India

NEW DELHI: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has directed all its contractors and concessionaires to ensure staggered working hours so that workers can avoid exposure in peak heat hours, typically between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., in view of the ongoing heatwave conditions.Issuing comprehensive guidelines for precautionary measures to safeguard health of the workforce,…

NEW DELHI: As West Bengal heads to vote in phase 2 on Wednesday, the Matua community might emerge as a kingmaker in this big-stakes election.In phase 2, the Motua-dominated belt of North 24 Parganas and Nadia could be the decisive factor in the big TMC vs BJP fight. Ahead of polling, a large section of…

It is about karma and dharma. Subrata Thakur is far more at ease when asked about the principles of the Matua community and how its history evolved from the days of Harichand Thakur and Guruchand Thakur.Subrata, grandson of P R Thakur and Matua matriarch Baroma Binapani Devi, explains how his family prioritised not only social…

CCTV footage of Mira Road attacker NEW DELHI: “I’m going to die! I’m going to die! Please save me!” Caught between life and death, Rajesh Mishra cried out over the phone, his voice strained, as an attacker kept flailing a knife at him.Rajesh Mishra, a supervisor, was trying to reach out to Subroto Sen, a…

Militants on the streets in Kidal, northern, Mali NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Tuesday issued a statement condemning the “terrorist attacks” in Mali across multiple locations. “India strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Mali targeting multiple locations. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and express our solidarity…

The Federation of Indian Airlines has sought urgent government intervention over high ATF prices, warning they are pushing Indian carriers toward a financial crisis. A row erupted between TMC and cops after UP-cadre IPS Ajay Pal Sharma went viral for his warning against party leader Jahangir Khan over voter intimidation accusations. The BJP notched up…

‘Singham’ cop Ajay Pal Sharma NEW DELHI: The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday declined to intervene in allegations against Election Commission-appointed police observer Ajay Pal Sharma, saying it would not pass any order concerning officers on poll duty until April 29, when the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections is scheduled.The observation came…

TMc protests against ‘Singham’ cop NEW DELHI: A political row erupted in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas on Tuesday as Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters staged protests, accusing Election Commission-appointed police observer Ajay Pal Sharma of “intimidating” party workers ahead of the second phase of polling.Protests broke out in Falta, where supporters raised slogans outside the…

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday visited Rajghat in the national capital and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. He was accompanied by former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, leader of opposition Atishi and other party leaders, amid his announcement of a boycott in proceedings related to the Delhi Excise…

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday took cognisance of the “lone wolf” stabbing attack on two security guards in Thane, saying it is being viewed as a possible case of self-radicalisation in which the accused allegedly intended to target members of the Hindu community in the name of jihad. He also said…