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Tue, 04 August 2020
Human trials of Covaxin move to Phase 2: ICMR
Timeline Refresh
23:34 Human trials of Covaxin move to Phase 2: ICMR
The Phase 1 human clinical trials of two COVID-19 vaccine candidates developed indigenously by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and Zydus Cadila Ltd have been completed and the trials have moved to Phase 2, Indian Council of Medical Research Director General Balram Bhargava said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press briefing, he said once a safe and effective vaccine is developed, the focus should be on prioritisation and its fair distribution, roll-out and cold chain logistics, stockpiling and training of people who would be administering the vaccine.
There are about 141 candidates that are being studied worldover and 26 are in different phases of clinical trials, he said.
"At the present moment, there are three vaccines which are in different phases of clinical testing in India.
"The first one is the inactivated virus vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech which has completed its Phase 1 study in 11 sites and has started its Phase 2 study. Phase 1 and 2 are safety and very early efficacy studies.
"Similarly Zydus Cadila's DNA vaccine has also completed Phase 1 studies in 11 sites and started its Phase 2 trials which is also progressing. Recombinant Oxford vaccine to be manufactured by Serum Institute of India, Pune was given approval yesterday for Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials which would start within a week at 17 sites," Bhargava said at the briefing.
Underlining the urgency for the need of a vaccine, the ICMR official said though the pandemic is progressing rapidly, developing a vaccine takes time 'not only from the science aspect, but also from the social, cultural and regulatory aspects'.
He, however, emphasised that till a safe and effective vaccine becomes available, sustained behavioural change, physical distancing, wearing masks and proper hand hygiene, is probably the best vaccine available at the moment, and even these measures have to be continued absolutely. -- PTI
23:16 'Rahul Modi' cracks civils, gets 420th rank
Guess who has secured the 420th rank in the civil services examination 2019? A candidate named Rahul Modi.
This unique combination of names of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has caught the attention of many social media users who posted their comments on the Internet.
Rahul Modi, roll number 6312980, secured the 420th rank, according to the list of qualified candidates announced by the Union Public Service Commission on Tuesday.
Twitter was abuzz with posts on this name. Some users also shared memes.
'Can't get more bizarre than this - Rank no. 420 - Rahul Modi! Need I say more!' said Ananth Rupanagudi, who describes himself as a railway bureaucrat, on Twitter.
Another user Ankit Yadav wrote: 'What a coincidence..UPSC civil services 2019 results are out and a Candidate named RAHUL MODI secures 420 rank.'
IRS officer Pradeep Singh topped the list of 829 candidates who have qualified for the prestigious civil services, including the IAS, the IPS and the IFS, according to the UPSC.
The top three rank holders -- Singh, Jatin Kishore and Pratibha Verma -- are serving officers. Singh is a resident of Haryana, while Kishore hails from Delhi and Verma from Uttar Pradesh. -- PTI
22:33 Massive blast rocks Lebanon's capital
A massive blast took place in Lebanon's capital Beirut on Tuesday damaging several buildings.
Al Jazeera reported that the force of the blast was massive and it caused panic in the streets and pieces of glass were seen everywhere.
Though the cause of the blast is unknown, the initial reports have stated that the explosion occurred in Beirut's port area containing warehouses.
Further information is awaited. -- ANI
22:04 Curfew lifted from Srinagar, Covid curbs stay
The Srinagar administration on Tuesday evening announced lifting of curfew as the situation in Srinagar remained incident free but strict restrictions would continue in areas which have seen a spike in COVID-19 cases, officials said.
An order was issued by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Choudhury on Tuesday saying that after assessing the situation in the area, it has been decided to prematurely end the curfew which was slated to continue till Wednesday night.
The order, however, states that restrictions ordered earlier under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Disaster Management Act, in view of the prevailing situation due to the COVID-19 disease, will remain enforced across the district as directed through an order issued on July 31.
It states there shall be restrictions on public movement including transport and that commercial and other establishments shall remain closed.
Meanwhile, Choudhury has said avoiding public gatherings is an important part of the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and urged the general public to ensure strict compliance with all preventive guidelines and protocols that the government has issued in regard to it.
He has directed for strict adherence to restrictions as ordered. -- PTI
22:03 Curfew lifted from Srinagar, Covid curbs stay
The Srinagar administration on Tuesday evening announced lifting of curfew as the situation in Srinagar remained incident free but strict restrictions would continue in areas which have seen a spike in COVID-19 cases, officials said.
An order was issued by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Choudhury on Tuesday saying that after assessing the situation in the area, it has been decided to prematurely end the curfew which was slated to continue till Wednesday night.
The order, however, states that restrictions ordered earlier under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Disaster Management Act, in view of the prevailing situation due to the COVID-19 disease, will remain enforced across the district as directed through an order issued on July 31.
It states there shall be restrictions on public movement including transport and that commercial and other establishments shall remain closed.
Meanwhile, Choudhury has said avoiding public gatherings is an important part of the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and urged the general public to ensure strict compliance with all preventive guidelines and protocols that the government has issued in regard to it.
He has directed for strict adherence to restrictions as ordered. -- PTI
20:55 Dream close to my heart being fulfilled: Advani
Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader issues the following statement on Ayodhya Ram Temple bhoomi pujan:
Sometimes significant dreams in one's life take a long time to fruition, but when they are finally realised, the wait becomes very worthwhile.
One such dream, close to my heart is now getting fulfilled.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is laying the foundation for the construction of Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, the birthplace of Shri Ram.
It is indeed a historical and emotional day not only for me, but for all Indians.
A grand Mandir for Shri Ram at Ram Janmabhoomi has been a desire and mission for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
I feel humbled that during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, destiny made me perform a pivotal duty in the form of the Ram Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya in 1990,which helped galvanise the aspirations, energies and passions of its countless participants.
On this auspicious occasion, I want to express my gratitude to the scores of Saints, Leaders and people from India and the world over who made valuable contributions and sacrifices in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement.
I am also very happy that due to the decisive verdict of the Supreme Court in November 2019, the construction of Shri Ram Mandir is getting started in an environment of tranquility.
This will go a long way in strengthening the bond between Indians.
Shri Ram occupies an esteemed place in India's cultural and civilizational heritage and is an embodiment of grace, dignity and decorum.
It is my belief that this temple will inspire all Indiansto imbibe His virtues. It is also my belief that Shri Ram Mandir will represent India as a strong, prosperous, peaceful and harmonious nation with justice for all and exclusion of none so that we can truly usher in Ram Rajya, the epitome of good governance.
May Shri Ram bless India and her people always. JAI SHRI RAM.
20:26 Pradhan tests Covid +ive, admitted to Medanta
Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday tested positive for coronavirus and has been admitted to Medanta Hospital.
In a tweet, Pradhan said he has been admitted to hospital after testing positive of COVID-19.
Pradhan, 51, had developed COVID-like symptoms on Monday and was tested on Tuesday.
'After seeing symptoms of COVID-19, I got tested. The report has come positive,' he tweeted.
'On the advice of doctors, I have been admitted to hospital and I am healthy.'
Sources said Pradhan had last week met Home Minister Amit Shah, who was admitted to Medanta on Sunday after testing positive of coronavirus.
His staff too had earlier tested positive and has been isolation since.
Pradhan is one of the several high-profile names to have tested positive. Others include Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah.
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has also been diagnosed with the infection and is being treated at privately-owned Kauvery Hospital. -- PTI
20:25 Pradhan tests Covid +ive, admitted to Medanta
Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday tested positive for coronavirus and has been admitted to Medanta Hospital.
In a tweet, Pradhan said he has been admitted to hospital after testing positive of COVID-19.
Pradhan, 51, had developed COVID-like symptoms on Monday and was tested on Tuesday.
'After seeing symptoms of COVID-19, I got tested. The report has come positive,' he tweeted.
'On the advice of doctors, I have been admitted to hospital and I am healthy.'
Sources said Pradhan had last week met Home Minister Amit Shah, who was admitted to Medanta on Sunday after testing positive of coronavirus.
His staff too had earlier tested positive and has been isolation since.
Pradhan is one of the several high-profile names to have tested positive. Others include Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah.
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has also been diagnosed with the infection and is being treated at privately-owned Kauvery Hospital. -- PTI
20:16 DU prof Hany Babu's NIA custody extended till Aug 7
A special court in Mumbai on Tuesday extended till August 7 the National Investigation Agency custody of Delhi University's associate professor Hany Babu, who was arrested in connection with the Elgar Parishad case.
Hany Babu Musaliyarveettil Tharayil, 54, associate professor in the Delhi University's Department of English, was arrested by the NIA last week for his alleged involvement in the case.
The NIA submitted that the accused had links with the Communist Party of India-Maoists.
The special court had last week remanded him in NIA custody till August 4.
As his custody ended on Tuesday, he was produced before the court by the probe agency.
Seeking his custody further,the NIA informed the court that some 1.26 lakh mails have been recovered from his email account and they need to be scrutinised.
His social media accounts, which were used for communicating with other accused persons, suspects and sympathisers of CPI-Maoists also needed to be scrutinised, it said.
The NIA further said investigations revealed that Tharayil was in contact with the other arrested accused and they were involved in raising fund for Maoists released from prison, and further probe in this regard was underway.
It came to light during the probe that a conspiracy was hatched by the accused persons, who promoted enmity between various caste groups. It led to violence,loss of life and statewide agitation, the NIA said.
After hearing the probe agency's submission, special court judge R R Bhosale granted the accused's custody to NIA for three more days.
The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31,2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial located on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city.
The Pune police filed a charge sheet and a supplementary charge sheet in the case on November 15, 2018and February 21, 2019, respectively.
The NIA took up the investigation in the case on January 24 this year. -- PTI
19:47 Nearly half of Taloja jails inmates have fever
'With close to 1,000 inmates suffering from fever, cough and cold in Taloja, only 20 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in the prison up to 28 July,' reports Parth MN in First Post.
Taloja in Maharashtra is also home to nine political prisoners, including Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale, advocates Surendra Gadling, Arun Ferreira, poet Varavara Rao, activist Vernon Gonsalves, scholar Anand Teltumbde, activist Gautam Navalakha, and the latest being professor Hany Babu.
Naturally, 'the family members and lawyers have been worried about their well-being in context of the coronavirus,' Parth's report says, here.
19:45 Let truth prevail, says Prof Apoorvanand
The Delhi police recently questioned Professor Apoorvanand of the Delhi University in connection with the riots in the capital city.
Following this, the professor has put out a statement on Twitter, which can be read here.
19:32 Hardik Patel to donate Rs 21,000 for Ram temple
Gujarat Congress leader Hardik Patel on Tuesday announced that he and his family will donate Rs 21,000 for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
In a statement in Ahmedabad, the newly-appointed working president of the Gujarat Congress said though he has 'immense faith' in religion, he is not a 'radical', and hoped the temple would usher in 'Ram Rajya' (Lord Ram's rule) in India.
The statement came on the eve of the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony for the temple at Ayodhya, an event to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other leaders and religious figures.
"Lord Shri Ram's temple is coming up in Ayodhya. Me and my family have faith in God and that is why we have decided to donate Rs 21,000 for the construction of Ram temple.
"I hope that the temple would usher in 'Ram Rajya' in India and Gujarat," said the 26-year-old opposition party leader.
Patel elaborated on the term 'Ram Rajya' and linked it with present issues concerning common people.
"Ram Rajya means prosperity for farmers, jobs for youths, safety of women, free and quality education for children, development of villages and economic growth of the country.
"I pray for the wellbeing of all countrymen," said Patel. -- PTI
19:29 Sharif Chacha gets invite to attend bhoomi pujan
Padma Shri Mohammad Sharif, who is popularly known as Sharif Chacha received a formal invitation on Tuesday to attend the August 5 bhoomi pujan ceremony for building a Ram temple in Ayodhya but he may not be able to participate in the event due to his ill health.
"My father, 82, formally got an invitation for the Ram temple bhoomi pujan ceremony this afternoon. His participation in the event is doubtful as he is suffering from kidney disease for past some months and cannot walk easily," Sharif's son Mohammad Sageer told PTI.
He is undergoing ultrasound tests to ascertain his health conditions and it would depend upon test results whether he can attend the event, he said.
Sharif, a cycle mechanic, was involved in the cremation of unclaimed dead bodies for the past 27 years and was given Padma Shri in January this year. -- PTI
18:32 BJP leader wants Delhi's Babur road renamed
A day before the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, former Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijay Goel on Tuesday demanded that the Babar Road in Bengali market here be renamed as 5, August Marg.
Goel, the former Delhi BJP president, said he has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) urging to rename the road.
"Babar was an invader who attacked Hindustan and demolished Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The prime minister is going to perform groundbreaking ceremony for a grand temple in Ayodhya tomorrow (Wednesday). At such a time, it will be an appropriate move to rename Babar Road as 5, August Marg," Goel said in a press conference.
He, however, said that the central government or NDMC may rename the road after any prominent and inspiring personality.
He claimed his proposal was supported by the Bengali Market Residents Welfare Society and Bengali Market Traders Association.
Goel, who has an office on Babar Road, posed for cameras with a signboard in the background which had the name 'Babar Road' crossed out and replaced by the proposed 5, August Marg.
There is no politics in changing the name of the road.
In 2015, Aurangzeb Road was changed to APJ Abdul Kalam Marg and in 2016 Race Course Road was renamed as Lok Kalyan Marg, so there shouldn't be any problem in changing Babar Road's name also.
This is on public demand, Goel said.
Goel said he doesn't want any controversy to be associated with his demand.
"This is not related to any religion. The entire nation including all religious communities and groups have accepted the Supreme Court's judgment paving the way for the construction of Ram Mandir," he said.
Goel said that he would start writing 5, August Marg on his letterhead and all his correspondence from now on instead of Babar Road and will launch a signature campaign in the area to press for the demand to rename the road. -- PTI
18:01 Reliance Industries' shares zoom over 7%
Shares of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) zoomed over 7 per cent on Tuesday amid reports that the company is close to inking a deal to acquire the retail assets of Future Group. The market heavyweight jumped 7.10 per cent to close at Rs 2,151.15 on the BSE. During the day, it surged 7.89 per cent to Rs 2,167. On the NSE, it rallied 7.44 per cent to settle at Rs 2,158.50. RIL was the top gainer in both the Sensex and Nifty.
"Reliance Industry up by 7 per cent amid media reports that the company was close to inking a deal with Future group to acquire their retail business," said Sumeet Bagadia, executive director, Choice Broking. In volume terms, 20.53 lakh shares were traded on the BSE and over four crore on the NSE. -- PTI
17:55 India's Covid testing rate lower than most: WHO
Noting that lockdown was a temporary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus, a senior official of the World Health Organisation on Tuesday said India has a low testing rate when compared to some of the countries that are successfully trying to curb it.
The Chief Scientist of WHO, Soumya Swaminathan, in an interactive session through video conference said,as of now about 28 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 are under clinical trial, of which five are entering Phase-II and over 150 candidates are in pre-clinical trials across the globe.
"India as a whole, the testing rates are much lower compared to some of the countries, who have done well like Germany, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan. Even the United States is testing a huge number of people. So we need to have some benchmark and every public health department needs to have benchmarks on what is the rate of testing per lakh or per million, what is the test positivity rate," she said. Without adequate number of tests, fighting the virus is like "fighting fire blindfolded," she pointed out -- PTI
17:48 50% of Covid deaths in India in patients of 60+
Over 50 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in India have taken place among people aged 60 years and above and 37 per cent deaths have been reported among patients in the age group of 45 to 60 years, Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference, Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Health Ministry said that 11 per cent COVID-19 deaths took place in the age group of 26 to 44.The 18 to 25 age group and those below 18 years reported one per cent deaths each.
"Currently, 5,86,298 active COVID-19 cases are in India and over 12 lakh people have recovered. 50 per cent deaths due to COVID19 have taken place among the age group of 60 years or above and 37 per cent deaths took place in the age group between 45 to 60 years," Bhushan said.
"A total of 11 per cent COVID-19 deaths took place in the age group of 26 to 44. Only 1 per cent in 18 to 25 age group and 1 per cent in below the age of 18 years," he added.Bhushan said that 68 per cent of COVID-19 deaths have been reported among male patients and 32 per cent among female patients which is broadly in line with the global scenario.
The number of recovered COVID-19 patients in India is increasing daily and is now over double the number of active cases.
Bhushan said that the case fatality rate (CFR) is lowest since the first lockdown.
"More than 2 crore COVID-19 tests have been conducted, including more than 6.6 lakh tests in the last 24 hours. Recovered cases are now double of the active cases. The case fatality rate (CFR) is lowest since the first lockdown," he said.
"This is the first time after the first lockdown that the fatality rate is at the lowest, at 2.10 per cent. The fatality rate has seen a progressive decline and it is continuing, which is a good sign," he added.
17:28 Sharp drop in stone-pelting incidents after Article 370
With the government of India abrogating Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and turning it into a Union Territory, the incidents of stone-pelting sharply dropped in the UT, thanks to the strict vigilance of the security forces.
ANI has accessed the data of stone-pelting incidents that took place in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been compiled by security forces. Data shows that when the government scrapped Article 370 last year, security forces recorded 264 stone-pelting incidents, which means, in every three hours there was one incident of stone-pelting recorded in August last year.
The security forces managed to control the situation as in the next 11 months the total number of stone-pelting incidents were just half of the incidents took place in August month only. From September 2019 till July 2020, a total of 133 incidents of stone-pelting took place in a different part of Jammu and Kashmir.Data also shows that there is a consistently month-wise decline in stone-pelting incidents. -- ANI
17:26 Sushant was murdered, says BJP's Rane
BJP leader Narayan Rane on Tuesday claimed that Sushant Singh Rajput did not "commit suicide" and alleged that the actor was murdered.He also alleged that the Maharashtra government is trying to save someone. Addressing a press conference, Rane said: "Sushant Singh Rajput did not commit suicide. He was murdered. Maharashtra government is trying to save someone. It is not paying attention to the case."
Meanwhile, the Bihar government sent a recommendation for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry in the case filed by Rajput's father KK Singh in Patna.
17:06 VIVO pulls out of IPL sponsorship: Reports
Chinese phone company VIVO will not be the IPL sponsor this year. They will be back in 2021 and continue till 2023. The IPL will have a new sponsor this edition IPL, say reports. VIVO has informed the BCCI they would pull out as IPL sponsor this year, but will intend to be on board next year and also in 2022 when their contract ends. BCCI is not sure if it would get a replacement which will pay Rs 44 crore this season.
16:43 India conducts 2 crore Covid tests so far
Union Health Ministry briefing on the Covid-19 situation in the country. Highlights:
-- More than 2 crore COVID-19 tests have been conducted, including more than 6.6 lakh tests in the last 24 hours. Recovered cases are now double of the active cases. The case fatality rate is lowest since the first lockdown.
-- Many states have increased their testing capacity, both RT - PCR & Rapid Antigen tests. 28 states & union territories performing more than 140 tests per day per million population. Goa, Delhi, Tripura, & Tamil Nadu have increased their testing capacity.
-- Cumulative positivity of India is 8.89%. States with positivity less than 10% are Punjab, Rajasthan, MP, UP, Haryana, Assam, West Bengal and Karnataka. Last week's positivity of India was 11% which means a few states are showing rise in COVID-19 cases.
-- This is the first time after the first lockdown that the fatality rate is at the lowest, at 2.10%. Fatality rate has seen a progressive decline and it is continuing, which is a good sign.
-- Oxford vaccine, being manufactured by Serum Institute of India got approval for phase 2 and 3 clinical trials, which are starting within a week at 17 sites.
-- Currently, 5,86,298 active COVID-19 cases are in India and over 12 lakh people have recovered. 50% deaths due to COVID19 have taken place among the age group of 60 yrs or above and 37% deaths took place in the age group between 45 to 60 years.
16:30 Hindutva now basic coat on canvas of Indian politics: Govindacharya
Hindutva is now the "basic coat on the canvas of polity" and political parties subscribing to its various shades may be vying for power in future as socialism and secularism are no longer the pivot of politics, former RSS ideologue K N Govindacharya said on Tuesday.
A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the ground-breaking ceremony for building a Ram temple in Ayodhya, Govindacharya, once a powerful BJP general secretary, underscored its significance, saying this marks the return of national politics to its "roots" of Hindutva which, he added, remained at the margins for decades before going from strength to strength 2010 onwards.
As "special assistant" to the then BJP president L K Advani during 1988-91, Govindacharya is considered a key figure in planning the "Rath Yatra" taken out by Advani in 1990 which had propelled the Ram Janmbhoomi movement and consequently the party to the centrestage of Indian politics.
Speaking to PTI, he noted that Congress leaders like Digvijay Singh and Kamal Nath have now been speaking in favour of the temple's construction, and said this signals that even many opposition leaders understand the issue's ideological and emotional significance to the masses.
To a question, he said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embraced Hindutva, and people in turn have embraced him." The Congress under Sonia and Rahul Gandhi "declined" and became "discredited" by antagonising masses, he claimed, adding that a big part of the credit for the BJP's rise should be given to opposition parties. The Congress should return to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, he said, observing that Indira Gandhi was much "wiser" to Hindutva sentiments after her return to power in 1980 following her party's big defeat in 1977.
"Many pro-Hindutva or Hindutva-subscribing political groups may vie in competition for supremacy and a better slice of gains in future. The basic coat on the canvas of polity is Hindutva now," Govindacharya, the BJP general secretary (organisation) between 1991-2000, said. -- PTI
16:25
Theatre doyen Ebrahim Alkazi dies in his Delhi home, says his son
16:09 Yeddy's health stable, Siddaramaiah has high fever
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's condition is stable and he is responding to COVID-19 treatment while leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah has high fever and doctors are treating him, said Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu on Tuesday.
Sriramulu held a meeting on Tuesday with the doctors of Manipal Hospital to review the health condition of the Chief Minister and Opposition leader in Bengaluru. Yediyurappa and Siddaramaiah have been admitted to the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.
Earlier on Tuesday Siddaramaiah said that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and admitted himself to a hospital.
16:07 RSS chief leaves for Ayodhya
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat leaves for Ayodhya to attend the foundation laying ceremony of the RamTemple tomorrow. Bhagwat, along with PM Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandiben Patel and President of Ram Mandir Trust, Nitya Gopal Das will be present on stage for the event.
15:37 Kolkata airport to remain shut on lockdown days
Authorities of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Aiprort Tuesday announced that flight operations at the airport will remain suspended on all the revised seven days of total lockdown in West Bengal this month starting from August 5. The airport had suspended flight operations on July 25 and 29 due to total lockdown announced by the state government.
"As per the state government order dated 03.08.2020, flight operations at #KolkataAirport will remain suspended on the revised lockdown days: 5th, 8th, 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th & 31st August 2020," the Kolkata airport said in a tweet. The West Bengal government had earlier decided to impose a biweekly complete lockdown in the state to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission.
15:35 Testing the waters
Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray and BMC Commissioner Iqbal Chahal visit areas in Mumbai which are affected due to rain. This is at King's Circle and Hindmata areas of Mumbai.
15:27 Woman, kids swept away in Mumbai rains
A 35-year-old woman and her two children were swept away in a swollen nullah after their house collapsed due to heavy rainfall in suburban Santacruz in Mumbai on Tuesday afternoon, an official said. The incident took place at around 11.30 am in Dhobighat locality, where a ground plus one-storey house attached to a nullah collapsed as rains lashed the area, the official from the fire brigade said. A woman and her three children, aged between one to seven years, fell into the flooded nullah and were swept away, he said.
While the police managed to rescue a two-year-old girl before the fire brigade arrived at around 12.15 pm, a search is underway for the woman and her two other children, he said. At least two fire engines, an ambulance, NDRF and other rescue teams have been pressed into service, the official said. PTI
15:03 India's worst economic phase over: Centre
With gradual unlocking of COVID-19 restrictions, the worst on the economic front seems to be over as high-frequency indicators show improvement, according to the latest monthly report released by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.
The indicators include index of industrial production, purchasing managers index, power generation, production of steel and cement, railway freight, traffic at major ports, air cargo and passenger traffic, e-way bill generation capturing the inter-state movement of goods, consumption of petroleum products and motor vehicle registrations among others.
However, risks on account of rising COVID-19 cases and intermittent state lockdowns remain, warns the 37-page report by the Department of Economic Affairs.Inflation eased in June relative to the previous two months, indicating weak demand pressures and food supply chain recoveries. Volatility in most of the essential commodity prices stabilised reflecting their uninterrupted availability.Lower inflation, nonetheless, is supportive of lower interest rates and benchmark bond yields that further softened in June.
The report said growth in money supply is commensurate with potential demand for credit in the commercial sector, although part of the growth has been driven by a surge in net foreign exchange assets.The government has been deploying surplus liquidity available with banks to finance critical support to the economy damaged by the pandemic.
Although this has challenged the fiscal position, the government has been rationalising expenditure to ease the fiscal burden. Goods and Services Tax collections also provided some respite with year-on-year contraction falling from 38.2 per cent in May to 14 per cent in July.
"On the external front, India continues to attract robust foreign direct investments. Foreign portfolio investment inflows also rebounded to a 15-month high in June, reflecting the unshaken belief of foreign investors in India's macroeconomic fundamentals," said the report.
As a result, the Indian rupee recovered to 75.53 per US dollar by June-end as compared to the previous month-end.Since the onset of the pandemic in India, stronger recovery of exports ensured that India registered a trade surplus of 0.8 billion dollars in June despite rising crude and gold prices.
15:00 Ramdev arrives in Ayodhya
Yoga guru Ramdev arrives in Ayodhya ahead of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the RamMandir tomorrow.
14:50 Bihar govt can't ask for CBI probe: Rhea's lawyer
Actor Rhea Chakrabortys lawyer on Tuesday said the Bihar government cannot recommend a CBI probe in actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death when police from that state do not have any jurisdiction to even investigate the case. The Bihar government has decided to recommend a CBI inquiry in the case of Rajput's death after his father made a request for it, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Tuesday.
"There cannot be transfer of a case which had no legal basis to begin with for the Bihar police to get involved. At the most, it would be a Zero FIR which would then be transferred to Mumbai Police, Chakraborty's lawyer Satish Maneshinde said in a statement. The transfer of a case, in which they (Bihar police) had no jurisdiction, to CBI has no legal sanctity, he said.
He said the Bihar government, realising that it does not have the jurisdiction to probe the case, is now adopting this "illegal method" of recommending the case to be handed over to CBI.
Chakraborty earlier filed a petition in the Supreme Court, stating that the Bihar Police have no jurisdiction to probe the case as the Mumbai Police have already registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR).
13:45 Mumbai police will destroy evidence: Sushant's dad
Vikas Singh, lawyer of Sushant Singh Rajput's father on the probe in the case: "I don't think any state govt would have quarantined an enforcement officer. Quarantining of a police officer clearly means they want to disable or obstruct the investigation by Patna police. Basically, Mumbai Police is buying time to ensure that the evidence gets destroyed. So we decided that this matter should be given to CBI and Nitish Kumar had earlier promised that if the father wants a CBI probe, it will be handed it over to CBI."
The Bihar government is recommending a CBI inquiry in the case of the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday.
The Bihar CM said that the late actor's father had earlier in the day held talks with the Director General of Police (DGP), Bihar and given his consent for a CBI inquiry to be conducted in the case.
"Upon filing of the FIR, the Bihar Police was investigating the case and we had always maintained that we will recommend CBI inquiry if the consent of KK Singh (the complainant) came. The recommendation will be sent today," he added.
13:31 BMC used 163 pumps to bring down water levels
Mumbai recorded a 230 mm rainfall within 10 hours of incessant rainfall, Iqbal Singh Chahal, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner told ANI on Tuesday, adding that a flood-like situation had been created in the city.
"The downpour started around 7 pm last night and slowed down around five to six am today morning. In the 10-hour downpour, 230 mm of rainfall was recorded in Mumbai.
The Mithi river had swelled up in the morning because of the heavy rains and went above the prescribed danger mark of 27 meters. In the morning it had gone up to 34 meters and we had started to evacuate people in the low-lying slum areas. The water levels have come down to 24, so we have ceased evacuation for now," Chahal told ANI.
The Commissioner also said that over 163 pumps were being used to ease the inundation in different parts of the city.
"In the saucer-shaped areas of the city like Hindmata, King's Circle, Milan and Andheri Subway, we cannot use the pumps till the water levels reach a certain level. As soon as the water levels reached the limit, we started to clear it out with the pumps. We are currently using 163 pumps to clear out the rainwater in these low-lying areas," he added.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that between 8:30 am to 11:30 am on Tuesday, Colaba and Santacruz recorded 6 mm and 19 mm of rain respectively, while Thane recorded 16 mm. "Intense to very intense rainfall likely to continue in many parts of Mumbai during next 3 hours," the IMD added.
13:28 Trump signs order banning govt hiring H-1B holders
In another huge blow to Indian IT professionals eyeing the US job market, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order asking federal agencies to hire Americans and preventing them from contracting or subcontracting foreign workers, mainly those with H-1B visas. The move came over a month after the Trump administration on June 23 suspended the H-1B visas along with other types of foreign work visas until the end of 2020 to protect American workers in a crucial election year.
The H-1B visa, most sought-after among Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
"Today I am signing an executive order to ensure that the federal government lives by a very simple rule, hire American," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday before signing the order against hiring H-1B visa holders for federal contracts. Trump told reporters that his administration will not tolerate firing of hardworking Americans in the pursuit of cheap foreign labour.
"As we speak, we're finalising the H-1B regulation so that no American workers are replaced ever again. H-1B should be used for top highly paid talent to create American jobs, not as inexpensive labour programmes and destroy American jobs, said Trump, who was surrounded across the Cabinet Room table with individuals campaigning against job outsourcing.
Prominent among them were Sara Blackwell, founder and president of Florida-based Protect US Workers organisation; Jonathan Hicks, a software engineer in the Tennessee Valley Authority; and Kevin Lynn, founder of Pennsylvania-based US Tech Workers.
The H-1B visa has an annual numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the Congress. The first 20,000 petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries with a US master's degree or higher are exempt from the cap.
The executive order requires all federal agencies to complete an internal audit within 120 days and assess whether they are in compliance with the requirement that only US citizens and nationals are appointed to the competitive service. As a result, the Department of Labour will also finalise guidelines to prevent H-1B employers from moving H-1B workers to other employers' job sites to displace American workers. -- PTI
13:09 Jubilant launches Remdesivir in India for treatment of COVID-19
Jubilant Life Sciences has launched Remdesivir for injection under the brand name JUBI-R in Indian market at a price of Rs 4,700 per vial of 100 mg and said it will make the drug available to over 1,000 hospitals providing COVID-19 treatment through its distribution network.
Jubilant's 24-hour helpline will enhance access to JUBI-R during these pandemic times where timely access to the drug may prove critical to treatment outcomes.
In order to increase its accessibility to patients below the poverty line and to frontline paramedical staff, Jubilant Bhartia Foundation -- a not-for-profit organisation of Jubilant Group -- is launching programmes aimed at the distribution of the drug.
In May, Jubilant entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences Inc that granted it the right to register, manufacture and sell investigational drug Remdesivir in 127 countries including India.
Remdesivir is the only anti-viral drug that has received emergency use authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalised with severe disease.
A flooded street at Parel, Mumbai this morning
13:06 Mumbai limps back to normalcy, trains begin
Water level at all places in Mumbai has started receding. The 1st DN slow train from Churchgate started at 12.05 hours and an UP slow train started from Andheri at 11.40 hrs. Fast lines will also shortly resume after inspection of points: Western Railway.
13:02 UPSC announces results of civil services exam 2019
Pradeep Singh topped the civil services examination 2019, results of which were announced on Tuesday by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), according to an official statement. A total of 829 candidates have been recommended for the IAS, IFS and IPS, among other civil services, it said. Jatin Kishore and Pratibha Verma have secured second and third positions respectively, the Commission said without sharing further details of the toppers. The civil services examination is conducted annually in three phases -- preliminary, main and interview -- to select candidates for the country's premier civil services. PTI
A flooded road in Mumbai today. Pic: Sahil Salvi
12:58 Heavy rains: Holiday declared for govt offices in Mumbai
The Maharashtra government announced a holiday for all its offices in Mumbai city and suburbs on Tuesday in view of the heavy rainfall in the metropolis and neighbouring areas. Heavy showers caused water-logging at several places in the city and disrupted local train services and road traffic movement.
"Due to the heavy rainfall in Mumbai and the suburban region and prediction of (more) heavy rainfall by the IMD, holiday has been declared for all state government offices in the Mumbai and Mumbai suburban region today, the state relief and rehabilitation department said in an official communication. Local train services were suspended on certain routes due to inundation on tracks after heavy overnight downpour. A landslide on the Western Express Highway in suburban Kandivali affected vehicular movement from the western suburbs towards south Mumbai, officials said. PTI
12:56 Elderly woman with memory loss allegedly raped in Kerala
A 75-year-old woman, suffering from memory loss, was allegedly raped by an unknown person at a village near Kolenchery in the district, police said on Tuesday. Doctors at the private Medical College hospital, where the elderly woman is being treated have confirmed that she was subjected to rape. Launching an investigation into the case, police said efforts are on to identify the culprit who allegedly sexually assaulted, a mother of two, on Sunday evening.
The woman, who is suffering from memory loss is giving different accounts to the doctors as well as police who tried to get a clear picture of the incident. This makes the investigation complicated. The mental health of the woman is also very poor, they added. -- PTI
12:33 Congress keeps doors open for Rajasthan rebels, but...
AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Tuesday said that dissident MLAs should give up the hospitality of the BJP and the security of Haryana police if they want to hold a dialogue with the party. Asked whether the doors for dissidents are open, Surjewala said that they should first hold a dialogue with the party on the condition that the legislators should give up the security of Haryana police in Manesar, and the hospitality and friendship of the BJP.
He also said that Bihar police's interference in connection with a probe into actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death was unfair because it was the jurisdiction of Maharashtra Police. "Bihar police cannot interfere in the jurisdiction of Maharashtra police. Such a situation may lead to anarchy, because enforcing law in a state is the responsibility of the state government," he told reporters outside Hotel Suryagarh where the party MLAs are staying. PTI
Bihar cop Vinay Tiwari was quarantined after reaching Mumbai
12:23 Bihar govt, Sushant's dad want CBI probe
KK Singh, father of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, on Tuesday requested Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to order a Central Bureau of Investigation investigation in the case related to the actor's death. Following which, the Bihar Government has also recommended the CBI take over the case.
Singh spoke to the Bihar CM today and put forth his request for the CBI to investigate the matter.
His request comes as an official of the Bihar Police, Patna (Central) Superintendent of Police Vinay Tiwari was home quarantined in Mumbai, where he had gone to take part in investigations, by the Brihannmumbai Municipal Corporation staff.
Earlier, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Chirag Paswan had also requested the Bihar CM to transfer the case to CBI without further delay. Paswan said that LJP leaders, related to the late actor, had informed him that on August 5 the Supreme Court will hear a petition seeking transfer of the case from Bihar to Mumbai.
"They said that the opportunity to transfer the case filed in Bihar to CBI is with you today. Because today both Bihar and Maharashtra police are investigating the case, but if the probe is handed over to the Maharashtra government then the opportunity of transferring it to the CBI will slip out of the hands of the Bihar government," the letter written by the LJP national chief to Kumar read.
Earlier, KK Singh had revealed that he had filed a complaint with Mumbai police in February claiming his son's life was in danger. The revelation came as he filed an FIR with Patna police, alleging Mumbai police of inaction even after 40 days of the actor's sudden death.Order CBI investigation in Sushant's death case, late actor's father requests Nitish Kumar.
'Raghupati Laddoos'
12:12 1.25 lakh 'Raghupati laddoos' for Ram temple pooja
Patna's Mahavir Mandir Trust will distribute over 1.25 lakh 'Raghupati Laddoos' on the occasion of 'bhoomi pujan' of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 5. Out of over 1.25 lakh laddoos, 51,000 laddoos will be handed over to Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on the occasion of foundation laying ceremony of the temple.
Speaking to ANI, Mahavir Mandir trustee Acharya Kishore Kunal said: "On the occasion of 'bhoomi pujan' in Ayodhya, 1,25,000 laddoos will be distributed under the name of 'Raghupati Laddoo'. 51,000 laddoos will be handed over to Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust."
"The remaining laddoos will be sent to the temples in Janaki's birthplace at Sitamarhi in Bihar and around 25 pilgrimage places where it is believed that Lord Ram's padchinhas (footprints) lie. Laddoos will also be distributed among devotees of Lord Ram and Hanuman in different parts of Bihar on August 5. These laddoos are being made with pure cow ghee," Kunal added.
He added that Mahavir Mandir Trust, Patna has already donated a contribution of Rs 2 crores to Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and it will give a total of Rs 10 crores for the construction of Ram temple. "We are also running 'Ram Rasoi' free of cost for Ram devotees in Ayodhya," he added. -- ANI
12:02 Rains play spoilsport in Sushant death case
Hearing in PIL filed in Bombay High Court, seeking transfer of Sushant Singh Rajput's death case to the Central Bureau of Investigation, postponed due to heavy rains in Mumbai.
11:57 India has a tremendous problem with Covid: Trump
President Donald Trump has said that as compared to big countries, America is doing "very well" in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, while India is having a "tremendous problem" battling the disease and China is witnessing a "massive flare up" in infections.
India's COVID-19 tally increased to 18,55,745 on Tuesday with 52,050 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day. China on Tuesday reported 36 new cases across the country, down from 43 the previous day. The country's COVID-19 cases crossed the 100-mark on July 29, for the first time in over three months, sparking the fear of a rebound.
"I think we're doing very well. I think that we have done as well as any nation. If you really look, if you take a look at what's going on, especially now with all these flare ups and nations that they were talking about," Trump told reporters at a news conference on Monday.
As such, compared to larger countries, the US is doing much better in the fight against the coronavirus, he said. "Don't forget, we're much bigger than--other than India and China. China is having a massive flare up right now. India has a tremendous problem. Other countries have problems, he said in response to a question. And I noticed that in the news, in the evening news, I never read about that. In any news, I don't read about the other countries. You're starting to see that other countries are having very big flare ups, countries that thought they were over it, like we thought we might be over in Florida, and then all of a sudden it comes back. They do come back," he said.
The US is the worst-hit country from the pandemic with over 4.7 million cases and more than 155,000 deaths. The US, Trump said, has tested over 60 million people for coronavirus. "No other country is even close to that. We've tested 60 million people -in many cases about 50 percent, now rapid fire, meaning five to 15 to 20-minute tests where you get the results almost immediately. Nobody has anything like that. Nobody. And I think we're just doing very well, he said. Trump said that the US is beginning to see evidence of significant progress." Nationwide, the number of positive cases has declined by nearly six percent from the week before, and the positive test rate has also dropped from 8.7 per cent to 8 per cent over that same period of time.
11:46 Sushant: Bihar DGP slams 'efficient' Mumbai police
Bihar Director General of Police Gupteshwar Pandey on Tuesday lashed out at Mumbai Police saying that if they are "so efficient", they should reveal their findings in Sushant Singh Rajput death case.
"The FIR that has been filed with Bihar Police in Sushant's death case includes criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, embezzlement of property. Sushant was not married and his legal heir is his father. Hence his father has filed a case in Patna on the basis of a partial cause of action being here as well as he stays here. How will he fight a case in Mumbai as he will not be safe there?" DGP Pandey told ANI.
"If Mumbai Police is so efficient, it must tell the nation and Sushant's father about what are its findings in Sushant's death case. They have closed the communication channels as they are not responding to my calls as well. There is anger against Mumbai Police in the entire nation," he added.
Pandey further reiterated that Mumbai Police's action to quarantine Patna City Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinay Tiwari, after he went for investigation there, is selective in nature.
"I am really upset because they quarantined one of my officers. Thousands of people are landing at the Mumbai airport every day. How many of them are being quarantined? Through this selective action against a police officer, they have sent a wrong message to the entire nation," he said.
Earlier on August 1, Pandey had said that the police is "fully capable" of conducting the investigation in the matter.
"If Sushant Singh's father wants, he can demand an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation. We do not demand a CBI inquiry as Bihar Police is capable of doing the investigation in the case," Pandey had said.
An FIR was filed by Rajput's father KK Singh against actor Rhea Chakraborty in Bihar in connection with the death case under several sections including abetment of suicide.
Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14.According to the Mumbai Police, statements of over 50 people, including filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, film critic Rajeev Masand, director-producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and filmmaker Aditya Chopra have been recorded in the investigation so far. -- ANI
11:28 Moody's upgrades Yes Bank to B3 following equity capital raising
Moody's Investors Service has upgraded Yes Bank's long-term foreign-currency issuer rating to B3 from Caa1.It has also upgraded the bank's long-term foreign and local currency bank deposit ratings to B3 from Caa1 and its foreign currency senior unsecured MTN programme rating to (P)B3 from (P)Caa1.
In addition, Moody's has upgraded the bank's long-term local and foreign currency counterparty risk ratings and long-term counterparty risk assessment to B3 from Caa1 and B3(cr) from Caa1(cr) respectively.At the same time, it has upgraded Yes Bank's baseline credit assessment and adjusted BCA to caa2 from ca.
The outlook on Yes Bank's ratings where applicable is changed to stable from positive.Moody's said Yes Bank's successful equity capital raise of Rs 15,000 crore has bolstered its solvency and is the main driver of the rating upgrade.
"The successful equity raising showcases Yes Bank's regained access to external market funds which is a result of its improving financial strength and will support depositor confidence." -- ANI
Aditya Puri, HDFC MD
11:13 RBI nod for Sashidhar Jagdishan as Puri's successor at HDFC Bank
The Reserve Bank has confirmed the name of Sashidhar Jagdishan to succeed Aditya Puri as the chief executive and managing director of HDFC Bank, two sources said on Tuesday. Jagdishan, currently working as the 'change agent' of the largest private sector lender and head of finance, has been with the bank since 1996, and the appointment will put an end to one of the most keenly watched successions in the banking industry. Puri is widely credited with building the bank from scratch and leading it for the last 25 years to be the second largest by assets and also the most valued lender by investors. Puri retires on October 20.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which was given a list of candidates in an order of priority, conveyed its approval to Jagdishan's name late last evening, the sources said. The bank will eventually inform the exchanges about the RBI nod.
11:03 Mumbai rain: High tide of 4.45 m at 12:47 pm
A high tide of 4.45 metres is expected at 12:47 pm in Mumbai on Tuesday, predicted the India Meteorological Department. Special suburban train services between Bandra and Churchgate by the Western Railway have been suspended in the city due to water logging caused by incessant rainfall. Bus and train services were been halted and altered in Mumbai owing to persistent rain on Tuesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation informed, while also appealing to offices in the city to remain shut.
"Dadar and Prabhadevi saw waterlogged streets due to high tides and heavy rain on Tuesday. The special suburban services are being run between Virar, Andheri and Banda, and have been suspended from Bandra to Churchgate," it said. -- ANI
Image: To cross or not to cross is the question: A flooded road at Parel. Pic: Sahil Salvi
File pic
10:38 254 mm rain: Mumbai train svcs partially suspended
Mumbai rain update: Local train services were suspended on some routes in Mumbai and suburbs on Tuesday morning due to water-logging on rail tracks following heavy overnight rain in the city, officials said. The Santacruz observatory in western suburbs recorded 254 mm rainfall since Monday night while the Colaba observatory in south Mumbai recorded 220 mm rain during the same period, the India Meteorological Department said.
"Due to high tide resulting in water logging at Wadala and Parel suburban services are suspended on main line and harbour line. However, shuttle services are running between Vashi and Panvel & Thane and Kalyan-beyond," Central Railway's Chief Public Relation Officer Shivaji Sutar tweeted.
"No suburban trains are held up in between stations. Dn mail/express trains are being rescheduled," he added. On the western line, the water level on tracks between Dadar and Prabhadevi reached 200 mm, a Western Railway official said. All lines were affected in this section. Train movement was stopped at Dadar, but suburban services were running between Bandra and Dahanu Road, he said.
The IMD earlier issued a red alert, predicting extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts in Maharashtra on Tuesday and Wednesday. PTI
10:32 Mumbai nears standstill after heavy rain
This is what Parel (East) looks like after over 220 mm of rain last night. Parel is in central Mumbai and is prone to flooding.
TS Tirumurti, India's Permanent Representative to the UN
10:23 Pak's attempts to involve UN in J-K issue has not 'borne fruit': Indian envoy to UN
Pakistan's attempts to involve the United Nations in the context of Jammu and Kashmir has not "borne fruit" and has been strongly refuted by India at every turn, said TS Tirumurti, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
In an interview to ANI, TS Tirumurti on Monday (local time) said that Pakistan's efforts to rake up Kashmir issue internationally fell flat as no formal meeting of the Security Council on the India-Pakistan issue has taken place since November 1965 and in closed-door meetings, recently held every country, except China, underlined that fact that Kashmir is the bilateral issue between New Delhi and Islamabad.
"Attempts by Pakistan to try and internationalise what is essentially a bilateral issue are nothing new. Contrary to what the Foreign Minister of Pakistan has asserted. There has been no formal meeting of the Security Council on the India Pakistan issue since November 1965. What came up recently was in a closed-door and completely informally meeting. Under what is called, any other business, which is not even a recorded discussion," he said.
"There was no outcome in the meeting but what is interesting is that in the Security Council. Practically every country, except for China, underlined the fact that this was a bilateral issue to be dealt with bilaterally between India and Pakistan. Therefore Pakistan's attempt fell flat," he added. -- ANI
Water enters a house in Kandivali, Mumbai
10:13 Rain alert for Mumbai, Thane for next 48 hours
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert Mumbai, North Konkan, and Thane districts of Maharashtra for the next 48 hours following incessant rains in the regions.
Landslides have also been reported from parts of Mumbai due to the heavy rainfalls throughout the night. Severe waterlogging was also witnessed in several parts of Mumbai on Tuesday.
"Landslide ! at Time of India, next Samta Nagar police station, highway, Mumbai. Red Alert for RF, for North Konkan, next 48 hrs," said Deputy Director General (DDG) of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai KS Hosalikar in a tweet.
Earlier, KS Hosalikar tweeted, "Colaba 220, Santacruz 254, Ram Mandir 152, Mira Road 152, Mahalaxmi 172, Vidyavihar 159 mm. Most of the stations in Thane and NM reported more than 150 mm. Trend to continue for next 48 hrs."
Meanwhile, Shivaji Sutar, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Central Railway said that suburban services have been suspended on mainline and harbour line, and mail/express trains are being rescheduled.
"Due to high tide resulting in water logging at Vadala and Parel suburban services are suspended on mainline and harbour line. However, shuttle services are running between Vashi and Panvel and Thane and Kalyan-beyond. No suburban trains are held up in between stations. Dn mail/express trains are being rescheduled. Information will be updated from time to time further," said Sutar.
The IMD said that extremely heavy rain will occur at isolated places in Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts of Maharashtra on August 4 and August 5. -- PTI
10:00 Shah threat to Gehlot despite being Covid +ve: Sena
The Shiv Sena on Tuesday took a dig at Union Home Minister Amit Shah stating that despite being infected with Covid-19 and staying in isolation he will continue posing a threat to the Rajasthan state government.
"Corona has attacked Home Minister Shah and as a result, he had to go into isolation. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot should not get too happy over this. Wherever Shah is, he can continue his political operations from there only and, therefore, the danger on Gehlot government still persists," an article in Saamna, the party mouthpiece, read.
"The Home Minister went into isolation and Gehlot too had to take his MLAs into isolation means the danger still persists," it added.
Wishing Union Home Minister Amit Shah a speedy recovery from the infection, Sena said that his absence will be felt on August 5 during the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
It also suggested that the whole Union Cabinet would have to be isolated as per Shah's appeal to people who had met him.
"It is true that the government followed social distancing but now Home Minister Shah has himself appealed to all those who came in contact with him to isolate themselves and get themselves tested for corona. If the Home Minister says so then all the Ministers in the Cabinet will have to be isolated," the Shiv Sena said through an editorial published in party mouthpiece Saamna.
It further said that Shah and multiple BJP Chief Ministers and Ministers in state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, testing positive for COVID-19 revealed a frightening picture of the pandemic in the country, and added the names of the priest and other functionaries of the Ram temple in the list.
09:49 India's COVID-19 tally rises to 18,55,745
With single-day spike of 52,050 COVID-19 cases, India's tally rises to 18,55,745, Union health ministry data showed.
The death toll rises to 38,938 with 803 new fatalities.
There are 5,86,298 active cases of coronavirus infection in India at present while the recoveries have increased to 12,30,509, according to health ministry data.
09:27 Mumbai rains: Landslide on WEH, traffic affected
The traffic on the Western Express Highway near Kandivali in Mumbai has been severely affected due to a landslide amid heavy overnight rains.
The landslide has slowed down vehicular movement on one side of the highway, therefore, traffic is moving slowly on the northbound side.
Officials and police personnel are at the spot and efforts are on to remove the debris.
Mumbai has been witnessing heavy showers for the last 12 hours with extremely heavy rainfall expected for the next two days.
09:17 Heavy rain lashes Mumbai; offices shut, trains stopped
Mumbai woke up to heavy rain, with the city receiving more than 230 mm of rain int he last 10 hours.
The rain continued through the night which led to waterlogging.
The downpour has led to disruption of transport services in Mumbai.
The BEST bus services have been diverted on 56 routes in various parts of the city and its suburbs due to waterlogging, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation said.
The local train service, considered lifeline of Mumbai, has also been affected.
According to the BMC, trains on central, western and harbour lines have completely stopped.
The BMC has appealed to all offices and other establishments to remain shut today, except emergency services.
The weather department has sounded a red alert for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday) for extremely heavy rain in Mumbai.
08:45 Bihar Police has no jurisdiction: Rhea's lawyer
Bihar Police has no jurisdiction to investigate Sushant Singh Rajput's death case legally and otherwise, hence actor Rhea Chakraborty approached the Supreme Court and filed a transfer petition, her lawyer Satish Maneshinde said.
"Rhea Chakraborty has always been living in Mumbai. She was in Mumbai on 14th June 2020. She was not allowed to attend the funeral of Sushant Singh as her name was struck off from the list of 20," Maneshinde said.
Rhea was summoned by Mumbai Police on June 18 at Bandra police station, he said adding that "Her statement was recorded there. Subsequently, she was summoned to appear on July 17 at Santacruz police station. She appeared and recorded her supplementary statement."
"Later, when the Bihar Police came to Mumbai to investigate the case on the basis of an FIR registered in Patna, Rhea approached the Supreme Court and filed a transfer petition on July 30 for transfer of the case to Mumbai in view of the legal position that a case registered beyond the jurisdiction of the local police station where the alleged incident has taken place can only record a 'Zero FIR' and transfer it for the investigation to Mumbai where the criminal law has already been set in motion. The Bihar Police has no jurisdiction to investigate the case legally and otherwise," he added.
Rhea's lawyer also said that she is cooperating with Mumbai police and she was always available for the investigation whenever called.
Rhea has approached the Supreme Court seeking to transfer the investigation in the case registered by the Bihar Police in the matter to Mumbai.
The Bihar government and the family of Sushant Singh Rajput have also filed caveats on the matter.
08:39 Ex-K'taka CM Siddaramaiah tests COVID-19 +ve
Former Karnataka chief minister and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and admitted himself to a hospital.
"I have been tested positive for COVID-19 and also been admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors as a precaution," he tweeted.
"I request all those who had come in contact with me to check out for symptoms and to quarantine themselves," Siddaramaiah said in another tweet.
Earlier on Sunday, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa had said that he tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
08:15 Will ban Tiktok on Sept 15 unless...: Trump
United States President Donald Trump on Monday said the popular Chinese app, TikTok, would be banned in the country beginning September 15, unless it is bought by an American company and asserted that a substantial amount of the buyout deal should go to the treasury.
Technology giant Microsoft is in talks with TikTok's parent company ByteDance to buy its US operation.
However, the president is in favour of a complete 100 per cent purchase and not the 30 per cent as reportedly being negotiated now.
Trump confirmed to reporters that he spoke to Microsoft's India-born CEO Satya Nadella on the issue.
"We had a great conversation. He (Nadella) called me to see how I felt about it. I said, look, it can't be controlled for security reasons by China...(its) too big, too invasive. It can't be...I don't mind whether it's Microsoft or somebody else, a big company...American company buys it. It's probably easier to buy the whole thing rather than to buy 30 per cent of it," Trump told reporters in the Cabinet Room of the White House.
"I said how do you do 30 per cent? Who's going to get the name. The name is hot. The brand is hot. Who's going to get the name and who is going to get that when it's owned by two different companies. So, my personal opinion was, you probably better off buying the whole thing rather than buying 30 per cent of it. I think buying 30 per cent is complicated and I suggested that he can go ahead. He can try," he said.
Trump said he has "set a date at around September 15 at which point it (TikTok) is going to be out of business in the United States".
However, he said, "If somebody, whether it's Microsoft or somebody else buys it. That would be interesting, I did say that if you buy it, whatever the price is that goes to whoever owns it."
Trump said there would have to be a substantial payment to the US government as part of the deal.
"A very substantial portion of that price is going to have to come into the treasury of the US because we're making it possible for this deal to happen. Right now, they don't have any rights unless we give it to them. So, we're going to give them the rights that has to come into. It has to come into this country. It's a little bit like the landlord tenant. Without a lease, the tenant has nothing. So they pay what's called key money or they pay something," he said.
Trump said TikTok is a great asset "but it's not a great asset in the US unless they have the approval of" the American government.
"So it'll close down on September 15 unless Microsoft or somebody else is able to buy it and work out a deal. An appropriate deal. And the Treasury gets a lot of money, a lot of them," he said.
Meanwhile, Redmond-headquartered Microsoft, in a statement on Sunday, said following a conversation between Nadella and Trump, it is prepared to continue discussions to explore a purchase of TikTok in the US.
"Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the President's concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury," the statement said.
Microsoft will move quickly to pursue discussions with TikTok's parent company ByteDance in a matter of weeks and will complete these discussions in any event by September 15, it said.
Trump last week threatened to ban the popular video-sharing app in the US after concerns were raised that it could be a national security risk.
Microsoft said the discussions with TikTok's parent firm ByteDance will build upon a notification made by Microsoft and ByteDance to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Microsoft added that "in any event" it would finish talking with ByteDance no later than September 15. -- PTI
00:11 Former pope Benedict XVI seriously ill
The former pope Benedict XVI, the first pontiff in 600 years to resign instead of ruling for life, is seriously ill, a German newspaper has reported.
The newspaper, Passauer Neue Presse, cited Benedicts biographer, the German author Peter Seewald, who met the 93-year-old emeritus pope at the Vatican on Saturday.
A Vatican spokesperson said Benedicts condition was not particularly worrying. The former popes personal secretary, the archbishop Georg Gnswein, did not immediately return a call asking for comment.
Seewald said Benedict, who has been in poor health for some time, was suffering from shingles, a viral infection that causes painful rashes and is common among older people.
Seewald said Benedicts voice was barely audible something other visitors have said for months and that the former pope told him he might pick up writing again if he regains his strength.
In June, Benedict, who lives in a former convent in the Vatican gardens, left Italy for the first time since his resignation in 2013 for an emotional farewell visit to his older brother Georg in their native Bavaria.
Georg Ratzinger died on 1 July aged 96. The two brothers were ordained priests on the same day in 1951.
Benedict, who was elected in 2005 to succeed Pope John Paul II after a reign of nearly 27 years, shocked the world and even his closest aides on 11 February 2013 when he announced he was stepping down.
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