News Highlights: India ever ready to play active role in peace efforts, Modi assures Zelenskyy

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10:58 PM

Rajnath Singh meets Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in US

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday met US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to review and further deepen the existing defence cooperation activities between the two countries. "Excellent meeting with my dear friend @SecDef Lloyd Austin. We reviewed the existing defence cooperation activities and discussed ways to deepen it further. The signing of Security of Supply Arrangements and the agreement for positioning of Indian officers at key US commands are pathbreaking developments," Singh said in a post on X.

10:46 PM

Odisha will spend Rs 7,830 cr per year on social security pensions: Minister

The Odisha government will spend Rs 7,830.08 crore every year on social security pensions to widows, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, Minister Nityananda Gond informed the assembly on Friday. Gond, the minister of social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities, said in reply to a question in the assembly that the government was now providing such pensions under two schemes -- National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Madhu Babu Pension Yojna (MBPY).

10:15 PM

E-tailers breaching FDI norms, consumers should think who benefits from their purchases: Goyal

Continuing to voice concerns over e-commerce players like Amazon, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday alleged that online retailers have not "entirely" followed foreign direct investment laws of the country. Adding a new dimension to the debate, the minister said consumers should "think" about who benefits from their purchases and take lessons from the debate he has started.

10:01 PM

Doctor rape-murder: We have faith in CBI investigation, says victim's parents

The parents of the woman doctor, who was allegedly raped and murdered inside a state-run hospital in Kolkata earlier this month, on Friday voiced their confidence in the ongoing CBI inquiry. They also said they may join the demonstration of students of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, where their daughter's body was found on August 9.

8:49 PM

India ever ready to play active role in peace efforts, Modi assures Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that both Ukraine and Russia should sit together without wasting time to find ways to end the ongoing war and that India was on the side of peace since the beginning of the conflict. In his talks with Zelenskyy in Kyiv that took place under the shadow of the raging war, Modi said India is ever ready to play an "active role" in every effort to restore peace in Ukraine and he would even like to contribute personally in ending the conflict.

8:27 PM

DGCA imposes Rs 90 lakh fine on Air India, suspends director of training for 6 months

Aviation watchdog DGCA has imposed a penalty of Rs 90 lakh on Tata Group-owned Air India and has also suspended the airline's director of training for six months in connection with a flight that was operated with non-qualified pilots. Besides, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has slapped fines of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh on Air India's Director of Operations Pankul Mathur and Director of Training Manish Vasavada for the lapse.

8:06 PM

NHRC issues notices to Andhra officials over food poisoning incidents

The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of two reported incidents of food poisoning in Andhra Pradesh that caused serious health complications among students and orphans. The alleged incidents, which occurred at Chittoor Apollo Health University and an orphanage in Anakapalli district, have drawn national attention due to the severity of their impact.

7:45 PM

CAG report flags flaws in financial practices of Gujarat govT

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pointed towards several flaws in financial practices of the Gujarat government and suggested formation of 'State Finance Commissions' and adoption of a control mechanism to enforce proper implementation and monitoring of the state budget. The 'State Finances Audit Report of the CAG for the year ended March 31, 2023' was tabled in the Gujarat assembly on Friday, the last day of the three-day long monsoon session.

7:35 PM

Upside risks to inflation diminished, downside risks to employment increased: Powell

"The time has come for policy to adjust. The direction of travel is clear, and the timing and pace of rate cuts will depend on incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks.", said Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve of United States at Jackson Hole.

6:50 PM

CBI justifies in SC Kejriwal's arrest in excise policy case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday defended in the Supreme Court the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying it was necessary as he chose to remain evasive and non-cooperative in his replies to questions about his role in the alleged excise policy scam. In its detailed affidavit filed in response to Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the central agency, the CBI said it arrested the AAP leader only after examining him on June 25, 2024.

6:18 PM

India should retain headline inflation as target, external rate panel members say

Headline inflation impacts Indians directly and should be retained as the target for monetary policy rather than switching to core inflation, external members of the central bank's rate panel told Reuters.

5:55 PM

Countless questions waiting for BJP in UP: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav posed around two dozen questions for the BJP on Friday, saying people across Uttar Pradesh are waiting for the ruling party with these queries.

5:49 PM

India bans 156 commonly used combination drugs citing possible risks to humans

5:40 PM

PM Modi called for practical engagement to develop solutions that will contribute towards peace: Jaishankar

Much of discussions between PM Modi and President Zelenskyy was with regard to the war in Ukraine, said External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. He added, "At various points of time, India had taken public positions cautioning against danger of escalation."  

5:39 PM

Himachal to launch new flight routes connecting Chandigarh

In a bid to further boost tourism in the state, the Himachal Pradesh government is set to introduce new flight routes connecting Chandigarh, Kullu and Dharamsala, officials said on Friday. According to the officials, the government is already in discussions with airlines and other stakeholders to launch flights in these routes.

5:31 PM

Calcutta HC transfers RG Kar hospital financial irregularities probe to CBI

The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered the transfer of the probe into the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

5:29 PM

India ready to make 'proactive contributions' to help end Ukraine conflict, Modi says

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday that New Delhi had not been neutral or an indifferent bystander during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and was always on the side of peace.

5:28 PM

GSTN organising GST Analytics Hackathon to drive innovation in tax compliance

Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) is organising a 'GST Analytics Hackathon' to drive innovation in tax compliance through predictive analytics. The challenge invites Indian students, researchers, and professionals from startups and companies to develop a predictive model for GST analytics framework, a finance ministry statement said.

5:18 PM

Obtained sanction to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal, CBI tells court

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday informed a Delhi court it has obtained sanction to prosecute Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak in a corruption case related to the alleged excise scam. The submission was made before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who posted the matter for hearing on August 27.

5:11 PM

SBI able to support loan growth, lower deposit growth not a challenge: Khara

Amid concerns over the continuing gap between deposit and loan growth, SBI Chairman Dinesh Khara on Friday said it is not posing any challenges for the country's largest lender as it is able to support the uptick in advances. The bank is unwinding a part of its excess investments in government securities to arrange the required resources to support the loan growth, Khara told reporters here.

5:02 PM

Foxconn infuses Rs 1,200 crore in Karnataka unit

Electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn has infused about Rs 1,200 crore -- approximately $144 million -- into its Karnataka-based Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India Mega Development Pvt Ltd, the company said in a recent regulatory filing. The iPhone contract manufacturer's Singapore-based arm Foxconn Singapore Pte has bought over 120.35 crore stocks of Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India Mega Development Pvt Ltd at Rs 10 per share on August 21.

4:44 PM

None from NCP (SP) keen on being projected as CM face, seat-share talks on Aug 27: Pawar

Amid Shiv Sena (UBT)'s push for the opposition MVA to declare its chief ministerial candidate in Maharashtra, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Friday insisted no one from his party was interested in getting projected for the top post and instead they were focused on effecting a change of government in the poll-bound state.

4:43 PM

PM Modi highlights Gandhi's message of peace ahead of talks with Zelenskyy in Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underscored the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's eternal message of peace in building a harmonious society, as he paid floral tribute to the statue of the iconic Indian leader here in war-torn Ukraine. Modi arrived here earlier in the day after a nearly seven-hour trip from Poland to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid Kyiv's fresh military offensive into Russian territory. Modi paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's statue in ‘Oasis of Peace' park in Kyiv.

4:29 PM

Bikaji Foods International acquires majority stake in Ariba Foods

Snacks manufacturer Bikaji Foods International on Friday said it has acquired majority stake in Ujjain-based Ariba Foods, which specialises in snacks and frozen foods. Bikaji Foods International has acquired a 55 per cent equity stake in the company totalling Rs 60.49 crore, which will help Bikaji to enhance its frozen food production capabilities and expand its market presence, according to a joint statement.

4:27 PM

Tripura has enough food stock despite flood: Minister

Tripura has adequate stock of food items and fuel despite severe flooding in the northeastern state, a minister said on Friday. At least 22 people have died due to landslides and flood-related incidents since Monday and over 65,000 people have been displaced.

4:19 PM

HC restrains political parties or individuals from calling for Maharashtra bandh

The Bombay High Court on Friday restrained political parties or even individuals from calling for a Maharashtra bandh. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has called for a shut-down across the state on August 24 to protest against the alleged sexual assault of two kindergarten girls at a school in Badlapur in Thane district..

4:18 PM

14 people killed, 16 injured as Indian-registered bus plunges into river in Nepal

At least 14 people were killed and 16 others injured after an Indian tourist bus veered off the highway and fell 150 metres into the fast-flowing Marsyangdi River in central Nepal on Friday, authorities said.

4:16 PM

Jay Shah poised to succeed Greg Barclay as ICC Chair, backed by multiple cricket boards

4:14 PM

15-year-old boy drowns in waterlogged road in central Delhi

A 15-year-old boy drowned in a waterlogged road near The British School in central Delhi's Chanakya Puri area following heavy rain in parts of city on Friday, officials said. The deceased, Sourabh, lived with his family at the Vivekanand Camp in the same area, the police said. According to the police, Sourabh and some of his friends were playing in the rain on the waterlogged road near the British School when he accidently ventured into deep water and drowned.

4:03 PM

Sebi asks CAs to be 'extra careful' while auditing listed SMEs

Sebi's whole-time member Ashwani Bhatia on Friday asked chartered accountants to be more diligent while auditing companies listed on the SME exchange platforms. Addressing an industry event of CAs, Bhatia said it is important to look at the listed SMEs (Small and medium-sized enterprises) in a more careful way because the same companies will grow to be a part of the main board in the future.