 "Russian president Vladimir Putin is poised to sweep to another six-year term in the 15-17 March presidential election, relying on his rigid control of the country established during his 24 years in power — the longest Kremlin tenure since Soviet leader Josef Stalin. AP")
The last day of the work week is going to be a busy one.
The world will be closely watching the Russian presidential elections slated from 15 to 17 March, in the backdrop of the Ukraine invasion that began in February 2022.
Prime Minister Narendra will hold a roadshow in Hyderabad today ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Paytm Payments Bank will stop offering services starting today, as directed by the Reserve Bank of India.
Here’s what expected today.
Russia elections
Vladimir Putin, 71, is expected to have a comfortable win in the Russian elections 2024, thus retaining power till 2030, giving him a full three decades of leading Russia as either president or prime minister.
Media reports suggest that Kremlin is hoping to engineer the voting turnout to be at least 70 per cent, out of which at least 80 per cent for Putin — which would be higher than his 76.7 per cent share from 2018.
Despite the predictable results, the world will keep an eye on what he does after he crosses the finish line, for many observers, this is provoking anxiety.
PM Modi roadshow in Hyderabad
PM Modi will hold a roadshow in Hyderabad on Friday and address BJP rallies in Telangana tomorrow and on Sunday ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHis roadshow would be held for an hour from Mirjaguda to Malkajgiri in the evening.
Notably, Modi on 5 March inaugurated and laid the foundation for development projects worth more than Rs 7,200 crore at Sangareddy, which is about 60 kilometres from Hyderabad.
Paytm Payments bank deadline
Paytm Payments Bank will shut down its operations after 15 March, as directed by the Reserve Bank of India.
The development comes after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed restrictions on PPBL on 31 January citing serious rule violations.
Guidelines have also been released by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) for investors who use the bank only to trade stocks.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is likely to approve a third-party application provider (TPAP) license for Paytm, formally known as One 97 Communications, by Friday, Reuters quoted its three sources directly aware of the development as saying on Tuesday.
EC moves Supreme Court on electoral bonds, case to be heard
The Election Commission moved the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking permission to release confidential documents related to the electoral bonds data furnished by the State Bank of India (SBI). The case will be heard today.
The petition in the apex court came after the poll-regulating body published data it had received from the SBI in two parts on Thursday evening.
President Murmu to inaugurate Global Spirituality Mahotsav
President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate a three-day global spiritual mahotsav at an ashram on the outskirts of Hyderabad today.
The event will be attended by 75,000 delegates from all over the world, with spiritual gurus of different faiths will hold sessions on the concluding day.
Three-day RSS meet in Nagpur from today
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) highest decision-making body Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) will hold a key three-day meeting ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Nagpur starting today.
The leaders will discuss the roadmap to achieve the BJP’s target of winning over 350 seats, nationwide implementation of UCC, Manipur conflict, farmers’ protests and Sandeshkhali issue among others.
MNF to elect party leaders through a poll
Mizoram’s main opposition party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), will elect party leaders through a poll on 15 March.
MNF’s media cell secretary, Lallenmawia Jongte, had earlier said that a meeting of the party’s nomination committee on the previous day nominated incumbent president Zoramthanga as the official candidate for the top post in the party.
The last date for filing nominations is on 28 February.
Court hearings
The Supreme Court will hear a plea of an NGO challenging the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from a panel meant for selecting the CEC and election commissioners on the grounds that the poll panel should be insulated from political and executive interference to maintain a healthy democracy.
Delhi court order on framing charges against ex-WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in sexual harassment case.
Delhi High Court will hear a matter over a show-cause notice to the resolution professional of crisis-hit Go First for the non-maintenance of aircraft.
A day to remember
World Consumer Rights Day
International Day to Combat Islamophobia
Birth anniversary of Indian Army officer who was killed in 2008 Mumbai terror attacks Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Birth anniversary of actor Abhay Deol
Birth anniversary of singer Honey Singh
Birth anniversary of actress Eva Longoria
Birth anniversary of actress Alia Bhatt
Rolls-Royce Limited was incorporated in 1906
My Fair Lady received its premiere performance on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in 1956
The first ever Test Cricket match was played between England and Australia at Melbourne in 1877