BJP had earlier exhorted opposition ruled states to follow suit and cut VAT on fuel to give further relief to common man.
Incidentally, Maharashtra chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray slammed the Modi govt on Saturday saying that the Centre should stop these pretensions and slash excise duties on petrol-diesel.
The Chief Minister said that two months ago, the Central government had increased the excise duty on petrol by Rs 18.42 per liter and on Saturday it has announced to slash it by Rs 8.
Similarly, excise duty on diesel had also been increased by Rs 18.24 and now it has been reduced by Rs 6.
“First increase the prices at large-scale and then slash them at nominal scale, and then do the pretentiousness of slashing prices. This is not right,” Thackeray said.
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Ukraine extends martial law
Ukraine on Sunday extended martial law for three months through to August 23 as the war with Russia drags on. Ukraine’s parliament on Sunday voted by an absolute majority for the third extension of the decree as Russia pursues its offensive targeting the eastern Donbas region.
Congress appoints Abdul Wahid Qureshi as the Chairman of the Minority Department of Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee and Wajahat Mirza for Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect.
Maharashtra government slashes VAT on petrol and diesel
Maharashtra government today slashed VAT on petrol by Rs 2.08 and diesel by Rs 1.44 a day after the Centre announced a record Rs 8 per litre cut in excise duty on petrol and Rs 6 per litre reduction on diesel. A statement issued by the government said the state exchequer will have to bear an annual loss of Rs 2,500 crore as a result of this decision.
Pujara recalled for England test
Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has been recalled to Indian Test squad for the one-off away Test against England. Also, Jammu and Kashmir pace sensation Umran Malik along with Punjab left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh have earned maiden national call-up for the South Africa series. Meanwhile, BCCI has decided to rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested for South Africa series.
BJP Lok Sabha MP Arjun Singh joins TMC
BJP Lok Sabha MP Arjun Singh joins TMC in the presence of party's general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata https://t.co/gDVL5XiHGG
— ANI (@ANI) 1653222001000
India’s Test squad for England and South Africa tour announced
- TEST Squad for England: Rohit Sharma (Capt), KL Rahul (VC), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharat (wk), R Jadeja, R Ashwin (1/2)
- India’s squad for T20I series against South Africa: KL Rahul (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(VC) (wk),Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Y Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, R Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar
Sitharaman rebuts opposition flak on excise duty cuts
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the entire duty reduction in petrol and diesel has been done out of the RIC component of the taxes levied on petroleum products so the burden of the tax cuts will be borne solely by the Centre.
UK confirms local transmission of monkeypox
- Britain is seeing daily infections of the rare monkeypox virus that are unconnected to any travel to West Africa, where the disease is endemic, a health official said.
- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said new figures would be released on Monday, after it registered 20 cases on Friday.
- Asked if community transmission was now the norm in Britain, UKHSA chief medical adviser Susan Hopkins said “absolutely”.
- “We are finding cases that have no identified contact with an individual from West Africa, which is what we’ve seen previously in this country,” she told BBC television.
No one in country listens to Rahul Gandhi, so he’s venting out frustration on foreign soil: Chouhan
- Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan claimed Rahul Gandhi was the country’s “most failed, desperate, frustrated and hopeless leader” and that since nobody listens to the Congress MP in India, he vents out his frustration abroad.
- Chouhan was reacting to Gandhi’s remarks at a conference in London where the latter recently accused the the BJP of spreading “kerosene all over the country” and said “you need one spark and we will be in big trouble”.
- “Rahul Gandhi is the country’s most unsuccessful, frustrated and hopeless leader. No patriotic leader makes anti-national statements like Rahul Gandhi does while visiting the foreign soil. No one in the country now listens to him, so he is venting out his frustration abroad,” Chouhan said.
- Rahul Gandhi has raised a question mark on his patriotism and loyalty to the nation by making such remarks, the chief minister said.”We have never criticised the country on foreign soil, but what else can be expected from a frustrated, desperate and hopeless person?” he further said.
Imran Khan again praises India for reducing fuel prices
- Pakistan’s ousted PM Imran Khan has once again praised India for reducing fuel prices with the help of “discounted oil” from Russia.
- Khan tagged a South Asia Index report in his tweet which said that “after buying discounted oil from Russia, the Indian government reduced petrol price by 9.5 rupees per litre, Diesel price has also been reduced by 7 rupees per litre.”
- Taking to Twitter, Khan said: “Despite being part of the Quad, India sustained pressure from the US and bought discounted Russian oil to provide relief to the masses.”
‘Bike Bot’ and “Grand Venice Mall” scams: SC orders clubbing of FIRs
Observing that multiplicity of proceedings was not in “larger public interest”, the Supreme Court has exercised its special power and allowed consolidation of multiple FIRs, the consequential trial to one court in Greater Noida in relation to the multi-crore rupees alleged ‘Bike Bot’ and “Grand Venice Mall” scams. Over 100 FIRs were registered against several persons in Uttar Pradesh and one FIR in Delhi in connection with the Bike Bot scheme scam.
Quad Meet: PM Modi’s schedule in Tokyo
“PM Modi will arrive in Tokyo on May 23 & will have interactions with business leaders as well as business CEOs in a one-to-one format. Thereafter, there will be an Indian diaspora community event & May 24 is largely devoted to Quad meeting,” says SK Verma, Indian Envoy to Japan.
BJP ended “culture of corruption” in Northeast: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah claims the BJP has ended the “culture of corruption” in the Northeast and funds meant for development works now get percolated to the last man, whereas middlemen siphoned off most of the amount during the Congress rule.
Ramban tunnel collapse: 3-member panel to investigate the reasons
The Centre has constituted a committee of 3 independent experts to investigate the reasons for recent collapse of a part of under-construction tunnel in Ramban on Jammu-Srinagar highway and suggest remedial measures. NHAI has already initiated process to handle such emergency situation and also taking all possible measures to avoid such incidents in future.
Monkeypox cases something to ‘be concerned about’: US President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden said Sunday that recent cases of monkeypox that have been identified in Europe and the United States were something “to be concerned about.” In his first public comments on the disease, Biden added: “It is a concern in that if it were to spread it would be consequential.”
92 monkeypox cases confirmed in 12 countries, may spread globally: WHO
- WHO has warned that the infection is likely to spread to more nations even as it expands surveillance.
- The 12 countries — the US, Canada, Australia, UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Sweden — are not endemic for monkeypox virus, meaning the virus is not typically found unlike some countries in Central and West Africa.
- While so far no deaths have been reported, about 28 cases in these countries are potential cases.
- Investigations are going on to confirm them, the global health agency said.
DLF net debt dips 45% to Rs 2,680 cr in FY 22; aims further debt reduction in medium-term
- DLF’s net debt stood at Rs 2,680 crore as on March 31, 2022. Its net was at Rs 4,885 crore at the end of 2020-21 financial year.
- “Net Debt reduction of Rs 2,205 crore in FY22. Consistent reduction from operational surplus,” the presentation said.
- DLF said it is committed to further debt reduction in the medium-term.
Tamil Nadu FM hints no tax cut on petrol, diesel
- On Saturday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Centre will reduce the excise duty on petrol by Rs 8 per litre and on diesel by Rs 6 per litre.
- Reacting to Sitharaman’s announcement, Rajan said it is neither fair nor reasonable to expect states to reduce their taxes.
- “It is pertinent to point out that the Union had never consulted the states when they increased the taxes on petrol and diesel multiple times. The exorbitant increase in taxes by the Union government has been only partially reduced through their cuts and the taxes continue to be high as compared to the 2014 rates,” he argued.
Sun Pharma recalls over 10,000 bottles of generic anti-depression drug in US
- Drug major Sun Pharma is recalling around 10,500 bottles of a generic drug meant for the treatment of major depressive disorders in the US market following a customer complaint.
- According to the latest enforcement report of the USFDA, the US arm of the domestic pharma major is recalling 10,548 bottles of bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets in the American market.
- The drug is used to treat depression and prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder.
- It is also used to help people stop smoking.
Heavy rain alert in Uttarakhand
Rain, strong winds likely in hills, Met asks tourists to stay alert till May 24
PM Modi to visit Tokyo from 23-24 May at the invitation of Japanese PM Fumio Kishida
- In Japan,PM will participate in the second in-person Quad Leaders’ Summi
- It will provide opportunity for leaders of Quad countries to review progress of initiatives: PM Modi
- Leaders of Quad countries will exchange views on developments in Indo-Pacific, global issues of mutual interest, PM said.
FPIs dump Indian equities worth over Rs 35,000 crore in May so far
- FPIs have pulled out over Rs 35,000 crore so far this month.
- With this, net outflow by FPIs from equities reached Rs 1.63 lakh crore so far in 2022.
- Foreign investors remained net sellers for seven months to April 2022, withdrawing a massive net amount of over Rs 1.65 lakh crore from equities.
- After six months of selling spree, FPIs turned net investors in the first week of April due to correction in the markets and invested Rs 7,707 crore in equities.
- However, after a short breather, once again they turned net sellers during the holiday-shortened April 11-13 week, and the sell-off continued in the succeeding weeks as well.
Raj Thackeray wants PM Modi to introduce Population Control Bill, Uniform Civil Code
I request the Prime Minister to bring Uniform Civil Code at the earliest, also bring a law on population control and change the name of Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray in Pune
PNB earns over Rs 645 crore through ATM transaction charges in FY22
- Besides, the country’s second largest lender collected Rs 239.09 crore in the form of penalty imposed on customers who failed to maintain minimum balance or quarterly/monthly average balance in their bank accounts.
- In 2020-21, the bank had earned Rs 170 crore by levying charges on customers for not maintaining minimum balance in their accounts.
PM Modi announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for next of kin of those killed in accident in UP’s Siddharthnagar
- Prime Minister Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund
- The injured would be given Rs 50,000 each.
- As many as eight people were killed after a jeep carrying 11 people rammed into a stationary truck on NH-28 in Siddharthnagar district.
Unified MCD comes into effect
- The new unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi, comprising the civic bodies of the national capital, came into effect on Sunday.
- The newly-appointed Special Officer and Commissioner also assumed the post with immediate effect.
- On May 19, the Centre issued a notification for the merger of the three civic bodies of Delhi as the term of the SDMC ended on May 18, while the NDMC and EDMC completed their tenures on May 19 and 22, respectively.
- On May 20, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs appointed the Special Officer and Commissioner of the unified MCD.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed IAS officer Ashwini Kumar as the Special Officer and Commissioner of the unified MCD.
- He will work as Special Officer with effect from May 22, till further orders, to supervise the working of the MCD.
Infosys reappoints Salil Parekh as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
- Infosys’ Board of Director reappointed Salil Parekh as CEO and MD for another five years
- Salil Parekh has been chief executive and managing director of Infosys since January 2018
- Parekh’s new term is effective July 1, 2022 till March 31, 2027.
- The company board has also approved a grant of 104,000 shares to six key management personnel and another 375,760 shares to 88 other senior executives.
India records 2,226 new Covid cases, 65 deaths in 24 hours
India’s active caseload currently stands at 14,955Active cases stand at 0.03%Recovery Rate at 98.75%192.28 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far
PMModi lauds Indian shuttlers
“I congratulate the whole team on behalf of the nation. This is not a small feat,” says PM Narendra Modi during his interaction with badminton champions of the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup.
Shanghai reports 52 confirmed, 570 asymptomatic local Covid-19 infections
Amid the rising Covid-19 infections in China, Shanghai, the export capital of the country reported 52 confirmed locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and 570 local asymptomatic cases on Saturday, Xinhua stated. Municipal Health Commission on Sunday, confirmed the infection tally. According to Xinhua, the economic hub of China has been facing the worst COVID-19 outbreak and has been desperately seeking medical care and basic supplies like food.
Albanese elected Australia’s leader in complex poll result
Australians awoke on Sunday to a new prime minister in Anthony Albanese, the centre-left Labour Party leader whose ascension to the nation’s top job from being raised in social housing by a single mother on a disability pension was said to reflect the changed fabric of the country today. The 59-year-old career politician, who has described himself as the only candidate with a “non-Anglo Celtic name” to run for prime minister in the 121 years the office has existed, referred to his humble upbringing in the inner-Sydney suburb of Camperdown while thanking electors for making him the country’s 31st leader.
Petrol price cut by Rs 8.69, diesel by Rs 7.05
Petrol price on Sunday was slashed by Rs 8.69 a litre and that of diesel by Rs 7.05 per litre following the government’s decision to cut excise duty on auto fuels, giving relief to consumers battered by high fuel prices that had pushed inflation to a record high. The government had on Saturday announced a record Rs 8 per litre cut in excise duty on petrol and Rs 6 reduction on diesel. The excise duty cut will translate into a reduction of Rs 8.69 a litre on petrol in Delhi and Rs 7.05 in diesel per litre after taking into account its impact on other levies.
Delhi reports 479 new Covid cases; positivity rate at 2.06%
Delhi reported 479 new Covid cases and one death due to the disease on Saturday while the positivity rate was 2. 06%, according to data shared by the city health department. With the new cases, Delhi’s Covid-19 caseload increased to 19,03,189 and the death toll rose to 26,200.
Bangkok votes for new governor for first time in decade
Bangkok went to the polls Sunday in its first governor election in almost a decade, with the ballot viewed as an indicator for a national vote expected within a year. Around four million people are eligible to vote in the first major poll since Thailand’s huge youth-led street protests in 2020 demanding political change and reform to the once-untouchable monarchy. But daily life rather than politics has dominated the candidates’ campaigns, with the leading contenders promising to clear up the congested, polluted and noisy megapolis home to 10 million.
Russia bans Biden, other Americans from entering
Amid tough global sanctions over the Ukraine Russia war, Russia has published a “stop list”, permanently banning 963 Americans including the US president Joe Biden, vice president Kamala Harris, and secretary of state Antony Blinken from entering the country. The list included a number of popular Hollywood celebrities including Morgan Freeman and actor-filmmaker Rob Reiner.
Four dead in Canada after heavy storms
Four people are dead and nearly 900,000 homes without power after severe storms pummeled the eastern Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, authorities said on Saturday. Ontario police said on Twitter that three people had died and several more were injured due to a strong summer thunderstorm. One man was killed when a tree fell on the trailer he was staying in. A woman in her seventies was also crushed by a tree while walking in the storm.
Moscow may swap Ukraine prisoners for Putin ally: negotiator
Moscow will consider exchanging prisoners from Ukraine’s Azov battalion for Viktor Medvedchuk, a wealthy Ukrainian businessman close to President Vladimir Putin, a Russian negotiator said on Saturday. “We are going to study the possibility,” said Leonid Slutsky, a senior member of Russia’s negotiating team on Ukraine, speaking from the separatist city of Donetsk in southeastern Ukraine, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. Medvedchuk, 67, is a politician and one of Ukraine’s richest people and is known for his close ties to Putin.
Ukraine war, pandemic push to colour WHO international meet
The Ukraine war looms large as the World Health Organization opens its main annual assembly Sunday, threatening to overshadow efforts on other health crises and a reform push aimed at preventing future pandemics. The UN health agency will kick off its 75th World Health Assembly Sunday afternoon, convening its 194 member states for their first largely in-person gathering since Covid-19 surfaced in late 2019. The agenda will remain focused on the continuing coronavirus crisis and efforts to avert future pandemics.
N Korea adds 186,090 new cases of mysterious fever
North Korea added 186,090 fresh cases of the mysterious fever amid the country’s first reported Covid outbreak in two years, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Sunday and did not provide details regarding how many of these fresh cases were linked to Covid-19. The overall caseload of the “mysterious fever” is over 2.4 million.
Mainland China reports 898 new coronavirus cases for May 21
Mainland China reported 898 new coronavirus cases for May 21, of which 169 were symptomatic and 729 were asymptomatic, the National Health Commission said on Sunday. That compares with 1,211 new cases a day earlier – 201 symptomatic and 1,010 asymptomatic infections, which China counts separately. There were three new deaths, all in Shanghai, bringing the death toll to 5222. As of Saturday, mainland China had reported 223,145 confirmed cases.
Magnitude 6.1 earthquake jolts Philippines
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 jolted Batangas province on the main Philippine island of Luzon on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The institute said the quake, which occurred at 5:50 a.m., hit at a depth of 132 km, about 21-km northwest of Calatagan town. The tremor was also felt in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro, Xinhua news agency reported.
Rain to bring respite from heatwave to northwest India: IMD
After a long spell of a heatwave across the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a wet spell over northwest and east India from May 21 to May 24, which will reach peak intensity on Monday (May 23). For the next five days, scattered to fairly widespread light/moderate rainfall with isolated thunderstorm/lightning/gusty winds are likely over Bihar, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha, the IMD stated.
Covid cases in UK fall even as 2 Omicron variant sub-types surface
The United Kingdom’s coronavirus alert level has been reduced from four to three as COVID-19 cases continue to fall, even as two rare types of the Omicron variant sub-types have been reclassified as variants of concern.
1 killed, 8 wounded in shooting at Southern California party
One man was killed and eight people were wounded during an overnight shooting at a party that drew about 100 people to a Southern California hookah lounge, police said on Saturday. San Bernardino police officers dispatched late Friday found a man shot in the parking lot outside the strip mall lounge, where the party had been advertised on social media in the city east of Los Angeles, Sgt. Equino Thomas said. The man, Allen Gresham, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene, a police statement said.
Australia’s Labor likely win election; independents look to hold sway
Australia’s Labor party looks set to form the next government after unprecedented support for climate-focussed independents ended a decade’s rule of the conservative coalition, although the new government may not end up with a full majority. Centre-left Labor is 4-5 seats short of a majority of 76 in the 151 seat lower chamber with about a dozen electorates deemed too close to call, television channels reported on Sunday, as Labor looks to return to power for the first time since 2013. Labor leader Anthony Albanese will become the 31st prime minister after independents, who campaigned for more action on climate change, toppled Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Liberal Party in several of its traditional strongholds. The independents and a strong showing from the Greens also ate into Labor’s vote share in many seats.
Pakistani FM Bhilawal Bhutto Zardari to visit China
At the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will pay an official visit to China from May 21 to 22, according to a press release by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. This would be the Minister’s first bilateral visit abroad since assuming office in April, the Ministry said, adding that it is “part of the high-level exchanges between the two sides”. The visit coincides with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, it added.
Philippines installs buoys in disputed South China Sea
The Philippines has installed the buoys and opened some command posts to assert its sovereignty in the waters and islands it claims in the contested South China Sea. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had set up five navigational buoys, each one bearing the national flag from May 12 to 14, Admiral Artemio Abu, the service commandant said. Abu hailed “the resounding success of installing our sovereign markers.” Earlier, on Tuesday, the service commandant said that the Coast Guard has also established new command observation posts on Lawak, Likas, and Parola islands to boost Manila’s “maritime domain awareness” in the South China Sea, Radio Free Asia reported.
China in talks with Russia to buy oil for strategic reserves
China is seeking to refill its strategic crude stock pipes with discounted Russian oil, a sign that Beijing is strengthening its ties with Moscow as the country stands alone after launching its military operation against Ukraine. Responding to whether China supports Russia by buying more energy and other commodities, Foreign Minister spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Friday said, “China and Russia will continue to conduct normal trade cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit.” Wenbin said that China does not agree that the issues could be resolved with the sanctions, which they claimed “lack the basis of international law”.
Biden heads to Japan after warning on North Korea threat
President Joe Biden flies Sunday to Japan for the second leg of a trip intended to reinforce US leadership across Asia in the face of a rising China and dangerously unpredictable, nuclear-armed North Korea. Biden is leaving South Korea, where he joined newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol for a series of meetings, including discussing expanded military exercises to counter Kim Jong Un’s sabre rattling. As officials from both countries warned that Kim could raise tensions with a nuclear weapon test while Biden is in the region, the US president said the democratic allies must deepen ties.
Assam floods: Nearly 6.80 lakh people in 31 districts reeling under deluge
The flood situation in Assam continues to remain critical as nearly 6.80 lakh people in 31 districts have been reeling under the deluge. The flood situation is still grim in Nagaon, Hojai, Cachar, Darrang, Morigaon and Karimganj districts. According to the reports of Assam State Disaster Management Authority, nearly 3.40 lakh people have been affected alone in Nagaon district followed by 1.78 lakh in Cachar district, 70,233 in Hojai, 44,382 in Darrang district, 17,776 in Morigaon district and 16,382 in Karimganj district.
Israel confirms 1st monkeypox case
The Israeli Ministry of Health on Saturday confirmed the country’s first monkeypox case after the viral disease has recently been detected across North America and Europe. A man in his 30s returning from western Europe, who visited Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv with suspicious lesions of the virus and identified by the ministry as Israel’s first suspected case of monkeypox was proved to have contracted the disease, according to a ministry statement.
Delhi Police requests Adhir Chowdhury to submit his ‘hacked’ devices for probe
The Delhi Police on Saturday requested Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to submit his devices which he claimed were ‘hacked’ after allegedly posting and then deleting a tweet with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s infamous quote linked to 1984 riots. “It is requested that you submit us the devices which you claim to have been hacked for conducting the investigation on the basis of the complaint made by you. Looking forward to your co-operation. Legal action is being taken,” Delhi Police said. Earlier on Saturday, the Congress leader claimed his Twitter account was hacked after allegedly posting and then deleting a tweet with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s infamous quote linked to 1984 riots. In this regard, Chowdhury has filed a police complaint with Delhi Police.
Rajasthan govt reduces VAT on petrol by Rs 2.48, diesel by Rs 1.16
The Rajasthan government on Saturday reduced Value-added tax (VAT) on petrol by Rs 2.48 per litre and diesel by Rs 1.16 per litre, following the reduction of excise duty by the Centre. Taking to Twitter, the state chief minister Ashok Gehlot wrote, “Due to the reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel by the central government, the state government will reduce VAT by Rs 2.48 per litre on petrol and Rs 1.16 per litre on diesel. With this, petrol will be cheaper by Rs 10.48 and diesel by Rs 7.16 per liter in the state.”
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