CATEGORIES

Sweeping Vietnamese internet law now in force

NEW Vietnamese internet rules requiring Facebook and TikTok to verify user identities and hand over data to authorities came into force on Wednesday, in what critics say is the latest attack on freedom of expression.

Russia Launches Missiles, Drones at Ukrainian Energy Infrastructure

State energy operator applies preemptive power outages across the country including Kyiv

Hamas, Israel Trade Blame Over Delay in Ceasefire Talks

HAMAS and Israel traded accusations on Wednesday over delays in finalising a ceasefire and hostage release agreement for Gaza, despite continued efforts by mediators to broker a deal in the latest round of negotiations.

21 Dead in Mozambique Riots Over Chapo's Win

VIOLENCE that engulfed Mozambique after the country's highest court confirmed ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct 9 elections killed at least 21 people, including two police officers, authorities said Tuesday.

SGPC Chief Punished Over 'Foul' Language

ON the direction of Panj Pyare (Five Beloveds), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami on Wednesday underwent religious punishment for using inappropriate language against his predecessor, Bibi Jagir Kaur.

Pilgrims in Peril as Katra Goes for 72-hr Shutdown

The Katra town, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine, is observing a 72-hour shutdown from Wednesday against the proposed ropeway project.

Underwater drones part of Mahakumbh security

THE Mahakumbh mela administration has put in place a three-level intelligence system in a move to bolster security for the pilgrims.

Winter charm at peak as snow sweeps U'khand

A severe cold wave has gripped Uttarakhand's high Himalayan regions, bringing an unexpected chill to the state this December with the average minimum temperature hovering around 3.5 degrees C, weather department officials said.

Lookout notice against ex-cop after gold haul

A Look Out Circular (LOC) has been issued against ‘crorepati’ ex-Madhya Pradesh transport department constable, Saurabh Sharma in the unaccounted gold and cash from MUV case.

One more tigress found, big cat count reaches 5 in Palamu Tiger Reserve

IN a significant achievement, the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) has confirmed the presence of a tigress in the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR).

Cop in 'dry' Gujarat plays bartender to bootlegger buddy

IN dry Gujarat, where the police are supposed to uphold the liquor ban, a head constable from Petlad in Anand district decided to play bartender for his bootlegger buddy. He broke the law and tarnished the image of the khaki uniform by stashing foreign liquor in his own house.

4 killed, 21 hurt as state transport bus plunges into gorge in U'khand

FOUR people, including a woman and a child, were killed and 21 others injured when a bus plunged into a gorge in Bhimtal, located in Uttarakhand's Kumaon region, on Wednesday.

Shah Sets Target, Says 2L Cooperatives in 5 Years

UNION Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday inaugurated 10,000 new multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), saying the government is working on a mission mode to achieve its target of establishing 2 lakh such societies in the next five years.

Bright spot as zero malaria cases in 122 districts across country in '23, says Centre

INDIA is taking steady strides towards a malaria-free nation with as many as 122 districts reporting zero malaria cases in 2023, according to Union Health Ministry officials on Wednesday.

Arms purchase up, yet Army faces barrel crunch

AT the time when the Indian Army is modernising its offensive capabilities, specifically in the Artillery and the Armoured Regiments, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit exercise has reported \"shortfall of barrels and breech mechanisms ranging from 30-100 per cent of the production capacity\" during 2015-22. A delay in the supply of ammunition has also been noticed.

Arunish Chawla named new revenue secretary

In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the Centre on Wednesday appointed Vineet Joshi, chief secretary of ethnic violence-hit Manipur, as the higher education secretary and senior IAS officer Arunish Chawala as the revenue secretary, according to a statement from the government.

Naidu flags Andhra issues during meeting with Modi

ANDHRA Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the capital to discuss issues related to the state.

Committed to Viksit Bharat goal

NDA allies back the two bills the government introduced for holding simultaneous elections

Deployment near home, couple getting same place posting part of CISF policy

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has rolled out a new liberal transfer policy for its personnel, allowing them to have choice-based postings including home district, same city postings for married couples in the force, and fixed scheduling of posting orders.

2 Decades On: Strides in Warning Systems

In the realm of disaster management, India stands tall as a global leader, thanks to its state-of-the-art Tsunami Early Warning System (TEWS) established in the wake of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami that crashed ashore two decades ago to this day.

BITING NAILS WHILE BIDING TIME ON BIDEN

The last acts of the Biden administration aimed at Russian oil may affect India too. They can constrain the thriving India-Russia ties once Donald Trump takes office

CPM Hopes New Governor Will Work With Kerala Govt

The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala on Wednesday expressed hope that the newly appointed Governor of the state, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, would work constitutionally and collaborate with the government, unlike Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who was transferred to Bihar.

Principal Abducted Over Financial Dispute, Six Held

SIX people, including a government school teacher, were arrested for abducting a private school correspondent near Pappireddipatti over a financial dispute on Tuesday night.

ACB Starts Questioning in Telangana Formula E Case

MUAD principal secy Dana Kishore tells officials of fund violations

CM, Cong leaders must not take law into hands, says BJP on MLA's attack

UNION minister Pralhad Joshi and senior BJP leaders condemned the attack on BJP MLA N Munirathna on Wednesday.

PMK leaders are misleading Vanniyars, says SS Sivasankar

TRANSPORT Minister SS Sivasankar accused PMK leaders of misleading the Vanniyar community by aligning with the BJP, which has stalled the national population census, and urging the state government to conduct a caste-based census despite its lack of legal validity.

Girl Touches Iron Pole, Dies of Electrocution

A girl was electrocuted to death after she touched an iron pole outside her house at Ettarai in the district on Monday.

Lawyers Bat For Basic Amenities At Spl NIA Court

LAWYERS attending proceedings in the special court for bomb blast cases, designated as special court for NIA cases, in Poonamallee near Chennai are hassled over the poor amenities for lawyers, accused and witnesses in the court complex and accessibility issues there.

TN govt drops mandatory insurance for jallikattu

FOLLOWING stiff opposition from jallikattu organisers to the mandatory provision of offering insurance coverage for spectators and bull tamers, fixed at ₹5 lakh per person and capped at ₹1 crore per event, the government has decided to instead accept a bank guarantee of ₹20 lakh in lieu of the insurance coverage.

CM Lauds Ex-PM Vajpayee on His Secular Credentials

GOVERNOR RN Ravi and Chief Minister MK Stalin paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his centenary birth anniversary on Wednesday, acknowledging his remarkable contributions to the nation.