India

NEW DELHI: Slamming the governing BJP for scheduling a discussion on Left-wing extremism (LWE) in Lok Sabha, the opposition on Monday asked why the Modi govt was not discussing in Parliament issues such as the West Asia war, “extremism” in the name of Hindutva, growing unemployment and rising atrocities against Dalits and weaker sections. Many…

NEW DELHI: At a time when Pakistan has inserted itself in the West Asia frame and proposed to position itself as a mediator, the latest US congressional research service (CRS) report offers a sharp reality check. It says Pakistan remains a sanctuary for a wide array of terrorist groups despite decades of state-led military offensives…

J&K CM Omar Abdullah makes strong pitch against amendments to Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees Act, 1969 SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah, on Monday, made a strong pitch against a bill brought by his own party MLA that seeks to grant landowners the right to cut walnut trees on their property.Omar…

NEW DELHI: Citing recent incidents of fatal building fires in Delhi, Odisha and Goa, a technical committee of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has disagreed with the deregulation cell of the Cabinet Secretariat to exclude “fire safety” provisions from the National Building Code. However, it has accepted over a dozen recommendations, including the removal…

LUCKNOW: A full-scale emergency was declared at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (CCSIA) on Monday evening after an Air India Express flight operating from Bagdogra to Delhi issued a Mayday call mid-air following suspected smoke inside the aircraft.The flight, IX 1523, was cruising at 36,000 feet above Ghaghara river in Ambedkar Nagar district at…

NEW DELHI: As Puducherry heads into assembly polls, the numbers tell a compelling story — one where women voters outnumber men, potentially shaping the electoral outcome in a decisive way.According to the final electoral rolls, the Union Territory has a total of 9,44,211 voters across 30 constituencies. Of these, 5,00,477 are women, compared to 4,43,595…

Head of the UN office for disaster risk reduction Mami Mizutori tells Pradeep Thakur Covax is making progress towards having 2 billion doses available by the end of 2021, which should be enough to protect high-risk and vulnerable people. Excerpts from the interview:The World Bank estimates 150 million people will be pushed into extreme poverty…

NEW DELHI: West Bengal government on Monday extended the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in the state till July 1.Essential services will continue operating following protocols, the chief minister Mamata Banerjee said.West Bengal’s Covid-19 tally rose to 14,61,257 on Sunday as 3,984 more people tested positive for the infection, while 84 fresh fatalities pushed the state’s coronavirus…

HYDERABAD: A single dose of Covid-19 vaccine is sufficient for an infected person as there was a greater antibody response when compared with those who have had no prior infection, according to a study released by AIG Hospitals on Monday.The city-based AIG Hospitals recently published a study conducted on 260 healthcare workers, who got vaccinated…

CHENNAI: The AIADMK on Monday warned of disciplinary action against those in the party if they interacted with ousted party leader V K Sasikala, even as it expelled 17 members including party spokesman V Pugazhendhi.Most of those expelled were said to have spoken to ousted former interim general secretary V K Sasikala.The AIADMK legislators’ meeting,…