19 Aug, 23:52 (IST)

Nepal Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, August 19, and discussed the multifaceted diversity of India-Nepal ties. She also handed over an invitation from Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli for PM Narendra Modi to visit Nepal.Nepal FM Meets PM Modi in Delhi

19 Aug, 22:53 (IST)

PM Narendra Modi today, August 19, met visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defence Minister Minoru Kihara to assess bilateral defence and security ties and stress the Indian-Japanese partnership's role in promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. "Reaffirmed the role India-Japan partnership plays in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," PM Modi's post on X said.PM Modi Reaffirms India-Japan Partnership

19 Aug, 20:56 (IST)

Amid protests by resident doctors calling for a central law following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital, the health ministry has approved a 25 percent increase in security at all central government hospitals.

19 Aug, 19:04 (IST)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Poland on August 21 and 22, and later Ukraine on August 23, the ministry of external affairs said on Monday.

19 Aug, 17:32 (IST)

CBI has got permission to conduct polygraph test of the arrested accused in Kolkata hospital rape-murder case.

19 Aug, 15:57 (IST)

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has moved the Karnataka High Court challenging Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's sanction to prosecute him in the alleged MUDA scam. His petition, argued by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, claims the sanction is politically motivated and intended to destabilize the state government.

19 Aug, 13:22 (IST)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Raksha Bandhan with the school girls tying rakhis on his wrist in the national capital on Monday. In the video, school girls were seen tying the 'Rakhi' to PM Modi, on the festival of 'Raksha Bandhan'.

19 Aug, 12:17 (IST)

As the nation celebrates Raksha Bandhan on Monday, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings on the festival that celebrates the bond between siblings. President Murmu said the festival instills a feeling of affection and respect towards all sisters and daughters.

19 Aug, 10:16 (IST)

The Philippines said on Monday that one of its coast guard vessels was rammed and another subjected to "aggressive manoeuvres" by Chinese coast guard ships in the West Philippine Sea, local media reported. National Security Council Jonathan Malaya spokesperson was cited by the Philippine Inquirer as stating that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ships BRP Cape Engano and BRP Bacagay had an encounter with the Chinese Coast Guard at Escoda (Sabina) Shoal on Monday morning.

19 Aug, 09:02 (IST)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday to push for a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, The Times of Israel reported. It is Blinken's ninth visit to Tel Aviv since the war between Israel and Hamas started in October.

New Delhi, August 19: In anticipation of the increased commuter rush for Raksha Bandhan on Monday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced on Sunday that it will deploy additional standby trains on its corridors. This measure aims to accommodate the expected surge in passengers traveling for the festival.

The DMRC also stated on its social media platform X that extra personnel would be stationed at major Metro stations to manage the crowds and assist with ticketing. Additional ticket counters will be set up to ease congestion. The DMRC urged passengers to use mobile apps such as DMRC MOMENTUM 2.0, WhatsApp, Paytm, One Delhi, and Amazon to purchase QR tickets online, helping them avoid long queues. The National Common Mobility Card or Smart Card can also be purchased from customer care centers. Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: Singer KS Chithra Condemns Horrifying Act, Calls It ‘Much Worse Than Nirbhaya Incident’ (View Post).

In related news, the full moon on August 19, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, is expected to be particularly special as it will be a rare super blue moon, visible across the Earth for three days. This phenomenon adds a unique touch to the festival celebrations this year. Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of RG Kar Medical College Hospital Incident; Hearing on August 20.

The Karnataka Congress has announced statewide protests on Monday, August 19, in response to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot's approval to prosecute Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the MUDA alternative site 'scam'. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress president, stated that rallies will be held across all district headquarters, with participation from party leaders and workers.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will arrive in Delhi on Monday, August 18, for a three-day visit, during which he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit is expected to result in several agreements and a “multi-sectoral cooperation agenda” to enhance trade, strategic ties, and people-to-people connections. However, the issue of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by Indian authorities, is not confirmed to be on the agenda, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.