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Weekly News Platter |
21 Dec, 2024, 11:40AM IST, PTI |
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Hello Reader,
In case you had a busy week, these are the top stories you need to get caught up to speed...
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 US Embassy introduces new visa appointment rules to cut wait times in India |
| The US Embassy in India will implement a new visa appointment rescheduling policy from January 1, 2025, allowing one free reschedule. Subsequent reschedules or missed appointments will require a new application and fee. Despite efforts to reduce wait times, B1/B2 visa applicants still face delays exceeding 400 days in most Indian consulates. Read more |
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 US attorney behind Adani's bribery charges, Breon Peace, to resign as Trump returns |
| Brooklyn US Attorney Breon Peace, appointed by President Biden, will step down on January 10. His tenure saw high-profile convictions, including singer R. Kelly and former Mexican official Genaro Garcia Luna. Peace's office also secured significant financial penalties from companies like Gunvor Group and RTX Corp. First Assistant US Attorney Carolyn Pokorny will replace him. Read more |
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 Tata Trusts tightens monitoring, shifts focus to grant-making |
| Tata Trusts has implemented stricter monthly reviews of projects to control operational costs and improve the impact of its philanthropic efforts. An internal audit revealed discrepancies, prompting enhanced monitoring and reporting. The Trusts may prioritize grants over direct implementation projects to minimize expenses and maximize funds for charitable causes. Read more |
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 Def min inks ₹7.6k cr deal with L&T for Vajra guns |
| India's Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹7,628 crore contract with Larsen & Toubro for 100 self-propelled K9 Vajra artillery guns. These guns, already deployed in Ladakh, enhance the Army's firepower in high-altitude areas with increased precision and mobility, even in extreme weather conditions. Domestic production will generate significant employment opportunities. Read more |
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 Trump-backed spending deal fails in House, shutdown approaches |
| A government shutdown looms as the House rejected a Trump-backed spending bill, with dozens of Republicans defying the former president. The bill aimed to extend funding, suspend the debt ceiling, and pave the way for future tax cuts. Disagreements within the Republican party and between parties leave the next steps uncertain, threatening holiday travel and federal worker pay. Read more |
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 Onion prices crash by 55% in a week |
| With onion prices plummeting over 50% in a week, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar urged Union Minister Piyush Goyal to remove the 20% export duty. Increased arrivals and export promotion could stabilize prices and benefit farmers, struggling with unseasonal rain losses. Read more |
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 Bitcoin hits $100K: What investors should know |
| Bitcoin has achieved a monumental milestone, surpassing the $100,000 mark for the first time in its history. This psychological barrier underscores the growing adoption of digital assets as a legitimate asset class, reshaping the global financial landscape. Read more |
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 NRIs don't miss golden opportunity as duty slash adds sheen to jewellery |
| NRIs are increasingly buying gold jewelry in India instead of Dubai. A customs duty cut and lower labor costs make Indian gold more affordable. NRI gold purchases in India rose 10-15% during the recent wedding season, while Dubai sales declined. Lower making charges and mandatory hallmarking are attracting NRIs to the domestic market. Read more |
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 Prince Harry-Meghan divorce buzz: Meghan's shocking claim about King, Camilla |
| Amid divorce rumours with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle has made shocking allegations about King Charles and Queen Camilla. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared plenty of explosive claims about their time in the royal family after they gave up royal duties. Meghan and Harry, now still largely estranged from the royals, reside in California with their son Archie, five, and daughter Lilibet, three. Read more |
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 Coming soon: A cancer vaccine for free, courtesy Russia |
| Russia has developed an mRNA cancer vaccine and plans to release it publicly in early 2025, free of charge. Pre-clinical trials show it inhibits tumor growth and spread. Researchers are also using AI to personalize cancer vaccines, potentially reducing creation time to under an hour. Read more |
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 Dutch say Tata Steel coke plant must clean up or face closure |
| Dutch regulators have threatened Tata Steel Netherlands with substantial fines and potential closure of a coke plant in IJmuiden. The company faces a €27 million penalty if emissions of volatile organic compounds and heavy metals aren't reduced within eight weeks. Tata Steel has one year to comply with regulations at one plant or risk losing its operating permit. Read more |
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GST Council meet: Ordering from Swiggy, Zomato may get cheaper; health insurance exemption on cards
Google Layoffs: Sundar Pichai announces major job cuts in these top roles amid threat from OpenAI
India considers exempting gift vouchers from GST; Council to discuss key issues
How is the economy really doing? India’s 63 million small businesses may have the answer
Trump's new hairdo causes quite a stir online; here's how the President-elect looks after makeover
Surat Diamond Bourse: World's largest office building echoes loss of shine in its empty halls
Nirmala Sitharaman applauds Mumbai airport customs for seizing smuggled gold worth Rs 1.48 crore
What can India learn from Vietnam to win 10% of global electronics production?
BJP leaders file 'Attempt to Murder' complaint against Rahul Gandhi following Parliament clash