New Delhi, Aug 8 (IANS) The Supreme Court will hear a petition seeking directions to the Central Government to restore statehood to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.The plea was mentioned before Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who confirmed that the matter has been listed for hearing on August 8 (Friday).The petition, filed by Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and activist Khurshaid Ahmad Malik, contends that the continued delay in restoring s…

New Delhi, Aug 8 (IANS) A tragic road accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district claimed the lives of six people, including two children, after a car plunged into a 500-metre-deep gorge in the Chanwas area of Tissa sub-division on Friday. According to initial reports, the vehicle lost control and veered off the road before falling into the steep gorge.The impact was so severe that all six occupants, two men, two women, and two children, died on the spot. The identities of the deceased have n…

Geneva, Aug 8 (IANS) The US tariffs place “a substantial strain” on Switzerland’s export-oriented economy, the Swiss government said, vowing to continue negotiations with the US to reduce the 39 per cent additional tariffs imposed on the country, which came into force Thursday.The decision was made following the trip of a Swiss delegation to the United States from Tuesday to Wednesday, led by President Karin Keller-Sutter and Vice President Guy Parmelin, the Federal Council said in a statement.T…

Mexico City, Aug 8 (IANS) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticised the latest anti-migrant raids in the United States, vowing to protect Mexican nationals staying in the neighbouring country.”We do not agree with the raids, and we will protect and help our compatriots,” the Mexican president said at her daily press conference on Thursday.Sheinbaum, who has urged efforts for the role of migrants in the US economy to be recognised, has worked to strengthen Mexico’s consular service in the US…

Moscow, Aug 8 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he hopes for a presidential summit with US President Donald Trump as early as next week, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as a potential venue.Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov confirmed that Moscow and Washington have agreed to hold the presidential meeting in the coming days, with the US side having initiated the push for the high-level bilateral talks, Xinhua news agency reported.He echoed US Secretary of State M…

New Delhi, Aug 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a crucial high-level Cabinet meeting on Friday at 1 p.m. to assess the impact of the steep tariff hike recently imposed by the US on Indian exports. The move comes amid escalating trade tensions between the two nations, following the US decision to raise tariffs on Indian goods to a total of 50 per cent.The meeting is expected to discuss India’s strategic response to the US action.The latest round of tariffs, an additional 25 per ce…

United Nations, Aug 8 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “disheartened” by the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump that came into force on Thursday, according to his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.Guterres “has made clear that he believes that all trade wars are ruinous, and they need to be avoided”, Haq said on Thursday.“So, this is disheartening news”, he added.Guterres is concerned about the poorest, who will be affected the most by the higher tariffs, he sai…

New York, Aug 8 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has ruled out negotiations with India on the tariffs that will rise to 50 per cent later this month.“No, not until we get it resolved”, he said when a reporter asked him if he expected more negotiations following the announcement of the 50 per cent tariff that is to take effect on August 27.It was not clear from the curt reply if he meant the resolution of the Ukraine War, since the additional 25 per cent punitive tariff he announced on Wednes…

Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Pakistan cricket slumped to a new low with a young player, Haider Ali, who was on a tour of the United Kingdom with the country’s ‘A’ team — Pakistan Shaheen, was arrested by the Greater Manchester Police with sources confirming it was over a complaint by a girl, alleging rape. Haider Ali has been provisionally suspended by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said a report.Greater Manchester Police arrested Haider at Canterbury, where Pakistan Shaheens were playing against MCSAC …

Memphis, Aug 7 (IANS) Akshay Bhatia got off to a stellar start at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship, carding a 4-under on the front nine to briefly lead the leaderboard. As the opening event of the FedExCup Playoffs began in Memphis, the Indian-American golfer positioned himself strongly to advance beyond his 45th-place start in the standings.Bhatia birdied the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 8th holes, showing early confidence. He was grouped with Harry Hall, who also made a fast start at 3-under, making…