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9:28 AM

Over 200 Meiteis who crossed over to Myanmar to escape violence in Manipur return to state: CM

More than 200 Meiteis who had crossed over to neighbouring Myanmar to escape the ethnic violence in Manipur have safely returned to the state after more than three months, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, while lauding the role of the Army in bringing them back. More than 160 people have been killed and several hundreds injured in clashes between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur since May 3.

 

"Relief and gratitude as 212 fellow Indian citizens (all Meiteis) who sought safety across the Myanmar border post the May 3rd unrest in Moreh town of Manipur are now safely back on Indian soil," the chief minister wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday.

9:08 AM

No FIR against entrepreneurs, traders in UP without investigation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered that a preliminary investigation be conducted before filing a First Information Report against traders and entrepreneurs.

 

This move aims to reduce the number of baseless FIRs filed against businesspersons and traders in the state, which frequently results in harassment and undue pressure, according to the official statement from the chief minister's office. Now, FIR cannot be lodged directly by any person against traders and entrepreneurs.

8:55 AM

"No such thing as law and order in Bihar, nobody is spared": Pashupati Paras on journalist's murder

Union Minister Pashupati Paras has hit out at the Bihar government led by Nitish Kumar over the recent murder of a journalist in Araria district and said that there is no such thing as law and order in the state.

"There is no such thing as law and order. Nobody is spared be it police, public, journalists and politicians in Bihar. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar changed the alliance, left NDA and joined RJD against which the Bihar public gave the mandate, still, he went for that alliance," Union Minister Pashupati Paras said on Friday.

The journalist, identified as Vimal Kumar Yadav, was allegedly shot dead at his home by unidentified assailants in the Raniganj Bazaar area of the district, police said earlier on Friday.

8:54 AM

People protest against 'illegal detention' of leader by Pakistan in PoK

A group of people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's (PoK) Gilgi-Baltistan held protest demonstrations against the "illegal detention" of their leader Shabir Mayar by the Pakistani authorities.

 

United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) founder Shaukat Ali Kashmiri said that demonstrations were carried out by Gilgit Baltistan United Movement, Awami Action Committee and Anzuman Tazran.

8:46 AM

Evergrande's bankruptcy signals beginning of China's real estate crisis: Experts

The filing for bankruptcy by Evergrande, Chinese real estate giant signals the beginning of Beijing's real estate crisis, CNN reported on Friday.

It serves as a cautionary tale about the "growth-at-all-costs" model that underpinned China's spectacular growth over the past 30 years.

For decades, Evergrande, once one of China's most successful real estate developers, gobbled up debt as China's economy exploded. Demand for housing was so strong, homebuilders often pre-sold apartment units to buyers before construction was complete, CNN reported.

But a sudden shift in policy by China's leaders two years ago has left the country's property developers scrambling for cash, compounding financial risks within the world's second-largest economy.

As per CNN, the story of Evergrande's downfall began in 2021, when the central government moved to curb excessive borrowing to try to slow the rise in home prices, effectively cutting off a major source of funding for property developers.

8:38 AM

RS chairman refers bills to replace IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act to standing committee, seeks report within 3 mths

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has referred the three proposed laws that will replace the IPC, CrPC and the Evidence Act to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs for examination and asked it to submit its report within three months.

The bills -- the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill -- were introduced in the Lok Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah on August 11.

The bills, once passed, will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act respectively.

8:36 AM

"Our goal should not be for Putin to lose, but for America to win": Vivek Ramaswamy

In a move quite different from other US leaders, Indian-American lawmaker Vivek Ramaswamy has advocated for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Moscow keeping parts of Donbas region and Kyiv not joining NATO.

He further argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin must exit his military alliance with China to end the conflict.

Notably, Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, is set to contest against Donald Trump in Republican primaries for US presidential polls.

"I will end the Ukraine War on terms that require Putin to exit his military alliance with China. The goal shouldn't be for Russia to "lose." It should be for the U.S. to *win.*", Ramaswamy said on X (formerly Twitter).

8:24 AM

Chhattisgarh: Kejriwal, Mann to address AAP event in Raipur during day-long visit

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal will be on a day-long visit to Chhattisgarh capital Raipur on Saturday, his third trip to the poll-bound state in the past five months.

 

Kejriwal will be accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the duo will address an AAP workers' convention here at Jainam Manas Bhavan opposite Raipur airport at 12 noon, the party's state unit chief Komal Hupendi told reporters on Friday. Kejriwal will also release "guarantee cards" for the people of Chhattisgarh to mention what his party will implement if voted to power in the state, he said.

8:07 AM

US President Joe Biden expects to meet Xi 'this fall' amid tensions

Despite escalating tensions with Beijing, US President Joe Biden is still hopeful of meeting his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this year, CNN reported on Friday (local time).

 

Notably, the two leaders are expected to meet in November this year, on the sidelines of an Asian leaders summit hosted by Biden. Biden told CNN on Friday that he hopes to follow up on last year's meeting with Xi "this fall."

7:53 AM

Pakistan: Imran Khan booked under Official Secrets Act in Cipher case

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been booked under the Official Secrets Act 1923 in connection with the Cipher case, Geo News reported on Friday citing The News.

 

The counter-terrorism wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered the case against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman - who was ousted from office after a no-confidence motion in April last year - after ascertaining his deliberate involvement in misusing the classified document following a probe.

7:51 AM

Unhappy Central Assam BJP leader Rajen Gohain resigns from cabinet post

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the delimitation of Nagaon Parliamentary constituency, Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Rajen Gohain on Friday resigned from the post of Chairman of Assam Assam Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Limited.Gohain had been representing the Nowgong constituency of Central Assam since 1999 and secured four consecutive terms until 2014.

7:41 AM

Strict law needed at universities, says Sourav Ganguly on JU violence case

A week after the death of an undergraduate student in West Bengal's Jadavpur University, Former cricketer Sourav Ganguly on Friday called the incident "ridiculous" and urged for strict laws to be implemented in the universities.

 

"These are institutions where children come to study that should be the main focus. This is ridiculous and a shame. The law has to be very strict," Sourav Ganguly said.

 

The deceased identified as Swarnodip Kundu, died after allegedly falling from the balcony of the university's hostel on the night of August 9. He was allegedly subjected to ragging before his death.

7:37 AM

CM Yogi Adityanath to visit Ayodhya district on Saturday morning

Utar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit Ayodhya district on Saturday. According to the official statement from chief minister's office, Yogi will reach the helipad at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya on August 19 at around 11 am.

 

"CM Yogi's darshan-worship and excursion program is proposed in the district. After this, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend the tribute and wreath-laying program at the samadhi of Saket resident Pujya Mahant Shri Ramchandra Paramhans Das Ji Maharaj," the statement said.

 

After this, the Chief Minister will visit Ram Janmabhoomi complex and observe the works of temple construction and later he will participate in other programs. CM Yogi will leave for Lucknow after a two-hour stay in Ayodhya.