News you need to know before starting your day: 18 September 2021

Morning Masala Tea
18 September, 2021

News:

  1. Appointment of CJs to 8 HCs gets collegium’s nod
  2. Char Dham Yatra restarts with strict Covid norms; Uttarakhand govt issues SOPs
  3. Centre pushes Railways to reform, merge RVNL & Ircon, Rail Tel & IRCTC
  4. Rahul failed to emerge as alternative to PM, Mamata should lead Oppn, says TMC paper
  5. SAD protests against farm laws, Sukhbir and Harsimrat detained
  6. Swiggy, Zomato to pay GST from Jan; expensive life-saving drugs exempted

 

Relevant Google Trends Today

  1. Ola Electric S1 scooters
  2. The GST Council has turned down the proposal to bring petrol and diesel under the ambit of the uniform indirect tax regime during its meeting on Friday. Meanwhile, the council extended the GST relief on four drugs related to Covid-19 treatment till December 31, as well as announcing tax cuts for more life-saving drugs.
  3. The 143rd birth anniversary of Dravidar Kazhagam founder ‘Periyar’ E.V. Ramasamy
  4. Biocon Biologics will offer approximately 15% stake in the company to Serum at a post-money valuation of $4.9 billion

 

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