News18 Afternoon Digest: Supreme Court Strikes Down Electoral Bond Scheme And Other Top Stories sattaex.com

In today’s afternoon digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on the Supreme Court striking down the electoral bonds scheme calling it ‘unconstitutional’, farmers’ protests in Delhi, Sandeskhali row, and other top stories.

‘Unconstitutional’: SC Strikes Down Electoral Bond Scheme, Says It Violates Right To Information

The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the electoral bond scheme that allows anonymous donations to political parties by purchasing electoral bonds from the State Bank of India (SBI), saying anonymous electoral bonds violated citizens’ right to information. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud delivered two separate but unanimous verdicts on pleas challenging the scheme. READ MORE

SBI To Stop Issuing Electoral Bonds, Poll Panel To Publish Data: Key Observations From Big Supreme Court Ruling

In a big verdict, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the electoral bonds scheme as “unconstitutional”. A five-judge bench of the Apex Court said the scheme violates the right to information and freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution. The court asked the issuing bank–SBI– to stop issuing the electoral bonds and furnish the details of all donations made under the scheme to the Election Commission of India. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud also asked the poll body to publish the data about the domination by March 13, 2024. READ MORE

PM Modi’s Qatar Visit Important Also Beyond Release of Indian Navy Personnel, Say Sources

Beyond acknowledging Qatar’s cooperation in the release of eight jailed Indian Navy personnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Doha is also important from the perspective of energy security, top government sources told News18. Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday met his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha and discussed ways to strengthen ties between the two countries. Modi arrived in Doha on Wednesday night on an official visit to Qatar. This is the Prime Minister’s second visit to Qatar, the first being in June 2016. READ MORE

Viral Video of ‘Saraswati Idol Without Saree’ Sparks Protest at Tripura College, Authorities Explain Logic

Saraswati Puja celebrations at a government in Lichubagan near Tripura were marred by protests after a video of the Saraswati idol without a saree went viral on social media. A group of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal supporters on Wednesday allegedly barged into the Government College of Art and Craft and compelled the institute authorities to drape the idol of Goddess Saraswati with a saree, news agency PTI quoted eyewitnesses as saying. According to a report in NDTV, ABVP members, citing concerns about the perceived “vulgarity”, initiated a protest that later attracted Bajrang Dal supporters. The protesters said that the idol had been crafted by students of the college. READ MORE

As Sandeshkhali Row Rages, Trinamool MLA’s Remark On Women’s ‘Physique, Complexion’ Draws BJP Ire

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Locket Chatterjee has slammed Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Narayan Goswami for commenting on the physique and complexion of the indigenous women of West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali village, where local women have been agitating over alleged atrocities committed against them by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shajahan Sheikh and his aides. TMC’s Narayan Goswami, during a recent interview, said, “The adivasi or tribal women from Sandeshkhali can be identified by their physique and complexion. However, the women alleging harassment in front of the camera are fair. Can we infer that they are local adivasis?” READ MORE

Office Of Microsoft Employees With Nap Rooms, Multi-Cuisine Cafe Will Make You Jealous

Multinational companies like Meta and Microsoft are known for their lavish office spaces and employee perks. Recently, a group of Microsoft employees flaunted their office space in Hyderabad by engaging in the viral ‘of course’ trend. In the video, they showed various perks of their office like free vending machines, nap rooms, shuttle services, an endless supply of company merch, a multi-cuisine cafeteria, and more. The employees also pointed out how their job allows them to “work from anywhere” and helps them maintain work-life balance. So far, this video has gathered over one lakh likes. The video was recorded at the Microsoft India Development Center, which is a 54-acre property. READ MORE