Friday, 20 December 2024
Friday, 20 December 2024
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) left its key interest rates unchanged on Friday as expected, keeping the focus on inflation amid robust economic growth that is likely to provide the new Modi government headroom for manoeuvring reforms. There were signs of a more divided policy committee, with one additional member voting for a softening in stance as well as policy direction. Two external members, Ashima Goyal and Jayanth Varma, voted for a cut, compared to one in the previous meeting.
Heatwaves like those experienced in India this May are nearly 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the country's previously recorded hottest heatwaves, according to a new rapid attribution study by an independent group of climate scientists and researchers. The researchers analyzed how events similar to the high temperatures in India's May heatwave changed in the present (2001-2023) compared to the past (1979-2001).
Narendra Modi will take oath as Prime Minister for the third time, senior BJP leader Pralhad Joshi said here at the NDA parliamentary party meeting. Besides NDA MPs, senior leaders of the alliance, including chief ministers, were present for the meeting where BJP president J P Nadda is expected to propose a resolution in support of Modi's leadership, with allies and MPs likely to endorse it.
Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty climbed over 2 per cent to settle at record closing high levels on Friday after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised upwards the GDP growth projection to 7.2 per cent for 2024-25 from 7 per cent earlier. IT and interest rate-sensitive bank, realty, and auto stocks ended with sharp gains.
Enforcement Directorate asserted before a Delhi court on Friday it has "ample evidence" to link Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to "grave" economic offences, as it opposed his application for regular bail in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam. The judge posted the matter for June 14 for further arguments on the application.
Congress demanded a high-level investigation under the Supreme Court's supervision into "irregularities" in NEET for medical courses and accused the BJP of cheating youngsters and playing with their futures. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has denied any irregularities and said the changes made in National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks and grace marks for losing time at examination centres are behind the students scoring higher marks.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said if the next Lok Sabha polls take place five years down the line, he does not see himself contesting another election for the Lower House as he believes that one needs to know when to step aside for the younger blood to come in. Tharoor added that but for now, there are five years to serve and he is determined to do his best for the people he represents during that time.
Some farmer outfits threw their weight behind the CISF woman constable who allegedly slapped actor and BJP MP-elect Kangana Ranaut, saying the entire sequence leading to the incident needs to be properly investigated. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha were among the prominent outfits which said they stand in support of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) woman constable.
Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has invoked the case of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal getting bail to campaign ahead of India's general elections, as he complained before the Supreme Court about the mistreatment meted to him in jail. Khan, complaining of oppression against him, pointed out that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was released on bail by the apex court ahead of the Indian general elections for campaigning for his party but he was facing oppression in Pakistan which was under undeclared "martial law".
USA bowler Rusty Theron has accused Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf of ball tampering during the T20 World Cup match between the two sides. The 38-year-old seamer, who used to play for South Africa before, also slammed the ICC for turning a blind eye to the alleged incident.
