The Supreme Court has decided that the CBI does not need permission from state governments to register an FIR against Central government officials working in different states. This decision came after overturning the Andhra Pradesh High Court's order that had quashed CBI investigations for corruption. The ruling clarifies that general consent under the DSPE Act is sufficient.
A new UK-developed atomic clock using quantum technology offers enhanced security for military operations. It reduces GPS dependence and precise timekeeping capabilities. The trial indicates a significant advancement for defence and industry. The technology could also improve GPS accuracy and support various military applications in the future.
President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman at the PBD Convention in January. Notable awardees include Baroness Usha Kumari Prashar and Dr. Sharmila Ford. The award recognises the achievements of overseas Indians. Institutions like Saraswati Vidya Niketan and Hindustani Samaj will also be honoured. The Vice-President and External Affairs Minister led the selection committee.
Residents across the US, Canada, and the UK are experiencing mysterious dense fog with a chemical-like odor, causing health issues. The phenomenon has led to speculation, including theories of chemical weapons or drone links, but no official explanations have been provided yet.
The Reserve Bank of India has lifted the lending restrictions on Arohan Financial Services. The ban was initially imposed due to unfair practices. Arohan has since taken corrective measures. The central bank is satisfied with Arohan's revamped processes and commitment to regulatory guidelines. Arohan can now resume business immediately.
Marcela Iglesias, a 47-year-old influencer from Los Angeles, plans to undergo a blood transfusion from her 23-year-old son, Rodrigo, in 2025 to reverse the effects of ageing. The procedure, which aims to rejuvenate cells, has sparked mixed reactions online. Despite concerns over safety, Iglesias believes that transferring blood from a younger donor can have significant health benefits. She has already invested heavily in wellness treatments, including stem cell therapy, and continues to explore unconventional methods to maintain youth.
India's foreign exchange reserves decreased by $4.112 billion to $640.279 billion for the week ending December 27. This marks the fourth consecutive weekly decline, with the reserves shrinking by over $60 billion since October due to foreign institutional investment outflows and the central bank's efforts to curb rupee depreciation.
The Supreme Court criticized the National Highways Authority of India for filing an appeal 229 days late. They dismissed the appeal and asked the government to introspect and punish the responsible officials. A concession agreement dispute with IVRCL Chengapalli Tollways was involved in this case. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta agreed to look into the issue.
Donald Trump is back in White House again and this time in his team, there are multiple billionaires. Trump has chosen billionaires to help shape his administration. The total net worth of the billionaires in the Trump administration equals at least $382.2 billion, which is more than the GDP of 172 countries. Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, Warren Stephens, Linda McMahon, Jared Isaacman, Howard Lutnick, Steven Witkoff, Doug Burgum and Scott Bessent are the billionaires in Trump's new team.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the significance of the Maldives in India's neighbourhood first policy and New Delhi's financial aid to the island nation. Bilateral talks focused on economic and maritime security partnerships, financial stress assistance, and using local currencies for cross-border trade.
Donald Trump Jr. celebrated his 47th birthday and introduced his new girlfriend Bettina Anderson at the Trump family's New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago.
Peacock’s new documentary, Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy, examines Sean Combs’ rise from a music icon to a controversial figure facing criminal charges. The 90-minute feature includes exclusive interviews and footage.
US President Joe Biden celebrated the confirmation of 235 federal judges during an event at the White House. He emphasized their importance in upholding liberty, justice, and equality. Online speculation arose over a dark mark on Biden's left hand, with various theories circulating about its cause. Biden's health remains a topic of public interest.
China has downplayed reports of a massive flu outbreak, saying it is less severe compared to last year. Foreign Ministry reassures it is safe for foreigners to travel to China. The government is taking care of citizens' and foreigners' health. Guidelines have been issued for prevention and control of respiratory diseases. The outbreak is an annual occurrence during winter.
Milind Nagnur resigned as Kotak Mahindra Bank's COO and CTO effective Feb. 15 due to personal reasons. He joined Kotak after previously serving as managing director at Citigroup and CTO at Early Warning. During his tenure, the Reserve Bank of India imposed restrictions on the bank due to gaps in its IT infrastructure.
Hindustan Unilever is in talks to acquire beauty brand Minimalist. This and more in ETtech Top 5.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s position hangs in the balance as internal dissent within the GOP sparks rumors of his potential ousting.
EV companies have agreed that they will not require subsidies after the current subsidy regime ends. During a meeting with stakeholders, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that companies can choose their own business models, whether collaborating on battery swapping or using their own batteries. There’s no need for new incentives or subsidies for the EV ecosystem's growth.
Rising receivables days suggest slower payment collection, potentially impacting liquidity. StockEdge identified five Nifty 200 stocks with increased receivables, indicating possible credit management issues or collection inefficiencies.
A special MP-MLA court in Muzaffarnagar charged several BJP leaders and others for their alleged roles in the 2013 riots. The charges include inciting communal tension and violating prohibitory orders. The next hearing is on January 30. The riots led to over 60 deaths and displaced more than 40,000 people in western UP.
Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has issued an administrative warning to JM Financial for regulatory non-compliance. Sebi issued a letter on January 2, JM Financial said in a regulatory filing.
Despite being discovered over 20 years ago, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) still lacks a vaccine, making it a challenging respiratory disease to combat. The virus has been reported in China, raising concerns globally. With hospitals under strain, especially in China, India remains vigilant, with the Union Health Ministry closely monitoring developments. Experts advise general precautions to prevent respiratory infections, while health authorities collaborate with global agencies like the WHO.
