Girls from minority community abducted, forcibly married and converted to Islam in Pakistan: Report

By

Islamabad, Aug 12 (IANS) At least 2,000 minor girls from Pakistan’s religious minority communities are abducted, forcibly married to Muslim men, and forced to convert to Islam each year, a leading minority rights group of the country detailed on Tuesday.A Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) report mentioned that gender-based crimes targetting the most vulnerable among the Pakistani religious minorities, particularly minor girls, are also widely recognised by other international bodies such as the …

Trump's MAGA narrative based on series of assumptions and exaggerations

By

Washington: Donald Trump threatening a 50 per cent tariff on India for buying Russian oil would not scare India – a country with its 5,000 years of history which has survived British colonialism. Due to high trade barriers, Trump had imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. On August 6, he imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods as India continues to buy Russian oil.Trump knows what India does not like. New Delhi should not fall to his bait. India’s economic sector is buoyan…

Death squads backed by Pak military launch grenade attack on civilians in Balochistan

By

Quetta, Aug 12 (IANS) Several Baloch human rights organisations on Tuesday severely condemned the heinous grenade attack launched by Pakistan military’s death squads at a civilian residence in the Aapsar area of Turbat district in Balochistan. The explosion on Monday night left two women critically injured and caused significant damage to the property.”Such acts are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic policy of terror, aimed at silencing voices, instilling fear, and punishing entire …

Families of Bangladesh jet crash victims warn larger protest

By

Dhaka, Aug 12 (IANS) Family members of the victims of the Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crash in Dhaka have threatened to launch a larger protest if the investigation drags on, the perpetrators escape justice, or their demands are not swiftly implemented.The warning was issued on Tuesday after the families of the victims formed a human chain at the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka, raising their eight-point demand, local media reported.”Today we did not come to fight. We came to f…

CM Majhi hails Centre's approval for semiconductor units in Odisha

By

Bhubaneswar, Aug 12 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Tuesday, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the Union Cabinet’s approval regarding the set up of two semiconductor manufacturing units in the state. “I sincerely express my gratitude to Prime Minister @narendramodiji and Union Minister @AshwiniVaishnawji for the Union Cabinet’s approval of the establishment of two semiconductor manufacturing units in Odish…

Huge increase in whale strandings along India's southwest coast: CMFRI

By

Kochi, Aug 12 (IANS) Whale strandings along India’s southwest coast have surged tenfold in the past decade, according to a study by the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), raising urgent calls for region-specific conservation strategies in the face of climate change.The analysis, covering data from 2004 to 2023, found that annual whale strandings jumped from just 0.3 per cent between 2003 and 2013 to three per cent during 2014–2023.The increase is attributed to a comb…

NID Ahmedabad crafts presidential I-Day invitation kit showcasing Eastern India’s artistic heritage

By

Ahmedabad, Aug 12 (IANS) The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, has lent its creative expertise to the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the formal invitation kit marking India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 2025. This year’s kit pays tribute to the artistic and cultural legacy of eastern India, highlighting the traditional crafts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. Each element has been thoughtfully curated to reflect the region’s rich artisanal traditions a…

India and Australia discuss developments in nuclear, chemical, biological disarmament and non-proliferation

By

New Delhi, Aug 12 (IANS) India and Australia held the seventh round of Dialogue on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation, and Export Control in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss developments in the areas of nuclear, chemical, biological disarmament and non-proliferation, outer space security-related matters, conventional weapons, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military domain and multilateral export control regimes. For the meeting, the Indian delegation was led by Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secre…

‘Mega Tinkering Day’ inspires innovation in Jabalpur, students build DIY vacuum cleaner using ATL

By

Jabalpur, Aug 12 (IANS) Creativity and innovation took centre stage as ‘Mega Tinkering Day’ was celebrated across the country on Tuesday, aiming to foster problem-solving abilities, technical skills, and inventive thinking among students. At PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya, in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur, the event unfolded with special enthusiasm as part of a four-day programme, where students showcased projects developed with the support of the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL). Among the standout creatio…

Over 70 pc polling in by-election for two ZPTC seats in Jagan’s constituency (Lead)

By

Amaravati, Aug 12 (IANS) More than 70 per cent voters cast their votes for the by-elections to Pulivendula and Ontimitta Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) in YSR Kadapa district on Tuesday, while alleging large-scale irregularities opposition YSRCP demanded cancellation of the by-poll. The polling, which began at 7 a.m. amid tight security, concluded at 5 p.m. However, the voters standing in queues at polling stations at 5 p.m. were allowed to cast their votes.Barring minor incid…