3:42 PMIndian nationals continue to be the top nationality granted ‘Worker’ visas: British High Commission
For student visas, there were 127,731 grants to main applicant Indian nationals in the year ending September 2022, an increase of 93,470 (+273%) compared to 2019 (34,261), said British High Commission, New Delhi. Indian nationals also continue to be the top nationality granted ‘Worker’ visas, accounting for 39% of the total with 56,042 visas issued. An increase by 26,490 (+90%) as compared to 2019 (29,552), British High Commission added.
3:41 PMIndia wins IEC vice presidency
India has won the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Vice Presidency and Strategic Management Board (SMB) Chair for the 2023-25 term, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said on Friday.
IEC is an international standard setting body that publishes international standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies, while SMB is an apex governance body of IEC responsible for technical policy matters.
3:34 PMSC dismisses plea by NIA seeking cancellation of bail granted to Dalit rights scholar Anand Teltumbde
Supreme Court dismisses plea by National Investigation Agency (NIA) seeking cancellation of bail granted to Dalit rights activist and scholar Anand Teltumbde, booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the Bhima Koregaon case.
2:58 PM12 IEDs hidden by Maoists found at Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border
The Central Reserve Police Force and the local police in a joint operation recovered 12 IEDs hidden by Maoists in the forests of Burha Pahad.
This marks another success for the CRPF under Operation Octopus, the ongoing anti-Maoist operation in Burha Pahad area, along the borders of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. The CRPF said the bombs were recovered on the basis of intelligence inputs received by Balrampur police.
Burha Pahad was once a stronghold of Maoists but is now under the control of security forces.
2:26 PMCBI files charge sheet in Delhi excise policy scam case, say officials
The CBI on Friday filed its first charge sheet against seven accused in the Delhi excise policy scam case.
Those named in the charge sheet include two arrested businessmen, the head of a news channel, a Hyderabad-based liquor businessman, a Delhi-based liquor distributor and two officials of the excise department, officials said.
The agency has kept the probe open, they added.
2:23 PMSC seeks Centre's response on pleas seeking recognition of marriage involving gay couple
The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and Attorney General R Venkataramani on two pleas by gay couples seeking a direction that their marriage be recognised under the special marriage law.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli heard the brief submissions of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi before issuing the notice on the pleas.
"Issue notice returnable in four weeks. Liberty to serve the central agency. Notice be also issued to the Attorney General for India," the bench said.
The pleas sought direction for recognition of the marriage of two gay couples under the the special marriage act.
2:05 PMGujarat becomes India's first state to get Jio True 5G across all districts
Reliance Jio on Friday said Gujarat has become the first state in India to get its 'True 5G' service in each of the 33 district headquarters.
With this, Jio 'True 5G' is now present in 10 cities/regions in India (including Delhi-NCR).
"Gujarat is now the first state to have 100 per cent district headquarters connected with our robust True 5G network. We want to showcase the real power of this technology and how it can impact a billion lives," said Akash M Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.
1:48 PMBangladesh seen on track to be a $1 trillion economy by 2040: BCG report
Bangladesh is on course to become a $1 trillion economy by 2040, driven by consumer optimism, innovation in emerging economic sectors and a young engaged workforce, according to Boston Consulting Group.
With average annual growth of 6.4% between 2016 and 2021, the South Asian nation has outpaced peers such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand, BCG wrote in a report released on Friday.
“The country could have easily been overshadowed by its neighbor to the northeast -- China -- or its continental cousin to the west -- India -- but in this region of economic powerhouses, Bangladesh stands tall,” it wrote.
1:25 PMPM Modi says India is leaving behind the colonial mindset, celebrating its heritage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India is leaving behind the colonial mindset and filled with a sense of pride for its heritage.
"Today India has broken the shackles of colonialism and is moving forward, celebrating our heritage and remembering our heroes with pride," he said.
In his address at an event to celebrate the 400th birth anniversary of legendray warrior Lachit Barphukan, the PM said, "I pay my respects to the land of Assam who gave us brave hearts like Lachit Borphukan. We received the opportunity to celebrate the 400th birth anniversary celebrations of Lachit Barphukan at a time when the country is celebrating the Amrit Kaal of its independence. This historic occasion is a proud chapter in the history of Assam."
"We believe in uniting the various thoughts, beliefs and cultures of India," he said.
12:36 PMDelhi HC bars unauthorised use of Amitabh Bachchan's voice, image
The Delhi High Court on Friday passed an interim order restraining unauthorised use of actor Amitabh Bachchan's voice, image or any other trait exclusively identifiable with him by any individual or entity.
The court's order came on a lawsuit by the veteran actor alleging exploitation of his publicity rights as a celebrity by several individuals, including the persons behind a "KBC lottery".
"I am of the view that the plaintiff has made out a prima facie case for grant of ex parte interim relief," justice Navin Chawla said.
12:27 PMSC stays Calcutta HC order for CBI probe into Bengal teachers recruitment case
The Supreme Court on Friday put a stay on Calcutta High Court orders for a CBI investigation into the alleged teachers' recruitment scam related to the West Bengal Central School Service Commission (SSC).
A bench comprising chief justice D Y Chandrachud and justice Hima Kohli also stayed the part of the order through which the high court had summoned West Bengal principal secretary Manish Jain before it.
"There shall be a stay on the high court orders," the CJI said and listed the matter for hearing after three weeks.
12:15 PMIndia strives for win-win situation for all in Indo-Pacific: Rajnath Singh
Espousing the idea of multi-alignment and a "win-win situation" for all, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday underlined the importance of the Indo-Pacific region and voiced the country's intent for constructive engagements in the region for shared prosperity and security.
Delivering a keynote address at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue-2022 in New Delhi, Singh said the Indo-Pacific region remains important for the economic development of not only the regional but also the wider global community.
"There is a deeper connect that allows us to share a common message of humanity across the Indo-Pacific region. Along this path of shared prosperity and security, India underlines the centrality of ASEAN in our endeavours in respect of the Indo-pacific region," he added.
11:56 AMIndia should strive for win-win situation for all: Rajnath Singh at Indo-Pacific dialogue
Espousing the idea of multi-alignment and a "win-win situation" for all, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday underlined the importance of the Indo-Pacific region and voiced the country's intent for constructive engagements in the region for shared prosperity and security.
Delivering a keynote address at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue-2022 in New Delhi, Singh said the Indo-Pacific region remains important for the economic development of not only the regional but also the wider global community.
"There is a deeper connect that allows us to share a common message of humanity across the Indo-Pacific region. Along this path of shared prosperity and security, India underlines the centrality of ASEAN in our endeavours in respect of the Indo-pacific region," he added.
11:43 AMJapan investigators raid Dentsu in widening Olympic probe
Japanese prosecutors raided the headquarters of major advertising company Dentsu on Friday, as the investigation into corruption related to the Tokyo Olympics widened.
Major local TV broadcasters showed Tokyo District Prosecutors and Japan Fair Trade Commission officials entering Dentsu headquarters.
Dentsu dominates event organising, marketing and public relations in Japan. It helped land the 2020 Games for Tokyo, and then lined up record domestic sponsorships.
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