Breaking News, August 24 | HIGHLIGHTS

The Jammu and Kashmir department of election conducted a one-day online training programme on election expenditure monitoring on Saturday for nearly 800 officers, an official said. The training programme was inaugurated by J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang K Pole and was attended by district nodal officers and assembly constituency nodal officers of all the 22 enforcement agencies, along with in-charge officers of flying squads, static surveillance teams, video viewing teams and video surveillance teams.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has rolled out a scheme under which around 200 city women will be trained to operate a drone and be given a drone pilot licence certificate, Raj Niwas said on Saturday. Under the 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme, a total of Rs 25,000 will be spent on each trainee and funds will be raised through Corporate Social Responsibility.

African cheetahs brought to India as part of the world's first intercontinental translocation of big cats will soon roam free again in the wild, nearly a year after they were returned to enclosures in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park for health check-ups and monitoring, according to officials.

BJP workers on Saturday demonstrated in Thane against the Maha Vikas Aghadi, accusing the opposition parties of trying to politicise the alleged sexual abuse of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur. Protesters, led by BJP's Thane district president Sanjay Waghule and MLA Sanjay Kelkar, assembled in front of Ahilyadevi memorial amid rains and demanded swift justice for the victim girls.

The CBI on Saturday took over the case of alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata during the tenure of former principal Sandip Ghosh, officials said. The action came on the directions of the Calcutta High Court which transferred the probe to the agency from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT). The CBI collected necessary documents from the SIT on Saturday and proceeded to re-register the FIR, the official said. The high court had issued directives on a petition by former deputy superintendent of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Akhtar Ali, who requested a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged financial misconduct at the medical college during the tenure of Ghosh.

An exchange of fire broke out between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district on Saturday, police said. The area was cordoned off and searches were underway, they said.

A BJP MLA has approached the Delhi High Court alleging that CCTV cameras were being installed by the AAP government only in the areas where leaders of the ruling party were elected. The petition is listed for hearing before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela on August 27.

A helicopter, on Saturday, crashed in Pauri area of ​​Pune and the accident was caught on camera. According to initial reports, all four who were on board are safe but have sustained injuries. The helicopter was flying from Mumbai to Hyderabad 

Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday (August 24) released the party manifesto for the three-phased Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections starting September 18 and batted for the restoration of trade across the LoC with Pakistan. She urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to open trade with Pakistan. She also announced to give free electricity to the temples, mosques and shrines in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ahead of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday made a huge announcement during the release of the party manifesto. After releasing the manifesto, she said that if it was acceptable for the National Conference and Congress, she would extend her support to their alliance and would not contest for any seat.

Delhi court extends judicial custody of Bibhav Kumar till September 13 in Swati Maliwal assault case.

On Nepal bus tragedy, Nepal Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak said, "The injured are being treated here. They are being given good treatment and care in the hospital here. The Indian minister also came here to take updates. She took updates and met the injured..."

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday (August 24) called on the BJP to take stringent action against its MLA Rajesh Chaudhary for making baseless comments against her. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the BSP chief criticized the saffron party MLA, who had earlier targeted her by calling her the most corrupt Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Maharashtra: NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar, along with Maha Vikas Aghadi party leaders and workers, with black bands tied on their arms, stage a protest in Pune against the Badlapur incident, where minor girl was allegedly sexually assaulted at a local school.

On Bombay High Court's order over Maharashtra Bandh, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, "Bandh was called by Maha Vikas Agadi today to protest against the atrocities on women. The court said not to do so, we respect the court's decision but we will hold a protest. Today at 11 am, Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena will protest. Efforts are being made to suppress our voice but our fight will continue."

Days after a 14-year-old girl was allegedly gang raped by three individuals in Assam's Nagaon district, officials said on Saturday (August 24) that the prime accused, who had been arrested hours earlier in connection with the case, died due to drowning. According to officials, the accused attempted to escape police custody by jumping into a pond and subsequently drowned in Assam's Nagaon district.

Ace-Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan announces retirement from international, and domestic cricket. He tweets, "As I close this chapter of my cricketing journey, I carry with me countless memories and gratitude. Thank you for the love and support! Jai Hind."

The US Secretary of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of Anti-Submarine Warfare Sonobuoys and related equipment for an estimated cost of $52.8 million. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh meets US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. They shared perspectives on key strategic matters of mutual interest.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with leading US defence companies at the Defence Industry – Roundtable organised by US India Strategic Partnership Forum.