News Today: 30 December 2021 - Quick Reference

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30 December, 2021

News Today:

Indian Bank’s bad loans may increase

Indian banks’ bad loans that stood at 6.9% of total advances as of September 30 may touch 8.1% by September next year under a baseline scenario, and as much as 9.5% under severe stress, a Reserve Bank of India report said. HT

WHO: Vaccines proving to be effective

WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan has said vaccines are still proving to be effective against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as she pointed out its “severity has not surged to a new level” even though infections are going up exponentially in many countries due to the Omicron variant. HT

Plea to postpone Uttarakhand elections

The Uttarakhand high court will hear on January 3 a plea seeking postponement of assembly elections in the state in the wake of the threat posed by the omicron variant of coronavirus. Counsels appearing for EC and the state government have been asked to obtain instructions on his application and the case has been listed for further hearing on Monday. HT

Foxconn’s iphone factory on probation

Apple Inc. has placed iPhone assembler Foxconn’s Sriperumbudur facility “on probation” after both companies found that the workers’ dormitory accommodations and dining rooms did not meet the required standards.“Foxconn’s Sriperumbudur facility has been placed on probation and we will ensure our strict standards are met before the facility reopens.” Hindu

No Amber alert in Delhi for now

Even as the Capital reported 923 cases on Wednesday — the highest since May 30 (946) when the second wave was waning —and a positivity rate of 1.29%, officials said the Delhi government will not issue an “amber alert” for now, as it doesn’t want to trigger panic among migrant workers. Indian Express

 

Hindi News: 

( so that you don’t miss out )

नए साल में ATM से पैसा निकालना और कपड़े-फुटवेयर खरीदना हो जाएगा महंगा 

RBI ने फ्री ट्रांजैक्शन के बाद कैश निकासी पर लगने वाले चार्ज को बढ़ाने की मंजूरी दी है। बैंक अभी ग्राहकों से 20 रुपए प्रति ट्रांजैक्शन वसूलते हैं। इसमें टैक्स शामिल नहीं है। RBI के मुताबिक, फ्री ट्रांजैक्शन के बाद बैंक अपने ग्राहकों से प्रति ट्रांजैक्शन 20 की जगह 21 रुपए ले सकेंगे। इसमें भी टैक्स शामिल नहीं है। यह नियम 1 जनवरी 2022 से लागू होगा। Bhaskar

झांसी रेलवे स्टेशन का नाम बदलकर वीरांगना लक्ष्मीबाई रेलवे स्टेशन

उत्तर प्रदेश में विधानसभा चुनाव से पहले झांसी रेलवे स्टेशन का नाम बदलकर वीरांगना लक्ष्मीबाई रेलवे स्टेशन कर दिया गया है। मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ के नेतृत्व वाली राज्य सरकार की तरफ से तीन महीने पहले नाम परिवर्तन करने का प्रस्ताव केंद्रीय गृह मंत्रालय को भेजा गया था, जिसे केंद्र सरकार ने मंजूरी दे दी है। इसका नोटिफिकेशन भी जारी कर दिया गया है। Bhaskar

राजस्थान में नई कोविड गाइडलाइन को मंजूरी

राजस्थान में एक ही दिन में ओमिक्रॉन के 23 नए मामले मिलने के बाद राज्य सरकार को सख्त कदम उठाने के लिए मजबूर होना पड़ा है। मुख्यमंत्री अशोक गहलोत की अध्यक्षता में हुई कैबिनेट मीटिंग में गृह विभाग की नई कोविड गाइडलाइन को मंजूरी दी गई। न्यू ईयर सेलिब्रेशन पर छूट रहेगी। हर तरह के समारोह में 200 से ज्यादा लोगों के इकट्ठा होने पर रोक रहेगी। Bhaskar

Google Trends Today

COVID rise in Maharashtra

Maharashtra reported 3,900 fresh Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, marking a steep rise from the 2,172 infections detected in the state a day earlier.

Theatre chains stock fall with Omicron

Shares of movie theatre chains PVR Limited and INOX Leisure Limited fell Tuesday afternoon after the Delhi government issued a yellow alert closing down cinema halls with immediate effect.

Jharkhand to cut petrol price by Rs 25 for 2 wheelers

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday said that the state government will give a major concession on petrol and diesel prices, but only for two-wheelers. “Jharkhand government has decided to give a concession of 25 per litre petrol to motorcycles and scooter riders,” Soren was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

 

Compiled from Google Trends

 

Twitter Trends 

  1. Tourists flock to domestic holiday spots even as Omicron cases surge
  2. Maori newsreader becomes first person with traditional chin tattoo to anchor news programme
  3. Inside China’s strictest lockdown where people face jail for going for a drive
  4. #HappyBirthdayTaehyung

 

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