New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) The newly-launched Bharat Forecast System (BharatFS) has led to a 30 per cent improvement in the accuracy for the forecasting of extreme rainfall events, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh, in a written reply, said, the key features of the BharatFS have made India the only country running a global weather prediction model at such a high resolution for real-time wea…

Goa, Aug 7 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday highlighted a slew of initiatives towards the empowerment of the OBC community saying that there would be no shortage of funds for the implementation of welfare and development programmes for the OBC community. In his inaugural speech at the 10th National Convention of the National OBC Federation, he mentioned that after the OBC political reservation was struck down by the court in 2020, the government successfully fought…

Solan, Aug 7 (IANS) Continuous rainfall in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh has raised serious concerns about crop health, as excessive moisture is leading to the rapid spread of crop diseases. According to Agriculture Deputy Director Devaraj Kashyap, diseases like early blight, root rot, and fruit rot are being reported widely in affected areas.Speaking to IANS, Kashyap said that the Agriculture Department has begun assessing the damage caused to crops due to heavy rainfall, and reports a…

Kolkata, Aug 7 (IANS) A division bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Thursday, refused to impose a ban on the “Nabanna Avijan (March to the State Secretariat)” convened by the parents of the R.G. Kar rape and murder victim on August 9, which marks the first anniversary of the rape and murder of a junior woman doctor within the hospital premises in August last year. The hearing on the petition seeking a stay on the protest march was concluded at Calcutta High Court’s division bench of Justice Su…

Amravati, Aug 7 (IANS) India’s farming community is rallying behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his strong declaration that India “will never compromise on the interests of its farmers,” despite rising tensions with the United States over trade and energy policy. In a high-stakes escalation, the U.S. administration recently imposed a steep 50 pc tariff on Indian exports, citing India’s continued purchase of discounted crude oil from Russia. The move has sparked concern across seve…

Bhubaneswar, Aug 7 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday asserted that Odisha’s handloom tradition is a living art form that brings pride and glory to the state in both national and international markets. While inaugurating the EKTA (Exhibition-cum-Knowledge Sharing for Textile Advantage) marking the National handlooms day, CM Majhi on Thursday said “our handloom is one of the main pillars of Odia Asmita (Odisha Pride). Our handloom sector is not just an economic pillar but al…

Shillong, Aug 7 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, on Thursday, reiterated that the state government will prioritise public consultation and consensus before moving ahead with any railway projects in the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, or Garo Hills regions. Speaking to reporters, CM Sangma emphasised that while railway connectivity is crucial for the state’s long-term economic development, the concerns of local communities must be addressed through open dialogue and engagement.”From …

Jaipur, Aug 7 (IANS) Taking suo motu cognisance of alleged illegal mining in Rajasthan, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been issuing notices to respective departments to preserve the Aravallis. In one such incident, NGT took suo motu cognisance of a landslide in Nari village, Chirawa, Rajasthan, reportedly triggered by heavy rainfall and illegal mining activities in the region.Locals said a portion of the hill collapsed with an explosion-like sound, causing cracks in nearby houses and wide…

Bangkok (Thailand), Aug 7 (IANS) Five Indian men pugilists will join their seven women compatriots in the semifinals of the U19 Asian Boxing Championships 2025 in the Thai capital on Thursday after registering convincing victories to reach the semifinals of their respective weight categories and assure themselves of a medal.Shivam (55kg), Mausam Suhag (65kg), Rahul Kundu (75kg), Gaurav (85kg), and Hemant Sangwan (90kg) took down their opponents in style to ensure that India will come back with 1…

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Legendary cricketer and 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev met with Hockey India president and former decorated Indian hockey player, Dilip Tirkey, today in New Delhi. During the interaction, Kapil Dev applauded the sport’s resurgence in India and praised the emergence of promising young talent across the country.Speaking after the meeting, Kapil Dev said, “It was truly heartening to catch up with Dr. Dilip Tirkey and speak about the incredible strides Indian ho…