News updates: 8 killed by exploding pagers across the country, says Lebanon's health minister

Latest news updates: Catch all the latest news developments from across the world here

9:41 PM

8 killed, 2,750 wounded by exploding pagers across the country: Lebanon's health minister

7:39 PM

Ganesh festival: More than 7,500 idols immersed in Mumbai on last day

More than 7,500 idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Gauri were immersed in Mumbai as of Tuesday evening as devotees in the city and the rest of Maharashtra bid farewell to their beloved elephant-headed deity.

No untoward incident was reported anywhere during the immersion, said officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Of the idols immersed in the sea, lakes and artificial ponds in the city by 6 pm, 7,227 were household Ganapatis, 300 belonged to 'sarvajanik mandals' (community groups) and about 50 were of Goddess Gauri. Of these, 2,880 idols were immersed in artificial ponds.

The immersion procession of 'Lalbaugcha Raja', a famous 'sarvajanik' (public) Ganesh in central Mumbai who draws lakhs of devotees during the festival, reached Chinchpokli around 6.30 pm while on its way to Girgaum chowpatty or beach.

BEST, the civic bus service, has diverted buses on several routes on account of immersion processions.

6:53 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the US from September 21 to 23: MEA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the US from September 21 to 23, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. In New York, PM Modi will address a gathering of Indian community on September 22, said MEA. In New York, PM Modi to interact with CEOs of leading US-based firms to foster collaborations in AI, biotechnology, semiconductors, etc.

 

6:37 PM

54 roads closed in Himachal Pradesh

A total of 54 roads were closed in Himachal Pradesh and 47 power supply schemes were disrupted, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said on Tuesday.

 

The local meteorological centre has issued a 'yellow' alert for thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas of six districts of the state on Wednesday.

 

The weather in the state remained largely dry since Monday evening barring some isolated places, such as Baijnath and Dalhousie, which received 4 mm and 1 mm of rainfall, respectively, the weather data showed.

 

As of Tuesday morning, 28 roads were closed in Shimla, 12 in Mandi, seven in Kangra, six in Kullu and one in Sirmaur district, according to SEOC.

 

The rain deficit during the ongoing monsoon season from June 1 till September 17 stands at 19 per cent, with the state receiving 565.9.2 mm rainfall against an average of 695 mm.

 

According to officials, 172 people have died in rain-related incidents since the onset of monsoon in the state on June 27 till Monday evening, while 30 are still missing. The state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1,327 crore.

6:30 PM

Excise case: Court dismisses Kejriwal's pleas against summons

A Delhi court on Tuesday dismissed AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal's two petitions challenging the summons issued to him on complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam.

 

Special Judge Rakesh Syal dismissed the revision petition filed by Kejriwal, saying there was sufficient ground to proceed against him.

 

Kejriwal had moved the sessions court against an order passed by a magisterial court directing him to appear before it on the ED's complaint.

 

The outgoing Delhi chief minister had challenged the summons issued by the magisterial court after taking cognisance of two complaints filed by the ED over avoidance of summons issued to him.

 

The ED had filed complaints before the magisterial court seeking prosecution of Kejriwal for skipping multiple summonses issued to him in the case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

5:09 PM

Delhi has only one Chief Minister and that is Kejriwal: Atishi to Delhi on replacing Arvind Kejriwal

"Arvind Kejriwal believed in me. AAP believed in me. That is why I have been given this responsibility. While I am happy in this trust, I am also sad Arvind Kejriwal had to resign. Delhi has only one Chief Minister... and that is Kejriwal," Atishi said. "We have staked claim to form new govt, I will protect interests of Delhi people," she stated today. 

5:02 PM

Atishi has staked claim with L-G to form the government: AAP leader Gopal Rai

 "Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation to Delhi LG.  All MLAs have together decided upon nominating Atishi as the new CM. Atishi has staked claim to form the government,"  AAP leader Gopal Rai said today.

4:55 PM

News update: Arvind Kejriwal leaves from Delhi L-G's office

4:52 PM

News update: Arvind Kejriwal tenders resignation as Delhi chief minister to L-G Saxena

The AAP chief had said he would become chief minister and Manish Sisodia his deputy "only when people say we are honest".

4:43 PM

News update: Arvind Kejriwal to resign as chief minister shortly

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will tender his resignation to L-G Saxena shortly.

4:38 PM

Atishi to stake claim as Delhi chief minister today

While Arvind Kejriwal will meet L-G Vinai Saxena to tender his resignation, Atishi will meet him to stake claim to form the new government.

4:31 PM

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal leaves for L-G's office

 Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal along with proposed CM Atishi and other cabinet ministers leave for the LG Office. Arvind Kejriwal will tender his resignation as Delhi CM today.

4:29 PM

Air India expects to complete upgradation of all legacy narrow body A320 neo planes by mid-2025

 Air India on Tuesday said it expects to complete the upgradation of its 27 legacy A320 neo aircraft by mid-2025, following which all its narrow body planes will have the three-class configuration of business, premium economy and economy seats.

4:03 PM

Article 370 abrogation Parliament decision, not God's: Jammu & Kashmir ex-CM Omar Abdullah

National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the abrogation of Article 370 was a decision taken by Parliament, and not by God, and asserted that it can be changed. He was reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remark at an election rally in Jammu on Monday that Article 370 is history and will never be part of India's Constitution again."Nothing is impossible," Abdullah added. The NC leader also held the BJP-led central government responsible for the increase in terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.

3:59 PM

Madhya Pradesh govt administers oath to CIC, three information commissioners

Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangu Bhai Patel on Tuesday administered oath of office to the newly appointed chief information commissioner (CIC) and three information commissioners. The state government recently appointed retired IPS officer and former special director general of police Vijay Yadav as the CIC, Dr Vandana Gandhi (social worker), Dr Umashankar Pachori (educationist) and Omkar Nath (retired judge) as information commissioners.

3:57 PM

Manoj Kumar Verma replaces Vineet Goyal as new commissioner of Kolkata Police

On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee removed Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal from his post, following a  protest by doctors over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a RG Kar hospital. The decision came after a six-hour-long meeting with protesting doctors.

3:45 PM

News update: India's exports decline by 9.3% to $34.71 bn in Aug

Imports rise by 3.3% to $64.36 bn in the month over year-ago period.

3:13 PM

No demolition using bulldozers will be carried out without seeking permission, says Supreme Court

The top court also stated that its no demolition order will not be applicable to unauthorised structures on public roads, footpaths etc.

3:00 PM

You can change the face but not party's character: Delhi BJP chief on Atishi as next CM

You can change the face but not the party's character, Delhi BJP president Virender Sachdeva said on Tuesday after the Aam Aadmi Party chose senior leader Atishi as Delhi's new chief minister. He said the people of Delhi know that Arvind Kejriwal, who proposed her name as his successor, has looted Delhi. "They have indulged in corruption in every department and now the people will give them an answer for that corruption," Sachdeva said.

2:58 PM

News update: No demolition using bulldozers will be carried out without seeking permission, says SC

2:30 PM

Successive govts did not celebrate 'Hyd Liberation Day' due to vote bank politics: Kishan Reddy

Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy today stated that successive governments in undivided Andhra Pradesh and after the formation of Telangana refused to officially celebrate the 'Hyderabad Liberation Day' on September 17 due to appeasement and vote bank politics.

He was speaking at the celebration organised by the Central government on the anniversary of the merger of the erstwhile Hyderabad State under Nizam rule with the Indian Union (on September 17) in 1948. "KCR (BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao), when he was opposition leader, questioned the then rulers why the Day was not being celebrated officially. But, he changed the tone after becoming Telangana chief minister. As per the orders of his ally AIMIM, he gave a wrong interpretation of the liberation day," Reddy said.

2:27 PM

PM Modi working with dedication to improve lives of people: BJP chief JP Nadda

BJP president JP Nadda underscored key achievements of the NDA government today during its first 100 days in office and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to improve the lives of people, especially Dalits, youngsters and women. Addressing an event organised to mark Modi's 74th birthday at the BJP headquarters here, Nadda the prime minister was a "great personality" The prime minister has dedicated his life to serving the country and humanity. He is changing the lives of people and has turned his resolve into an achievement, Nadda said.

2:08 PM

Will probe root cause of rail accidents, conspiracy will not last long: Home minister Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said any conspiracy to cause railway accidents will not last long and the government will soon unveil an initiative for the protection of the 1.10 lakh km railway network across the country. The home minister's remarks came in the wake of a series of railway accidents, most of which appeared to be attempts at sabotage as obstructions were placed on the railway tracks. Addressing a press conference to mark 100 days of the third tenure of the BJP-led NDA government, Shah said he had discussed the issue of railway safety with Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the last two days.

2:06 PM

100 days of Modi 3.0 government: Cong says govt yet again 'failed to act' on mass unemployment crisis

The Congress on Tuesday claimed that the first 100 days of Modi 3.0 was marked by a litany of U-turns and a series of scandals with the government yet again having "failed to act" on India's "mass unemployment crisis". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said "the non-biological PM and his drumbeating economists" have consistently attacked the idea of jobless growth but the reality of what has been seen since 2014 is perhaps even more stark -- "job-loss growth".

1:38 PM

I am happy, but also sad that my elder brother Arvind Kejriwal is resigning today: Atishi

Atishi thanks 'guru' Kejriwal after she was named new CM of Delhi.

1:28 PM

AAP to stake claim to form new govt under Atishi after Kejriwal's resignation: Gopal Rai

The Aam Aadmi Party will stake claim to form a new government under senior party leader Atishi after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's resignation on Tuesday evening, senior party leader Gopal Rai said. The AAP announced Atishi as the next Delhi chief minister after Kejriwal's proposal to choose her as his successor was accepted unanimously in the legislative party meeting held at his residence held earlier in the day.

1:24 PM

PM Modi unveils railway, national highway projects worth over Rs 3,800 crore in Odisha

PM Modi also launched the Subhadra Yojana, Odisha govt's financial asistance scheme for women.

12:56 PM

SC asks CBI to file status report on alleged financial irregularities

The West Bengal government  also informed the Supreme Court that it will withdraw its notification for women doctors limiting duty hours to 12 hours and night duty avoidance. 

12:52 PM

Govt talking to Meitei, Kuki communities for 'permanent' peace in Manipur: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday said the government is talking to both the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur to ensure lasting peace and has begun fencing the country's border with Myanmar to check infiltration. Addressing a press conference on the achievements of the 100 days of the Modi 3.0 government, Shah said barring three days of violence last week, the overall situation in Manipur has been calm and the government has been working to restore peace in the restive Northeastern state. 

12:43 PM

Suspected mpox infection reported from Kerala, samples sent for testing

A suspected case of monkeypox infection has been reported from Malappuram district of Kerala after a man who recently returned from abroad showed symptoms of the disease. A district health official said that the patient arrived in Kerala a few days ago and, after falling sick, was first admitted to a private hospital. "From there he was admitted to the Manjeri Medical College. On suspecting that it might be a case of monkeypox, we sent his samples to the Kozhikode Medical College for testing. The results are awaited," the official said.