National News: Latest India Updates

India, Japan to hold talks on deepening defence ties, 'Make in India' initiative (Lead)

IANS | August 19, 2026 1:47 PM

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will hold a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi here on Thursday to further strengthen bilateral defence relations, enhance strategic trust and cooperation, promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region, and identify new areas of collaboration, according to a Defence Ministry statement issued on Wednesday.

'What she said, has anybody heard', Renuka Chowdhury defends Sonia Gandhi in Vande Mataram row

IANS | August 19, 2026 1:38 PM

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury came out in defence of Sonia Gandhi amid the controversy over the alleged disruption of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters, questioning the premise of allegations that the former Congress president had tried to stop the recitation of full national song.

BJP appeasing its 'communal' supporters with raids on those building universities: Akhilesh Yadav

IANS | August 19, 2026 1:13 PM

Lucknow, Aug 19 (IANS) Samajwadi Party (SP) chief, Akhilesh Yadav, on Wednesday launched a strong attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches at several locations linked to jailed former Rampur MP, Azam Khan.

Rs 50.43 lakh bill sent, but no water tank at hospital; Gujarat Minister orders action

IANS | August 19, 2026 12:57 PM

Gandhinagar, Aug 19 (IANS) Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya has ordered a police complaint and disciplinary action against officials after finding that a 2.55 lakh-litre underground water tank approved for a hospital in Palitana in the Bhavnagar district had not been constructed, despite a bill of Rs 50.43 lakh submitted for approval.

SP netas don’t want Azam Khan to live, it’s they who leak inputs about his black deeds: OP Rajbhar

IANS | August 19, 2026 12:45 PM

Lucknow, Aug 19 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Wednesday launched a sharp attack at the Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and his uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav, holding the two leaders responsible for the increasing troubles faced by the jailed former Rampur MP Azam Khan.

ISKP seeks to create Caliphate mindset in India through AI; eyes bots for radicalisation

Vicky Nanjappa | August 19, 2026 12:42 PM

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) is making a major shift in its digital operations and this is proving to be a worry for the Indian security agencies who are battling a major problem of radicalisation. The security agencies are worried as the ISKP is seeking to create a Caliphate mindset in India through Artificial Intelligence (AI).

BJP first spread hatred, now appropriating Vande Mataram to further its design: Renuka Chowdhury (IANS Interview)

IANS | August 19, 2026 12:37 PM

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government on Wednesday, accusing it of instigating communal sentiments through devious means and said that its tall claims over the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ was nothing but part of the plan to further its divisive politics.

Gujarat approves 12-hour shifts at Micron’s Sanand semiconductor facility, caps working week at 48 hours

IANS | August 19, 2026 11:59 AM

Gandhinagar, Aug 19 (IANS) Gujarat has approved 12-hour work shifts at Micron Semiconductor Technology India Private Limited’s semiconductor facility in Sanand, allowing the plant to operate longer shifts while retaining the statutory 48-hour weekly working limit.

Nearly 7 in 10 new EPFO subscribers are between 18–25 age group: Report

IANS | August 19, 2026 11:49 AM

Bengaluru, Aug 19 (IANS) Nearly 59 per cent of all new EPFO subscribers in FY25 belonged to the 18–25 age group, underscoring the growing role of young workers in expanding India's formal economy, a report showed on Wednesday.

Zepto raised 'free delivery' minimum order value by up to 100 pc to Rs 299

IANS | August 19, 2026 11:45 AM

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Quick-commerce platform Zepto has raised the minimum order value required for free delivery by up to Rs 299 -- which seen during periods of high demand -- and by 33.55 per cent to Rs 199 in normal hours which bringing its threshold in line with rivals.

National

India, Japan to hold talks on deepening defence ties, 'Make in India' initiative (Lead)

'What she said, has anybody heard', Renuka Chowdhury defends Sonia Gandhi in Vande Mataram row

BJP appeasing its 'communal' supporters with raids on those building universities: Akhilesh Yadav

Rs 50.43 lakh bill sent, but no water tank at hospital; Gujarat Minister orders action

SP netas don’t want Azam Khan to live, it’s they who leak inputs about his black deeds: OP Rajbhar

ISKP seeks to create Caliphate mindset in India through AI; eyes bots for radicalisation

BJP first spread hatred, now appropriating Vande Mataram to further its design: Renuka Chowdhury (IANS Interview)

Gujarat approves 12-hour shifts at Micron’s Sanand semiconductor facility, caps working week at 48 hours

Nearly 7 in 10 new EPFO subscribers are between 18–25 age group: Report

Zepto raised 'free delivery' minimum order value by up to 100 pc to Rs 299

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