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4:51 PM

LM successfully underwent a deboosting operation that reduced its orbit to 113 km x 157 km

3:52 PM

ETS sets up its first test centre in Kashmir for TOEFL & GRE exams

US-based Educational Testing Service (ETS) on Friday said it has established its first test centre in Kashmir to help students of the valley write TOEFL and GRE exams without having to travel outside.

 

ETS is the world's largest non-profit educational assessment, research, and measurement organisation, and the owner of assessments such as TOEFL and GRE.

 

The test centre will come up at Hashtag Educational Services at Regal Chowk here -- offering easy accessibility to the test takers.

 

"This historic development promises to be a game-changer for study abroad aspirants in the region," the firm said.

 

This is the first time a global assessment organisation has set up a dedicated testing facility in the region, thereby addressing a significant need of local students aspiring to pursue international higher education, the company said.

3:51 PM

The Moon as seen by Lander Position Detection Camera (LPDC) onboard Chandrayaan-3 on 15th August

3:49 PM

PM Modi's video address at the G20 Health Ministers' Meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

2:50 PM

Cong demands white from govt over Chinese national allegedly duping 1200 people in Gujarat

The Congress on Friday targeted the BJP-led Centre over an alleged scam involving a Chinese national and demanded the government come out with a white paper on the allegations that he "duped" 1,200 people in Gujarat of Rs 1,400 crore using a betting app.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged the government is using probe agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to target Opposition leaders but not against Chinese scamsters who "loot" Indians and flee the country.

2:39 PM

RBI allows infra debt funds to raise money via foreign loan route

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said it has allowed infrastructure debt fund non-banking financial companies (IDF-NBFC) to raise funds through foreign loan route in addition to bond issuances.

The RBI reviewed and has revised the guidelines to harmonise the regulations governing financing of the infrastructure sector, it said in a circular.

2:22 PM

Delhi mayor flags off Terminator Train to check spread of mosquito breeding

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi on Friday flagged off a 'Terminator Train' that will spray larvicide along railway tracks here to check mosquito breeding.

Nearly 350 dengue cases have been reported in Delhi this year till the first week of August.

2:02 PM

More than 70 delegates from different countries participating in G20 Health Ministers' meeting

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that more than 70 delegates from different countries are participating in the G20 Health Ministers' meeting and side event in Gandhinagar here.

The three-day G20 Health Ministers' meeting under G20 India Presidency will culminate on August 19.

2:02 PM

More than 70 delegates from different countries participating in G20 Health Ministers' meeting

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that more than 70 delegates from different countries are participating in the G20 Health Ministers' meeting and side event in Gandhinagar here.

The three-day G20 Health Ministers' meeting under G20 India Presidency will culminate on August 19.

1:49 PM

CAPFs' plantation drive clocks 40 mn mark as Amit Shah plants sapling

The Central Armed Police Forces' countrywide plantation drive reached the fourty million mark on Friday as Union Home Minister Amit Shah planted a sapling here.

Shah watered the 'peepal' (Ficus religiosa) tree after putting some soil on the sapling.

1:35 PM

Continuing attacks on fishermen by SL means Modi regime is 'weak': Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday said the continued attacks on Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy shows the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "weak".
 

Chairing a fishermen's welfare conference here, he reiterated that retrieval of Katchatheevu, an island ceded to Sri Lanka by way of mutual agreements in 1974, was the permanent solution for the plaguing fishermen issue.

12:51 PM

Develop every village, tehsil to make India developed by 2047: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged BJP's 'Zila Panchayat' members to work to make various development initiatives a mass movement, asserting that "lamp of development has to be lit up in every village, tehsil and district to make India a developed country" by 2047.

Addressing virtually a "Kshetriya Panchayati Raj Parishad" of local body members drawn from several states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, he said 'sabka saath, sabka vikas' is not merely a slogan for the BJP and they should live it every moment.

12:40 PM

Two LeT militant associates arrested in J-K's Baramulla on Friday

Two militant associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were arrested in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir and two grenades and eight pistol rounds were recovered from their possession, police said on Friday.

At a joint checkpoint established at Sher Colony Tarzoo in Sopore area of the north Kashmir district, security forces intercepted two persons who on seeing the joint party tried to flee, but were apprehended, a police spokesman said.

 

12:24 PM

More than 300 films, shows shot in J-K after launch of new film policy: J-K LG

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said over 300 movies and serials have been shot here after the administration launched the new film policy.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating the first-day shoot of upcoming TV serial "Pashmina", Sinha said the union territory is re-emerging as a favourite destination for film shootings.

12:10 PM

Pak to seek friendship with all and enmity with none: Caretaker FM Jilani

Pakistan's newly appointed caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has said he would pursue close relationships with all major powers including the US and China, seek better ties with India and further enhance cooperation with the Gulf region.
 

Soon after taking oath as the caretaker foreign minister on Thursday, the 68-year-old veteran diplomat said he would continue to follow a foreign policy evolved through national consensus.

11:51 AM

Chandrayaan-3: In another step closer to moon, 'Vikram' lander to be deboosted today

Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander is set to undergo a crucial deboosting manoeuvre on Friday after successfully getting separated from the propulsion module a day before.

The deboosting manoeuvre is scheduled today at around 1600 IST.

 

11:31 AM

NIA raids 8 locations in J-K terror conspiracy hatched to target minorities

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday conducted raids at eight locations in Jammu and Kashmir pertaining to a case of criminal conspiracy to carry out terrorist and subversive activities hatched by cadres of various proscribed organizations and their affiliates.

According to the case, the terror outfits used the cyber-space to target minorities, security personnel and spread communal disharmony in Jammu and Kashmir.

11:02 AM

Pakistan appoints separatist Kashmir leader Yasin Malik's wife as special advisor to caretaker PM

Pakistan has appointed Mushaal Hussain Malik, wife of the jailed Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik, as a special advisor to the country's newly appointed caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.

Her name was included in the five Special Advisor to Prime Minister (SAPM) list unveiled late on Thursday night after President Arif Alvi administered an oath to the 19-member caretaker Cabinet at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the presidential house.

10:47 AM

Maui's emergency services chief resigns amid criticism for no fire sirens

The head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency resigned abruptly Thursday, a day after saying he had no regret about not using sirens to warn residents of wildfires that devastated the historic seaside community of Lahaina and killed at least 111 people.

 

That decision from the agency directed by Administrator Herman Andaya, coupled with water shortages that hampered firefighters and an escape route that became clogged with vehicles, has brought intense criticism from many residents. The lack of sirens has emerged as a potential misstep, and The Associated Press reported that it was part of a series of communication issues that added to the chaos.

10:35 AM

China's Xi calls for measures to mitigate disastrous flooding amid economic slowdown

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for measures to mitigate the effects of this year's disastrous flooding which has left scores dead and inflicted massive damage on crops, homes and infrastructure, including in and around Beijing.

At least 90 rivers have risen above warning levels and 24 have already overflowed their banks, according to state media, threatening a vast area in northeastern China with flooding, including the Songliao Basin north of the capital, which encompasses more than 1.2 million square kilometres (482,200 square miles) with a population of almost 100 million.

10:19 AM

Karnataka: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates India's first 3D-printed post office

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday inaugurated India's first post office constructed using 3D printing technology!

The inauguration of the 1100 square feet post office was held in Bengaluru's Cambridge Layout near Ulsoor Bazaar.

10:01 AM

Uttarakhand Rains: Heavy rainfall disrupts normal life, water enters houses

Heavy rains disrupted normal life in the Kaluwala area of Dehradun in the early hours of Friday. The rainwater entered the houses and caused waterlogging on the streets, officials said.

According to State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), information was received from the Disaster Control Room that incessant rainfall created major waterlogging in the streets and that rainwater has also entered people's homes in Dehradun's Kaluwala area, disrupting daily life.

9:39 AM

NDRF continues search and rescue in Shimla's landslide-hit Summer Hill

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams continue search and rescue operations on Friday at the landslide-affected Summer Hill area of Shimla on August 14.

Earlier, NDRF on Thursday said that a total of 13 bodies, among 21 people who went missing after a massive landslide, have been recovered.

9:19 AM

Trump lawyers seek Apr 2026 trial date in federal election subversion case

Lawyers for Donald Trump asked a federal judge in Washington to push back until years after the election a trial in Washington on charges that the former president conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

The suggested April 2026 date is a dramatic counter to the Justice Department's recommendation last week that the trial should begin Jan. 2, 2024. The question is ultimately up to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is expected to set at least a tentative trial date during an Aug. 28 court hearing.

9:05 AM

KTR announces 2BHK houses for underprivileged living on River Musi banks

In a significant move towards social welfare and urban development, the Telangana government announced its initiative to provide double-bedroom houses to underprivileged families residing alongside the Musi River.

According to the official press release, the decision was made after MLAs from the city appealed to the state government to address the challenges of people living along the river bank, particularly concerning the flooding during monsoon season.

8:59 AM

5 killed after part of well collapses in J'khand, death toll still unknown

Five people died after a portion of a well caved in at a village in Jharkhand's Ranchi district on Thursday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said. However, NDRF officials said the toll is still unknown as the rescue operation is underway.

 

The incident took place in Piska village, around 70 km from state capital Ranchi. "My heart is pained by the sad news of the death of five people in a well in Piska village May God grant peace to the departed souls, and give strength to the bereaved family members to bear this difficult hour of grief," Soren posted on X (formerly Twitter).

8:58 AM

Brazilian hacker claims Bolsonaro asked him to hack into the voting system

A Brazilian hacker claimed at a Congressional hearing on Thursday that former President Jair Bolsonaro wanted him to hack into the country's electronic voting system to expose its alleged weaknesses ahead of the 2022 presidential election.

 

Walter Delgatti Neto did not provide any evidence for his claim to the parliamentary commission of inquiry. But his detailed testimony raises new allegations against the former far-right leader, investigated for his role in the Jan. 8 riots in the capital city of Brasilia.

8:57 AM

Rahul's visit to Ladakh extended till Aug 25, to celebrate Rajiv's birthday

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Ladakh tour has been extended till August 25, party sources said on Thursday. According to the party sources, Rahul will celebrate his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's birthday on August 20 at Pangong Lake.

 

This is Rahul's first visit to Ladakh since Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories, Ladakh and J-K, following the removal of Article 370 and 35 (A) on August 5, 2019.