Mumbai, Aug 9 (IANS) The Indian benchmark index Sensex fell 0.9 per cent this week, while the Nifty slipped almost the same, falling below the critical 24,400 level and closing at 24,363.The Indian equity market remained in consolidation for another week, a trend that has persisted since early July. Market sentiment was weighed down by concerns over elevated global interest rates, weak global market cues, and consistent profit-booking in heavyweight sectors, analysts said on Saturday.In its meet…

Washington, Aug 9 (IANS) Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a historic joint declaration for peace after decades of bitter conflict and significant loss of life as US President Donald Trump hosted both the leaders of the South Caucasus region in Washington, as confirmed by the White House.“For more than 35 years, Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought a bitter conflict that resulted in tremendous suffering for both nations…Many tried to find a resolution… and they were unsuccessful. With this Accor…

Srinagar, Aug 9 (IANS) Two Indian Army soldiers were martyred and 2 others injured in the protracted Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) anti-terror operation in the Akhal Devsar forest area of Kulgam district, which entered the 9th day on Saturday.An Army spokesperson said on Saturday, “Two Army soldiers succumbed and two others were injured as the exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces continued throughout last night, as the gunfight entered its ninth day in the Akhal forest area of…

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Consequential train accidents have reduced from 135 in 2014-15 to 31 in 2024-25, due to various safety measures taken over the years, the government has informed. There has been a steep decline in the number of accidents in the past 11 years.”It may be noted that the consequential train accidents during the period 2004-14 was 1711 (average 171 per annum), which has declined to 31 in 2024-25 and further to 3 in 2025-26 (up to June),” Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw i…

Dehradun, Aug 9 (IANS) Relief and rescue operations continued for the fifth day on Saturday in flash floods-hit Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district.Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are making coordinated and concerted efforts to rescue people from Harshil and Dharali.”Till 8 A.M. on Saturday, the ITBP jawans have been shifted to Matli,” Uttarkashi Police said in a post on social media platform X.”People stranded in t…

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) There has not been a single case of engine failure or breakdown reported since ethanol 20 (E20) became a base fuel over the last 10 months, Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has said.Citing Brazil’s example, he said the country has run on E27 for years without any issues.Some lobbies with vested interests are actively attempting to create confusion and derail India’s ethanol revolution. However, such efforts will not succeed, he added.The E20 …

Chennai, Aug 9 (IANS) In a bid to modernise services and improve commuter comfort, the Tamil Nadu government has embarked on an ambitious plan to induct 4,300 new buses into its fleet. The expansion will be carried out in three phases. In the first phase, over 1,500 buses have already been brought into service and are operating on various routes.Notably, the Tamil Nadu State Rapid Transport Corporation (TNSTC) operates over 1,080 buses daily, serving more than one lakh passengers across the stat…

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) The national Capital woke up to torrential rain on Saturday, causing widespread waterlogging, traffic snarls, and flight disruptions, marring the festive mood of Raksha Bandhan. According to Flightradar data, at least 105 flights were delayed due to the inclement weather.Of the delayed flights, 13 were inbound to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) and 92 were outbound, throwing travel schedules into chaos.Though there were no mass cancellations, airlines…

Chennai, Aug 9 (IANS ) More than 1.5 lakh people are expected to gather at Madurai’s Parapatti on August 21 for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) second state conference, which is anticipated to be one of the party’s largest political events to date. The conference comes ten months after TVK’s maiden state conference was held at Vikkaravandi in October 2024, which marked the party’s formal entry into large-scale political mobilisation.The upcoming event is expected to draw 1.2 lakh men, 25,000 …

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) England all-rounder Chris Woakes says he may opt for rehabilitation over surgery on his shoulder injury, despite the risk of a recurrence, in a bid to be fit for the Ashes later this year. The 36-year-old sustained a suspected dislocated shoulder on the opening day of England’s fifth-Test defeat to India at The Oval. Although ruled out for the rest of the match, Woakes returned to bat at number 11 with his left arm in a sling, as England chased a series-clinching win on…