News Dabba for 7 December 2022: Five stories for a balanced news diet

Indie Journal brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from AAP's victory in MCD, China relaxing Covid curbs, to RBI increasing repo rate.

AAP's Huge Win in Delhi ending BJP's 15-Year control over civic body, NDTV

NDTV reports that Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has won the prestige battle for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), unseating an entrenched BJP. It has won 129 seats, three more than required for majority in the House of 250. The BJP, which ran the campaign with PM Narendra Modi's face, has won 97 seats so far and looks set to cross 100, the report says. It adds that Congress has won seven seats and leading on three more. The AAP office reportedly saw massive celebrations with the dhol and kids dressed as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Read the full report here.

SCMP report on China relaxing Covid-19 controls

China has moved one step closer to reopening by relaxing its Covid-19 control measures, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, It says the country has now allowed some who test positive to isolate at home. Although home isolation has already been quietly implemented for some in cities such as Beijing and Guangzhou, the official announcement by the State Council task force signals China’s determination to move away from its zero-Covid policy. Under the new nationwide instructions, people with mild or asymptomatic infections may isolate at home for seven days, instead of being sent to a central facility. Their close contacts may also quarantine at home for five days, instead of eight, the report adds. People no longer need to show a negative PCR result or a health code to enter public venues or to travel with a few exceptions. Read the full report here.

RBI increases key lending rate by 35 bps, The Hindu reports

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India on December 7 increased the repo rate by 35 basis points (bps) to 6.25%, and the Standing Deposit Facility stands raised to 6%. A report by the Hindu says that as per RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, the MPC’s majority view was to withdraw accommodative stance. Inflation is expected to be 6.7% this year, with CPI inflation for the first quarter of 2023-24 projected at 5% and the second quarter at 5.4% on the assumption of a normal monsoon. The report also adds the Governo saying that the focus on inflation control continues and there will be no let-up in our efforts to bring down inflation, first below 6 percent and then closer to the 4 percent target. Read the full report here.

Democrat Raphael Warnock wins Georgia runoff in the US: The Guardian

The Democratic incumbent, Raphael Warnock, won the Georgia Senate runoff on Tuesday, securing his first full term. The Guardian report says that he has thus delivered the 51st seat to bolster his party’s majority in the chamber. Warnock led the Republican candidate, Herschel Walker, by approximately 40,000 votes. The report also states that Joe Biden called Warnock to congratulate him, describing his victory as a defeat of Republican extremism and Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” philosophy. Warnock’s victory gives Democrats a crucial 51st seat, allowing them to abandon their current power-sharing agreement with Republicans. Read the full report here.

BBC reports Argentina vice-president found guilty of corruption

A court in Argentina has sentenced Vice-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to six years in jail for corruption in a case that has shaken the country. BBC reports that 69-year-old Fernández was found guilty of "fraudulent administration" over the awarding of public works contracts to a friend. But it is said she is unlikely to serve jail time. Fernández has some immunity via her government roles and is expected to launch a lengthy appeals process. Read the full report here.