Author: Indmedia

Itanagar: Gauhati high court on Wednesday struck down a provision empowering Arunachal Pradesh’s urban local bodies minister to hear appeals in municipal defection cases, holding that it failed to ensure an independent and impartial forum.A division bench of Justices Kardak Ete and Budi Habung, in its August 18 judgement, upheld the chief secretary’s authority to hear such appeals. The ruling came on a petition by three Pasighat Municipal Council councillors challenging Section 6 of the Arunachal Pradesh Urban Local Bodies (Disqualification on Grounds of Defection) Act, 2014.The court said political executives could create a “reasonable apprehension” of institutional bias. Source…

Mangaluru: When a swollen river cut off access to a power line serving a handful of houses in Dhoomadka in Bettampady of Puttur, Mescom linemen and local residents took a risky route–swimming across the raging waters to restore electricity.Power supply to around 10-12 houses was disrupted on Aug 17 after two low-tension (LT) lines were snapped as the Seere River, flowing through the area, swelled following heavy rain and a tree fall.According to Puthu J, junior engineer, Mescom, Bettampady, Puttur, officials who inspected the site found that the river was in spate, making it impossible for the linemen to cross…

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini Chandigarh: BJP govt in Haryana is stepping up its Gen-Z outreach, with chief minister Nayab Singh Saini set to hold a direct interaction with young entrepreneurs on Aug 21 and the state launching a ‘Yuva Udyami Yatra’ across all districts to promote entrepreneurship among students.Saini will interact with youngsters at Gurugram University, where six “master classrooms” will train groups of 50 participants each on starting and scaling ventures, raising funds and securing technical support. Those completing the training will receive certificates and be linked with MSMEs for hands-on exposure.The CM will also flag off two…

Bettiah: Several passengers sustained injuries after a bus travelling from Bettiah to Bhangha overturned into a roadside pond near Pakuhwa village under Mainatand police station area in West Champaran district on Wednesday.According to passengers, the accident occurred when the bus was attempting to overtake an auto-rickshaw carrying plywood. Aman Kumar, a passenger from Parsauni village in Bhangha, alleged that the driver lost control while trying to pass the vehicle, causing the bus to overturn into the pond.The accident triggered panic among passengers, with several getting trapped inside the bus. Local residents rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation,…

Students dismantle the stage at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi on Wednesday Ranchi: Students protesting against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) suspended their agitation after 26 days on Wednesday and handed a 60-day ultimatum to the state govt to fulfil their pending demands.JPSC JSSC Reforms Manch announced suspension of protest on Wednesday after the state govt cancelled the JSSC- Combined Graduate Level 2024 Examination along with others, which were conducted by the tainted private agency TDPL.JPSC JSSC Reforms Manch member Ravindra Paswan said, “Ministers Dipika Pandey…

Kolkata: In an unusual development, Calcutta High Court judge Suvra Ghosh on Wednesday recused herself from delivering the verdict on the bail plea of jailed former Bengal minister Sujit Bose after alleging that Bose’s lawyer and her private secretary had entered her chamber and sought access to case-related records.Justice Ghosh said she had already reported the incident to acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and released the matter, saying it “smells of an oblique motive on their part.”In her one-page order, Justice Ghosh said, “The matter was reserved for delivery of judgment on Aug 17, 2026. On Aug 18, 2026, when…

US President Donald Trump’s administration has deported dozens of people to what are termed “third countries” since coming into power in January 2025.Several African countries, including Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone, have already struck deals to receive those the US cannot legally send back to their home countries.The US has defended the third-country deals as lawful, despite rights groups criticising the arrangements as opaque and many of the deportees ultimately being repatriated.Ghana has faced legal suits over accusations that is has forced deportees from the US back to countries they fled, in violation…

Davies said: “We need to learn from every experience we have to make sure that we respond in the most effective and prompt way possible to the challenges.”In an era of climate change, we’re going to be facing hotter summers, we’re likely to see more wildfires.”The minister for government effectiveness said a fire summit would be held later this year to “learn the lessons we can from this summer”.He said he had spoken with personnel from SWFRS and the Army, as well fire services from across England that were brought in to “respond effectively to the major challenge”.On Wednesday, crews…

A couple say words cannot describe how they feel after their home was destroyed in the Stourbridge wildfire.Robin and Loxie Williams have lived at the four-bedroom house, on Ounty John Lane, for 26 years and had been out with friends last Thursday when the blaze broke out.Surveying the wreckage of their home, they told the BBC that on their return that day they found firefighters had closed the road and they were forced to watch their neighbourhood going up in flames on TV.”Somebody sent us a clip, which we couldn’t believe,” said Loxie, 78. “When you saw those flames coming…

Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram Stadium will host the final of the Duleep Trophy from September 6 to 10. The BCCI has decided to move the summit clash from Bengaluru to allow fans a chance to watch the country’s top players in action. While the initial plan was to hold the entire tournament at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the Garden City, only the quarterfinal and semifinals will now be held on campus.\Last year, the Duleep Trophy was held fully behind closed doors at the CoE, much to the disappointment of the fans. Earlier this month, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia had explained that there were restrictions on allowing fans at the CoE but had promised to consider hosting the final alone…