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.

India and Ukraine on Friday inked four agreements following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The agreements would provide for cooperation in areas of agriculture, food industry, medicine, culture and humanitarian assistance, officials said.

Patients received major relief after most of the doctors' associations called off their strike owing to the SC appeal. The protests by resident doctors at government hospitals in several states across the country ended on Thursday on the 11th day, being done over the rape-murder of a trainee medic in Kolkata. Supreme Court also asked the Centre to ensure safety of the resident doctors. However, in West Bengal, the epicentre of the strikes, healthcare services remained affected at state-run hospitals. Junior doctors continued their ceasework for the 14th day straight. Agitating doctors said they will review the apex court's directions on Friday and then take a decision.

Vice President Harris sought to redefine herself for America. She also drew a sharp contrast with Republican Donald Trump on final day of DNC as she accepted the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential nomination. Kamala Harris could be the first 'woman elected president' if she wins the US Presidential elections. She emerged as the Democratic candidate little more than a month ago when allies of President Joe Biden forced him to quit the race.

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Topics :Narendra Modi Kamala Harris Ukraine Russia Ukraine Conflict Donald Trump Kolkata doctors protests All India doctors strike Supreme Court

First Published: Aug 23 2024 | 9:05 AM IST

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

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Key Events

Rajnath Singh meets Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in US