर्याप्त विवरण नहीं दिया गया. पारदर्शिता की यह कमी GDPR का उल्लंघन करती है. GDPR, दरअसल एक न‍ियम है, ज‍िसके तहत व्यवसायों को ये बताना पड़ता है क‍ि वह पर्सनल जानकारी को कैसे संभालते हैं और जब ग्राहक डेटा जानकारी का अनुरोध करें तो उन्हें उचित जवाब म‍िले.

यह भी पढ़ें- WhatsApp पर कनेक्ट कर लेंगे ChatGPT तो खत्म हो जाएगी आपकी आधी टेंशन, ये है तरीका

डच रेगुलेटर ने कहा क‍ि जांच में साल 2018 और 2020 के दौरान नेटफ्लिक्स के डेटा सुरक्षा न‍ियमों में कमियां पाई गईं और उस पर लगाया गया जुर्माना इसी अवधि के दौरान यूरोपीय यूनियन के गोपनीयता कानूनों के पालन न कर पाने की वजह से लगाया गया है.

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