Latest LIVE: Amit Shah to attend AGM of major Gujarat cooperatives tomorrow

Live news updates: Shah is slated to participate in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of major cooperative institutions of Gujarat on Sunday

8:42 AM

PM Modi to inaugurate Ahmedabad's Centre-State Science Conclave virtually

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Centre- State Science Conclave on Saturday via video conferencing.

 

His office said the programme is in line with the prime minister's relentless efforts to facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship in the country, and the first of its kind conclave will strengthen the Centre-state coordination and collaboration mechanism in the spirit of cooperative federalism to build a robust science, technology and innovation (STI) ecosystem.

 

The two-day conclave is being organised at Science City, Ahmedabad on September 10-11 and will include sessions on different thematic areas including STI vision 2047, future growth pathways and vision for STI in states; health--digital health care for all; doubling private sector investment in R&D by 2030; and agriculture - technological interventions for improving farmers' income.

8:41 AM

BJP still entrapped in "khaki shorts", says Bhupesh Baghel on Rahul Gandhi's T-shirt row

Hitting back at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its 'T-shirt' jibe at Rahul Gandhi, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said Congress is engaged in uniting the country while the ruling party is still entrapped in T-shirts and khaki shorts.

 

"That is how it feels. The Centre has only a 'T-shirt' against the biggest Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. In the world's largest democracy, when one party is uniting the country, the dividing party is still hanging in T-shirts and khaki shorts," Baghel said on Twitter (roughly translated form Hindi).

 

As the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' reached the third day, there was a face-off between the BJP and the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's T-shirt.

 

The BJP attacked the Congress on social media, claiming that Rahul Gandhi, who has been raising the issue of inflation during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', was wearing a T-shirt worth Rs 41,257 on Friday.

 

8:40 AM

UN chief urges protecting right to education

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for efforts to protect the right to education in his message for the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.

 

Education is a fundamental human right and "an essential driver for achieving peace and sustainable development," the top UN official was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

 

Unfortunately, this right continues to fall under attack, especially in conflict-affected areas, he said.

 

"Classrooms must remain places of peace and learning," Guterres noted.

 

In 2020 and 2021, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack reported over 5,000 assaults and cases of military use of schools and universities.

 

 

 

8:39 AM

Biden to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral

US President Joe Biden has said that he would attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

 

Yes. I do not know what the details are yet, but I will be going, Biden told reporters at the Columbus International Airport in Ohio on Friday.

 

He was responding to a question of whether he will be going to the Queen's funeral.

 

8:39 AM

EU nations agree joint approach on energy prices

The energy ministers of the European Union (EU) member states have agreed a common position on temporary emergency measures to curb energy prices, according to senior officials.

 

They have tasked the European Commission to present "a robust and tangible proposal in a matter of days," Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Sikela said after the extraordinary Energy Council meeting in Brussels, Xinhua news agency reported.

 

"We will do whatever it takes to help our citizens and companies who are facing high energy prices," he said.

8:38 AM

Nepal announces 3 days of national mourning over demise of Queen Elizabeth II

Nepal's Council of Ministers on Friday evening has announced three days of national mourning over the demise of Queen Elizabeth II who took her last breath on Thursday.

 

The government of Nepal expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Queen Elizabeth II and wished for eternal peace for the departed soul. Also, the meeting announced to fly the national flag at half-mast in government offices and Nepali embassies and missions abroad for three days (September 10-12) to mourn the demise of Elizabeth II.

 

President of Nepal, Bidya Devi Bhandari and Foreign Minister Dr Narayan Khadka also visited the British Embassy in Kathmandu on Friday to sign the book of condolence on the passing away of Queen Elizabeth II.

 

8:38 AM

RSS to brainstorm on social challenges in Samanvay Baithak-2022: Sunil Ambekar

The three-day Akhil Bharatiya Samanvay Baithak (coordination meeting) of the organisations inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will start in the state capital of Chhattisgarh from today.

 

On the eve of the meeting, Akhil Bharatiya Prachaar Pramukh of RSS Sunil Ambekar told the media on Friday evening that the three-day meeting would be attended by organisations working in various fields to serve society.

 

"It is a comprehensive meeting held once a year," he said.

 

8:37 AM

Pakistan: Economic loss due to floods rises to around $18 billion

The estimated economic loss due to the unprecedented floods in Pakistan has neared around $18 billion, an increase from $12.5 billion estimated earlier, as calculated by the Centre and endorsed by the provinces.

 

Agriculture growth faced a much more severe impact in the aftermath of floods. The catastrophic floods have destroyed crops in 8.25 million acres as compared to the initial assessment of 4.2 million acres which has further increased the economic losses, reported The News International.

 

Cotton, rice, and minor crops have been damaged severely and if dewatering is not done properly, it can cause serious problems for wheat sowing. The cotton crop has evaporated in most parts of the country and now wheat sowing is under threat.