President Financial News

By Nandita Bose and Trevor Hunnicutt

(Updated — February 28, 2024 6:23 AM EST)

BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to get a majority in the Rajya Sabha in April this year once the remaining six vacancies under the nominated category are filled and those newly elected take oath. According to data available with the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, the BJP, which currently has 94 members, gained two seats in the Upper House in the just concluded elections, pushing its own strength to 96. The strength of NDA, which at present has 113 members, will cross the half-way mark of 123 in the 245-member House in April this year once all nominated members take oath. At present, there are only six MPs who have been nominated by the President of India as members in the Rajya Sabha, with some having joined the BJP later. There are a total of 12 nominated members in the House.

Congress MLA, Vikramaditya Singh, who resigned from his ministerial post today, said that it is for the Congress party's high command to decide on the future course of action. While replying to questions on his next move, Singh said, “it is for the party’s high command to decide on the future course of action." «I never was under pressure during my ministerial position; I am the one who creates pressure,” he added.

Sandeshkhali, is being protected by the police. BJP on Wednesday initiated a two-day dharna in Kolkata on Wednesday, protesting against the "decline" in law and order in West Bengal. Speaking to PTI, former BJP state president and MP Dilip Ghosh said, "Shajahan Sheikh has been hiding under the protection of the police.

BENGALURU : Accenture Plc will acquire Mindcurv, German IT services and data analytics firm, to expand its commercial services globally, the US company said in a release. Accenture Song, the parent company’s digital agency, agreed to acquire the Essen-headquartered IT services company for an undisclosed amount. Mindcurv provides digital services to clients in the manufacturing, retail, consumer goods, life sciences and chemicals sectors, most of whom are based in Europe.

Financial Times claimed to have access to these "secret" military files through "Western sources". It reveals the criteria set by Russia for the use of nuclear weapons. These files "date back 10 years and more [between 2008 and 2014]".

expressed displeasure with the Congress during a press conference on Wednesday. Here's what he said about the Congress in the state and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu: Congress's loss in Rajya Sabha polls: Vikramaditya Singh said he was "deeply hurt" by what has been happening over the past two-three days and it's a matter of concern. As per PTI, he added there's a need to ponder what went wrong for the Congress.

Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said among the party MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections, some defected to save their lives and some were under pressure. He said action will be taken against those who cross-voted according to the «established rules». Asked about the seven SP MLAs who cross-voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections held on Tuesday, Yadav told reporters, «Think how much pressure is there from the government. STF is an agency of the government. Some people have gone (to the BJP) to save their lives, some under pressure and some to get respect. We hope they will get the honour soon.» On the question whether any action will be taken against the SP MLAs who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha elections, the party president said, «Action will be taken as per the established rules.»

Himachal Pradesh Minister of the Public Works Department (PWD) Vikramaditya Singh stepped down from his position, a day after the Rajya Sabha election result in the state. In Assam, Goswami was the former MLA of Jorhat, he is headed to New Delhi where he is likely to join BJP. Earlier on Tuesday, when asked about the speculations of Goswami switching sides, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had said he had no information about it, but "he is a powerful leader of the Congress and if he joins the BJP, I will welcome it".

Here are all the latest updates on Himachal Pradesh political crisis.Speaking to reporters, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu asserted that no one has asked for his resignation, nor has he offered to quit."We will prove the majority. We will win, the people of Himachal will win," he said.Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh has said that a report would be presented to Congress President Malliakrjun Kharge by DK Shivakumar and Bhupinder Singh Hooda who have been appointed as the 'Observers' in the Himachal Pradesh political crisis.According to Jairam, the party will take the next step based on the report."Maybe some harsh decisions will have to be made but we won't shy away from that.

Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed that Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh, the main accused in sexual atrocities on women and land grabbing at Sandeshkhali, can be arrested by the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the West Bengal Police. On a prayer by the state's advocate general, the court clarified its order of February 26 in which it had ordered the arrest of Sheikh by the police authority. Also Read: Sheikh Shahjahan: From trekker driver to TMC strongman A division bench presided by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam clarified that the court in its February 7 order had only stayed the constitution of a joint special investigation team (SIT) of the CBI and West Bengal Police by a single bench to probe an attack on ED officials.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said he hasn't resigned from the post amid the brewing political storm in the state. «There are reports in some media houses that the CM has resigned. I want to clarify that I haven't resigned. I am a warrior,» he said. In addition to this, the state CM said, «We will prove our majority during the Budget Session. I also want to make it clear that the Congress government will complete its full 5-year term.»

coal imports are expected to fall for the first time this year since the COVID-19 pandemic due to increasing domestic output and record-high inventories, industry officials said on Tuesday. Out of eleven coal traders, Reuters spoke with at the Coaltrans India conference in the western state of Goa, eight expected shipments of the fuel to decrease this year, while the others foresaw flat imports or marginal growth.

US Elections 2024, a recent poll shows. People are worried because Joe Biden is getting older. Also, they're not sure if he's the best choice for another term.

Russian allies are “interested” in using CBDCs like the digital ruble for cross-border settlements, a lawmaker said on February 26.

Investing.com-- South Korea’s KOSPI rose sharply and moved back towards near two-year highs on Wednesday, with support coming chiefly from chipmaker SK Hynix on growing hype over artificial intelligence.

President Biden, while campaigning in New York on Monday, had stopped by 30 Rockefeller to appear on National Broadcasting Company's (NBC) "Late Night with Seth Meyers". The President's sit-down with the comic included questions about his age and his 2024 agenda versus that of Trump, the Republican front-runner for the nomination, reported ABC News. Meyers questioned the US President over the leaked classified documents which state Biden is 81 years old currently.

In response to growing concerns among US employees about the sustainability of their retirement savings, MetLife has teamed up with Fidelity Investments to put guaranteed lifetime income within the reach of more everyday Americans.

Joe Biden cruised to an easy victory in Michigan's presidential primary on Tuesday — but was bracing for a substantial rebuke from an Arab American-led protest over his handling of the war in Gaza. There was little suspense over the outcome for both parties, with Biden almost unopposed in the Democratic nominating contest and Donald Trump declared the early victor in a two-part Republican vote that doesn't even conclude until the weekend.

Germany and Poland affirmed Tuesday that they would not be sending troops to Ukraine, after reports that some Western countries may be considering doing so as the war with Russia enters its third year. The head of NATO also said the U.S.-led military alliance has no plans to send troops to Ukraine, after other central European leaders confirmed that they too would not be providing soldiers. The Kremlin, meanwhile, warned that a direct conflict between NATO and Russia would be inevitable if the alliance sends combat troops. «In this case, we need to talk not about probability, but about the inevitability (of conflict),» Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.