Shimla, Jan 9: The Himachal Pradesh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu, on Thursday, took several important decisions, including the setting up of a Special Task Force (STF) to dismantle drug trafficking, levying 12 per cent stamp duty on transfer and lease transactions and increase in the BPL Beneficiary list. The cabinet also paid tributes to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and observed two minutes of silence in his memory.
Jodhpur, Jan 9: As the festival of Makar Sankranti draws near, the skies of Rajasthan’s Jodhpur are gearing up for a colourful spectacle of soaring kites. This vibrant tradition has scripted an extraordinary story of cultural promotion that transcends boundaries. Meet Asghar Belim, a Jodhpur resident whose passion for kite-making has not only made him a local hero but also an international ambassador of India’s rich heritage.
New Delhi, January 9: To meet the escalating demand for skilled professionals in this transformative domain, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has launched its Executive Programme in Robotics.
Prayagraj, January 9: "Chai Wale Baba," a tea seller turned ascetic from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, has been providing free coaching for civil services aspirants for the past 40 years without eating or speaking anything. Known as Dinesh Swaroop Brahmachari, he has vowed to remain silent and abstain from food, surviving solely on ten cups of tea daily while guiding students through WhatsApp.
New Delhi, Jan 9: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is currently on a tour of Britain, which includes visits to Scotland and Guernsey Island. During his tour, he met with former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday and exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including their historical ties, shared values of parliamentary democracy, and people-to-people contacts.
New Delhi, Jan 9: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended birthday wishes to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday and hailed him for elevating India's global standing.
New Delhi, Jan 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended heartfelt birthday greetings to External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, praising his diligent service to the nation and his efforts in bolstering India's foreign relations.
London, January 9: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasised the longstanding and deep relationship between India and the UK, noting that both nations share a commitment to democracy and democratic values. He expressed his hope that the strategic ties between the two countries will be further strengthened in the future.
Rome, January 9: Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has landed back in Rome after being freed from an Iranian prison where she had been detained for weeks. Sala works as a reporter for the Italian daily II Foglio, which announced that the journalist arrived in Rome on Wednesday, CNN reported.
London, Jan 9: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has expressed confidence that his visit to London would further strengthen the deep-rooted friendly ties between the Parliaments of both India and the UK as well as the people of both countries.
Dhaka, January 8: Former Deputy High Commissioner for Bangladesh to India, Mashfee Binte Shams called the business ties between India and Bangladesh as "remarkable."
Abu Dhabi, January 8: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received today in Abu Dhabi Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Dubai, January 8: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy in Dubai on Wednesday.
Shimla, January 8: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Labour and Employment Department to focus on the digitization of data and the adoption of modern technology to streamline the department's operations, a release said on Wednesday.
New Delhi, Jan 8: India and the European Union (EU) have reiterated their commitment to the shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law, and to the promotion and protection of all human rights during the 11th India–European Union Human Rights Dialogue held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Sonipat, Jan 8 : In an effort to promote health, well-being, and cross-cultural collaboration, Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Ambassador to India and Prof. (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, inaugurated four state-of-the-art padel courts at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) here. The inauguration ceremony underscored the shared commitment of the UAE and India to fostering healthier communities and strengthening bilateral ties.
London, January 8: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited the Dr Ambedkar Museum in London on Tuesday and called it a "profound tribute" to the life and legacy of the architect of the Indian constitution. Birla praised the museum as a "living memorial," celebrating Ambedkar's tireless work for social justice, equality, and the empowerment of marginalised communities.
Shimla, January 8: The concerted efforts of the Himachal Pradesh government towards road safety and traffic management have seen a remarkable reduction in road accidents and fatalities in the state during the year 2024.
Washington, DC, January 8: US President Joe Biden has said he is "proud" to call Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau his "friend" and would be forever grateful for his "partnership and leadership." Biden said that the alliance between the US and Canada is stronger due to Trudeau.
Brussels, January 8: European Council President Antonio Costa held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, where Antonio Costa called India one of the European Union's (EU) main global partners and emphasised that it was time to strengthen ties and engage in a new strategic agenda.
New Delhi, January 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that he had a talk with Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and that India and the EU are committed to working closely together.
Shimla, January 7: After recent snowfall in the region, tourists from all over the country are flocking to the beautiful Kufri Hills to enjoy the winter wonderland. The snowfall, which began last night, has blanketed the surrounding areas in a pristine layer of white, attracting both nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Shimla, Jan 7: A handloom enterprise by women residents of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh has become a beacon of hope for many fellow villagers. The initiative has become a talking point in the region with many taking inspiration from it.
New Delhi, Jan 7: Jan Aushadhi outlets made over Rs 1,255 crore in sales of medicines till November, the Prime Minister's Office said on Tuesday.
Sonipat, January 7: UAE ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali on Tuesday inaugurated four state-of-the-art padel courts at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in Haryana's Sonipat.
New Delhi, January 7: Pharma companies in India are expected to report healthy earnings growth in the just-concluded October-December quarter, averaging 19.4 per cent, as per a report by brokerage firm Motilal Oswal.
Brasilia, January 7: Brazil has announced that Indonesia has become a full member of the BRICS group. Brazil, which holds the presidency of the BRICS in 2025, said that Indonesia's candidature was endorsed by leaders of the bloc at the Johannesburg summit in 2023.
Beirut, Jan 7: Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati demanded that Israel halt its violations of the ceasefire agreement as Israeli forces continued their withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
New Delhi, January 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella in the national capital and discussed various aspects of technology, innovation and AI.
New Delhi, January 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday and said that the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership has scaled new heights, including in the areas of technology, defence and space.
Shimla, Jan 7: Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF) in Himachal Pradesh's Nauni has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hindustan Insecticides Ltd.
Tehran, Jan 6: Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that the country is ready for negotiations "based on honour and dignity" to address concerns about its nuclear program and lift sanctions.
Abu Dhabi, Jan 6: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Monday met with visiting Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani on bilateral ties and developments in Syria.
Canberra, Jan 6: Fatal light aircraft crashes claimed 27 lives in 20 unnecessary accidents last year in Australia after two consecutive years of recording 33 deaths, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
Seoul, Jan 6: South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken here on Monday and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between South Korea and the United States, officials said.
Shimla, January 6: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stressed the significance of the tourism sector as the state's economic backbone while reviewing Tourism Department projects, emphasizing the government's priority on completing ongoing initiatives to enhance visitor experiences.
Male, January 6: The High Commissioner of the Republic of India to the Republic of the Maldives, G Balasubramanian, presented his Letters of Credence to the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, during a ceremony held at the President's Office on Monday morning, an official press release by the Maldives President's Office stated.
Seoul, January 6: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday expressed concerns over potential cooperation between Russia and North Korea, highlighting the possibility of Moscow sharing advanced space and satellite technology with Pyongyang, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency.
Tokyo, January 6: North Korea launched a ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, the Kyodo news citing the South Korean military reported.
New Delhi, Jan 6: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday met US National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan in New Delhi to discuss a wide range of strategic, regional, and bilateral issues.
Damascus, Jan 6: Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani underscored his country's commitment to forging positive foreign relations across the region.
Shimla, Jan 5: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Sunday said a two megawatt (MW) solar power plant has been installed to ensure and improve the power supply in the remote region of Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti district.
New Delhi, January 6: After representing Men in Blue just four times, allrounder Rishi Dhawan announced his retirement from Indian limited-overs cricket on Sunday.
Florida, January 5: US President-elect Donald Trump has praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who visited him at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida's Palm Beach, as a "fantastic woman" who has "really taken Europe by storm," CNN reported on Sunday.
Cairo, January 5: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call today to discuss the latest developments in Gaza and Syria.
New Delhi, Jan 5: The government on Sunday announced indigenously-developed paracetamol drug by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which would reduce dependence on imported ingredients.
Cairo, Jan 5: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone talks with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, during which they urged a political transition in Syria free from foreign interference.
Shimla, January 4: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made several announcements for the Jubbal Kotkhai region on Saturday.
New Delhi, January 4: Jayant N Khobragade, who is India's Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Poland.
Washington DC, January 4: US President-Elect Donald Trump on Saturday announced Roman Pipko as the next United States Ambassador to Estonia.
Shimla, January 4: The Himachal Handicraft Excellence Awards 2025 celebrated the artistry and resilience of Himachali artisans, honouring those who blend traditional skills with contemporary design, a release said.
Washington DC, January 4: US President-elect Donald Trump has announced Morgan Oratagus as America's Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Middle East Peace to Steven Witkoff.
Taipei, January 4: Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has condemned China's efforts to issue Chinese ID cards to Taiwanese citizens, calling it an attempt to create the illusion of legal sovereignty over Taiwan, Taipei Times reported.
Sydney, Jan 4: Coco Gauff registered a comprehensive singles win over Karolina Muchova while Taylor Fritz benefitted from the abrupt retirement by Tomas Machac as the United States sealed an unassailable 2-0 lead over Czechia and a place in the final of the United Cup mixed-teams tennis tournament here on Saturday.
Shimla, January 3: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended the Winter Carnival at the Ridge in Shimla late on Thursday evening.
New Delhi, January 3: Economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Friday spoke of the efforts former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took to convince the opposition parties during his second term for the Indo-US nuclear deal.
New Delhi, January 3: Ahead of his visit to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah to offer the "Chadar" on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 813th Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju visited the Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in Delhi on Friday to offer his prayers.
New Delh, January 3: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday held a meeting with India's Ambassador Designate to Georgia Abhay Kumar and discussed on improving commercial relations between both countries.
New Delhi, January 2: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met with former Iceland President and Chairman of the Arctic Circle Olafur Ragnar Grimsson and discussed the activities of the Arctic Circle.
Shimla, January 2: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has voluntarily given up the subsidy on all five electricity meters registered in his name. He submitted the required form to Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Chairman Sanjay Gupta and urged well-off individuals to follow suit.
Shimla, January 2: Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu flagged off the first group of 22 "children of the state" on Thursday, marking the start of a 13-day educational and recreational tour under the Sukh Aashray Yojana.
New Delhi, January 2: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that the foreign policy in 2024 positioned itself as 'Vishwabandhu' or friend to the world.