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HEADLINES
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterates India’s firm commitment to support early and peaceful resolution of Russia-Ukraine conflict in telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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Twelve members including George Kurien and Ravneet Singh Bittu of BJP and Abhishek Manu Singhvi of Congress elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha.
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Nomination process for first phase of Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir ends; Scrutiny tomorrow.
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Student protesters clash with police at several places in Kolkata; Demand resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over RG Kar Medical College incident.
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Kerala government forms SIT to probe crimes against women in Malayalam film industry in the wake of Justice Hema Committee report; Actor Mohanlal resigns as president of Malayalam Movie Artists Association.
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Heavy rain disrupts normal life in several parts of Gujarat and Bihar.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India’s firm commitment to support an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of Russia-Ukraine conflict. In a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, both leaders exchanged perspectives on the issue. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that he spoke with Mr Putin and discussed the measures to further strengthen Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. The Prime Minister added that he shared his insights from the recent visit to Ukraine.
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External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today co-chaired the 9th India-Brazil Joint Commission with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira in New Delhi. During the meeting, both sides took stock of bilateral ties, including cooperation in trade, defence, energy, health, agriculture, space, and technology. They also exchanged views on global geopolitical developments, the shared concerns and aspirations of the Global South, and advancing engagement in BRICS, IBSA and G20.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Dr. Jaishankar reiterated India’s full support for Brazil’s G20 presidency. Currently, Brazil holds the G20 Presidency, and the G20 summit will take place on November 18th and 19th this year in Rio de Janeiro. He appreciated Brazil’s unique initiatives centred on the theme of building a just world and a sustainable planet. Dr. Jaishankar noted that the strategic partnership between India and Brazil which was established in 2006 has diversified over the years.
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In the Rajya Sabha by-polls today, nine members from BJP, two from NDA allies and one from Congress have been elected unopposed.
The BJP candidates include George Kurien from Madhya Pradesh, Ravneet Singh Bittu from Rajasthan, Manan Kumar Mishra from Bihar, Mission Ranjan Dass and Rameshwar Teli from Assam, Rajeev Bhattacharjee from Tripura, Kiran Chadhary from Haryana, Dhirya Sheel Patil from Maharashtra and Mamata Mohanta from Odisha.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi of Congress was elected unopposed from Telangana. NCP Ajit Pawar faction’s Nitin Patil got elected from Maharashtra and RLM’s Updendra Kushwaha made it to the Upper House from Bihar.
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The nomination for the first phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir ended this evening. As many as 24 seats spread over six districts will go to polls in this phase on September 18. The scrutiny of nominations will take place tomorrow, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 30. Voting for the next two phases will be held on September 25 and 1st of October. The results will be announced on October 4. Out of 90 assembly constituencies in the Union Territory, 74 are general, 7 are reserved for SC candidates, and 9 for ST candidates.
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The BJP today released the third list of its 29 candidates for the ensuing Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The party has fielded Devinder Singh Rana from Nagrota seat, Pawan Gupta from the Udhampur West seat, Chowdhary Abdul Ghani from the Poonch Haveli seat and Baldev Raj Sharma from the Mata Vaishno Devi seat. The names of the candidates have been approved by the BJP Central Election Committee.
Congress has released a list of nine candidates for the ensuing Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls. The party has fielded its leader Ghulam Mohammad Mir from the Dooru assembly seat while Sheikh Riaz will contest from the Doda seat. Pradeep Kumar Bhagat will be the Congress candidate from Doda West assembly constituency.
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Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) and Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) (ASP) have formed an alliance for the upcoming Haryana Assembly Elections. JJP leader Dushyant Singh Chautala and ASP President Chandra Shekhar Aazad made the announcement at a joint press conference in New Delhi. Mr Chautala said, the alliance will contest on all 90 Assembly constituencies in Haryana with JJP fighting on 70 seats while ASP contesting on 20.
Haryana will go to polls the 1st of October in a single-phase. The counting of votes will take place on the 4th of October along with Jammu and Kashmir.
In Kolkata, reports of clashes between police and protesters were received from Howrah Bridge, Foreshore Road, and Santragachi in Howrah as student groups held the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally. Protesters are demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital incident. Protesters were stopped at various locations as they breached the barricades. Police used lathi-charge, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The state government has already imposed prohibitory orders near Nabanna preventing the assembly of five or more persons.
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The first meeting of the National Task Force, NTF, formed by the Supreme Court to make recommendations for safety, security and working conditions of medical professionals was held today. The meeting was chaired by Cabinet Secretary in which all members including Home Secretary and Health Secretary were present. The meeting disucssed in detail on various issues and the members put forth their suggestions. The NTF members informed that they have been approached directly by various stakeholders and have individually received almost 300 to 400 suggestions.
Our correspondent reports that Union Health Ministry has created a national portal on its website under the title “Suggestions to NTF”-for seeking suggestions from individuals and different stakeholders across the country.
“The national portal which has been created by the Health Ministry has become operational from today.Suggestions of major stakeholders,and those received on the portal will be collated by the Ministry for further consideration of the members of National Task Force. The Union Health Secretary along with NTF members will have wider consultations with various major stakeholders. States have also been requested to provide information on the security measures available in medical institutions in the State. A meeting will also be held tomorrow through Video Conference to discuss short-term measures regarding the security of medical professionals with State Chief Secretaries and DGPs. The meeting will be co-chaired by the Union Home Secretary and Union Health Secretary.”
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The Kerala government has formed a seven-member Special Investigation Team, SIT to probe the crimes against women in the Malayalam film industry. The move came following Justice K. Hema Committee report, which detailed rampant harassment and abuse faced by women professionals in the industry.
In a related development, actor Mohanlal resigned as the President of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists or (AMMA) today. In the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report, Mohanlal and the entire 16-member executive committee of AMMA collectively stepped down.
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Heavy rain has disrupted normal life in several parts of Gujarat and Bihar.
In Gujarat, the rainfall is reported to be more than 99 percent of the season’s average, with a total of 880 millimeters. According to the Gandhinagar State Emergency Operation Centre, Nine people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents at different locations in the state, while one person is still missing. Transport service has also been affected as 433 state routes are closed. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until 30th of August. Currently, 14 NDRF teams and 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are deployed across the state for rescue operations. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviewed the flood situation and took stock of the rescue operations today.
“Morbi and Rajkot in Saurashtra and Anand, Kheda and Vadodara districts of Central Gujarat have witnessed severe waterlogging today. More than 23 thousand people have been shifted to safer places and over 1600 people have been rescued in the state. Cabinet Minister Rushikesh Patel said the government is focusing on the safe evacuation of the people to avoid any untoward incidents. In view of the waterlogging, primary schools will remain closed for tomorrow in flood-affected districts.
In Bihar, several rivers including Ganga, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda are in full spate causing flood in more than seven districts. Bhagalpur, Katihar, Khagaria, Patna and Munger district are the most affected.
“In Bhagalpur district more than eight blocks are flood affected due to rising water level of Ganga. Naugachia, Kahalgaon, Sultanganj, Ismailpur, Gopalpur, Rangra and Narayanpur are most affected due to fury of flood. Displaced people have taken shelter in relief camps and other higher places. District administration has started community kitchens for flood victims. In Patna district 76 schools located in riverine and low lying areas have been closed in view of flood.”
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Maharashtra is celebrating the festival of Dahi Handi with fervor and enthusiasm. Our correspondent reports that Mumbai and the surrounding areas, famous for their Dahi Handi celebrations, are showcasing a blend of practice, tradition, and social awareness.
“The Govinda Pathaks, who have trained for months, are breaking the Dahi Handis suspended high in the air by forming multi-layered human pyramids. The festivities, which began in the morning with these Pathaks building the pyramids to honor the occasion, are now gaining momentum. Political parties have announced huge cash prizes for the winners. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, were present to witness the festivities. In the Girgaon area of Mumbai, known for its Dahi Handi culture, a strong social message was conveyed through Chitra Raths, or tabloids, mainly focusing on atrocities against women. In Wesave Koliwada, Andheri, the Dahi Handi was broken with a sharp spear, adhering to the age-old tradition rather than using hands. The festivities, which will continue until midnight, are accompanied by rhythmic music and large crowds cheering for the Govindas.”
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Jay Shah, the current honorary secretary of the BCCI, has been elected unopposed as the Independent Chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Jay Shah, was the sole nominee for the chairmanship. He will assume his position on 1st December this year.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterates India’s firm commitment to support early and peaceful resolution of Russia-Ukraine conflict in telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
-
Twelve members including George Kurien and Ravneet Singh Bittu of BJP and Abhishek Manu Singhvi of Congress elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha.
-
Nomination process for first phase of Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir ends; Scrutiny tomorrow.
-
Student protesters clash with police at several places in Kolkata; Demand resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over RG Kar Medical College incident.
-
Kerala government forms SIT to probe crimes against women in Malayalam film industry in the wake of Justice Hema Committee report; Actor Mohanlal resigns as president of Malayalam Movie Artists Association.
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Heavy rain disrupts normal life in several parts of Gujarat and Bihar.