Let’s recap: The standoff at the LAC has been a flashpoint in the relationship between both nations for more than four years now, with over 50,000 troops stationed on both sides of the border. The expression “narrow down the differences” has been used for the first time in the bilateral talks on the situation.

On the other side: Pakistan on Thursday said that it has invited India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting to be held in October. Last year, India hosted the SCO Summit virtually which Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended online.

Also read: Chile’s Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren’s conversation with the Indian Express about emerging investment opportunities for India in his country, balancing between China and other powers, and India’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war.

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⚡Only in the Express:

“Isolating women is not the solution.”

“A thumbs up for listening to consumer pain and devising solutions..”

India’s Indigo airline recently rolled out a feature that allows women passengers to avoid sitting next to men, in a bid to make flying safer for them. In our fortnightly column’Dis/Agree‘, we ruminate on if this is the rightor wrong way out

📰From the front page:

On July 10, the Indian Express had reported that the circle rate in Ayodhya had remained stagnant despite an increase in land transactions and its soaring market value ever since the Ram temple verdict in 2019. Now, almost two months after that, the circle rate in Ayodhya is set to increase after a gap of seven years.

‘Low hum in the background’: In her first public appearance since featuring in the Adani-Hindenburg saga, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch spoke about the “ultimate objective” of the market regulator: ensuring compliance is simply a low hum which goes on in the background, in every entity it regulates.

Semiconductor dreams: The Center has a blueprint for the second phase of its ambitious semiconductor manufacturing incentive policy. After having committed nearly all of the $10 billion (about Rs 1000 crore) in subsidies, it could now increase the outlay of the program to $15 billion (Rs 1500 crore), offer capital support for raw materials and gases used in chip manufacturing, and reduce subsidies for plants, The Indian Express has learned.

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👉Must Read:

Artist’s view: President-founder of Dastkari Haat Samiti Jaya Jaitly wants 400-odd artisans who created a set of art installations for one of the new Parliament building’s galleries to be able to view their works. In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, she has sought permission for the craftspeople to be allowed inside, in small groups if needed, when the House is not in session.

“Whoever has encroached will face the long arm of Hydra”

Film stars, industrialists, politicians across party lines – Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Monitoring and Protection Agency (popularly known as Hydra) has spared no one in its demolition spree. In just two months of its existence, the body has razed 166 illegal structures and recovered 44 acres of encroached lake land with “no partiality or targeting”.

Here’s the way: You’ll find almost 300 of the once-extinct northern bald ibis bird (aka Waldrapp in German) in Central Europe today. The reintroduction credits go to scientist “foster parents” of an Austria-based conservation group Waldrappteam. They helped these birds which do not instinctively know where to migrate to in winter. How? With a strategy inspired by the 1996 film Fly Away Home in which the protagonist pilots a tiny airplane to show orphaned geese their migratory path.

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📌And Finally:

In Paris… India’s Paralympics campaign got off to a great start, with Para archer Sheetal Devi leading the way. , With a sensational 703 out of a possible 720 in the qualification rounds, she was just one short of a new world record. What makes the 17-year-old Devi even more remarkable? Born with a rare congenital disorder, she competes in the discipline without arms.

Delhi Confidential: BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi posted an interesting photo on social media in which she stands out. “In the company of Men… With esteemed members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today. It is my privilege to be part of this prestigious parliamentary committee. Grateful,” Sarangi wrote after the committee meeting on Thursday. She is the only woman in the 22-member parliamentary panel that audits the revenue and expenditure of the government.

🎧 In the latest episode of our ‘3 things’ podcastApurva Vishwanath discusses the Supreme Court verdict granting bail to Telangana MLC K Kavitha. Next, Abhishek Angad explores the reasons behind senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Champai Soren’s decision to join the BJP, and Vikas Pathak then tells us more on how the saffron party typically handles members who speak out of line, ft. Kangana Ranaut. Tune in!

Until tomorrow

Ayesha Jain and Vibha B Madhava

Business As Usual by EP Unny (August 30)