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08 Aug 2024 | 11:56:20 PM IST

Kerala Landslides

Synopsis

The Kerala High Court has taken a suo moto cognizance of the Wayanad landslides that occurred on July 30, claiming 225 lives and displaced thousands of people.

A division bench of justices Jayasankaran Nambiar and VM Shyamkumar of Kerala High Court has directed the registry to take a suo moto case. The court also said that they should think about what can be done legally to control things like illegal mining and floods. Based on the media reports and the letter received by the High Court, the Wayanad landslide case was taken up on suo moto. The case will be heard tomorrow morning.

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Wrap Up: Top stories of August 8, 2024
  • Seven more Zika Virus cases reported in Pune City
  • Rouse Avenue court extended the judicial custody of CM Arvind Kejriwal till August 20
  • Supreme Court rules service tax cannot be applied to lotteries, orders refunds
  • Tsunami reaches Japan's South Western Miyazaki prefecture after two powerful quakes

Former Indian Cricketers Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah arrive to pay their respects to former cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad. Anshuman Gaekwad passed away on 31st July at the age of 71 due to blood cancer.

A massive fire breaks out at Keshavrao Bhosale Theater. Fire tenders are at the spot. Further details awaited.

Israel strikes on two schools kill more than 18

Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli strikes hit two schools in Gaza City Thursday, killing more than 18 people, while the Israeli military said it struck Hamas command centres.
"The Israeli occupation killed more than 18 citizens in strikes on two schools," senior agency official Mohammad al-Mughayyir told AFP, referring to Al-Zahra and Abdel Fattah Hamoud schools in Gaza City.

Mughayyir said 60 people were also wounded and more than 40 still missing.

Visuals from the second day of multilateral Exercise Tarang Shakti underway in Sulur Air Force Base.

Indian team creates history, hoists tricolour atop Mt. Kilimanjaro Summit

Ministry of Defence expedition team led by Divyang Shri Uday Kumar summits the highest peak of Africa and created history by hoisting the largest Indian flag atop the African Summit. He says, "Jai Hind! Sending this message to countrymen from Mt. Kilimanjaro Summit, 19341 feet. We all made it to the Summit between 1300 to 1400 hrs today. 7,800-sq ft Indian flag displayed. Now returning from the summit at 1412 hrs."

Kerala HC takes suo moto cognizance on Wayanad landslides, hearing to begin tomorrow

The Kerala High Court has taken a suo moto cognizance of the Wayanad landslides that occurred on July 30, claiming 225 lives and displaced thousands of people.
The division bench of justices Jayasankaran Nambiar and VM Shyamkumar directed the registry to take a suo moto case. The court also said that they should think about what can be done legally to control things like illegal mining and floods

Based on the media reports and the letter received by the High Court, the Wayanad landslide case was taken up on suo moto. The case will be heard tomorrow morning.

Rescue ops underway in Kedarnath

Supreme Court to deliver order on Manish Sisodia's bail plea tomorrow

The Supreme Court will deliver on August 9, an order on AAP leader Manish Sisodia's petition challenging the Delhi High Court order rejecting his bail plea in the excise policy irregularities cases.
The order will be delivered tomorrow by a bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.

The court reserved the order on Sisodia's plea this Tuesday after both of the sides concluded their arguments.

The top court was hearing the Sisodia appeal challenging the Delhi High Court order that dismissed his bail plea in the cases being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.

U'khand: Helicopter services to Kedarnath resume

The helicopter services to Kedarnath resumed on Thursday while repairing the rain-ravaged trek route to the Himalayan temple went on in full swing, officials said. The helicopter services to Kedarnath were started on Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's instructions as soon as the weather cleared in the morning, the officials here said.
Apart from the pilgrims arriving at the temple in helicopters for a darshan, 33 pilgrims staying in the dham were transported to Shersi and Chardham helipads through MI 17 and other helicopters, they said.

Bengaluru-Mangaluru train services resume after landslide restoration

he South Western Railway (SWR) resumed passenger train services on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru sector on Thursday. The traffic on this line was disrupted due to landslides in the Sakleshpur-Subramanya sector on 26 July. The tracks that were covered with the debris were cleared by the Railways.
According to railway officials, the first train to pass through the restored section was Train No 16575, the Yeshwantpur-Mangaluru Junction Gomateshwara tri-weekly Express.

Dhiraj Singh appointed as the Director of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune for a period of 5 years.

Multiplier effect of capital spending has helped India become world's fastest growing economy: FM Sitharaman in RS.

Union Budget balances different overriding imperatives, incl growth, jobs, capex, and fiscal consolidation: FM Sitharaman

Growth in housing sales in cities: Sitharaman

"Growth in housing sales in cities has been particularly impressive indicating that urban households are diversifying the deployment of their savings. In 2023, residential real estate sales in India were at their highest since 2013, witnessing a 33% year-on-year growth with a total sales of 4.1 lakh units in top eight cities," FM said.

Govt do not write off loans: FM

While speaking in Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman said the government has no role in writing off loans. She said it is a process of the banks in which they have to provision certain amount every year for loans.

India will be the fastest-growing economy even this year: Sitharaman

"High capital spending and the multiplier effect of it has sustained India as a fastest-growing economy continuously since after Covid and we shall be the fastest-growing economy even this year," said the FM.

No minimum balance needed for Jan Dhan account: Sitharaman

Some minister wrote a letter, and someone from the delegation, without the minister's permission, made it public. The opposition saw this as an opportunity

- FM Sitharaman on Gadkari's letter that demanded a roll back of 18% GST on life & health insurance premiums

Bangladesh student leaders Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud to join interim govt led by Muhammad Yunus: Report

US jobless claims fall

The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell last week but remain at slightly elevated though not troubling levels.
Jobless claims for the week of Aug. 3 fell by 17,000 to 233,000 last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

That's fewer than the 240,000 analysts surveyed by FactSet were expecting.

Jaishankar to visit Maldives from August 9

EAM Dr. S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to Maldives from 9-11 August 2024. The visit follows the recent visit of the President of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, to India for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers. EAM had previously visited Maldives in January 2023.

Ukraine says Russian bomb kills two in schoolyard in Sumy region

Ukrainian official said a young man and his 6-year-old brother had been killed when a Russian guided bomb hit a schoolyard on Thursday, after Moscow troops stepped up air strikes on the northern Sumy region bordering Russia's Kursk region.
Moscow on Tuesday accused the Ukrainian military of launching an armoured assault in the Kursk region, in one of the largest such incursions of the 29 months of the full-scale war.

Russia said it was continuing to push Kyiv forces back. The Ukrainian military did not comment on the assault.

The pair were killed in Mohrytsia village, Volodymyr Artiukh, head of the Sumy region's military administration told national TV.

Part of MP railway station building's porch caves in; nobody injured

The porch of a single-storey structure of Kumbhraj railway station in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh developed major cracks and a portion of it caved in on Thursday, an official said. Nobody was injured in the incident that occurred around 6.20 am, he said. Some people standing there to buy train tickets escaped unhurt when part of the porch of the around 60-year-old building at the station of the West Central Railway (WCR) caved in possibly as a result of incessant rains, he said. After the accident, the ticket counter of the station, located around 50 km from the district headquarters, has been closed, the official said. A purported picture of the railway station circulating on social media shows a major crack in the structure with a portion of it tilted on one side.

MEA on the situation in Bangladesh

Regarding the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "This issue was addressed by the EAM in his suo motu statement. We are also monitoring the situation concerning the status of the minorities. There are reports that various initiatives have been taken by groups and organizations to ensure the protection and well-being of minorities. I would like to reiterate what the EAM said in Parliament: 'We welcome these steps, but we will naturally remain deeply concerned until law and order is visibly restored.' We also want to make it clear that it is the responsibility of every government to ensure the well-being of all its citizens. We hope for an early restoration of law and order in Bangladesh. This is both in the interest of the country and the larger region as a whole."

Govt waives clinical trial requirement for several drugs approved in select countries

The government has waived the requirement for clinical trials of certain categories of drugs in India if they are approved in the US, the UK, Japan, Australia, Canada and the European Union.

The waiver only covers five categories -- orphan drugs for rare diseases, gene and cellular therapy products, new drugs used in pandemic situations, new drugs used for special defence purposes and new drugs having significant therapeutic advances over the current standard care.

This waiver would ensure expeditious availability of the latest medicines for treating diseases like cancers, rare diseases like Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMA), and autoimmune conditions in India.

"As per Rule 101 of New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, the Central Licensing Authority, with the approval of the Central Government, may specify, by an order, the name of the countries, from time to time, for considering waiver of local clinical trial for approval of new drugs under Chapter X and for grant of permission for conduct of clinical trial under Chapter V of the said rules," the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) said in an order issued on August 7.

"In exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 101 of the said rules with the approval of the Central Government, the countries namely USA, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada and EU are hereby specified for following categories of new drugs," it said.

Presently, several medicines already approved by other regulatory authorities in the US, the UK and the EU are not immediately available for Indian patients because of certain regulatory requirements under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and rules made thereunder.

These include the requirement of conducting a local clinical trial and generating safety and efficacy data before marketing authorisation in India, an official explained.

However, Rule 101 of the New Drugs and Clinical Trials, 2019, allows the DCGI to specify certain countries for considering waiver of local clinical trials for approval of new drugs.

"The advantages of operationalising this rule are that the latest medicines to treat diseases like cancers, rare diseases like SMA and DMA, and autoimmune conditions will become available expeditiously in India.

"One particular agreement on customs procedures...": MEA on India-New Zealand trade ties

In an effort to bolster trade ties, India and New Zealand are set to ink an agreement on customs procedures, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.
The agreement comes on the heels of President Droupadi Murmu's visit to the island nation.

MEA Secretary East, Jaideep Mazumdar on Thursday said that both countries are interested in helping the farmers of both countries to export things like fruits and vegetables.

"During this visit, we are signing one particular agreement on customs procedures which would certainly assist trade between the two countries and we wish to proceed step by step to see what other things we can do. Certainly, on both sides, we are both interested in helping our farmers to export things like fruits and vegetables to one another at the moment," Secretary East said at a special briefing on President Murmu's visit to New Zealand.

He said that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) continues to remain an "aspirational target" not only with New Zealand but also with other countries.

Air France extends suspension of flights to and from Beirut until August 11

Air France has extended its suspension of flights between Paris and Beirut until Aug 11, it said on Thursday. The French airline has canceled all flights to Lebanon since July 29 and earlier this week extended that decision until Aug 8.

Seven more Zika Virus cases reported in Pune City. Total number of cases rises to 73: PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) Health Officer

Vedanta said to put $2.5bn steel business sale on hold: ET NOW citing sources

Delhi Excise policy CBI case: The Rouse Avenue court extended the judicial custody of CM Arvind Kejriwal till August 20. He was produced through video conferencing from Tihar Jail.

Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker meets former Haryana CM & Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Congress MP Deepender Hooda at their residence, in Delhi

90% women view GenAI as crucial for career growth, yet only one-third feel prepared to use it: nasscom-BCG report.

Supreme Court rules service tax cannot be applied to lotteries, orders refunds

In an important judgement, the Supreme Court today held that service tax cannot be levied on lotteries as they are actionable claims and not goods.
Setting aside the judgments of the high courts of Kerala and Sikkim, a bench led by Justice BV Nagarathna said that the HCs had lost sight of its earlier judgments that lottery is an actionable claim.

It also asked the concerned departments to expeditiously refund the service tax collected from the companies dealing in promotion, sale and purchase of lotteries. The appeals pertain to the period before July 2010.

With effect from July 1, 2010, a separate entry was inserted in the Finance Act, 1994 to bring the promotion, marketing etc of lottery into the tax net. Prior to this, service tax was levied on sale of lottery tickets by inserting an explanation in Section 65(19)(ii) of the Finance Act, 1994, in the definition of Business Auxiliary Service. This explanation was scrapped in 2010.

Japan Earthquake Live Updates: Tsunami reaches Japan's South Western Miyazaki prefecture after two powerful quakes

Japan Earthquake Live Updates: A 6.9-magnitude earthquake followed by a 7.1 tremor struck off southern Japan on Thursday, the United States Geological Survey said.

Tsunamis of up to one metre were expected to arrive or have arrived in some coastal areas in Kyushu and Shikoku islands, broadcaster NHK reported.

The first quake struck at a depth of 33 kilometres (20 miles) followed by a second one nearby at a depth of 25 kilometres, the USGS said.

The Japanese government set up a special task force in response to the quakes, according to a statement.

Sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", Japan is one of the world's most tectonically active countries.

CBI arrests assistant director of ED in Delhi in bribery case: Officials.

'Saddened by the passing of Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee', tweeted PM Modi

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan met Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "It's a sad news. The state government has announced a holiday today. His last rites will take place with state honour. I remember the day when I met him in the presence of Gopalkirshna Gandhi after the Singur movement."

Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passed away at the age of 80.

Japan Earthquake Live Updates: Japan issues tsunami warning after 6.9 magnitude earthquake

Japan Earthquake Live News Updates: Japan issues tsunami warning after 6.9 magnitude earthquake. Tsunami expected to reach Japan's Southern region as early as 7:50 GMT. Height of tsunami estimated to reach 1 metre.

Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju moves Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha

On Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to be introduced in Lok Sabha today, Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari says, "This has been the government's intention from before. BJP should change its name and it should be called 'Bharatiya zameen hathyao aur apne apne chaheton ko baant do'. Who are you to take away land given in donations by people?..."

Delhi HC asks SpiceJet directors to guarantee payment to lessors amidst ongoing dispute

The Delhi High Court today asked Spicejet if its directors are willing to undertake to pay in case the airline is unable to pay balance amount to its lessors - Team France 01SAS and Sunbird France 02 SAS. The judge also asked the lessors to file their response on whether they will accept the directors’ undertaking or will continue proceedings for grounding of their engines for non-payment of the remaining amount

On Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to be introduced in Lok Sabha today, JMM MP Mahua Maji says, "A particular religion should not be targeted..."

On Vinesh Phogat's Olympics disqualification, Congress MP Randeep Surjewala says, "...The whole country is hopeful that she will rise again and fight. But why is the Government of India silent?...Indian Olympic Association should talk to the International Olympic Association This medal belongs to the country not just Vinesh...Unfortunately, the Sports Minister mentioned that Rs 17 lakhs were spent (on the athlete...It is the responsibility to make sure Vinesh gets the silver medal."

This amendment bill should come through Standing Committee. We (the opposition) will oppose this bill unitedly.

- TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, on Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995.

Himachal under 'orange' alert for heavy rain on August 10-11

The Met office here issued an 'orange' warning on Thursday for heavy to very rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning, at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh during the weekend. It also warned of a low to moderate flash flood risk in isolated parts of Sirmaur, Chamba, Shimla, Kullu and Mandi districts in the next 24 hours amid an active monsoon current in the state.

Since 5:30 pm on Wednesday, Shillaroo recorded the highest rainfall at 86.4 mm, followed by Baggi (76.6 mm), Sundernagar (64.2 mm), Mandi (60.2 mm), Gohar (57.4 mm), Jogindernagar (53 mm), Pandoh (50 mm), Palampur (48.8 mm), Dharamshala (38 mm), Kufri (24 mm), Kangra (22.6 mm), Dhaulakuan (22 mm), Narkanda (20 mm) and Manali (15 mm).

The rainfall deficit in the state during the ongoing monsoon that began on June 1 stood at 29 per cent till August 8.

As I've said, the motives of the government are always sinister and I think we will be opposing this bill and there's been no wider consultation with stakeholders and we think it should be referred to the Standing Committee before it's brought to passing in the House.

- Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, on Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995.

We are not targeting anyone. They (Opposition) want to only create an atmosphere. Our minister will explain in detail when he introduces the bill. They want to misguide some people in the community. They are trying to tarnish the image of India. We are one of the best democracies in the world.

- Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, on Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995

Ukraine says it downed two Russian missiles and four drones overnight

Ukraine's air force said on Thursday that it shot down two out of four missiles and all four drones launched by Russia during an overnight attack.

Opposition walks out from Rajya Sabha over the issue of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says,"...They (Opposition) think they are the only ones whose hearts are bleeding...The entire nation is in pain because of the girl. everyone is sharing the situation but to monetise it, politicise it, is the greatest disrespect to the girl. That girl has a long way to go..."

Earlier, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar condemned the behaviour of TMC MP Derek O’ Brien- “You are shouting at the Chair. I condemn this behaviour. Can anyone countenance such conduct?...”

All these amendments by the 'Waqf Board' are just an excuse, selling land like defence, railway and Nazul land is the target, says Akhilesh Yadav as he opposes amendments in the Waqf Bill

The opposition while being in power for 70 years have misused the Waqf property and hadn't used it for the welfare of the minorities. Individual people have looted and encroached on it. PM Narendra Modi wants transparency in it.

- BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatan, on Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995.

SC to hear petition to postpone NEET-PG exam on Friday

CPI(M) West Bengal State Secretary, Md Salim on Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee death

Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passed away at the age of 80.

CPI(M) West Bengal State Secretary, Md Salim says, "It's very sad news for us and the state and all those people of the country who think about the labourers and common people... As a good administrator, honest person, aggressive secular and such a leader, losing him is a loss for all of us... As he had donated his body for medical science, we will submit his body to the hospital after allowing people to pay last respect..."

Our party's stand is that consultation should have been done with various stakeholders. A bill which will totally collapse Waqf Board. It is an unjust bill for Muslim community.

- NCP-SCP MP Fauzia Khan, on Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act

'Pyaaj ka daam kam karo', says protesting MPs outside Parliament

MPs from different political parties in opposition protest against the price rise of onions and other vegetables, outside the parliament. As a mark of protest, MPs also wear garlands made of onion as they raise the slogan 'pyaaj ka daam kam karo...'.

"Waqf Board Bahana Hai, Zameen Bechna Nishana Hai": SP chief Akhilesh Yadav attacks BJP

Lashing out at the BJP-led NDA government on the Waqf Act Amendment Bill, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that in the disguise of amendments, BJP is trying to sell the lands of Waqf Board and instead of 'Janata' in BJP, they should add 'Zameen' in it.

Taking it to a social media post on X, Yadav wrote, "All these amendments of the 'Waqf Board' are just an excuse; Selling lands like defence, railway and Nazul land is the target."

Hitting out at the BJP, Yadav alleged that the amendments in the Waqf Bill were issued in the interest of the BJP and it's just another link in the chain of the schemes that benefit BJP.

The tweet added, "Waqf Board lands are just another link in the chain of 'schemes for the benefit of BJP' after Defence land, Railway land and Nazul land. Why doesn't BJP openly write: 'Issued in the interest of BJP'."

SP chief further demanded for a "written guarantee" that Waqf Board's lands would not be sold.

On Union Government to introduce Waqf Act Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha today, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "It shows the NDA government is against the minorities. They are not for secularism, social justice. We have been telling people of the country that they are communal parties. They are fascist and that's why they are doing this."

On Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule says, "We will object to it. The bill should be sent to the standing committee for more recommendations or a joint parliamentary committee should be made."

Waqf Amendment Bill Updates: "Bill will usher transparency, accountability" says BJP's CR Kesavan as INDIA bloc questions government on Waqf amendment

The BJP-led government is slated to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The bill seeks to "effectively address issues" related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments.

Even as the INDIA bloc decided to oppose the bill the BJP lashed out at the Congress and its allies claiming that they were standing in the way of much-needed reform.

"It is a very commendable initiative by the government of PM Narendra Modi, who in response to the various demands and representations made by the affected members of the Muslim community have decided to introduce these amendments. The Waqf Act was enacted by an Act of Parliament in 1954, but the intended objective has not been achieved, which is why there have been so many representations from the affected community. It is very well within the purview of parliament and the deserving, and disadvantaged Muslim members of the community have been denied their rights," BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan said.

Waqf Amendment Bill Updates: Congress to oppose introduction of Waqf bill

The Congress is set to oppose the introduction of the bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards in the Lok Sabha, sources said on Thursday. Congress MPs K C Venugopal and Hibi Eden have also given notices to oppose the introduction of the Bill in the Lok Sabha.

Eden has said in his notice that he opposes the presentation of the bill as it is "unconstitutional" and cited that it is in conflict with the Right to Property (Article 300A), the sources said.

The Bill can potentially infringe on the property rights of individuals and religious institutions without adequate legal safeguards, he argued.

Eden also contended that the bill is an infringement on the Fundamental Right of Religious Freedom under Article 25, the sources said.

The Bill's imposition of new conditions for creating waqfs and the requirement for existing waqfs to register detailed information on a government portal might be perceived as undue interference in the administration of religious endowments, he said in his notice.

Eden also argued that it is an encroachment on states' powers.

Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passes away on Thursday

Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee died on Thursday at his Kolkata home, CPI(M) state secretary Mohd Salim said. He was suffering from old age-related ailments.

Bhattacharjee was 80 and is survived by his wife Mira and daughter Suchetana.

The CPI(M) leader was the chief minister of the state from 2000 to 2011.

Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi arrives at the Parliament to attend the meeting of Congress MPs here.

Russia's Medvedev calls for further invasion of Ukraine

Russian forces must press on to Ukraine's Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Mykolayiv, Kyiv and further, Russia's deputy security council head and former president Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday.

Without any discussion with the concerned stakeholders, you are bringing this bill for political gain, says Congress MP K Suresh

On Government to introduce Waqf Act Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha today, Congress MP K Suresh says, "Yesterday in the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told us that the government will introduce the Waqf Act Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha today after the Question Hour. Opposition parties including Congress, TMC, NCP (SCP), Samajwadi Party and DMK opposed the bill. We said in the meeting that this is a hasty decision. Without any discussion with the concerned Muslim organizations and the concerned stakeholders, you are bringing this bill for some political gain or polarization in the upcoming elections. The government is not ready to withdraw its proposal. We demanded that this bill should be sent to the Standing Committee for evaluation or thorough verification... The entire opposition is strongly opposing this bill...Let the bill be introduced, our party will take a call after that."

Congress MP Manickam Tagore gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha and urges the government to "take immediate and decisive action to bolster maritime security and protect our fishermen."

Pelosi says it's her life goal to ensure 'that man' Trump never steps in the White House again

Nancy Pelosi's influence can be seen all across the Democratic Party shakeup that in a few short, agonising weeks has reengineered the 2024 presidential ticket and the race for the White House. It was Pelosi who publicly encouraged President Joe Biden to make a decision about his reelection campaign when he had already insisted he had no plans to step aside. Once he exited and endorsed Kamala Harris atop the ticket, it was Pelosi who was a big fan of her future running mate, Tim Walz.For the House speaker emerita the upheaval is less about Biden, a friend of 40 years, and more about Republican Donald Trump, the former president she refers to as “Bozo,” “a snake-oil salesman,” “what's his name” and the “creature from the Black Lagoon.” “How can I say this in the nicest possible way: My goal in life was that man would never step in the White House again,” Pelosi said, slapping the table with every word.

Number of voters in Maharashtra up by over 7 lakh

The number of electors in Maharashtra has increased by more than 7.3 lakh compared to figures before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, as per the draft list of revised voters' data. There were 9,29,43,890 voters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year. The number has increased to 9,36,75,934 in the revised data released by the state's chief electoral officer on Wednesday. The numbers of male and female voters before the Lok Sabha polls were 4,83,12,428 and 4,50,17,066, which increased by 3,40,660 and 3,91,324, respectively. Elections to the 288-member state assembly are due in October this year.

Fire in Delhi toy factory, brought under control

A fire broke out in a plastic toy factory in northwest Delhi's Bharat Nagar area, officials said on Thursday. The blaze erupted on Wednesday evening and it was brought under control in two hours, they said. A Delhi Fire Services official said they received a call regarding the blaze around 7:45 pm and nine fire tenders were pressed into service. The fire broke out on the second floor of the factory building and was contained in two hours, he said. No one was injured, the official said.

Australia's central bank won't hesitate to raise rates if needed, governor says

Australia's central bank will not hesitate to raise interest rates if needed to control inflation, its top central banker said on Thursday, reinforcing its hawkish messaging as the pace of underlying inflation remained high. Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor Michele Bullock, in a speech in her home city of Armidale, reiterated that the bank's board was vigilant regarding upside risk to inflation, after it decided to hold interest rates steady on Tuesday.

South Korea's state-run think tank argues for early rate cuts

South Korea's state-run think tank on Thursday said there was a need for early cuts in interest rates, as it flagged weaker economic growth and inflation amid sluggish domestic demand. In its revised economic forecasts, the Korea Development Institute (KDI) said the economy was expected to grow 2.5% in 2024, down from 2.6% seen three months earlier, while keeping its projection for 2025 at 2.1%. Domestic demand is seen remaining weak and delaying the economic recovery, despite stronger growth in exports, according to the think tank.

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