Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 on Saturday, aiming to foster industry growth and inclusivity. Key focuses include support for women-led enterprises, infrastructure development, tax relief, MSME sector support, and advancements in digitalization, green technology, and healthcare funding.
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Nine Maoists, four with a total bounty of Rs 23 lakh, surrendered to security forces in Bijapur, Bastar division. Among them were three women, including Laxmi Madvi with an Rs 8 lakh reward. Police cited the new rehabilitation policy and Niyad Nellanar scheme as influencing factors.
Prime Minister Modi invoked Goddess Lakshmi on Budget-eve, later Indian taxpayers received significant tax relief. Finance Minister announced revised tax slabs where the biggest benefit is for those earning up to Rs 12.75 lakh, making their tax liability nil. Changes include rebates up to Rs 60,000 and altered tax rates for various income brackets.
Isro is working on enhancing the precision of its automated satellite docking. After a successful initial docking on January 16, the agency plans additional docking attempts, focusing on shorter separations and fuel-efficient maneuvers. Results will inform future missions like Chandrayaan-4 and India’s space station. The data and simulations are being reviewed for subsequent trials.
India chased down Bangladesh's total of 228 with 21 balls remaining in their ICC Champions Trophy opener, despite some mild concern at 144/4. Virender Sehwag dismissed Bangladesh as a serious threat, suggesting that the win could have been swifter if more wickets had been preserved. India secured victory with 21 balls remaining, thanks to a significant partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, with the latter reaching his century.
Tata Electronics has acquired a 60% stake in Pegatron's India unit, which operates an iPhone plant in Tamil Nadu. This acquisition positions Tata Electronics as a significant Apple supplier in India. The company plans to collaborate with Pegatron Technology India and diversify its production to include components for Xiaomi and Oppo.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, asserts that humans can’t be productive beyond 8-9 hours of continuous work, addressing the extended workweek debate. He emphasizes that while longer hours are sometimes necessary, such demands shouldn't be the daily norm. Instead, strategic thinking and quality should be prioritized.
South Asian expecting parents, especially from India, are uncertain about their child's nationality after President Trump's rule denying automatic US citizenship to kids of temporary foreign workers. This policy faces legal challenges. Immigration analysts warn that if enforced, US-born kids of H-1B visa holders won't get citizenship, impacting many Indian immigrants in the US.
Joe Rogan praised Elon Musk in a podcast, calling him a 'very unique human being' for running multiple companies and working with the US government. Musk responded humorously to the viral clip on social media. Musk, who shares a rapport with Rogan, also changed his social media name to Harry Bolz after reports of his bid for OpenAI.
Senior civil servant Arunish Chawla, currently the pharmaceuticals secretary, is appointed as the new revenue secretary. Amit Agrawal will succeed Chawla. Vineet Joshi is selected as the higher education secretary. The reorganisation also includes key shifts like Sanjay Sethi heading the national commission for minorities and Rachna Shah leading the department of personnel and training.
Joshua Riibe, the man who was last seen with Sudiksha Konanki, claims he rescued Sudiksha Konaki from rough Caribbean waters but cannot explain her subsequent disappearance. Riibe told police he fell asleep after vomiting seawater and did not see her again. Police are investigating potential foul play, and Riibe has declined to answer further questions on his lawyer's advice.