TODAY NEWS ON February 12, 2024

News Headlines

India welcomes release of eight Navy veterans jailed in Qatar

India on February 12 welcomed the release of eight Indian nationals who were arrested in Qatar on August 30, 2022 and were given death sentence last October. In an early morning statement, the Ministry of External Affairs indicated that seven of the men have already returned.

Farmers likely to start Delhi march from Feb 12, after collapse of talks with Centre on guaranteed MSPs

Approximately one lakh farmers belonging to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha-Non Political (SKM-NP), a splinter group of the original SKM, started preparations for a rally in Delhi on Tuesday seeking guaranteed minimum support prices (MSPs) for their produce.

Nitish Kumar to face floor test

The Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance government is all set to face a floor test on Monday to prove its majority in the Bihar Assembly. On the eve of the crucial floor test, political parties in the State remained busy on Sunday trying to keep their flock together.

Pakistan parties intensify efforts to form coalition government after split verdict in February 8 elections

The three main political parties in Pakistan on February 11 intensified their efforts for the formation of a coalition government after it became clear that the coup-prone country faced a hung Parliament after general elections marred by allegations of rigging.

Parliament’s average annual sitting days down to 55 in the 17th Lok Sabha from 135 in the first

The average annual sitting days of the first Lok Sabha, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as the leader of House, was 135 days, and the 17th Lok Sabha, which concluded on Friday, sat only for 55 days on average in a year.

BJP releases first list of 14 RS nominees; R.P.N. Singh, Sudhanshu Trivedi make the cut

The BJP on Sunday announced a list of 14 candidates for the biennial polls to the Rajya Sabha, with former Union Minister R.P.N Singh — who joined the BJP ahead of the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh in 2022 — among those nominated.

U19 WC final | Australia dash Indian dreams with 79-run victory

A fresh chapter was added to the script of Australia’s domination over India in the ICC World Cup finals when they bagged the Under-19 title with a 79-run victory here on Sunday.

Farmers’ income will be increased with innovative schemes: Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday said the State government was all set to introduce innovative schemes and increase farmers’ incomes in the upcoming annual Budget since agriculture and milk production played a pivotal role in the rural economy.

Congress will win all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab: Kharge

A day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is part of the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, declared it would go solo in Punjab in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Congress, also a partner in INDIA bloc, on Sunday said it would win across all the 13 parliamentary constituencies in Punjab.

Comprehensive India-specific approach needed for growth of medical education: Parliamentary panel

Bridging the widely varying quality of medical education across India; enhancing the number of under- (UG) and post-graduate (PG) medical seats; optimal use of existing infrastructure to expand medical education facilities; chalking out a comprehensive India-specific approach for the creation of seats for specialists; and streamlining the recruitment process to prevent “ghost faculty” (teachers who exist only on paper but paid a salary) in medical colleges — these are among the top recommendations in a report on the quality of medical education in India presented by the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Health and Family Welfare in Parliament earlier this week.

Netanyahu promises ‘safe passage’ to Palestinians ahead of Rafah operation

The threat of an Israeli incursion into Gaza’s southernmost town of Rafah persisted on Sunday, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised “safe passage” to civilians displaced there.

Education Ministry ties up with FIFA to promote sporting culture through football

Aiming to significantly broaden the accessibility of football within the school setting for students, the Ministry of Education has tied up with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to distribute 11 lakh footballs across the country in a phased manner.

BJP will cross 370 seats-mark in Lok Sabha polls, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on February 11, said he is confident the BJP will cross the 370 seats-mark in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and even Opposition leaders in Parliament are saying the ruling coalition will get more than 400 seats. Addressing a public meeting of tribal community members in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district, Mr. Modi said the Congress was anti-tribal and thought of villages, farmers and the poor only during elections.

TMC announces candidature of Sagarika Ghose, Sushmita Dev, two others for Rajya Sabha polls

The Trinamool Congress on February 11 announced the names of journalist Sagarika Ghose, party leader Sushmita Dev and two others for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from the State. Elections to the five Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal will be held on February 27.

Haldwani violence | Uttarakhand govt. seeks additional Central forces

The Uttarakhand government has sought more Central forces for deployment in Haldwani where violence erupted on February 8 after the demolition of an “illegal” madrassa, officials said. They said four companies - containing about 100 personnel each - of the Central Paramilitary Forces have been sought from the Home Ministry to maintain law and order in Banbhoolpura area, the epicentre of the mob violence.

Government gets ready to include ASHA and anganwadi workers/helpers in its Ayushman Bharat scheme

After the Central government announced its decision to include Accredited Social Health Activists and Anganwadi workers and helpers into the free cover for health treatment under Ayushman Bharat Scheme, the Health Ministry has so far received Aadhaar details of 23 lakh anganwadi workers and helpers and over three lakh ASHA workers from various States.

Education system based on Indian values is need of the hour: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 11 said an education system based on Indian values is the need of the hour. He was virtually addressing an event organised to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati at his birth place Tankara in Gujarat’s Morbi district. Mr. Modi hailed the social reformer who had called for the Indian society to return to the Vedas at a time when people were trapped in slavery and superstitions engulfed the country.

In bid to curb immigration, France to scrap birthright citizenship in Mayotte

Children of immigrants born in Mayotte, the French overseas territory situated between Madagascar and the African mainland, will no longer automatically become French citizens, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said late on February 11. “It will no longer be possible to become French if one is not the child of French parents”, Mr. Darmanin told journalists upon his arrival on the island, announcing the scrapping of birthright citizenship there — a first in recent French history.

Finland votes for a new President

Voters in Finland are choosing on February 11 between two experienced politicians to be their next President, whose main task will be to steer the Nordic country’s foreign and security policy now that it is a member of NATO, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, 55, on the center right, and former Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, 65, from the green left, largely agree on Finland’s foreign policy and security priorities.

Pope canonises first female Argentine saint before meeting with Milei

Pope Francis elevated to sainthood the first female saint from his native Argentina on February 11, an event that brought to the Vatican his former vocal critic, Argentine President Javier Milei. Mr. Milei, a right-wing libertarian, called Pope Francis an “imbecile” and accused him of “preaching communism” before he ran for president, but has softened his tone since taking office in December.

Jeff Bezos sells nearly 12 million Amazon shares worth at least $2 billion, with more to come

Jeff Bezos filed a statement with federal regulators indicating his sale of nearly 12 million shares of Amazon stock worth more than $2 billion. The Amazon executive chairman notified the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of the sale of 11,997,698 shares of common stock on February 7 and 8. The collective value of the shares of Amazon, which is based in Seattle was more than $2.04 billion, according to the listed price totals.

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