LIVE news: India, China acknowledge need to ensure disengagement, says MEA

India, China agree that restoration of peace, tranquility in border areas is essential for overall development of ties: MEA. Stay tuned for the latest news of the day

2:40 AM

ESIC to give higher unemployment benefits to unemployed members till Dec

The members of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) will now get enhanced unemployment allowance and more expeditiously till December this year. The benefits will be available to members of ESIC who lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 

Under its Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyna Yojna, ESIC will give 50 per cent of average wages for a maximum period of 90 days of unemployment till this calendar year-end. At present, the benefit amounts to around 25 per cent of average wages.
 

The relief would be given after 30 days of unemployment as against 90 days at present, according to decision taken by the ESIC at a meeting chaired by labour minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar.

2:40 AM

Record 918,000 Covid tests done in a day; positivity rate under 8%

With a record 9,18,470 tests been being done in a day, the cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of Covid-19 in India have reached 3.26 crore even as the national positivity rate has fallen below 8 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said.

 

With constantly increasing testing numbers, there has been a commensurate fall in the positivity rate, the ministry said.

2:39 AM

Microsoft's Internet Explorer bows out, but browser wars aren't over yet

There was just a small ripple across the technosphere when Microsoft (MS) announced it would retire its Internet Explorer (IE) browser, shutting down all support by August 2021. MS also stated that the IE successor, the MS Edge browser, would move completely onto Google’s open-source Chromium platform.

 

Neither IE nor Edge are popular anymore. Barely 1.3 per cent of the world’s surfers (desktop plus mobile) used IE in July 2020, and cynics would suspect that many of those IE windows were opened by accident. MS Edge only has about 2.2 per cent market share. READ MORE

2:15 AM

US charges former Uber security chief with covering up massive 2016 hacking

1:59 AM

Record melt: Greenland lost 586 billion tonnes of ice in 2019

Greenland lost a record amount of ice during an extra warm 2019, with the melt massive enough to cover California in more than four feet of water, a new study said.
 

After two years when summer ice melt had been minimal, last summer shattered all records with 586 billion tons (532 billion metric tons) of ice melting, according to satellite measurements reported in a study Thursday.
 

That's more than 140 trillion gallons (532 trillion litres) of water.

1:58 AM

Tesla's soaring stock cracks $2,000 ahead of share split

Shares of Tesla surged past the $2,000 mark on Thursday for the first time as the electric car maker extended its recent rally ahead of an upcoming share split.
 

The company's stock traded at a record high $2,003.16 before falling back a bit to $1,998 for the day, a gain of 6.4 per cent.
 

With many investors betting Tesla will be added to the S&P 500 a after strong quarterly report last month, the stock has surged over 300 per cent in 2020.

1:57 AM

Facebook confirms Zuckerberg interviewed in FTC investigation

Facebook confirmed chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was interviewed earlier this week at a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigative hearing.

 

Politico reported the interview earlier on Thursday. "We are committed to cooperating with the US Federal Trade Commission's inquiry and answering the questions the agency may have," the social media company said in a statement.

 

The FTC has been probing whether the company has engaged in unlawful monopolistic practices.

1:56 AM

Israel says 2 rockets fired from Gaza Strip; no casualties

Two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip landed near the Israeli security fence late on Thursday, the Israeli military said.

 

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in the attack.

 

Tensions have risen in recent days as groups affiliated with Gaza's militant Hamas rulers have launched incendiary balloons across the frontier, igniting farmland inside Israel.

1:47 AM

Nasdaq closes at all-time high as tech stock gains offset weak data

Nasdaq ended at a record high on Thursday, with the S&P 500 and Dow also rising, as gains in heavyweight tech stocks outweighed downbeat data that affirmed the Federal Reserve's view of a difficult road to economic recovery.

 

Gains in Apple Inc - the only publicly listed US company to cross the $2 trillion market value milestone - Amazon.com Inc and Microsoft Corp underpinned the three main indexes' gains as investors bet they would ride out the economic crisis.

1:44 AM

SC fears bankruptcy proceedings may consume dues

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues melting away in bankruptcy proceedings.

 

“We are worried that alm­ost the entire AGR dues will be extinguished in the IBC (Inso­lvency and Bankruptcy Code) proceedings. After sale (of spec­trum), new users will exti­n­guish pending (demands for dues),” Justice Arun Mishra said. He said in case the dues were not paid, the spectrum must be surrendered. Read on...

1:16 AM

US demands restoration of UN sanctions against Iran

The Trump administration on Thursday formally notified the United Nations of its demand for all UN sanctions on Iran to be restored, citing significant Iranian violations of the 2015 nuclear deal.
 

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered the notification to the president of the UN Security Council, setting the stage for a showdown in the world body that could lead to a crisis of credibility for its most important and powerful institution. Even before Pompeo presented the council president with the notice, other members rejected the step.

12:27 AM

Bihar polls should be deferred in view of Covid-19 pandemic: Yashwant Sinha

11:08 PM

International community should isolate Pakistan to increase cost of engaging in terror activities: India

10:27 PM

India says it wants Indian lawyer to represent Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistani court when it takes up his review petition against his death sentence

9:36 PM

Heavy rains in Delhi led to waterlogging at nearly 50 locations: Report

Heavy rains in the national capital on Thursday led to waterlogging at nearly 50 locations while parts of buildings collapsed due to it at some places, according to municipal reports.

 

Rains lashed several parts of the national capital on Thursday throwing traffic out of gear on many streets.

 

According to a monsoon report release by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, in north Delhi, the rains led to waterlogging at 25 different locations, including Burari, Rohini, Civil Lines, West Patel Nagar, Daryaganj, Nangloi and Paschim Vihar.

9:34 PM

Railways’ ambitious infrastructure project -- the Dedicated Freight Corridor -- has been delayed by six months on Covid-19

9:20 PM

Over 1.1 million Indians have returned home under Vande Bharat Mission: MEA

8:56 PM

Latest News LIVE: Israel signs water cooperation pact with Uttar Pradesh

Israel and Uttar Pradesh on Thursday signed an agreement to establish the India-Israel Bundelkhand Water Project. The project aims to demonstrate and implement the Israeli model for water management tailored to the water challenges of the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh.

 

The project comprises three key-components of the value chain: water conservation, water efficient transportation, and advanced water practices for agriculture. The agreement was signed by Israel's Ambassador to India, Ron Malka and UP's Agriculture Production Commissioner Alok Sinha.

Today on behalf of the state of Israel I signed an agreement for #waterflagshipproject with the @UPGovt 2 implement the Israeli water model in Bundelkhand. Water security is top priority in strategic partnership pic.twitter.com/UNCc0t55Yb

— Ron Malka

8:48 PM

CBI team reaches Mumbai for Sushant Singh Rajput case probe; won't be quarantined, says civic official: PTI

8:37 PM

Latest News LIVE: Parliamentary panel on IT summons Facebook on September 2

The parliamentary standing committee on Information Technology has summoned Facebook on September 2 to discuss the issue of alleged misuse of social media platforms in the wake of claims that the US firm did not apply hate speech rules to certain BJP politicians. A day before, the panel will also discuss the issue of internet shutdowns, according to a PTI report.

 

Besides representatives of Facebook, the committee has also asked representatives of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to remain present on September 2 to discuss on the subject of "safeguarding citizens' rights and prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms including special emphasis on women security in the digital space".

8:23 PM

Bihar flood toll goes up to 27, over 81.79 lakh affected in 16 districts

With two more deaths, the toll in Bihar flood climbed to 27 on Thursday as 81.79 lakh people were affected in 16 districts, Disaster Management Department bulletin said.

 

The two deaths have been reported from Khagaria district, the bulletin said. Nearly 11.59 thousand more population were hit by flood fury on Thursday. The calamity has affected 81,79,257 people in 1,317 panchayats of 130 blocks till Thursday against 81,67,671 sufferers till Wednesday evening, it said.

8:18 PM

Death toll in Bihar flood climbs to 27 as 81.79 lakh people remain affected in 16 districts

7:57 PM

India and China agree to resolve outstanding issues in an 'expeditious manner'

India and China on Thursday agreed to resolve outstanding issues in an "expeditious manner" and in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said after the two sides held a fresh round of diplomatic talks on the border standoff in eastern Ladakh, according to a PTI report. MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the two sides had a "candid and in-depth" exchange of views on the existing situation on the Line of Actual Control(LAC).

 

The virtual talks were held under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs.

 

"The two sides were in agreement that restoration of peace and tranquility in the border areas would be essential for the overall development of bilateral relations," Srivastava said at an online media briefing.

 

He said both sides reaffirmed to sincerely work towards complete disengagement of the troops along the LAC in the western sector in accordance with the agreements reached between the two foreign ministers as well as Special Representatives (SRs).

7:39 PM

Rs 1.51 tn disbursed to MSME sector under emergency credit plan, says govt

The government is ensuring liquidity for the MSME sector under its Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), said the Finance Ministry.

 

As of August 18, 2020 public sector and private banks have sanctioned loans worth over Rs 1.51 trillion under the 100 per cent Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme, of which close to Rs 1.02 trillion has already been disbursed.

 

There has been a big jump in the sanctions in the last 15 days. The sanctions have increased rapidly by about Rs 12,000 crore while disbursement increased by close to Rs 10,000 crore. READ MORE...

7:26 PM

Kerala to launch developmental projects worth Rs 25,000 crore in a year

Giving a big thrust to industrial development in Kerala amid the Covid-19 pandemic, projects worth Rs 25,000 crore are set to be initiated in the state within a year.

 

They include the 54 decided upon at ASCEND Kerala 2020, a global investors meet, an official press release said here on Thursday. Seven of the projects have already gone on stream.

 

Another 16 with a total investment of Rs 703 crore would be completed in three months and 15 ventures having an investment of Rs 700 crore in six months, Minister for Industries E P Jayarajan said. In addition, 23 ventures at an investment of Rs 5,456.48 crore would be on track in a year, he said in the statement from the Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion. READ MORE...

7:02 PM

India, China agree that restoration of peace, tranquility in border areas is essential for overall development of ties: MEA

7:01 PM

India, China acknowledge need to maintain close communication through diplomatic, military channels to ensure complete disengagement: MEA

6:46 PM

Latest News LIVE: 875 villages in 16 districts of Uttar Pradesh affected by flood

The flood situation in Uttar Pradesh worsened on Thursday with as many as 875 villages in 16 districts being affected. According to Relief Commissioner Sanjay Goyal, 578 of the affected villages were marooned and relief work was going on in the affected areas, according to a PTI report. On Wednesday, a state minister had said that 777 villages in 16 districts were affected by the flooding and 520 of them were marooned.

 

Three major rivers in the state -- the Sharda, Rapti and the Ghagra -- were flowing above the danger mark in several places. The districts affected by the flooding are Ambedkar Nagar, Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Bahraich, Ballia, Barabanki, Basti, Deoria, Farrukhabad, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Kushinagar, Pilibhit, Sant Kabirnagar and Sitapur.

6:38 PM

18th meeting of India-China Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination was held earlier today

6:16 PM

Google restores GMail, other services after facing massive outage

Tech giant Google is restoring services for users after facing a massive outage since Thursday morning. Thousands of users, mainly in India and parts of other countries including Malaysia, Japan, the US and Australia had reported a service disruption and were not able to access various Google services. These included services such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs and Google Slides. The other services included Google Sites, Google Groups, Google Chat, Google Keep and Google Voice for some users.

 

“Gmail service has already been restored for some users, and we expect a resolution for all users in the near future. Please note this time frame is an estimate and may change,” said Google on its G Suite Status Dashboard. The company has posted similar messages related to the restoration for other services, which faced disruption, as well. READ MORE...