US expresses 'concern' over CAA, says 'closely monitoring' implementation of the law
US Commission on International Religious Freedom had raised concern about the bill in 2019 & proposed sanctions against home minister, should it be passed. It eventually didn't take action. Key Points
ThePrintEU Parliament gives final nod to landmark AI law
Lawmakers in the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Artificial Intelligence Act, five years after regulations were first proposed. The AI Act is expected to Act as a global signpost for other governments grappling with how to regulate the fast-developing technology. Key Points
Economic TimesValorant Episode 8 Act 2: Here’s what we know about release date, time, what to expect and more
Valorant Episode 8 Act 2 is set to release on March 5, 2024, with potential updates to the Agent roster and Competitive map pool. Players can anticipate a fresh gaming experience with the new lava-themed premium skinline and Battle Pass. Key Points
Economic TimesAssam Muslim Marriage Act repealed: AIMIM leader says 'BJP ko muslamano se nafarat hai...'
Assam Muslim Marriage Act repealed: In a video message, the AIMIM leader said, “They (BJP) hate our eating habits. First, they brought a law on Triple Talaq and now a law against Muslim marriage...” Key Points
mintNo decision to introduce plastic notes: MoS Finance
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that the government has not made a decision to introduce plastic notes. The government is continuously working to improve the durability and counterfeit resistance of Indian banknotes. According to the RBI Annual Report 2022-23, no cost has been incurred on the printing of plastic notes. Key Points
Economic Times
Amending PoSH Act won't end harassment at workplace. Here's what needs to be done
The problem in India is not the law. It is the intent of organisations and their leaders who wish to maintain the status quo with regard to the sexual harassment and abuse of women in the workforce. Key Points
ThePrintThe UK’s Controversial Online Safety Act Is Now Law
The UK government says its Online Safety Act will protect people, particularly children, on the internet. Critics say it’s ineffective against dangerous misinformation and may be a threat to privacy. Key Points
WIREDThe UK’s Controversial Online Safety Act Is Now Law
The UK government says its Online Safety Act will protect people, particularly children, on the internet. Critics say it’s ineffective against dangerous misinformation and may be a threat to privacy. Key Points
WIREDKaty Perry Act: Singer's lawsuit over a $15m home inspires a housing bill
Katy Perry has had a history with housing lawsuits and this time she had inspired a bill. Read along to find out what it is. | World News Key Points
Hindustan TimesEase of doing business: DPIIT to help states in simplifying, decriminalising provisions
We will do this in the future as well...We intend to follow with an inter-ministerial working group which will look at other provisions where further simplification, rationalisation or decriminalisation is possible and we are intending to do the same exercise at the state level by providing guidance to the states as well, he told. Key Points
Economic Times
Digital India Bill draft bill likely to open for public consultation within 15 days
The draft was due to be released earlier this month, but was held back for fresh consultation with legal and industry leaders. This follows feedback from experts during the governments outreach on the proposed Act, which began in March across multiple cities, including Bengaluru and Mumbai. Key Points
Economic TimesYogi emphasises on making jails as ‘Sudhaar Griha’, issues directions for preparation of new Prison Act
“High-security barracks should be prepared for prisoners, who are a threat to the country and society, including habitual criminals, and terrorists. High standards should strictly be followed for their safety,” the CM was quoted saying. Key Points
The Indian ExpressThe EU’s approach to AI rules is too riddled with complexity
The EU has approved a draft of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, which sets minimum standards for AI use. The Act requires chatbots to declare whether they are trained on copyrighted material, and deep-fakes must be labelled as such. The EU aims to promote ?trust and confidence? in AI, a key technology that has attracted much investment and excitement, but also produced dangerous outcomes. The Act is complex, however, and may set the bar too high to promote innovation but not high enough to avoid shock outcomes. The EU must work to reduce the act?s complexity while promoting innovation. Key Points
mintWhite House reveals press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre violated Hatch Act, here’s what it means
The US Office of the Special Counsel (OSC) announced on Tuesday that White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre violated the Hatch Act. Heres everything you need to know about the Hatch Act. Key Points
Economic TimesB'luru court declares Ramachandran Vishwanathan as 'Fugitive Economic Offender'
The matter pertains to the alleged offences committed under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 in the Devas Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. Case. | Bengaluru News Key Points
Hindustan Times
Govt to introduce amendment bill for offshore minerals
The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act was enacted in 2002. However, not even a single rock could be mined out from the sea-bed mainly due to pending litigations. Key Points
Economic TimesLG Energy Solution Q1 profit more than doubles, in line with forecast
South Korea's LG Energy Solution on Wednesday posted a 145% jump in quarterly profit, as the battery maker factored in subsidies from the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and solid sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in U.S. and European markets. Key Points
ReutersSEZ units are not exempt from compensation cess under GST
India Business News: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that SEZ units are not exempt from compensation cess under GST. This decision may impact imports by SEZ units and could lead to GST demands. The industry may seek a retrospective exemption from GST compensation cess for imports by SEZ units. Key Points
Times Of IndiaUltrasound that doesn't reveal sex of foetus in the works & what it means for pregnant women
Association of Healthcare Providers of India has asked ultrasound makers to develop software. USG access is currently controlled by strict guidelines under PCPNDT Act to curb misuse. Key Points
ThePrintMadhya Pradesh: Man urinates on tribal labourer’s face; CM Shivraj Chouhan orders action
A case was registered against the accused, identified as Pravesh Shukla under Indian Penal Code sections 294 (obscene acts), 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and provisions of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Action against the stringent NSA was also initiated. Key Points
Firstpost
Centre may junk DESH Bill, amend SEZ Act
The ministries of finance and commerce & industry have been in discussions on the DESH bill for more than a year. Partial de-notification of zones, sales to DTA, concessional corporate tax for them and removal of net foreign exchange earning requirement have been some of the sticky issues between the two ministries. Key Points
Economic TimesBalasore train tragedy: Rail police files FIR; CBI probe on track
Three sections of the Railways Act too have been invoked in FIR. These are endangering safety of persons travelling by railway by wilful Act or omission (Section 153); endangering safety of persons travelling by railway by rash or negligent Act or omission (Section 154) and endangering the safety of persons (Section 175) . Key Points
Economic TimesBengaluru rent plight: Demand for enhanced policy lost in Karnataka poll battle brouhaha
Karnataka's citizens will queue up at poll booths tomorrow to elect the next government in the southern state. While the political parties have offered freebies ranging from gas cylinders to food grains, affordable housing and real estate pricing policies remain a worry, particularly for those in Bengaluru. Calls for the adoption of The Model Tenancy Act in the poll-bound Karnataka state have seen a marked increase. Key Points
Economic TimesSikkim Assembly passes resolution seeking clarification from Centre on Sikkimese definition in Finance Act
The Sikkim Assembly passed a resolution seeking clarification from the Centre on the expansion of the definition of Sikkimese in the recently passed Finance Act, 2023. Dramatic scenes were witnessed as Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) supremo and former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling was marshalled out of the House for disrupting Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang’s reply. Key Points
The HinduAssam takes big step towards UCC, repeals Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act
Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said, A very important decision has been taken in line with that. The Assam Muslim Marriage & Divorce Registration Act, 1935, will be repealed and no Muslim marriage or divorce will be registered under the Act. We want all such matters to be under the Special Marriage Act. Key Points
Economic Times
POSH Act needs overhaul. Civil judges are complaining
The illusion of privacy around cases of sexual harassment at workplaces isn’t serving women. It only silences them. Key Points
ThePrint