Latest news today (August 16): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.
All schools and colleges to remain closed due to heavy rain in Himachal
The Department of Education in Himachal Pradesh has declared holiday for all educational institutes on August 17 due to incessant rainfall in the state.
AIMIM leader, three others held in murder case
Four people, including an AIMIM leader who is Jalpally Municipality Chairman, were arrested in connection with the murder of a rowdy sheeter last week. The 27-year-old man, who was previously involved in nine cases in different police stations in the city, was killed at his office in Bandlaguda police station limits on August 11.
Cong discusses Lok Sabha poll preparedness in Delhi
Congress leaders from Delhi held a meeting with party’s top leadership to review its preparedness for the Lok Sabha elections and discussed ways and means to strengthen the organisation in all seven Lok Sabha constituencies.
Will not go with BJP, asserts Sharad Pawar; says no political angle in Ajit meeting
NCP president Sharad Pawar has asserted that he will not align with the BJP and instead work towards bringing about a change in 2024 when the Lok Sabha polls will be held as he sought to downplay his meeting with politically estranged nephew Ajit Pawar, saying it was about a family issue.
6 more held in Jadavpur student death case, Guv calls for emergency meeting
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has called Jadavpur University authorities for an emergency meeting at Raj Bhavan in the wake of the death of a student of Jadavpur University. Jadavpur University authorities were seen reaching Raj Bhavan in a minibus.
Will not align with BJP, work for change in 2024, says Sharad Pawar
NCP president Sharad Pawar has asserted that he will not align with the BJP and instead work towards bringing about a change in 2024 when the Lok Sabha polls will be held.
After MacDonalds, Burger King stops using tomato
Fast food chain Burger King has stopped using tomatoes in its food preparations, joining the list of other quick service restaurant (QSR) chains like McDonald’s and Subway, amid soaring prices of the staple kitchen item.
No point of INDIA alliance if Cong has decided to contest alone in Delhi in LS polls: AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party said that there was no point in having the INDIA alliance if the Congress has made up its mind to go solo in Delhi for the Lok Sabha polls. AAP chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said its top leadership will take a call on attending the Mumbai meeting of the opposition bloc INDIA.
57 iPhones, 490 gm gold seized from two passengers at Amritsar airport
Customs department officials recovered 57 iPhones and 490 grams of gold from two passengers who came from Sharjah in a flight at the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport. The market value of iPhones and gold was Rs 94.83 lakh, the statement said.
Union Cabinet approves seven multi-tracking Railway projects
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved seven projects of the Ministry of Railways having an estimated cost of around Rs.32,500 crore with 100 per cent funding from the central government. The proposals of multi-tracking will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing much-required infrastructure development on the busiest sections across the Indian railway.
Delhi HC grants bail to man accused of sexually assaulting daughter
The Delhi High Court has granted bail to a man accused of sexually assaulting his daughter while noting that it cannot shut its eyes to the matrimonial dispute between the girl’s parents and his false implication by “tutoring” cannot be ruled out.
Delhi LG gives nod to creation of 37 additional posts in consumer commission
Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena has approved the proposal for creating 37 additional posts of various categories in Delhi State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, reports said. This will provide a major boost to consumer grievance redressal in the city. The proposal for the creation of additional posts was mooted in June 2020, keeping in view the pendency of cases.
Fire breaks out in UP plywood factory, 3 injured
Three fire personnel sustained burn injuries in a fire that broke out in a plywood factory in Lucknow. The fire was brought under control after several hours, reports said.
Three generations of family killed in Shimla temple collapse
A family lost members spanning three generations in the mishap in which a temple in the Summer Hill area of rain-battered Shimla district was washed away following a landslide triggered cloudburst. According to officials, seven members of the family, including three children were inside the Shiv temple when it collapsed.
Union Cabinet approves PM Vishwakarma scheme
The Union Cabinet has approved the PM Vishwakarma scheme to support traditional artisans and craftspeople of rural and urban India. The launch of the scheme was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under this scheme, loans up to Rs 1 lakh will be provided on liberal terms.
Farmer mauled to death by tiger in Pilibhit
A farmer was mauled to death by a tiger Pilibhit and the deceased’s dismembered remains were recovered from inside the forest. The body had bite marks over it and some portions of the flesh was also missing, police said. The police have sent the body for a post-mortem examination.
About 5 tonne tomatoes imported from Nepal in transit; to be sold in UP tomorrow at subsidised rate: NCCF
Cooperative NCCF has said that about 5 tonne tomatoes are being imported from neighbouring country Nepal which will be retailed at a subsidised rate of Rs 50/kilogram in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday. The National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) has contracted for import of 10 tonne of tomatoes from Nepal.
Aptech CEO Anil Pant passes away
Aptech Managing Director and CEO Anil Pant passed away on Tuesday, a PTI report said. Pant assumed the charge of MD and CEO in Aptech in July 2016. The company had disclosed health updates of Pant on June 19 and July 18 this year and the board had constituted an interim committee of certain members and senior management of the company for continuity of operations.
Amrit Udyan reopens second time this year
Popularly known as Mughal Garden, now Amrit Udyan opened for the second time this year. The garden is open for visitors free of cost from August 16, 2023 to September 17, 2023. It is the first time that the garden has opened twice in a year. Booking can be made online as well as offline, on the spot.
Islamabad High Court orders release of Imran Khan’s party members
Islamabad High Court has ordered the release of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar as it heard their pleas against their prolonged detentions under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance,ANI reported. The court indicted City Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon and a senior superintendent of police (SSP) for contempt of court.
SC launches handbook for combating gender stereotypes
The Supreme Court on Wednesday launched a handbook on combating gender stereotypes that would guide judges to avoid the usage of inappropriate gender terms in court orders and legal language. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said the guidebook is to identify and eliminate the usage of words and phrases that carry gender biases within court orders and legal language. It helps judges identify and avoid such stereotypes by first-identifying language which promotes gender stereotypes and offering alternative words and phrases, CJI said. (ANI)
Village in Naxal-affected Sukma gets electricity for first time
A Chhattisgarh village Sukma, affected by naxalites, has received electricity for the first time with the effort of district police which worked in coordination with Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited. The villagers expressed their happiness as they are also urged by the police to keep distance from naxalite activities.
3 killed, 4 injured as truck collides with auto
Three people were killed and four injured after a truck collided head-on with an auto-rickshaw at Yellanda village of Warangal district. The incident took place when the truck collided at speed with the three-wheeler at Wardhannapet. Three people died on the spot and another four, who sustained injuries, were rushed to a nearby hospital.
New academic session begins in Delhi University
The prestigious Delhi University has started its new session 2023-2024 on Wednesday with an academic calendar back on track that got disrupted for the last three years due to covid. The University welcomed every programme student.
Wildfire in Tenerife national park prompts village evacuations: Spain
A fire broke out in the area near the Mount Teide volcano, Spain to which the official authorities have evacuated 4 villages namely, Arrate, Chivisaya, Media Montaña and Ajafona, nearby. The wildfire started on Tuesday night and officials reported it to be contagious therefore, major precautions have been taken like water sprinkling through helicopters and village evacuation.
Illegal constructions near Krishna Janmabhoomi : SC halts demolition drive
The demolition drive carried by the railway authorities has been put on halt as per the Supreme Court judgment as there have been allegations of illegal constructions near Krishna Janmabhoomi, Uttar Pradesh. The bench said, “Let there be status quo as regards the subject premises for a period of 10 days. List after one week.”
Indian government plans stake sale in Indian Railways’ funding arm
The Indian government is considering selling some of its stake in the state-owned Indian Railway Finance Corp (IRFC) as it aims to meet its divestment targets for the year, two government officials told. The government owns a little over 86% of the Indian Railways’ funding arm. (REUTERS)
Clashes in Libya resulted 27 deaths, 106 injured
Libya’s capital, Tripoli, has faced clashes between two armed factions since Monday, August 14. The country issued an emergency services’ statement that reports at least 27 deaths and more than 100 people have been injured due to the clashes. According to CNN report, the clash began after the commander of the 444 Brigade, Mahmoud Hamza, was detained.
Islamabad courts reject 9 bail pleas of Imran Khan
Pakistan’s local courts in Islamabad rejected nine petitions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, seeking bail in connection with the First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against him over violent protests, Dawn reported. (ANI)
AAP protests at Dwarka Expressway over irregularities flagged by CAG report
The Aam Aadmi Party members protested near Dwarka Expressway Highway as they alleged that the BJP government is scamming in the construction of the expressway after the Comptroller Auditor General of India reportedly flagged the huge cost escalation.
GOT actor Darren Kent passes away in his late 30s
Darren Kent, popularly known for his role in ‘Game of Thrones’, Hollywood series, passed away at the age of 36, confirmed by his talent agency, Carey Dodd Associates via a twitter post. He was most recently seen as a reanimated corpse in the 2023 film ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’.
Earthquake of magnitude 3.4 strikes Kolhapur, Maharashtra
An earthquake of magnitude 3.4 on the Richter scale struck Kolhapur in Maharashtra on Wednesday, the National Center for Seismology informed. The tremors were felt at 06:45:05 Indian standard time (IST), the NCS stated, adding that the tremor struck at a depth of 5 kms. (ANI)
Death toll from devastating Maui fire reaches 101, Hawaii governor says
A mobile morgue unit has arrived to help Hawaii officials working painstakingly to identify the remains of people killed in wildfires that ravaged Maui, as the death rose above 100 and teams intensified the search for more dead in neighborhoods reduced to ash. (AP) (READ MORE)
Centre renames Nehru Memorial as Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library
The centre officially renamed the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library on August 14 to Prime Ministers Museum and Library Society. It was done on account of the meeting that happened in mid-June involving Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is the Vice-President of the Society and approved by the Executive Council. The plea to rename the museum was requested by the Cultural Minister. (READ MORE)
NCB arrests 7 seized 110 kg of pseudoephedrine tablets
The Narcotics Control Bureau of Guwahati and Imphal busted an international trafficking network and arrested 7 people who were caught transporting 110.5 kilograms of pseudoephedrine tablets from India to Myanmar. It is believed to be one of the biggest breakthroughs as per the officials.
