Latest news today (August 8): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.
Govt lost Rs 1 lakh cr in taxes in FY’21 due to corporate tax cut: MoS Finance
The government lost a little over Rs 1 lakh crore in 2020-21 on account of a cut in corporate taxes, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said on Tuesday. In September 2019, the government announced a cut in base corporate tax for existing companies to 22 percent from 30 percent; and for new manufacturing firms, incorporated after October 1, 2019, to 15 per cent from 25 per cent. (PTI)
Rishikesh-Badrinath highway reopened for traffic after 17 hours
The Rishikesh-Badrinath highway was closed for 17 hours due to a massive landslide which is now open for travelers and public vehicles.
No govt job for people accused of sex crimes in Rajasthan: CM
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has decided to ‘ban’ people to apply for government jobs who have been accused of rape and other sex crime. It is in the response of the recent case of a 14-year-old girl murder and rape case in the state.
Central team visits flood-affected areas in Punjab
A central team of seven members by National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) visited the Punjab flood-affected areas includes, Mohali and Patiala districts as these districts received heavy rainfall between July 9 and July 11 causing several damage to infrastructure and livelihood.
Italy proposes bank tax to help people with interest rate hikes, sending stocks plunging Rome
Italian bank stocks plunged Tuesday after the Cabinet approved a proposal to apply a 40% tax on some bank profits this year to help consumers and businesses cope with higher borrowing costs. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini announced the tax at a Monday evening press conference, saying it was a measure of “social equity” to make up for a series of interest rate hikes from the European Central Bank. (AP)
France opts new initiatives to welcome more Indian students
France is making new changes to increase the number of Indian students in the country after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Chief Guest on the country’s Bastille Day. The French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the importance of international students from India as it will impact the long lasting friendship between France and India. (READ MORE)
ED summons Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren in money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for questioning in a money laundering case, official sources said on Tuesday. He has been asked to depose next week in state capital Ranchi and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, they said. (PTI)
Oldest fossils of a plant-eating dinosaur discovered in Rajasthan
The oldest fossil remains of a long-necked, plant-eating dicraeosaurus dinosaur is found in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan by the Scientists from IIT-Roorkee and Geological Survey of India (GSI). The fossil is named as Tharosaurus indicus, referring to the Thar desert of western India.
Mumbai: Drivers of private operators of BEST call off strike after 7 days
A strike by the private vehicle operator, BEST, in Mumbai was called off after 7 days as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde agreed to fulfill the demands of salary hike and more.
Greek soccer fan dies as soccer fans clash in Athens
A fan died after being seriously injured in violence among fans of AEK Athens and Dinamo Zagreb soccer clubs in Athens, Reuters reported. The 29-year-old man was stabbed several times in clashes among fans.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi get back his official house
In the 2019 “Modi surname” defamation case, the Supreme Court had convicted his official bungalow in Delhi is now returned to him. He relied, “Mera ghar poora Hindustan hai,” according to ANI reports. (READ MORE)
Pak Former PM Imran seeks bail in graft corruption case
Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has challenged the verdict of Islamabad trial court and filed a plea at the Islamabad High Court for bail. On Saturday, the trial court found Imran Khan guilty of “corrupt practices” in the Toshakhana corruption case and sentenced him to three years of imprisonment.
PIL seeking sealing of Gyanvapi premises dismissed as withdrawn by HC
The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday dismissed a PIL seeking a direction to the Uttar Pradesh government to seal the entire Gyanvapi premises without affecting the ASI survey order of the Varanasi court. The court dismissed the petition as withdrawn when petitioner counsel made a prayer to approach the appropriate forum as per law and file an application for the reliefs claimed in the PIL A bench comprising Chief Justice Pritinker Diwakar and Justice Ashutosh Srivastava passed the order. (PTI)
Protest in Jantar Mantar, Delhi by Indian Youth Congress over Manipur violence
The Indian Youth Congress held a protest in Jantar Mantar, Delhi against the central government over various issues like Manipur violence, inflation and unemployment. As many gathered with banners of ‘Sansad gherao.’
More than 1,000 evacuated as Portugal wildfire spreads
Hundreds of firefighters scrambled on Tuesday to put out a blaze raging in southern Portugal that has scorched thousands of hectares of land and forced the evacuation of around 1,400 people. The wildfire, currently being tackled by over 850 firefighters and six water-bombing planes, started on Saturday in the municipality of Odemira, in the Alentejo region, but has since spread south towards the Algarve, one of Portugal’s top tourist destinations. (Reuters)
Kerala stands against Centre’s move to implement UCC
The Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijaya has issued a resolution in the Assembly against the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) which is requested by the Central government, BJP in the Parliament. In February, Mizoram took a stand to refrain UCC in the country as it was considered against the Indian constitution.
Monsoon mayhem in Nepal
Landslides caused by heavy rain have killed at least one person, and blocked a major highway in Nepal this week, officials said on Tuesday, as the death toll from the annual monsoon rains nears 40. The rains, which lash the Himalayan nation from June to September, kill scores of people every year, and many more go missing as the monsoon triggers landslides and floods. This year, 38 people have died and at least 33 people are missing, Mana Acharya, an official at the home ministry said. Rescue workers are also searching for another 6 people who have gone missing after a landslide swept away their home in a village near Kathmandu, she added. (Reuters)
Maharashtra reports new spike in Covid cases
Amid reports of India detecting new sub-variant of coronavirus, Maharashtra is back on Covid radar. According to a TOI report, the state has seen a marginal increase in new Covid cases in past few days. According to the health officials, XBB.1.16 and XBB.2.3 are still the main reason behind the new cases.
Moody’s downgrades US banks, warns of possible cuts to others
Moody’s cut credit ratings of several small to mid-sized U.S. banks on Monday and said it may downgrade some of the nation’s biggest lenders, warning that the sector’s credit strength will likely be tested by funding risks and weaker profitability. Moody’s cut the ratings of 10 banks by one notch and placed six banking giants, including Bank of New York Mellon, US Bancorp, State Street and Truist Financial on review for potential downgrades.
Pepperfry CEO dead
Pepperfry CEO and co-founder Ambareesh Murty died of cardiac arrest in Leh on Tuesday. (READ MORE)
Anti-UCC resolution in Kerala Assembky today
Kerala’s LDF government is set to introduce a resolution against the Uniform Civil Code in state assembly today. The resolution demands Centre to withdraw the implementation of UCC in the country.
Offices in Bengaluru, Chennai shut for ‘Jailer’ release
Rajnikanth starrer ‘Jailer’ is set to release on August 10. With expectations of a strong debut at the box office across India, offices in Bengaluru and Chennai have announced holiday for their employees for the release on August 10.
Meat shop attacked in Gurugram
A group of attackers allegedly pelted stones on a meat shop near CRPF Chowk, PTI reported. The owner of the shop suffered minor injuries and the window glass was shattered after the pelting. The police have denied any links to communal violence.
PwC resigns as Paytm Payments Services auditor
Audit firm Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants has resigned as the auditor of Paytm Payments Services Limited with immediate effect, Paytm reported to PTI. (READ MORE)
India bars makers of military drones from using Chinese parts
India in recent months has barred domestic manufacturers of military drones from using components made in China over concerns about security vulnerabilities, according to four defence and industry officials and documents reviewed by Reuters. The measure comes amid tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours and as New Delhi pursues a military modernisation that envisages greater use of unmanned quadcopters, long-endurance systems and other autonomous platforms. (REUTERS)
PM Modi to attend BRICS Summit
The South African government has confirmed that PM Narendra Modi will attend the next BRICS Summit that will be held in South Africa, PTI reported.
Rahul Gandhi likely to open debate for no-confidence motion
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to open the debate from the opposition side on the no-confidence motion discussion that is to be taken up in Lok Sabha today.
2 Russian missile strikes hit in eastern Ukraine, killed 5
Two Russian missile strikes hit the city center of the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region which led to the killing at least five people and wounding two dozen more, a PTI report said.
Pakistan: UC chairman killed in blast in Balochistan including 6 others
At least seven people, including a chairman of a Union Council (UC), were killed in a landmine blast targeting a vehicle in Balochistan’s Panjgur district, news agency ANI reported.
J-K SIA launches probe in judge Neelkanth Ganjoo’s killing
Nearly after 33 years of retirement of judge Neelkanth Ganjoo, he was shot dead by militants for which the State Investigation Agency in Jammu and Kashmir has sought information from the general public to bring out the alleged “larger criminal conspiracy” behind the killing.
Black day in history of India’s democracy: Kejriwal over Delhi services bill
After the Rajya Sabha passed the Delhi Services Bill, CM Arvind Kejriwal said it was a “black day” for India’s democracy and accuses BJP-led union government of trying to “usurp” power through the backdoor.
3 die as firefighting helicopters crash into each other in Southern California
Three people have been killed after a helicopter used to fight a wildfire in Southern California collided with another one and crashed, news agency ANI reported.
