The Budget has created room for RBI to cut interest rates by maintaining fiscal consolidation and reducing government borrowing. With the lower fiscal deficit target and expected healthy income tax collections, the RBI may lower the policy rate in the upcoming MPC meeting.
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Starlink faces a potential 3% spectrum tax on its adjusted gross revenue in India. This tax, alongside an 8% license fee, could increase service costs for the company. Discussions by Trai on pricing and taxes for satellite spectrum allocation are ongoing, with final recommendations expected soon.
Indian and US officials will get down to finalising the contours of the proposed bilateral trade agreement, starting Wednesday, along with terms of reference and schedule of what is expected to be a two-stage pact. Assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch will hold talks with Rajesh Agarwal, additional secretary in the commerce department, with the idea of clinching the first tranche of the deal by Sept-Oct.
Approximately 36,000 children remain untraceable across India since 2020 despite efforts by state and central police to recover missing children. Centre advised states to transfer long-term missing children cases to anti-human trafficking units. Notable data gaps exist as several states haven't provided information on missing children, highlighting the continuing challenge of child trafficking.
A teenage girl in Shanghai accidentally sold her mother's jewellery, worth one million yuan, for 60 yuan to buy lip studs and earrings. Believing the items were fake, she made the sale. Police quickly traced and recovered the valuables, returning them to the mother.
England captain Jos Buttler praised Abhishek Sharma for his magnificent 135 off 54 balls in India's 150-run win over England in the fifth T20I. Buttler acknowledged Sharma's clean ball striking and credited the Indian team for their remarkable performance. He mentioned the difficulty of stopping an on-fire player and appreciated England's effort despite the loss.
Puneet Khurana, a businessman from Model Town, allegedly took his own life after claiming in a video that his wife and in-laws demanded an additional Rs 10 lakh, which he couldn't afford. He detailed being tortured by them despite filing for mutual divorce. Police are investigating all evidence, including counter-allegations from his wife's family.
Jasprit Bumrah's workload management is crucial with the packed cricket schedule. Former South African bowler Vernon Philander highlights the need to strategically manage fast bowlers' efforts to ensure performance in key fixtures. Bumrah is currently recovering and still not cleared for the ICC Champions Trophy. Recovery and guidance from fitness trainers and physios are essential.
Abu Qatal, a prominent Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, also known as Faisal Nadeem, was killed by unidentified assailants in Jhelum Sindh, Pakistan. He was a significant target for Indian security agencies due to his involvement in major terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Rajouri and Reasi attacks.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a significant shift in the country's relationship with the US, emphasizing the need for economic independence from its neighbour. This comes in response to US tariffs that Carney described as a "direct attack" on Canada's economy, pledging forceful retaliatory measures.
With the Champions Trophy format allowing little room for error, India's big stars, led by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, face Bangladesh in their opening Group-A match in Dubai. Hosts Pakistan, meanwhile, opened the tournament with a defeat against New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday and will face India on February 23 in a must-win game.