Top news today (July 14): Presenting ‘FE Breaking News Today’. We will keep you updated on all major developments of the day as they happen.
Modi, Macron address joint presser in Paris, PM says France key partner in ‘Make in India’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a press conference with France President Emmanuel Macron on Friday and emphasized the strong relation of France and India in defence that is a symbol of the deep trust. He stated, “Defence ties have always been the basic foundation of our relations. This is a symbol of the deep trust between the two nations. France is an important partner in Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat…Be it submarines or Indian Naval ships, together we want to fulfill not just ours but also the requirements of other friendly countries.” (READ MORE)
New tax bills revoked protests in Kenya
The new finance tax bills have sparked protests by the religious leaders of Christianity and Islam as they urge President William Ruto to withdraw the bill. The next protest is to take place next Wednesday if demands are not met. The protest has claimed atleast 10 lives so far by the police.
NIA arrests two LeT over-ground workers in Srinagar
The National Investigation Agency on Friday arrested two over-ground workers of the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba who were “actively involved” in transporting weapons and funds on the directions of their Pakistan-based handlers, it said. National Investigation Agency (NIA) probes revealed that terror groups were delivering hardware and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for attacks in Jammu and Kashmir either through drones or these were assembled locally. (PTI)
Protest in rain against private power firm in Thane, Mumbai
Hundreds of people started protesting against a private power firm in the rain for harassment by the powerloom town’s private electricity distribution firm. The mob complained for overcharging them and started the protest in Bhiwandi in Thane on Friday.
3 teenagers drowned in Delhi waterlogged ditch
3 teenagers aged between 12 and 15 drowned in a Delhi waterlogged ditch in the Mukundpur area. As per the reports, they were rescued and rushed to hospital but declared dead. Delhi is witnessing high water level situations in various locations and it has been advised to stay home.
Man arrested with narcotic drugs in Navi Mumbai
A 27 year old man was arrested with 151.17 grams worth Rs 15 lakh of methaqualone, a depressant and sedative used as narcotic drugs Vashi in Navi Mumbai on Friday, as per the police.
India’s forex reserves rise to near two-month high
India’s foreign exchange reserves rose for a second straight week and stood at $596.28 billion as of July 7, the highest in nearly two months, the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) data showed on Friday. Reserves in the week ended July 7 rose by $1.23 billion from the week earlier. They also rose by $1.85 billion in the week to June 30. (Reuters)
Okhla water treatment plant starts operations again, tweet Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweets about the Okhla water treatment plant ahead of increasing water level in Delhi.
Protests held in Jammu against Shopian attack
Protests against the attack on three migrant labourers in Shopian were held here on Friday, with protesters burning the Pakistani flag and accusing the neighbouring country of trying to destabilise the situation in Kashmir. Two masked militants shot at and injured three labourers from Bihar after entering their rented accommodation in Gagran village in south Kashmir’s Shopian on Thursday. (PTI)
New app to identify autistic children in India
A study conducted in Delhi found a new app that identifies autism and neurodevelopmental disorders among children in India. The app is called START (Screening Tools for Autism Risk using Technology) tested by global researchers from US, UK and India. As per the study by World Health Organisation (WHO), autism impacts 1 in out of 100 children globally.
So far the mission is on the dot, hope it will be a success, says former ISRO Chief
Witnessing the historic moment of the successful takeoff of the Chandrayaan-3 mission at his residence here, former Chairman of ISRO G Madhavan Nair on Friday congratulated the entire team of scientists at ISRO and hoped that the mission would be a success. “I’m sure the first portion of the journey has started off very well. My compliments to the entire ISRO team,” Nair told PTI soon after Chandrayaan 3 began its journey to the Moon in its precise orbit. (PTI)
Muslim World League chief delivers ‘Khutbah’ at Jama Masjid, says Islam has no place for extremism
Muslim World League Secretary General Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa offered a holy Friday sermon, also called ‘Khutba’ in Jama Masjid as part of his 5-day visit to India. He says Islam has no place for extremism and teaches respect for the entire humanity. Islam believes in protecting humanity, he said and added that Islamic message respects geography, context and diversity.
Jharkhand CM launches Sarathi Yojana on Saturday
On the occasion of World Youth day Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren launches Mukhya Mantri Sarathi Yojana (MMSY) on Saturday in Ranchi. The aim of the programme is to empower young people by upskilling them through training in various skilling programmes such as tailoring, sewing and carpentering in a bid to link them to employment and self-employment.
New drug importing bills to be introduced in the Parliament
According to a parliamentary notice on Thursday, a new bill will be introduced in the parliament for importing, manufacturing and selling medicines in the country. This is in the light of the recent deadly cough syrup scandal last month that caused at least 89 deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan last year.
Another cheetah dies at MP’s Kuno National Park
The national park of Madhya Pradesh counts another death of cheetah, the eighth in a row. The male cheetah, Suraj, was found dead in Kuno National Park Friday morning. Officials are still suspecting the reason behind the rising number of deaths. In the same week, Tejas, the African cheetah was found dead at the national park. (READ MORE)
‘Yellow’ alert in various districts of Maharashtra
According to an ANI report, Maharashtra government has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for various districts- Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigarh, for today.
Last month was hottest June ever recorded on Earth: NASA
Last month was the hottest June on record going back 174 years, according to independent analysis by scientists including those from NASA and NOAA. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also found that it is virtually certain (above 99 per cent) that 2023 will rank among the 10-warmest years on record and a 97 per cent chance it will rank among the top five. The El Nino climate pattern is one reason temperatures are so hot right now, NOAA said. (PTI)
Russia’s bill on banning gender change pass lower house
Russia’s lower house has passed the draft bill of banning gender change either medically or legally in the country. The bill restricts Russian citizens to change their legal gender identity. which had been legal since 1997. It also prohibits medical professions from carrying out any operation in regard to gender change.
India’s trade deficit at $20.13 billion in June
India’s merchandise trade deficit in June stood at $20.13 billion, according to a Reuters calculation based on export and import data released by the government on Friday. (Read More)
Govt considering Rs 6,000-cr coal gasification scheme: Coal Ministry
The Coal ministry is planning to promote coal gasification in India worth Rs. 6000 crore for the public and private sector. The aim of the coal gasification is to reduce dependence on imports of natural gas, methanol, ammonia and other essential product, the Ministry of Coal said.
‘Can’t bring a hammer to kill an ant,’ Bombay HC verdict on fake news
The Bombay High Court on Friday said the recently amended Information Technology (IT) Rules against fake content on social media against the government may be excessive, quipping that one cannot bring a hammer to kill an ant. A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale also said it still does not understand the need behind the amendment to the Rules and stated it finds it difficult that one authority of the government is given absolute power to decide what is fake, false, and misleading. In a democratic process, the court said, the government is as much a participant as a citizen is and hence a citizen has the fundamental right to question and demand answers and the government is duty-bound to respond. (PTI)
Kejriwal seeks Army’s help for Delhi deluge
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he has directed the Chief Secretary to seek help of NDRF and Indian Army to fix an overflowing drain at ITO. (Read More)
Manish Sisodia bail plea
Supreme Court issues notice to respondents on Manish Sisodia bail pleas in connection with liquor policy irregularities case. SC lists the July 28 for hearing relating to interim relief. (ANI)
China’s rare symposium next week
China’s financial regulators have invited some of the world’s biggest investors to a rare symposium next week, three sources said, seeking to encourage foreigners to keep investing in the world’s second-largest economy despite its recent weakness and rising geopolitical tensions. The meeting in Beijing next Friday will focus on the current conditions of U.S. dollar-denominated investment firms in China and the main problems and challenges facing them, according to the sources who have direct knowledge of the matter and invitation documents reviewed by Reuters.
Tomatoes at Rs 90/kg? Good news for Delhi
National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India is bringing freshly procured tomatoes to Delhi today. According to news agency ANI, these tomatoes will be sold at a relatively reduced rate of Rs 90 a kg. India has seen a spike in the price of this kitchen staple in the last 15 days. Across the country, tomatoes are being sold at Rs 160 per kg in various places.
Chandrayaan-3 launch today
All eyes are on the ambitious Chandrayaan-3 launch from Sriharikota today. A successful outcome would place India in an exclusive group of nations, including the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union, that have accomplished this remarkable feat. (LIVE UPDATE HERE)
PM Modi conferred with France’s highest award Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the first Indian premier to have been conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian and military honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi received the honour at the Elysee Palace on Thursday and joined the ranks of other prominent world leaders such as the former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, King Charles – the then Prince of Wales, former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former Secretary General of the United Nations, among others. (PTI)
Yamuna flood latest updates
Yamuna is flowing much above the danger mark today as well. According to news agency ANI, the data at 9 am showed that the river was flowing at 208.40 metres. There is a forecast of rain in and around Delhi today. This adds to the woes of National Capital. Adding to this, latest reports say that officials have said that more flood water may enter Delhi today.