Author: Agencies
UDHAMPUR: Seven shops were damaged on Monday due to land subsidence triggered by heavy rains along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district, officials said. Heavy rains also triggered flash floods in the upper Kither-Narsu belt of Udhampur, resulting in land subsidence along the highway, they said. Seven shops, including a restaurant, were damaged in the incident, they said, adding, locals and police immediately swung into action and removed debris from the damaged structures. Cracks have developed across nearly four acres of land along the highway, threatening other structures in the area, officials said.
NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha amid continued Opposition sloganeering during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Meghwal moved for leave to introduce the Bill, which seeks to further amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The proposed legislation seeks to replace the ordinance promulgated by the Centre to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court from 33 to 37. The Bill was introduced even as Opposition members continued raising slogans in the House over the alleged NEET-UG paper…
NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon on Monday, shortly after the House assembled for the first day of the Monsoon Session, amid continuous sloganeering by Opposition members demanding discussions on the NEET controversy and the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case. The proceedings began with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla making obituary references to former Members of Parliament Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, Omwati Devi, Sudhangshu Seal, Major General Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri AVSM (Retd.), KP Dhanapalan, Pyare Lal Sankhwar, and His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Father Amir of the State of Qatar. Soon after the obituary references,…
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday agreed to hear an appeal filed by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Dr Gitanjali J Angmo, challenging a Single Judge’s refusal to direct his transfer from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital of his choice. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tejas Karia agreed to take up the matter at 2:30 PM after it was mentioned for urgent hearing by Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, appearing for the appellant. When the matter was mentioned, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union of India, requested that the appeal be…
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed confidence that the Monsoon Session of Parliament would witness meaningful discussions, saying that “where there are facts and logic, there is no room for a storm,” while highlighting India’s economic resilience and recent development milestones. Speaking to reporters ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon Session, the Prime Minister said the world continues to face the persistent threat of conflicts, particularly in West Asia, which created serious challenges for energy-importing countries like India. “We are well aware, and the entire world is concerned about the persistent threat of war in various regions.…
NEW DELHI: Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s vitals remain stable, though his blood parameters continue to require close monitoring, two days after he was shifted to Safdarjung Hospital following a prolonged hunger strike that he continues to observe. The bulletin, issued at 10 am by the Office of the Medical Superintendent under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, said, “Sonam Wangchuk continues to receive comprehensive medical care at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital. His vital parameters remain stable. Blood parameters continue to warrant close clinical observation. He remains under continuous medical management and the close supervision of a multidisciplinary team of experts.” It…
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a veiled swipe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi while lauding India’s growing space capabilities, saying he was referring to “28-year-old youngsters” behind the success of startup Skyroot Aerospace and “not any 56-year-old ‘youngster’.” Addressing reporters ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s recent achievements in the space sector and praised the country’s young innovators. “Just before last year’s Monsoon Session, an Indian citizen reached the International Space Station, and the day before yesterday, India’s young startup achieved a very big milestone. There…
MUMBAI: The rupee weakened 12 paise to 96.42 against the US dollar in early trade on Monday due to a surge in crude oil prices and strong demand for the American currency amid the worsening West Asia crisis. Foreign capital outflows from domestic equity markets also weighed on the Indian currency, forex traders said. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened lower at 96.53 against the previous close of 96.30 to dollar. The local unit pared some losses to trade at 96.42 later, down 12 paise from its previous close. On Friday, the rupee gained 12 paise to settle at…
JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah left for Delhi on Monday to join the National Conference’s protest there demanding restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The demonstration coincides with the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament and will be led by the National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. “Under the leadership of our president, the statehood protest will commence from 5, Prithviraj Road at 10 am. All party leaders, MLAs, and legislators will assemble there before proceeding together,” a party spokesperson said. Abdullah who reached Delhi along with his father on Saturday, cut short his visit and returned to Jammu…
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday welcomed the Members of Parliament at the commencement of the Monsoon Session of the 18th Lok Sabha, describing the House as the “supreme temple of democracy” and calling for a spirit of “positive cooperation” among all members. In a post on X, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomed the members, noting that the morning rain in the capital served as a positive omen. “The eighth session of the 18th Lok Sabha, the Monsoon Session, is commencing from today. As a blessing from Lord Indra, the rain that occurred in Delhi this morning…