Latest news today (August 2): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.
Digital Personal Data Protection Bill likely to be presented in Lok Sabha tomorrow
The government is expected to table the Digital Personal Data Protection(DPDP) bill in Parliament tomorrow.
Dell Foundation-backed edtech firm ConveGenius partners with NITI Aayog
Dell Foundation-backed edtech startup ConveGenius has reportedly collaborated with the government of Uttar Pradesh and central government’s think tank NITI Aayog to enhance learning outcomes for students in the state.
No rollback for 28% GST on online gaming
Nirmala Sitharaman says that the GST panel will stay with the decision on online gaming GST. The Union Finance Minister on Wednesday chaired the 51st meeting of the GST Council virtually. MOS for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said that several GST-related issues were discussed during the meeting. The statement by the GST Council comes less than a month after its 50th meeting in which the members had decided to levy 28% GST on casinos, online gaming and racing. (READ MORE)
Foxconn signs Letters of Intent for two high-profile projects for Rs 5,000 crore
Karnataka government has allegedly signed a Letter of Intent with Foxconn, a major iPhone assembler for tech giant Apple for two major projects in the state which is estimated to be worth Rs 5,000 crore.
Delhi court reserves order on Jagdish Tytler’s bail plea in 1984 anti-Sikh riots
Delhi Court reserved its order on the anticipatory bail application of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a case related to the killing of three people in Pul Bangash area during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Delhi govt to ensure best educational facilities for poor: Kejriwal
The AAP government will ensure that the poor and the underprivileged have access to the best educational facilities in Delhi government schools, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reportedly said.
Bodies of young couple recovered from Ganga River
Bodies of a young couple were recovered from Ganga River at Javania ghat near the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border here, reported PTI.
Shivpal Yadav targets BJP, says “BJP indulges in conspiracy, riots when elections are near”
Samajwadi party leader Shivpal Yadav targeted BJP over Haryana-violence and Manipur and allegedly said that BJP indulges in conspiracy and riots whenever elections are near.
CUET-UG not based on CBSE syllabus: Education Ministry
The Common University Entrance Test-IG is not based on CBSE syllabus but the general understanding of different class 12 subjects, a PTI report said.
SC tells central, state governments to prevent hate speech and violence at VHP protest marches
Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the state governments concerned to ensure no hate speech or violence takes place in Delhi-NCR during marches being held by VHP and Bajrang Dal.
BRICS 2023 update
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to travel to South Africa for the summit meeting of BRICS nations later this month and could instead participate virtually, two sources told Reuters.
One more cheetah dies at Kuno National Park
One more cheetah has died at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh which made this the sixth adult feline to have died since March, a PTI report said.(READ MORE)
Typhoon Khanun hits Japan
A powerful typhoon slammed Okinawa and other islands in southwestern Japan Wednesday with high winds injuring more than 20 people as it moved west making its way toward mainland China. Typhoon Khanun, which means jackfruit in Thai, was heading west at speeds of 10 kph (6 mph), packing surface winds of up to 180 kph (111 mph). It was at sea southwest of Okinawa’s main island, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. (AP)
Fitch downgrades US credit rating, citing mounting debt and political divisions
Fitch Ratings has downgraded the United States government’s credit rating, citing rising debt at the federal, state, and local levels and a “steady deterioration in standards of governance” over the past two decades. The rating was cut Tuesday one notch to AA+ from AAA, the highest possible rating. The new rating is still well into investment grade. (AP)
Art Director of Lagaan Nitin Desai ends life by suicide at his studio
The popular Art Director, Nitin Desai, of many blockbuster movies like Lagaan, Devdas, Jodhaa Akbar, was found dead in his studio in Karjat, Maharashtra. His body was found hanging on the ceiling. According to Maharashtra MLA Mahesh Baldi, he was under financial stress. (READ MORE)
China’s zoo comes under controversy after a video of standing bear got viral
A video from Hangzhou Zoo of China faced controversy as it shows an upright standing bear that almost looked like a person wearing a costume to many twitter users. The users claimed that China is being deceitful, however, China has denied the allegation.
NH5 hit by landslide in Himachal Pradesh
Latest reports from Himachal Pradesh say that NH 5 or Chandigarh-Shimla Highway has been closed. The decision was taken by the authorities in view of the landslide at Chakki Mod. The landslide was reported at Parvati Valley.
Ambuja Cements in talks to acquire majority stake in Sanghi Industries
Ambuja Cements has reached a deal to acquire a majority stake in operations of Sanghi Industries, two sources with direct knowledge said, a transaction that will add heft to cement operations of billionaire Gautam Adani’s firm. The deal by Ambuja is likely to be announced as soon as Wednesday, the sources said, declining to be named because the decision is not public. They did not share the exact stake percentage. (Reuters)
Tesla may get approval for foreign vendors
Elon Musk’s Tesla may get an approval to use its foreign vendors, most based in China, to manufacture critical components, an Economic Times report says. The report further added that the Modi government is not in favour of giving any Tesla- specific exemption.
Rain alert in Odisha
The IMD says that Odisha will witness very heavy rainfall for next 48 hours. In wake of the alert, all educational institutions have been closed in Balangir district.
Trump indictment alleges a campaign of ‘fraud and deceit’
Third time, the former US President Donald Trump is under criminal indictment this year. The court held Trump accountable for violating the 2020 election in America and called it, “dishonesty, fraud and deceit.”
Magnitude 5 earthquake jolts Nicobar Islands
An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 on the Richter Scale hit Nicobar Islands today at around 5:40 am: National Centre for Seismology. The quake occured at around 5:40 am in the morning hours with its depth registered at 10 km. (ANI)