News updates: CCEA approves construction of 8 NH projects at investment of Rs 50k cr, says Vaishnaw

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4:33 PM

NCW blames AAP govt for death of inmates at Delhi shelter home

NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma today blamed the AAP government for the death of 14 inmates of the Asha Kiran shelter home in northwest Delhi's Rohini, demanding responsibility from Delhi Minister Atishi in the matter. Asha Kiran is a Delhi government-run facility for "mentally challenged" and comes under its Social Welfare department. The department is currently without a head following the resignation of Raaj Kumar Anand.

4:31 PM

UPSC aspirants' deaths: Students' protest enters sixth day, many seen studying at site

UPSC aspirants protesting the Rajinder Nagar coaching centre deaths continued their agitation for the sixth day on Friday, with many seen studying at the protest site. "We will continue our protest but studies are also important for us. So those sitting at the protest site have brought their study material here," Goutam, a civil services aspirant, said.

4:28 PM

NCLAT orders halt on Byju's insolvency proceedings

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) today gave the nod to the settlement arrived between Byju Raveendran and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and ordered a halt on insolvency proceedings against the embattled education startup.

3:59 PM

Unable to fathom how 3 UPSC aspirants got drowned: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court asked why MCD officials didn't inform commissioner about the non-functioning storm water drains in Rajinder Nagar.

3:43 PM

Jailed former Pak PM Imran Khan's party vows to form ‘grand opposition alliance' against ruling PML-N govt

Jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has approved the formation of a "grand opposition alliance" by expanding the existing platform, Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan, to act as a powerful anti-government movement, a senior party leader has said.

3:29 PM

Delhi court to pass order on Tytler in anti-Sikh riots case on Aug 16

A Delhi court is likely to pass on August 16 its order on whether to frame charges against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in a case related to the alleged killing of three persons in front of Pul Bangash gurudwara here during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The order, which was scheduled for Friday, was adjourned since special CBI judge Rakesh Siyal was on leave.

3:23 PM

Puducherry CM announces resumption of free rice distribution to ration card-holders

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Friday announced that the territorial government would resume distribution of rice free of cost to ration card-holders from the current financial year. Rangasamy, who holds the Finance portfolio, made the announcement in the Assembly while presenting the budget for 2024-2025.

2:57 PM

Will quit politics if veracity of reports about my 'disguised' Delhi visits is proven: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, on Friday said he would quit politics if the veracity of the reports about him visiting New Delhi in disguise to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah before his party forged an alliance with the BJP, was proven. But if the reports are found to be wrong, those who made these allegations against him should quit politics, he challenged the leaders from the opposition parties.

2:55 PM

Atishi orders probe into deaths of 14 inmates of Asha Kiran shelter home in Delhi's Rohini

Delhi minister Atishi on Friday directed the Revenue Department to initiate a magisterial inquiry into the deaths of 14 inmates of the Asha Kiran shelter home in northwest Delhi's Rohini and submit a report within 48 hours. Asha Kiran is a Delhi government-run facility for "mentally challenged" and comes under its Social Welfare Department. 

2:03 PM

Uttarakhand rains: 14 dead due to heavy rains, Kedarnath Yatra suspended

As many as 14 people have lost their lives and 10 others have been injured due to severe overnight rains that caused flooding and a house collapse in Uttarakhand, according to officials on Thursday. Read here for more details.

1:44 PM

3,029 transgender persons included under AB-PMJAY since Aug 2022: Centre

A total of 3,029 verified transgender persons have been included under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) since August 2022, Union Health Minister J P Nadda told the Lok Sabha on Friday. Nadda said an MoU has been signed between the National Health Authority and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to extend the benefits of the national health insurance scheme to transgender persons.

1:31 PM

Air India suspends flights to Tel Aviv until Aug 8

Air India has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv effective immediately until August 8 amid escalation of Israel-Hamas war.

1:10 PM

Drain deaths in east Delhi: High Court to hear plea on Aug 5

The Delhi High Court on Friday said it would hear on August 5 a plea seeking action against the contractor and officials of DDA for their alleged negligence leading to the death of a woman and her three-year-old son after falling into a waterlogged drain here on July 31. 

1:09 PM

IAF's Chinook, MI17 helicopters join rescue operations in Uttarakhand

The IAF's Chinook and MI17 helicopters on Friday joined the rescue operations in Uttarakhand to evacuate over 500 pilgrims stranded on the rain-ravaged trek route to Kedarnath, with 10 of them being airlifted in the first round.

12:48 PM

MCD to set up four libraries in name of UPSC aspirants who died last month

Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi has proposed that four libraries be established here in the name of the civil services aspirants who died last month, according an official.

On July 27, three UPSC aspirants drowned in the library in the basement of a coaching centre in the Old Rajinder Nagar area, while, a week earlier, another student in Mukherjee Nagar died after he touched an iron gate that was in contact with an open wire.