The Rajya Sabha continued the debate past midnight on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill with partisan alignment similar to Lok Sabha. BJD softened its stance, allowing its members to vote based on their conscience, potentially aiding the NDA in enacting the new law regulating Islamic endowments.
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The Enforcement Directorate has issued a FEMA violation notice to One97 Communications, owner of Paytm, for alleged irregularities related to its acquisition of Little Internet Private Limited and Nearbuy India Private Limited. The notice addresses potential contraventions between 2015 and 2019 involving investment transactions and includes certain current and past directors and officers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritian PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam inaugurated the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation in Mauritius, furthering India's role as a global development partner. Funded by a $4.7 million Indian grant, the institute aims to train Mauritian civil servants and enhance research and governance collaboration.
V Narayanan will become the new chairman of Isro on January 14. Rising from humble beginnings, the son of a farmer, he has been pivotal in developing cryogenic engines vital for India's Chandrayaan missions. A rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert with an M.Tech and Ph.D., Narayanan aims to elevate Isro further.
Prakash Karat, senior CPI(M) leader, called for a ban on foreign funding in India's democratic system, criticizing the BJP government’s handling of US deportations of Indian citizens. He also condemned the government for not addressing the mistreatment of citizens during deportation. Karat demanded the resignation of railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the recent stampede incidents at Maha Kumbh and Delhi Railway station, blaming the government’s failure to ensure safety.
Two seers at Maha Kumbh, Mahamandaleshwar Arun Giri and SK Narayan Giri, are drawing crowds due to their luxurious gold ornaments. Arun Giri wears 6.7 kg of gemstone rings and gold bracelets, believing they aid in meditation, while Narayan Giri, known as Golden Baba, wears 4 kg of jewelry. They aim to distribute saplings to devotees.
The Trump Organization is set to enter India's commercial real estate market with Trump World Centre in Pune. The project features two towers with 27 floors of office space. One will be for-sale offices and the other leaseable offices. India is the Trump brand's largest market outside the US.
ISRO has made significant progress in developing a semi-cryogenic engine, successfully conducting a hot test of the Engine Power Head Test Article. This engine, set to power the LVM-3 launch vehicle, uses non-toxic propellants and is expected to boost payload capacity. The breakthrough follows the establishment of a dedicated testing facility, with further tests planned to optimize performance.
US Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha Vance, will visit India later this month. This marks Vance's second international trip after criticizing European leaders at the Munich Security Conference. Usha Vance, of Indian origin with a strong legal background, brings cultural significance to the visit.
The Election Commission will direct the Centre to exclude any Delhi-specific announcements in the Union Budget presented on Feb 1 due to the upcoming Delhi assembly polls. While the matter of regulating 'election freebies' is still sub-judice, parties need to disclose the financial feasibility of poll promises.
Mumbai ITAT ruled in favor of M Gulati, confirming his non-resident status as he spent 210 days abroad. The tribunal clarified that both employment and job search periods abroad qualify for non-residency. This ruling means non-residents are not taxed on overseas income, benefiting expatriates seeking employment abroad.