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12:34 PM

ED conducts fresh searches in money laundering case against TN minister

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted fresh searches in connection with its ongoing money laundering investigation against Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji and others, official sources said.

They said premises linked to some entities being probed in this case and alleged benamidars (in whose name a benami property is standing) were being raided in Coimbatore and Karur.

 

12:11 PM

Manipur HC orders status quo on proposed burial site for Kuki-Zomi people killed in violence

The Manipur High Court on Thursday directed that the status quo be maintained at the proposed burial site in Haolai Khopi village of Churachandpur district where the Kuki-Zo community had planned a burial service for 35 people who were killed in the ethnic strife.

The HC order was passed by Acting Chief Justice MV Muralidharan after a hearing at 6 am.

11:41 AM

Lok Sabha adjourned amid sloganeering by Oppn MPs, to meet again at 2 pm

11:30 AM

China proposes to limit children's smartphone time to max of 2 hrs per day

China's internet watchdog has laid out regulations to curb the amount of time children spend on their smartphones, in the latest blow to firms such as Tencent and ByteDance, which run social media platforms and online games.

The Cyberspace Administration of China on Wednesday published the draft guidelines on its site, stating that minors would not be allowed to use most internet services on mobile devices from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and that children between the ages of 16 and 18 would only be able to use the internet for two hours a day.

11:11 AM

Data Protection Bill should be considered as regular bill: Manish Tewari

Congress leader Manish Tewari on Thursday asked how the Digital Data Protection Bill can be classified as a financial bill, and said it should be considered as a regular bill.

The bill should again go to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, he said.

10:59 AM

India should go for younger cheetahs habituated to human presence: Experts

Younger cheetahs that are habituated to management vehicles and human presence are preferred candidates for relocation to India, international experts involved in the Project Cheetah have told the government based on the lessons learnt from the initial experience in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park.

In a status report submitted to the government recently, the experts said these attributes enable easier monitoring of health-related issues, simplify stress-free veterinary and management intervention, and enhance tourism value.

10:34 AM

Monsoon session: I.N.D.I.A floor leaders to meet in Parliament today

Amid continuous disruptions of the proceedings of the Monsoon session, since it began, over the Manipur issue, the floor leaders of Opposition's I.N.D.I.A bloc on Wednesday will hold a meeting in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the house.

The floor leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance will meet at 10 am in the office of Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.

10:16 AM

Allahabad HC allows ASI survey of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi

Allahabad High Court allows the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi

 

10:07 AM

Gyanvapi case: Allahabad HC expected to announce verdict on survey by ASI today

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday is expected to give its judgment related to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducting a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi, except the Wazukhana that contains a structure claimed to be a Shivling.

Meanwhile, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday demanding to seal plot number 9130 on the Gyanvapi campus.

9:48 AM

Earthquake of 4.3 magnitude jolts Andaman islands, no damage reported

An earthquake of 4.3 magnitude hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the early hours of Thursday, the National Center for Seismology said.

There was no immediate report of any loss of life or damage to property, an official said.

9:30 AM

Niger's ruler warns against meddling, asks citizens to defend nation

Niger's new military ruler lashed out at neighbouring countries and the international community in a nationally televised speech on Wednesday night and called on the population to be ready to defend the nation.

In one of the few addresses to the West African country since seizing power from Niger's democratically-elected president a week ago, General Abdourahmane Tchiani warned against foreign meddling and military intervention against the coup.

9:15 AM

US supports direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on issues of concern

The United States supports direct dialogue between India and Pakistan, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.

"As we have long said, we support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on issues of concern. That has long been our position," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference.

9:04 AM

Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over west Odisha in next 24 hours: IMD

Heavy rainfall was experienced in several parts of Odisha on Wednesday. Locals were seen catching fish at the inundated National Highway 57 in the Boudh area after ponds of the fisheries department got flooded following heavy and continuous rainfall.

IMD scientist HR Biswas said, "Rainfall to continue during the next 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over West Odisha districts. Coastal districts will see moderate rainfall. Heavy to very rainfall is likely to occur in several districts including Sundargarh, Sambalpur."

9:03 AM

Cyclone Biparjoy costs Gujarat Rs 1,212.50 cr, says Nithyanand Rai

Union Minister Nityanand Rai on Wednesday said that Cyclone 'Biparjoy' has affected 1.33 lakh hectare area and projected a total economic loss of Rs 1212.50 crore in agriculture and horticulture crops in Gujarat.

As per the memorandum received from the state government of Gujarat, a 1.33 lakh hectare area is reported to have been affected due to the cyclone 'Biparjoy', and it has projected a total economic loss of Rs 1212.50 crores in agriculture and horticulture crops in the affected areas, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai told the Rajya Sabha during the ongoing Parliament Monsoon Session.

9:01 AM

Data protection bill to be tabled in parliament, experts ask for discussion

After over four years of work, rounds of deliberation, and multiple iterations, a dedicated law to ensure the data privacy of Indians will be presented for Parliament’s consideration on Thursday. If cleared, the Bill may bring in heavy penalties for digital platforms for failing to protect user data.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, will set out the conditions for collecting and processing personal data, as well as the penalties on platforms for failing to protect it. The government will table the new Bill exactly one year after withdrawing the previous draft of the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.