News Highlights: India ever ready to play active role in peace efforts, Modi assures Zelenskyy

Latest news updates: Catch all the news developments from around the world here

3:55 PM

Bareilly court acquits 2 men accused of conversion, directs action against probing police officers

Two men accused of unlawful religious conversion were acquitted by a local court which has directed the district police chief to take action against the police personnel who investigated and filed charge sheet in the matter. The court gave its order on July 30 this year.

3:54 PM

Security removal of women wrestlers a 'miscommunication', Delhi Police tell court

The Delhi Police on Friday informed a court here that it has rectified the earlier "miscommunication" about the withdrawal of security of the women wrestlers who are set to testify against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

3:18 PM

PM Modi pays historic visit to Ukraine; to hold talks with President Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday began a historic trip to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, in a keenly watched visit that came just six weeks after he travelled to Moscow, and is aimed at exploring ways to find a negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It is the first-ever visit to Ukraine by an Indian prime minister after Ukraine became independent in 1991 and his trip comes amid Kyiv's fresh military offensive into Russian territory.

3:09 PM

Karnataka govt recommends safety measures for doctors post Kolkata incident

The Karnataka government on Friday suggested a slew of measures to be adopted to ensure the safety and security of doctors working in hospitals across the state. A meeting chaired by Minister for Medical Education Sharanprakash Patil discussed safety measures for doctors, nurses and hospital staff.

2:52 PM

Telugu actor Nani says Justice Hema Committee report 'alarming'

Telugu actor Nani says the Hema Committee report on women's exploitation in Malayalam cinema is alarming and every single person working on movie sets has to set an example on how people are treated in the profession.

2:50 PM

Bangladesh's interim govt revokes ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's diplomatic passport

Bangladesh's interim government has revoked ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's diplomatic passport along with all members of the former Cabinet, over two weeks after she resigned and fled to India following a student-led uprising against her government.

2:47 PM

No mpox infection reported in India, no cause for worry, minister assures public

Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on Friday asked people not to worry about the mpox outbreak reported in some African countries as no infection has been detected in India till now. The minister said free testing facilities have been arranged at the Victoria Hospital.

2:34 PM

Two killed, 17 hurt after bus overturns in Rajasthan

Two people were killed and 17 injured when the bus they were travelling in overturned in the Maroth area of Rajasthan's Deedwana-Kuchaman district on Friday, police said. The bus was on its way to Khatushyam temple in Sikar from Chittorgarh when the accident occurred. The dead have been identified as Umashankar Kumawat (36) and Prem Devi Meena (35). The injured were admitted to a local hospital, the police said.

2:28 PM

PM Modi, Ukrainian President honour memory of children at Martyrologist Exposition in Kyiv

2:23 PM

Hong Kong expects to double Indian footfalls this year

Hong Kong is expecting to double the number of Indian travellers this year with a line-up of festivals and events to boost tourism, a top executive of HK Tourism Board has said. Last year, 2,08,000 Indians travelled to Hong Kong. "We want to double this number this year and have many festivals and events lined up to boost tourism this year. In the first half of 2024, Hong Kong welcomed 1,81,000 visitors from India, which is 89 per cent of the pre-Covid time," Hong Kong Tourism Board Director, South Asia and Middle East, Puneet Kumar told PTI.

2:16 PM

Kolkata rape-murder: Investigation will bring out the truth, says SP leader

Speaking on the case, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Manoj Yadav said, "CM Mamata Banerjee handed over this case to the CBI. The CBI will make everything clear. Their investigation will bring out the truth. But why do incidents like the one in Kolkata, the one in Badlapur, and the rapes that happen daily across the country keep occurring? Has any honourable court ever questioned this? Has any government ever answered these questions?" 

 

2:07 PM

Police constable recruitment exam begins amid tight security in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh police constable recruitment exam is being conducted at 1,174 centres across 67 districts in the state under tight security on Friday. "We have inspected security arrangements at examination centres. The exams are going on properly and in a smooth manner. CCTVs are working properly as per the expectations of recruitment board, administration and police," Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar said.

2:02 PM

US top trading partner, highest trade deficit with China in Jan-June 2024: GTRI

The US has emerged as India's top trading partner during January-June this year, while the country has recorded its highest trade deficit of $41.6 billion with China during the period, according to think tank GTRI. It also said the country's merchandise exports rose 5.41 per cent to $230.51 billion during the first of 2024.

1:59 PM

DGCA imposes Rs 90 lakh penalty on Air India

Aviation regulator DGCA has imposed a penalty of Rs 90 lakh on Air India for operating a flight with non-qualified crew members. Besides, the watchdog has slapped fines of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh on Air India's Director of Operations and Director of Training, respectively, for the lapse. In a release, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the pilot concerned has been warned to exercise caution to prevent such occurrences in future.

1:50 PM

Form special police team to probe offences mentioned in Hema Committee report: UDF

The Congress-led UDF opposition on Friday urged Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to initiate a comprehensive police probe on the basis of the Justice K Hema committee report, but the CPI(M) has said that lodging an FIR based on the panel's findings is not possible. Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan wrote a letter to Vijayan and state Culture Minister Saji Cherian, urging that a special team be formed, led by a female IPS officer, to carry out an investigation based on the statements and evidence given by the victims of sexual harassment, exploitation, ill-treatment and other human right abuses to the committee.