Latest LIVE: Encounter breaks out in J&K's Shopian, 2 terrorists killed

Congress will hold countrywide protests today to oppose the government's decision to hold NEET 2020, JEE Main exams during the coronavirus pandemic. Stay tuned for LIVE news updates

3:37 AM

India's area under kharif crops hits all-time high of over 108 mn hectares

Sowing of kharif crops touched an all-time high area of 108.22 million hectares during the week ended August 28, raising hopes of a bumper harvest in excess of 149 million tonnes during the season.

 

The last all-time high kharif acreage was in the kharif season of 2016, at 107.57 million hectares. Read more

 

3:34 AM

States' market borrowing set to get costlier; SDL yields rise 24 bps

States will find it costlier to raise money from the bond market, following the Centre’s offer on Thursday. States were told by the Centre to borrow from the market, amid the shortfall in GST revenues. Read more

3:33 AM

Decisive moves defy setbacks as India beats Armenia in chess to enter semis

On August 22, India was playing Mongolia in the online chess Olympiad, a mega event organised by the World Chess Federation (Fide) and hosted at the Chess.com website. The Indians looked to be winning comfortably, when disaster struck.

 

Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and Vidit Gujrathi suffered near simultaneous power outages, with Humpy playing from Vijayawada and Gujrathi from Nashik. Both lost on time, while 30,000 Indian fans watched the debacle helplessly. Read more

3:33 AM

How IndiGo CEO sees aviation shaping up amid worst crisis in history

In 2002-03, when Jet Airways was at its peak but beginning to smell competition, Air Sahara was trying to stabilise its ship and IndiGo was still in embryo stage, the founders of all three airlines — Naresh Goyal, Subrata Roy and, subsequently, Rahul Bhatia — tried to convince Ronojoy Dutta, better known as Rono Dutta, to take over the reins in India. Read more

IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Ronojoy Dutta

3:31 AM

Buying Tata products on super app to fetch benefits, says MD Sunil D'Souza

Tata Consumer Products, whose fare includes salt, tea coffee, spices, foods, and water, was created this year with the merger of Tata Global Beverages and Tata Chemicals and has announced its plans to become a broader FMCG player. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sunil D’Souza tells Pavan Lall that the company, with market cap of Rs 51,000 crore, will use a bolt-on engine to reach “deep rural” markets and sell its products on Tata Group’s new “Super App” and that the goal is to become one of the group’s more important businesses. Read more

3:30 AM

Multiplex chain PVR found guilty of profiteering, but escapes penalty

The goods and services tax (GST) profiteering watchdog has held multiplex chain PVR guilty of not passing on the benefit of lower GST rates to consumers. However, it has decided against imposing any penalty. This is because PVR, Telangana, voluntarily deposited Rs 13.72 lakh along with interest worth Rs 35,800 to the consumer welfare fund, in compliance with the anti-profiteering rules under GST. Read more

11:43 PM

INS Nireekshak, a diving support vessel of Indian Navy, docks at Port Louis

11:43 PM

Retired IAS officer Utpal Kumar Singh appointed as Lok Sabha Secretary

11:38 PM

Barcelona star Messi remains silent after Bartomeu's offer to resign

While the wait to hear from Lionel Messi goes on, Barcelona continues to do everything it can to try to convince him to stay.
 

The club has told Messi that president Josep Bartomeu will resign if that is what it takes to keep the playmaker, but Barcelona said on Friday there was no word yet from Messi on the offer.
 

Bartomeu is willing to step down on the condition that Messi publicly says that the president was the reason for the Argentina star wanting to leave, Barcelona said while confirming reports from Spanish media. Messi on Tuesday expressed his desire to leave by sending Barcelona a burofax — a certified document similar to a telegram — invoking a contract clause that allowed him to depart after the end of the season.
 

Barcelona said the clause expired on June 10 and told Messi it wants him to stay until the end of his contract in June 2021.
 

Without directly accusing Bartomeu, Messi has been outspoken against the club's decisions this season, the team's first without a title since 2007-08.
 

9:58 PM

SC upholds UGC guidelines, says no State, university can promote students in final year without exams

Upholding the UGC guidelines, the Supreme Court on Friday held that no State and University can promote students in the final year/terminal semester without holding the examination, observing performance in such exams are a “reflection of competence” of the students.
 

The court also ruled that the directives by the University Grants Commission(UGC) to universities and colleges to hold final year exams by September 30 was well within its domain.
 

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R S Reddy and M R Shah said if any State/Union Territory in exercise of their jurisdiction under the Disaster Management Act(DMA) has taken a decision that it is not possible to conduct the final year/terminal semester examination by September 30, then they can make an application to the UGC for extending the deadline.
 

The application shall be considered by the UGC and the rescheduled date be communicated to such State/Union Territory at the earliest, it said.
 

It held that the State Governments or State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in exercise of powers under the Disaster Management Act(DMA), 2005 has no jurisdiction to take a decision that the students of final year/terminal students should be promoted on the basis of earlier year assessment and internal assessment.
 

9:57 PM

Waterlogging in several areas after rains in Delhi

Heavy rains in Delhi on Friday led to waterlogging in several parts of the city, according to municipal reports.
 

In north Delhi, waterlogging took place at seven different locations in areas, including Karala, Burari and Prem Nagar.
 

Trees fell at four different locations, according to a monsoon report released by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation.
 

In south Delhi and east Delhi too, waterlogging occurred in several areas.
 

In areas falling under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, water stagnation was recorded at Devli Extension, Nizamuddin West Market, among other places, the SDMC report said.
 

Falling of trees was reported from seven different locations, including Madangir, Maharani Bagh and Saket Court area.

9:57 PM

Manufacturing defect leads Boeing to ground several 787 jets

Boeing has found manufacturing defects on some of its 787 long-range airliners in areas where parts of the fuselage are joined together, the latest setback for the aircraft maker whose 737 Max is still grounded after two deadly crashes.
 

The company said Friday that eight planes must be inspected and repaired before they are allowed to fly, and it contacted the airlines, which removed those planes from service. The airlines were not identified.
 

Boeing Co. said that it discovered “two distinct manufacturing issues” toward the rear of certain 787s that means the planes don't meet design standards. The company said it notified the Federal Aviation Administration and is trying to determine the cause of the problem.
 

The issue was first reported by The Air Current, which said it was the first known instance of a structural problem with the plane's mostly carbon-fiber fuselage causing Boeing to tell airlines to ground 787s.

Photo: Shutterstock

9:56 PM

Turkish lawyer dies on hunger strike demanding fair trial

A human rights lawyer on hunger strike in a Turkish prison to demand a fair trial for herself and colleagues has died, an attorney's group said.
 

Ebru Timtik, 42, died in an Istanbul hospital late Thursday, the Progressive Lawyers' Association said. She had been fasting for 238 days.
 

The lawyer and 17 of her colleagues were accused of links to the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP/C, a militant group designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. She was convicted in March 2019 and sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison.

Her case was under review by an appeals court.
 

Timtik started the hunger strike in February to protest alleged unfair proceedings during the trial, along with another colleague, Aytac Unsal, who is reported to be in a critical condition.
 

9:55 PM

India co-sponsors UN resolution calling for greater participation of women in peacekeeping forces

India, one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, has co-sponsored a Security Council resolution that calls for "full, effective and meaningful participation" of women personnel in peacekeeping operations.
 

India's Permanent Mission to the UN, in a tweet on Friday, said "India is proud to co-sponsor" the resolution which was put forth by Indonesia.
 

"We are proud to co-sponsor the UN Security Council Resolution on ‘women in peacekeeping' that calls for full, effective and meaningful participation of women in peacekeeping operations," the Indian mission said.
 

"In line with the priorities we (India) have set for ourselves, during our tenure in the Security Council beginning 2021, India will continue to push for greater involvement of women in all areas,” the Indian mission said.
 

In June, India was elected non-permanent member of the Security Council for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2021. It will serve as the president of the powerful 15-nation UN body for the month of August, 2021. India will preside over the Council again for a month in 2022.
 

9:55 PM

Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case: Rhea Chakraborty, brother leave from Santa Cruz Police Station

9:54 PM

Court grants 6 days ED remand to suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in a money laundering case

9:04 PM

Sushant Singh Rajput case: Team of Mumbai Police, including women constables, arrives at DRDO guest house

8:56 PM

BJP's 'political epidemic' to be defeated in 2021 polls: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday urged the student community to fight back the BJP's attacks, and vowed to give a "taste of freedom" to the entire country by defeating the saffron party's "political epidemic" in the 2021 Assembly polls in the state.
 

She also slammed the Centre over its decision to conduct JEE and NEET exams in September, and said the Union government's "adamant approach" will add to the COVID-19 woes as examinees may get infected by the virus while travelling to and fro examination centres.

 

8:53 PM

PM Modi to virtually inaugurate College & Administration Buildings in Jhansi, UP tomorrow

8:50 PM

Need to have effective, sensitive security system for all: PM Modi

The emphasis of the government is to have a modern, effective and sensitive security architecture that can inspire a sense of safety among all sections of the society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.
 

He said this in a message on the 50th raising day of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD). The prime minister's message was read during a webinar event held at the Union home ministry in North Block here that was attended by Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy and Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.
 

The BPRD was raised this day in 1970 and it works as a policing think tank under the ministry.

8:35 PM

Pakistan violates ceasefire along Line of Control in Mendhar sector of Poonch district

8:34 PM

Govt to appoint secretary-rank officer to head National Recruitment Agency

The Centre will appoint a secretary-rank officer as the chairman of the National Recruitment Agency (NRA), which will conduct online Common Eligibility Test to shortlist candidates for majority of central government jobs, a Personnel Ministry order said on Friday.
 

Besides the chairman, the NRA will have eight members -- a secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) or his representatives, representatives of the Ministry of Railways and the Department of Financial Services, chairmen of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), and two experts from the field of academics, it said.
 

It will also have a Secretary and Controller of Examinations and the post will be held by an officer at the level of joint secretary to the government of India. The officer will be appointed on deputation basis, the order said.

 

8:11 PM

Pandemic at its peak, don't hold NEET, JEE exams: Chhattisgarh CM

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday strongly opposed the Centre's decision to hold NEET and JEE entrance exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

He said it was not appropriate to conduct examinations when the pandemic is at its peak in the country.
 

Various opposition parties, including the Congress, have demanded that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) be deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and floods in parts of the country, even as the Union government has made it clear that they will be held as per schedule with due precautions.

7:59 PM

River Mahanadi at Kalma, River Kharun in Raipur are flowing in extreme flood situation

7:47 PM

Heavy rains lash parts of MP, red alert issued for 6 districts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a red alert of extremely heavy rainfall for six districts of Madhya Pradesh amid incessant downpour that lashed large parts of the state.
 

Narsinghpur district received 353 mm rainfall in the last 33 hours ending 5.30 pm, the MeT department said.
 

Chhindwara and Betul received 95 mm and 75 mm rainfall, respectively, from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, said meteorologist S N Sahu of the IMD's Bhopal office.

7:45 PM

Padma awards nominations open till September 15: MHA

The Union Home Ministry on Friday said the process of online nominations for the 2021 Padma awards, recognising distinguished and exceptional achievements and service in various disciplines, will be available till September 15.
 

The nominations or recommendations for the Padma awards will be received online only on the portal https://padmaawards.gov.in, a home ministry statement said.

7:30 PM

25k people will get direct employment opportunities in J-K as 3 bamboo clusters coming up: Singh

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday said 25,000 people will get direct employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir as three bamboo clusters will be developed in Jammu, Katra and Samba for making bamboo baskets, incense sticks and charcoal.
 

Singh, the Union minister for PMO and Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER), also said that a mega bamboo industrial park near Jammu and a bamboo technology training centre in the region will come up within two years of the allotment of land by the Jammu administration.

7:14 PM

CISF launches mobile app for its pensioners

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Friday launched a mobile application for its pensioners as part of an e-office initiative introduced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.
 

"The pensioners corner app will be available in both web and Android platforms with the facility for pensioners to access their data on the move."


"The new app will also have an SMS invitation system for the pensioners on important events happening at their nearest CISF unit," an spokesperson for the force said.

7:03 PM

India placed 72nd on global list with average monthly wage of Rs 32,800: Report

India has been ranked a lowly 72nd among 106 countries in terms of the average wage per month, while Switzerland topped the chart, according to a global ranking of average wages prepared by Picodi.com.
 

With an average monthly wage of Rs 32,800 (USD 437), India has been ranked a lowly 72nd among 106 countries surveyed by Picodi.com, an international e-commerce platform which provides discount coupons.
 

Switzerland, where the average wage converted into rupees amounts to Rs 4,49,000 (USD 5,989), topped the ranking, while in Cuba the average wage is the lowest at Rs 2,700 (USD 36), it said.

6:53 PM

Out of 4 terrorists killed, one was a special police officer who fled with AK-47: Kashmir police IG