It was a disappointing finish at Rio Olympics for Indian women archers in Recurve archery ranking round after Deepika Kumari, who had maintained top spot in the early rounds, slipped to 20th, but qualified for the Round of 32 along with Bombayla Devi (24th). 

Top Gainers today 

For Indian travellers, Mumbai has been ranked the most expensive city in the country, but second least expensive in the world, according to a report.

The financial capital of the country, Mumbai has been ranked the most expensive city in India, however, it is the second least expensive destination in the world to visit after Hanoi, according to TripAdvisor's sixth edition of annual TripIndex Cities.

Overall, the report revealed that New York (US), the most expensive city internationally for a three-day break for Indians will cost Rs 1,24,201, which is over three times costly than Mumbai, the most expensive city in India.

Capetown in South Africa has been ranked third globally least expensive city to visit followed by Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Bangkok (Thailand) and Moscow (Russia).

IED blast near Manipur State Museum, near Imphal Polo Ground. One CRPF personnel, and one boy injured. 

Vijay Rupani and Nitin Patel being felicitated by Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah and Anandiben Patel in Gandhinagar. 

Just in: Vijay Rupani to be Gujarat CM, Nitin Patel to be his deputy.

Rupani was made president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Gujarat unit in February. His appointment, insiders said, was delayed by almost a month owing to differences between Anandiben Patel and BJP President Amit Shah.

He replaced the Leuva Patidar leader, R C Faldu, and his appointment came at a time when the party was facing serious challenges from the community.

The appointment was seen as a mark of confidence the BJP brass had in the leader from the Baniya community.

A Jain Baniya, Rupani does not belong to one of the majority communities in the state; Jains make up only one per cent of Gujarat's population while Baniyas comprise three per cent.

The BJP selected a non-other backward classes and non-Patel leader at the helm to avoid a tricky political situation, sources said. Many see Rupani as an Amit Shah confidante. Hence, his appointment hinted at the latter's increased indirect control of the state unit, where rumours of factionalism are rife.

Rupani was a cabinet minister with portfolios such as transport and labour & employment. As Gujarat party president, Rupani was required to consolidate the cadre amid challenges such as the Patidar reservation agitation.

Also, given the party's poor performance in rural areas during the recent local body polls, Rupani's role was deemed to be crucial in maintaining and improving on the party's prospects in the assembly elections in December 2017.

Rupani has also been the party's general secretary and was an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

Nitin Patel is considered a seasoned politician, who rose up the ranks over the years, especially in the last two years as the second-in-command of CM Anandiben Patel.

Currently serving as health, public welfare and roads and building minister in Gujarat, Patel has also been a businessman, having dabbled in cotton ginning and oil pressing.

Having contested his first assembly election in 1995, Patel has usually won from the Kadi constituency and became a cabinet minister in the Keshubhai Patel government.

Search operations launched to trace the remains of the two buses and private vehicles swept away in Mahad have run into adverse weather conditions coupled with high currents in the Savitri river, a senior NDRF official said.


NDRF joined other agencies including the Coastguard in relief operations soon after the tragedy struck on Tuesday night and has since then been scouring the swollen waters for vehicle remains and missing people.


"We are facing problems on three fronts. First the adverse weather conditions due to heavy rains, and then the extreme water current. Also, the water is so muddy that it has hindered the visibility to zero levels for our deep divers," Anupam Srivastava, a commandant of the 5th battalion told PTI.

Srivastava said his team is not equipped with infra-red based technology that could help in locating objects in muddy water. Another obstacle they have to contend with is the presence of crocodiles in the water.


"The latest obstacle is that our team jawans have spotted few crocodiles in the waters which means extra caution is needed while venturing out. But definitely these are not going to dampen our commitment," Srivastava said.

With his crew of 160 jawans, 12 deep divers and 13 boats, DIG of NDRF (South Zone) S P Selvan is personally monitoring operations on the site. Elaborating on his team's efforts, Srivastava said, "One the first day, we lowered down a 150 kg hook as an anchor (into the river) but it could not stabilise at one place due to high currents. Then we got a 300-kg magnet from nearby MIDC but it too faced lot of resistance."


"During the process, this magnet anchor got stuck to a heavy object and we guessed that it could be the one of the buses. But the crane present on the spot could not pull it out," he said.


"Next day we got a big size crane from Mumbai which also failed to pull that substance out from the river. When we discussed this issue with the local administration, then we were informed that it could be a water pipeline which supplies potable water to nearby 14 villages. Therefore, for the time being, we have deferred our plans to pull out the magnet anchor until we get a confirmation about this," Anupam said.


He said the severity of the conditions at the rescue site could be gauged by the fact when anchors weighing 300 kg are not getting settled in the water due to the current, then how can divers go inside. Three more bodies were today recovered from the Savitri river taking the mishap toll to 17.

Delhi High Court today refused to interfere with the ban on a controversial BBC documentary, 'India's Daughter' on the December 16 gang-rape case, saying the issue of its telecast was pending before the trial court which was competent to deal with it.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath also did not go into the validity of an advisory issued by the Centre against telecast of the short film, saying that it was only an advice to private TV channels and the documentary was not shown because of the restraint order of the trial court.

In sync with strong global stocks after the Bank of England announced a rate cut and fresh stimulus, the Sensex rallied 364 points to close above 28,000, helped by auto and oil and gas.

For the week, both indices -- the Sensex and the Nifty -- rose 26.49 points, or 0.09 per cent, and 44.65 points, or 0.51 per cent, respectively. Trading in the green throughout the day, the benchmark BSE Sensex added 363.98 points, or 1.31 per cent, to end at 28,078.35 after shuttling between 28,110.37 and 27,795.74.


It had gained 16.86 points in yesterday's choppy session. This is the biggest single-session gain since July 11 when it had gained 499.79 points.


Image: The Sensex today/KBK Graphics.

Seven more bodies of the victims of the bridge collapse on the Mumbai-Goa highway were recovered by search teams on Friday morning, taking the total bodies found so far to 21. Seventeen bodies have been identified and handed over to families after autopsy.

Two buses of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), a Tavera, a Honda City and another three-wheeler were washed away in the Savitri river after the British era bridge collapsed early on Wednesday near Mahad in Raigad district of Maharashtra.

On Thursday, Raigad Deputy Collector Satish Vagal said at least 42 persons are feared missing and washed away.For over 60 hours, a massive search operation on land, river, creek and the Arabian Sea, which is 18 km away, has been underway since to look for the missing persons.

The operations have been undertaken by the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, National Disaster Response Force, local police and fire brigade. Local fishermen and volunteers of diving clubs have joining in the efforts.

However, the operations continued to be hampered by heavy rains in the district, increasing the water level in the Savitri river.

Since Thursday morning, search teams helped by local fisherfolks have been finding bodies of victims at regular intervals, some swept away over a hundred km into the sea.

Defence authorities had procured large magnets weighing around 300 kg for the underwater search in the muddied waters to detect the missing vehicles, but the efforts have been in vain so far.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, his ministers and Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil airdashed to the tragedy site on Wednesday and met Collector Sheetal Ugale and Superintendent of Police Suvez Haque.

The state government announced Rs 10 lakh for families of each victim and a like amount or a job in MSRTC for family members of the corporation's staff like drivers and bus conductors and others travelling on the two buses.

Fadnavis also announced a judicial probe and ordered a structural safety audit of all old bridges on the busy Mumbai-Goa highway before the coming 10-day Ganeshotsav festival.

Reports that US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump repeatedly asked a foreign policy adviser during a briefing why the US could not use its nuclear arsenal was first aired on an MSNBC TV show on Wednesday, adding weight to the growing chorus about the Republican nominee's sense of responsibility. "If we have them, why can't we use them?" Trump asked thrice. Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton has repeatedly said that Trump cannot be trusted with the nuclear button.


Image: The International New York Times likens Trump's propensity on Twitter and his desire to use nuclear weapons.

Torrentz.eu, one of the world's largest torrent sites, has announced "farewell" to its millions of users. The meta-search engine, which hosted no torrents of its own but linked to other sites including The Pirate Bay, has decided to cease its operation. The surprise shutdown marks the end of an era.
Read more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak in the Lok Sabha on Monday at 12:30 pm, when the GST Bill is tabled in the House. The Bill will be taken up for passage on Monday in the Lok Sabha at noon. There will be many speakers as it is a Constitutional Bill, and the Prime Minister will intervene.

The BJP has issued a whip to its members in the Lower House to ensure its smooth passage. The whip issued by the ruling party today has asked its members to be present in the House on Monday.

The announcement in Seoul on Wednesday that President Park Geun-hye will visit Russia On September 2-3 comes at a defining moment in regional security in northeast Asia when the US decision to deploy THAAD missile defence system in South Korea is playing out.  Read MK Bhadrakumar's blog here.

MoS Kiren Rijiju reacts to the Kokrajhar terror strike which left 13 civilians dead and 18 injured. "This is very unfortunate, we will assure that victims are taken care of. We will ask for more details of the attack from the state government and then decide what action needs to be taken."

Grenades  were used in the terror strike, 3-4 militants still on the run. Additional security forces have been rushed to the area. 

At least 3-4 militants shot at and threw a grenade at a haat or a weekly market at Balajan Tiniali at Kokrajhar in Assam. 13 people, all civilians were killed, while 18 people were injured.

One of the militants has been killed. An AK-47 rifle has also been reportedly recovered from a slain militant. Additional security forces have been rushed to the spot.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the incident. He condemned the incident and said strict action would be taken against the perpetrators. Ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh will be given to the next of kin of people who died, Rs 1 lakh for the injured, the CM announced.

Dhairya Upadhyaya @Dhairya_Dku  tweets this picture of the road near Shanmukanand hall, Gandhi Market, Sion. 

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in an acerbic comment on Pakistan while telling parliament about his brief and tense visit to Islamabad, said today: "All our PMs have done their best to improve relations with our neighbours but yeh padosi hai ki maanta hi nahin hai (this neighbour never learns)."


Singh said that at the SAARC meeting of home ministers, India took a strong stand against terror and urged all members that "there is a need to take strongest action not just against terrorists but also those who support terrorism."


He described Pakistan as the "biggest violator of human rights" - a response to his Pakistani counterpart's allegations yesterday of rights violations in Kashmir.


Singh returned yesterday after his two-day visit that was replete with messages and gestures telegraphing bitterness on both sides.


Opposition parties rallied behind the government and condemned Pakistan for "the way the home minister was treated" and what they called a "blackout" of his speech; Singh's statement was not broadcast by Pakistani media but India's foreign ministry has denied that it was a blackout.


"The home minister did not receive respect and honour due to him in Pakistan during his visit as per protocol, we condemn it," said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.


"I strongly condemn how Pakistan didn't maintain protocol and treated our home minister, the entire nation stand united," Janata Dal United leader Sharad Yadav said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh says he has spoken to Assam CM Sarbanand Sonwal who apprised him of the situation in Kokrajhar. MHA is closely monitoring the situation.

It's been a nightmare getting to work for most Mumbaikars after large swathes of the city -- road and rail  -- waterlogged after the city received 70 mm of rain in under three hours. But a picture like this, somehow takes the edge of your annoyance.

Michelle Obama tweets this picture on her husband and US President Barack Obama's birthday today. Obama turns 55 today.

The first lady tweeted: "55 years young and that smile still gets me every single day. Happy birthday, Barack. I love you. -mo"

News.com.au reports that it is his last birthday in office, as he prepares to handover the reins in November. Word has it that Obama marked the big occasion with a night on the town.

He and his family dined at one of his favourite Italian restaurants, Fiola Mare, on the Georgetown waterfront.

Happy birthday, Mr President!

Twelve civilians have been killed after militants opened fire at a market area in Assam's Kokrajhar, says Times Now. Security forces engaged the militants in an encounter which is still on. 

Fifteen civilians have been reported injured in the incident.

One terrorist has reportedly been killed by security forces, and an AK-47 has been recovered.

Representational picture.

News updates at this hour:

-- Solicitor General submits status report in SC, on ground situation in Kashmir following Burhan Wani's killing. Report says that Govt ensured essential services including medicines, food during J&K unrest.


-- Militants open fire in market area of Assam's Kokrajhar area, 12 civilians killed.

J Dey murder case: CBI files supplementary chargesheet against Chhota Rajan in MCOCA Court in Mumbai, today. 

Rajan was arrested at Bali airport in Indonesia on October 25 last year and deported to India.

He is facing around 70 cases in Maharashtra, which include the J Dey murder case of 2011. Maharashtra government has handed over all these cases to CBI.

Dey, a veteran crime reporter, was shot dead in suburban Powai on June 11, 2011, allegedly at the behest of Rajan.

According to investigators, Rajan was upset with certain articles written by Dey about him.

Mumbai rain update: According to Mumbai Police, the most affected areas are Parel TT, King Circle Junction, Matunga, Sion, Kurla Kamani near Phoenix Mall. The Mumbai Police on Twitter issued rain alerts and said, "Heavy rains in the city today. Some of the most affected areas : Ram Nagar Subway near Vakola,D.N Nagar area at Andheri West'.

A high tide of 4.55 meters expected at 1:38 pm today, reports ANI.


Image: The waterlogged tracks at Sion station this afternoon. Both long-distance and local trains were lined up one behind the other. 

The Supreme Court will now hear together the Delhi government's civil suit seeking a declaration that the national capital is a state and its petition against the order of the high court which held that the city is a Union Territory with Lt Governor as its administrative head. 

Maharashtra Minister Prakash Mehta has denied that he was taking a selfie while surveying a bridge that collapsed on the Mumbai-Goa highway in Maharashtra on Tuesday night, leaving at least 14 dead and nine missing. 

Graphic mobile phone clips of gang rapes are being sold in shops in Uttar Pradesh, as a spate of rapes in one of the country's most violent states has sparked anger and calls for the chief minister to step down. 

President Pranab Mukherjee has sent his good wishes to the Indian contingent in the Rio Olympic Games 2016 on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games.

Heavy rain delayed the resumption of rescue operations on Friday to find those missing in the Mahad bridge collapse over the Savitri river on the Mumbai-Goa highway on Tuesday.

The security system inside Parliament House failed on Friday morning, with the equipment unable to read the electronic photo ID tags of members of Parliament and media-persons, posing great difficulty to the watch and ward staff. 

Woman IAS officer takes a dig at PDP for pellet death, police officer asks her to quit and join separatists. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to reach out to citizens through his first-ever 'townhall' style event on August 6. A new PMO app to enable mobile users connect with the Prime Minister's website will also be launched at the mega event, which is being organised by MyGov - the government's citizen engagement platform - to mark its second anniversary.

Commenting on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's terse speech in Islamabad during the seventh SAARC Home Ministers meeting, BJP leader Prem Shukla has said Singh should be appreciated for the way he has unmasked the ill-intentions of Pakistan on its own soil.

For almost eight years, Barack Obama has juggled many hats: he's a father to two, a husband and the leader of the United States.

Now what? That's the question in the Rahul and Priyanka camps after Sonia Gandhi was taken ill during the roadshow in Varanasi. Clearly, the Congress chief who blew the party's poll bugle in Uttar Pradesh isn't keeping well. 

Indian tennis star Leander Paes has not been allotted a room in the Rio Olympics games village, reports the Times of India. 

A Pakistan's Punjab government Mi-17 helicopter crash landed in Afghanistan's Logar province, where Taliban militants took the crew hostage before setting the helicopter on fire. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced a Rs 3 lakh compensation to the victims of the Bulandshahr gang rape case. The CM has also offered a flat to both the victims.