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4:57 PM

BJP dares Cong to nominate Kumari Selja as Haryana CM candidate to prove SC support

The Haryana unit of ruling BJP on Wednesday dared Congress to declare Kumari Selja as its chief ministerial candidate for the state assembly polls, to prove how committed it is to the well-being of the SC community. The state BJP also said they nominate Nayab Singh Saini, who belongs to the OBC category, a chief minister. Saini is also the BJP's chief ministerial face for the upcoming assembly elections, scheculed for October 1.

4:32 PM

CCI gives nod to $8.5 bn Disney-Reliance media assets merger

The CCI has okayed the $8.5 billion merger of Reliance Industries and Disney's Indian media assets, subject to certain voluntary modifications, it said.

4:30 PM

Gujarat rains: Parts of Vadodara city remain flooded for 2nd day, Army called in Vadodara

With many parts of Gujarat's Vadodara city remaining inundated on the second consecutive day, the situation is "alarming" and the Army has been called in to carry out relief and rescue work, the state government said on Wednesday. Some areas were under 10 to 12 feet of water, said Health Minister and government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel.

4:06 PM

India orders additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles from US firearms maker Sig Sauer

India has ordered an additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles from US firearms maker Sig Sauer, the company has said, asserting that it is proud to be a partner in the "modernisation effort" of the Indian Army. The move comes amid a lingering border row between India and China in eastern Ladakh. The Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC) had given the nod for the procurement for the additional 73,000 SiG716 rifles last December.

3:59 PM

Mercedes car crash: HC relief for Goa AAP leader Amit Palekar in bail violation case

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday set aside the order of a lower court which had cancelled the bail of Aam Aadmi Party's Goa unit president Amit Palekar in connection with a 2023 road accident that killed three persons. Palekar on Tuesday moved the high court challenging the order of the additional sessions court dated August 26 cancelling his bail for violating conditions.

3:33 PM

Cabinet approves setting up of 12 industrial smart cities; to invest Rs 28,602 cr: Minister Vaishnaw

Proposed 12 smart industrial cities to create investment potential of about Rs 1.52 billion, says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

3:27 PM

Sena (UBT), Narayan Rane supporters clash at Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse site

Shiv Sena (UBT) workers and supporters of BJP MP Narayan Rane clashed on Wednesday at a fort in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra where the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had collapsed. A police constable was injured as stones were hurled by some persons, an official said

2:51 PM

No civilised society can allow daughters and sisters to be subjected to such atrocities: President Murmu

Even as students, doctors and citizens were protesting in Kolkata, criminals remained on prowl elsewhere, says President Murmu.

2:14 PM

Pakistani Christian is first Goan to get Indian citizenship under CAA

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday handed over the Indian citizenship certificate to a 78-year-old Pakistani Christian under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, making him the first such person from the coastal state. Joseph Francis Pereira went from Goa to Pakistan for studies before liberation and subsequently took up a job there. He attained Pakistani citizenship and lived in Karachi before returning to India in 2013.

1:58 PM

Eight UP railway stations renamed

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday defended the renaming of eight railway stations in Uttar Pradesh as a bid to eliminate “the symbols of slavery”. BJP leader Anil Rajbhar dismissed the criticism from the Opposition leaders, saying that the public is in support of the move. Read here for more details.

1:29 PM

Will be careful with words, says Kangana Ranaut after row over remarks on farmers' protest

In an interview with India Today, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut stated that she will pick her words carefully after being reprimanded by the BJP. 

 

1:16 PM

Rains claim 9 more lives in Gujarat, flood-like situation in many areas; PM holds talks with CM

Rain-related incidents claimed nine more lives in Gujarat, taking the death toll to 16 in two days, while another 8,500 people were relocated and rescued from flood-affected areas with rains continuing to lash some parts of the state for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to take stock of the situation and to ensure Centre's support in the crisis. 

1:02 PM

India saw 19.3% drop in particulate pollution in 2022, adding one year to life expectancy: Report

India recorded a significant 19.3 per cent drop in particulate pollution in 2022 compared to 2021, the second-highest reduction in the world after Bangladesh, adding an average of one year to the life expectancy of every citizen, according to a new report. The annual report, "Air Quality Life Index" 2024, by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) also said that Indians are likely to lose 3.6 years of life expectancy if the country fails to meet the World Health Organisation's annual PM2.5 concentration standard of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

12:53 PM

Police foil self-immolation bid by two during protest in Noida

A self-immolation bid by two persons during a protest against the construction of a waste management centre here was foiled by police, officials said on Wednesday. The incident took place on Tuesday evening near the Kasna culvert, where the waste management centre is being constructed by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III) Ashok Kumar Singh said Akshit Sharma, a resident of Milak Lachchhi village here, and Himanshu Vashisht, a resident of Kakod in Bulandshahr district, reached the construction site with other protesters and tried to stop the work.

 

12:37 PM

Champai Soren under 'surveillance' of his own govt for last 5 months, claims Assam CM

Jharkhand minister Champai Soren under 'surveillance' of his own govt for last 5 months, alleges Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.