The Supreme Court used its special powers to ensure landowners receive compensation based on current market values if the government delays payment. The ruling came from a case involving land acquired for the Bengaluru-Mysuru project in 2003, with compensation significantly delayed, prompting the court to mandate payout based on 2019 rates.
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Starlink's satellite internet services will mainly complement existing networks, focusing on expanding access in India's rural areas. Due to higher costs and data caps, Starlink is unlikely to challenge Jio and Airtel's more affordable and faster broadband plans. Collaborations with Indian telcos for Starlink's deployment are pending regulatory approval.
The Indian government is expanding emergency health services by converting 12,348 primary health centres to 24x7 services and making operational 3,133 first referral units by March 2024. Additionally, 1,424 mobile medical units now provide healthcare in remote areas. This initiative aims to ensure timely medical intervention and improve healthcare access in rural and underserved regions.
Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested for smuggling Rs 17.3 crore worth of gold and cash at Bengaluru airport. Ranya, daughter of Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao, was intercepted with gold strapped to her body. A raid at her apartment revealed designer gold ornaments and cash. The investigation now extends to a Bengaluru jewelry boutique.
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket with 23 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The launch, initially scheduled for February 10, was delayed by a day. The rocket’s first stage landed successfully on a drone ship, while the upper stage deployed the satellites. This mission is part of SpaceX's effort to provide global high-speed internet.
The US State Department issued a travel advisory warning against travel to areas near the India-Pakistan border, the Line of Control, and the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to terrorism and potential for armed conflict. Americans are specifically advised to avoid these regions because of frequent terrorist attacks.
The Adani Group is selling its 44% stake in Adani Wilmar to Wilmar International for $2 billion, shifting focus to its core infrastructure business. This deal marks the end of Adani's 25-year foray into staples, following US accusations of securities fraud against Gautam Adani.
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, praised for the 2008 US-India Civil Nuclear Deal and economic reforms, passed away in New Delhi. Tributes from figures like Condoleezza Rice, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Justin Trudeau highlight his contributions to India's economy, poverty alleviation, and international relations.
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra criticised Mohammed Siraj's omission from India's Champions Trophy squad, suggesting Siraj's consistent ODI performances should have earned him a place over Ravindra Jadeja. Chopra emphasised Siraj's higher potential for contribution and discussed his impressive statistics, arguing that he would have been more valuable to the team in the tournament.
Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has advised Pakistani cricket players to avoid being too friendly with their Indian counterparts on the field. He warns that such behavior might be perceived as a weakness and could affect their performance, especially during the upcoming Champions Trophy in Dubai.
Google has formally requested the US Federal Trade Commission to break up Microsoft's exclusive cloud deal with OpenAI. Google argues this arrangement stifles competition and inflates prices for cloud customers seeking access to OpenAI's AI models. The FTC is already investigating potential antitrust issues involving Microsoft, OpenAI, and Nvidia in the AI sector.