CATEGORIES

2023 summer, ever recorded the hottest in the world

The year 2023 is on track to go down in history as the hottest ever after data released on Wednesday showed that the planet sweltered under its hottest summer, as the climate crisis and an emerging El Nino pushed up temperatures, triggering extreme weather across regions.

Delhi traffic out of gear again, festivals add to pre-G20 curbs

A religious procession around Connaught Place on Wednesday aggravated the traffic mess in and around New Delhi, adding to the stringent curbs in place ahead of the G20 Summit and leaving commuters stuck in stop-start jams, even as another lot of road closures crippled commutes for a second straight day.

Sonia writes to Modi, lists issues for special session

Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday to demand discussions on nine issues, including fresh revelations on the Adani Group, price rise and caste census, in the upcoming special session, prompting a sharp response from parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi, who accused her of politicising Parliament.

NO FORM OF EXTREMISM IS ACCEPTABLE IN UK, SAYS SUNAK

Allaying India's concerns over activities of proKhalistani elements in the UK, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asserted on Wednesday that no form of extremism is acceptable, adding that the right to hold lawful protest does not extend to violent or threatening behaviour.

G20 nations close to sealing DPI, debt, MDB, crypto pacts

The G20 Summit under the Indian presidency will see leaders endorse close to 10 substantial deliverables on the finance track, including a financial inclusion action plan 2024-26 based on the Indian template of digital public infrastructure (DPI); a \"risk-proof\" global framework for crypto assets; a framework to reform, strengthen and restructure multilateral development banks (MDBs); a country-specific climate assessment and transition plan; and a greater push to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs), two persons familiar with negotiations said.

Fires, Floods And Heatwaves: More Climate Chaos Unfolds

Parts of Greece were inundated on Tuesday while temperatures were expected to soar in the UK and France

The Learnings For India From Its G20 Journey

It is tempting to focus on what hasn't happened during India's G20 presidency.

Axar likely to play only if India need a third spinner

India's ODI World Cup squad, announced by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma in a media interaction on Tuesday, was along expected lines given that only the 18 players part of the extended Asia Cup squad in Sri Lanka were in the fray. Pacer Prasidh Krishna, left-hand batter Tilak Varma and wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson-a reserve for KL Rahul in Sri Lanka have understandably missed out. While Agarkar and Sharma said they are happy with the balance of the 15-member contingent, the composition of the spin attack - Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel - is likely to draw debate in the coming weeks.

Tahir Raj Bhasin's 'exotic' Greek sojourn

Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin, took a break from his busy schedule to embark on a trip to Greece. Calling it a \"phenomenal and exotic\" location, the actor, who recently returned from the country, tells us, \"The country has a mix of ancient architecture and western culture. I went there to attend my college friend's wedding, where I got a chance to witness the customs of a Greek wedding. There is so much similarity between our cultures! Even their celebrations are all about fun, food and dancing.\"

I NEVER RAN AFTER FILM MUSIC: DARSHAN

The musician prefers indie music as the process of making singles is organic, something Bollywood music is largely devoid of

Zverev makes a point against Sinner, sets up Alcaraz battle

Alexander Zverev was in a bit of a shock moments after he beat Jannik Sinner in the US Open fourth round. At the start of his on-court interview, he was told by Brad Gilbert that he had just played his longest-ever match in the tournament. \"Really?\" asked the German with a look of disbelief.

Is the squad strong enough to win it?

Talent and pedigree are there but none of India’s top stars have played together in recent times, and X-factors may play a more crucial role than the team’s core

Average tax return processing time reduced to 10 days: CBDT

The average time taken to process income tax returns after its verification by the tax payer has been reduced to 10 days, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a statement on Tuesday.

Service sector growth slows down in August

Service sector growth, as measured by the Services Purchasing Managers Index, hits 60.1 points in August on increased export business activity, according to the data released by the S&P Global Market Intelligence on Thursday. The slightly lower reading was expected as the July services PMI of 62.3 was the highest since 2010.

Share purchases by foreign-owned firms under Reserve Bank scanner

Banking regulator sends notices asking whether the firms would want to settle

EU to redefine its relations with Africa at G20 summit

The European Union plans(EU) to take advantage of the absence of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin from this week's Group of 20 to reach out to nations of the so-called Global South in a high-level meeting with African leaders on the summit's sidelines.

Simultaneous polls may hurt federalism

State and national polls at the same time can offer national parties a structural advantage, undercutting the space for regional parties

PM focuses on tribals, Cong on vote bank politics: Shah in MP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government focuses on the welfare of tribals, Dalits, the poor and the backward classes unlike the Congress, which indulges in “minority appeasement”, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday as he attacked the opposition party in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

Talks between Maratha quota agitation leader, Maha govt fail

The stalemate over the Maratha quota issue continued on Tuesday after a delegation of Maharashtra government failed to convince Manoj Jarange-Patil, who has been observing a hunger strike since August 29 demanding reservation for the community, to end the protest.

Little breakthrough likely on climate action, hints G20 draft

A leaked draft of the paragraphs on climate change from one of G20 Communique drafts circulating has raised concerns on whether the G20 will provide clear goals on a peaking year for emissions globally; trebling of renewable energy capacity; and phasing down fossil fuels which are critical for meeting Paris Agreement goals.

Voting for key bypolls across six states ends

Voting for key bypolls to seven assembly constituencies across six states concluded amid tight security arrangements on Tuesday. This is the first face-off between the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition's newly formed Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) ahead of assembly elections to five states later this year and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Name row: Cong alleges petty politics; BJP hails 'Amrit Kaal'

A nationwide debate was sparked on Tuesday after a G20 dinner invitation from President Droupadi Murmu described her position as \"President of Bharat\" instead of the customary \"President of India\", with the opposition alleging that the Centre is planning to drop India as the country's name while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserting there is nothing wrong in using Bharat as it is part of the Constitution.

India-Asean summit to focus on maritime security

The leaders of India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will review their relations in areas ranging from maritime security to the digital economy and provide directions for future cooperation at a summit in Indonesia on September 7.

Sonia to write to Modi on Parl session agenda

Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to spell out the government’s agenda in the upcoming special session of Parliament, and informing him about the Opposition’s demand to discuss a raft of issues, leaders aware of the matter said after a meeting of the INDIA group on Tuesday evening.

NC MP files 'allegiance' affidavit after SC nudge

National Conference (NC) parliamentarian Akbar Lone on Tuesday filed a two-paragraph affidavit in the Supreme Court, choosing to refrain from stating that Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of India even as he reiterated his oath as a member of Parliament to preserve and uphold the provisions of the Constitution of India and to protect the territorial integrity of the nation.

Art 370 hearing concludes, apex court reserves verdict

Following a marathon hearing spanning over 16 days, the Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict in a clutch of petitions that have challenged the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and the subsequent restructuring of the state into two Union territories.

Man's finger bitten off over parking fight

POLICE ARE YET TO ARREST THE SUSPECT, ISHWAR SINGH, 65, HIS SON PAWAN KUMAR, 42, AND 21-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON NAVEEN

Dwarka e-way cloverleaf to join NH-48 by end of month

The work to connect the cloverleaf junction on Dwarka Expressway with Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway (NH-48), and the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) near Kherki Daula will be completed by the end of the month, and this will ensure seamless connectivity to commuters across all three roads, confirmed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and highway contractor L&T.

At Summit, secret codes to be used for dignitaries

Visiting dignitaries for the G20 Summit will be referred to by secret codes in accordance with a common practice used in all international summits, Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials aware of matter said on Tuesday, adding that heads of States will be called \"principals\", while their ministers will be known as \"essentials\".

Activists say dogs illegally lifted from across Capital

Animal welfare organisation, People for Animals (PFA), on Tuesday said the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has \"illegally and cruelly\" removed 1,000 community dogs from the city's streets over the past three days, ahead of the G20 Summit.