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8th Pay Commission for central government employees approved by Cabinet

The minister indicated that the chairman and two members of the Commission will be appointed shortly.

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The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the establishment of the 8th Pay Commission to revise the salaries of central government employees and the allowances for pensioners. This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The minister indicated that the chairman and two members of the Commission will be appointed shortly.

The central government sets up a pay commission approximately every ten years to update the salary structure of its employees. Each commission operates under specific terms of reference (ToR) that outline its main focus and responsibilities, which also include determining pension payments.

The 7th Pay Commission was established in 2016 and is set to conclude its term in 2026. It encompasses all individuals in the central government’s civil services and those whose salaries are drawn from India’s consolidated fund, which collects government revenues.

However, employees of public sector undertakings (PSUs), autonomous bodies, and gramin dak sevaks are not covered by the 7th Pay Commission. For instance, an employee working for Coal India would not fall under its provisions, as PSU workers have separate pay scales based on their specific undertakings.

“Prime Minister has approved the 8th Central Pay Commission for all employees of Central Government,” Vaishnaw said.

During the 7th Pay Commission deliberations, employee unions requested a fitment factor of 3.68 for salary revisions, but the government ultimately decided on a fitment factor of 2.57. The fitment factor serves as a multiplier for calculating salaries and pensions.

As a result of this decision, the minimum basic pay increased to ₹18,000 per month, up from ₹7,000 set by the 6th Pay Commission. Additionally, the minimum pension rose from ₹3,500 to ₹9,000, while the maximum salary increased to ₹2,50,000 and the maximum pension reached ₹1,25,000.

India News

Why Hindenburg Research is shutting down: A personal note from the founder

Anderson emphasised that his choice was not prompted by any single factor. There are no external threats, health concerns, or urgent issues necessitating this decision. Instead, he described it as a natural conclusion to a significant chapter in his life.

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Nate Anderson, the founder of Hindenburg Research, has decided to shut down his short-selling venture, which has famously exposed alleged frauds amounting to billions and sent shockwaves through major corporations. From igniting a $150 billion crisis for the Adani Group to taking down giants like Nikola and Eros International, Hindenburg has become synonymous with financial scrutiny and controversy depending on one’s perspective.

In a comprehensive blog post titled “Personal Note From Our Founder,” Anderson revealed his decision, stating that the firm has fulfilled its mission and that it is time to move forward. “As I’ve shared with family, friends, and our team since late last year, I have made the decision to disband Hindenburg Research,” he wrote.

Anderson emphasised that his choice was not prompted by any single factor. There are no external threats, health concerns, or urgent issues necessitating this decision. Instead, he described it as a natural conclusion to a significant chapter in his life.

This announcement follows Hindenburg’s completion of its final investigations into alleged financial fraud, which have been submitted to regulators. “As of the last Ponzi cases we just completed and are sharing with regulators, that day is today,” Anderson noted.

Reflecting on his career, he acknowledged that his intense dedication to the firm had come at the expense of other life areas. Initially motivated by a desire to prove himself, he ultimately began to view Hindenburg Research as just one of many chapters in his life.

In the upcoming six months, Anderson plans to create and share content, including materials and videos, to transparently illustrate the firm’s investigative techniques. He hopes this will inspire others to pursue similar efforts.

Hindenburg Research operated with a small but committed team of 11 members. Anderson praised their dedication to precise, evidence-based reporting and their courage in uncovering financial fraud. His team’s efforts have significantly influenced the landscape of financial accountability, with nearly 100 individuals facing civil or criminal charges partially attributable to their investigations.

“Nearly 100 individuals have been charged civilly or criminally by regulators, at least in part due to our work, including billionaires and oligarchs. We shook some empires that we felt needed shaking,” Anderson stated.

Hindenburg garnered international attention in January 2023 when it published a report alleging fraud and stock manipulation by the Adani Group. This report triggered a massive selloff in Adani’s stock, erasing over $100 billion from Gautam Adani’s personal wealth and causing the market capitalization of 10 Adani Group companies to plummet from ₹19.19 lakh crore on January 24, 2023, to below ₹7 lakh crore by February 27.

Although Adani stocks eventually recovered, the Supreme Court later noted that allegations made by organizations like Hindenburg, without proper verification, cannot be considered valid evidence. Previously, Hindenburg’s investigations included exposing Nikola Corporation in 2020 for fraud, which resulted in the resignation of founder Trevor Milton.

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India News

India welcomes Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, demands continued humanitarian support for Gaza

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani announced during a press conference that “the two parties involved in the Gaza Strip have reached a deal,” adding that the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday.

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India has expressed its support for the ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, January 16, 2025. The MEA voiced its hope that this agreement would facilitate a safe and ongoing supply of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

In a statement, the MEA remarked, “We welcome the announcement regarding the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. We hope this will lead to a safe and sustained supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. We have consistently advocated for the release of all hostages, a ceasefire, and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.”

On Wednesday, Qatar and the United States disclosed a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas, expressing optimism that the deal could pave the way for a permanent resolution to the conflict in Gaza.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani announced during a press conference that “the two parties involved in the Gaza Strip have reached a deal,” adding that the ceasefire would take effect on Sunday.

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden expressed satisfaction with the progress, describing the negotiations as among the “toughest” of his presidency.

Hamas characterized the ceasefire as a result of the “legendary steadfastness of our great Palestinian people and our valiant resistance in the Gaza Strip.”

Under the current draft, hostilities in Gaza are set to cease for 42 days, during which numerous Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released. In this initial phase, Israeli troops will withdraw to the outskirts of Gaza, allowing many Palestinians to return to what remains of their homes as humanitarian aid increases.

The key question remains whether the ceasefire can endure beyond this first phase, which will hinge on further negotiations anticipated to commence in the coming weeks. In these discussions, Israel, Hamas, and mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar will need to address the critical issue of Gaza’s governance, with Israel insisting on the dismantling of Hamas.

Failure to reach an agreement for the second phase within the 42-day timeframe could lead Israel to resume its military operations in Gaza aimed at neutralizing Hamas, despite the ongoing captivity of numerous hostages.

Hamas has reportedly agreed to the draft of the ceasefire deal, although Israeli officials have indicated that details are still being finalized, leaving open the possibility of changes to the terms or a complete breakdown of the agreement.

According to the plan outlined in the Associated Press report, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel. By the end of this phase, all living women, children, and elderly individuals held by Hamas should be freed.

Approximately 100 hostages remain in Gaza, comprising both civilians and soldiers, with military assessments suggesting that at least a third of them may no longer be alive.

On the first official day of the ceasefire, Hamas is expected to release three hostages, followed by an additional four on the seventh day, after which weekly releases will continue.

Determining which hostages and how many Palestinians will be exchanged is complex. The 33 hostages to be released will include women, children, and those over 50—primarily civilians—but the agreement also stipulates that all living female soldiers will be freed. Hamas will prioritize the release of living hostages, but if the total does not reach 33, the group may turn over deceased hostages. Additionally, not all captives are held by Hamas, which could complicate efforts to secure their release from other militant groups.

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Entertainment

Saif Ali Khan knife attack: Celebrities, leaders express shock at the incident

Jr NTR, who recently collaborated with Saif in ‘Devara Part 1’, voiced his shock at the incident. He posted on X, “Shocked and saddened to hear about the attack on Saif sir. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery and good health.”

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Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was injured in a knife attack during an alleged burglary attempt at his Mumbai home in the early hours of January 16, 2025. The incident has caused widespread shock in the entertainment industry and prompted reactions from political leaders across various parties, with many celebrities expressing their outrage and concern.

Jr NTR, who recently collaborated with Saif in ‘Devara Part 1’, voiced his shock at the incident. He posted on X, “Shocked and saddened to hear about the attack on Saif sir. Wishing and praying for his speedy recovery and good health.”

Actress Pooja Bhatt expressed her worries regarding the attack and questioned the effectiveness of law enforcement. In her post on X, she wrote, “Law and order. We have law… what is law?” In a follow-up tweet, she remarked, “Can Mumbai Police control this anarchy? We need more police officers in Bandra. This city, particularly Bandra, has never felt so unsafe. Local police are our first protectors. It is their duty to ensure that criminals do not feel comfortable.”

Actor Raza Murad described the incident as devastating, pointing out the extensive security measures in Saif’s building, which include multiple layers of security checks and CCTV cameras. He questioned how the assailant managed to breach such security and suggested that the intention behind the attack needs to be investigated further, emphasizing confidence in the Mumbai Police’s ability to apprehend the perpetrator.

Saif Ali Khan’s team confirmed he is “out of danger” following surgery. The attack occurred around 2:30 AM, after which he was transported to Lilavati Hospital by his son, Ibrahim Ali Khan, and another family member. They expressed gratitude to the medical staff, specifically thanking Dr Niraj Uttamani, Dr Nitin Dange, Dr Leena Jain, and their teams.

In response to the attack, Aam Aadmi Party chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shared his condolences on X, wishing Saif a swift recovery and strength for his family during this challenging time. Similarly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her concern, praying for Saif’s recovery and asserting confidence in the legal system to hold those responsible accountable. She also extended her thoughts to Saif’s family.

NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule labelled the incident “worrisome” and assured that Saif is safe in the hospital while awaiting official updates from the family and police.

During a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut highlighted the alarming law and order situation in the state, noting that Saif, a Padma Shri awardee, and his family had recently met with Prime Minister Modi. He expressed grave concern over the safety of the public, emphasizing a troubling trend of increasing violent incidents in Mumbai.

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