1. Turkey-Syria quake toll tops 7,800; India sends rescue teams
India’s decision to send rescue teams to help with earthquake relief is timely, much needed and a sign of “true friendship”, said envoys from Turkey and Syria, countries hit hard by Monday’s earthquake that has claimed the lives of over 7,000 people.
2. RBI monetary policy announcement today
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das-headed Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) started its three-day meeting on Monday amid expectations of a smaller 25 basis points rate increase or a pause on the rate hiking spree that started in May last year to check inflation. The decision of the six-member rate setting panel will be announced by the Governor on Wednesday.
3. Rahul Gandhi questions surge in Adani’s fortunes under Modi govt.
A belligerent Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday led a blistering opposition attack in Lok Sabha over the Hindenburg report, claiming that the meteoric rise in Gautam Adani’s fortunes happened after the BJP came to power in 2014 as he rose in the global rich list from the 609th to the second spot eventually.
4. Delhi Mayor polls | SC to hear plea
The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a plea filed by Aam Aadmi Party’s mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi and others seeking early holding of mayoral election for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
5. U.S. President Joe Biden to give the State of the Union address today
President Joe Biden is ready to offer a reassuring assessment of the nation’s condition rather than roll out flashy policy proposals as he delivers his second State of the Union address on Tuesday night, seeking to overcome pessimism in the country and concerns about his own leadership.
6. Meghalaya Assembly polls
Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer F.R. Kharkongor on Tuesday said a total of 379 candidates, including 37 women, have filed their nominations for the February 27 election to the 60-member Assembly in the State. Tuesday was the last day for filing nomination papers. All 60 sitting MLAs, including Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh and Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma, have submitted their papers seeking re-election.
7. Victoria Gowri sworn in additional HC judge
Madras High Court Acting Chief Justice T. Raja on Tuesday administered the oath of office to L. Victoria Gowri as an additional judge of the court even as the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear petitions filed against her elevation on the grounds of having delivered “hate speeches” against religious minorities.
8. India hits out at Pakistan for raking up Kashmir issue at UN
India has slammed Pakistan for raking up the Kashmir issue in the United Nations, saying Islamabad harbours a deep sense of insecurity and orchestrated hatred for its neighbouring country and its secular credentials.
9. U.K. Cabinet reshuffle
Days after sacking the chair of the Conservative Party, Nadhim Zahawi, after a controversy around Mr. Zahawi’s tax affairs, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a partial reshuffle of his Cabinet, including a new Chair, Greg Hands, who has been the Minister of State for Trade.
10. SC panel seeks withdrawal of guidelines allowing tiger safaris, zoos in wildlife habitats
A Supreme Court-constituted panel has asked the Union Environment Ministry to amend or withdraw guidelines related to setting up zoos and safaris within tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries to discourage the use of wildlife habitats for tourism activities which are non-site specific.
