Author: Agencies

NEW DELHI: Leaders of several opposition parties gathered in the chamber of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Wednesday to coordinate their strategy for the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. The meeting, held on the third day of the session, aims to strengthen the opposition’s front against the government on various issues. Meanwhile, proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha faced early disruptions. Both Houses have been adjourned till 12:00 noon following sloganeering and protests by opposition members. The opposition MPs held protests wearing black clothes against the government on…

NEW DELHI: NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament on Wednesday. NCP (SCP) leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule was also present at the meeting. Both Sharad Pawar and MP Supriya Sule had earlier joined the protestors at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, where the CJP is continuing its protest against the NEET-UG paper leak. The party has extended its support to the call for Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. Pawar urged the Centre to “sensitively consider the demands” and take appropriate action. “The Indian Constitution has provided protection to the rights and entitlements…

NEW DELHI: Barely two minutes after the Lok Sabha convened on Wednesday morning, the House was adjourned till 12 noon, amid an uproar by the opposition over various issues. As opposition members raised slogans, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged them to allow the Question Hour to continue, assuring them that discussions would be held afterwards on all issues for which notices had been given. “It is the Question Hour now. It is important. After the Question Hour, I am ready to hold discussions on the issues for which you have given notices. You can hold discussions for as long…

NEW DELHI: The opposition MPs held protests wearing black clothes against the government on the Parliament premises. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi among others were present at the protest. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said students have genuine demands and are asking for their rights. “The Education budget is Rs 1.4 lakh crores, but you are waving off Rs 16 lakh crore loans for Adani and Ambani. Students have a genuine struggle and are asking for change. Paper leaks are happening repeatedly. There is nothing undemocratic with peaceful…

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday said students have genuine demands and are fighting for their rights, asserting that there is “nothing undemocratic” about peaceful protests, while alleging that what is happening with students and in Parliament is “undemocratic”. Speaking to reporters, Wayanad MP said, “Students have a genuine struggle and are asking for change. Paper leaks are happening repeatedly…There is nothing undemocratic with peaceful protest, but what is happening with students and in Parliament is undemocratic.” The Congress MP further added that students are raising genuine concerns and questioned the allocation of funds. “What happened with…

SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: Three persons were injured and 12 more houses were damaged in the Boh Valley of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district in overnight rain, officials said on Wednesday. With this, the total number of houses damaged in the valley has climbed to 18. Six houses were washed away in a downpour on Tuesday. The meteorological department warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Kullu districts over the next 24 hours. A cloudburst triggered flash floods and massive debris flows in Sapedi and Garun villages of the valley on Tuesday. Lam village…

All generic drugs imported into the United States will continue to attract zero per cent tariffs for two years from August 1, 2026, after which tariffs will rise by up to 200 per cent, US President Donald J Trump announced on Wednesday. Taking to Truth Social, Trump said, the policy is aimed at bringing generic pharmaceutical production back to the United States, with penalties for companies that choose not to establish manufacturing plants and equipment within the specified timeframe. “Effective August 1st, 2026, all Generic Drugs being brought into the United States will continue to have a TARIFF of ZERO…

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila and discussed key areas of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership as the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) reconvened on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related meetings. Sharing details of the meeting, Jaishankar said in a post on X, “Pleased to meet Sec Rubio of the USA here in Manila. Our meeting focused on areas which are priority for the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including trade & tariffs, energy, defence & security, critical minerals & artificial intelligence.” The two leaders also exchanged views on…

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear on Wednesday a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking an independent investigation into the police action during climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike at Jantar Mantar and directions to safeguard citizens’ constitutional right to hold peaceful protests. A division bench of Chief Justice Devender Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia is scheduled to hear the matter. The PIL has been filed by Shakeel Abbas, a Delhi-based advocate, through Advocate Shakil Sheikh and Associates. It names the Union of India, the Delhi Police Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi District),…

MUMBAI: Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early deals on Wednesday as higher crude oil prices and selling in bank stocks hit investors’ sentiment. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 403.54 points to 77,066.06 in early trade, taking the donwtrend to the third day running. The 50-share NSE Nifty edged lower by 114.75 points to 24,070.05. From the Sensex pack, InterGlobe Aviation, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Sun Pharma, Adani Ports, UltraTech Cement, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank were among the major laggards. Titan, Eternal, Maruti and Asian Paints were the winners. Elevated crude oil prices and persistent geopolitical…