News updates: Cabinet approves Unified Pension Scheme, says will benefit 2.3 mn central employees

Latest news updates: From Dhawan's retirement to PM Modi's Ukraine visit updates, catch all the news developments from around the world here

9:23 PM

Zelenskiy says Kursk operation is going according to plan

Ukraine’s operation across the border into Russia’s Kursk region is going to plan, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said at a press briefing. 
 

The incursion, which started in early August, was done to protect Ukraine’s northeast Sumy region and also to capture Russian soldiers who could be used for prisoner swaps, Ukraine’s leader said at a press briefing. The first swap involving those Kursk POWs took place on Saturday. 

 

At an event that marked Ukrainian Independence Day, Zelenskiy reiterated that he wants to restore the nation’s territorial integrity. 

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally annexed four Ukrainian regions 2022, months after launching a full-scale invasion. Kremlin forces don’t fully control any of those areas. Russia illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.      

9:20 PM

Sexual offenders should be castrated, says Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Amid the outrage over the Badlapur sexual assault incident, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday said those guilty of offences against women should be castrated.

 

He was speaking at an official program about the Mahayuti government's flagship 'Ladki Bahin' scheme for women at Yavatmal in eastern Maharashtra.

 

The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government in the state would not spare anyone accused of offences against women, whoever the person may be, and a bill providing for a more stringent punishment in such offences has been forwarded to the President for the assent, he said.

 

"I personally feel that when such perverts lay hand on our mothers-sisters, our daughters, they should face such a legal punishment that they should not think of (repeating the offence) again. To put it in my language, such persons' private organ should be removed....Some people are so vile, that this must be done," Pawar said.

9:06 PM

Israeli airstrikes kill dozens in Gaza ahead of high-level cease-fire talks in Egypt

Multiple Israeli airstrikes killed at least three dozen Palestinians in southern Gaza, health workers said Saturday, as officials including a Hamas delegation gathered for high-level cease-fire talks in neighboring Egypt.

 

Among the dead were 11 members of a family, including two children, after an airstrike hit their home in Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital, which received a total of 33 bodies from three strikes in and around the city that also hit tuk-tuks and passersby.

 

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said it received three bodies from another strike.

 

The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports.

8:21 PM

Cabinet approves Vigyan Dhara scheme

The Union Cabinet on Saturday approved the continuation of three umbrella schemes of the Department of Science and Technology, merged into a unified central sector scheme called 'Vigyan Dhara'.

 

The proposed outlay for Vigyan Dhara is Rs 10,579 crore during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters.

 

The scheme has three broad components -- science and technology institutional and human capacity building; research and development; and innovation, technology development and deployment.

7:51 PM

Union Cabinet approves Unified Pension Scheme, says will benefit 2.3 million central employees.

7:13 PM

Naxal violence is challenge to democracy: Shah

Naxal violence is challenge to democracy, says Amit Shah after a meeting on Maoist menace in Raipur in Chhattisgarh. "Total of 17,000 people lost lives in country due to Naxal violence so far," he said.

7:07 PM

We will be able to free the country from left wing extremism by March 2026: Shah

We believe we will be able to free the country from left wing extremism by March 2026: Home Minister Amit Shah.

7:05 PM

Assam has zero-tolerance policy in dealing with crimes against women: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday asserted that his government has a policy of zero-tolerance in dealing with crimes against women and drastic action is taken against the culprits in such cases.

 

He also said the state's police force is setting an example with its prompt action in cases of crimes against women.

 

When an incident (like rape) happens in Assam, police take quick action. No compromise is made. When it comes to matters of crimes against women, we have a zero-tolerance policy, Sarma told reporters.

 

Referring to the gangrape of a 14-year-old girl in Dhing, the main accused in which died while purportedly trying to escape from police custody, Sarma said, The incident happened two days back. The police arrested the accused, he tried to escape by jumping into water and died in the process.

6:55 PM

Strong, ruthless strategy required for launching last assault against Naxals: Shah

Strong, ruthless strategy required for launching last assault against Naxals, says Home Minister Amit Shah in Raipur. 

6:40 PM

Gujarat CM slams Congress' alliance with National Conference for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has criticised Congress party's alliance with the National Conference ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir elections, accusing them of prioritising power over national unity and security. Patel questioned Congress' intentions, suggesting that by partnering with the National Conference, they are supporting the party's manifesto promises, including the controversial demand for a separate flag in Jammu and Kashmir.

6:29 PM

90% people not a part of the system, says LoP Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Saturday said that 90% of the people are not a part of the system. They have the required skill, talent but they are not connected with the system. That's why we are demanding for a caste census. BJP leaders are saying that an OBC section will be given after caste census...We want the list of different communities.

5:07 PM

PM Modi set to visit Maharashtra, Rajasthan on August 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jalgaon in Maharashtra on Sunday to felicitate 11 lakh new 'Lakhpati Didis' who achieved the mark during the third term of his government. A statement on Saturday said Modi would also release a revolving fund of Rs 2,500 crore that would benefit about 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh self-help groups (SHGs).

4:38 PM

22 workers injured in boiler explosion at steel unit in Maharashtra

As many as 22 workers were injured in a boiler explosion at a steel factory in MIDC area in Jalna city of Maharashtra on Saturday, police said. The condition of three workers is critical, said Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Bansal. The explosion at Gaj Kesari Steel Mill, which occurred around noon, resulted in molten iron falling on workers, he said.

4:03 PM

Delhi Police issues advisory for traffic arrangements at Laxmi Narayan Mandir

Delhi Police on Saturday issued an advisory for traffic arrangements at Laxmi Narayan Mandir on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami on August 26. Entry to the main temple will be from Mandir Marg which can be approached either from Kali Bari Marg side or Peshwa Road, the advisory said. Hand bags, briefcases, parcels, food packets, cameras, mobile phones and other battery-operated equipment are not permitted

2:48 PM

Tripura floods: Victims moved to government relief camps

Because of the ongoing torrential rainfall, flood victims were moved to the government relief camps in Agartala on Saturday to ensure they get the necessary facilities and be safe from the disaster. The rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in a Friday evening operation, evacuated 125 people, from various flood-affected parts of Tripura.

1:59 PM

PM Modi arrives in Delhi after concluding his two-nation visit to Poland, Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Palam airport in Delhi on Saturday after concluding his two-nation visit to Poland and Ukraine. PM Modi's visit to Poland was the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 45 years. It was also the first Prime Ministerial visit from India to Ukraine, where the Prime Minister showed his concern and said that India sides with peace.

1:32 PM

SJTA urges ASI to start inspection, repair of Lord Jagannath's Ratna Bhandar in Puri

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Saturday wrote a letter to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to start the inspection work of the 'Ratna Bhandar' of the 12th-century shrine in Puri before undertaking repair and renovation of the Lord's treasury. With both the inner and outer chambers of the treasury empty, the SJTA feels that the inspection works are required amid apprehensions about the presence of some secret tunnels or chambers inside the Ratna Bhandar.

1:14 PM

Autopsy underway for 27 Indian nationals killed in Nepal bus accident

Post-mortem of the 27 Indian pilgrims who were killed in the tragic bus accident in Nepal was underway in a hospital in the Bagmati province on Saturday, a senior official said, ahead of the transportation of the bodies to Maharashtra. At least 27 Indian pilgrims, all from Maharashtra, who were in Nepal for a 10-day tour, were killed and 16 others injured after their bus veered off the highway and fell into a fast-flowing river in central Nepal on Friday.

1:01 PM

PE teacher, seven others held for sexual harassment of 12 yr- girl in Pimpri Chinchwad

A physical education teacher and seven others have been arrested in connection with the sexual harassment of a 12-year-old girl student at a private school in Pimpri Chinchwad in Pune, police said. Based on a complaint lodged by the girl's parents at Nigdi police station, the police arrested the accused on Friday, an official said. The teacher was previously jailed on the charges of molestation, but the school reinstated him after his release.

12:36 PM

Doctor rape-murder: Polygraph test on prime accused, 6 others begins

The lie detection tests on the main accused and six others in the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital started today. The polygraph test on the main accused, Sanjay Roy, will be conducted in the prison, where he is lodged, while the remaining six, including former principal Sandip Ghosh and four doctors who were on duty during the night of the incident and a civil volunteer, will undergo test at the agency's office, the officials said.

12:20 PM

Kolkata rape-murder : SIT submits documents linked to RG Kar financial irregularities to CBI

All documents about the alleged financial irregularities in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) police said on Saturday. According to Kolkata Police, the documents have been handed over to the investigating agency by the SIT on the orders of the court. Meanwhile, the former principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, appeared today at the CBI Special Crime Branch office at the Central Government Offices Complex (CGO) complex, Salt Lake, in Kolkata.

12:10 PM

J&K polls: EC sets up 24 polling stations for Kashmiri migrants in Jammu, Udhampur, Delhi

The Election Commission (EC) has set up 24 special polling stations in Jammu, Udhampur and New Delhi to facilitate voting by Kashmiri migrants in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. People who were displaced from the Kashmir Valley and are residing in Jammu and Udhampur will not have to fill Form-M, as was done in the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Jammu and Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole said in a statement issued on Friday.

11:50 AM

Tripura floods: NDRF evacuates 125 people; IAF air-drops over 4000 food packets

The rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in a Friday evening operation, evacuated 125 people, from various flood-affected parts of Tripura. Eleven teams of the NDRF have been deployed to carry out rescue and relief operations across Tripura. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force said on August 24 that its helicopters air-dropped over 4,000 food packets to stranded locals in disaster-struck areas.

11:31 AM

SIT files chargesheet against JD(S) MLA HD Revanna, his son former MP Prajwal

Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Criminal Investigation Department has filed a chargesheet against former MP Prajwal Revanna for rape and his father and MLA H D Revanna for sexual harassment. The SIT is probing four cases against Prajwal, and said the over 2,000-page charge sheet comprises the statements of about 150 witnesses. The charge sheet, submitted in a special court for public representatives, pertains to one of the cases involving alleged sexual assault on a domestic help of the family.

11:20 AM

Kolkata rape-murder: CCTV footage shows accused at crime location

In a recent CCTV footage, Kolkata doctor's rape murder accused Sanjay Roy can be seen coming out of the Seminar hall, where the crime took place. The avctivities and movements seen in the footage further increase the suspicions on the accused.

11:08 AM

Relief from heat after rains return to Mumbai, more showers likely says weather dept

Rains returned to Mumbai on Saturday after a break, giving much-needed respite from the sweltering heat in the metropolis, with the weather department forecasting more showers over the next few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Santacruz received 59 mm of rainfall, while the Colaba observatory recorded 14 mm. Rising temperatures and humidity in the absence of rains had inconvenienced citizens over the past few days.

10:46 AM

Girl runs from home after getting scolded for not attending school in Thane district

A 13-year-old girl from Maharashtra's Thane district ran away from home after she was scolded by her mother and elder brother for not attending school, an official said on Saturday. The incident took place at about 10 pm on August 21, said the official from Manpada police station in Dombivli.

10:25 AM

Nepal bus accident: Autopsy underway of 27 Indian nationals killed

Post-mortem of the 27 Indian pilgrims who were killed in the tragic bus accident in Nepal's Tanahun was underway in a hospital in the Bagmati province on Saturday, ahead of the transportation of the bodies to Maharashtra, a media report said. At least 27 Indian pilgrims, all from Maharashtra, who were in Nepal for a 10-day tour, were killed and 16 others injured after their bus veered off the highway and fell into a fast-flowing river in central Nepal on Friday. 

10:13 AM

Wayanad landslides an instance of nature reacting to human apathy, greed, observes Kerala HC

The landslides that hit Wayanad district in Kerala claiming over 200 lives was just another instance of nature reacting to human "apathy and greed", the High Court here has said.

The court said that the "warning signs" had appeared a long time ago but "we chose to ignore them in pursuit of a development agenda that would supposedly put our state on the high road to economic prosperity".

10:00 AM

Taxi operators' to continue their protest in Goa through weekend

Protesting tourist taxi operators attached to the Manohar International Airport at Mopa in North Goa have decided to continue their agitation, despite an assurance from CM Pramod Sawant for a high-level meeting with them on Monday. The tourist taxi operators, protesting since Thursday, have pressed for six demands, including stoppage of illegalities in the transportation business and the withdrawal of the counter of app-based cab aggregator Goa Miles at the airport.