Some areas of Wayanad, Kerala, severely impacted by the July 30 landslides, may be permanently declared "no habitation" zones due to the extensive topographical changes, according to Kerala government authorities. The Gayathri river’s swollen, widened path has left a trail of destruction, rendering human habitation impossible in certain parts of Punchirimattam and Chooralmala villages.
Heavy rains are expected in rain-stricken Gujarat due to Cyclone Asna. At the same time, a red alert has been issued in the areas adjacent to the Arabian Sea in Karnataka. According to the Meteorological Department, there may be heavy rains in the northeastern states of the country and Central India. At the same time, an orange alert has been issued for five eastern states including Odisha. There may be heavy rains in South Indian states as well. However, the weather is expected to be normal in other North Indian states including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Cyclone Asna, which formed on the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat, has also turned towards Oman. In such a situation, the people of Gujarat have heaved a sigh of relief.
Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh on Friday launched a new simplified pension application form for retiring central government employees. A total of nine different forms have been merged into one form -- Form 6A -- that was launched by the minister through video conference.
The Supreme Court on Friday (August 30) directed National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife Payal Abdullah to appear for mediation at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. Omar had filed a divorce petition in SC saying that he and his wife have been living separately for the last 15 years.
Two YSRCP Members of Parliament (MP) of the Rajya Sabha -- Dr Beedha Mastan Rao Jadhav and Venkataramana Rao Mopidevi -- have resigned from the membership of Rajya Sabha. According to sources, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has accepted their resignation. Mastan Rao, whose term was to end in June 2028, had switched from the TDP to the YSRCP. He is likely to go back to the TDP, news agency PTI reported citing sources. Mopidevi, whose term was till June 2026, may also join the TDP, they added.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today (August 28) said a penalty of Rs 908 crore has been slapped in a case related to the violation of foreign exchange rules against DMK MP S Jagathratchakan and his family members.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has upgraded the security cover of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat by enhancing his existing 'Z+' armed protection to the more robust Advanced Security Liaison (ASL) protocol. This upgrade places Bhagwat's security on the same level as that of Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Congress and the National Conference a few days back announced a pre-poll alliance for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. While the NC agreed to contest 51 seats, the Congress will fight it out in 32 seats respectively in assembly elections that will be held in three phases — September 18, September 25 and October 1. The counting of votes will be held on October 4. They also said there will be a "friendly contest" on five seats of the Union Territory.
Kerala rape case: In yet another horrific incident, a 70-year-old woman was allegedly raped during an attempted robbery at her home in Kerala's Alappuzha district on Saturday night, according to the police. A 29-year-old man, Kanakakunnu resident Dhanesh, was arrested on Sunday in connection with the crime.
Unified Pension Scheme: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (August 24) approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for government employees, which will provide an assured minimum pension and a family pension.
Normal movements prevailed in the state on Saturday after Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) called off the 'Maharashtra Bandh' following the Bombay High Court restraining order for political parties to not hit the roads. The HC restrained political parties or individuals from proceeding with a Maharashtra bandh over the sexual assault incident, on August 24 or any future date, saying such a protest will paralyse normal life. A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar said if political parties and individuals were not restrained from proceeding with the call for bandh on Saturday, huge losses, not only in terms of economy and business but also essential services and basic amenities, including health services will occur, which needs to be prevented.
Former Congress MLA Bholanath Pandey, who once caught the nation's attention by hijacking a plane with a toy gun to demand the release of Indira Gandhi from prison, died on Friday.
Govind Mohan, a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Sikkim cadre, officially took charge as the new Union Home Secretary on Thursday. He succeeds Ajay Kumar Bhalla, whose five-year term ended. Mohan, previously serving as Union Culture Secretary, has a background in engineering from Banaras Hindu University and a PG Diploma from IIM Ahmedabad. His appointment to this critical position follows his tenure as an Officer on Special Duty in the Home Ministry.
Hearing on Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea postponed. Supreme Court asks CBI to file counter affidavit within a week. Next hearing will be held on September 5. Meanwhile, the CBI had filed an affidavit on Kejriwal's bail, whereas in the case challenging the arrest by the probing agency, it has asked for a week's time. Kejriwal, 55, was arrested by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar Jail, where he was in judicial custody in a connected money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
India has surpassed China to become the world's largest importer of Russian oil in July, according to recent import data. This shift occurred as Chinese refineries reduced their oil purchases due to declining profit margins from fuel production. In July, Russian crude oil accounted for a record 44 per cent of India’s total oil imports, reaching an unprecedented 2.07 million barrels per day (bpd). This figure represents a 4.2 per cent increase compared to June and a 12 per cent rise from the same period last year. In contrast, China’s oil imports from Russia, including both pipeline supplies and shipments, totalled 1.76 million bpd in July, based on data from Chinese customs, as per news agency Reuters.
Durga Puja 2024: Air India today (August 22) announced that it will operate additional flights to Kolkata from four major cities during Durga Puja to meet greater travel demands. Starting September 20, the airline will operate daily flights to Kolkata from Bengaluru and Hyderabad for nearly a month. The additional flight from Mumbai to Kolkata will begin on September 25.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill: As political controversy continues over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, said the Bill is the need of the hour.
New Delhi: At a time when various sexual assault cases being reported across the country, the Association for Democratic Reforms report suggested that at least 151 sitting MPs and MLAs have declared cases related to crimes against women in their election affidavits, with West Bengal having the highest number of lawmakers facing such cases.
Bharat Bandh Latest News: The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has called for a day-long nationwide protest - Bharat Bandh - on Wednesday. The bandh has been called in response to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on SC/ST reservations. Several SC/ST groups in Rajasthan have extended their support for the bandh.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan, who earlier expressed his opposition to the Centre’s move for lateral entry into the bureaucracy, on Tuesday (August 20) welcomed its cancellation and asserted that the Narendra Modi government has reaffirmed its "commitment towards SCs, STs and OBCs" by asking the UPSC to withdraw the advertisement for "lateral entry".
The rains continue to lash parts of the country, with light to extremely heavy rainfall in isolated places. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rainfall alerts for many states. As per the weather department, light to moderate spell of rainfall at many places accompanied by isolated thunderstorms & lightning are very likely over Maharashtra, Goa, Telangana, North & Central Kerala, north interior Tamil Nadu, North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, West Uttar Pradesh, east Rajasthan, Northwest Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, East Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripuraduring night time.
Rajasthan, which is grappling with heavy rains, is expected to get relief on August 18 (Sunday). Heavy rains are likely to stop in many districts and divisions of the state. In most parts of the state, there is a strong possibility of clear skies and sunshine between August 17 to 22. However, another round of heavy rains may come in the last week of August. Moreover, the national capital may witness light rains with cloudy skies today. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for different parts of 11 states.
The long wait for Rapid Rail is going to end today as Namo Bharat train will hit the tracks on August 18 at 2 pm. The train will start running from Ghaziabad to Meerut. The The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) while giving the information said that passengers will now be able to travel from NCR to Meerut from Meerut South RRTS station on Sunday.
Kolkata rape-murder case: Asha Devi, the mother of Nirbhaya who was a victim of 2012 Delhi gang rape case, on Saturday (August 17) demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, stating that she has “failed” to handle the situation and instead of using her power to take action against the culprits, she is trying to divert people’s attention by holding protests.
It is difficult to gauge against whom West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took out a protest march in Kolkata on Friday. Her party leaders and workers were demanding death punishment for the culprits in the doctor rape-murder case. Mamata Banerjee is after all the Chief Minister of the state, and the state administration works at her behest. On Friday, Calcutta High Court described the vandalism at R G Kar Hospital as an "absolute failure of state administration". The Chief Justice asked what police did when lumpen elements vandalised the hospital. People are now asking Mamata Banerjee why she was not taking action against the Kolkata Police chief for failing to protect the doctors and the costly hospital equipment.
Kolkata doctor rape-murder: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in light of the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the deteriorating law and order situation.
Independence Day 2024: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday greeted people on 78th Independence Day and said "Freedom is our biggest protective shield, woven into constitutional and democratic values".
Odisha news: Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida today (August 15) announced a day's paid menstrual leave for state government and private sector employees. The leave, however, will be optional.
Har Ghar Tiranga: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with his wife, hoisted the Tricolour at his residence today as part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' initiative on the eve of Independence Day. the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign across the country following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to organise the event ahead of Independence Day.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of the 78th Independence Day on Wednesday, August 15. During her address, she extended her Independence Day greetings to the people of the country. The President also expressed her delight at the nation's preparations to celebrate its 78th Independence Day. She also emphasised the joy and excitement of witnessing the tricolour unfurling, whether at the Red Fort, state capitals or in local neighbourhoods. "It always thrills our hearts," President Murmu said, highlighting that this occasion represents a profound expression of national pride and unity, shared by over 1.4 billion fellow Indians.
Incidents of loot, rape and murder of Hindus and attacks on Hindu temples are not new in Bangladesh, but this time, after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power, attacks on Hindu homes and temples are being made systematically in a premeditated manner on a large scale. Visuals of Hindus being lynched and murdered, and Hindu women being abducted by Islamic fundamentalist mobs are blood-curdling. Lakhs of Hindus have been staging protests in Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh, while Hindus in London, Toronto, Montreal, Washington and other world cities have also come out in protest demanding justice. The interim adviser for Home Affairs Brig. Gen (Retd) Mohammed Sakhawat Hossain on Monday apologised to Hindus with folded hands for atrocities committed on Hindu community by ‘jihadis’.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi made a profit of Rs 46.49 lakh from his stock investments in the last five months, data has revealed. The revelation comes as the Congress leader continues to raise suspicion over the growth of the Indian stock markets in the Modi 3.0 era. News agency IANS reported that the calculation of Rahul Gandhi’s portfolio in the stock market hiked from nearly Rs 4.33 crore (as on March 15, 2024), to about Rs 4.80 crore (as on August 12, 2024).
Indian Railways has cancelled 72 trains that pass between Maharashtra's Rajnandgaon and Nagpur railway stations as the department is laying a third track between the stations. For the construction of this line, large-scale pre-interlocking and electronic interlocking work is being done between Rajnandgaon-Kalamna station. Due to this, 100 trains are getting affected on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Out of these, about 72 trains have been cancelled. The route of 22 has been changed and the route of 6 trains has been shortened.
NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule on Sunday said that her phone and WhatsApp have been been hacked amd she urged all not to call her or text her. She also said that she has reached out to the police for help.
In an effort to enhance farm productivity and farmers' income, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday released 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient and biofortified seed varieties of agricultural and horticultural crops. Developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), these varieties span 61 crops, including 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops.
As the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh refused to die down, the threat of influx of Bangladeshis into Indian states loomed large. The coastal state Odisha asserted that the security in the state is heightened given Bangladesh turmoil. Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said there was no report of an influx of Bangladeshis into the coastal state through the sea route.
In a significant incident, Cochin International Airport reported that a passenger was detained on Sunday (August 11) after making an alarming comment about security to a CISF officer. In a statement released, the airport authorities identified the detainee as Manoj Kumar, 42, who was scheduled to fly from Kochi (COK) to Mumbai (BOM) on Air India flight AI 682. However, was detained by authorities at the X-ray Baggage Inspection System (XBIS) checkpoint after he made a remark to a CISF official, asking, "Is there any bomb in my bag?" {twitter:twitter.com/ANI/status/1822485966013047000}
In a significant milestone, 1389 Agniveers, including 214 women Agniveers, of the Indian Navy passed out from the portals of INS Chilka on Aug, 09, 2024. The Passing Out Parade (POP) for the fourth Batch of Agniveers (01/24) marked the culmination of 16 weeks of rigorous naval training in a unique post-sunset ceremony. The post-Sunset POP was reviewed by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command was the Conducting Officer of the parade. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command was also present on the occasion.
New Delhi: In wake of the escalating situation in the Middle East involving Israel, Air India has suspended all flight operations to and from Tel Aviv with immediate effect till further notice and offered a full refund to all passengers with confirmed bookings. Regional tensions in the Middle East spiked after the deaths of three high-profile militant leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, as the world braces for a possible attack by Iran on Israel.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia walked out of Delhi's Tihar Jail on Friday evening (August 9) after Supreme Court granted bail to him in the Excise Policy case. His counsel furnished bail bond before Delhi Court. He was welcomed by AAP leaders including Sanjay Singh and Atishi.
In a heartwarming and emotional farewell, people from all walks of life came together to bid adieu to Indian Army personnel in Kerala's Wayanad, recognising their valiant efforts during the recent landslide rescue operations. The soldiers, who put their lives on the line to save others, were showered with gratitude and admiration by the local community and beyond. The Kochi Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) expressed deep appreciation for the bravery and selflessness displayed by these soldiers. "We are deeply grateful to our brave heroes who risked everything during the landslide rescue operations...Your courage and sacrifice won't be forgotten," the PRO said in a statement.
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee dies: The former chief minister of West Bengal and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passed away at the age of 80 today (August 8) morning in Kolkata. Bhattacharjee was suffering from old age-related ailments.
The toll fee collection on national highways under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was around Rs 54,811.13 crore in the fiscal 2023-24, the Parliament was informed today (August 7).
Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina's government has ended and after this the attacks on minorities have also increased. Meanwhile, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has written a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for the security of gurdwaras and temples.
Parliament Session: A Bill to amend the Waqf Board Act, which is expected to limit the powers of the Waqf Board, is likely to be introduced first in the Rajya Sabha. Sources informed news agency ANI that the government might move to present these amendments within the week. The budget session of Parliament is set to conclude on August 12.
Bangladesh protests: In light of the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh, the Border Security Force (BSF) has issued a 'high alert' across all its formations along the 4,096 km India-Bangladesh border. According to a senior BSF officer, the BSF Director General (acting) Daljit Singh Chawdhary and other senior officials have also arrived in Kolkata to oversee the situation.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday slammed the Kerala government, attributing the landslide tragedy which killed over 222 people to illegal mining and human habitation in Wayanad.
The Supreme Court on Monday (August 5) took suo motu cognizance of the Delhi coaching centre deaths last month and issued notices to the Centre and the Delhi government over the matter. The court took cognizance of the issue related to safety norms in the coaching centres and expressed concerns over recent incidents in the coaching institutes that claimed lives of the young aspirants of various exams.
The Union Health Ministry has introduced comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance the transport of human organs across various modes of travel, including air, road, railways, and waterways. These SOPs aim to streamline the organ transport process, maximize the utilization of precious organs, and offer hope to numerous patients awaiting life-saving transplants.
After incessant rainfall in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh for the past four days, over 190 roads have been closed in the state. Out of a total of 191 roads, a maximum of 79 are in Mandi while 38 are in Kullu. According to data released by the state emergency operation centre on Saturday, 35 roads are closed in Chamba and 30 in Shimla. Five roads have been closed in Kangra while two each are closed in Kinnaur, and Lahaul and Spiti.
