Top news of the day: India’s real GDP growth down to 5.4 per cent, cylone Fengal approaching TN, and more

The Hindu top news of the day on November 29, 2024

Tamil Nadu’s Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has stated that the deep depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 13 kmph during past the past six hours, intensified into cyclonic storm Fengal at 2.30 p.m. on Friday (November 29), about 310 km north-northeast of Trincomalee, 260 km east of Nagappattinam, 270 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 300 km southeast of Chennai. 

“India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth slumped to a multi-quarter low of 5.4% in the July to September 2024 quarter (Q2 of 2024-25), from a five-quarter nadir of 6.7% in Q1, with Gross Value Added (GVA) growth slowing to 5.8% from 6.8% in Q1,” as per the National Statistical Office (NSO). This is the slowest GDP growth in seven quarters — the last occasion growth was lower was the October-December 2022 quarter when GDP had risen 4.3%.

The Supreme Court on Friday (November 29, 2024) gave a stern instruction to the Uttar Pradesh Police and Sambhal district administration to be “totally, absolutely neutral” and maintain peace after a civil court-ordered survey to verify claims of a mosque built over a destroyed temple in the 16th century, unleashed violence, loss of lives, arrests amidst communal tension.

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh and defending champion Ding Liren played out a draw in the fourth round to remain level on points in the World Chess Championship battle here on Friday. The two players signed peace after 42 moves and are tied on 2 points each after four games of the 14-round showdown.

At least nine passengers were killed and 25 others injured when a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus overturned in Gondia district on Friday (November 29, 2024) afternoon, police said. Citing preliminary information, a senior police official said the MSRTC bus ‘Shiv Shahi’ was carrying 36 passengers and heading to Gondia district from Bhandara when it flipped over at Davva village under Sadakarjuni taluka while trying to overtake another vehicle.

The Congress on Friday (November 29, 2024) raised with the Election Commission “serious and grave inconsistencies” which it said were being revealed in the data relating to the polling and counting processes for the recently-concluded Maharashtra Assembly polls and sought an in-person hearing to present relevant evidence.

Government, on Friday (November 29, 2024), spoke about U.S. indictment on Adanis for the first time. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the indictments are a “legal matter involving private firms and individuals and the U.S. Department of Justice,” and also clarified that the Government of India was not informed about the investigation in advance, nor has Indian Embassy in U.S. received an arrest warrant or legal requests so far.