The civil aviation ministry has proposed leasing 11 Airports Authority of India airports to private concessionaires under a public-private partnership model. The airports, including Varanasi and Tirupati, would be grouped into five bundles and offered for 50-year concession periods. The proposal has received in-principle approval from the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee. The estimated investment by selected concessionaires is pegged at Rs 8,622 crore.

Nandamuri Basava Rama Tarakam NTR Charitable Trust and The Embryos-Ankuran extended humanitarian support to flood-affected families in Assam’s Sivasagar district by distributing food, clothing, sanitary supplies and other essential items. Relief Support Reaches Flood-Hit Sivasagar The Hyderabad-based Nandamuri Basava Rama Tarakam NTR Charitable Trust, in association with t

Andhra Pradesh has marked a new step in agricultural value addition with the launch of a non-GMO, high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at Musunuru in Eluru district. The initiative aims to connect local maize farmers with food processing, research and market-led opportunities. The seed launch took place at the Gourmet Popcornica factory in the presence of Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Hyderabad, Telangana — IMD has forecast thunderstorms, gusty winds and heavy rainfall in several Telangana districts, with a yellow alert issued for parts of the state. Telangana Heavy Rain Alert: IMD Forecasts Thunderstorms Telangana is likely to see a wet spell, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting thunderstorms, gusty winds and heavy rainfall in several districts. A yellow alert

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly expected to visit Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan for the SCO Summit, but the itinerary is not yet official. PM Modi May Visit Uzbekistan And Kyrgyzstan For SCO Summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan later this month, with a possible visit to Bishkek for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, according to repo

Hyderabad, Telangana — An ICMR-NIN laboratory study found that lead and amyloid-beta together caused greater stress and damage in human nerve cells. Lead Exposure Worsens Nerve Cell Damage, NIN Study Finds Exposure to lead may make it more difficult for nerve cells to clear damaged material when it occurs alongside amyloid-beta peptides, according to a laboratory study by researchers at the ICMR-Na

Jaipur, Rajasthan — Kaziah Lix Mejo was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 after a grand finale featuring 52 finalists. Miss Universe India 2026 Crowns Kaziah Lix Mejo In Jaipur Kaziah Lix Mejo has been crowned Miss Universe India 2026 at the pageant’s grand finale in Jaipur. The victory gives her the opportunity to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe competition, which is scheduled to be hel

Washington, DC - President Donald Trump criticised Canada after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory tariffs following stalled trade negotiations. Trump Hits Back At Canada After Tariff Announcement US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Canada after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced retaliatory tariffs in response to new American duties on Canadian goods. The exchange signal

Washington, DC: The US is pressing allies and China to support President Donald Trump’s intensified economic campaign aimed at isolating Iran. The United States has stepped up pressure on its allies and China to support President Donald Trump’s new economic campaign against Iran, as Washington prepares additional measures designed to deepen Tehran’s financial isolation. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said countries maintaining economic links wit

Washington, DC: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned Iran of sweeping new sanctions while urging China and other countries to support Washington’s economic pressure campaign. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that Iran will face what he described as the “toughest sanctions in history” as Washington prepares a new phase of economic pressure against Tehran. Bessent said the United States intends to coordinate with other countries to isolat

Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 12:15 PM Alaska Time Cape Newenham, Alaska: A chartered Cessna 441 crashed near a remote radar site, killing two pilots and six passengers aboard. Eight people were killed after a civilian-contracted charter aircraft crashed near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport in remote western Alaska on Thursday, August 20. The US military confirmed there were no survivors among the six passengers and two pilots aboard the aircraft. The ai

Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu: Southern state leaders came together for a striking group photograph during the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting. A rare political frame featuring some of South India’s most prominent leaders has grabbed attention following the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting held near Chennai. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and Kerala Chief Minist

Jagan's latest remarks have renewed debate over his assessment of the 2024 verdict. Where the YSRCP is attempting to rebuild after its steep Assembly election setback. Jagan Defends His Welfare Record Despite 2024 Setback Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has again defended the performance of his 2019-24 government, arguing that its welfare-focused administration did not deserve the level of public dissatisfaction reflected

Fresh directions followed student protests over shortages and administrative lapses. With complaints and protests reported from Lucknow, Azamgarh, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Unnao and other districts. Yogi Orders tighter monitoring after student protests Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered stricter monitoring of educational institutions after student protests highlighted teacher shortages, infrastructure problems and administrative dela

Chennai and Kovalam, Tamil Nadu, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay are participating in key Centre-state discussions. Amit Shah meets CM Vijay in Chennai Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai ahead of the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting, marking their first meeting since Vijay assumed office as Chief Minister in May 2026. Shah shared photographs of the interac