National

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah on Wednesday said “We are here to make it easier for Muslims in India to go to Mecca and Medina and have a great experience doing Umrah.”“We are here to hear comments, and suggestions to enrich the experience and make it easier for Muslims in India to go to Mecca and Medina and have a great experience doing Umrah and visit Al Medina,” the Saudi Minister said.The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah is on an official visit to India as part of a series of international tours aimed at showcasing Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to serving Umrah pilgrims.This visit aims to achieve significant advancements in streamlining procedures, enhancing services, and outlining comprehensive plans for hosting pilgrims and Umrah visitors, alignin...

New Delhi: The BJP may choose new faces for Chief Minister posts in the heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where it posted thumping poll victories, according to sources in the party. The selection would be done keeping the 2024 general election in mind, the sources added. The BJP won the Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, results of which were declared on Sunday. The party’s central leadership has been holding discussions on the Chief Minister probables in the three states.A four-and-a-half hour meeting was held at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence yesterday, during which the frontrunners in the three states were considered. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda.This mara...

New Delhi:  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has ranked 32nd in the Forbes’ list of world’s most powerful women that also featured US Vice President Kamala Harris and musician Taylor Swift.Three other Indian women named in the list are HCL Corporation CEO Roshni Nadar Malhotra (rank 60), Steel Authority of India chairperson Soma Mondal (rank 70), and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (rank 76).European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen topped the list, followed by European Central Bank boss Christine Lagarde at the second position and US Vice President Kamal Harris at number three.Ms Sitharaman became India’s first full-time Finance Minister in May 2019 and also heads the Corporate Affairs ministry. She held roles at UK’s Agricultural Engineers Association and BBC World Service bef...

New Delhi: A recent report by Meta has highlighted the growing menace of fake Facebook accounts originating from China spreading fake news about India. The report sheds light on the sophisticated strategies employed by these accounts to manipulate public opinion and influence discourse. Meta, in its quarterly threat report, revealed that it dismantled a large network of fake accounts originating from China earlier this year.The accounts, pretending to be Indians, were actively involved in spreading misleading information on Indian politics and other issues of national security.“This network operated fictitious personas on Facebook posing as journalists, lawyers, and human rights activists. The network posted mainly in English, and to a lesser extent in Hindi and Chinese, about regional new...

Malvan, Maharashtra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted his government is committed to increasing the strength of women in the armed forces and said Indian Navy ranks would be renamed according to the country’s culture.Paying tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his vision and warfare strategy, he noted the 17th century Maratha king knew the importance of naval power.The PM was speaking at a Navy Day event held at Malvan in coastal Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, around 500km from Mumbai.“We are emphasising on increasing the number of women in the armed forces,” he said.Narendra Modi lauded the Navy following the announcement that a woman officer would be commanding a Naval ship.He said ranks in the Indian Navy would be renamed according to the Indian culture.PM Mod...

New Delhi/Chennai: Cyclone Michaung, currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal, is poised to make a forceful landfall near Bapatla along the Andhra Pradesh coast, leaving a trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu. With at least eight reported deaths in rain-related incidents in Chennai, the impending cyclone raises concerns of intensified havoc as it approaches the coastline.Here are the latest updates on Cyclone Michaung:1. Landfall Predictions and ImpactA storm surge of 1-1.5 meters is expected to inundate the low-lying areas of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, particularly the Bapatla and Krishna districts. The cyclone is anticipated to hit as a severe cyclonic storm, packing sustained wind speeds of 90-100 km per hour, with gusts potentially reaching 110 km per hour.2. State Preparations and W...

Two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were killed in action when their Pilatus trainer aircraft crashed at Toopran town in Telangana’s Medak district on Monday morning, IAF officials said.According to officials, the crash took place at around 8:55 am during training at Air Force Academy near Dindigul district. The pilots include an instructor and one cadet.SP, Medak, Rohini said that the aircraft crashed near Toopran.“It’s a Training Aircraft from Dundigul airport. There were two people inside the aircraft, one trainer and a trainee. The airport staff and clue team are on the spot. The firefighters doused the fire,” SP Rohini said.“They are trying to find out if there are any survivors. They are combing the area to find if there are body remains. Further details awaited,” the SP added.The reas...

The results of Assembly polls yesterday show that “people have rejected negativity”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this morning, urging the Opposition “not to vent the frustration of defeat” inside the Parliament.The Prime Minister was addressing the media ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament.“I request all MPs to come to Parliament with preparation. Against the backdrop of the election results, I would say that this is a golden opportunity for the Opposition. They must shed the negativity they have been carrying for nine years and proceed with positivity. Please do not vent the frustration of defeat in Parliament,” he sUrging the Opposition not to protest “for the sake of it”, he said, “This is for your benefit. The Opposition has a significant role in a democracy. Please underst...

Chennai: Cyclone Michaung, currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal and heading towards the Andhra coast, has unleashed torrential rain upon Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Heavy rainfall was reported in north coastal Tamil Nadu, encompassing Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, and Cuddalore districts, with Thiruvallur district bearing the brunt of the downpour. Most parts of Chennai are submerged in water, with heavy inundation in low-lying areas. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam tomorrow noon.Chennai city and its neighboring districts received heavy rainfall overnight, with Meenambakkam recording 196 mm and Nungambakkam receiving 154.3 mm in the 24 hours leading up to 5:30 am this morning. As a result, schools, colleges, and government...

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday night hailed a “historic and unprecedented” victory after the BJP won three of four state elections. The party inflicted a crushing defeat on the Congress as it retained Madhya Pradesh and then flipped Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh – both ruled by its fierce rival.“Today’s victory is historic and unprecedented… today, sabka sath, sabka vikas bhavna has won… today, the call for a ‘developed India’ has won… today, atmanirbhar India’s sankalp has won, the vichar of the oppressed has won… today, honesty and good governance has won,” the Prime Minister declared. Source