RBI LTRO tranche
The RBI is scheduled to conduct the fourth tranche of targeted long-term repo operations (LTRO) for Rs 25,000 crore on Friday in order to ensure liquidity in the banking system.
The RBI had announced the targeted long-term repo operations on March 27 and has so far undertaken three such tranches worth Rs 75,000 crore; the third LTRO was done on April 7.
“The funds availed under this tranche of TLTRO would have to be deployed within 30 working days from the date of the operation,” the RBI had previously said.
Liquidity availed under the LTRO by banks has to be deployed in "investment-grade corporate bonds, commercial paper and non-convertible debentures over and above the outstanding level of their investments in these bonds as on March 27," The Hindu Businessline explained.
Premier League clubs to discuss ending season by June 30
English Premier League clubs are scheduled to meet on Friday to decide on the fate of this year's championship, which has been halted since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Guardian reported, "A resolution to consign the 2019-20 campaign to history by 30 June, whether or not the entire schedule of games has been completed, will be among the proposals put to the league."
While most teams have nine games left to play, Manchester City, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Aston Villa have 10 games each remaining. One of the factors cited in favour of ending the season by June 30 is the fact that a large number of player and staff contracts are scheduled to expire that month.
Xiaomi to launch robot vacuum cleaner in India
Chinese technology major Xiaomi is expected to launch its Mi robot vacuum cleaner in India on Friday. Xiaomi had first unveiled the robot vacuum cleaner in 2016; the new model could have updated features. The Mi robot vacuum cleaner has a laser detection system to detect objects in its proximity while cleaning. The Mi robot vacuum cleaner is also integrated with the Mi Home app, allowing a user to remotely control it via smartphone.
H.D. Kumarswamy's son to get married
Nikhil Kumaraswamy, the son of former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, is set to get married on Friday. While Kumaraswamy had initially planned a wedding function for Nikhil in Bengaluru, it was scaled down on account of the coronavirus situation.
"Nikhil's wedding has been shifted to Kumaraswamy's farmhouse at Kethaganahalli near Bidadi from Bengaluru due to lockdown extension and cancellation of marriages and religious functions in the state," his media secretary K.C. Sadananada told mediapersons. Kumaraswamy had apologised to his supporters for not inviting them, saying only 50 people from the families of the groom and bride would be in attendance. He promised to hold a reception once the lockdown restrictions were lifted.
Nikhil (28) had gotten engaged to Revathi (22) grandniece of state Congress leader M. Krishnappa, in February. Nikhil had contested his maiden Lok Sabha election from Mandya last year, but lost to Sumalatha Ambareesh, an independent backed by the BJP.
UAE residents to sign national anthem
Residents of the UAE have been requested to sing the country's national anthem at 9pm (local time) on Friday to show their appreciation for the country's health workers fighting against the coronavirus. Gulf News reported, "The Together We Chant for UAE initiative was launched by the Maitha Bint Ahmed Al Nahyan Foundation, the National Happiness and Positivity Programme, in coordination with Abu Dhabi Police." The first such collective event was organised on Wednesday when people gathered on their balconies.
Till Wednesday, the UAE has reported 5,365 cases of coronavirus and 33 deaths.
