LIVE: Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath oversees preparations in Ayodhya

The official religious ceremonies at Ayodhya Ram temple leading up to the 'bhoomi pujan' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 5 started from today. Stay tuned for latest news live updates

2:07 AM

IPL 2020: CAIT opposes BCCI move to retain Chinese firm Vivo as sponsor

Traders' body CAIT has opposed the decision of the Board for Cricket Control in India (BCCI) to retain Chinese company Vivo as the title sponsor for the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be held in Dubai.

 

In a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has demanded that the government should not give approval to BCCI for holding the IPL event.

 

CAIT, which is spearheading a national movement for boycott of Chinese goods in India, requested the home minister to "take immediate cognisance of the issue and do not give any permission to BCCI for holding IPL in India or in Dubai or anywhere else"

2:06 AM

Covid-19: Govt issues guidelines for reopening of gyms, yoga institutes

Ahead of the reopening of yoga institutes and gymnasiums, the health ministry on Monday issued Covid-19-appropriate protocols to be followed at such facilities like allowing only asymptomatic people, maintaining social distancing, use of Aarogya Setu mobile application and wearing of visor while exercising as far as possible.

 

All yoga institutes and gymnasiums in containment zones shall remain closed and only those outside such zones will be allowed to open, the 'Guidelines on Preventive Measures to Contain Spread of Covid-19 in Yoga Institutes & Gymnasiums' stated.

 

"Spas, sauna, steam bath and swimming pools (wherever applicable) shall remain closed," the document said.

2:05 AM

JioMart likely to clock Rs 4,000-crore in yearly sales: IIFL Securities

Brokerage IIFL Securities on Monday said Reliance JioMart, the new commerce venture that went live in May, could clock revenue of Rs 4,000 crore in its first year of operation. The assessment has been made on the basis of orders per day, which have been growing, it said.

 

While RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani had said during the company’s annual general meeting last month that orders per day were 250,000, according to IIFL, the figure is now 400,000. The average transaction value is Rs 500, it said, on the platform and that Reliance was looking to scale up the operation, taking it beyond 200 cities.

 

2:04 AM

Donald Trump vows TikTok ban if no US sale deal reached by Sept 15

US President Donald Trump said Monday he does not oppose Microsoft Corp acquiring the US operations of TikTok and said he will ban the service in the United States on Sept 15 without a sale. The comments came after Trump Friday he said he was planning to ban the Chinese-owned video app's U.S. operations after dismissing a possible sale to Microsoft.

 

Trump's comments confirmed a Reuters report Sunday that he had agreed to give China's ByteDance 45 days to negotiate a sale of popular short-video app TikTok to Microsoft. Trump also said the US . Treasury would need to get a lot of money out of a TikTok deal, but it not clear how that would happen.

2:03 AM

National Education Policy: Tamil Nadu rejects 'painful' 3-language formula

Strongly backing Tamil Nadu’s decades-old two-language policy, the ruling AIADMK in the state on Monday rejected the Centre’s three-language formula proposed in the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and said there will be no deviation from the existing system.

 

“The three-language formula in the NEP is painful and saddening. PM (Narendra Modi) should reconsider the three-language policy,” Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) Edappadi Palaniswami (pictured) said. Taking strong exception to the proposal, he said in a statement the state has been following the two-language policy for several decades and that there will be no change in it.

11:15 PM

Google unveils first 5G phones, cuts price on base Pixel model

Google's first 5G-enabled phones, Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5, will be available this fall at a starting price of $499, the Alphabet Inc unit said on Monday.
 

The company also cut the starting price for its smartphone lineup with a non-5G version of 4a priced at $349, looking to broaden its appeal among budget-conscious customers.
 

Like Apple Inc, which launched a smaller iPhone priced at $399 this April, Google's budget-priced smartphone reflects reaching out to consumers who have been hit by the coronavirus-led economic downturn.
 

Google's lower-priced devices have been top sellers, but are far from being major profit drivers. 
 

9:35 PM

Rituals begin in Ayodhya, stage set for Ram temple `bhoomi pujan'

Religious rituals got under way in Ayodhya on Monday, two days ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony for a temple at a spot where devotees believe Lord Ram was born.
 

Barricades are already in place in the temple town and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued an appeal, asking only those invited for Wednesday's “bhoomi pujan” ceremony to come to Ayodhya.

8:59 PM

4,750 cusecs water released from Harangi dam in Kodagu district of Karnataka

8:48 PM

175 invitees including 135 saints to attend Ram temple foundation ceremony

Invitations have been sent to 175 people, including 135 saints of 35 religious organisations, to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram Temple on August 5, said Champat Rai, general secretary of Sri Ramjanmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust on Monday.

 

"We have sent invitations to 145 people including 135 saints of about 36 religious organisations of India in this event. We have also invited Iqbal Ansari (former litigant in Ayodhya land dispute case) and Padma Shri Mohammed Sharif (who does cremation of unclaimed dead bodies according to their religion) to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony," Rai said while addressing a press conference.

 

Rai said that all invitees will be in Ayodhya by tomorrow evening, according to a PTI report.

8:38 PM

Govt eyeing turnover of Rs 1.75 trn in defence manufacturing by 2025

The government is eyeing a turnover of Rs 1.75 trillion ($25 billion) in defence manufacturing by 2025 as it has identified the sector as a potential driver to boost the overall economy, according to a draft of a major policy prepared by the defence ministry.

 

The draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 set an export target of Rs 35,000 crore ($5 billion) in aerospace and defence goods and services in the next five years, which has been estimated as part of the total projected turnover.

 

The policy is envisaged as overarching guiding document of the defence ministry to provide a "focused, structured and significant" thrust to production of military hardware and platforms for self-reliance and exports, officials said. READ MORE...

8:26 PM

PM Modi, Afghan President Ghani discuss evolving security situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani discussed the evolving security situation in the region and other areas of mutual and bilateral interest on Monday, the Prime Minister's Office said.

 

During a phone call, the two also exchanged Eid-ul-Adha greetings. President Ghani thanked Prime Minister Modi for timely supply of food and medical assistance to meet Afghan requirement. Modi reiterated India's commitment to the people of Afghanistan in their quest for a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Afghanistan, the PMO statement said.

 

"The two leaders also exchanged views on the evolving security situation in the region and other areas of mutual, bilateral interest," it said. READ MORE...

8:15 PM

Priests perform 'Aarti' at the ghat of Saryu river in Ayodhya

8:14 PM

Flood situation improves in Assam; 3.89 lakh in 17 districts still affected

The flood situation in Assam improved considerably on Monday as the water receded from vast areas of the state, though one more person lost his life in the deluge and around 3.89 lakh people in 17 districts are still affected, an official bulletin said.

 

The number of flood-hit people decreased by 4.65 lakh since Sunday while that of the district was down by two. According to the daily flood report of the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), one person drowned at Manikpur area of Bongaigaon district.

 

This year's flood and landslides have thus claimed 136 lives across the state so far. While 110 people died in flood-related incidents, 26 were killed in landslides. At present, 494 villages and 32,028.83 hectare of crop areas have been under water in the state, ASDMA said.

8:02 PM

25-year old attempts to break Guinness World Record of solving most Rubik's cubes underwater

7:52 PM

Latest News LIVE update: 820 villages in 15 Uttar Pradesh districts hit by floods

As many as 820 villages in 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh have been hit by floods and the district administrations have started all-out relief operations, a minister said on Monday. Of these 820 villages, 173 have lost road connectivity and the district administrations have deployed boats, according to Backward Class Welfare Minister Anil Rajbhar, according to a PTI report.

He said it was due to the swelling waters in the Sarayu and Rapti rivers that led to the situation, adding that the problem had been aggravated with Nepal releasing over four lakh cusecs of water.

7:41 PM

IIT Kharagpur researchers awarded for generating power from wet clothes

7:40 PM

Latest News LIVE update: Restrictions on liquor shops in Telangana lifted

The Telangana government on Monday decided to allow liquor shops here to be open till 11 pm thereby lifting the restrictions imposed on them in the wake of the virus spread. The timings for the retail liquor outlets have been restored to their original timings, said a notification issued by the director, prohibition and excise.

 

The shops in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area were allowed to sell from 10 am to 11 pm while those in the rest of the state were open from 10 am to 10 pm.

7:22 PM

India strengthens troop presence in northern Ladakh, does heavy tank deployment to tackle Chinese threat

In response to China's deployment of more than 17,000 troops and armoured vehicles opposite Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) and Depsang plains in Ladakh, India has made heavy deployment of troops and tank regiments in the area to counter any misadventure by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) there, according to an ANI report.

 

"We have done a very heavy deployment of troops and tanks in the DBO and Depsang plains area including the T-90 regiments which are part of an armoured division," government sources told ANI.

 

The deployments have been made from the Patrolling Point 1 near the Karakoram Pass (PP-3) to the Depsang plains where the Chinese have amassed more than 17,000 troops since April-May time frame and have been blocking Indian patrols from PP-10 to PP-13, sources said.

 

The armoured deployment is such that the Chinese would find it difficult to operate there, in case, they try out any misadventure, they said.

 

7:20 PM

Heavy rain likely to lash Odisha till Aug 6: MeT

Heavy rain is likely to lash many areas of Odisha till August 6 due to a low pressure taking shape over the Bay of Bengal, the MeT Centre here said on Monday, advising fishermen to refrain from venturing into deep sea in view of very rough weather, according to a PTI report.

 

Under the influence of a cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh and another one over north-east Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood, a low- pressure area is likely to form over north Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, the Meteorological Centre here said.

7:12 PM

Shiv Sena contributed Rs 1 crore for Ram temple in Ayodhya, says party

The Shiv Sena has contributed Rs 1 crore for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya ahead of the "bhoomi pujan" scheduled for August 5 as announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister and the party president Uddhav Thackeray earlier this year, the party said on Monday.

 

The amount was transferred to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust's bank account via real-time gross settlement (RTGS) on July 27, the Sena said on Twitter.

 

It also shared the July 27 letter written by Thackeray to the chairman of the Trust, saying the said amount had been transferred that day.

 

7:01 PM

Microsoft talk of buying TikTok's US operations raises hackles in China

A potential shotgun wedding to Microsoft Corp for TikTok's US operations provoked an outcry on Chinese social media as well as criticism from a prominent Chinese investor in TikTok owner ByteDance.

 

The US tech giant formally declared its interest on Sunday after President Donald Trump, who has cited national security risks posed by the Chinese-owned short video app, reversed course on a planned ban and gave the two firms 45 days to come to a deal.

 

The proposed acquisition of parts of TikTok, which boasts 100 million US users, would offer Microsoft a rare opportunity to become a major competitor to social media giants such as Facebook Inc and Snap Inc. READ MORE...

6:40 PM

PM Modi to represent all devotees, only invitees should come for Ram temple ceremony: CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that all the devotees want to come to witness the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram Temple on August 5 but only those who are invited should come here as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will represent all of them, according to an ANI report.

 

"We have made all arrangements to ensure that there is no laxity on any count. The main focus is on COVID-19. The protocol has to be enforced strictly. Only those who are invited should come here. All devotees want to come but PM will represent all of them," the Chief Minister said.

 

CM Adityanath said that to witness this historic moment, it's essential that we light earthen lamps at our homes on August 4 and 5.

6:31 PM

Chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi temple sent on quarantine

Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, has been sent to home quarantine after his assistant Pradeep Das tested positive for Covid-19 three days back, according to an IANS report.

 

Acharya Satyendra Das, said, "As one of my assistants, Pradeep Das, tested Covid positive on July 30, the trust has asked me not to enter Ram temple premises for three days. I will not be performing 'bhumi pujan' as other priests have been engaged for that ceremony."

 

The Trust members declined to comment on the development.

6:17 PM

Advani, MM Joshi likely to join 'bhoomi pujan' of Ram Temple through video conferencing

Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi are likely to join the 'bhoomi pujan' of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5 through video conferencing due to health conditions, sources said.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5, according to Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, the president of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust.

 

The construction work of the Ram temple will begin after the foundation stone laying ceremony, in which chief ministers of several states, ministers from the Union Cabinet and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat are also likely to participate. According to potters in the state, around 1.25 lakh diyas were ordered for the ceremony on August 5.

6:00 PM

CM Adityanath oversees preparations in Ayodhya; says Covid-19 protocol will be strictly followed

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that the COVID-19 protocol will be strictly followed during the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony for Ram temple and only those invited should come, according to a PTI report.

 

The chief minister, who was here to oversee preparations for the August 5 event, said it was a "historic and emotional" moment which will lay the "foundation of a new India".

 

He also hit out at the Congress, saying those who are making negative comments on the event had tried to create obstacles in the construction of the Ram temple and the people of the country know about them.

5:34 PM

Latest News LIVE update: Gold rises by Rs 185, silver jumps Rs 1,672

Gold prices rose by Rs 185 to Rs 54,678 per 10 gram in the national capital on Monday amid rupee depreciation, according to HDFC Securities.

 

In the previous trade, the yellow metal had closed at Rs 54,493 per 10 gram. Silver also jumped Rs 1,672 to Rs 66,742 per kg from Rs 65,070 per kg in the previous trade.

5:21 PM

Congress-led UDF in Kerala organises online sit-in demanding CM Pinarayi Vijayan's resignation in gold smuggling case

5:11 PM

Real estate sentiment all-time low in Apr-Jun; stakeholders remain pessimistic for 6 mths: Survey

The sentiments in the country's real estate sector hit an all-time low during April-June due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remain pessimistic for the next six months even as stakeholders see slight improvement, according to a survey. According to 25th survey by property consultant Knight Frank and industry bodies Ficci and Naredco, the current sentiment index fell to 22 in April-June from 31 in the previous quarter, news agency PTI reported.

 

"The current sentiment is recorded to be at the lowest," Knight Frank India said in a statement. The future sentiment index improved to 41 from 36 during the period under review but remained in the pessimistic zone.

 

"With continued economic stress and ambiguity regarding recovery, the current sentiments of the real estate stakeholders in India have been recorded at a low 22 in Q2 2020 (April-June)," Knight Frank India said.

5:04 PM

China accuses US of harassing Chinese students, researchers

China on Monday accused the United States of monitoring, harassing and willfully detaining Chinese students and researchers in the US, news agency AP reported.

 

Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin's comments follow the denial of a bail request in California for a university researcher accused of lying about her ties to China's military and Communist Party to gain access to the United States.

 

Wang said China had no intention of helping Juan Tang escape the country, but did not otherwise comment directly on the accusations against her. However, he said China urges the U.S. to handle the case fairly in accordance with the law and ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests due to Tang.

5:01 PM

Congress didn't want that a foundation stone be laid where Lord Ram was placed: UP CM Yogi Adityanath