Junior doctors holding their stethoscope raise slogans as they sit on a dharna after the police stopped their march towards Swasthya Bhawan in protest over RG Kar Hospital rape and murder incident, in Kolkata, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Kolkata rape and murder case: Doctors continue protests, reject Bengal government call for talks

Responding to the claims by government officials, the protesting doctors said, “We want to keep all channels for negotiations and talks open. But the way they wrote the email and the language they used was an insult to us. The way the email came to us, it was not an official email; it was a mail from the Health Secretary, we are not in any position to officially respond to it. If there is any positive response from the government to our five demands, we are ready to consider their appeal to hold talks.”

Six Indians released from Russian Army

At least six Indians enlisted with the Russian Army have been released from their camps on Russia-Ukraine border, months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue “personally” with President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow in July.

Top U.S. diplomat Donald Lu to visit India, Bangladesh

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu will be in India and Bangladesh for the September 10-16 period, the U.S. State Department has announced. Mr. Lu will be in India for the U.S.-India “2+2” Foreign and Defence Ministries’ intersessional dialogue.

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘prejudice against reservation’ got exposed in U.S.: BJP

The BJP on Tuesday accused the Congress of being “anti-reservation” and of opposing the interests of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Adivasis, citing a statement of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in the U.S.

SEBI chief’s husband received ₹4.78 crore from Mahindra group: Congress

Alleging a conflict of interest, the Congress on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) alleged that Dhaval Buch, husband of Madhabi Puri Buch, chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), received ₹4.78 crore between 2019 and 2021 from Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Limited at a time when the SEBI was adjudicating cases of the same group. 

Congress reposes faith in sitting MLAs from Muslim-dominated Nuh; BJP replaces two candidates from 2019 Assembly poll

All three Congress candidates from the Meo Muslim-dominated Nuh district in Haryana – Aftab Ahmed, Mamman Khan and Mohammad Ilyas – on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) filed their nominations for the Assembly polls scheduled for October 5.

We will fight unitedly on all 288 seats: NCP-Ajit Pawar faction

A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah held closed-door meetings with all the Mahayuti allies in Mumbai, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Ajit Pawar faction Maharashtra State president Sunil Tatkare said there was no question of a friendly fight on any seats in the State.

Israel releases video of a Gaza tunnel where it says Hamas killed six hostages

The Israeli military has released video footage of a Gaza tunnel where it says six hostages were recently killed by Hamas. The video shows a low, narrow passageway deep underground that had no bathroom and poor ventilation.

Bulldozers raze illegal structures in Surat after stones thrown at Ganesh pandal

Local authorities in Gujarat’s Surat carried out a demolition drive, razing illegal buildings and temporary structures, in an area that saw rioting following alleged stone-pelting of a Ganesh pandal.

Israeli defense chief says a temporary truce with Hamas is possible

Israel’s Defence Minister says the window is closing on an opportunity to reach a temporary cease-fire deal with the Hamas militant group that he believes could also bring calm to the country’s volatile northern border with Lebanon.

Rural access to electricity had differential benefits: Study

Access to electricity benefited larger, populous villages disproportionately more than hamlets with fewer households, an analysis of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyut Yojana – a programme launched in 2005 to provide and improve electricity access to roughly 4,00,000 Indian villages. 

Haryana CM Nayab Saini files nomination from Ladwa

Haryana Chief Minister and BJP leader Nayab Saini on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) filed his nomination for the Assembly election from the Ladwa constituency, saying that his only mission was take the State forward on the path of development.

BJP MP objects to suggestion to call SEBI chief to depose before PAC

With the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) setting the agenda to review the performance of “regulatory bodies established by Acts of Parliament”, PAC member and Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, at the committee’s meeting on Tuesday, demanded that Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch, who faced allegations of conflict of interest, be called in to depose. 

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary during the 54th GST Council Meeting, at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, in New Delhi on Monday, September 9, 2024.
| Photo Credit: ANI

GoM set up to review 18% GST on health, life covers

To soothe the growing clamour for a reduction in the 18% tax levy on the premium paid for health and life insurance policies, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Monday set the stage for a possible rethink by mandating a stiff 50-day deadline for a new Group of Ministers (GoM) to review the tax rate.

Protesting doctors in Bengal disappointed after Supreme Court directive to resume work

The Supreme Court, while hearing the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case on Monday (September 9, 2024) telling protesting resident doctors in West Bengal to resume work by 5 p.m. on Tuesday caused widespread disappointment among doctors on strike across medical colleges in the State demanding safety and justice.

Bangladesh to seek extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India

Bangladesh’s war crimes tribunal is to seek the extradition of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina from neighbouring India, its chief prosecutor has said, accusing her of carrying out “massacres”.

Congress releases third list of 19 candidates for J&K polls

The Congress on Monday released its third list for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, fielding JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla from RS Pura-Jammu South, Chaudhary Lal Singh from Basohli, and former NSUI chief Neeraj Kundan from Bishnah (SC).

About 97,000 PF members, pensioners to benefit by pension on higher wages

Nearly 97,640 PF (Provident Fund) members and pensioners under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, across the country are expected to benefit with pension on higher wages (PoWH). 

At BRICS summit in Russia, Doval may meet Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, discuss Line of Actual Control

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will attend a three-day meeting of BRICS and BRICS Plus High-Level Security Officials beginning on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, where he will engage with Russian NSA Sergei Shoigu in their first meeting since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ukraine, as well as China’s top diplomat Wang Yi.

Hindi should be generally accepted as the language of work with consensus: Shah’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was unanimously re-elected the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language on Monday (September 9, 2024), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said. 

People in politics should not retire, says Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge

“I think nobody should retire from politics. I am saying this because those who believe in an ideology, those who want to serve the nation and serve the community, they have to do this until their end. They have to awaken the people,” Mr. Kharge said while launching the autobiography of former Union Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Five Decades in Politics.

Tharoor seeks urgent SC hearing on defamation case for remarks against PM Modi

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday (September 9, 2024) sought an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court on his plea against a Delhi High Court verdict refusing to quash defamation proceedings against him on a complaint over his alleged “scorpion on Shivling” remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Day after Rajnath’s remarks on 2016 talks, Mirwaiz says Hurriyat always supported dialogue on Kashmir

Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, while reacting to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s reference to a dialogue initiative of 2016, on Monday (September 9, 2024) said his amalgam “never opposed dialogue on Kashmir and strongly advocated engagement as a means of resolution”.

Heavy rain pounds Malkangiri, Koraput districts of Odisha

Torrential rain battered Odisha’s Malkangiri district, severing its connections with the rest of the State as roads were submerged at multiple locations on Monday (September 9, 2024). Several areas of the district were inundated.

Supreme Court dismisses plea to halt Indian firms’ supply of arms to Israel during Gaza conflict

The Supreme Court on Monday (September 9, 2024) refused to entertain a petition filed by former civil servants, activists, academicians to cancel the existing licences and permissions, halt any new licences given to Indian companies to supply military equipment, arms to Israel during the ongoing Gaza conflict

Italy’s Jannik Sinner holds the U.S. Open trophy after winning his men’s final match against USA’s Taylor Fritz in New York on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Kolkata rape-murder: SC to hear R.G. Kar hospital incident case on September 9

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday (September 9, 2024) the case related to the murder and alleged rape of a junior doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Centre dissolves panel on statistics, surveys amid delayed Census

The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has quietly dissolved the 14-member Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS) headed by eminent economist and former chief statistician of the country Pronab Sen, allegedly after its members questioned the delay in conducting the census.

Jannik Sinner beats Taylor Fritz to win U.S. Open

World number one Jannik Sinner, who won his maiden Slam at the Australian Open in January, produced a brutal display of baseline power as he became the first Italian man to win the U.S. Open with a 6-3 6-4 7-5 win over American Taylor Fritz in the final on Sunday (September 8, 2024).

Depression forms over Bay of Bengal, Odisha likely to get heavy rain

The India Meteorological Department on Sunday said the well-marked low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal has turned into a depression and Odisha is likely to receive heavy rain for the next three days.

Paris Paralympics close with a party after ‘historic summer’

The Paralympics closed on Sunday (September 8, 2024) with a giant music-fuelled party as chief Paris 2024 organiser Tony Estanguet said the Games and the Olympics had created a “historic summer”.

Congress names nine candidates in second list for Haryana Assembly polls

The Congress released its second list of nine candidates for Haryana Assembly polls on Sunday (September 8, 2024) fielding Brijendra Singh from Uchana Kalan against JJP’s Dushyant Chautala. Mr. Singh had quit BJP to join Congress before Lok Sabha polls.

“Reclaim the Night”: Thousands hit streets in West Bengal to mark one month of RG Kar rape and murder

Kolkata and several other parts of West Bengal witnessed unprecedented protests on Sunday (September 8, 2024) to mark one month of the rape and murder of a doctor at the city’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Amit Shah on a two-day tour to Maharashtra

Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Mumbai on Sunday (September 8, 2024() for a two-day visit to the financial capital.

Banned Jamaat leaders organise first major poll rally in south Kashmir’s Kulgam

In its first show of strength, several leaders of banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), which has fielded candidates in the Assembly election as Independents, on Sunday (September 8,. 2024) addressed a well-attended poll rally in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

A.P. floods: About 2.37 lakh people affected in Krishna district

Collector D.K. Balaji has said that nearly 2.37 lakh people were affected due to heavy rains and floods in Krishna district. Nearly 6,600 people were evacuated from 20 inundated villages, he sai

Bangladesh-India relations should be based on equity and fairness: Chief Adviser Yunus

Interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Sunday (September 8, 2024) said that Bangladesh wants to maintain good relations with India while asserting that it should be based on equity and fairness.

4 killed at Chhattisgarh alumina refinery after hopper collapses on them

At least four workers were killed and three injured after a hopper filled with coal collapsed on them at an alumina refinery in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district on Sunday (September 8, 2024), police said.

Navdeep Singh’s gold, Simran Sharma’s bronze take India’s Paralympic tally to 29

The duo’s performance on the penultimate day of the competition lifted India’s tally to 29, including seven gold, nine silver and 13 bronze.

Russia takes Ukrainian town in advance on Pokrovsk

Russia said on Sunday (September 8, 2024) that its forces had taken full control of a town in eastern Ukraine as Moscow’s forces advance on the strategically important city of Pokrovsk and seek to pierce the Ukrainian defensive front lines.

Rishabh Pant returns as India announces squad for 1st Test against Bangladesh

Rishabh Pant on Sunday returned to the Test side after nearly 20 months as India announced their 16-man squad for the opening match of the two Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19.

48 killed as fuel tanker collides with truck in Nigeria

A fuel tanker collided head-on with another truck in Nigeria on Sunday (September 8, 2024) causing an explosion that killed at leas 48 people, the country’s emergency response agency said.

Congress has demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) inquiry into the charges against Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chief Madhabi Puri Buch in the latest Hindenburg report. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

SEBI chief’s rebuttal confirms ‘massive conflict of interest’, raises fresh questions: Hindenburg Research

Hours after the stock market regulator’s chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch, and her spouse Dhaval Buch, issued a clarification on a Hindenburg Research report red-flagging their investments in obscure offshore funds linked to the Adani group, and ownership of consulting firms, the U.S.-based short seller said their rebuttal contains important ‘admissions’, raises fresh questions and confirms a ‘massive conflict of interest’.

Hindenburg Research report on SEBI chief raises political storm

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) inquiry into the charges against Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chief Madhabi Puri Buch in the latest Hindenburg report. The BJP dismissed the claims asserting that many global forces, with the help of the Congress “dynasty”, were attempting to hinder India’s progress.

Adani case: Supreme Court had said it can transfer probe if bias found

The Supreme Court had said cogent evidence of bias or portrayal of inadequacy would convince it to transfer a probe to an independent agency or a court-appointed Special Investigation (SIT) while refusing a plea to drop Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) from investigating Hindenburg’s allegations of share price manipulations and other irregularities against the Adani group.

Protests continue in Bengal over rape, murder of Kolkata doctor

Protests continued to rage across medical colleges in West Bengal on Sunday over the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, affecting services for the third consecutive day.

NDA eyes majority in Rajya Sabha after bypolls

The BJP-led NDA is expected to achieve a clear majority in Rajya Sabha after by-elections for 12 seats scheduled next month, which would help the party get the nod for key legislations such as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Paris Olympics: Six medals and six near misses; India finishes 71st in medal tally

Paris 2024 will be remembered for the six medals which brought joy to the Indians as well as the six fourth-place finishes that resulted in heartbreaks. A medal less than what the country got in the previous edition may have restricted the celebrations in the Indian camp, but the mixed bouquet of hits and near misses paints a promising picture of Indian sports.

NCERT removes cartoon on coalition politics, says it cast ‘India in a negative light’

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has removed a political cartoon from the Class 12 Political Science textbook saying that “it shows India in a negative light”. It is one of the multiple changes introduced and made public by the NCERT in its document that chronicles the latest set of changes in rationalised textbooks. 

NEET-PG 2024 held in two shifts across 170 cities

The NEET-PG 2024 was successfully conducted in two shifts at 416 centres across 170 cities by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, an autonomous body under the Union Health Ministry.

28 dead as rains wreak havoc in north, northwest; several Haryana villages inundated

At least 28 people died in rain-related incidents Sunday as heavy downpours lashed north and northwest India, causing landslides, traffic chaos and house collapses, as well as a dam breach which inundated several villages in Haryana.

Olympics: Bye from Paris and over to vibrant Los Angeles

The gigantic Stade de France resembled a concert hall hosting a party to celebrate the fortnight of sporting excellence as a breathtaking closing ceremony kicked off with athletes marching into the iconic Stade de France to thunderous applause.

This frame grab from video shows wreckage from a plane that crashed by a home in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

No survivors in Brazil plane that crashed in Sao Paulo with 61 aboard

A passenger plane crashed into a gated residential community in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state on Friday (August 9, 2024), killing all 61 people aboard and leaving a smoldering wreck, officials and the airline said. Officials gave no immediate word of any casualties at the site of the crash in the city of Vinhedo, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo, but witnesses at the scene said there were no victims among residents of the neighborhood.

Aman Sehrawat wins bronze for India in 57kg wrestling

Aman Sehrawat didn’t brood. On Thursday (August 8, 2024) evening, up against former Olympic silver medallist Rei Higuchi in the semifinals he barely lasted a round. In no time he trailed 10-0 and the bout was stopped — the Japanese declared winner by technical superiority.

India-Bangladesh ties not dependent on Awami League, says BNP

Indo-Bangla bilateral ties are not dependent on the Awami League and it is “natural to evoke adverse reactions” in Bangladesh over India giving refuge to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Senior leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said on Friday, August 9, 2024.

Vinesh Phogat appeal: Court of Arbitration for Sport concludes hearing

The hearing into Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against her disqualification from the Olympic finals concluded at the ad-hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Paris with the IOA insisting that it is hopeful of a “positive resolution”.

Opposition parties prepare to move no-confidence motion against Vice-President

As many as 50 Opposition MPs, sources said, have signed a resolution to bring a no-confidence motion against Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar under Article 67(B) of the Indian Constitution, which states that the Vice-President can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by an effective majority and agreed upon by the Lok Sabha with a simple majority.

King Charles III ends silence on U.K. far-right riots

King Charles III on Friday (August 9, 2024) made his first comments about riots that have shaken British cities to praise the work of police in countering the violence. The King praised British police and emergency services “for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder”, according to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson.

Imane Khelif of Algeria wins women’s welterweight gold amid gender dispute

Algeria’s Imane Khelif, the female boxer thrust into the centre of a a gender dispute at the Paris Games, beat China’s Yang Liu to claim the welterweight Olympic gold medal in crushing fashion, sending her fans into delirium on Friday.

Gazans flee destroyed Khan Yunis as new Israel operation begins

Crowds fleeing Khan Yunis after an Israeli evacuation order gave way to empty streets on Friday as Palestinian residents tried to escape a new Israeli military operation in Gaza’s main southern area. Crowds fleeing Khan Yunis after an Israeli evacuation order gave way to empty streets on Friday as Palestinian residents tried to escape a new Israeli military operation in Gaza’s main southern area.

Three Kuki-Zo village volunteers killed in firing in Manipur’s Tengnoupal

Three village volunteers of the Kuki-Zo community were allegedly killed on Friday (August 9, 2024) morning after district authorities in Manipur’s Tengnoupal confirmed that firing was reported near the Molnoi village area around 9:30 a.m., according to police officials and community members aware of the incident.

Political differences cast aside as thousands bid adieu to Buddhadeb

In a spontaneous outpouring of grief, thousands of people gathered around the Communist Party of India (Marxist) office on 31, Alimuddin Street in the heart of Kolkata on Friday (August 9, 2024) to pay their last respects to former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Sisodia got bail due to a technicality, what are they celebrating: BJP

Reacting to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s release from Tihar Jail, the BJP on Friday said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had little reason to celebrate as Mr. Sisodia had been granted bail “due to a technical reason”.

Bangladesh’s Yunus tackles ‘law and order’ as interim govt begins work

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and his newly named interim government set out Friday to restore “law and order” after a student-led uprising and deadly mass protests forced predecessor Sheikh Hasina into exile. A day after returning home from Europe and vowing to “uphold, support and protect the constitution” as he was sworn into office, 84-year-old Yunus began the tough challenge of returning the country to democracy.

Vinesh Phogat of India reacts after winning the match against Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Vinesh Phogat announces retirement from wrestling day after Olympic disqualification

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Thursday (August 8, 2024) announced her retirement from wrestling a day after she was disqualified from the 50kg category Paris Olympics finals. The seasoned wrestler was disqualified after weighing 100 grams more than the permissible limit in the morning weigh-in ahead of the final.

Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill, amends LTCG tax provision on immovable properties

The Finance Bill 2024 was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) with an amendment relaxing the recently introduced new capital gains tax on real estate. It allows tax payers an option to switch to a new lower tax rate or stick to the old regime that had higher rate with indexation benefit.

‘Will you arrest him again?’: Delhi High Court asks ED on Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) questioned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) about the relevance of its challenge to the bail granted to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, when the Supreme Court had already granted him interim bail in the excise policy-related money laundering case.

Wrestler Antim Panghal and team set to be deported from Paris for disciplinary breach

In a major embarrassment for the country, Antim Panghal and her entire entourage is being deported from Paris for a major disciplinary breach where the young wrestler handed her official accreditation card to her sister who was caught by security while leaving the Games Village.

Tunisian President replaces Prime Minister without any explanation

Tunisian President Kais Saied sacked his Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani without explanation on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) and replaced him with Social Affairs Minister Kamel Madouri, his office said in a statement.

Mirabai Chanu’s bid for 2nd consecutive medal falls short, finishes fourth in Paris Olympics

Mirabai Chanu’s courageous push for a second consecutive Olympic medal ended on a disappointing note with the Tokyo Games silver medallist managing a fourth place finish with an aggregate of 199kg in the weightlifting hall of the South Paris Arena here on Wednesday.

Chaos continues in Bangladesh as authorities scramble to bring law and order under control

Students carried out traffic management as volunteers for the second consecutive day on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) in Bangladesh, as a top police official called on every member of the police force to resume their duties gradually and maintain law and order.

Delhi coaching centre death: Court seeks response from CBI on bail application of basement owners

A Delhi court on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) issued notice to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking the agency’s reply on the bail applications of four co-owners of a basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajender Nagar where three civil services aspirants died due to flooding, last month.

Mumbai sessions court frames charges against former RPF constable with murder of four persons

A Mumbai sessions court on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) charged a dismissed Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetan Singh Chaudhary with the murder of four persons and promoting enmity between different religious groups.

Turkiye formally asks to join the genocide case against Israel at the UN court

“Turkiye on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) filed a request with a U.N. court to join South Africa’s lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza,” Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said. Turkiye’s ambassador to the Netherlands, accompanied by a group of Turkish legislators, submitted a declaration of intervention to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Putin accuses Ukraine of a ‘large-scale provocation’ with its raid in southwestern Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (August 7, 2024) described a Ukrainian incursion into the country’s southwestern Kursk region as a “large-scale provocation” as his officials asserted that they were fighting off cross-border raids for a second day. Ukrainian officials remained silent about the scope of the operation.

Hamas on August 6, 2024, named Yahya Sinwar, its top official in Gaza who masterminded the October 7 attacks in Israel, as its new leader.
| Photo Credit: AP

Vinesh Phogat enters final in 50kg freestyle; assured of historic Olympic medal

Vinesh Phogat made history. With Himalayan determination, the two-time World championships medallist overcame odds galore to succeed in her third Olympics, by reaching the final of the women’s 50kg final. She was the first Indian woman wrestler to do so.

Hamas names Yahya Sinwar, mastermind of the October 7 attacks, as its new leader in show of defiance

Hamas on Tuesday (August 6) named Yahya Sinwar, its top official in Gaza who masterminded the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, as its new leader in a dramatic sign of the power of the Palestinian militant group’s hardline wing after his predecessor was killed in a presumed Israeli strike in Iran.

Sheikh Hasina looks at UAE, Saudi for asylum

Twenty-four hours after ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka and landed at Delhi’s Hindon base, it is still unclear where her final destination will be, as sources confirmed that the United Kingdom is “unlikely” to accept her request for asylum. Meanwhile, it is understood that Ms. Hasina, who had to leave Bangladesh at very short notice is discussing options with other countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, apart from those where her immediate family resides: U.S., U.K, Finland and India.

Bangladesh President dissolves Parliament; students want Yunus to head interim government

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday (August 6, 2024) dissolved the 12th Parliament, formed through the January 7 national election, and assured the country that fresh elections will be held as soon as possible. This comes a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down after 15 straight years in power and fled the country, following a crackdown on widespread protests.

Search for missing people in Wayanad disaster to continue, death toll put at 224 so far

The search for bodies of missing people in the Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslides continued on the eighth day on Tuesday. Although no new bodies were retrieved, the search teams retrieved seven body parts from different places.

Government blinks on capital gains tax on real estate

Facing a backlash over changes to the long-term capital gains tax regime announced in the Budget, including critiques from MPs within the NDA coalition, the government has relented to grant some relief for property transactions.

Paris Olympics men’s hockey: Germany enters finals; India to fight for bronze

A relentless Germany dashed the spirited Indian side’s dream of a berth in the final by recording a come-from-behind 3-2 win in the semifinals of the men’s hockey competition in the Paris Olympics at the Yves du Manoir Stadium here on Tuesday.

U.K. government calls on Elon Musk to act responsibly amid provocative posts as unrest grips country

The British government has called on Elon Musk to act responsibly after the tech billionaire used his social media platform X to unleash a barrage of posts that officials say risk inflaming the violent unrest gripping the country. Justice Minister Heidi Alexander made the comments Tuesday morning (August 6) after Mr. Musk posted a comment saying that “Civil war is inevitable” in the U.K. 

Mallikarjun Kharge to hold discussions with Congress-ruled States on judgment on Scheduled Castes sub-categorisation

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and chairperson of the parliamentary party Sonia Gandhi were among the party’s leaders who met on Tuesday to discuss the Supreme Court’s judgment on sub-categorisation of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Bangladesh ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia freed after arch-rival toppled

Bangladesh‘s uncompromising former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been released from years of house arrest after her bitter enemy Sheikh Hasina was ousted as premier and fled as protesters stormed her palace.

133 Manipur villagers displaced by ethnic conflict in Jiribam return home

In joint efforts led by the district administration of Manipur’s Jiribam, along with the security forces posted in the area, 133 Meitei villagers returned to their homes in Mongbung village, where last month a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable was killed in a gunfight, officials said on Tuesday (August 6) night. 

Citing national security, Defence Ministry declines to share details of staff shortage in armed forces

Citing “national security”, the Defence Ministry has refused to divulge details on the shortage of personnel in the armed forces, which in the past was regularly given out in written responses to questions in Parliament.

Pakistan’s National Assembly passes Bill restricting independent lawmakers from joining other parties

Pakistan’s National Assembly on Tuesday (August 6, 2024) passed a Bill seeking to bar independent lawmakers from joining a party after a stipulated period, with the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party voicing a strong protest against it.

The cauldron rises by the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, on July 26, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony | Paris unveils ultimate spectacle with pomp, fervour and splendour

The magnificent City of Light, dotted with the spectacular Eiffel Tower and scores of majestic buildings featuring admirable architecture, welcomed the 33rd Olympic Games in a unique way, with the much-awaited Opening Ceremony on the Seine involving a stretch of Paris’ rich heritage, here on Friday. The riot of colours and lights turned the Seine and the pastel city into a surreal place, amalgamating history and contemporariness in a spellbinding show.

Mosques, mazar covered on Haridwar kanwar route; removed after flak

Facades of two mosques and a mazar along the kanwar yatra route in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar city were on Friday covered with large sheets of white cloth to “prevent trouble” but were removed by the evening after objections from various quarters. The sheets were hung on bamboo scaffoldings in front of the mosques and the mazar, all in the Jwalapur area.

17 share top rank as NTA declares final results of NEET-UG

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday released re-revised results, the fourth iteration, of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) undergraduate exam that pave way for medical and para-medical course admissions. The latest results were published after the Supreme Court asked the NTA to deduct marks for a Physics question that NTA had said had two ‘correct’ answers.

NEET paper leak case: CBI arrests one more accused

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested one more accused, Pawan Kumar, from Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district on July 26 in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case. This is the 37th arrest in the case in Jharkhand and Bihar.

ED attaches assets of Tamil Nadu Minister Ponmudy’s kin, associates

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Friday provisionally attached movable and immovable properties, worth ₹14.21 crore, belonging to the family members and associates of Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education K. Ponmudy and his son and former Kallakurichi MP P. Gautham Sigamani in the illegal red earth quarrying case.The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued a safety advisory expressing concern over the recent increase in fire accidents at airport buildings. The safety advisory laid emphasis on following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent and respond to fires, which could cause chaos, loss of life and flight disruptions.

NITI Aayog needs to be scrapped: Mamata Banerjee

A day before the meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for “scrapping” the body claiming that it had little use other than organising annual meetings. Six Opposition Chief Ministers are skipping the meeting protesting the alleged bias in the Union Budget which they claim, only catered for the NDA-ruled States. Ms. Banerjee and her Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren are the only Opposition Chief Ministers who are expected to attend the meeting.

India, U.S. sign agreement to protect cultural heritage

India and the U.S. on July 26 signed a cultural property agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation to protect cultural heritage of the two countries. Cultural property agreements prevent the illegal trade of cultural property and simplify the process by which looted and stolen antiquities may be returned to their country of origin.

Trump meets Netanyahu, mends relationship with key political ally

A beaming former U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to their first face-to-face meeting in nearly four years on Friday, patching up a political alliance important to both men that had broken down when the Israeli leader offended Mr. Trump by being one of the first to congratulate Joe Biden on his 2020 presidential victory.

BJP chief attacks Congress for politicising Agnipath scheme, PM’s Drass visit

Union Minister and BJP chief J.P. Nadda on Friday hit out at the Congress for politicising the Agnipath military recruitment scheme and the Drass visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pay tributes to the soldiers on the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Delhi HC seeks the police’s reply to MP Mahua Moitra’s plea to quash FIR over derogatory remarks to NCW chief

The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Delhi police to respond to Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra’s plea seeking the quashing of an FIR against her over an alleged “derogatory” social media remark on National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Rekha Sharma. The court listed the matter for arguments on November 6.

Congress accuses Modi government of ‘unprecedented fiscal mismanagement’ in J&K

The Congress on July 26 accused the Narendra Modi government of “unprecedented fiscal mismanagement” in Jammu and Kashmir. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a statement, asked why Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was “benevolent” towards Andhra Pradesh and Bihar but not to the Union Territory.

Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi during a meeting on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings, in Vientiane, on July 25, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Jaishankar meets Chinese FM Wang in Laos, pushes for urgency in resolving LAC standoff

For the second time this month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, with the two leaders highlighting the need to resolve the four-year-old military stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with “purpose and urgency”. The meeting was among the first few bilateral meetings the External Affairs Minister had after landing in Vientiane, Laos for a number of ASEAN-related meetings (July 25-27).

‘I will not be silent’: Kamala Harris presses Netanyahu over humanitarian situation in Gaza

Kamala Harris sharply pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday about the humanitarian situation in Gaza in “frank” talks that were watched for signs of how she might shift American policy about Israel if she becomes president. Hours earlier, President Joe Biden pressed for a ceasefire to the 9-month-old war in Gaza.

Income Tax portal ramped up; July 31 I-T returns deadline may stay

The July 31 deadline for filing Income Tax (I-T) returns is unlikely to be extended. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has intervened to fix recent glitches and downtimes reported on the I-T portal by ramping up its back-end capacity to cope with a higher workload experienced this year.

Manipur CM Biren Singh to meet PM Modi for first time after ethnic violence

Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time since the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities broke out in the State on May 3, 2023. The Chief Minister, who left the State’s capital Imphal for New Delhi on July 25, said some time with the Prime Minister could be carved out during two major events he is scheduled to attend.

2 arrested for supporting terrorists in Kathua attack

The J&K Police on Thursday claimed a breakthrough in the Kathua attack, which left five soldiers dead on July 8, with the arrest of two locals who allegedly provided support to these attackers. A police spokesman said the names of two locals emerged during “a meticulous investigation”. The police described these locals as “overground workers” of the militants. 

NEET-UG 2024 revised results yet to be declared: Education Ministry

The Education Ministry on Thursday said an official announcement would be made when the NEET-UG 2024 final revised results were shared. “The revised results for NEET-UG 2024 have not been declared yet. Kindly wait for official information,” an official spokesperson from the Ministry said. 

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu compares Jagan Mohan Reddy to drug lord Pablo Escobar

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the government would review all the criminal cases registered during the YSR Congress regime as part of its vindictive politics, and punish the police officers who foisted false cases on thousands of persons. He asserted that the lawlessness which prevailed in 2019-24 was due to the police-criminal-nexus that was exacerbated by the connivance of some YSRCP leaders who were out to settle political scores. 

Centre to create data bank on employment trends

Amid complaints that the country does not have a comprehensive data bank on the trends in employment, unemployment, wage loss and job loss, the Union government has decided to create an Employment Data Collection Mechanism (EDCM) in collaboration with departments of all Ministries. Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will chair the first meeting in this regard here on Friday.

Archers overcome wobbly start, enter the last eight

The first world record of the 2024 Paris Olympics fell in the archery range set up against Paris’ iconic 17th century Invalides complex. South Korea’s Lim Si-hyeon raced away to a mammoth score of 694 out of a possible 720. The Indian trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Bhajan Kaur – the first athletes from the country in action at the Paris Games – wore smiles at the end of the archery line-up. Their individual scores weren’t nearly as impressive as the South Korean’s but there was a lot to celebrate as a team.

Putin vows ‘retribution’ against those trying to ‘divide’ Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed Thursday to crush anybody who tries to divide Russian society as he hailed the effectiveness and unwavering loyalty of his country’s powerful law enforcement agencies. “Those who try to intimidate people, to split our society, to play on religious or national feelings will never succeed,” Putin said in a video message posted by the Kremlin. “Inevitable and just retribution awaits them,” he added.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other INDIA bloc MPs stage a protest at Parliament premises alleging discrimination in the Union Budget 2024, during the Monsoon session, in New Delhi, on July 24, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Centre, Opposition face off in Parliament over Budget

In both Houses of Parliament, the Opposition attacked the government, accusing it of presenting a “discriminatory budget” that excluded the non-National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled States. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman issued a strong rebuttal to this in Rajya Sabha, hitting out at the Opposition for deliberately maligning the government, and giving a wrong impression that some States had been left out.

‘You are a woman… you don’t know anything’: Nitish Kumar shouts at RJD MLA Rekha Devi in Assembly

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar lost his cool in the Assembly on July 24 and shouted at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Rekha Devi. The Chief Minister, who was speaking on reservation, was assuring the House that he was taking steps to ensure that the proposed quota hike of 65% is implemented. Despite his assurance, the Opposition continued sloganeering. Losing his temper, Mr. Kumar pointed his finger at Ms. Devi, the Masaurhi MLA, who was protesting, and said, “You are a woman, don’t you understand, these people never let women progress. You are a woman, you don’t know anything.”

Netanyahu gives fiery speech to U.S. Congress, seeking support for war in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza and condemned American protesters in a scathing speech to the U.S. Congress on July 24, which triggered boycotts by many top Democratic lawmakers and drew thousands of protesters to the Capitol to condemn the war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis it has created.

Amid NEET row, UPSC to revamp its exam system with new tech

Amid widespread allegations of cheating in the NEET examination for medical college admissions, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is all set to revamp its own examination system through technological solutions such as Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication and facial recognition systems, and closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance using artificial intelligence (AI).

RSS leader calls out the BJP’s Amit Malviya for trolling people who criticised the budget

Ratan Sharda, an author and leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, came down heavily on Amit Malviya, the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s IT cell, on July 24, for trolling social media users who criticised the Union Budget. Terming it a “serious problem”, Mr. Sharda, who is also a columnist in the RSS’ English mouthpiece Organiser, said that the IT cell should instead focus on simplifying the government’s schemes for citizens who can benefit.

Rahul Gandhi briefs MPs on party line for Budget debate 

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday told 20 Congress MPs, who are slated to speak in the debate on Union Budget, to ensure that in their speech rather than lamenting the funds allocated to Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, they should highlight the States that have been ignored. 

Supreme Court urges a balance between railway needs in Haldwani and right to shelter of ‘encroacher’ families

The Supreme Court on July 24 urged a balance to be struck between railway infrastructure development at Haldwani, considered to be the doorway to the hills in Uttarakhand, and the fundamental right to shelter of nearly 50,000 people accused of illegally living on railway land. “They are also human beings…” a Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant observed.

India committed to Free Trade Agreement with the U.K., says Modi

India is committed to concluding a Free Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, after meeting the visiting Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy — the highest ranking official from the United Kingdom to visit India since the Labour government won a landslide victory in the recent election.

Centre defends fact-check unit, says right to correct information important

Defending the formation of a fact-checking unit (FCU), the Union government said in the Bombay High Court on July 24 that the right to know factually correct information and the right to not be misled were equally important as the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a). Stand-up artist Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India, and the Association of Indian Magazines, have challenged the constitutionality of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 that permit an FCU of the Union government to identify “fake or false or misleading” online content “related to the business of the Central Government” and demand its removal. 

DRDO successfully tests Phase-II ballistic missile defence system

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday successfully flight-tested the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system demonstrating the indigenous capability to defend against ballistic missiles of 5,000 km class. Phase 1 of the BMD, which can intercept ballistic missiles with a range of 2,000 km, has already been deployed.

Government admits BSNL data breached in May; forms telecom security panel

The Union government confirmed a data breach in BSNL’s systems, saying that the breach was reported on May 20. “Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) reported possible intrusion and Data Breach at BSNL on 20.05.2024,” Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said on Wednesday in a written response to a Lok Sabha query by Congress MP Amar Singh.

Joe Biden says he ended 2024 U.S. presidential bid to unite Democratic party

U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office for probably the last time as he explained his decision to “pass the torch” to Vice President Kamala Harris and end his 2024 presidential campaign. The address offered the public their first chance to hear directly from Mr. Biden his rationale for dropping out of the 2024 after weeks of insisting he believed himself to be the best candidate to take on former President Donald Trump, whom he has called an existential threat to the nation’s democracy.