Latest news today (December 8): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views, and much more throughout the day.

Poland reports bird flu outbreaks on farms near German border

Poland has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, also known as bird flu, on two poultry farms near the German border in the country’s northwestern region, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
The two outbreaks were discovered on farms near Szczecin, killing 22,900 poultry out of a total of 104,165 birds.

Cop among two killed in Jamshedpur shootout

A police constable was among two killed when three motorcycle-borne men fired at them here on Friday, police said. The criminals first fired at one person identified as Sajjad in between Road No. 15/16 and fled when they were intercepted by a mobile police patrol team, a senior officer said. Seeing the police team, the criminals fired at them fatally injuring police constable Ramdev Mahato, senior superintendent of police Kishore Kaushal said. (PTI)

Telangana govt launches free bus services to women, Saturday onwards

The Congress government decided to launch the two schemes of free travel for women and the ‘Rajiv Arogyasri’ health scheme aimed at providing Rs 10 lakh insurance coverage on December 9, the birthday of top Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. The two initiatives are among the six ‘guarantees’ promised by the Congress during the recently concluded assembly elections.

VP Dhankar to visit Gurugram on Saturday; Sec 144 imposed

The Gurugram district administration has imposed restrictions under Section 144 in Sector 45 here, ahead of a visit by the Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sarturday. Dhankar is expected to visit the Sarthak Educational Trust at Sector 45 here as a chief guest of an event, officials said.

Six dead as fire breaks out at candle manufacturing unit near Pune

At least six persons died and eight sustained injuries after a fire broke out at a sparkling candle manufacturing unit in Pimpri Chinchwad area of Pune district on Friday, an official said. The fire brigade received a call about the blaze at the factory located at Talawade around 2.45 pm, said Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh. (PTI)

UK antitrust regulator reviews Microsoft, OpenAI partnership

Britain’s antitrust regulator will review whether Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI has resulted in an “acquisition of control,” which leads to one party having material influence over another, it said on Friday. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it was also considering if the deal had resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation. “There have recently been a number of developments in the governance of OpenAI, some of which involved Microsoft,” the CMA said. (Reuters)

India records 180 Covid cases

India has logged 180 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have increased to 744, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. On Thursday, India had registered 121 new Covid infections. The death toll was recorded at 5,33,306, the data updated at 8 am stated. The country’s Covid case tally is 4.50 crore (4,50,02,741). (PTI)

India bans onion exports till March next year

The government has banned exports of onion till March next year with a view to increase domestic availability and to keep prices in check. “Export policy of onions… is amended from free to prohibited till March 31, 2024,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. Local vendors in the national capital are selling onions at Rs 70-Rs 80 per kg. (PTI)

PM Modi inaugurates Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the prevalence of policy-driven governance in the nation while inaugurating Uttarakhand’s Global Investors Summit 2023 in Dehradun on Friday. He highlighted the widespread desire for political stability among the citizens of India, stating that Aspirational India seeks a secure government. The Prime Minister points to the recent assembly elections as evidence of this sentiment, citing the people of Uttarakhand as having already demonstrated their preference for stability.

India allows Non-Basmati rice exports to another 5 countries

India has allowed the export of non-basmati white rice in varying quantities to Comoros, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, and Kenya, an official notification said. Notably, the export of non-Basmati white rice was prohibited on July 20 to check domestic prices and ensure domestic food security.

RBI Governer Shaktikanta Das says FY24 inflation projection unchanged 5.4%

Governor Shaktikanta Das stresses the ongoing importance of pursuing the goal of attaining a 4% inflation rate, which is yet to be achieved. (Read More)

India prohibits onion exports till March 2024

India has prohibited the export of onions till March 2024, as per an official notification issued late on Thursday evening. The DGFT notification said the export of onions will be, however, allowed on the basis of permission granted by the central government to other countries based on the request made by the countries.

BRS president KCR hospitalised after a fall

Telangana’s ex-Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao suffered a fall and is hospitalized at a private super specialty hospital. A suspected fracture evaluation is ongoing for the 69-year-old leader, and surgery may be needed according to office sources. A medical bulletin is anticipated to provide further updates on his condition. (Read More)

Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh to step down in January

Levi Strauss & Co. has said that its CEO will step down in January and hand over the reins of the jeans maker to his appointed successor. Chip Bergh, 66, will cede the CEO job to Michelle Gass, 55, who left her CEO role at Kohl’s to become president of Levi’s in January of this year.

RBI to announce monetary policy today

Financial market participants in India will closely monitor the outcome and the policy stance of the central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to be announced at 10 am Friday (today), for fresh cues. As things stand, the monetary policy committee is most likely to maintain status quo.

Veteran actor Junior Mehmood passes away at 67

Veteran actor Junior Mehmood, aged 67, succumbed to stage four cancer in Mumbai. He passed away early on Friday after battling stomach cancer. His last rites will take place at Santacruz burial ground following afternoon prayers today. Junior Mehmood was renowned for his roles in movies such as ‘Kati Patang’ and ‘Aan Milo Sajna’.