News Today: 20 December 2021 - Quick Reference

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20 December, 2021

News Today:

No surge in COVID yet in India

Over 150 cases of the Omicron variant of the Sars-CoV-2 have been detected in India so far. However, unlike the surge seen in South Africa after detection of the more infectious variant, there is no rapid rise in Omicron cases in India yet. But we have to keep in mind that India’s population is about 20 times that of South Africa.. HT

India and Central Asian countries for action against terror groups

India and the five Central Asian states on Sunday pushed for concerted action against all terror groups, saying Afghanistan’s soil must not be used for planning terror attacks, even as they pledged to provide immediate humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. HT

J&K power department employee strike

The Jammu and Kashmir administration sought the Army’s help on Sunday as a strike by employees of the power department affected essential services, including a hospital, and plunged large parts of the Union Territory into darkness amidst a harsh winter. Indian Express

2 Lynchings in 2 days in Punjab  

Two lynchings in two days following accusations of desecration, one at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple and the other at a village gurdwara in Kapurthala district, have left Punjab with a sense of grave foreboding. Political leaders cutting across party lines have condemned the desecration or ‘beadbi”, but have said little else — and nothing on the murders in the state that is now weeks away from Assembly elections. Indian Express

Meeting on suspended MPs

Floor leaders of parties whose Rajya Sabha members are among the 12 suspended for the entire winter session of Parliament have been asked to attend a meeting with Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Monday morning to discuss a way out of the parliamentary logjam. Hindu 

 

Hindi News: 

( so that you don’t miss out )

12 घंटे के भीतर दो नेताओं की हत्या

केरल के अलापुझा जिले में 12 घंटे के भीतर दो नेताओं की हत्या का मामला सामने आया है। अलापुझा में आज तड़के एक BJP नेता की हत्या कर दी गई। इससे पहले शनिवार रात सोशल डेमोक्रेटिक पार्टी ऑफ इंडिया (SDPI) के नेता की हत्या हुई थी। Bhaskar

ओमिक्रॉन संक्रमितों की कुल संख्या 153 हो गई है

देश में ओमिक्रॉन के 10 नए केस मिले है। इनमें महाराष्ट्र के 6 और गुजरात के 4 केस शामिल है। महाराष्ट्र में ओमिक्रॉन के 6 नए मामलों की पुष्टि हुई है। इनमें से 4 मामले मुंबई एयरपोर्ट पर हुए जांच में सामने आए हैं। वहीं पुणे और पिम्परी चिंचवाड़ में एक-एक ओमिक्रॉन पाॉजिटिव मिले हैं। देश में सबसे ज्यादा ओमिक्रॉन संक्रमित फिलहाल महाराष्ट्र (54) में हैं। वहीं देश में अब तक मिले ओमिक्रॉन संक्रमितों की कुल संख्या 153 हो गई है। Bhaskar

चलती प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस के दौरान 45 मिनट में 8 फोन आए

इसके बाद IG ने यू-टर्न लिया कि अभी 306 नंबर FIR दर्ज नहीं हुई है। सिर्फ 305 नंबर दर्ज हुई है। अभी वह वेरिफिकेशन करवा रहे हैं। उसमें बयान लिख रहे हैं। अभी 302 यानी हत्या का केस दर्ज नहीं किया है। उसमें अभी आरोपियों की पहचान नहीं हुई है। Bhaskar

 

Google Trends Today

Big Boss Telugu season 5

The Bigg Boss Telugu season 5 winner is Sunny while Shanmukh and Sreerama Chandra have emerged as first and second runners-up respectively.

And Football…

 

Compiled from Google Trends

 

Twitter Trends 

  1. Sen. Warren tests positive for Covid-19
  2. #BuildBackBetter Act
  3. #GoldenTemple

 

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