Afternoon briefing: PM Modi's instructions to his ministers; FM says ‘won’t let next-gen suffer our hardships’, more
A shortlist of the biggest headlines, recommended stories, and a special collection of news event to check out.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cautioned his Cabinet Ministers against complacency, urging them to work diligently for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Despite the favourable momentum from the consecration of the Sri Ramjanmabhumi temple in Ayodhya, Modi emphasized that the BJP should not underestimate the challenge. He referred to the BJP's casual approach in the 2004 elections, highlighting the need to avoid complacency. The BJP is working strategically, forming alliances in states like Bihar and maintaining a cautious stance with regional leaders like Naveen Patnaik in Odisha. Modi stressed the importance of ensuring BJP supporters reach the polling booths and not taking victory for granted. Dig deeper

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified that the budget's focus, including the interim budget, revolves around the vision of a developed India by 2047, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target. The approach is holistic, covering all sectors, and includes emphasis on key groups like the poor, women, youth, and farmers. The interim budget highlighted the government's achievements, increased capital expenditure, and refrained from populist schemes. Sitharaman emphasized the need to avoid a lost decade, referring to the UPA era, and stressed the importance of self-reliance amid global uncertainties. The upcoming full budget will also outline the roadmap for 'Viksit Bharat.' Dig deeper
The Latest News
PM Modi lays foundation stone for projects worth ₹11,600 crore in Guwahati Dig deeper
17-year-old allegedly murders his mother for not cooking him breakfast in Bengaluru Dig deeper
India News
On run up to Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi warns ministers against complacency Dig deeper
After Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Police at Atishi's home over 'BJP poaching’ claims Dig deeper
World News
Elon Musk's business associates forced to use drugs to avoid upsetting him, says report Dig deeper
A stolen digital memory card with gruesome recordings leads to a double murder trial in Alaska Dig deeper
Sports Going
In the second day of the second Test against England, Jasprit Bumrah delivered an outstanding performance, claiming his 10th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. His remarkable figures of 6-45 played a crucial role in dismissing England for 253, giving India a substantial lead of 143 runs in Visakhapatnam. Effectively utilizing reverse swing, Bumrah surpassed the milestone of 150 Test wickets in just his 34th match. Former England pacer Stuart Broad praised Bumrah's subtle reverse swing, acknowledging it as the most dangerous weapon in the game. Bumrah's spell showcased his skill and left a lasting impact on the match. Dig deeper
Health and Lifestyle
Scotland, renowned for its whisky, annually exports over 1.6 billion bottles of Scotch Whisky to 180 global markets. If lined up, these bottles would span 467,000 km, circling the Earth over 11 times. The term is "whisky" in Scotland, with Scotch being the original malt whisky, produced solely from malted barley in copper pot stills. The country houses 148 operational Scotch Whisky distilleries, with 22 million casks maturing, equivalent to around 12 billion 70cL bottles. Scotland's whisky regions—Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland, and Speyside—host a variety of distilleries, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Scotch Whisky. Dig deeper
(That’s all we have at this hour in our afternoon briefing. Catch you in the evening)
ABOUT THE AUTHORHT News DeskFollow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

E-Paper


