News Today: 24 December 2021 - Quick Reference

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24 December, 2021

News Today:

Surface-to-surface missile Pralay 

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested the missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. It has a range of 150 to 500 kilometre, depending on payload, and can be launched from a mobile launcher. HT

Omicron less likely to cause hospitalisation

The Omicron variant is less likely to lead to less severe disease in people who have taken vaccines or had Covid-19 in the past, two studies from the UK have said. HT

Myanmar democracy and security discussed

The speedy restoration of democracy and the fallout of instability in Myanmar on the security situation in India’s northeast, including the ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy in Manipur, were raised by foreign secretary Harsh Shringla in his meetings with Myanmar’s military leadership. HT

Anti Conversion bill passed in Karnataka

The Karnataka legislative assembly on Thursday passed the contentious anti-conversion bill, amid Opposition protests. The legislation prohibits conversion from one religion to another by “misrepresentation, force, fraud, allurement or marriage”. HT

PM Modi asks to maintain high level of vigil

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a review meeting on Thursday, directed top officials coordinating India’s COVId-19 response, to maintain a “high level of vigil and alertness at all levels”.He directed the Centre to closely coordinate with States to support their efforts of public health measures of containment and management. Hindu

 

Hindi News: 

( so that you don’t miss out )

कई राज्यों ने अपने यहां सख्त पाबंदियां घोषित कर दीं 

केंद्र सरकार की तरफ से गुरुवार को राज्यों को दोबारा कोरोना वायरस महामारी की तीसरी लहर के मुहाने पर पहुंचने का डर दिखाया गया। इसके बाद शाम तक कई राज्यों ने अपने यहां सख्त पाबंदियां घोषित कर दीं। खासतौर पर क्रिसमस और न्यू ईयर के सेलिब्रेशन पर शिकंजा कस दिया गया है। Bhaskar

मध्यप्रदेश में तत्काल प्रभाव से नाइट कर्फ्यू

मध्यप्रदेश में लोग नए साल का जश्न खुलकर नहीं मना सकेंगे। सरकार ने तत्काल प्रभाव से नाइट कर्फ्यू लगा दिया है। नई गाइडलाइन भी जारी कर दी है। ऐसे में लोग रात 11 से सुबह 5 बजे तक घर से नहीं निकल सकेंगे। यानी रात 12 बजे नए साल के जश्न की जो तैयारियां की जा रही हैं, उन्हें झटका लगा है। Bhaskar

विधानसभा चुनाव को टालने की मांग

कोरोना के बढ़ते मामलों को देखते हुए इलाहाबाद हाईकोर्ट ने इलेक्शन कमीशन और प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी से उत्तर प्रदेश में अगले साल होने वाले विधानसभा चुनाव को टालने की मांग की है। Bhaskar

 

Google Trends Today

Bill Gates Warning 

Bill Gates warns world is ‘entering the worst part of pandemic’, says his close friends have Omicron; shares prevention steps

Ludhiana Blast

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday said as the Assembly polls are drawing near, some anti-national forces are trying to spread anarchy in the state. He said this after a bomb blast in the Ludhiana district courts complex left one person dead and six injured.

 

Compiled from Google Trends

 

Twitter Trends 

  1. Judges in Afghanistan are forced to hide from prisoners seeking revenge
  2. How Bitcoin miners are exploiting cheap electricity in Siberian ‘cryptocurrency allotments’
  3. Professor creates a lickable TV screen that can imitate food flavors
  4. #NationalFarmersDay

 

Compiled from Twitter

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