White House: President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Grand Foyer at White House just hours after Iran rained more than a dozen rockets down on airbases in Iraq housing U.S. troops. Iranians said the attack was in response to a U.S. drone strike last week that killed Qasem Soleimani, one of Tehran’s most powerful leaders. While the Iranian regime portrays Qasem Soleimani as a hero, “ordinary Iranians and many others in the region know him as a murderous and brutal killer responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands in Iran and across the region maintained by White House. Trump described Soleimani as “the world’s top terrorist and should have been terminated long ago”. “All of our soldiers are safe and only minimal damage was sustained at our military bases. Our great American forces are prepared for anything,” he said.
Iran urged India: Iran’s Ambassador to India Ali Chegeni said his country will welcome any peace initiative by New Delhi to de-escalate tensions in the region following the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. Speaking to reporters after a condolence meeting for the late general at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, Chegeni said, “India usually plays a very good role in (maintaining) peace in the world. India belongs to this region. We welcome all initiatives from all countries, especially India as a good friend for us, to not allow escalation (of tensions).”
Bharat Bandh: Wednesday in response to a one-day nationwide strike called by ten central trade unions against the government’s ‘anti-people’ policies the strikers got a mixed response in the state, while the things became violent in West Benga as West Bengal Govt and TMC opposed the Bandh culture of Lefts. In September 2019, a resolution was adopted by trade unions — INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC — and associations to go on a nationwide strike on January 8, 2020.
Jihadi module cracked: A Tamil Nadu-based ‘jihadi’ module with links to a similar group in neighbouring Karnataka and planning to carry out nationwide attacks has been busted with the arrest of eight men, police said on Wednesday. The eight people, including three “radical elements” from Bengaluru, were arrested and pistols and ammunition recovered from them by the ‘Q’ branch police, which handles matters related to extremists and involving national security.
Visva Bharati: BJP MP Swapan Dasgupta, who was scheduled to deliver a lecture Wednesday at the Visva Bharati University on the Citizenship Amendment Act, faced protests by members of the CPI(M)-backed SFI who also stalled the programme. “How does it feel to have a mob attack a peaceful meeting on CAA and intimidation students? This is what is happening to a meeting I am addressing at Vishwa Bharati now. Locked into room now with mob outside (sic),” Dasgupta tweeted.
Bhim Army: Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Arul Verma passed the directions in an interim order directed the Tihar jail authorities on Wednesday to provide urgent medial treatment to Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, arrested in connection with violence during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest in old Delhi’s Daryaganj area, his lawyer said.
MHA Guidelines: Consolidating its “zero tolerance” policy for crime and in an endeavour to fast track the dispensation of justice, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued revised guidelines for international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The revised guidelines provide step-by-step guidance to the investigation agencies for drafting and processing of Letters Rogatory and Mutual Legal Assistance requests and service of summons, notices and other judicial documents.
Boycott Deepika: Amid calls for a boycott against actor Deepika Padukone’s upcoming film ‘Chhapaak’ for her standing in solidarity with JNU students, Union minister Prakash Javadekar Wednesday said there can be no objection to anyone expressing his or her opinion. Padukone on Tuesday visited JNU. South Delhi BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri asked people to boycott ‘Chhapaak’ for her support to the “tukde-tukde gang”. Many are tweeting and urging others to boycott her upcoming movie Chhapaak, the hashtag #boycottchhapaak is also trending on the micro-blogging site.
Jammu and Kashmir: A group of at least 15 foreign envoys from different regions will be taken to Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday to see the government’s efforts to restore normalcy in the region, people familiar with developments said on Wednesday. Officials in Srinagar said the group of envoys was expected to meet panchayat members and representatives of local body and NGOs.
Coal production: In a bid to attract investments and boost domestic coal production, the government on Wednesday approved promulgation of an ordinance to open up coal mining in the country to non-coal companies while removing restrictions on end-use of the fuel. The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also gave its nod for concluding auction of iron ore and other mineral mines before the expiry of their current mining lease on March 31, so as to avoid disruption in production.
SBI Guarantee: State Bank of India, said chairman Rajnish Kumar, will provide a guarantee to home buyers for project completion to push demand for residential units. The scheme also aims to complete stalled housing projects. The Scheme covers – Residential Builder Finance with Buyer Guarantee (RBBG) – will apply to SBI-funded residential projects and those availing home loans from SBI. The guarantee will be available until a project gets an Occupation Certificate. The fees for such a guarantee will be borne by the developer.
MARKET TODAY
- SENSEX-40817.74 (-51.73)
- NIFTY-12025.35 (-27.60)
- GOLD (MCX 10 GM)-40110.00 (-553.00)
- SILVER (MCX 1 KG)-47434.00 (-672.00)
- USD ($) / INR(Rupees Icon)-71.72 (0.08)
| Money Market | |
| Call Rates | : 3.00% – 5.25% * |
| * as on previous day | |
| Government Securities Market | |
| 6.45% GS 2029 | : 6.5690% # |
| 91 day T-bills | : 5.0525%* |
| 182 day T-bills | : 5.2098%* |
| 364 day T-bills | : 5.2871%* |
| * cut-off at the last auction | |
| # as on end of previous working day | |
| Capital Market | |
| S&P BSE Sensex | : 40869.47 * |
| Nifty 50 | : 12052.95 * |
| * as on previous day | |
| Policy Repo Rate | : 5.15% |
| Reverse Repo Rate | : 4.90% |
| Marginal Standing Facility Rate | : 5.40% |
| Bank Rate | : 5.40% |
| Base Rate | : 8.45% – 9.40% |
| MCLR (Overnight) | : 7.65% – 8.00% |
| Savings Deposit Rate | : 3.25% – 3.50% |
| Term Deposit Rate > 1 Year |
SUPREME COURT JUDGMENTS [Wednesday, Jan 08, 2020]
- State Of Gujarat Through Chief Secretary & Anr. Vs Amber Builders
- Vidya Devi Vs The State Of Himachal Pradesh & Ors.
- Arumugam Vs Ammaniammal And Ors.
- Canara Bank And Ors. Vs Kameshwar Singh
- Indian Bank & Ors.Vs Promila & Anr.
- Surinder Singh Deswal @ Col. S.S. Deswal & Ors. Vs Virender Andhi & Anr.
- Mangilal Kajodia Vs Union Of India & Ors.
Wednesday, Jan 08, 2020
New Delhi 13 °C