20% export duty on parboiled rice; MEP on basmati coming

The government is initiating fresh measures to ensure that rice prices remain under control and overall inflation comes down. On Friday, the Centre imposed 20% export duty on parboiled rice (rice partially boiled with husk), barely a week after imposing 40% duty on exports of onion. Besides, it is expected to notify a minimum export price (MEP) for basmati rice, pegged at $1,200 (Rs 99,000) a tonne.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/XK8fZNt

Train fire in Madurai claims 9 lives: Smuggled gas stove used, coal & firewood found in coach

Tragedy struck as a private train coach caught fire in the early hours of Saturday, resulting in the deaths of nine pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh at a railway yard about 1km from Madurai junction in Tamil Nadu. Railway authorities said the fire is suspected to have originated from a gas cylinder, smuggled into the coach for cooking meals.

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Mumbai boy is world’s youngest ‘junior diver’

It’s a birthday gift that Dwit Nandu will cherish for a lifetime. A day after he turned 10 on Thursday, he dived 40 feet off the Puducherry coast, going on to bag the title of “Youngest Junior Open Water Scuba Diver” in the world on Friday. Dwit took a deep dive into the Arabian Sea at 8am and was bestowed the title by the PADI. For this, the boy underwent the “junior open water diver” course, for which the minimum age criterion is 10 years, being offered by PADI across the globe.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/x1zENZp

Nuh tense again: Internet suspended; outfits defiant on yatra

Internet and bulk SMS services were suspended once again in Nuh after right-wing outfits pledged to bring out a Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra on August 28 since the previous one was disrupted because of the communal clash on July 31. Officials said the internet shutdown, which came into force on Friday evening, would continue till August 29. Haryana had suspended internet and SMS services in Nuh, besides imposing a curfew, after the July 31 clash, and restored it only on August 11.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/Ha3IWsM

Manipur clashes: Pre-trial work of cases moved to Guwahati

On CBI's request, SC on Friday entrusted pre-trial procedural work in the 27 cases being investigated by central agency, arising from the ethnic clashes in Manipur and including the parading of two women naked by a mob on May 4, to magisterial and sessions courts in Guwahati in Assam. Of these 27 cases, 20 pertain to molestation, rape and murder of women, three concern looting of weapons, two are cases of murder of male members, and a case each relating to rioting and conspiracy.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/BXrwqcP

31% of India facing moderate to extreme dryness, next 2 weeks crucial: IMD data

About 31% of India’s land mass is grappling with varying degrees of arid conditions, ranging from moderate to extreme, the Met department’s Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) data for the July 27-August 23 period has revealed. This has significant implications on agriculture, crop yield and soil moisture.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/i0RLCum

Madhumita murder case: Life convicts Amarmani, wife released

Former Uttar Pradesh minister Amarmani Tripathi and his wife Madhumani, serving life sentences in the poet Madhumita Shukla murder case, were released on Friday evening, ahead of the completion of their terms.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/TVmZ2C9

Dying declaration can’t always be sole basis for conviction: SC

The Supreme Court has said that a person should not be convicted solely on the basis of dying declaration if there is some doubt about its veracity and acquitted a person who was convicted and sentenced to death for burning his son and two brothers to death on the basis of statements made by the deceased before dying. However, the bench cautioned the courts not to rely on it blindly.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/sgLbrt9

Govt cites Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s opposition to buttress Article 370 stand

BJP has always maintained that J&K would not have got the special status that it enjoyed under Article 370 if Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, country’s first home minister who played a crucial role in the integration of the erstwhile princely states into the Indian Union, had his way. The reverence for the “Iron Man” and the architect of unified India found robust mention in the Centre’s arguments before the Supreme Court on Thursday.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/jKQbTW0

Fighter squadrons depleting, IAF eyes 100 more Tejas Mk-1A

The IAF now plans to order around 100 more Tejas Mark-1A jets to meet the shortfall in the number of its combat squadrons till a much more powerful and capable version of the indigenous fighter is operationally ready. This proposed deal for around 100 Tejas Mark-1A jets will add to the 73 such jets and 10 trainers already ordered under the Rs 46,898 crore contract inked with HAL in February 2021.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/UTNIx1P

IIT-Bombay gets Rs 160 crore from anonymous donor

The Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay has received its first ever anonymous donation of Rs 160 crore. The cheque has come from an alumnus who wishes to maintain complete privacy about his gift. The donation has come at a time when the institution has been hit by budget cuts and is taking loans from the Higher Education Financial Agency (HEFA) for expansion. The donated funds will go towards setting up a Green Energy and Sustainability Research hub (GESR) on campus.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/GjB5Pvb

Chandrayaan-3 lander Vikram ‘full on’, Pragyan does Moonwalk

A day after Chandrayaan-3 lander Vikram touched down on Moon’s south polar region, Isro on Thursday switched on the payloads on Vikram and started moving Pragyan, the rover, on the lunar surface. On why the rover took more than four hours to roll out, Isro chairman S Somanath told TOI: “After the landing, we had to check the inclination, terrain condition and temperatures, and wait for the lunar dust to settle. The rover came out late last night.”

from Times of India https://ift.tt/tyzqOJP

Chandrayaan-3: Isro's shoestring budget raises million-dollar question. It's a secret, says chief

Every time an Isro rocket takes off or a mission like Chandrayaan-3 is completed, project comparisons — even with movies — become commonplace. How does India do it? “That’s a secret,” said Isro chairman Somanath in half jest after Vikram’s touchdown on Wednesday. Isro scientists said three factors make its missions cost-effective: Indigenisation, ingenuity, affordable manpower.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/uL7ks1X

Modi, Xi meet on Brics sidelines, agree on LAC disengagement

Maintenance of peace and tranquility in the border areas and respect for the LAC are essential for the normalization of Sino-Indian ties that remain in deep-freeze because of the unresolved military standoff in eastern Ladakh, PM Narendra Modi told president Xi Jinping ahead of the G20 summit. PM highlighted India’s concerns over the ``unresolved issues’’ along the LAC and both leaders agreed to work towards early disengagement and de-escalation.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/EsRrLoM

SC rejects bid to link impact of constriction of Article 370 to north-eastern states

Arunachal Pradesh Congress leader Padi Richo, through Senior Advocate Manish Tiwari, said the SC must take into account the possible fallout of the Union government's "arbitrary" and "unconstitutional" exercise to end the special status of J&K under Article 370, which was promised by the framers of the Constitution in 1950, for the N-E states.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/trX3AKJ

Chandrayaan-3 makes a perfect touchdown: Moon mission accomplished, Venus next?

Space agency, ISRO, achieved a historic soft-landing on the Moon's south polar region with its Chandrayaan-3 mission. The lander, Vikram, successfully descended and established communication links with the operations center in Bengaluru. The mission marks India's entry into an elite club of nations that have achieved lunar surface soft-landings.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/d5HTKpZ

'Every person has right to undergo sex change'

While passing the directive, Justice Ajit Kumar observed that if a person suffers from gender dysphoria and except for physical structure, her feeling and traits are of opposite sex, so much so that that there is a complete misalignment of her personality with physical body, such a person does possess a constitutionally recognized right to get her gender changed though surgical intervention.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/5KRF0ba

Wagner boss listed in Russian plane crash with no survivors

The head of the Wagner group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who attempted to overthrow Russia's military leadership in June, was reportedly on a plane that crashed in Russia. Russia's ministry for emergency situation said 'There were 10 people on board, including 3 crew members. According to preliminary information, all those on board died'.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/6YAQrup

Elgar Parishad case: Supreme Court agrees to hear bail plea of activist Shoma Sen

The top court had last month granted bail to civil rights activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira who were arrested in August 2018 in Elgar Parishad case and had been in jail since then for their alleged link with a banned Maoist group.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/uPsvtrc

You always want responsibility: Bumrah on captaincy

Jasprit Bumrah, a comeback pacer, led the Indian team to a 2-0 series win against Ireland. The three-match series ended with an abandoned third T20I due to rain in Dublin. Bumrah took four wickets in the two matches, with an average of 9.75.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/y6QGECO

IMA opposes NMC norms on prescriptions, bar on meets

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has urged the Union health minister to withdraw regulations requiring doctors to prescribe generic drugs until the quality of all medicines can be assured. The IMA also expressed concerns about regulations prohibiting doctors from attending conferences sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. The association called for exemptions for associations and organizations from the regulations.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/gpWub3d

Will PM Modi meet Xi Jinping on Brics sidelines? No clarity yet

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the Brics leaders' retreat, raising speculation about a possible bilateral meeting between the two leaders. Modi is scheduled to have five bilateral meetings on the last day of the summit, including with leaders from Iran, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/U3kfANh

Offering 'highest ever price' of Rs 2,410/quintal onion, says Piyush Goyal

The Indian government has announced that it will procure two lakh tonnes of onions from farmers in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh in order to address concerns over a potential shortage. The government will offer a "highest ever rate" for the onions and will purchase them through government cooperatives NAFED and NCCF.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/kLwAT1W

Vikram all set for soft landing as India reaches for the Moon today

India is set to make history by landing a probe in the polar region of the Moon. The Chandrayaan-3 lander, named Vikram, is scheduled to touchdown on Wednesday, followed by the release of the rover named Pragyan. If successful, India will be the first to land close to the lunar south pole. Vikram has been equipped with sturdier legs to withstand landing velocities.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/av7u9JO

US prez Biden to visit India from Sept 7-10 for G-20 summit

from Times of India https://ift.tt/QU4pksi

India and ASEAN agree to review trade pact by 2025

India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to review their trade pact by 2025, the Indian government said on Monday, less than a month after India's trade minister called the agreement unfair to the Indian industry.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/J8ireTy

US official Lee Satterfield to visit India today

United States Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Lee Satterfield will visit India from August 22-27 to lead the US delegation to the G20 Culture Ministers' Meeting in Varanasi on Saturday.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/QpqtjiX

If factors unfavourable, we will postpone landing to August 27: Senior Isro scientist on Chandrayaan-3

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is considering an alternative landing date of August 27 for the Chandrayaan-3 mission if conditions are not favourable on August 23. ISRO has taken precautions and learned from the mistakes of the Chandrayaan-2 mission, strengthening the legs of the Vikram lander and conducting rigorous testing. ISRO is prioritizing a smooth landing and will delay if necessary, even though it may result in a loss of four Earth days for rover and lander operations.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/jG4eKqR

Four arrests as police investigate large-scale violence at Derbyshire kabaddi event

Violence erupted during a circle kabaddi tournament in Derby, UK, where gunshots were fired and individuals fought with swords, rods, and machetes. Four arrested men are suspected of firearm possession and violent disorder. The tournament was organized by the England Kabaddi Federation (EKF), with yellow Khalistan flags present. The incident occurred despite crowd barriers protecting the pitch, and EKF stressed that those involved weren't linked to their affiliated clubs.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/3EHaiIA

Why this US state is attracting Indian medical students

The number of Indian students studying in Georgia is increasing, with around 8,000 estimated to be studying there in 2021. Most Indian students go to Georgia for medical studies, attracted by the affordability and safety of the country. Georgia has over 20 universities approved by India's National Medical Commission, offering exposure to patients and degrees recognized by the World Health Organization.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/vC2MFiX

Narco-terror case: SIA Jammu arrests key accused from Delhi

“On May 30, an attempt was made by four associates of a narco-terror module to smuggle drugs and explosives into India from across the border fence in Poonch. The accused persons were intercepted by Army’s SIKHLI with arms, ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and heroin,” the spokesperson said.

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'Idol consecration in Ram Temple between Jan 16-24'

The construction of the sanctum sanctorum of Ayodhya's Ram Temple is ready and Ram Lalla will be consecrated between January 16 and 24 after Makar Sankranti, a top official of the temple trust said on Sunday. The consecration of Ram Lalla will be carried out after the construction of the first floor of the temple, Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai said.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/JQov0Wh

From Rs 260 peak, tomato now down to under Rs 100/kg

The data of prices compiled by the consumer affairs ministry shows that tomatoes were selling at more than Rs 200 a kg across 31 centres on August 4 and the maximum price was Rs 257. But a fortnight later, on Friday, the retail price of the kitchen item was over Rs 200 only at two centres in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/oE7zT2l

NCAER finds fake beneficiaries in minority institutions

Lack of protests from “beneficiaries” after the Centre’s decision to discontinue scholarship for minorities for Classes 1-8 last year citing the Right to Education Act, prompted the ministry to set off a review of the scholarship data base for all. The ministry gives scholarship up to PhD level.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/sSdQL2e

JCO among 9 soldiers dead in Ladakh road accident

Officials said the military vehicle with 10 personnel was on its way to Nyoma from Leh. The driver lost control and the vehicle tumbled into a gorge with an estimated depth of 50 to 60 feet from the road.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/SVjX4nQ

Srinagar’s tulip garden enters record books with 1.5mn flowers

At the garden on Saturday, J&K administration’s secretary (floriculture, gardens and parks) Fayaz Sheikh was honoured with the certification by World Book president and CEO Santosh Shukla. World Book editor Dilip N Pandit, the J&K director of floriculture, other officers and the garden staff were also present on the occasion.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/oIyEiO4

Single women in China,: Owning home new form of resistance

More unmarried Chinese women are buying property, a trend challenging traditional gender roles that require men to own homes to get married. While only 6.9% of unmarried Chinese women owned property a decade ago, that figure rose to 10.3% in 2020, according to the Chinese government. Higher incomes, increased education, and changing attitudes toward women's rights are among the drivers of the trend.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/NX9JlRr

Charge of the knight brigade: Indian teens storm global chess

There are four Indian juniors in the World Open top 50. Gukesh is at No.8 (live rating of 2758.4), No.23 is R Praggnanandhaa (2720.8), Arjun Erigaisi (2712) is at No.30 and Nihal Sarin at No.42 (2694.2). Along with Raunak Sadhwani, Leon Luke Mendonca and Aaditya Dhingra, there are seven Indians among the world's top 20 juniors.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/70s4xGU

Three tribal men killed as violence erupts in Manipur after two weeks

Suspected militants tortured and killed three Kuki villagers early on Friday in Naga-dominated Ukhrul, shattering a two-week lull in Manipur since the last burst of bloodshed on August 5 and carrying the violent animosity of the ethnic strife raging for 100-odd days to a district so far untouched by it.

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Hill states make headlines but Bihar tops monsoon toll

That Bihar's big death toll (518), compared to Himachal's 330, received so little attention is essentially a matter of magnifying the dramatic. Even the startling fact that 160 of the 518 dead in Bihar perished to lightning has received little notice. But every landslide in the hill states is on prime time.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/0Kuf5J9

Watch: Comedy of errors during India-Ireland first T20I

India began their three-match series against Ireland with a two-run victory at The Village in Dublin, but the match was called off due to rain interruptions and a humorous incident.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/OWaqb8D

Yasin Malik's wife is special adviser to Pakistan caretaker PM

Mushaal Hussein Mullick is to advise Pakistan’s caretaker PM on human rights and women’s empowerment. Yasin Malik was convicted by an NIA court in a terror funding case and is serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail. He last appeared in the Delhi high court via a video link on August 9 in connection with the NIA seeking the death penalty for him.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/pyA64qw

Praggu first Indian after Vishy Anand to enter WC semis

R Praggnanandhaa defeated his friend Erigaisi Arjun in the quarterfinals of the World Cup chess tournament in Baku. However, Arjun managed to secure a spot in the Candidates Tournament in 2024. Praggnanandhaa will face Fabiano Caruana in the semifinals, while in the women's semifinal, Nurguyl Salimova of Bulgaria defeated Anna Muzhychuk of Ukraine. Salimova will go on to play Aleksandra Goryachkina in the two-game title clash.

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Gujarat & Centre: Bilkis Bano case not rarest of rare; Supreme Court: Why selective remission?

The Centre and Gujarat state have defended their decision to release 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, pleading that they did not commit a "rarest of rare crime," and should be allowed to reform and reintegrate at society. However, the Supreme Court asked why the remission policy was applied selectively and why convicts in a similar position continue to remain in jail.

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Ashok Gehlot's rare open support for Pilot, thanks to BJP

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Wrestler Priya becomes 2nd Indian U20 World Champion

Priya became the second Indian woman to win the U20 World Championships, and Antim Panghal secured India's unprecedented success at the Junior World Championships. Unaffected by a gash above her left eye, Priya defeated Laura Celive Kuehn 5-0 in the gold medal match, despite having to stop twice due to bleeding.

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Another professor quits Ashoka University

Days after the resignation of Sabyasachi Das, assistant professor at the department of economics in Ashoka University, his colleague in the department, economist Pulapre Balakrishnan, too, has put in his papers.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/86YBd4f

After McD's, Burger King drops tomatoes from menu

Amid high inflation, items ranging from tomatoes to cheese slices are slowly disappearing from the menu of restaurants. Patrons of Burger King India will now be served burgers without tomatoes as the US chain has dropped the veggie from its menu across several Indian outlets.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/ciOqjBh

JEE aspirant hangs self in Kota, 20th suicide this year

An 18-year-old Bihar student was found dead in his Kota PG hostel room, the latest suicide and fourth since the last fortnight. Identified as Valmiki Prasad, the engineering entrant had been preparing for his IIT-JEE exam since last academic session. His last reported activity was a call to his parents on Monday evening to which they replied by arriving in Kota the following day.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/OuV7L5y

Mind your language: Supreme Court releases gender-just handbook for judges

The Indian Supreme Court has issued a handbook to be used by judges as a guide to gender-just language. The handbook encourages the use of neutral language that avoids patriarchal stereotypes used for decades. Furthermore, the handbook includes a sub-chapter on gender fluidity and discusses harmful stereotypes that can exist with respect to any gender identity. The guide aims to challenge and dispel negative stereotypes and perpetuate discrimination and exclusion.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/cXYtijm

The Blind Side: Ex-NFL player says conned with adoption promise

Michael Oher, the former NFL player made famous in the 2009 movie "The Blind Side," has filed a lawsuit in which he claims that he was tricked into relinquishing his decision-making powers to the family that took him in, so that they could make millions of dollars off his life story. He alleges that he thought he had been legally adopted, but was only under a conservatorship.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/79PIupm

Two Mumbai teens held for Pakistan Independence Day post

Two teenagers from Colaba who posted an image of Pakistan's independence day celebrations as their Instagram status were arrested by police. They were let off after a warning.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/iHJreto

Out on bail, vigilante Bittu Bajrangi arrested again, for rioting in Nuh

Bajrang Dal member Bittu Bajrangi, who had posted a provocative video preceding communal clashes on 31 July and was out on bail, has been arrested again. This time, the Nuh police has arrested him for allegedly carrying arms and rioting on the day of the event. The FIR claims he and his supporters carried swords to a temple in Nuh on 31 July.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/EB2vmcR

SC judges must give voice to those facing arbitrary arrests: CJI

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, emphasized on the accessibility of the judiciary for the common man, ensuring safety of their lives and liberties. He announced further measures to make justice more affordable and inclusive, including the construction of 27 courtrooms in the Supreme Court.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/C2WGNDf

No concrete breakthrough in India-China military talks

There was yet again no concrete breakthrough in resolving the festering troop face-offs at Depsang Plains and Demchok in eastern Ladakh despite the latest round of top-level military talks being held with China after a gap of almost four months.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/naBcXAr

Far-right 'rockstar' leads in Argentina's president primary

Far-right populist candidate Javier Milei emerged as the biggest vote-getter in Argentina's primary elections for presidential candidates. With around 92% votes counted, Milei had around 30% of the total vote, making him an unexpected but real contender for the presidency. Milei, an admirer of Trump, wants to abolish the central bank, legalise the sale of human organs, and make it easier to own handguns.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/A46708Q

50 killed as cloudbursts and landslides batter Himachal

Intense rains and cloudbursts hit Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for the second time since July, resulting in over 50 deaths and many missing. Landslides and flash floods have caused widespread destruction, including damage to homes, bridges, and power outages, as well as blocked roads and railways. The Kalka-Shimla rail route, which is a designated World Heritage site, has also been severely damaged.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/lbGJKD3

Restore our patrol rights: India to China

During the 19th round of military talks, India asked China to withdraw forward deployed troops and restore Indian soldiers' patrolling rights in Depsang Plains and Demchok in eastern Ladakh. The talks ended much earlier than usual, but the official outcome has not been disclosed.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/yxw2ETM

Independence Day: More medals for cops in anti-Maoist operations than those in J&K

Police medals for bravery in fighting left-wing extremism in India are more numerous than for counter-terrorism operations in J&K, repeating the same trend witnessed earlier this year on Republic Day. Of the 954 police medals announced, 125 were for gallantry in combating left-wing extremism, and 71 for counter-terrorism in J&K.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/5Inz1mY

Share your Independence Day greetings

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Some 'well-wishers' want me to go with BJP, says Sharad Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday reiterated that his party will "never" go with BJP at any stage. "BJP's ideology does not suit us," Pawar told reporters at Sangola in Solapur district a few minutes after he shared the dais with Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis at the unveiling of a statue of Peasants and Workers Party leader, the late Ganpatrao Deshumkh.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/ZyAiqj9

Weapons, ammo seized in 5 Manipur dists ahead of ultras’ I-Day boycott call

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were seized during search operations in five districts of strife-torn Manipur as security agencies went into overdrive against the backdrop of militant outfits calling for a boycott of Independence Day celebrations planned by the government across the hill and valley districts.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/QorRLOg

Looted gem hidden in switchboard, Kolkata judge detects 'Feluda' twist

A protracted legal battle over a 32-carat Golconda diamond, which ended in a city court last week, had all the elements of a classic whodunnit: a gunpoint robbery, futile searches by the police and an ingenuous hiding place, almost in plain sight. Even the judge, while handing the gem to its owner last week, couldn't resist comparing it to the Feluda classic 'Joy Baba Felunath'.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/p3GVEZX

Bridge linking Uttarkashi to China border collapses

A bailey bridge located over Chorgad river at Nelong valley region of Gangotri national park (GNP) in Uttarkashi district has collapsed after its embankment got washed away due to the recent heavy rainfall. As per sources, the footbridge is important for the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) as it connects Uttarkashi to the Indo-China border via Himachal Pradesh, and is used for long-range patrolling. Forest guards and local shepherds also use the bridge.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/S9jvHBA

Govt eyes special plan for high-end electric vehicles

With an eye on attracting global auto giants such as Tesla in the high-end electric vehicles space, the government may put in place a phased manufacturing plan (PMP) type of scheme, which will cater to the requirements of the entire industry, while also building an ecosystem within the country.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/DEteiBJ

Now, RPF to test mental fitness of its personnel

In the wake of the incident where an on-duty Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable gunned down four people on a train, the force will be carrying out psychiatric screenings of its personnel and holding counselling sessions. Sources said senior RPF officers are in an advanced stage of discussions with a non-profit group that works in the field of mental health.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/X4corv9

‘ATM theft’ & ‘paper leak’ to be branded ‘petty organised crime’

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), expected to replace the 163-year-old IPC, intends to include organised crimes like ATM thefts, leaking question papers, shoplifting, car theft and stealing valuables from a car among new offences under a specific section, with a convict liable for jail term ranging from one to 7 years along with a fine. There’s no provision in IPC that specifically deals with these offences — often bracketing them under the broad head of ‘theft’ under Section 378.

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5th T20I: How India lost the series decider against WI

The Indian team, led by Hardik Pandya, made a valiant comeback in the third and fourth T20Is but were outclassed by the West Indies in the fifth match, losing the series 2-3. No team has made a successful comeback from 0-2 down in a T20I series, and India also failed to change the outcome in the deciding match in Florida.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/lIUJnbt

Kota to hold psychological tests in bid to stop student suicides

With the aim to check mounting suicide cases in Kota, the district administration has decided to conduct psychological tests of every coaching students every fortnight. The test will help spot suicidal tendencies among students in time and they could be provided with timely counselling. The decision was taken at a meeting with representatives of coaching institutes, hostels and stakeholders, held on Saturday to review the implementation of norms for coaching centres and hostels.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/x5kOU3v

Over 50% of MBBS top rankers pick general medicine specialty

Postgraduate medical aspirants with top ranks are increasingly opting for general medicine and radio-diagnosis for their broad specialty. This year, 53 of the top 100 candidates in the first all-India allotment list for MD/MS admissions have chosen general medicine, followed by 35 for radio-diagnosis. The numbers were 47 and 32, respectively, in 2020. The remaining few chose dermatology, gynaecology and surgery.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/0rGijRa

With BNS, long arm of law set to extend to foreign shores

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 seeks to introduce a provision for attachment and forfeiture of proclaimed offenders' properties located not just within the country but also outside India. Also, new sections are proposed to be added to make waging of war against the government of a foreign State at peace with India as well as committing of depredation on the territory of such foreign State, an offence punishable with up to seven years in prison.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/AHPwsGc

4th T20I: How India blew away West Indies for series-levelling victory

India made a complete mockery of the 179 chase as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill's belligerent opening stand powered India to a series-levelling nine-wicket victory in the fourth T20I against West Indies in Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday. Jaiswal and Gill smoked dazzling half-centuries as the duo toyed with the West Indies bowling attack during the chase, helping India cross the finish line without breaking a sweat.

from Times of India https://ift.tt/fH4IYEt

Sex promising marriage a crime, 20 yrs’ RI proposed for gangrape

Marrying a woman by concealing identity or having intercourse under false promise of marriage, promotion or employment will be treated as crime for the first time under the proposed law -- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Bill that will replace the Indian Penal Code. This will attract imprisonment up to 10 years. Home minister Amit Shah highlighted this while introducing the bill and added that special focus has been given to provisions relating to crimes against women.

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'Adhere to international law, rules-based order': India

Amid fresh tensions between China and the Philippines in South China Sea, India reiterated its call for adherence to international law and rules-based order in the region, while also underscoring the significance of peaceful resolution of disputes. "We've always felt that the issues need to be resolved, disputes peacefully, and the rules-based order, and we would certainly urge parties to follow that as well as ensure that such incidents do not happen," said ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

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Modi govt’s bill to select CEC, ECs against Advani’s proposal: Cong

The Congress on Friday dug out an old letter written by veteran BJP leader L K Advani in March 2012 in which he had asked the then prime minister Manmohan Singh to include the leaders of opposition in the panel to select members of the constitutional bodies. The Congress censured the Modi dispensation for dropping the chief justice of India (CJI) from the panel to select the chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners (ECs).

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CAG flags Bharatmala bidding irregularities

The federal auditor, in its latest report, has found irregularities in award of the government's flagship Bharatmala highway projects and said that the implementing agencies violated the tendering processes. The violations include successful bidder not fulfilling tender conditions or bidder selected on the basis of falsified documents and award of works without approved detailed project reports (DPRs) or faulty reports.

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Gehlot power sop puts Rs 2,500cr burden on Rajasthan

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot announced Thursday the abolition of fuel surcharge for all domestic and agricultural electricity consumers, irrespective of the units consumed. "This will put an extra burden of Rs 2,500 crore, which will be borne by the state government," Gehlot said about the waiver, among the slew of recent sops he has declared ahead of assembly polls due later this year.

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Give borrowers option to prepay, switch rates: RBI

RBI is worried about the long extension of home loan tenures. Deputy governor M Rajeshwar Rao on Thursday said that the regulator is not considering defining an "unreasonable elongation" as the bank's board will have to consider this. "It is for the bank board to decide having regard to the tenor and the repayment capacity of the individual borrowers," he said.

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Rajasthan will hike OBC quota from 21% to 27%: CM Gehlot

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot announced on Wednesday that the state would raise OBC reservation from 21% to 27%, with the additional 6% being for the benefit of the most backward sections within the category. The change, if and when it takes effect, will raise overall reservation in Rajasthan from 64% to 70%.

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Adani ammo comes in handy for both sides in House battle

As it struggles to claw back the wealth it lost because of the allegations levelled by global short seller, Hindenberg, the Adani Group found itself caught in the intense political crossfire over the no-trust vote, with BJP and Congress accusing each other of favouring the conglomerate. “The tribals kept protesting, still their land was given away to Adani's”, as she reeled off the “benefits” allegedly given by Congress and other non-BJP governments to Adani Group, starting from the go-ahead for building Mundra port.

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Derek O’Brien suspended from Rajya Sabha, then allowed to be back

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announced the suspension of TMC leader Derek O’Brien only to let him come back as the House reconvened post adjournment at 12 noon. O’Brien was allowed to attend the House proceedings after Dhankhar said he had taken a “far-sighted” decision to not allow voting on the motion to suspend him which did not fructify.

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Rajya Sabha passes 4 bills in 3.5 hours amid opposition walkout

Rajya Sabha on Tuesday unanimously passed four bills, including one that seeks to equip military commanders of all tri-service organisations with full administrative and disciplinary powers, after the opposition MPs had staged a walkout over the non-acceptance of their demand for holding a discussion on Manipur instead.

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Malayalam filmmaker-screenwriter Siddique passes away at 63

Siddique, popular Malayalam filmmaker and scriptwriter, passed away at the age of 63 in Kochi. He had been undergoing treatment for various ailments and was on ECMO support . Known for movies like ‘Nadodikkattu’, ‘Ramji Rao Speaking’, and ‘In Harihar Nagar’, Siddique had won acclaim for his 2010 movie, ‘Bodyguard’, which was remade in Tamil and Bollywood. His last directorial was the film ‘Big Brother’ starring Mohanlal that released in 2020. Siddique is survived by his wife and three children.

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SC sends TN minister Senthil Balaji to ED custody till Aug 12

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the plea of Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji challenging his arrest and upheld his custody given to Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. It ruled that the agency is empowered to seek custody of an accused and not bound to follow Section 41A of Criminal Procedure Code which mandates that notice be served to the accused for appearance before arrest.

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ACT: Semifinal berth sealed, India edge out Korea 3-2

With their semifinal berth already secured, India triumphed over reigning champions South Korea with a 3-2 victory in their fourth round-robin encounter of the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai on Monday. This win solidified India's undefeated streak in the continental hockey tournament.

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Manipur tribal groups’ body set to hold talks with Shah today

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Nuh hotel from where ‘stones were hurled at procession’ demolished

Continuing its drive against “illegal constructions” for the fourth straight day, the Nuh administration on Sunday brought down a three-storey restaurant-hotel and a tiles showroom that were allegedly used by stone pelters during the violence on July 31.

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2nd T20I: West Indies register thrilling two-wicket victory over India

Despite Tilak Varma's brilliant performance, scoring his first international half-century, India couldn't avoid a thrilling two-wicket defeat in the second T20I against West Indies in Guyana on Sunday.

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Legal experts have divergent view on abetment to suicide charge

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Terrorist shot in J&K day after 3 soldiers killed in encounter

A terrorist was gunned down when a combined team of J&K police, Army, and CRPF initiated a cordon-and-search operation in response to information about the presence of terrorists in the Khawas area of Jammu’s Rajouri district on Saturday. As the team approached a hideout, the terrorist opened fire, triggering a gunfight.

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RPF cop to face charge of communal discord too

The railway police (GRP) will add provisions related to spreading communal disharmony against RPF constable Chetan Singh, who allegedly gunned down his senior and three passengers on the Jaipur-Mumbai Superfast Express on Monday. This is the first time the agency is taking into account the communal shades to this case.

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After Joshimath, cracks now in homes 90km from Doon

Following large-scale subsidence in Joshimath town of Chamoli district, fresh cracks and incidents of sinking have been reported in over two dozen houses at Khamroli village and surrounding areas of Kalsi block in Dehradun district. It’s 90km from the state capital.

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India’s 1st college-incubated company now a listed entity

Amidst a slew of IPOs that hit the Indian stock markets last month was one that had a rather different birthing. Ideaforge is the country’s first college campus-incubated company that has gone on to become a listed entity.

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1st T20I: West Indies secure narrow victory over India

West Indies started the five-match T20 International series on a winning note at the Brian Lara Stadium on Thursday as India made a mess of a modest run-chase, losing the opening match by a mere four runs. After winning the toss, the West Indies captain Rovman Powell made the bold decision to bat first on what seemed to be a challenging pitch. Powell (48 off 32) then played a captain's knock to help the hosts put on a competitive total of 149 for six in their allotted 20 overs.

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India off to winning start, thrash China 7-2 in ACT

India's skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar each netted two goals, propelling the team to a dominant 7-2 victory against China in the opening match of their Asian Champions Trophy hockey campaign at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.

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Quota in promotion cannot be claimed as a right: Uttarakhand High Court

A single bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari of the Uttarakhand high court (HC), citing a division bench decision of 2012 regarding reservation in promotion in government jobs, ruled that “it cannot be claimed as a right.” The order, delivered on Monday and made available on Wednesday, came while dismissing a petition filed by Navmi Devi, a ‘group D’ employee in the state education department, who had approached the court in 2018 seeking reservation in promotions.

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Big win for Antrix as US court reverses $1.3 billion damages order

In a big victory for Antrix in its long-drawn legal fight against Bengaluru-based Devas Multimedia and its foreign investors on American soil, the Ninth Circuit Court in California, which is by far the largest of the 13 US Courts of Appeals, has allowed the appeal of Isro’s commercial arm in totality and reversed the confirmation of the ICC award of $1.3 billion against Antrix earlier given by the district court at Seattle in a decade-old case of the failed satellite deal in 2005.

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Dalits enter Tamil Nadu temple for first time in 100 yrs

After being kept out for more than 100 years, scores of Dalit families entered the Mariamman temple in Chellankuppam village, in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district, for the first time on Wednesday. They were protected by a strong police contingent.

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LS to take up no-trust motion on Aug 8, PM to reply on 10th

The no-confidence motion moved against the Modi government will be discussed in Lok Sabha from August 8-10 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to reply to the debate before the voting on the last day. The decision was taken at Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting even as constituents of INDIA bloc walked out in protest against the debate not being taken up on priority before other House business.

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Celebrate Rakshabandhan with Muslim women: PM Modi to BJP MPs

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