MoS Lekhi disowns Parliament reply, leaves govt red-faced. MEA then says 'technical correction' needed
MEA website now says correction needed to reflect that response was by MoS V. Muraleedharan, not Lekhi. Opposition uses issue to get back at govt over Mahua Moitra's expulsion. Key Points
ThePrintMoS Meenakshi Lekhi denies signing LS reply on designating Hamas as terror group, calls for inquiry
Answer attributed to Lekhi is available on both Lok Sabha and MEA websites. It refers to designation of an organisation as terrorist being covered under UAPA. Key Points
ThePrintNITI Aayog lays out a blueprint for pandemic preparedness to tackle any Covid-like outbreak in future
Dr Renu Swarup-led expert panel set up for the purpose has proposed enacting a new Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA), setting up of a special pandemic preparedness and emergency response fund and creating an institutionalized empowered governance mechanism to tackle public health emergencies in future. The idea is to put in place an emergency response which begins action on day zero and gives the required results to have disease prevention, mitigation and control in place within 100 days of the outbreak. Key Points
Economic TimesPunjab bandh: Shops across Doaba region shut, lukewarm response seen in other parts of state
In the Doaba region, which includes Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts, most commercial establishments remained shut and market areas wore a deserted look. The transportation facilities, however, saw no impact. Key Points
Hindustan TimesSunil Grover's EXCLUSIVE interview on working with Salman Khan in Bharat and Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan
In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the actor spoke about the response to the show, playing the characters of Dr. Gulathi and Gutthi, and working with Salman Khan in Bharat and Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan. Key Points
Firstpost
Utkarsh Small Finance Bank lists at 60% premium over IPO price
Utkarsh Small Finance Bank's IPO received a large response from investors, with the issue being subscribed nearly 102 times at close. The stock was listed at Rs 40 on NSE and Rs 39.95 on BSE, 60% higher than its IPO price of Rs 25. The bank's net NPAs stood at 1.33%, 2.31%, and 0.39% for FY21, FY22, and FY23, respectively. ICICI Securities and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company acted as the book-running lead managers to the issue. Key Points
Economic TimesToday’s Cache | E.U. regulators target Google’s ad-tech business; FTC looks to block Microsoft-Activision deal; Centre denies CoWIN data breach
News snippets for E.U. regulators planning to demand Google sell part of its ad-tech business, U.S. FTC looking to block Microsoft’s Activision deal, and the Health Ministry in India denying CoWIN data breach. Key Points
The HinduDigital nagriks not to be experimented on with ‘unreliable’ models, algorithms: MoS IT Chandrasekhar warns Google
Under fire over AI tool Gemini’s objectionable response and bias to a question on PM Modi, Google concedes that chatbot ‘may not always be reliable’. Union... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaAaditya writes to Chahal about corruption in BMC
“I had simply asked for the itemised market cost of ordered items. While the BMC could have given that, it chose not to give that and gave us another chance to doubt. The response states that four items have been purchased, as per the Unified Schedule of Rates (USOR) of the BMC. However, when was this USOR last revised, and what items have been purchased as per that, in what quantity and at what cost,” Thackeray questioned in his letter | Mumbai news Key Points
Hindustan TimesBeing overweight hampers body's immune response to Covid infection: Study
A new study shows that being overweight can affect the immune response of the body against Covid-19 infection. Read details inside. | Health Key Points
Hindustan Times
Covid Boosters Can’t Outpace New Mutations. Here’s Why They Still Work
The latest vaccines are designed to target XBB.1.5, the dominant variant throughout much of 2023—until now. Key Points
WIREDStones pelted, slogans raised in procession after Hindu men thrashed in Maha's Ahmednagar
A few days ago, unidentified miscreants attacked Hindu youths with stones near Jorv Naka in Sangamner. In response to this incident, a march was organised. Key Points
India TodayIIT hopes dashed by ‘glitch in the matrix’, a 17-yr-old’s spirited fight against the system
A Vadodara resident, mathematics was close to his heart since his primary school days. From Class VI, Khush was determined to pursue engineering as he believes “engineers are all-rounders in every field”. Key Points
The Indian Express‘Tiniest invasion’ will result in massive response: Iran
Even as Israel mulls response to Iran’s missile and drone attack, Iran warned that even the “tiniest” invasion of its territory would... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaNo relief for Kejriwal: Delhi HC refuses to interfere with Delhi CM's ED arrest, next hearing set for Apri
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has set the next date for the hearing on April 3, with the central agency required to file a response the day before. The Justice said that the ED has to be granted an opportunity to file a reply, as an opportunity for effective representation. Key Points
Economic Times
Esconet Technologies shares list at 245% premium over issue price
Esconet Technologies IPO received a stellar response from investors with an overall subscription of over 471 times at close. The overwhelming response was led by NII and retail investors whose categories were booked 800 and 500 times, respectively. The company is engaged in the business of meeting a wide range of IT requirements such as high-performance supercomputing solutions, data centre facilities, encompassing storage servers, network security, virtualization, and data protection. Key Points
Economic Times'Shoot-at-Sight' orders enforced as violence breaks out in Uttarakhand amid Madrasa demolition
Over 50 police officers were injured in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, during a clash while dismantling an illegal madrasa. Shoot-at-sight orders were issued to control unrest as the demolition turned violent, with stones thrown at officials. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami condemned the clash, emphasizing adherence to a court order. Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay reiterated the illegality of the structures, with efforts underway to apprehend instigators. The government is taking strict measures to restore peace and uphold the rule of law. Key Points
Economic TimesVersuni India, formerly Philips Domestic Appliances, opens a new manufacturing facility in India at Ahmedabad
Versuni India has opened a new factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, to manufacture airfryers and garment steamers. The facility will create 1,000 jobs in the next three years. Key Points
mintIndian government blocks 100 websites for offering fake jobs, here are the details
In a robust response to the escalating threat of cybercrime, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in India has implemented stringent measures to block more than 100 websites involved in task-based part-time job scams. Here are the details. Key Points
India TodayVivek Agnihotri opens up on lukewarm response to The Vaccine War
Director Vivek Agnihotri has opened up about the modest box office collections of The Vaccine War. The film has grossed ₹3.25 crore in India so far. | Bollywood Key Points
Hindustan Times
Calls issuing death threats, Kamlesh Tiwari aide seeks ‘category-level’ security
The court of Justice Samir Dave sought the Centre’s response. The matter will be taken up on May 5 next. Key Points
The Indian ExpressAdvocate B.S. Ajeetha resigns as Internal Complaints Committee member of Kalakshetra Foundation
Advocate B.S. Ajeetha has resigned from the post of member, Internal Complaints Committee, Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, “disturbed” by the response of the administration to the recent sexual harassment complaints levelled by some students of the prestigious institute, that offers programmes in Indian classical arts, against a few instructors. Key Points
The HinduNandita Das is overwhelmed by the response to Zwigato: ‘As long as I see the gentle stir, I am happy’
Zwigato, starring Kapil Sharma and Shahana Goswami, was released in theatres last Friday. The film is directed by Nandita Das. Key Points
The Indian ExpressIT Minister for State responds to Google's apology over Gemini's controversial remarks on PM Modi: Here's what he said
The Google Gemini AI platform controversy in India intensifies as Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar expresses dissatisfaction with Google's apology. The government seeks accountability for biased responses, emphasizing the need for strict regulations in AI deployment. Key Points
mintTop Iran-backed militia commander, linked to US troop deaths, killed in Baghdad
The U.S. struck Iran-backed Iraqi groups in Iraq and Syria last weekend in response to the killing of three U.S. soldiers in a drone attack. | World News Key Points
Hindustan Times
Former Harvard head said she was called 'N-word,' got death threats
Gay, former University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth testified before a US House of Representatives committee on Dec. 5 about an alleged rise in antisemitism on college campuses after Israel attacked Gaza in response to Hamas' Oct.7 strike on Israel. Key Points
Business TodayTamil Nadu: 31 die due to heavy rains; FM Sitharaman announces Rs 900 cr for state
In response to this tragedy, the central government has announced Rs. 900 crore in immediate financial assistance to the state to aid in relief and recovery efforts. Key Points
Business Today