Akshita Kapoor

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: PM Modi held talks with the visiting Paraguay President, Santiago Pena, underlining new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in areas including digital technology, critical minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, and defence. Modi also expressed deep appreciation for the South American country's strong condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack, saying the two countries stood united in the fight against terrorism.The PM said there's immense possibility of cooperation to fight against shared challenges such as cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking. "Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations. On behalf of all Paraguayans, Pena expressed his deep solidarity with victims and families of the terror attack," said MEA secretary (east) P Kumaran.On trade and economic ties, Modi said India has a preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR and the two sides can work together to expand it. […]

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: In a barb apparently directed at his own party, ex-Union minister Salman Khurshid Monday said it is distressing to see those who had joined govt's campaign to sensitise the global community on Pakistan's terror agenda being criticised for their efforts. Congress has slammed Centre's move to send all-party delegations abroad, calling it a sham."When on mission against terrorism, to carry India's message to the world, it's distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?" he wondered in a post on X that appeared to echo the exasperation of his colleague Shashi Tharoor, who has been at the receiving end of attacks from party spokespersons for agreeing to head one of the all-party delegations.Explaining his post, Khurshid said the need of the hour is to speak in a single voice […]

[ad_1] SURAT: A fleet of gleaming cars and electric two-wheelers sits idle in his courtyard, but 70-year-old Suresh Jariwala mounts a three-decade-old, iron-framed Atlas bicycle and pedals into the sunrise. "I ride because it's part of me," said Jariwala, textile tycoon, fitness fanatic, and cycling legend in Surat's business circles. Up at 5.45am, he pedals 30-40km before most pour their tea.He's been at it since 1972. Not for show. Not for sport. But for soul.Back when the factory was in Surat, he rode a Raleigh bicycle to work. The factory's shift to Ankleshwar in 1982 changed nothing - except the commute from his home at Salabatpura in Surat. Three-km to Surat station. Train to Ankleshwar. Another 4km to factory on a second cycle stashed at the station. Repeat. Daily. No break. No fanfare.Atlas came into his life in 1990s. Price: […]

[ad_1] Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson has addressed pregnancy rumors circulating online following her absence from a recent game. Jackson, listed as “out for personal reasons,” responded with humor, posting a photo on X holding a basketball to her stomach, captioned “#ItsAGirl”. She later clarified she is not pregnant, emphasizing her focus on being a 'rich auntie'. Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson is breaking her silence after fans on social media began circulating baseless pregnancy rumors due to her absence from the team’s recent game. The 2024 No.4 WNBA draft pick, who was listed as “out for personal reasons,” wasn’t on the court during the Sparks’ 85-80 home loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday. But while her team was dealing with an on-court loss, Jackson was addressing internet speculation most unexpectedly, with humor and a basketball. Rickea […]

[ad_1] AYODHYA/LUCKNOW: The second consecration ceremony at the Ram temple will begin on Tuesday. During the three-day ceremony, the consecration of deities will be performed in six temples situated on the temple's ramparts, along with the formal installation of the Ram Darbar on the first floor of the temple.Meanwhile, Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust general secretary, Champat Rai, on Monday appealed to devotees not to visit the temple town for ‘pran pratishtha' rituals. "We have not invited anyone from outside Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh or nearby states or other states. Do not gather in Ayodhya for Pran Pratishtha because no special arrangements have been made," Rai.Rai said that owing to the weather conditions, holding a large programme was not possible and people should avoid crowding Ayodhya on June 5 when the Ram Darbar on the first floor would be inaugurated."I request […]

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah Monday called for deeper involvement of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in the govt's foodgrain storage scheme, terming it essential for their financial stability and social relevance. At a review meeting of the world's largest cooperative foodgrain storage initiative, Shah directed food and public distribution ministry and Food Corporation of India to carry out national-level warehouse mapping to align infrastructure with regional needs. He asked FCI, NCCF, NAFED and state warehousing bodies to link PACS with more warehouses and urged states to bring more PACS into the scheme. State-level marketing federations should be integrated to build a complete cooperative supply chain, Shah said. He stressed on extending Agriculture Infrastructure Fund's loan period to help PACS financially. Shah called the scheme a major step towards the PM's vision of "sahkar se […]

[ad_1] BHOPAL: A police officer from Bhopal was removed from active duty and attached to the lines on Monday after a video surfaced showing him instructing a gym owner to bar Muslim trainers and trainees from his facility.The incident took place a few days ago in Ayodhya Nagar locality here when Bajrang Dal members visited a gym and objected to the presence of Muslim trainers, police sources said. Cops were called in to manage the situation, and sub-inspector Dinesh Sharma was among the officers who responded.In the video, Sharma can be heard saying: "No Muslim will come here to give or take training. I have made this clear to you." After the footage sparked outrage, officers initiated an internal inquiry into Sharma's conduct. He was subsequently relieved of field duties and sent to the lines pending further investigation.BJP MP from […]

[ad_1] Actor Vibhu Raghave, best known for his role in the popular television show Nisha Aur Uske Cousins, has sadly passed away after a prolonged and courageous battle with stage 4 neuroendocrine colon cancer. He breathed his last on June 2, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, talent, and inspiration.The actor had been fighting the aggressive illness for the past three years. Earlier this year, in January, Vibhu shared a heartfelt video from the hospital during his second cycle of chemotherapy. In the video, he opened up about the rapid progression of his disease, revealing that it had spread to multiple organs, including his liver, spine, bones, and lungs. Despite the dire circumstances, Vibhu remained hopeful and strong, telling fans, “It was shocking. I was worried for a few days… but the only treatment right now is chemotherapy. Everything is […]

[ad_1] KOLKATA: Wazahat Khan Qadri, whose FIR prompted Kolkata police to arrest a law student and influencer from Gurugram for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, is himself accused of regularly making communal and inflammatory posts on social media, and now faces at least seven complaints in this regard."We have received multiple complaints against Qadri at the Lalbazar (Kolkata police headquarters) cyber cell and multiple police stations, with excerpts of his social media posts. We are verifying them, and legal action will follow," an officer said.One of the complaints is Prasun Maitra, head of an NGO, who accused Khan of being a "habitual offender", and urged the authorities to respond with the same alacrity that they did in the case of the Instagram influencer.Khan's X account is currently locked.Meanwhile, the law student's lawyer Mohd Samimuddin on Monday said her health was deteriorating […]

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: Mizoram (98.2%), Lakshadweep (97.3%), Kerala (95.3%), Tripura (93.7%) and Goa (93.6%) are the top five States/ UTs registering the highest overall literacy rates in India for persons aged seven years and above, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24.The report, released by the National Sample Survey Office under the ministry of statistics and programme implementation, shows that India's overall literacy rate for this age group stood at 80.9%. For persons aged five years and above, the national literacy rate was 79.7%. The disaggregated literacy data across all states and Union Territories was based on nationally representative sampling.The PLFS captures detailed literacy data across age groups (5+ and 7+), gender, and rural-urban categories for all states and Union Territories. For persons aged seven and above, male literacy at the national level was 87.2%, while female literacy […]