Latest news today (September 18): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.
Women’s reservation gets clearance from Union Cabinet
The women’s reservation bill has been cleared by the Union Cabinet, latest reports say. Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel’s now-deleted post on X had confirmed the development. In his post, Patel had said that only Modi government had the courage to approve this long pending demand. There are also reports that the Bill will be tabled soon. (READ MORE)
Kisan Rin Portal to be launched on Tuesday
The ‘Kisan Rin Portal’ will be launched on Tuesday by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to assist farmers in obtaining low-interest loans through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). At a gathering to be held at the Pusa complex, a door-to-door KCC campaign and a guidebook for the Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) portal will also be introduced.
Indian economy gaining strength amid weakening global prospects: RBI article
According to an article in the most recent RBI bulletin, the Indian economy is strengthening amid dimming global prospects, driven by domestic fixed investment and private consumption along with robust public sector capital expenditure.
Based on the ‘State of the Economy’ article, the outlook for the global economy is still uncertain due to a dichotomy in macroeconomic situations across regions.
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha adjourned, to meet in new Parliament building on Tuesday
The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha will meet again on Tuesday afternoon in the new Parliament building after they were adjourned on Monday following a discussion on the parliamentary journey of 75 years. While the Rajya Sabha will meet at 2:15 pm in the Upper House chamber of the new Parliament building, the Lok Sabha will meet at 1:15 PM in the Lower House chamber of the newly constructed complex. (PTI)
Tesla, Saudi Arabia in early talks for EV factory, says WSJ
Saudi Arabia is in early talks with US electric automaker Tesla to set up a manufacturing facility in the kingdom, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The report comes just hours after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan asked Tesla CEO Elon Musk to build a vehicle factory in Turkey, according to the country’s communications directorate. Musk is also set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in California on Monday. (Reuters)
RBI bulletin upbeat on Indian economy
The bulletin by the Reserve Bank of India on Monday said that the Indian Economy is gaining strength. Amid slowdown in China, the world must see India as a growth hub, the bulletin added.
Supreme Court on Sena vs Sena rift
Supreme Court says it expects deference, dignity to directions issued by it while pronouncing verdict on Maharashtra political row. CJI DY Chandrachud said that ‘Speaker has to honour dignity of SC’. He said this regarding the delay in deciding pleas for disqualification of Shiv Sena MLAs.
PM Modi to chair Union Cabinet meet today
Amid the intense speculations, the Union Cabinet is likely to meet at 6:30 pm today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to chair the meeting. There is no official word on the agenda of the meeting. (READ MORE)
Anantnag anti-terror operation enters sixth day
The operation to flush out terrorists holed up in the Gadole forest area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district entered the sixth day on Monday with security forces using drones to pinpoint the hideouts for carrying out attacks on the militants. The Union Territory’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has vowed to avenge the death of the three officers in the encounter. According to officials here, drone footage showed a charred body lying near one of the hideouts destroyed during the anti-terror operation over the past five days. Any further information about it can be made available only after security forces sanitise the area, they said. (PTI)
Aditya-L1 begins new phase of solar journey
Aditya-L1 has commenced collecting scientific data, ISRO tweeted on Monday. “This data will help scientists analyse the behaviour of particles surrounding Earth,” the post on X read.
NTPC mining arm to explore battery minerals overseas
Indian power producer NTPC’s mining arm will explore overseas sourcing of battery minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, three sources told Reuters on Monday. India, among the world’s top greenhouse gas emitters, has been pursuing pacts with other countries to secure key minerals in resource-rich countries such as Australia, Argentina and Chile. India aims to be a net zero emitter of greenhouse gases by 2070. (Reuters)
Malaysia studying taxes imposed on palm oil industry, says commodities ministry
Malaysia is conducting a study on taxes in the palm industry and hopes to complete it next year, plantations and commodities minister Fadillah Yusof said on Monday. (Reuters)
Cauvery water war reaches Delhi
Tamil Nadu’s water minister Durai Murugan is set to meet Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to discuss the Cauvery water dispute. The long-standing water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has seen fresh tension. Chennai has claimed that Bengaluru has not released ‘ a drop of water’ for past 15 days. The Centre formed the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) on June 2, 1990, to adjudicate disputes between Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Puducherry with respect to their individual water-sharing capacities.
China flies 103 military planes toward Taiwan in a new high of activity the island calls harassment
China’s military sent 103 warplanes toward Taiwan in a 24-hour period in what the island’s defence ministry said on Monday was a daily record in recent times. The planes were detected between 6 am on Sunday and 6 am on Monday, the ministry said. As is customary, they turned back before reaching Taiwan. China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has conducted increasingly large military drills in the air and waters around Taiwan as tensions have grown between the two and with the United States. (AP)
Torrent Pharma looks to tie up with CVC Capital to fund Cipla purchase
Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd is in advanced negotiations with CVC Capital Partners to form a consortium and raise at least $1.2-$1.5 billion from the European buyout fund as the Ahmedabad-brd pharma-power conglomerate puts together a Rs 60,000 crore ($7 billion) acquisition financing package, one of the largest in recent times, to acquire rival Cipla, reports said.
‘Delhi Bazaar’: City to get virtual market bringing all shops together
To give Delhi’s signature markets global exposure, a virtual market called ‘Delhi Bazaar’ is being created. The virtual marketplace will bring together all the popular stores in Delhi on a single platform. The government will promote the ‘Delhi Bazaar’ portal, allowing anyone from anywhere in the world to visit, virtually explore Delhi’s markets, and purchase their preferred products.
Foxconn plans to double investment, jobs in India in a year
Taiwanese electronics major Foxconn aims to double its workforce and investment in India by next year, a company representative based in India said . Foxconn has rapidly expanded its presence in India by investing as part of its supply chain diversification from China in an evolved post-pandemic world order.