News Today: 28 December 2021 - Quick Reference

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28 December, 2021

News Today:

New directions come three months after 3,000 kg of high quality Afghan heroin was caught

Cargo containers at all Indian ports will have to be scanned for contraband, home minister Amit Shah said at a meeting Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), according to people familiar with the development.Authorities at private and state-run ports will have to make arrangements for container scanners and related equipment, he instructed.. HT

PM to be at IIT convocation ceremony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the completed section of the Kanpur Metro rail project in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur city and attend the convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) on Tuesday, his office has announced.. HT

Mercedes Maybach S650 for PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi now has the Mercedes-Maybach S650 armoured vehicle as a part of his convoy—upgraded from Range Rover Vogue and Toyota Land Cruiser. Mercedes-Maybach S650 Guard is the latest facelifted model with VR10 level protection— the highest-ever provided in a production car. According to reports, Mercedes-Maybach launched the S600 Guard in India last year for 10.5 crore and the S650 can cost more than 12 crore. HT

Approval to Covovax and Corbevax

An expert panel of the country’s central drug authority has recommended granting emergency use authorisation to Serum Institute of India’s COVID-19 vaccine Covovax and Biological E’s vaccine Corbevax with certain conditions, official sources said on Monday.. Hindu

Keeping Indian workers relevant in the Gulf job market 

Under the new programme — dubbed Tejas, or Training in Emirate Jobs & Skills — the government has partnered with leading employers in the UAE to “train, certify and place 10,000 Indian workers in a year”and “100,000 across the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] region over the next five years”. Indian Express

 

Hindi News: 

( so that you don’t miss out )

3 जनवरी से 15 से 18 साल तक के बच्चों को कोरोना वैक्सीन 

देश में 3 जनवरी से 15 से 18 साल तक के बच्चों को कोरोना वैक्सीन लगाई जाएगी। इसके लिए 1 जनवरी से रजिस्ट्रेशन कराया जा सकेगा। केंद्र की गाइडलाइंस के मुताबिक, अभी इस एज ग्रुप के बच्चों को केवल कोवैक्सिन ही लगाई जाएगी। कोविन (CoWIN) प्लेटफॉर्म चीफ डॉ. आरएस शर्मा ने बताया कि इसके लिए कोविन ऐप पर रजिस्ट्रेशन कर सकेंगे। Bhaskar

उत्तर प्रदेश समेत 5 राज्यों में विधानसभा चुनाव तय समय पर ही कराए जाने पर विचार

केंद्र सरकार और चुनाव आयोग ओमिक्रॉन के बढ़ते मामलों के बीच अगले साल UP समेत 5 राज्यों में होने वाले विधानसभा चुनाव टालने के मूड में नहीं हैं। केंद्रीय स्वास्थ्य सचिव राजेश भूषण ने 5 राज्यों उत्तराखंड, गोवा, मणिपुर, यूपी और पंजाब के साथ एक उच्च स्तरीय बैठक की, जिसमें इन राज्यों में वैक्सीनेशन और टेस्टिंग बढ़ाने के निर्देश दिए गए। Bhaskar

मिशनरीज ऑफ चैरिटी – किसी भी बैंक खाते को फ्रीज करने का आदेश नहीं

पश्चिम बंगाल की CM ममता बनर्जी ने मदर टेरेसा के मिशनरीज ऑफ चैरिटी के सभी बैंक खातों के सील होने पर हैरानी जताई है। ममता ने इसे लेकर सोशल मीडिया पोस्ट के जरिए केंद्र सरकार पर तंज कसा है।हिन्दुस्तान टाइम्स की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, मिशनरीज ऑफ चैरिटी ने बयान जारी कर बताया कि केंद्रीय गृह मंत्रालय ने उसके किसी भी बैंक खाते को फ्रीज करने का आदेश नहीं दिया है। संस्था ने एक स्पष्टीकरण जारी करते हुए कहा कि FCRA न तो निलंबित किया गया है और न ही रद्द किया गया है। Bhaskar

 

Google Trends Today

Major Tax evasion racket in UP

The Director General of GST Intelligence, Ahmedabad, has unearthed a major tax evasion racket involving Uttar Pradesh-based businessman Piyush Jain, at whose business and residential premises taxmen have found ₹194.45 crore cash, 23 kg of gold and unaccounted raw materials worth ₹6 crore.

Delhi COVID rise

Delhi recorded 331 fresh Covid cases, which is the highest single-day spike since June 9, and one death in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate is at 0.68 per cent. The death toll due to the coronavirus infection in Delhi rose to 25,106..

 

Compiled from Google Trends

 

Twitter Trends 

  1. The global supply chain is impaired by a trust deficit, experts say
  2. The trial of Ghislaine Maxwell: Jurors have resumed deliberations after holiday break
  3. Latest verdict in Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial postponed until January 10
  4. #HappyBirthdaySalmanKhan

 

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