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2:48 PM

72 new Covid cases in India, total active cases at 1,452: Health Ministry

India logged 72 new coronavirus infections in a day while the number of active cases was recorded at 1,452, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Saturday.

 

The death toll stood at 5,31,925, according to the data updated at 8 am. The country's Covid case tally is 4.49 crore (4,49,96,548), it said.

1:49 PM

Tata Group owned Titan Co to raise stake in its subsidiary CaratLane

Tata Group-owned Titan Co will acquire an additional 27.18% of equity shares in its subsidiary CaratLane Trading Pvt Ltd for 46.21 billion rupees ($555.81 million), it said in an exchange statement on Saturday.

 

Titan has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire all of the 91,90,327 equity shares held by the founder of CaratLane Trading Private Limited and his family members, representing 27.18% of the total paid-up equity share capital of CaratLane on a fully diluted basis, the release said.

1:17 PM

Shah to release Chouhan govt's report card; address party workers in MP

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will release the Madhya Pradesh government's report card here on Sunday and address the BJP's working committee meeting in Gwalior, the home turf of Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, a party functionary said.

 

Shahji will come here (Bhopal) in the forenoon of August 20 and release the report card of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government at a function. Thereafter he will leave for Gwalior where he will chair and address a working committee meeting, Ashish Agrawal, state BJP media cell head, told PTI over phone on Saturday.

12:31 PM

US to sell Australia missile systems in deal valued at $975 million

The Biden administration announced plans to sell rocket systems to Australia in a deal valued at as much as $975 million, as the two countries seek an even closer alliance and to counter China’s expanded military reach in the Indo-Pacific region.

Australia wants to buy 22 of the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, made by Lockheed Martin Corp., along with 60 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and other munitions, the State Department said Friday. Congress must approve the sale and contracts must still be negotiated. 

 

“Australia will use the capability to strengthen its homeland defense and provide greater security for its critical infrastructure,” the State Department said. “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

 

Australia is also developing detailed plans for a guided weapons production capability to manufacture Himars-compatible missiles domestically from 2025, the Australian government said in a statement Saturday.

 

12:17 PM

Rishikesh-Badrinath highway blocked due to landslide in Tehri in U'khand

Traffic has been suspended on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway-58 following a heavy landslide from the mountain in the Totaghati area of Tehri Garhwal district, officials said on Saturday.

 

Tehri District Magistrate Mayur Dixit told ANI over the phone about the heavy landslide that struck the Totaghati area which led to traffic on Badrinath Highway being stopped.

 

He said that road clearing work was in progress and since the magnitude of the landslide was high it could take some time to clear the road.

 

Yesterday, the water level in the Pindar River in the Tharali area of Chamoli district surged following heavy rainfall in the state

12:06 PM

Taylor Swift's Eras tour to become highest grossing tour of all time?

Singer Taylor Swift has been on a roll with her Eras tour.

 

As per CNN, the tour could gross USD 2.2 billion in North American ticket sales alone. The US-based news portal mentioned the particular update after obtaining August survey data from research firm QuestionPro.

 

That unprecedented total represents primary ticket sales for the US shows that Swift just concluded in Los Angeles, plus a second North American leg coming next year.

 

Swift is not even close to halfway through the tour, but she has already gone above and beyond her fans' expectations thanks to multiple surprises, major announcements and special guest appearances.

11:58 AM

ED issues summons to J'khand CM Hemant Soren in money laundering case

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has issued a summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering case, sources in the agency said on Saturday.

 

ED has asked the Jharkhand CM Soren to join its investigation in the alleged money laundering case on August 24.

 

Earlier on August 14, Soren was summoned by the ED in connection with an alleged land scam case. However, Soren did not join the central agency probe citing he was busy with the preparation of the Independence Day celebration in the state.

 

"Your choice of the date of 14th August does not come as a surprise to the undersigned (Hemant Soren). You and your political masters are fully aware that being the Chief Minister of the state of Jharkhand, the undersigned is scheduled to hoist the national flag on the occasion of the 77th independence day of the Republic of India on 15th August 2023," Soren wrote in his letter.

11:40 AM

Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi demands B-class facilities for her husband

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi demanded 'B-Class facilities' for her husband under 'Pakistan Prison Rules', ARY News reported on Friday.

 

Bushra Bibi wrote a letter to the Home Secretary of Punjab province and noted that B-Class facilities are liable to be given to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Khan as it is a matter of right for reasons, which include having served as Prime Minister of Pakistan.

 

She also pointed out that Khan should be allowed to have home food as per the jail manual. "Personal physician should also be given access to visit and examine PTI chief," the letter added.

11:13 AM

Solutions that succeed in India can be easily applied anywhere: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is an ideal testing lab for solutions and underlined that the solutions that succeed in the country can be easily applied anywhere in the world.

 

In his pre-recorded statement during the G20 Digital Economy Working Group Ministers Meet here in the city, the Prime Minister said India's digital public infrastructure offers a scalable, secure and inclusive solution for global challenges.

 

"India is an incredibly diverse country. We have dozens of languages and hundreds of dialects. It is home to every religion in the world and innumerable cultural practices. From ancient traditions to the latest technology, India has something for everyone," Modi said.

10:50 AM

Rajasthan CM directs officials to form panel on Kota student suicides

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday ordered officials to form a committee to provide suggestions to prevent suicide cases among the students and asked them to submit the report within 15 days.

 

The Chief Minister further directed the officials that the committee should include all stakeholders, including representatives from coaching institutes, parents, and doctors. This report is expected to be submitted within the stipulated 15-day timeframe.

Speaking at a review meeting on suicide cases among IIT and NEET aspirants in the coaching hub--Kota, the chief minister expressed concern over the rising incidences of suicides among the students in the city.

Around twenty students preparing for competitive exams in Kota have died by suicide so far this year.

10:49 AM

WHO designates Covid-19 variant BA.2.86 as a 'variant under monitoring'

World Health Organization (WHO) designated COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 as a 'variant under monitoring' due to the large number of mutations it carries.

 

The WHO said on Friday that they are tracking 3 variants of interest and 7 variants under monitoring at the moment.

 

"WHO continues to call for better surveillance, sequencing, and reporting of #COVID19 as this virus continues to circulate and evolve," the WHO said in a tweet.

10:10 AM

Rainfall in parts of Delhi, minimum temperature recorded at 25.4 deg celcius

There was rainfall in parts of Delhi early Saturday and the city's minimum temperature was recorded at 25.4 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

 

The national capital recorded 13 mm rainfall till 8.30 am and the weather department has predicted generally cloudy skies with light to moderate showers during the day. It said the maximum temperature is likely to settle around 34 degrees Celsius, while the humidity at 8.30 am was at 96 per cent.

9:47 AM

Chess official calls for more research as decision to block transgender women from events draws fire

A top global chess official Friday called for more research into whether factors such as hormone levels and physical endurance might have an impact on players' abilities at the male-dominated game. Her comments came after the world chess federation was heavily criticized for its decision to block transgender women from official women's events.

The Switzerland-based federation FIDE said the decision, set to take place Monday, would stay in effect until the federation does an assessment of the issue.

Critics, including advocacy groups and some European players and federations, have derided what they call an unnecessary and discriminatory policy that appears to foster trans panic, with one former British women's champion calling for the world federation to reverse its decision.

9:36 AM

With effective market intervention, Kerala has lowest inflation rate in country: CM Vijayan

Kerala, which is a consumer state, has tackled inflation with "effective market interventions" and the price rise is lower than the national average, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.

The inflation rate is also the lowest among the states, he said amid concerns about rising prices nationwide.

Inaugurating the statewide network of Onam fairs by the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) on Friday, Vijayan said the Left government was proud of the fact that it kept its election promise not to increase the prices of 13 essential commodities for the common man.

9:35 AM

US, Japan, S Korea denounce 'dangerous and aggressive actions' by China

United States, Japan and South Korea, in a joint statement on Friday, condemned the "dangerous and aggressive behaviour" by China and expressed stern opposition against any attempt to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific.

 

After the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries held in the US, a joint statement was released titled 'The Spirit of Camp David' expressing support for their collective alliance.

 

"Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States are determined to align our collective efforts because we believe our trilateral partnership advances the security and prosperity of all our people, the region, and the world," the statement read.

9:28 AM

Over 200 Meiteis who crossed over to Myanmar to escape violence in Manipur return to state: CM

More than 200 Meiteis who had crossed over to neighbouring Myanmar to escape the ethnic violence in Manipur have safely returned to the state after more than three months, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, while lauding the role of the Army in bringing them back. More than 160 people have been killed and several hundreds injured in clashes between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur since May 3.

 

"Relief and gratitude as 212 fellow Indian citizens (all Meiteis) who sought safety across the Myanmar border post the May 3rd unrest in Moreh town of Manipur are now safely back on Indian soil," the chief minister wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday.

9:08 AM

No FIR against entrepreneurs, traders in UP without investigation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered that a preliminary investigation be conducted before filing a First Information Report against traders and entrepreneurs.

 

This move aims to reduce the number of baseless FIRs filed against businesspersons and traders in the state, which frequently results in harassment and undue pressure, according to the official statement from the chief minister's office. Now, FIR cannot be lodged directly by any person against traders and entrepreneurs.

8:55 AM

"No such thing as law and order in Bihar, nobody is spared": Pashupati Paras on journalist's murder

Union Minister Pashupati Paras has hit out at the Bihar government led by Nitish Kumar over the recent murder of a journalist in Araria district and said that there is no such thing as law and order in the state.

"There is no such thing as law and order. Nobody is spared be it police, public, journalists and politicians in Bihar. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar changed the alliance, left NDA and joined RJD against which the Bihar public gave the mandate, still, he went for that alliance," Union Minister Pashupati Paras said on Friday.

The journalist, identified as Vimal Kumar Yadav, was allegedly shot dead at his home by unidentified assailants in the Raniganj Bazaar area of the district, police said earlier on Friday.

8:54 AM

People protest against 'illegal detention' of leader by Pakistan in PoK

A group of people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's (PoK) Gilgi-Baltistan held protest demonstrations against the "illegal detention" of their leader Shabir Mayar by the Pakistani authorities.

 

United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) founder Shaukat Ali Kashmiri said that demonstrations were carried out by Gilgit Baltistan United Movement, Awami Action Committee and Anzuman Tazran.

8:46 AM

Evergrande's bankruptcy signals beginning of China's real estate crisis: Experts

The filing for bankruptcy by Evergrande, Chinese real estate giant signals the beginning of Beijing's real estate crisis, CNN reported on Friday.

It serves as a cautionary tale about the "growth-at-all-costs" model that underpinned China's spectacular growth over the past 30 years.

For decades, Evergrande, once one of China's most successful real estate developers, gobbled up debt as China's economy exploded. Demand for housing was so strong, homebuilders often pre-sold apartment units to buyers before construction was complete, CNN reported.

But a sudden shift in policy by China's leaders two years ago has left the country's property developers scrambling for cash, compounding financial risks within the world's second-largest economy.

As per CNN, the story of Evergrande's downfall began in 2021, when the central government moved to curb excessive borrowing to try to slow the rise in home prices, effectively cutting off a major source of funding for property developers.

8:38 AM

RS chairman refers bills to replace IPC, CrPC, Evidence Act to standing committee, seeks report within 3 mths

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has referred the three proposed laws that will replace the IPC, CrPC and the Evidence Act to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs for examination and asked it to submit its report within three months.

The bills -- the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill -- were introduced in the Lok Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah on August 11.

The bills, once passed, will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act respectively.

8:36 AM

"Our goal should not be for Putin to lose, but for America to win": Vivek Ramaswamy

In a move quite different from other US leaders, Indian-American lawmaker Vivek Ramaswamy has advocated for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Moscow keeping parts of Donbas region and Kyiv not joining NATO.

He further argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin must exit his military alliance with China to end the conflict.

Notably, Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur, is set to contest against Donald Trump in Republican primaries for US presidential polls.

"I will end the Ukraine War on terms that require Putin to exit his military alliance with China. The goal shouldn't be for Russia to "lose." It should be for the U.S. to *win.*", Ramaswamy said on X (formerly Twitter).

8:24 AM

Chhattisgarh: Kejriwal, Mann to address AAP event in Raipur during day-long visit

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal will be on a day-long visit to Chhattisgarh capital Raipur on Saturday, his third trip to the poll-bound state in the past five months.

 

Kejriwal will be accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the duo will address an AAP workers' convention here at Jainam Manas Bhavan opposite Raipur airport at 12 noon, the party's state unit chief Komal Hupendi told reporters on Friday. Kejriwal will also release "guarantee cards" for the people of Chhattisgarh to mention what his party will implement if voted to power in the state, he said.

8:07 AM

US President Joe Biden expects to meet Xi 'this fall' amid tensions

Despite escalating tensions with Beijing, US President Joe Biden is still hopeful of meeting his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this year, CNN reported on Friday (local time).

 

Notably, the two leaders are expected to meet in November this year, on the sidelines of an Asian leaders summit hosted by Biden. Biden told CNN on Friday that he hopes to follow up on last year's meeting with Xi "this fall."

7:53 AM

Pakistan: Imran Khan booked under Official Secrets Act in Cipher case

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been booked under the Official Secrets Act 1923 in connection with the Cipher case, Geo News reported on Friday citing The News.

 

The counter-terrorism wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered the case against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman - who was ousted from office after a no-confidence motion in April last year - after ascertaining his deliberate involvement in misusing the classified document following a probe.

7:51 AM

Unhappy Central Assam BJP leader Rajen Gohain resigns from cabinet post

Expressing his dissatisfaction over the delimitation of Nagaon Parliamentary constituency, Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Rajen Gohain on Friday resigned from the post of Chairman of Assam Assam Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Limited.Gohain had been representing the Nowgong constituency of Central Assam since 1999 and secured four consecutive terms until 2014.

7:41 AM

Strict law needed at universities, says Sourav Ganguly on JU violence case

A week after the death of an undergraduate student in West Bengal's Jadavpur University, Former cricketer Sourav Ganguly on Friday called the incident "ridiculous" and urged for strict laws to be implemented in the universities.

 

"These are institutions where children come to study that should be the main focus. This is ridiculous and a shame. The law has to be very strict," Sourav Ganguly said.

 

The deceased identified as Swarnodip Kundu, died after allegedly falling from the balcony of the university's hostel on the night of August 9. He was allegedly subjected to ragging before his death.

7:37 AM

CM Yogi Adityanath to visit Ayodhya district on Saturday morning

Utar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit Ayodhya district on Saturday. According to the official statement from chief minister's office, Yogi will reach the helipad at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya on August 19 at around 11 am.

 

"CM Yogi's darshan-worship and excursion program is proposed in the district. After this, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend the tribute and wreath-laying program at the samadhi of Saket resident Pujya Mahant Shri Ramchandra Paramhans Das Ji Maharaj," the statement said.

 

After this, the Chief Minister will visit Ram Janmabhoomi complex and observe the works of temple construction and later he will participate in other programs. CM Yogi will leave for Lucknow after a two-hour stay in Ayodhya.