Cracks in Congress-Uddhav Sena alliance over Kolhapur Lok Sabha seat: Sources
The Congress is insisting on giving a ticket to Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj from Kolhapur. While the Shiv Sena (UBT) is ready for it, sources said the party wants Shahu Maharaj to contest on their symbol. Key Points
India TodayR-Day Parade 2024: Why were Punjab, Bengal's tableaus not selected?
Punjab and West Bengal have been rejected from the Republic Day Parade 2024 due to their tableaux not aligning with the broader themes of the parade. The Ministry of Defence sources stated that the tableaux proposals received from various States/UTs and Central Ministries/Departments are evaluated in a series of meetings by the Expert Committee for selection of tableaux, comprising eminent persons in the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, and choreography. Key Points
Economic TimesParliament security breach was ‘part of larger conspiracy’, say police. Terror charge invoked
5 arrested booked under UAPA. Police sources say they were 'funded' by 'channel of an organisation' now under probe. Add that they meant to throw pamphlets which said: 'Our PM is missing...'. Key Points
ThePrintKerala blast was IED explosion. Traces of ammonium nitrate, timer & battery found
The blast has claimed 1 life, seriously injured 2 others and 20 others have been taken for immediate treatment. sources say low intensity blast set flammable material in hall on fire. Key Points
ThePrintIndia extends tenure of SBI chairman until August 2024 -sources
India has extended the tenure of the chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI) (SBI.NS), the country's largest lender, until August next year, two government sources said. Key Points
Reuters
Upgradation of Eastern Ladakh’s Nyoma airfield begins to facilitate fighter jet operations along LAC
Since, at 13,700 ft, it will be world's highest airfield, fighter engines are being tweaked to enable operation at such heights. Defence Minister likely to inspect work next month. Key Points
ThePrintIndia's markets regulator to ease proposals on mutual fund fee structures - sources
India’s markets regulator will put forth two options to water down its earlier proposal to levy a standard investor fee on mutual funds, to limit the impact on the profitability of the 44.3 trillion-rupee ($537.75 billion) asset management industry, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. Key Points
ReutersManipur violence spiked in three phases
The ethnic violence has killed nearly 150 people, injured over 500 and displaced more than 50,000. The sources claimed that prices of essential commodities didnt overshoot because the Centre ensured goods supply and security of highways. Union home ministry sources said first wave was from May 3-6 in which 59 people died; second was from May 25-31 in which 28 were killed; third was from June 12-29. Key Points
Economic TimesExclusive: US chip CEOs plan Washington trip to talk China policy - sources
The chief executives of Intel Corp (INTC.O) and Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) are planning to visit Washington next week to discuss China policy, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Key Points
ReutersNo supportive evidence to arrest WFI president Brij Bhushan, say Delhi Police sources
According to top sources, Delhi police will be filing its final report on the matter within 15 days. Within 15 days we will be filing our report in the court. It could be in the form of a charge sheet or final report, Delhi police sources said. Key Points
Economic Times
Chhattisgarh: ED arrests Raipur mayor's brother in PMLA case linked to liquor 'scam'
The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday arrested Raipur Mayor Aijaz Dhebar's elder brother Anwar in a money laundering case linked to the alleged liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, official sources said. Aijaz Dhebar, 47, is a ruling party mayor in the Congress-ruled state. His elder brother Anwar, who runs a liquor business, was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) from a Raipur hotel in the morning, the sources said. Key Points
Economic TimesMoney laundering case against conman with ‘connections’
Sherpuria, who comes from Ghazipur in UP and made his fortunes in Gujarat, was arrested by UP STF from Kanpur last week. He has been accused of cheating several businessmen by faking access to the Prime Minister's Office. Key Points
The Indian ExpressPoonch ambush that killed 5 soldiers was planned by Jaish-e-Mohammed, lasted 6-8 minutes
Sources said 2 grenade pins were recovered from the spot, which would mean at least two were thrown at the truck. It is, however, believed the truck caught fire due to the burst fuel tank. Key Points
ThePrintNorthern Commander reviews security at Poonch terror attack site, Army set to order internal probe
Sources said the initial search operation was partially suspended Saturday in inhabited areas considering Eid celebrations, and it will resume in a day. The cordon continued to be in place. Key Points
The Indian ExpressPoonch terror attack: Terrorists likely hid in forests, adjacent gorge
The terrorists used 7.62 mm steel core bullets capable of piercing through bulletproof armour, sources said. Key Points
The Indian Express
SIA conducts raids at eight different locations in J&K to probe slush funds
According to government sources, more than ₹1.5 crore in funds were generated by crowdfunding and from suspected terror sources utilised for personal benefits, profiteering and furtherance of the secessionist-terrorist campaigns. Key Points
Hindustan TimesH3N2 seasonal, rise in cases normal: Govt sources
Sources in the central government said the rise in H3N2 cases was normal. India has so far recorded six deaths due to respiratory viral infection. Key Points
India TodayMusk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency, sources say
The network is being built by SpaceX's Starshield business unit under a $1.8 billion contract signed in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an intelligence agency that manages spy satellites, the sources said. Key Points
Economic TimesElon Musk's SpaceX is building hundreds of spy satellites for US government: Report
SpaceX is developing a network of spy satellites for a $1.8 billion contract with the NRO, enhancing US intelligence capabilities globally. Key Points
mintNitish Kumar may take oath as JD(U)-BJP government's Chief Minister on Jan 28: Sources
Nitish Kumar is likely to take oath as the Chief Minister of a new alliance between the Janata Dal (United) and BJP in Bihar on January 28, sources said. BJP leader Sushil Modi is likely to be his deputy, sources added. Key Points
India Today/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/DVJZUTDRIRJOPMF5RADKY65RSQ.jpg)
Exclusive: Nvidia delays launch of new China-focused AI chip -sources
Nvidia (NVDA.O) has told customers in China it is delaying the launch of a new artificial intelligence chip it designed to comply with U.S. export rules until the first quarter of next year, two sources familiar with the matter said. Key Points
ReutersHinduja company taps Japanese banks to fund Reliance Capital buy
Japanese banks may derive comfort from Reliance Capital's association with Nippon Life, a joint venture partner of the former, according to the sources. The two together run a life insurance joint venture in India. Key Points
Economic TimesNo arrest, Arvind Kejriwal may get 4th summon in liquor policy case, say top ED sources
Kejriwal termed the summons as "motivated", saying it was not clear if he was being called as a witness or a suspect in the case. His party called it a 'ploy' to stop him from campaigning in the national election due later this year. Key Points
Business TodayManipur Police search for 4 'abducted' Kuki-Zo persons, tribal body ITLF blames armed Meitei group
The 5th person travelling with them — a 65-yr-old 'left for dead' — was rescued by security forces in critical state. He's said to be the father of a serving soldier in the Indian Army. Key Points
ThePrintHow arrested 'ISI spy' targeted Indian defence personnel using malware & a school fee loophole
Gujarat ATS has arrested 53-yr-old living in Tarapur for 'aiding' ISI-run espionage racket target defence personnel. Prime accused migrated to India from Pakistan in 1999. Key Points
ThePrint
Lack of coordination and quota led to Karnataka defeat: BJP leaders
The anti-incumbency against the party's state government and inability to counter Congress '40% Sarkara campaign' were also cited as major reasons for BJP's defeat, sources said. The meeting was attended by BJP general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh, national general secretaries Arun Singh, CT Ravi, state unit head Nalin Kateel and former CM Basavaraj Bommai. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia asks Australian government to check attacks, vandalism by Khalistanis
The rising incidents of Sikh vandalism against the Indian community in Australia, besides the so-called referendum last Sunday, has been raised with Canberra on a number of occasions in the recent days, ET has learnt. Australian government sources told ET that they are taking the developments seriously and acting on them. Key Points
Economic TimesRaids across Kashmir districts over crowdfunding by suspected terror sources
Raids by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) were underway in various districts of Kashmir, in connection with crowdfunding by suspected terror sources. An FIR in the case has already been registered. Key Points
India Today'Did recce months ago, realised footwear isn't checked' — how Parliament security breach was planned
Manoranjan, one of the accused, got a cavity made inside his shoe to conceal a smoke canister. That is how he was able to take it inside bypassing all security, say police officers. Key Points
ThePrintVistara Airlines could cut flights amid pilot shortage, sources say
Vistara, jointly owned by Tata group and Singapore Airlines, has axed over 125 flights since April 1, as per a source. The cancellations stemmed from a wave of pilot sick leaves in late March. Some pilots took leave to protest a pay cut prior to the impending merger with Tata's Air India. The pilots cited exhaustion from a hectic schedule as a contributing factor. Two Vistara pilots disclosed this information. Key Points
Economic TimesE-notice provision, other amendments to SARFAESI, DRTA in pipeline to streamline debt recovery
New Delhi [India], March 19 (ANI): The Ministry of Finance has constituted a committee to determine further amendments to the SARFAESI and DRT Acts, including providing legal cover to e-notice for expeditious debt recovery, sources in the ministry said. The committee held several meetings and discussions are in the “advanced stage,” sources told ANI. Show […] Key Points
ThePrintAjay Singh's consortium raises offer for Go First by ₹100-150 crore, says report
The consortium, which includes budget carrier SpiceJet's managing director Ajay Singh and Busy Bee Airways, increased the bid amount between 1 billion rupees ($12.06 million) and 1.5 billion rupees, one of the sources said. Key Points
mintPM Modi asks cabinet ministers to avoid visiting Ayodhya in February, here's why
The newly-opened Ram Mandir has drawn massive crowd, prompting authorities in Ayodhya to take measures to control the gathering. PM Modi has asked his ministers to avoid visiting the temple in February, as per sources. Key Points
India TodayIsraeli forces bombard Hezbollah in Lebanon
Lebanese security sources told Reuters there were atleast 16 airstrikes in quick succession on the Suluki Valley, describing them as the densest bombardment of a single location since border-area hostilities began three months ago. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia has been trading fire across Lebanon's southern border with Israeli forces in support of Palestinian ally Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia and France probe suspected human trafficking case
India and France are investigating a suspected case of human trafficking involving a Nicaragua-bound flight detained by French authorities during a technical halt. The flight, carrying mostly Indian passengers, was grounded at Vatry airport, east of Paris. Two men have been taken into custody, and sources suggest it is a significant case of attempted human trafficking. Key Points
Economic Times
COVID subvariant JN.1 in Kerala raises concerns; check details
First detected in the United States in September 2023, the JN.1 variant is a descendant of BA.2.86. Key Points
Business TodayIndia authorises Apple, Dell, Lenovo and others to import laptops, tablets -sources
Apple (AAPL.O), Dell (DELL.N), HP (HPE.N), Samsung (005930.KS) and Lenovo (0992.HK) are among 110 firms authorised by India to import laptops, tablets and personal computers under a new system aimed at monitoring shipments, two government sources said. Key Points
ReutersExclusive: Mitsubishi Corp considering bid for Fujitsu's chip unit Shinko Electric -sources
Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T) is considering bidding for Fujitsu's (6702.T) chip packaging unit Shinko Electric Industries (6967.T), two sources said, as Japan's top trading house weighs an entry into semiconductor manufacturing. Key Points
ReutersBarclays begins culling 3% of its dealmakers-sources
Barclays Plc (BARC.L) initiated layoffs this week targeting 3% of its global investment banking workforce, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, as it attempts to streamline its franchise after a tumultuous year. Key Points
Reuters106 pc rise in foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2023 for Jan-Jun period
The number of foreign tourists visiting India in the first half of this year has increased by 106% compared to the same period in 2022, according to official sources. India has been making efforts to boost tourism, both domestic and international, after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Points
Economic Times
Woman shot dead outside school in Manipur's Imphal West
A woman was shot dead outside a school in Manipur's Imphal West district by unidentified assailants today, sources said. The incident comes a day after schools re-opened in the violence-hit state. Key Points
India Today