NDA to launch nationwide stir women's quota bill defeat

 Fri, 17 April 2026
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23:55

Rain lashes Delhi, IMD warns sweeping storms ahead

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File image
Rain and thunder lashed the national capital on Friday night, as the India meteorological department warned of thunderstorms and advised residents to stay indoors.The IMD said an intense band of storm activity has formed and is moving west to east across Delhi, bringing moderate rainfall, gusty...
23:50

NDA to launch nationwide stir women's quota bill defeat

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In a swift political counter-offensive, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners have announced a massive, nationwide protest campaign targeting the opposition.The move comes just hours after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, was defeated...
23:30

One former navy official still in Qatar over separate case: MEA

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A former Indian Navy official, whose death sentence was commuted by a Qatari court in 2023 along with seven others, has been unable to return to India due to detention in a separate case, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.Purnendu Tiwari was among eight former Navy personnel...
23:28

India, China hold SCO bilateral consultations in Delhi

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India and China held bilateral consultations under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) here on April 16-17, during which the two sides exchanged views on implementing the SCO leaders' decisions, and the future-course of the organisation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on...
23:01

India invited to join UK-France led initiative on Hormuz

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India has officially confirmed that it has been invited to take part in a maritime initiative led by the United Kingdom and France to protect transit through the Strait of Hormuz, widely regarded as a critical global chokepoint.During a weekly media briefing in the capital, Ministry of External...
22:43

West Asia: India supplied 22,000 MT of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March

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Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, India has supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March and has received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements, the MEA said on Friday.At his weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)...
22:20

Comedian Anudeep Katikala granted bail remarks against Pawan Kalyan

Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan/File image
Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan/File image
A stand-up comedian who was arrested for allegedly making derogatory comments about Andhra Pradesh deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan and his family members, was granted bail by a local court in Kakinada district on Friday, a police official said.The official said Anudeep Katikala (30), a...
22:09

Modi ji's arrogance suffers a defeat: Kejriwal women's bill defeat

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrogance suffers a defeat after the Constitution Amendment Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha.In a post on X, Kejriwal even claimed that the countdown of the Modi government has...
21:51

Uddhav Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi expresses grief on Women Bill defeat

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Shiv Sena-UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday diverged from her party's stand and rued the defeat of the Women Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha, calling it a sad day for women who hoped to find themselves in the parliament or assembly.The Constitution Amendment Bill to implement reservation for...
21:46

NDA floor leaders' meeting begins in Parl

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A meeting of NDA floor leaders began in Parliament on Friday with several senior leaders of the alliance in attendance.Union Ministers J.P. Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Meghwal and Shivraj Singh Chouhan were present at the meeting, along with BJP National President Nitin Nabin. Among other leaders...
21:24

Rupee rises 23 paise to settle at 92.91 against US dollar

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The rupee appreciated by 23 paise to settle at 92.91 against the US dollar on Friday, buoyed by a weakening American currency and retreating crude oil prices amid increasing hopes of easing geopolitical tensions.Renewed buying in domestic equity markets and fresh inflow of foreign funds also...
21:05

'TN defeats Delhi': Stalin on women quota bill's defeat in LS

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin burns a copy of the delimitation bill and dubbed it a 'black law'./@DMKITwing/X
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin burns a copy of the delimitation bill and dubbed it a 'black law'./@DMKITwing/X
Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday said Tamil Nadu defeats Delhi on the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha.Quickly reacting to the defeat of the bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of seats of the Lok Sabha in the Lower...
20:44

AAP to contest civic polls in Haryana

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Haryana Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Sushil Gupta on Friday said his party will contest municipal corporation elections in Panchkula, Ambala and Sonipat and claimed that people are fed up with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress and looking for a change.Gupta said he recently met AAP...
20:32

Chhattisgarh power plant blast: Death toll rises to 21

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The death toll in the April 14 blast at Vedanta's power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district has gone up to 21 after a worker succumbed to injuries, officials said on Friday.The explosion occurred in a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the power plant...
20:23

CJI warns new advocates-on-record against outsourcing legal work to AI

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Underlining the ethical obligations of the legal profession, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday warned the newly qualified batch of advocates-on-record (AoRs) against outsourcing legal work to artificial intelligence (AI) or other external parties.According to the rules framed by the...
20:09

US blockade to continue, Israel can't attack Lebanon: Trump

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United States President Donald Trump has welcomed the declaration from Tehran regarding the restoration of maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz.However, he said that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will 'remain in full force and effect'.The reaction follows an earlier announcement on...
19:49

Women's quota, delimitation bills defeated in Lok Sabha

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Constitution Amendment Bill to tweak women quota law defeated in Lok Sabha after division of votes.Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla says, The Constitution (131st Amendment) Amendment Bill did not pass as it did not achieve a 2/3 majority during voting in the House.
19:41

278 MPs suuport, 211 oppose women's bill in LS

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JUST IN: Constitution (131st Amendment) Amendment Bill gets 278 ayes and 211 noes; 489 voted in Lok Sabha.
19:36

Lok Sabha votes on women's reservation bill

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Lok Sabha begins process for voting on three bills - The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and Delimitation Bill, 2026.
19:31

Imran Khan's wife undergoes eye surgery

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Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, has undergone surgery on her right eye at a private hospital, jail authorities said.Bushra is serving a seven-year sentence in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail after being convicted in the Al-Qadir Trust case, where the...
19:24

Lok Sabha to vote shortly on women's reservation bill

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With Home Minister Amit Shah concluding his 75-minute long speech in the Lok Sabha in defence of the women's reservation bill and delimitation bill, the Lok Sabha prepares to vote on the 3 bills moved by the government on Thursday.
19:03

Ready to include 50 pc hike in seats in bill: Amit Shah

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Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday he was willing to include the proposal to increase the number of parliamentary seats across the country by 50 percent, in line with his assurance to the Lok Sabha yesterday. The Opposition had opposed the amendments to the delimitation bill stating that they...
18:43

Strait of Hormuz completely open now: Iranian FM

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Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday said that the Strait of Hormuz has been declared 'completely open' for all commercial vessels during the remaining period of the ongoing ceasefire.In a post on X, Araghchi said the decision was in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon and that...
18:26

Those opposing delimitation are against SC-STs: Amit Shah in LS

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No one has objected to the women's reservation. But, if we see closely, all members of the INDI alliance have opposed it by using 'ifs and but' , says Union Home Minister Amit Shah, replying to the debate on the Women's Reservation Bill and the Delimitation Bill in the...
18:18

HC orders FIR against Rahul in dual citizenship case

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The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Friday directed the registration of a first information report (FIR) against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in connection with an alleged dual citizenship controversy.The court also observed that after the registration of the FIR, the state government...
18:15

Can you solve Rahul Gandhi's 'number 16' jibe at BJP?

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who made a number 16 jibe at the treasury benches during his speech in Lok Sabha on Friday on three new bills, refused to elaborate on it in his brief interaction with reporters and said it is a puzzle and I won't tell the answer just like that.It is a puzzle, I...
17:50

Fire breaks out in Mumbai's 16-storey apartment

Representational image. Pic: ANI
Representational image. Pic: ANI
A fire broke out on the third floor of a 16-storey residential building in Tardeo area of Mumbai on Friday afternoon, officials said.Nobody was injured in the incident, they said.The blaze erupted at 12.44 pm on the third floor of Sai Leela Cooperative Housing Society, located in the M P Mill...
17:25

Pak intel agencies probe attack on LeT co-founder

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Image only for representation
Pakistan's Punjab Police on Friday registered a case against unidentified gunmen for opening fire on Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) co-founder Amir Hamza, who suffered bullet injuries in the attack in Lahore.On Thursday, two unidentified gunmen riding on a bike opened fire on the vehicle of the private TV...
16:55

Sensex climbs 500 pts amid easing geopolitical tensions

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Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rallied nearly 1 per cent on Friday, driven by optimism surrounding easing geopolitical tensions, falling crude prices, and fresh foreign fund inflows.Renewed hopes of a diplomatic resolution between the US and Iran, along with a 10-day ceasefire...
16:37

Fadnavis flags 'corporate jihad' at TCS, deep-dive probe on

Accused Raza Memon and Shafi Sheikh were arrested
Accused Raza Memon and Shafi Sheikh were arrested
Maharashtra Chief Minister & BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday termed the recent incident at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) facility in Nashik a very serious matter, stating that the government is investigating whether the incident constitutes corporate jihad.Speaking with ANI,...
16:26

My sister achieved in 5 minutes what I couldn't in 20 years: Rahul

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Update: In a friendly banter, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he didn't have the wife issue, as the Congress MP emphasised that everyone has learnt from women in their lives.Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on the three bills...
16:20

Headache to listen to Rahul: Kangana

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On Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut says, It was such a headache to listen to him. He is going through his childhood traumas and through the magic show he witnessed in his childhood. It was a nuisance. The Chair also asked him to stop. He has made a mockery of the...
16:14

We are not accepting any temporary ceasefire: Iran Deputy FM

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Tehran has dismissed the possibility of any short-term pauses in hostilities, asserting that it is pushing for a total conclusion to warfare throughout the West Asian region, according to Al Jazeera.Speaking to journalists during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Saeed...
15:59

The PM and myself don't have that wife issue: Rahul

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LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi struck a light moment while speaking on the Women's Bill which led to much laughter among the MPs.All of us, every single one in this room, have been influenced, taught, learnt a lot by women in their lives... Mothers, sisters, wives...As Rijijuji said, of course, the...
15:48

Magician of Balakot, demonetization, Sindoor caught: Rahul

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LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says, The magician of Balakot, demonetization, Sindoor has been suddenly caught...The ruling side objects to Rahul Gandhi's comments. Rahul Gandhi refers to the PM as a magician. Everybody knows there is a partnership between the magician and the businessman, he says...
15:28

Women's Bill attempt to change India's electoral map: Rahul

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Speaking in Parliament, on the delimitation issue, LoP, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi says: The first truth is that this is not a women's bill. This has nothing to do with the empowerment of women. This is an attempt to change the electoral map of India, says Rahul Gandhi, during a special session of...
14:56

Give the women of India their rightful due: PM in LS

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appealed to all Lok Sabha members to vote in favour of the women's reservation bill and not do anything that might hurt the sentiments of the country's 'nari shakti'.Hours before the voting on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which provides for 33...
14:37

Will bust entire module in Nashik TCS case: Fadnavis

Operations Manager of TCS Nashik, Ashwini Chainani, in custody
Operations Manager of TCS Nashik, Ashwini Chainani, in custody
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said his government was confident of busting the module involved in the alleged sexual harassment and forcible religious conversion at a unit of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik.Addressing a press meet, Fadnavis said the MNC took...
14:19

European allies can clear mines in Hormuz: France

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European countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands and France, have the capacity to conduct mine-clearing operations to help secure vital shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said on Friday, according to the French TV Station TF1.Vautrin told...
14:01

'BJP using Women's Bill as pretext for delimitation to never lose'

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Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday accused the BJP of using the Women's Reservation Bill as a pretext to carry out delimitation and redraw Lok Sabha constituencies for electoral gain.It is difficult to understand the BJP. When people were told that there would be an SIR, they were...
13:49

Apr 23 polls: DMK rules out Rahul, Stalin joint campaign

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The DMK on Friday said senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and chief minister M K Stalin will not campaign together for the April 23 polls in Tamil Nadu as both leaders have separate schedules.Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi will visit Chennai on Saturday to launch his election...
13:45

'Netanyahu Has Infiltrated Trump's Cabinet'

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As we enter the final days of the two-week ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran that has halted a war that began on February 28, Washington and Tehran remain poles apart on what they view as a comprehensive agreement.Will the ceasefire continue? Will the peace talks between Iran...
13:44

Caterer throws boy, 11, into tandoor for eating rasgullas

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An 11-year-old boy was allegedly thrown into a burning tandoor (clay oven) for eating rasgullas during a wedding ceremony in Basti, UP, police said on Friday.According to the police, the severely burned child was referred to the Lucknow Medical College, where his condition is currently stable.The...
13:05

Pakistan begins prep for next round of US-Iran talks

Security personnel near the Serena hotel in Islamabad. Waseem Khan/Reuters
Security personnel near the Serena hotel in Islamabad. Waseem Khan/Reuters
Pakistan has started preparing to host the second round of high-stakes talks between the US and Iran during the next week for a landmark peacedeal to end the war in West Asia that has crippled global energy supplies, officials said on Friday.The US and Iran held rare direct talks in Pakistan over...
13:04

SC refuses to protect Cong's Pawan Khera seeking pre-arrest bail

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The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera seeking protection against possible coercive action till April 20 in a case lodged against him for levelling allegations against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife.The top court asked Khera to move...
12:47

Black colour of Ma Kali: Kanimozhi on PM's kala tika remark

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DMK leader Kanimozhi on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his 'kala tika' swipe at her party's protest over women quota law amendment, saying black is the colour of goddess Kali and that the ruling party of Tamil Nadu will protest over the issue till the end.Intervening in the...
12:32

Delimitation is political demonetisation: Tharoor in LS

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Delimitation will turn out to be political demonetisation, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Friday while slamming the government for linking women's reservation with the expansion of Parliament.Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on the three bills introduced for amendments in...
12:16

Oppn flags amendments to women law before notifying Act

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Opposition members in the Lok Sabha on Friday questioned the government's move to move a bill to amend the 2023 women quota law before bringing the principal Act into force.Soon after laying of parliamentary papers, K C Venugopal rose to point out a law ministry notification issued last night...
11:57

K'taka govt to strictly implement paid menstrual leave policy

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Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad has said that the government will strictly implement the paid menstrual leave policy across all sectors at the earliest, following the High Court directive.The High Court of Karnataka had recently directed the state government to strictly and faithfully...
11:33

Harivansh elected Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha unopposed

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Nominated member Harivansh was elected Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha unopposed on Friday.It is the third term as Deputy Chairman for the journalist-turned-politician.The Office of the Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, fell vacant after the term of Harivansh ended on April 9.Union minister and Leader...
11:26

UK, France to co-chair summit on reopening of Hormuz

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to host a virtual meeting of world leaders to discuss efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure vital shipping routes, CNN reported.Leaders from around 40 countries are expected to participate in the summit,...
10:59

'India will get back PoK with Delimitation Bill'

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BJP leader Boora Narsaiah Goud on Friday said that one of the main highlights of the Delimitation Bill is the allocation of seats in the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). This bill will enable PoK to access their right to vote, and their representatives will be able to attend the Lok Sabha and...
10:37

Iran war: This badass US navy ship is leading the blockade

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The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has highlighted the role of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the ongoing US blockade operations in the Arabian Sea.In a post on X on Friday, CENTCOM said, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducts US blockade operations in the Arabian Sea, April...
10:11

I hope Hezbollah acts nicely: Trump on Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

Lebanon celebrates the ceasefire. Aziz Taher/Reuters
Lebanon celebrates the ceasefire. Aziz Taher/Reuters
US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed hope that Hezbollah would act responsibly and peacefully during the 10-day ceasefire with Israel, urging an end to hostilities and stressing the need for lasting peace in the region.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, I hope Hezbollah acts...
09:52

Iranian prez credits his people with aggressors retreating

The body of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, is lowered into her grave. Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters
The body of Ghadir Baalbaki, 19, is lowered into her grave. Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that the steadfastness of the Iranian people compelled US-Israeli forces to retreat during the 40-day war, according to Iranian state media Press TV.According to Press TV, speaking at a meeting with the minister, deputies, and senior managers at the...
09:29

'Delimitation Bill like a 'sales pitch' of insurance salesman'

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Congress leader Karti Chidambaram on Friday took a jibe at the Central government over the proposed Delimitation Bill, saying it is akin to a sales pitch of an insurance sales match, with the oral assurances not matching the fine print of the Bill.The delimitation sales pitch by the government is...
09:19

Fire destroys six cottages near Ashvem beach in Goa

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A fire gutted at least six cottages of a resort at Ashvem beach in North Goa, police said on Friday.  An official said that the incident occurred near the Ajoba temple in the area around 8:45 pm on Thursday, following which guests fled the premises. Nobody was injured in the fire, he...
09:15

Trump claims Iran agreed to give nuclear dust back to US

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) claimed that Iran has agreed to return its nuclear dust to the United States, asserting that the understanding comes as part of broader assurances from Tehran, as part of the peace deal, not to pursue its ambition to acquire a nuclear weapon....
08:53

May go to Pakistan if deal with Iran signed: Trump

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United States President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) said he would consider travelling to Pakistan if a peace agreement between the United States and Iran is finalised there, indicating Islamabad's possible role in ongoing negotiations.  I would go to Pakistan, yeah, Trump told...
08:47

TCS Gives WFH Option To Employees At Nashik Centre

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Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has given its employees the option to work from home at its Nashik centre, said sources in the know.The company has taken this decision for the convenience and safety of employees. Of course, those who wish to work from office, that option is also there, said a...
08:24

DGCA Initiates Probe Into SpiceJet-Akasa Collision

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A SpiceJet aircraft hit an Akasa Air plane at Delhi airport on Wednesday, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to off-roster the air traffic controller and the SpiceJet pilots involved and initiating a probe.'Winglet of SpiceJet B-737-700 aircraft... hit the horizontal tail...
08:16

Had a very good conversation with friend Modi: Trump

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US President Donald Trump on Friday said he had a very good conversation with his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi.He was referring to the talks the two leaders had on Tuesday.I had a very good talk with him, and he's a friend of mine from India, and he's doing great. We had a very good...
01:26

Shooter involved in firing at Rohit Shetty's residence arrested from Agra

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A joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Mumbai Police Crime Branch on Thursday arrested a wanted criminal allegedly involved in the firing incident at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence in Mumbai. The accused, identified as Pradeep Kumar alias Gaath, was apprehended from...
00:27

Army conducts joint op, destroys 10 bunkers in Manipur

Security personnel destroy a bunker in Manipur./ANI Photo
Security personnel destroy a bunker in Manipur./ANI Photo
In continuation of ongoing operations astride national highway (NH)-202, the security forces led by Red Shield Division launched coordinated Joint Area Domination Patrols again in the general areas of Jalenbung hills and Thoyee Heights, aimed at maintaining security and preventing...