News updates: Senior bureaucrat Tuhin Kanta Pandey designated as finance secretary

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11:33 PM

Senior bureaucrat Tuhin Kanta Pandey designated as Finance Secretary: Govt order

Senior bureaucrat Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been designated as finance secretary, according to a government order. His elevation comes after elevation of T V Somanathan as Cabinet Secretary.

8:39 PM

Social media platform X down for thousands of users, according to Downdetector, reports Reuters

8:19 PM

Death toll in Lucknow building collapse rises to 5, as many as 24 injured, reports PTI

7:44 PM

Canadian company keen to invest in Punjab: CM Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said a Canadian company has evinced interest in setting up a food processing plant in the state.

 

Mann held a meeting here with Raman Khatra, the president and chairman of Canadian company Nebula Group, said an official release.

 

The chief minister said it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the company has evinced keen interest to set up a food processing plant whereby tomato, potato and citrus fruits will be procured from the surrounding areas of 10,000 hectares.

 

The company will export the perishable and fresh items by increasing their shelf life, said Mann.

 

A tie up with the state-owned Markfed and the Punjab Agro will be ensured to benefit the farmers in a big way, he said, adding the company will set up a plant near Doraha.

 

Mann also said the company will use its expertise to clean 'Budha Nullah' in Ludhiana with its latest technology.

7:43 PM

Ex-RG Kar hospital principal had criminal nexus with co-accused for wrongful gains: CBI

Arrested former principal of RG Kar hospital Sandip Ghosh has been operating a "criminal nexus along with the other "co-accused for wrongful gains, according to initial findings of the CBI's probe into financial irregularities at the medical establishment here, an officer claimed on Saturday.

 

The central probe agency had also placed the findings before a special court here during a hearing earlier in the week, he said.

 

The CBI had arrested Ghosh, two vendors, and his security person for their alleged involvement in financial irregularities at the state-run hospital, where the rape-murder of a young doctor has triggered nationwide protests.

 

"These (two) vendors were known to Ghosh since he was with the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital. We have found that they granted the contracts of RGKMC&H (RG Kar Medical College and Hospital) only because of their proximity with Ghosh," the officer said.

 

Ghosh was posted at the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital for two years from 2016 to 2018.

7:43 PM

4 killed, 95 injured as super Typhoon Yagi wreaks havoc in China

Four people were killed and 95 others injured as super Typhoon Yagi pounded south China's island province of Hainan with heavy rain and gusty winds, forcing thousands of people to be relocated for safety, local authorities said on Saturday.

 

Yagi, the 11th typhoon of this year, made two landfalls in China on Friday, first striking Hainan and later the Guangdong province.

 

Super Typhoon Yagi has pounded south China with heavy rain and gusty winds, leaving four people dead and 95 injured, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported, citing authorities.

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged beefed-up disaster relief efforts after the typhoon struck the country's southern region.

 

In Hainan, a popular tourist destination, the storm uprooted trees, caused power outages and flooded roads. Over 2,200 workers have been mobilised to restore power to more than 1.5 million affected households, Xinhua reported.

6:44 PM

Delhi records high of 34.4 deg C, light showers likely on Sunday

Delhiites woke up to a pleasant morning on Saturday with the national capital witnessing light rainfall in several areas, officials said.

 

The weather office has predicted generally cloudy sky with light rain on Sunday.

 

On Saturday, the national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 34.4 degree Celsius, normal during the season, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

 

The city noted a low of 24.5 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average, and a humidity of 92 per cent, the Met said.

 

The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 34 and 25 degrees Celsius on Sunday, it added.

 

The 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded in the 'satisfactory' category with a reading of 70 at 4 pm, as per the Central Pollution Control Board.

 

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

6:30 PM

Roads cave-in hit traffic in central, west Delhi

Portions of two roads caved in at Janakpuri and at Karol Bagh affecting traffic in the areas, Delhi Police said on Saturday.

 

The police shared updates about the traffic situation in a series of posts on X.

 

"Due to road cave-in on Joginder Singh Marg near District Centre, Janakpuri, movement of traffic is restricted in the carriageway from District Centre, Janakpuri, towards Lal Sain Mandir Marg. Commuters going towards Lal Sain Mandir Marg are advised to take Major Deepak Tyagi Marg at Dhauli Piao intersection, Janakpuri," it said.

 

In another post, police said that the traffic was affected on Arya Samaj Road in Karol Bagh Market on the carriageway from roundabout Bagga Link towards Saraswati Chowk due to road sinking near Bikaner Chowk.

6:24 PM

Multi-storey building collapses in Lucknow; several feared trapped

A multi-storey building collapsed in the Transport Nagar area here on Saturday evening, trapping around a dozen people under the rubble, officials said.

The incident occurred at around 5 pm. The building was being used as a godown, they said.

Around a dozen people are feared trapped under the rubble, they said.

"Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to the scene and are working to extricate the trapped individuals," said Relief Commissioner GS Naveen Kumar.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken note of the situation and is monitoring the rescue efforts closely.

6:02 PM

Arun Goel appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Croatia

5:49 PM

Typhoon Yagi has killed at least 4 and injured 78 others after making landfall: Vietnamese authorities

Vietnamese authorities say Typhoon Yagi has killed at least 4 and injured 78 others after making landfall, reports AP.

5:43 PM

Central government discharges Puja Khedkar from Indian Administrative Service with immediate effect

Central government discharges Puja Khedkar from Indian Administrative Service with immediate effect, reports PTI citing official sources.

5:33 PM

Kannada actor Darshan to get TV in prison cell

Jailed Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa will be provided a television in his cell following a request, officials said on Saturday.

 

The Bengaluru police filed a 3,991-page chargesheet against 17 accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, including Darshan, on Wednesday.

 

On August 29, the actor was shifted from Parappana Agrahara central prison in Bengaluru to Ballari after a photograph of him hanging out with three others, including a rowdy-sheeter, on the lawns of the jail had gone viral sparking a row.

 

"He had requested for a TV in his cell last week to keep himself updated about his case related developments and to keep himself informed of the developments in the outside world. So, as per procedure and prison guidelines, he will be provided with a television in his cell most likely by Monday," a senior jail official told PTI.

 

Darshan along with his friend Pavithra Gowda and 15 others, who are accused in the case, are currently under judicial custody in different prisons in the state.

5:24 PM

New applicants for Aadhaar in Assam need to submit NRC application receipt number: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

 

He also said that the Assam govt will intensify the process of identifying illegal foreigners.

5:24 PM

Doctors, nurses, health workers hold protest over RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder case

4:48 PM

India sends life-saving medicines to Chad

India on Saturday sent to Chad nearly 2,300 kg of medical supplies including life-saving antibiotics as part of assistance to the African nation to deal with the fallout of a devastating fire.

 

A devastating explosion at a military ammunition depot in Goudji area of Chad's capital N'Djamena killed at least nine people and injured 46 others.

 

The fire reportedly triggered a series of blasts in the area.

 

"Extending Humanitarian Assistance to Chad: India - Vishwabandhu, a friend to the world!" External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.

 

"India extends medical aid consisting of Essential Life-saving Antibiotics and General Medicines to the government of Republic of Chad, in response to a deadly fire incident. The consignment weighing approximately 2300 Kgs departed from Delhi today," he said.

4:10 PM

BJP on Omar Abdullah's remark on Afzal Guru

On JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah's remark on Afzal Guru, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "Afzal Guru was given death punishment by the law. The matter went to the Supreme Court, and even a review was done but he was found to be involved in anti-national and terrorist activities. To win the election he (Omar Abdullah) is saying that hanging him (Afzal Guru) was a wrong decision, what does he want? I condemn this, it's an irresponsible and anti-national statement. It shows the truth that he and his family remain soft about terrorists... To win the election, will you talk about breaking India? It's good that his real face has just been exposed. The people of Kashmir and BJP won't let his conspiracy to weaken India be successful."

3:59 PM

Zelenskiy says met Italy's Meloni, spoke about Ukraine's reconstruction, particularly of energy system

3:59 PM

BJP leader and former Haryana minister Bachan Singh Arya resigns from the party

3:55 PM

Hathras bus accident: 2 children die during treatment, toll reached 17

The death toll in the bus accident that occurred here yesterday has reached 17 after two children succumbed during treatment, officials said on Saturday.

 

Sixteen people -- 11 in Hathras and 5 in Aligarh -- are still undergoing treatment, District Magistrate of Hathras Ashish Kumar told PTI.

 

Appi (2) and around 12-year-old Gulshan died during treatment at a hospital in Aligarh, the officials said.

 

Fifteen people, including four women and as many children travelling in a van, were killed on Friday after a roadways bus hit the vehicle from behind on National Highway 93, officials had said.

 

"The bus hit the van while trying to overtake it on the Agra-Aligarh national highway," Superintendent of Police (SP) Nipun Agarwal had said.

 

The accident occurred near Kanwarpur village, about 10 kilometres from the district headquarters.

 

The passengers were on their way to Agra from Hathras.

3:38 PM

Manipur CM Biren Singh calls emergency cabinet meet amid surge in violence in the region

3:17 PM

47 roads closed in Himachal, 3 districts under risk of low flash floods

Forty-seven roads in Himachal Pradesh were closed on Saturday following continuous rainfall as the local MeT warned of low flash flood risk in Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts.

 

Eighteen power and one water supply scheme have also been affected in the state, the state emergency operation centre said.

 

Malroan recorded the highest rainfall of 64 mm followed by Pandoh 32.5 mm, Berthin 30.4 mm, Aghar 29.8 mm, Mandi 28.7 mm, Bhatiyyat 28.4 mm, Jubbarhatti 26 mm, Bhuntar 25.7 mm, Sundernagar 18.6 mm, Poanta Sahib 13.4 mm, Dhaulakuan 13 mm, Manali 12 mm, Kufri 11.6 mm and Sarahan 11 mm.

 

The local meteorological office has warned of low to moderate flash flood risk in parts of Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts till Sunday.

 

A total of 47 roads, including 13 in Mandi, 11 in Kangra, nine each in Shimla and Kullu, two in Una and one each in Kinnaur, Sirmaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts are closed for traffic, the centre said.

2:58 PM

Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia used by Cong as pawns: Brij Bhushan Singh

Former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accused the Congress of using wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia as "pawns" in their "conspiracy" to seize control of the Wrestling Federation of India and target the BJP. Singh's remarks came a day after the Olympic medallists joined the Congress. He claimed that his victory over Congress leader Deepender Hooda in the 2012 WFI election led to their grudge against him.

2:47 PM

Congress lauds Bharat Jodo Yatra on 2nd anniversary, says it united society

On the second anniversary of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress praised the march led by Rahul Gandhi from Kanyakumari to Kashmir as a "massive booster dose" for the party and a historic movement that exemplified societal unity. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated that the yatra demonstrated the inherent compassion of Indians and emphasized the mission to spread this message of love nationwide.

 

 

2:25 PM

Court defers order on summons to Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav in money laundering case

In the land-for-job money laundering case, Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has postponed the decision on summoning former Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, and other accused. The case is scheduled for a ruling on September 13.

2:13 PM

Vice President Dhankhar along with UP CM Yogi Adityanath visits and offers prayers at Gorakhnath Temple

2:08 PM

One passenger killed, 16 injured after bus overturns in Punjab's Pathankot

One passenger was killed and sixteen injured when a Himachal Pradesh roadways bus overturned in Pathankot, Punjab, on Saturday, police reported. The injured, including two with serious wounds, were taken to a local hospital. The accident occurred near Bungal Badhani village after the bus driver lost control of the vehicle.

1:56 PM

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi flags off Subhadra Yojana Awareness Rath

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Subhadra Yojana Awareness Rath (chariot) on Saturday to promote awareness about the scheme across the state. Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Pravatai Parida, who also serves as the women and child development minister, Majhi highlighted that the Subhadra Yojana aims to empower women throughout Odisha. Majhi stated that the chariots will inform people about the scheme and the application process.

1:31 PM

Court to rule on summoning Lalu, Tejashwi in money laundering case today

Delhi's Rouse Avenue will decide at 2 pm on Saturday whether to summon Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejaswi Yadav, and others in the land-for-job money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reported that Lallan Chaudhary, a co-accused who died in July 2024, had his death confirmed by his wife, and the post-mortem report was submitted. However, the death certificate is still pending as it has not been issued by the panchayat. 

1:21 PM

Former MLA Balkaur Singh quits BJP in Haryana, plans to join Congress

Former Haryana MLA Balkaur Singh resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday and plans to join the Congress. Singh submitted his resignation to BJP state president Mohanlal Badoli, expressing disappointment over not receiving the respect he felt he deserved despite his support for the party during challenging times.