News you need to know before starting your day: 20 August 2021

Morning Masala Tea
20 August, 2021

News:

  1. Tough wait for Indians stranded in Afghanistan
  2. ₹60,000-crore loan guarantee scheme for COVID-hit sectors yet to take off
  3. Vaccination pace too slow, India Ratings lowers GDP forecast
  4. Vikas Dubey encounter: Panel clears UP police but seeks probe into official collusion
  5. Bihar CM-led delegation to meet PM on Aug 23 to discuss caste-based census
  6. ONGC offers 43 of its fields to operators for enhancing production

 

Relevant Google Trends Today

  1. Taliban open fire on Afghanistan Independence Day
  2. 2200 people have died following Haiti Earthquake
  3. Is the stock market closed today ? Yes it was on 19 August
  4. Indigo to resume UAE flights
  5. Olympic medalist Maria Andrejczyk auctions silver medal to raise funds for baby heart surgery
Startup
24 February, 2024

Byju’s, once heralded as a flagship in India’s edtech sector, is grappling with severe financial and operational challenges, marked by a dramatic valuation drop. The company, which sought to stabilize its operations and finances, is now raising funds at a valuation significantly lower than its peak. This development comes amid efforts to address a substantial debt burden, with Byju’s proposing a repayment plan for its $1.2 billion loan. Investor confidence appears shaken, with some stakeholders pushing for drastic changes in leadership to navigate the crisis effectively. The turmoil reflects broader sectoral pressures and raises questions about the sustainability of high-growth trajectories in the edtech industry

Energy
10 February, 2024

Australia’s energy market is witnessing significant transitions and investments aimed at bolstering renewable energy infrastructure and securing gas supplies. Key developments include a $179 million investment by the Queensland Government for community battery projects, Santos’ $5.7 billion gas pipeline project following a legal battle win, and a $206 million energy savings package for NSW households. Additionally, the Australian government has secured new gas supply deals to support the east coast market, emphasizing the role of gas in transitioning to a renewable grid.

India 2024
9 February, 2024

The latest opinion polls, including the Mood of the Nation survey by India Today, predict a comfortable victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with a projected win of 335 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections. This forecast suggests a slight decrease from the 2019 elections but still ensures a majority. The survey, involving interviews with over 149,000 respondents, reflects Modi’s enduring popularity based on his nationalist policies and economic reforms. Other polls echo these findings, although seat projections vary slightly. The opposition INDIA alliance is expected to secure a significant number of seats, yet not enough to challenge the NDA’s majority. These predictions highlight a political landscape that remains largely favorable to Modi and the BJP as the election approaches