Latest news today (February 29): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.
Last week, a bill aiming to collect funds from temples earning over Rs 10 lakh annually was defeated by the opposition BJP-JD(S) combine in the legislative council. However, on Thursday, the same bill was reexamined and approved by both houses of the legislature. The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is now set to be forwarded to the governor for final approval, after which it will be enacted into law.
In a village within the Ghatampur area, two girls were discovered hanging from a tree in a field adjacent to the brick kiln where they were employed, as reported by the police on Thursday. The authorities revealed that the girls had reportedly been subjected to sexual assault days before their tragic demise. All three suspects involved in the incident have been apprehended, according to the police.
The Mizoram assembly on Thursday passed a bill that seeks to hike stamp duty from 1 per cent to 3 per cent of the market value of a property. The Indian Stamp (Mizoram Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed in the House by voice vote. (PTI)
On Thursday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced that it has conferred the 'Eat Right Station' certification upon 150 railway stations. This certification is a testament to the stations' commitment to providing safe, hygienic, and nutritious food choices for passengers. The certification process for 'Eat Right Station' includes thorough audits of food vendors, training sessions for food handlers, strict adherence to hygiene and sanitation protocols, and initiatives to enhance awareness among individuals, enabling them to make informed and healthy food choices.
In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Assam, the BJP is set to vie for 11 seats, reserving three for its allies, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), as stated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday. The AGP will actively participate in the Barpeta and Dhubri constituencies, while the UPPL will nominate its candidate for the Kokrajhar seat.
President Vladimir Putin told Western countries on Thursday they risked provoking a nuclear war if they sent troops to fight in Ukraine, warning that Moscow had the weapons to strike targets in the West. The war in Ukraine has triggered the worst crisis in Moscow's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Putin has previously spoken of the dangers of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, but his nuclear warning on Thursday was one of his most explicit.
In December, the growth rate of eight core sectors, including coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement, and electricity, stood at 4.9 per cent. This figure represented a notable decrease from the growth rate of 9.7 per cent recorded in January 2023. The lowest growth rate in recent months was observed at 0.9 per cent in October 2022.
Official data released on Thursday reveals that the growth of eight key infrastructure sectors decelerated to a 15-month low of 3.6 per cent in January. This decline can be attributed to the lackluster performance of sectors such as refinery products, fertiliser, steel, and electricity. In contrast, the growth rate of these core sectors was recorded at 4.9 per cent in December.
According to SBI Research, the GDP for the October-December period is projected to expand by 6.8 per cent. In the preceding July-September quarter of the fiscal year 2023-24, the Indian economy registered a growth of 7.6 per cent, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing major economy. Additionally, India's GDP surged by 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter.
When asked if CM Sukhu will remain CM for 5 years, Congress observer DK Shivakumar says, "Congress government is there and Sukhu is the CM. All the MLAs want Congress government for 5 years...No operation Lotus here." (ANI)
From April 2023 to January 2024, the Central government's fiscal deficit increased to Rs 11.03 lakh crore compared to Rs 9.82 lakh crore in April to December.
The Bombay High Court rejected the Central Bureau of Investigation's request to halt the release of the Netflix docu-series, 'The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth'.
Japan's SoftBank Group has further reduced its stake in beleaguered Indian payments firm Paytm to 2.83% from 5.01%, an exchange filing showed on Thursday. The conglomerate, which held 17.5% stake in Paytm in September 2022, has trimmed its ownership for more than a year through multiple open market deals, with its most recent cut being in January. (Reuters)
One person died and five were injured when a helicopter crash-landed in the ocean off western Norway, police said on Thursday, leading to a temporary halt in transport to and from the country's offshore oil and gas platforms. The Sikorsky S-92 aircraft operated by Bristow Norway was on a search and rescue training mission on Wednesday when the accident occurred, officials have said. (Reuters)
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania says, "Six MLAs, who contested on Congress symbol, attracted provisions of anti-defection law against themselves...I declare that the six people cease to be members of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly with immediate effect."
TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh has been sent for 10-day police custody. (READ MORE)
Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) on Thursday to ensure availability of buses for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.
The Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Bill (UCC) moved one step closer to becoming law as the bill was sent by Raj Bhavan to the President's office for approval on Thursday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Madhya Pradesh' program, laying the foundation stone and inaugurating various development projects totaling approximately Rs 17,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to stay at the Kaziranga National Park during his two-day visit to Assam on March 8 and 9.
TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan arrested by West Bengal Police from the Minakhan area in North 24 Parganas and taken to Basirhat Court: SDPO of Minakhan, Aminul Islam Khan (ANI)