Election campaign time limits eased

Morning Masala Tea
13 February, 2022

News Today:

Efforts to stabilise the structure in Chintels Paradiso, Gurugram

Two days after the ceilings of multiple flats in Chintels Paradiso condominium in Sector 109 caved in, killing two residents, authorities retrieved the body of a woman trapped under the debris late Saturday night. They said the operation was risky because some chunks of rubble and plaster had started falling from the upper floors and the entire load of the structure was now on the basement and the first floor. They added they were working to stabilise the structure, even as they freed the trapped body . HT

Employment rate falling

The employment rate (or share of the working population in the total population, which is constantly rising) has fallen from nearly 43 per cent in 2016 (already low by global standards) to 37 per cent in just four years. Deccan Herald

Election campaign time limits eased

Election campaign time limits have been eased, rallies with attendance caps have been okayed, the Election Commission announced this evening as it lifted Covid restrictions citing the “substantial reduction” in cases across the country as well as the poll-bound states. Election campaigns, says the poll body, can now be conducted between 6 am and 10 pm instead of earlier 8 am to 8 pm. Telegraph

Rahul Bajaj passed away

Veteran industrialist and head of the Bajaj group, Rahul Bajaj, passed away on Saturday. Bajaj, 83, who had pneumonia and also a heart problem, was admitted to the Ruby Hall Clinic a month ago and breathed his last at 2.30 pm on Saturday. Indian Express

Sending of 50,000 MT of wheat to Afghanistan

India signed an agreement with the United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP) for the distribution of 50,000 MT of wheat that it has committed to sending Afghanistan as part of a humanitarian assistance, with diplomatic efforts under way to begin sending truck convoys through Pakistan by road, expected to begin after Punjab elections on February 20 are completed. Hindu

 

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IPL 2022 auction

India wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan became the most expensive player in the IPL 2022 auction after Mumbai Indians secured his service for Rs 15.25 crore.

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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