New Delhi, Aug 25: The BJP has rejected the Congress charge that the Modi government is weakening ISRO through privatisation, saying the opening up of the space sector is expanding India’s space capabilities. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said private companies and startups were now developing rockets, satellites and complete space systems, transforming the sector into a broader national ecosystem. The BJP’s response came after Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused the government of pursuing an aggressive privatisation agenda and weakening the role of ISRO.
Author: Agency
New Delhi, Aug 25: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has strongly opposed the One Nation, One Election proposal, describing it as “monstrous”, “mindless” and unconstitutional. Appearing before a Joint Parliamentary Committee, Chidambaram argued that curtailing the five-year tenure of legislatures would violate the basic structure of the Constitution. He also questioned whether the government had the required two-thirds majority to pass the proposed legislation, which seeks to synchronise Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 24: Kerala has received 23 per cent less rainfall than normal during the southwest monsoon so far, with the State recording 1,278.7 mm of rain against the normal 1,671.4 mm between June 1 and August 24. The India Meteorological Department has categorised Kerala’s rainfall as deficient. Wayanad recorded the highest deficit at 51 per cent, followed by Idukki at 45 per cent. Only six districts — Kannur, Kasaragod, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram — recorded normal rainfall during the period.
Iran’s top security official Mohsen Rezaei warned that any country participating in the US economic war against Iran will be considered an “enemy” by Tehran. Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council,
New Delhi, Aug 25: The Supreme Court on Monday told the Tamil Nadu government that it could raise its grievance over the release of its proportionate share of Cauvery water before the Cauvery Water Management Authority. Tamil Nadu told the court that it was not receiving its due share from Karnataka. The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee had earlier directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days, a decision upheld by the CWMA. The apex court posted the matter for August 31 and asked both sides to submit an updated status.
Lucknow, Aug 24: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has said that electronic voting machines used in India are not connected to the internet, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, reiterating their technological safeguards. During an interaction with students in Lucknow, Kumar said Indian EVMs are manufactured by public sector companies and do not have wireless connectivity. He also urged young people to verify the source and authenticity of information before believing or sharing it, particularly on social media.
Patna, Aug 25: An Air India flight from Delhi suffered a suspected bird hit while landing at Patna airport on Monday morning, though all 164 passengers on board were safe. The pilot of flight AI 1741 reported the suspected bird strike at around 7.44 am as the aircraft was preparing to land. Airport authorities carried out a runway inspection after the plane landed. Officials said flight operations at Patna airport were not disrupted following the incident.
At least six people were injured and around 42,000 people were ordered to evacuate as a fast-growing wildfire spread towards Reno in northwestern Nevada near the California border.
The decision to drop the Parandur airport project is a major policy shift, but it does not eliminate Chennai’s urgent need for a second airport. While the move addresses the concerns of farmers and residents who faced displacement, Tamil Nadu cannot afford to lose years in identifying an alternative. Expanding the existing Chennai airport may provide temporary relief, but the State’s growing economy, passenger traffic, cargo movement and industrial ambitions require long-term aviation infrastructure. The real challenge for the Vijay government is to ensure that the cancellation becomes a course correction rather than a costly retreat. A new site…