National
There has been a slight decrease in COVID-19 cases in India, with 2,706 new infections reported. This is less than the cases reported on Sunday, which stood at 2,828. With this, the active caseload currently stands at 17,698 accounting for 0.04% of the total infections.
The daily positivity rate is 0.97% while the weekly positivity rate stands at 0.58%
As many as 2,070 people recovered in the last 24 hours, bringing the current total recovery rate at 98.74%
Meanwhile, over 190 crore vaccine doses have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive.
In less than 24 hours after his security was curtailed by the government, singer-turned-actor-politician, Sidhu Moosewala, was shot dead by gangsters in Mansa in Punjab in broad daylight on Sunday, police said. He was 29 years old.
Same Beef: He was on the wheel in Mahindra Thar SUV when the assailants, believed to be 10-12, fired more than 20 rounds at point-blank range at the singer and his two friends, who got grievous injuries. Moosewala was struck with seven-eight bullets.
Police found bullets of AN-94 Russian assault rifle and a pistol at the spot of the killing.
The Unnatural Order: Two of his four gunmen were withdrawn with the new government order. Moosewala was without security when the crime happened. Normally, he used his bullet-proof Toyota Fortuner for commuting, which was not the case this time around.
Dust to Dust: Moosewala, belonging to native Moosa village, made his electoral debut as a Congress candidate from Mansa for the February 20 Assembly polls. After staying in Canada for several years, he was killed in his home town.
Controversies were not new to Moosewala, but this seems to have been an unseen side of it. At this juncture, several gang leaders have claimed that it was their doing.
Finance
The Reserve Bank of India proposes to adopt a graded approach for the introduction of digital currency in the country.
CBDC as a Catalyst: The design of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) needs to be in conformity with objectives of monetary policies, financial stability, and efficient operations of currency and payment systems. A graded approach will allow the RBI to go step by step through stages of Proof of Concept, pilots and the launch.
Two Sides of the (bit)Coin: Currently, the RBI is exploring the pros and cons of the introduction of CBDC in India, as well as its potential benefits. The appropriate design elements of CBDCs that could be efficient and effective are also under examination.
The Finance Bill, 2022 provides a legal framework for the launch of CBDC.
China's national currency, the Yuan weakened against a basket of 24 currencies last week, as per the China Foreign Exchange Trade System (CFETS).
Yuan fails to keep up: Measuring the Yuan's strength relative to a group of currencies, Yuan exchange rate edged down 0.34 points from the previous week to 100.07.
The index compares the Yuan with the value of 24 currencies, including the U.S. Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen and several other strong global currencies.
Business
India's only private sector Rail producer, Jindal Steel & Power (JSP) aims to install India's first Rail Wheelset manufacturing plant at its Raigarh facility in Chhattisgarh.
International Collab: JSP's collaboration with Hungary-based GIFLO Steel is bound to pay off as two firms signed an MoU at the 'India Hungary Business Forum'.
Plants of Steel: The plant will have an initial capacity of 25,000 wheelsets annually. Jindal Steel will also install a rail forging unit for asymmetric rails which are used in track switches, beneficial for high-speed train tracks.
This plan will help Indian Railways speed up the modernisation of rail infrastructure by bringing world-class rail wheels.
JSPL is the only such producer in the country and also has a global presence.
International
In light of unprecedented economic and political crisis, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, announced the appointment of 5 finance committees and 10 oversight committees.
Rebuild: They will supplement already existing committees, namely: the Public Finance Committee, the Accounts Committee, and the Committee on Public Enterprises. Apart from that, ten oversight committees delving into policies will be appointed, and the parliament should follow the guidelines and frameworks of these committees.
Young Blood Runs Hot: The Sri Lankan youth have been very vocal- they call for a change in the existing system. Therefore, Lankan authorities have proposed to appoint 4 youth representatives to each of these 15 committees. There is a fundamental need to change the structure of the parliament to strengthen it.
A Drastic Change: In the official statement, the PM called for a 21st amendment to the Constitution. A National Council has been proposed, consisting of the Speaker, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and other leaders of major parties.
A Helping Hand: A consignment of 15,000 litres of kerosene was handed over by India to Sri Lanka for distribution among the fishermen of the Jaffna Islands. They are key contributors to the country's economy, and staple diet.
Give to the People: The stock was distributed among 700 fishermen of Delft, Nainativu, Eluvaitivu and Analitivu Islands. Earlier, India handed over a consignment of over 25 tons of medical supplies- life saving drugs and otherwise.
These humanitarian supplies are in continuation of the Government of India's ongoing support to the people of Sri Lanka in multiple forms such as financial assistance, forex support, material supply and many more.
Technology
iPhone 14 rumors and leaks are plaguing tech enthusiast websites, and there's no escaping it. While some leaks are questionable, one reliable source states that the upcoming iPhone 14 could sport an always-on display, much like what is seen on many android phones, and even the newer Apple watch models.
iOS 16 Will Bring Many Changes: Most likely, this will be a software feature, rather than being linked to the hardware of the phone, which is a possibility too. The feature is expected to come with iOS 16.
The leaks suggest iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max will drop the lock screen's frame rate with always-on mode enabled, letting them conserve energy while the display remains powered on.
Sports
Gujarat Titans made their maiden IPL season an unforgettable one by hoisting the IPL 2022 trophy with a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals before of a roaring home crowd of 1,04,859 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
Gujarat have capped off a season where they exceeded everyone's pre-tournament expectations to become champions in their debut season of the league.
The Other Side
In a bizarre offer, a cruise bound for the mysterious Bermuda Triangle has promised passengers that they will receive a full refund if the ship disappears.
Ancient Mysteries Cruise, has claimed "a 100 per cent return rate and your money will be refunded in the rare chance you disappear." The question is, who gets the refund if you go missing?
Passengers will undertake a journey to the Atlantic ocean aboard the Norwegian Prima liner from New York to Bermuda in March next year.
It's not all About Adventure: Guests can enjoy an exclusive twilight Bermuda Triangle cruise on a glass-bottom boat. The passengers have to shell out around £1,450 for a cabin on the ship for the eccentric offer.
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