Left parties renew call to scrap NTA, NEP after UGC-NET paper errors
CPI(M), CPI and CPI(ML) say the retest announcement exposes deep flaws in the examination system; demand an overhaul of the education policy and testing mechanism
How Congo's Ebola outbreak became the second-most lethal on record
Health officials say the current outbreak is spreading five times faster than previous outbreaks did in Congo at this stage
Bigger profile comes with a formidable challenge for Deepak Mhaskey
The 58-year-old Chemistry professor-turned-politician from Chhattisgarh was named BJPs new national social media convener
UN laments 'unacceptable' toll of 350 aid workers killed in 2025
Since the start of 2026, 82 more aid workers have been killed, 97 injured and 39 abducted worldwide
Taxing frivolous industries will not fund Indias science
The way forward is to liberalise the channels through which money and capital flow into academia and reduce dependence on the government
Match AI models to workloads, not leaderboards
Cost, governance and data residency now matter as much as benchmark scores, if not more
Four-member group allegedly threatens shop owner, fires shot into air in Kasaragod
Awaiting answers: On the student protests in Jharkhand
Student agitations in Ranchi reveal angst over flawed exam processes
Delhi SIR: window to submit forms closes; 47.7 lakh voters out of draft roll
97.4 lakh forms of citys 1.45 crore voters digitised; draft roll to be out on August 24, followed by claims/objections till Sept. 23; final roll on Oct. 27
SFI holds programme on Kannur University campus despite denial of permission
UGC-NET retest: student organisations stage protest, demand scrapping of NTA
Lookout notice for man accused of harassing student on KSRTC bus
Seven held with elephant tusk in Malappuram
Losing forest for trees: On the CAGs audit of the Green India Mission
India is counting trees when it should be restoring forests
DMK regime created Enforcement Bureau-CID to control drug menace, says Udhayanidhi
He rejects the allegation that the previous government failed to take steps to prevent the spread of drug culture in Tamil Nadu
Court dismisses 2020 protest case against CPI(M) leaders
Time Bank initiative introduced in Anna Nagar
Renovated butterfly park reopened at Arignar Anna Zoo
Residents protest redevelopment of Nageswara Rao park
Champions of Chennai awards presented
Doctors at private hospital save woman with clots blocking blood flow to lungs
Long-term vision is to provide certificates within a stipulated timeframe: Sengottaiyan
Minister says his department will implement a new practice of appointing officials in a three-tier system to speed up the process of providing certificates
T.N. government to launch health insurance for the elderly
Another key announcement is the planned replacement of the 87-year-old Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, with a modern, comprehensive Act to address contemporary and future health challenges
School bus hits container trailer near Ponneri; students suffer minor injuries
Retired government doctor from Coimbatore duped of 98 lakh in digital arrest scam
Our defence didnt do well, admits Fulton
SCoR GM reviews pilot AI system at Visakhapatnam Railway Station
The proud Assamese from other States
While others can identify as Assamese speakers, Bengali-origin Muslims were the first
Prithviraj Chavan alleges over 56,000 duplicate voters in Maharashtra
The former Maharashtra CM noted that despite a higher vote share in the 2024 Assembly polls compared to 2019, he lost the election and claimed there were 56,118 duplicate voters in the area after analysing voter lists
Prithviraj Chavan alleges over 56,000 duplicate voters in Maharashtra
The former Maharashtra CM noted that despite a higher vote share in the 2024 Assembly polls compared to 2019, he lost the election and claimed there were 56,118 duplicate voters in the area after analysing voter lists
The Karnataka government also launched a QR code-based complaint management system for citizens to report drug and food safety violations
Bengaluru Man, 4-Year-Old Son Found Dead, Wife's Alleged Affair Being Probed
The incident was reported from a house on 9th Cross in Gutte Basaveshwar Nagar where the man, Abhinandan, lived with his wife Harini and their four-year-old son.
Army recruitment rally in Vizag from Sept. 3-20
Army recruitment rally in Vizag from Sept. 3-20
Responsible Parenting in the Age of AI
The age of artificial intelligence has arrived with speed, scale and subtlety. It is no longer a distant innovation confined to laboratories, tech firms or research institutions. AI is now part of everyday life shaping what children watch, learn, read and believe. From smart devices and recommendation algorithms to chatbots and AI-generated content, the digital world today is more immersive than ever before. In this rapidly changing environment, parenting too must evolve. Responsible parenting in the age of AI is not about rejecting technology, but about learning to guide children through it with care, discipline and informed judgment. For many families, technology has become both a convenience and a challenge. Parents often rely on digital devices to keep children occupied, to support learning, or simply to manage the pressures of modern life. Yet the same tools that entertain and educate can also expose young minds to misinformation, addiction, isolation and harmful content. Artificial intelligence, by its very nature, personalizes and intensifies engagement. It learns quickly what attracts attention and then keeps feeding it. For a child, this can mean endless scrolling, distorted realities and a shrinking capacity for focus, patience and independent thought. This is why responsible parenting must go beyond time limits and screen restrictions. It requires digital literacy at home. Parents must understand, at least in broad terms, how AI works, what its strengths are and where its risks lie. A child who uses AI tools for homework, images or conversation should not be left unchecked. The question is not only whether the child is online, but what kind of online experience the child is having. Are they learning to think critically, or merely accepting machine-generated answers as truth? Are they building curiosity, or consuming convenience without reflection? At the same time, parents must remain conscious that children imitate what they see. If adults themselves are permanently glued to screens, constantly distracted, or overly dependent on digital shortcuts, it becomes difficult to ask children for restraint. Responsible parenting begins with example. It means creating spaces for conversation, outdoor activity, reading, shared meals and uninterrupted attention. In a world where AI can generate answers instantly, children still need something no machine can provide: human guidance, emotional grounding and moral perspective. Schools too have a role, but the first classroom is the home. Parents should talk openly with children about the difference between human intelligence and machine output, between information and wisdom, and between convenience and character. AI may help a child complete a task, but it cannot teach empathy, integrity or resilience. Those values must come from family, community and lived experience. The challenge before parents is not to fear the future, but to prepare children for it. Technology will keep advancing, and AI will only become more powerful, accessible and influential. But children who grow up with disciplined, attentive and informed parenting will be better equipped to use these tools wisely rather than be used by them. In the age of AI, the most important parental skill may be the oldest one of all the ability to guide, listen and lead by example.
Khonmohs Bear Attacks Call for Urgent Action
Bear attacks in Khonmoh within less than 24 hours have once again brought into sharp focus a problem that is no longer occasional, but increasingly routine: the dangerous expansion of human-wildlife conflict into inhabited areas. The injuring of a 57-year-old woman in Shah Mohalla, following a similar attack on a man in Shiv Dakri a day earlier, is not merely a local scare. It is a warning sign. When people living on Srinagars outskirts cannot safely step out near their homes, the matter ceases to be about wildlife alone and becomes one of public safety, administrative preparedness, and environmental mismanagement. Khonmoh, like several other fringe localities around the city, sits at the fragile interface between human habitation and bear habitat. That interface is becoming narrower by the year. Unplanned expansion, shrinking forest cover, pressure on natural feeding grounds, garbage disposal that attracts wildlife, and the disturbance of habitats have all contributed to pushing animals closer to settlements. The result is predictable, and sadly preventable: repeated confrontation between humans and wildlife, often ending in injury, fear, and retaliatory panic. The latest incidents should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities, especially the Wildlife Department, district administration, and local municipal bodies. Residents cannot be left to live in a state of permanent anxiety while official responses remain reactive and episodic. A bear appearing once may be dismissed as an isolated incident. Two attacks in a day indicate a pattern that demands immediate intervention. The first responsibility of the state is to ensure that vulnerable localities are identified, monitored, and protected through a sustained mitigation plan. That plan must begin with better surveillance and rapid response teams. Villagers need emergency contact systems, patrol deployment in high-risk zones, and immediate action when wildlife movement is reported. Awareness campaigns are also essential so that residents know how to respond if bears enter residential clusters, especially during early morning and evening hours when such attacks are more likely. At the same time, the administration must address the causes that draw bears toward human settlements, including unmanaged waste, open dumping sites, and unsecured food sources. But long-term solutions require more than alerts and advisories. The government must invest in habitat conservation, corridor protection, and scientific conflict management. Forest edges cannot be treated as expendable spaces until crisis erupts. If wildlife is losing its natural range, conflict will only intensify. Compensation for victims must also be timely and adequate, not a bureaucratic afterthought. For families like that of Fatima and the injured man from Shiv Dakri, the damage is not limited to physical wounds; it is also emotional and economic. Khonmohs distress should not fade from memory once the immediate news cycle moves on. It should prompt a serious reassessment of how Kashmir manages its shrinking ecological balance. Protecting people and protecting wildlife are not opposing goals. They are linked obligations. The state must act before another attack turns concern into tragedy.
Vizag to host BRICS Sports Ministers Meeting on August 22, 23
Vizag to host BRICS Sports Ministers Meeting on August 22, 23
TVK MLA booked for detaining, assaultingjournalist in Sholinghur
CISF chief reviews security measures at Vizag Steel Plant, Port
Singing Tamil Thai Vazhthu third is not an insult, says Vice-President
Addressing the graduands at the 11th Convocation of Central University of Tamil Nadu at Neelakudi near Tiruvarur, he calls upon them to keep the nation first in their every action
Police seize 10 vehicles in illegal mining crackdown
Srinagar, Aug 17: Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized 10 vehicles and registered four FIRs in separate actions against illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of minor minerals in Anantnag and Shopian districts. In Anantnag, police intercepted three tractors during patrolling in Mattigund and Chittergul and found them carrying illegally extracted bajri and boulders. The drivers allegedly failed to produce valid documents authorising the extraction or transportation of the material. Police, in a statement said FIR No. 83/2026 was registered at the concerned police station and further investigation is underway. In Shopian, police seized six tractors and a tipper in separate actions for allegedly being involved in unauthorised extraction and transportation of minerals. A police team from Shopian police station seized a tractor and a tipper, following which FIR No. 163/2026 was registered. At Heerpora, two tractors carrying mining material without valid royalty documents were seized and FIR No. 80/2026 registered. Similarly, a police team from Imamsahib seized three tractors allegedly involved in illegal mining without mandatory permissions. FIR No. 54/2026 was registered in the case. Police said the crackdown was aimed at protecting natural resources and curbing illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals. The police warned that strict legal action would be taken against those violating mining laws and urged the public to report illegal mining and transportation activities.
India Post offers international Rakhi delivery service
Bear attacks trigger panic in Khonmoh, three injured
Srinagar, Aug 17: Panic has gripped residents of Khonmoh on the outskirts of Srinagar after three people were injured in separate bear attacks in the area within the past 24 hours. According to officials, a 57-year-old woman was injured in a bear attack on Monday near her residence in Shah Mohalla, Khonmoh. The injured woman was identified as Fatima, 57, wife of Mohammad Maqbool Wani, a resident of Shah Mohalla. She was referred to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment. In another incident reported on Monday morning, a 30-year-old man was injured after being attacked by a bear in Sarhandi Colony, Khonmoh. The man, identified as Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, son of Ghulam Hassan Bhat and a resident of Sarhandi Colony, sustained injuries in the attack. He was shifted to SMHS Hospital for treatment, where his condition was stated to be stable. The two incidents came less than 24 hours after another resident, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Rasheed Bhat was attacked by a bear in the Khonmoh area on Sunday. He also sustained injuries and was shifted to hospital for treatment. The back-to-back attacks have triggered concern among residents, prompting the authorities to deploy teams of the Wildlife Department in the area. Officials said the department has taken note of the incidents and is closely monitoring the situation to prevent further human-wildlife conflict.
Vizag Collector checks grievance resolution with complainants
Dr. Farooq, Omar greet people on Khwaja Digar
Srinagar, 17 Aug: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have extended warm greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Khwaja Digar. In their message, the duo conveyed their heartfelt wishes to the people, praying that the sacred occasion brings peace, prosperity, harmony and well-being to every household across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. They underscored the rich spiritual and cultural traditions associated with Khwaja Digar, describing the occasion as a reminder of the regions enduring rich legacy of communal harmony, brotherhood and mutual respect. They expressed hope that the auspicious day strengthens the bonds of amity and fraternity among people and brings renewed hope, peace and prosperity to the region. Party rank and file have also extended warm greetings to the people.
Budgam hospital 75% complete; critical care block planned in Uri: Govt
Srinagar, Aug 17:- Minister for Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the action taken and progress achieved on decisions taken during earlier review meetings, with particular focus on major infrastructure and development projects being implemented by the Health, Education and Social Welfare departments across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Education, Ram Niwas Sharma; Special Secretaries of Higher Education, Health and Education Departments; Directors of Health Services Jammu and Kashmir; Directors of School Education Jammu and Kashmir; Principals of Government Medical Colleges and other senior officers of the concerned departments. The Minister undertook a comprehensive review of the physical and financial progress of various ongoing projects, including infrastructure works, Capex and SASCI projects, utilisation of funds, procurement of equipment and implementation of decisions taken in previous review meetings. Emphasising the importance of translating sanctioned projects into tangible outcomes for the people, Sakeena Itoo directed the officers to ensure strict adherence to timelines, close monitoring of execution and clear accountability at every stage. She stressed that financial expenditure must correspond with actual physical progress and called for immediate resolution of bottlenecks causing delays. Reviewing healthcare infrastructure in Kashmir, the Minister was informed that the 125-bedded District Hospital at Reshipora, Budgam has achieved 75 per cent physical progress and is targeted for completion by March 2027. The status of various SASCI projects was also reviewed. The meeting was further informed that a proposal for establishment of a Critical Care Hospital Block at Uri has been initiated, with five kanals of land identified at Mohara. In Jammu division, the Minister reviewed the proposed Trauma Centre at Surankote, new UT Capex works and the 100-bedded Hospital at Sunderbani. She was informed that construction of the Sunderbani hospital is nearing completion, while equipment worth 66 lakh has been requisitioned and the facility is expected to be made operational shortly. The Minister also reviewed infrastructure and other development works at GMC Handwara, GMC Srinagar, SKIMS Medical College Bemina, GMC Rajouri, Government Ayurvedic College Akhnoor, GMC Kathua, GMC Jammu and GMC Anantnag. At GMC Rajouri and GMC Kathua, she took stock of Capex and CSS works, functioning of Dental Units and procurement of essential equipment. The meeting was informed that the upgradation of the GNM Nursing School to a Nursing College at GMC Rajouri has achieved 65 per cent progress, while construction of the Teaching Hospital at GMC Kathua is at an advanced stage. At GMC Jammu, the Minister reviewed the status of Capex and CSS works and was apprised that several projects have either been completed or are nearing completion. The functioning of the Emergency Dental Unit and District Early Intervention Centre at SMGS Hospital was also assessed. Sakeena Itoo directed the concerned officers to accord top priority to procurement of critical medical equipment and completion of healthcare infrastructure, noting that timely availability of facilities and equipment has a direct bearing on the quality and accessibility of patient care. She called for regular identification and resolution of bottlenecks, timely utilisation of available funds and stronger coordination among executing agencies, healthcare institutions and the concerned departments. Every sanctioned project must ultimately translate into a tangible improvement in public service delivery. There should be no avoidable delay in execution, and every rupee allocated for development must be utilised efficiently and transparently, the Minister said. The Minister further directed the officers to maintain continuous monitoring of major projects and furnish timely updates on critical milestones. She stressed that completed infrastructure should be made functional without delay so that the intended benefits reach the people at the earliest.
Bengaluru-based Econz IT Services to invest 10 mn to build business in U.K.
BJP targets NC govt, reiterates Centres statehood pledge
Jammu, Aug 17: BJP MPs and MLAs on Monday staged a protest in Jammu against the National Conference-led Jammu and Kashmir government, accusing it of failing to deliver on its election promises and address public concerns. The BJP leaders criticised the government over issues related to governance, development, administration and public welfare. Speaking to reporters at the protest site, Rajya Sabha MP Engineer Ghulam Ali Khatana said the Centre remained committed to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir has to be given statehood, and we will be the ones to give it, Khatana said. He said the Union government had not backtracked from its commitment and would take a decision on statehood at an appropriate time. Khatana also highlighted infrastructure and development projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including roads, tunnels, power, healthcare and education. He said the Centre was focused on improving public facilities, creating employment opportunities, attracting investment and strengthening the local economy. He said peace and stability were essential for sustained development and called for balanced development across all regions and sections of society. Meanwhile, BJP MPs and MLAs alleged that the National Conference-led government had failed to fulfil several commitments made before coming to power. They called for greater focus on grassroots issues, faster execution of development projects and improved administrative efficiency. Khatana also appealed to people to strengthen communal harmony and contribute to peace, prosperity and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Apni Party accuses govt of failing on governance, jobs
Srinagar, Aug 17: Apni Party Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir on Monday accused the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir of failing to provide effective governance and fulfil promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections. Mir made the remarks while welcoming several political and social workers from Shopian, including senior PDP worker Mohammad Yusuf Wani from Safanagri Zainapora, NC worker Sajad Aziz from Heff Shirmal, Mohammad Asif Bhat, Farhan Ali and their associates into the Apni Party at its headquarters in Srinagar. Welcoming the new entrants, Mir said the party leadership would support them in their efforts to address public issues in their respective areas. Targeting the government, Mir said people had given it a strong mandate in the hope that their grievances would be addressed, but claimed that little had been done to provide relief. He said unemployment remained one of the biggest challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir and accused the government of failing to create meaningful employment opportunities for youth. Mir recalled the ruling partys election promise to provide one lakh jobs and claimed that no substantial initiative had been taken despite more than two years having passed since the Assembly elections. He urged people to reconsider their support for traditional political parties, alleging that they had repeatedly failed to deliver on their promises. Mir also appealed to voters not to be misled by what he described as false promises and fake slogans during elections.
T.N. to formulate Peri-Menopausal Care Policy
Zero Miles founder skips anniversary, pitches for unified licensing system in Kashmir
Srinagar, Aug 17: Zero Miles Grill and Cafe founder Jibran Khan on Monday chose to skip the eighth anniversary celebrations of his popular food chain and instead used the occasion to push for a single-window licensing system for food business operators in the Valley during a crucial review meeting with the FSSAI chief. The meeting, chaired by FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani, IAS, at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), saw Khan walk in with a presentation folder rather than a celebration cake, focusing his intervention on regulatory reforms that he said were critical for the growth of food entrepreneurship in Kashmir. Sources said that the meeting, part of Punhani's four-day visit to the Valley, was aimed at assessing the challenges faced by Food Business Operators (FBOs) and exploring ways to streamline the regulatory framework. Speaking after the meeting, Khan said the existing licensing system was proving to be a major hurdle for entrepreneurs looking to expand their businesses in the region. The system demands separate licences for every branch, duplicate filings, and independent audits for each unit. This is not red tape but a barrier to expansion and a disincentive for entrepreneurs looking to scale up in Kashmir, he said. Khan advocated for a unified single-window licensing system with a digital dashboardone registration and one compliance framework governing all outlets under a single brand. The regulator must transition from being a strict enforcer to a facilitator, especially for startups and MSMEs. Kashmir's terrain is uniquely difficult, with supply chains collapsing during harsh winters and infrastructure deficits making compliance disproportionately harder than in the plains. These are ground realities, not excuses, he added. The restaurateur also criticised the existing grievance redressal mechanism, describing it as a labyrinth that leaves small players helpless. If a small food business owner faces a field-level issue, most do not even know which door to knock on. We need a mechanism where small players can flag issues without being lost in bureaucratic labyrinths, he said, drawing nods from several attendees. Khan said the Jammu and Kashmir Food Commissioner gave a positive response and addressed his question, in which he had urged for a roadmap for restaurants, cafes and highway businesses. The Commissioner provided a detailed roadmap, explaining how they plan to establish a database within the next six months and that they are definitely moving forward in that direction. The interactive session was attended by prominent food business owners from across the Valley and was viewed by industry watchers as a bridge-building exercise between top-down policy perspectives and bottom-up ground realities. Official sources said the proposal for a single-window system has caught the attention of the FSSAI top brass and has been forwarded for active internal review. Khan's intervention, however, went beyond licensing. In a well-prepared presentation, he made a persuasive case for the FSSAI to fundamentally rethink its role in the Valley, sources added. Food safety and business growth need not be in conflict. They can coexist, provided the regulatory framework is flexible enough to accommodate local realities. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work for a region like Kashmir, he said. Notably, the Zero Miles chain, which started its journey eight years ago, has emerged as one of the prominent homegrown food brands in the Valley. However, Khan's decision to skip the celebrations and focus on policy advocacy has drawn praise from many in the industry who see it as a significant step towards addressing long-pending issues faced by food business operators in Kashmir.
Land acquisition for Tumakuru Node progressing smoothly, says Minister Patil
The State government has earmarked 1,736 acres of land in Tumakuru, which has the potential to attract investment of 7,000 crore and generate over 88,000 jobs in the State
Anahita and Apoorvas emotive concert draws applause as Ragapriya music fest concludes
K-TET: head teachers forum in Kerala protests against denial of higher grade
Absconding theft accused arrested after 16 years in Kerala
SIR: Enumeration phase ends, over 1.08 crore voters flagged
Russia hits Ukraine's Izmail and Odesa ports in overnight strikes
Izmail, close to the Romanian border, is home to Ukraine's largest port on the Danube river
Houthis say they attacked Saudi vessels off Yemens Mocha
Mocha is a Red Sea port near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
Hemant Soren announces cancellation of JSSC-CGL exam
All exams conducted by TSR Data Processing Private Limited too will be cancelled; committee formed to bring in reforms in the examination process
Durand Cup: From position of strength, Lajong lose heavily to NorthEast Utd
Shillong, Aug 17: NorthEast United FC were trailing two goals to one at half time in the fourth quarterfinal of the Durand Cup 2026 against Shillong Lajong FC but turned this around to win 5-2 at the JN Stadium here this evening. Alaaeddine Ajaraie (11, 58, 69) scored a hat-trick, with teammates Ethyan Gonzalez (55) [] The post Durand Cup: From position of strength, Lajong lose heavily to NorthEast Utd first appeared on Highland Post .
BJP MP pillories violent ideology of dimagi Naxals
Congress reacts sharply, says the authoritarian BJP regime will try to single out and target intellectuals, academicians, journalists and writers who speak about logic, reasoning, democratic values and just society
Congo's fast-moving Ebola outbreak becomes country's worst with over 2,300 dead
Over 1,000 people have recovered, while 730 remain in hospitals or isolation
Gomathipuram residents seek high mast lamp
Supreme Court orders restoration of AAP Gujarat's Facebook, Instagram accounts
Court allows partys application subject to removal of objectionable posts, if any, and posts main case for hearing after two weeks
Myanmar confirms nearly 3,09,000 Rohingya in Bangladesh, says security issues delaying repatriation
Myanmar says repatriation will begin only when security conditions in Rakhine State become more stable
CM Revanth opens MCR TIMS Sanathnagar with focus on affordable, quality healthcare
The 1,082-bed facility, built at a cost of 1,126 crore, is positioned as a corporate-level public hospital with 37 medical departments; CM says specialists serving additional hours in government hospitals would be recognised and incentivised
BJPs Telangana snub shocks leaders, cadres
Public disagreements, factional lobbying and social media attacks among State party leaders are said to have particularly annoyed the central leadership
Watch: Swiggy launches 24x7 AI assistant Guru for restaurant partners
Swiggy has launched Guru, a 24x7 AI Business Partner designed to help restaurant partners manage their businesses.
T.N. to file review petition against eviction of people from Megamalai region
Opposition hits back after PM Modis dimangi Naxals remark | Above the Fold | 17.08.2026
Food safety crackdown in Bengaluru: Shawarma, kebab, milk samples found unsafe
Officials have inspected 629 hostels of Backward Classes Welfare Department, 331 hostels under the Social Welfare Department.
Landlord arrested for sexually harassing tenant
Gangster Shahzad Bhatti picked operatives through social media
Bhatti, who operates from UAE, is also a social media influencer; police say he offered money to youth to throw grenades and plant explosives near critical installations and to install cameras near air bases, railway stations and roads; the footage was then allegedly relayed to Pakistan
KSU inspects Polo site after video of utensil washing in Umkhrah River surfaces
Shillong, Aug 17: The Khasi Students Union (KSU), Shillong Mihngi Circle, inspected a site in the Polo area on Monday after a video showing two non-local men allegedly washing utensils in the Umkhrah River went viral on social media. The incident has raised concerns over hygiene and further contamination of the already severely polluted river. [] The post KSU inspects Polo site after video of utensil washing in Umkhrah River surfaces first appeared on Highland Post .
MTR launches North Karnataka range of chutney pudis
The food brand plans to list the delicacies soon on online platforms
It is not compulsory to stand up whenever the Chief Minister or the Leader of the Opposition arrives. However, showing respect is part of Tamil culture and tradition. The individual members should decide for themselves whether or not to follow it, says SpeakerJ.C.D.Prabhakar
Ruhullah sets few-month timeline for possible resignation, puts ball in NC leaderships court
Srinagar, Aug 17 : Srinagar Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday said he has made up his mind to resign from Parliament in the coming months, but indicated that an intervention by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah could lead him to reconsider the decision if the party accepts a set of political proposals. In an exclusive conversation with Kashmir News Service (KNS), Ruhullah said he was not looking at a timeline of a year but wanted a few months to take his campaign on the constitutional and political status of Jammu and Kashmir to what he called a certain level before stepping down. I need a few months. I am not even talking about a year. I want to bring this fight to a certain level, and then resign, he added. Ruhullah, however, made a distinction between his decision to resign and his willingness to reconsider it. He said the resignation itself was not conditional, but he would rethink the decision if Dr Farooq Abdullah wanted the issue resolved and the proposed steps were taken. Referring to Dr Farooq, Ruhullah said his relationship with the NC president was not merely political and that he had always regarded him as a fatherly figure. He said Dr Farooq had treated him with respect and that his remarks about Ruhullah being like a son were known to him personally. This is not a matter of our personal relations, Ruhullah said, adding that the larger issue concerned the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said if Dr Farooq wanted the matter to be resolved, he had three suggestions that could lead him to reconsider his resignation. Ruhullah said his first proposal was that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should resign from the post and that he himself would then resign as MP, allowing Omar to return to Parliament and lead the political fight for restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional protections. The current CM should resign from the post. I resign from the Member of Parliament, he said. Ruhullah said he did not want to return to Parliament himself and suggested that Omar Abdullah contest a Lok Sabha election and take up the issues he had been raising in the national political arena. I do not want to become the Member Parliament again. The CM should come, resign, become the Member Parliament. He should go to Parliament and fight the same fight that I am fighting, he said. He also said that Omar Abdullah could have a greater impact in Parliament because of his political position and the strength of the National Conference. Ruhullah said the campaign should go beyond the demand for restoration of statehood and include what he described as the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs constitutional guarantees, protections and dignity. Along with the statehood, the constitutional guarantees, dignity should be restored, he said. Ruhulla said his second proposal was that Omar Abdullah should nominate another person from among the partys MLAs or ministers to head the government, allowing the Chief Minister to concentrate on the political campaign from Parliament. Ruhullah said the government could then focus on governance and implementation of the National Conference manifesto while Omar Abdullah pursued the constitutional and political issues at the national level. Ruhulla said his third proposal was for the National Conference to turn the issue into a broader political movement, with the party standing behind Omar Abdullahs parliamentary campaign. Ruhullah said he was willing to take responsibility for organising such a movement within the party. He also called for those whom he blamed for moving the party away from its political movement and ideological agenda to be removed from party affairs. If these two-three suggestions work, I am ready to rethink my resignation the next day, Ruhullah said. He said that if there was no movement on his proposals, he would proceed with the decision he had already made. Ruhullah also said his decision was not the result of any individual forcing him out. There is no one to force me. I will do what I have to do on the basis of morals and conviction, he said. He also said that developments within the party had created an atmosphere in which his continuation had become increasingly difficult. He said remarks questioning why he had not resigned had come from different party functionaries, including MLAs, an MP, the additional general secretary and, at times, the Chief Minister. Ruhulla also said that he had been kept away from the working committee, party functioning and decision-making. They themselves call me from one MLA, some day from another MLA, some day from MP, some day from the Additional General Secretary, some day the Chief Minister himself talks badly to me, he said. Ruhullah said that if the party believed he had violated its ideology, agenda, manifesto or discipline, it should follow a formal process instead of publicly asking him to resign. He challenged the leadership to issue him a show-cause notice and spell out the alleged violations. I wish they had the dignity to issue a show-cause notice, he said. If they had the dignity, they would have been conscious, and they would have talked about party discipline, they would have issued a show-cause notice, he added. Ruhullah said he would respond to such a notice and allow the party to take a decision thereafter. Tell me, where have I violated? At least take the answer to that show-cause notice from me, he said. The Srinagar MP acknowledged that resigning would come at the cost of the parliamentary platform through which he has been pursuing the issue nationally. He said Parliament had allowed him to raise the constitutional question, engage with political parties and undertake lobbying and opinion-building. Whatever I could do in Parliament, I did it. I did the opinion generation, I spoke about 370, he said. He also referred to conferences and political outreach undertaken in Delhi and said he wanted to do more work on the issue before giving up his parliamentary position. I won't have the Parliament. The lobbying that I can do through the Parliament, the outreach that I can do, I won't have that. That is obvious, he said. He acknowledged that losing that platform would be a setback but said he was prepared to take the decision on the basis of his convictions.That will be a loss, he added.(KNS)
Kandal Rajans mission to save Kannurs rare mangrove
LDF meeting skips crucial internal issues, decides to focus on local body bypolls
Convener T.P. Ramakrishnan says CPIs demand for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition post was not on the meetings agenda. He denied that the CPIs ire and the feuding within allies such as INL had prompted the CPI(M) to defer the meeting
TN to file review petition against eviction of people from Megamalai region
Bengaluru: NLSIU V-C seeks meeting with five-member student delegation amid convocation row
Two days ago, the students and alumni of NLSIU extended unconditional support to the students of The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad.
India-Japan defence ties in focus as Rajnath, Koizumi to meet on August 20
The Japanese Defence Minister is expected to discuss cooperation on defence equipment, including Japans planned export of UNICORN stealth communication system
Ongole Municipal Corporation to mark 150th anniversary with series of events
20 passengers injured in TGSRTC bus-lorry collision in Jagtial district
Pralhad Joshi was informed that in the wake of recent issues, the NTA has removed more than 50 staff and advertised for 10 new professional leadership positions
Animal Welfare Board instructs Hosur Corporation to halt sterilisation surgeries
Madurai District Police to auction 14 vehicles on August 22
CSIR-IICT partners Re Sustainability for environmental technology research
Digital transformation firm opens office, plans to expand operations
