Top news of the day: Federation of All India Medical Association calls off 11-day strike; PM Modi voices ‘deep concern’ over conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, and more

Federation of All India Medical Association calls off 11-day strike; PM Modi voices ‘deep concern’ over conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, and more in The Hindu’s top news of August 22, 2024.

The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) for two Central government hospitals — Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Ram Manohar Lohia — called off their 11-day strike today. This comes after the Supreme Court, the Union Health Ministry and hospitals appealed to the resident doctors to resume their duties in the interest of patient care. The strike severely disrupted patient services in hospitals across India as doctors demanded better safety at the workplace. “#FAIMA has decided to call off the strike following positive directions from the #Chief Justice of India. We welcome the acceptance of our prayers for interim protections and the necessary steps to enhance security in hospitals. United, we will continue to fight legally,” FAIMA, an umbrella body of doctors, said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced “deep concern” over the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, saying India firmly believes that no problem can be solved on the battlefield and that it supports dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability. “We support dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability. For this, India, along with its friendly countries, is ready to provide all possible support,” he added. He made the remarks in a joint press statement after his meeting with Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, during which they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and decided to elevate the bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership.

Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi met National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah in Srinagar today and announced the decision to forge a pre-poll alliance in J&K ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls. “The alliance is on track. It will work successfully. CPI(M)‘s M.Y. Tarigami is also part of it. Seat sharing has been finalised. It’s for all 90 seats in J&K. The people of J&K suffered immensely in the absence of an elected government for many years. We expect Statehood with all powers to be restored. We will fight for it,” Dr. Abdullah said after meeting the Congress leaders at his residence in Srinagar.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met the employees, who were injured in the industrial accident occurred at Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Limited at Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Anakapalli district and undergoing treatment at Medicover Hospitals near Venkojipalem. He also announced an ex-gratia of ₹ 1 crore to the kin of the deceased. While ₹50 lakh will be provided to those who were severely injured and ₹25 lakh will be given to those who suffered minor injuries, he stated. Later, speaking to the media, Mr. Naidu said that as many as 17 persons died and 36 persons were injured in the industrial accident. He said that among the 36 injured, 10 have received severe injuries and 26 have suffered minor injuries.

As a prelude to entering active politics, Tamil cinema’s leading actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay launched his party’s flag and flag song at the party headquarters at Panaiyur in Chennai today. Mr. Vijay introduced the two-coloured flag with red on top and bottom; yellow in the middle; and the Vaagai flower surrounded by 28 stars at the centre with two trumpeting tuskers facing each other on either side. Warriors of ancient Tamil kingdoms wore Vaagai flower garlands to symbolise victory. Mr. Vijay also hoisted the flag at the party’s headquarters and launched the party’s flag song Thamizhan Kodi Parakuthu.

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof. Mohammad Yunus met Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma in a meeting that the Indian side described as a “normal call on”. The meeting came minutes after Prof. Yunus met his senior colleagues over the unprecedented floods in the eastern districts of Bangladesh that his administration has blamed on India releasing water from neighbouring Tripura without “early warning”. The Ministry of External Affairs denied reports of floods in the eastern districts of Bangladesh were caused due to the opening of the Dumbur dam in Tripura.

President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today as the United States presses Israel and Hamas to agree to a “bridging proposal” that could lead to a ceasefire in the war in Gaza. Mr. Biden "stressed the urgency of bringing the ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure," the White House said in a statement. The two leaders also discussed using high-level talks in Cairo this week between mediators from the U.S., Israel, Egypt and Qatar to work through "remaining obstacles" to an agreement.