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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.