Veteran playback singer S P  Balasubrahmanyam being treated for COVID-19 is able to recognise people around him and is breathing a little more comfortably than before, his son and filmmaker S P Charan said on Sunday.

Posting an update on his father's health condition on his Facebook page, he said Balasubrahmanyam has been shifted to a sixth floor facility from the third floor Intensive Care Unit of MGM Healthcare in Chennai.

"The pleasant news is...he showed the thumbs up sign to the doctors, he is able to recognise doctors, people (around)...he is still on life support. He is breathing a little more comfortably than a few days back," he said.

Doctors treating him find it as a very good sign towards getting better, he said.

"There is a lot of effort from the medical team. It will take a long time for recovery. But we are all hopeful. This (recovery) is not going to happen in one or two days or even a week may be. But surely he is definitely going to heal, recover and get back to us as early as possible," Charan said, adding he and the doctors were all happy about the improvement.

The singer is looking good and not fully sedated now and he would not talk for a little while, Charan said.

However, surely he would get to "that level soon" enough, the veteran singer's son said.

He said his mother was getting much better and could be discharged from the hospital by Tuesday or Wednesday and hoped his father too would follow his mother and get back home.

Charan thanked his father's fans, friends and well- wishers for their prayers and support. -- PTI

The United States health watchdog has authorised the emergency use of a new and expensive saliva based laboratory diagnostic test for COVID-19 that could be a game changer in the diagnosis of the infection as it will enable rapid testing amongst more people easily.

Stephen Hahn, the Food and Drugs Administration Commissioner, said the new saliva test would increase efficiency and avoid shortage of crucial test components like reagents.

"Providing this type of flexibility for processing saliva samples to test for COVID-19 infection is groundbreaking in terms of efficiency and avoiding shortages of crucial test components like reagents," he said in a statement.

The agency has previously authorised four other tests that use saliva for sampling, but these yielded varying results. Authorisation of the new test occurs amid ongoing disarray over COVID-19 testing.

The US has been plagued by an inconsistent strategy for detecting the virus, thanks in part to persistent shortages and the use of a variety of different tests that have sometimes yielded unreliable results.

The new method called SalivaDirect is being further validated as a test for asymptomatic individuals through a programme that tests players and staff from the National Basketball Association.

SalivaDirect is simpler, less expensive and less invasive than the traditional method for such testing known as nasopharyngeal swabbing.

Results so far have found that SalivaDirect is highly sensitive and yields similar outcomes as NP swabbing. 

With the FDA's emergency use authorisation, the testing method is immediately available to other diagnostic laboratories that want to start using the new test, which can be scaled up quickly for use across the nation and, perhaps, beyond -- in the coming weeks, researchers said.

A key component of SalivaDirect, the researchers note, is that the method has been validated with reagents and instruments from multiple vendors.

This flexibility enables continued testing if some vendors encounter supply chain issues as experienced early in the pandemic.

"This is a huge step forward to make testing more accessible," said Chantal Vogels, a Yale postdoctoral fellow, who led the laboratory development and validation along with Doug Brackney, an adjunct assistant clinical professor.

"This started off as an idea in our lab soon after we found saliva to be a promising sample type of the detection of SARS-CoV-2, and now it has the potential to be used on a large scale to help protect public health. We are delighted to make this contribution to the fight against coronavirus," he said. -- PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the proposal to expand the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in 173 border and coastal districts from where one lakh new cadets will be inducted, an official statement said on Sunday.

 

The expansion of the NCC was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech on Saturday.

He said the NCC will be expanded in border and coastal districts so that these areas "get trained manpower for disaster management, and the youth will also get skill training for making their career in the armed forces".

The defence ministry's statement said Singh has approved the NCC proposal "for a major expansion scheme".

"More than 1,000 schools and colleges have been identified in border and coastal districts where NCC will be introduced," it said.

A total of one lakh cadets from 173 border and coastal districts will be inducted into the NCC, it said, adding that one-third of them will be girls.

"As part of the expansion plan, a total of 83 NCC units will be upgraded (Army 53, Navy 20, Air Force 10) to impart NCC training to the cadets in the border and coastal areas," the ministry noted.

The army will provide training and administrative support to NCC units located in border areas, it said.

The navy will provide support to NCC units in coastal areas and the Air Force will provide support to those located close to its stations, it added.

The NCC is a youth development movement managed by the armed forces. It also provides exposure to cadets in a wide range of activities, with a distinct emphasis on social services, discipline and adventure 

training.

It is open to all regular students of schools and colleges on a voluntary basis.

The NCC expansion plan will be implemented in partnership with state governments, the ministry said.

Addressing the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort, Modi had said, "About 173 districts in our border areas, our coastal areas share their boundaries with some or the other nation's border or coastline. In the coming days, NCC would be extended in those border districts for the youth there."

"We will train around one lakh new NCC cadets from bordering areas, and we will work towards the idea that amongst those, one-third of them are our daughters," he had said. -- PTI 

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh control Facebook and Whatsapp in the country.

The Congress MP also alleged that they spread fake news and hatred through these social media platforms to influence the electorate.

"BJP & RSS control Facebook & Whatsapp in India. They spread fake news and hatred through it and use it to influence the electorate. Finally, the American media has come out with the truth about Facebook," Rahul Gandhi tweeted citing a media report. -- ANI

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be spending a lot more time with the Territorial Army now that he has retired, said friend and business partner Arun Pandey on Sunday, rejecting talk of his brand value going down due to the decision.

 

Pandey saw the retirement announcement coming after this year's T20 World Cup, which was postponed to 2022 last month, but only Dhoni knew that it would come on Independence Day.

"I was aware that he would do it soon but did not know the exact timing. Anyway it was for him to decide. He had started IPL preparations but it was postponed and then the T20 World Cup was postponed, he thought to be mentally free," Pandey told PTI day after Dhoni's unexpected announcement on Saturday.

"And since August 15 is a special day for the Army, he must have thought on those lines. The T20 World Cup postponement was surely a factor as he planned for it," he said.

 

Dhoni holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. Following the 2019 World Cup semifinal loss, he trained with the Parachute Regiment for more than a month.

 

"One thing is for sure, he will be spending more time with the Army. He will also give time to his commercial ventures and other commitments. We will sit down soon and decide the way forward."

In most cases, the brand value of an athlete goes down after retirement but  Pandey insists it won't happen to Dhoni.

 

"Since the World Cup (in July 2019), we have signed up with 10 new brands and it is a long-term thing. It will keep on increasing as Dhoni is not just about cricket, he is a youth icon. 

 

"In most cases retirement does have an impact but not when it comes to Dhoni. His achievements are not individual, his achievements are for the team and for the coutnry," said Pandey.  

 

Pandey added that Dhoni will play the IPL for another two or three seasons.

"He will play for at least couple of years, if not more. He will be more mentally free now that he is retired. The T20 World Cup postponement was definitely a factor in his retirement."

 

The mega event, which was to take place in Australia in October-November, was moved to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. India have the hosting rights for the 2021 edition. -- PTI  

Shaheen Bagh social activist Shahzad Ali on Sunday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta and leader Shyam Jaju.

"I have joined the BJP to prove wrong those in our community who think that the BJP is our enemy. We'll sit together with them over the Citizenship Amendment Act concerns," Shahzad Ali said.

Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta said that the party wants to bring all the Muslim brothers in the mainstream of development.

"Today hundreds of Muslim brothers have joined the party after realising that there is no discrimination with Muslims and we want to bring them into the mainstream of development. I would like to congratulate all those women who have joined the party after observing the steps Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken in triple talaq matter," Gupta told ANI.

BJP leader Shyam Jaju said that every Muslim got to know that nobody has to prove their nationality.

"When there was talk about the CAA, some political parties tried to mislead Muslim community but now every Muslim of the country has got to know that there is no need to prove anything. Nobody will be ripped off their right of vote and nationality. After realising that they will get justice only through this party, a huge number of Muslims who were present in the protest at Shaheen Bagh have joined the party today," Jaju said.

The protest at Shaheen Bagh against the Citizenship Amendment Act continued for several months.

The Citizenship Amendment Act grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian refugees who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh on or before December 31, 2014.  -- ANI

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has said the process of lifting the lockdown in the state would be done in a stepwise manner.

The threat of COVID-19 still persists, Thackeray said on Saturday, and added that he does not want a second wave of the deadly viral infection in the state.

The Maharashtra government last month extended the lockdown in the state till August 31.

Till Saturday, the state reported 5,84,754 COVID-19 cases and 19,749 deaths due to the disease, as per official figures.

It is more important how to lift the lockdown than when to come out of it, Thackeray said in a video interaction with a team of doctors who are part of the task force set up by his government to combat COVID-19.

"Those who hurriedly lifted the lockdown had to impose it again. I dont want a second wave of coronavirus in the state," the chief minister said.

"The state government's 'Mission Begin Again' initiative is being implemented step-by-step. The momentum of chase the virus' campaign should not stop since the threat of the virus still persists and monsoon is still active in the state. We have to be careful about rain-related ailments as well," he said. -- PTI 

Legendary actor Dilip Kumar's brothers, Ehsaan Khan and Aslam Khan, have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently in hospital. 

 

Ehsaan, 90 and Aslam, 88, were admitted to Lilavati Hospital late Saturday night after they complained of breathlessness. 

Both the brothers, who live separately from Dilip Kumar, are being treated by Dr Jalil Parkar. 

"They were brought to the hospital late Saturday night. They have tested positive for COVID-19. Their oxygen levels are low and both of them are on non-invasive ventilator support," Parkar told PTI. 

In March, Dilip Kumar, 97, had shared a health update on Twitter, saying that he and wife, actor Saira Banu, 75, were under "complete isolation" and quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

"Saira has left nothing to chance, ensuring I do not catch any infection," he had said. 

On August 15, Maharashtra's coronavirus tally rose to 5,84,754 with 12,614 fresh cases. -- PTI 

"You will always be my captain," said India skipper Virat Kohli to Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday, expressing gratitude for the "friendship and belief" that he got from the talismanic senior.

   

In a nearly minute-long video posted on the BCCI's official Twitter handle, Kohli said Dhoni's retirement is that rare moment in his life when he doesn't have enough words to express his thoughts.

 

"Words fall short a lot of times in life and I think this is one of those moments. All I can say is that you will always be that guy who sat in the last seat of the bus," Kohli said.

 

Dhoni and Kohli shared a visibly comfortable equation even after the latter took over the leader's mantle and both spoke highly of each other.

 

"We have shared a great camaraderie, friendship, understanding because we have always played for the same roles, same goals, which was to make the team win," he said.

 

"It's been a pleasure playing under you, alongside you. You showed belief in me, which I would always be grateful for.

 

"I have said it before, I will say it again, you will always be my captain," he signed off.

 

Dhoni announced his retirement on instagram on Saturday.

 

The 39-year-old will, however, continue to compete in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings.

 

Moved out of India due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's IPL is scheduled to start on September 19 in the UAE. -- PTI  

Former India opener Chetan Chauhan died on Sunday due to COVID-19 related complications after being put on life support for nearly 36 hours, his brother Pushpendra Chauhan said.

   

Chauhan, who played 40 Tests for India, was 73 and is survived by his wife and son Vinayak, who is scheduled to arrive from Melbourne later in the day.

 

"My elder brother Shri Chetan Chauhan has left us today after fighting a good battle. I sincerely thank everyone who had prayed for his recovery. His son Vinayak will be reaching anytime and we will then perform last rites," Pushpendra told PTI.

 

Chauhan, who was Sunil Gavaskar's longest serving opening partner, was admitted to Sanjay Gandhi PGI in Lucknow on July 12 after being found COVID-19 positive.

 

Due to kidney related ailments, his health deteriorated and he was shifted to Medanta hospital in Gurugram.

 

On Friday night, he had a multi-organ failure and was put on ventilator support.  -- PTI

Twenty three people, including three foreigners, were arrested after the crime branch raided a rave party where drugs were allegedly being used in North Goa district, police said on Sunday.

Narcotics worth over Rs 9 lakh were seized from the party which was going on amid the COVID-19 pandemic at a villa in Vagator village under Anjuna police station limits on Saturday night, they said.

Two women from Russia and one from Czech Republic were among those arrested. They were held under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act for allegedly possessing banned substance during the police raid, a senior crime branch official said.

An Indian man, who organised the party, was also arrested under the NDPS Act, he said.

Nineteen others present at the party were arrested for violating the social distancing norms. Most of them were domestic tourists who had come to the coastal state on a vacation, the official said.

Goa Director General of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena in a tweet said, "Zero tolerance to #Drugs and Ensuring Public Safety #goapolice Crime Branch busted a late night party in Anjuna. 23 persons including 3 foreigners were arrested and narcotic drugs worth over Rs 9 lac were seized."

Goa Forward Party MLA Vinod Palyekar, who represents Siolim constituency, which covers Vagator village, claimed rave parties were happening in the coastal belt in full swing.

"Local police stations are bribed," he alleged in a Facebook post, adding "its high time that Anjuna police station be fully revamped including the police inspector."

"The state needs full time Home Minister as Chief Minister Sawants focus is onmining transportation. CM has failed in curtailing crime in the state. Lobo (BJP MLA Michael Lobo) can perform better as Home Minister," he added. -- PTI 

A man and his son died after they sustained severe injuries in a violent clash between two parties during a panchayat meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh district on Sunday, police said.

   

After the incident took place at Sheikhpur village in Raniganj area, three policemen, including a sub-inspector, were suspended for laxity in duty, they said.

According to Superintendent of Police Abhishek Singh, a panchayat meeting was called to settle a land dispute between Dayashankar Mishra (60) and Chandramani Mishra.

During the meeting, a violent clash took place between the two sides in which Dayashankar, his son Anand Mishra (28) and Chandramani sustained severe injuries, Singh said.

They were rushed to the district hospital, where Dayashankar and Anand were declared dead, while Chandramani was referred to a medical facility in Prayagraj, the SP said.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, the officer added.

Sub-inspector Rajesh Rai, head constable Buddhan Prasad and constable Rama Yadav have been suspended for laxity in duty and one suspect, identified as Rajesh Mishra, arrested for the violence, police said. -- PTI 

Private operators who will be handed over 150 trains to ply on 109 routes by the Railways will have the freedom to choose halt stations of the trains they operate, documents released by the national transporter have shown.

However, the private operators have to submit in advance to the Railways the list of such intermediate stations on the trains' paths where they are proposing halts in advance. 

 

The private operators also have to provide the time in and time out at the intermediate railway stations, which shall form part of the train operation plan. This has to be submitted in advance and will be in place for at least a year, after which it can be revised, a draft of the Concession Agreement has said.

"The Concessionaire shall have the flexibility in deciding the stops/ halts in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Concession Agreement," the Railways has said in reply to a query by one of the private players who attended pre-application meetings.

The Railways has also said the number of such halts of the private trains will not be more than the number of existing halts of the fastest train of the Railways operating in that route. The train operation plan submitted by private operators will also have to include the stations at which the water tanks in the trains need to be filled and also the railway stations, washing lines or stabling lines, as the case maybe, at which the train toilets would be evacuated.

As earlier reported by PTI, the fares for private trains that are scheduled to begin operations by 2023 will not be regulated by any authority and will be decided by the private operators depending on market conditions.

Bombardier Transportation India, Siemens Limited, Alstom Transport India Ltd are among the 23 firms that have evinced interest in running private trains.

The first-of-its-kind venture, the project to bring in private players to run trains is expected to see private sector investment of around Rs 30,000 crore.

The 109 pairs of routes have been formed into 12 clusters that will cover major parts of the Indian Railways network. The aim of the project is to upgrade passenger experience on the railway network to world-class standards, with modern train rakes, most of which will be manufactured in the country under the 'Make in India' initiative.

The Indian Railways will earn by charging the private entity fixed haulage charges and energy charges as per actual consumption. The national transporter will also get a share in the gross revenue which will be decided through a transparent bidding process. -- PTI

The Uttar Pradesh government has extended the detention of Kafeel Khan under the National Security Act by a period of three months, an official statement said.

 

Khan has been in jail since January 29 for allegedly delivering a provocative speech at the Aligarh Muslim University on December 10, 2019 during the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests.

In an order dated August 4, 2020, the UP home department said the National Security Act was invoked against Khan on February 13, 2020 on the orders of the Aligarh District Magistrate. After this, the matter was sent to the advisory council, which in its report, said there are "enough reasons" to keep Khan in jail.

As a result, on May 6, orders were given to extend his detention under the NSA by another three months.

"According to the report of the UP advisory council and the report obtained from District Magistrate Aligarh, Governor Anandiben Patel using the powers vested in her, directed that the detention of Kafeel Khan be extended by three more months," the order said.

"As a result, Kafeel will remain in jail till November 13, 2020," it said.

Khan hit the headlines after the 2017 tragedy at Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das Medical College, in which several kids died due to lack of oxygen cylinders. 

Initially, he was hailed as a saviour for the children for arranging emergency oxygen cylinders but later, faced action, along with nine other doctors and staff members of the hospital, all of whom were released on bail later. -- PTI

Robert Trump, 71, the younger brother of Donald Trump, has died, the president said in a statement, a day after he visited his "best friend" in a New York hospital.

 

President Trump made a last-minute trip to New York on Friday to meet his ailing younger brother before going to New Jersey for a weekend.

 

"It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight. He was not just my brother, he was my best friend," Trump, 74, said in a late-night statement on Saturday.

 

"He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again. His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace," Trump said.

 

Robert, who took blood thinners, had experienced brain bleeds that began after a recent fall, The New York Times quoted a close friend of the family's.

 

He had been in poor health since last month. 

He was recently admitted to the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan where he breathed his last.

 

Earlier in the day, Trump described Robert, who was born two years after Trump and was a business executive and real estate developer, as a wonderful brother.

 

"We've had a great relationship for a long time, from Day 1, a long time ago," Trump said.

 

The two had an estranged relationship for years, before Trump ran for the White House, the daily said.

 

Trump is expected to attend his brother's funeral. However, no details were immediately available on plans.

 

"Uncle Robert, we love you. You are in our hearts and prayers, always," Ivanka Trump posted on Twitter Saturday night.

 

The president called his brother's hospital room late on Saturday as it seemed his death was near, two people familiar with the matter told CNN. It is not clear whether they connected or whether Robert's condition allowed him to speak by phone with the president.

 

Separately, several people who spoke to Trump on Saturday said he appeared saddened by the impending loss of his brother. -- PTI

Continuing the downward trend, India's COVID-19 case fatality rate on Sunday dropped to 1.93 per cent, which is one of the lowest globally, the Union health ministry said.

 

This is a result of coordinated efforts of the Centre and state and UT governments, it said.

"The USA crossed 50,000 deaths in 23 days, Brazil in 95 days and Mexico in 141 days. India took 156 days to reach this national figure," the ministry underscored as the number of fatalities due to coronavirus infection in the country reached 49,980.

Implementation of testing aggressively, tracking comprehensively and treating efficiently through a plethora of measures have contributed to the existing high level of recoveries as well, it said.

The total number of recoveries in the country rose to 18,62,258 on Sunday, according to official data.

Improved and effective clinical treatment in hospitals, supervised home isolation, use of non-invasive oxygen support, and improved services of the ambulances for ferrying patients for prompt and timely treatment have been the focus of the Centre and state and UT governments, the ministry said.

It said "tireless efforts" of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) have ensured effective surveillance and tracking progress of the patients in supervised home isolation.

Clinical management skills of doctors treating COVID-19 patients have been upgraded by active technical guidance through teleconsultation sessions by domain knowledge experts from AIIMS, New Delhi.

"These measures have collectively ensured seamless and efficient patient management from home to hospital for critical and severe patients. This has ensured that India's case fatality rate (CFR) is maintained below the global average," the ministry said.

From 3.33 per cent on June 18, the CFR has declined to 1.93 per cent, while India's recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has reached nearly 72 per cent.

A total of 53,322 patients recuperated and were discharged in a span of 24 hours. -- PTI

Tributes continue to pour in for Mahendra Sinmgh Dhoni with the game's governing body International Cricket Council saying that the former India skipper "inspired a whole generation and will be sorely missed". 

 

Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday evening. 

A terse post on his Instagram page read, 'consider me retired'.

 

The 39-year-old is the only captain to have won all ICC trophies -- T20 World Cup in 2007, ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

 

"MS Dhoni is one of the all-time greats of the game. The image of his winning shot at the Wankhede Stadium in the 2011 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final is etched in the memory of cricket lovers around the world," said ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney. 

 

Sawhney was referring to the six which Dhoni hit off Sri Lanka's Nuwan Kulasekara to win the ODI World Cup title at home.

 

"He has inspired a whole generation and will be sorely missed. On behalf of the ICC, I congratulate him for an outstanding cricket career and wish him all the best for the future," said Sawhney.

 

In 98 Tests, Dhoni scored 4,876 runs with 256 catches and 38 stumpings, while amassing 10,773 runs with 321 catches and 123 stumpings in 350 ODIs. 

 

He last turned out for India during the semifinals against New Zealand in the ICC ODI World Cup last year. 

 

In T20Is, the 39-year-old aggregated 1617 runs with 57 catches and 34 stumpings. He scored six centuries in Tests and 10 in ODIs.

 Dhoni spent 656 days as the top-ranked batsman in the ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings from 2006 to 2010 and was the ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009.

 He was in the ICC ODI Teams of the Year in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and in the ICC Test Teams of the Year in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. He won the ICC Spirit of Cricket award in 2011. -- PTI 

There will be no large congregations, community celebrations or idol immersion at public places on Ganesh Chaturthi in the national capital this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

A fine of Rs 50,000 will be imposed on violators, it said.

This year, the festival will be celebrated on August 22.

Idol immersion in the Yamuna river was banned following an order by the National Green Tribunal in 2015.

Last year, the Delhi government had created artificial ponds at public places for people to immerse idols on Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja.

"Idol immersion in artificial ponds, too, is not allowed this time as large gatherings will increase the risk of virus transmission," a DPCC official said.

Community celebrations cannot happen as large congregations are prohibited by the government in view of the pandemic, he said.

The pollution control body has asked residents to perform the idol immersion ritual in a bucket or container at home.

The Delhi Police and civic bodies have been directed to check the entry of vehicles carrying idols into the city.

Idol makers and sellers have been directed to use natural material "as described in the holy scripts" like traditional clay to make idols.

"The use of baked clay and plaster of Paris is prohibited," the DPCC said.

"Painting of idols should be discouraged. In case idols are to be painted, only water-soluble and non-toxic natural dyes should be used," it said. -- PTI

Work at the Rajasthan high court in Jaipur will remain suspended for the next three days, after its Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty reportedly tested positive for coronavirus.

   

The registrar general of the high court, in a notice, said all the persons concerned are requested to get themselves tested for COVID-19.

 The facility of testing is available in the Rajasthan high court, Jaipur bench during the three-day period, the notice added.

 

"ln view of recent results of COVID-19 tests conducted in the Rajasthan high court, Jaipur Bench, it is notified that court and office work in Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur Bench shall remain suspended from August 17 to 19 for COVID-19 testing," it said.

 

The notice, however, did not mention the Rajasthan high court chief justice.

 

On Saturday night, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had wished a speedy recovery to Mahanty.

 "I have come to know Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court, Sh. Indrajit Mahanty has tested positive for Covid_19... concerned about his health. Wish him a speedy recovery," he had tweeted. -- PTI 

Prohibitory orders clamped in  parts of Bengaluru after the violence last week led to police firing, killing three people, have been extended from Sunday to Tuesday.

      

The order would be in force from the morning of August 16 to the morning of August 18.

     

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant, in his order, said there is a ban on more than two persons gathering at any place, carrying of any kinds of weapons and convening any public meetings.

     

Violators would be prosecuted, he said.

     

Three people were killed after police opened fire to quell a mob that went on a rampage in D J Halli and adjoining areas on Tuesday night over an inflammatory social media post allegedly put out by P Naveen, a relative of Pulakeshi Nagar MLA R Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy.

     

The MLAs residence and a police station at D J Halli were torched by the rioters who also set many police and private vehicles afire, and looted the belongings of the legislator and those of his sister.

      

About 200 people have been arrested so far in connection with the incident and many others have been detained. -- PTI   

Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Kamalkote sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.

 

From 10:45 to 11:45 am, ceasefire violation was reported from Lowergrah and Upergrah posts of Kamalkote Sector in Uri area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, the officials said.

Pakistani troops fired from small weapons, they said.

Further details were awaited. -- PTI

As many as 303 COVID-19 cases and one death were reported in Maharashtra Police force in the last 24 hours.

According to the Maharashtra Police, the total cases among its personnel stands at 12,290 including 9,850 recoveries, 2,315 active cases and 125 deaths.

India registered 63,489 new coronavirus cases and 944 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Union health ministry.

The country's coronavirus count touched 25,89,682 including 6,77,444 active cases, 18,62,258 discharged and 49,980 deaths on Sunday. -- ANI

In a dig at the Narendra Modi government over its push for self-reliance, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday said Russia gave the first lesson to the world on being 'Aatmanirbhar' by introducing a COVID-19

vaccine while India has just been preaching about it.

Lauding Russia for the vaccine, Raut, in his weekly column 'Rokhtokh' in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', said this was a sign of being a superpower, and added that Indian politicians will not follow Russia's example as a model since "they are in love with America".

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday announced that his country has developed the world's first vaccine against COVID-19 that works "quite effectively" and forms a "stable immunity" against the deadly disease, as he disclosed that one of his daughters has already been vaccinated.

"When there was a movement across the globe to prove the Russian vaccine as illegal, Putin used the vaccine as a trial on his daughter and created self-confidence in his own country," Raut said.

"Russia gave the first lesson of being 'Aatmanirbhar' (self-reliant) to the world. We are just preaching about being 'Aatmanirbhar'," the executive editor of 'Saamana' said. -- PTI

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar alleged on Sunday that the Raj Bhavan has been placed under surveillance, and the action "undermines the sanctity of the institution".

Making the startling claim, Dhankhar, who has often crossed swords with the Trinamool Congress government over a host of issues in the past one year, also said that lawlessness is persisting in the state.

"I would like to tell you all that the Raj Bhavan is under surveillance. It undermines the sanctity of the Raj Bhavan. I will do everything to protect its sanctity," Dhankhar told a press conference. -- PTI 

Will Mahendra Singh Dhoni's no.7 jersey follow him into retirement? A demand has certainly been raised and a prominent voice within BCCI agrees with it.

   

India wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik on Sunday became the first to voice the opinion in his tribute to the former captain, who drew curtains on his career with a simple "consider me retired" on his instagram page.

 

With a photo of him and Dhoni after the World Cup semifinal loss to New Zealand last year, Karthik posted: "This is the last photo taken after our semis at the World Cup.lots of great memories through this journey. I hope the @bcci retire the  #7 jersey in white ball cricket."

 

Karthik made his India debut three months before Dhoni did in 2004 and if it was not for the special talent the former India skipper possessed, the Tamil Nadu cricketer would have gone on to play a lot more than 26 Tests, 94 ODIs and 32 T20s by now.    

 

"Good luck with your second innings in life , I'm sure you'll have a lot of surprises for us there too," said Karthik.

 

Reacting to it, BCCI apex counil member and former India women's team captain Shantha Rangaswamy said Dhoni deserves the accolade.

 

"I am glad he has retired when people are asking why and why not. His contribution both as player and captain has been immense. Considering that, retiring the jersey will be fitting tribute to him," she told PTI.

 

"He surely deserves it," she said.

 

The only instance of a jersey being retired in Indian cricket was when Sachin Tendulkar bid adieu to the game.

 

The batting maestro's No.10 jersey was retired in 2017, a good four years after he quit when Shardul Thakur caused an uproar among fans by making his debut sporting the number during a tour of Sri lanka.

 

The ICC does not object to jersey retirements, leaving it on individual boards to take a call on the matter.

 

Indian women's ODI team captain Mithali Raj also said that Dhoni has immortalised the no.7 jersey. -- PTI

Iran on Saturday threatened to launch an attack against the United Arab Emirates over its agreement to normalise relations with Israel, Arab News reported.

"The UAE's great betrayal of the Palestinian people ... will turn this small, rich country, which is heavily dependent on security, into a legitimate and easy target," said the Iranian hard-line daily Kayhan, whose editor in chief is appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani condemned the deal, saying the agreement between the two countries is a "betrayal of the Palestinian cause" and the UAE had made a "huge mistake".

Tehran has targeted Saudi civilians with missiles launched by its proxy forces in Yemen and Iraq and a security analyst told Arab News the new threat should be taken seriously.

"Iranian missiles could hit the UAE in eight minutes," said Dr Theodore Karasik Karasik, a senior adviser to Gulf State Analytics in Washington DC.

"They can target critical infrastructure, or they can simply target the desert in an act of psychological warfare. Recent Iranian naval exercises featured missiles that came from an underground launcher. This was new and set off an alarm. Nevertheless, Dubai and other urban centers are still considered safe zones," Karasik added.

On Thursday, Israel and the UAE agreed to normalise their relations, and an agreement on the mutual establishment of embassies is expected to follow in the coming three weeks. 

In exchange, Israel said it would halt its plans to formally annex parts of the West Bank.

A joint statement of the US, the UAE and Israel said, "President Donald J Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates spoke today (Thursday) and agreed to the full normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE."

As per the joint statement, delegations from Israel and the UAE will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies and other areas of mutual benefit.

"Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation and forging closer people-to-people relations," the statement read. -- ANI

After Ram Janmabhoomi trust head Nritya Gopal Das tested positive for novel coronavirus infection, Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamna on Sunday questioned if Prime Minister Narendra Modi will follow quarantine regulations as he shared the stage with him during the groundbreaking ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5.

"The 75-year-old Mahant Nritya was present on stage on August 5 at the Bhoomipujan ceremony of the Ram Temple. He had not covered his face with the mask. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat came in contact with the Mahant. PM Modi held the hand of Nritya Gopal Das with reverence. So will our PM also be quarantined," the editorial in Sena's mouthpiece Saamna questioned.

"At present, Amit Shah is also in solitude after contracting the infection. Even former president Pranab Mukherjee has been tested positive for the virus and his health is also in a worrisome state. At present, all cabinet members, bureaucrats, parliament members are vulnerable to falling prey to the lethal infection. Even during riots and war, Delhi was not so frightened as it is today. The city seems to be a bit more scared now. Although the fear of PM Modi and Shah was already mongering, but the trepidation fear of coronavirus is more appalling," the editorial said.

On August 5, Nritya Gopal Das, who was the part of the Ram Mandir bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya, shared the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and few others.

The event was attended by 175 guests who were invited by the trust headed by Nritya Gopal Das. -- ANI

The medical condition of former President Pranab Mukherjee is much better and stable, his son Abhijit Mukherjee said on Sunday.

Abhijit said that the vital parameters of the former president, who underwent emergency surgery for the brain clot on August 10, following which his health status had worsened, are stable and he is responding to the treatment.

"Yesterday, I had visited my Father In Hospital. With God's grace & all your good wishes, he is much better & stable than D preceding days! All his vital parameters are stable & he is responding to treatment! We firmly believe that He will be back among us soon. Thank You," Abhijit tweeted.

On August 10, the former President had also informed that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

"On a visit to the hospital for a separate procedure, I have tested positive for COVID-19 today. I request the people who came in contact with me in the last week, to please self isolate and get tested for COVID-19," Mukherjee had tweeted. -- ANI

Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of a 20-year-old student here, police said on Sunday.

Sudiksha Bhati, who hailed from Deri Scanar village in Gautam Buddh Nagar's Dadri, died on August 10 in a road crash in Bulandshahr district while she was pillion riding a motorcycle with her younger cousin, a minor.

Police said they arrested the two people -- Deepak Choudhary and Raju -- on the basis of CCTV footage.

Sudiksha, an academically bright student, was pursuing a graduation course in entrepreneurship at Babson College, Massachusetts (US), on a scholarship and was scheduled to go back on August 20.

Her family has alleged that the road crash took place because two unidentified motorcycle-borne men were 'following' her two-wheeler and harassing her, while police said that some people were 'trying to twist the narrative of the incident'.

"It appears that after the body reached her Deri Scanar village, some people tried to twist the narrative of the incident. Since the girl had got a huge scholarship package (for studying in the US), there could have been a thought of demand (for compensation) in the people," Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Singh had said on Thursday.  -- PTI

Pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple resumed on Sunday, nearly five months after it was suspended due to COVID-19.

Only 2,000 people will be allowed to visit the shrine per day.

Expressing excitement, Prashant Sharma, one of the first pilgrims to visit the shrine said, "I'm happy that people can visit the temple once again."

Sharma informed that the shrine management has made adequate arrangements for the pilgrims keeping COVID-19 pandemic in mind.

"The shrine management has laid out the rules clearly, and pilgrims are also following them properly. It is important to follow rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. If rules are not followed then the darshans will be closed soon," added Sharma.

Another pilgrim Raman Khajuria said that management is testing people for COVID-19 virus to keep a check if any infected person visited the premises.

"There are sanitiser dispensers at places, thermal screening is done. we'll also be tested for COVID-19 so that the management gets to know if some infected person came on the premises," said Khajuria.

The yatra to the shrine, which was suspended from March 18, is resuming from August 16.

Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said on Saturday, that during the first week of the resumption of pilgrimage, there shall be a ceiling of 2,000 pilgrims per day, including 1,900 from within Jammu and Kashmir and the remaining 100 from outside the Union Territory.

"The situation will be reviewed thereafter and the decision will be taken accordingly. Pilgrims will be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage after registration through online mode only in order to avoid any assembly of persons at the Yatra Registration Counters," said Kumar.

The shrine board will be abiding to health norms induced by the Centre to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The CEO further said that the yatra will move in a uni-directional manner.

The traditional route from Katra to Bhawan via Banganga, Adhkuwari and Sanjichhat will be used for going up and Himkoti route-Tarakote Marg will be used for coming back from the Bhawan.   -- ANI

Niagara Falls in Canada illuminated in colours of Indian national flag. on the occasion of India's 74th Independence Day.

Photograph: Consulate General of India in Toronto

A spike of 63,489 COVID-19 cases and 944 deaths reported in India in the last 24 hours.

The COVID-19 tally in the country rises to 25,89,682 including 6,77,444 active cases, 18,62,258 discharged and 49,980 deaths, says ministry of health and family welfare.

The ministry also said in a tweet that 'India has one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality globally'.

'With a sharply falling Case Fatality Rate below 2 per cent, India has one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality globally. USA crossed 50,000 deaths in 23 days, Brazil in 95 days and Mexico in 141 days. India took 156 days,' the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research says 2,93,09,703 samples have been tested up to August 15 for COVID-19.

'Of these, 7,46,608 samples were tested yesterday,' the ICMR said.   -- ANI

Alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi lied about the Eastern Ladakh stand-off, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that Prime Minister allowed China to take Indian land.

Taking to Twitter, the Congress leader wrote, 'Everybody believes in the capability and valour of the Indian army. Except the PM: Whose cowardice allowed China to take our land. Whose lies will ensure they keep it.'

The Congress leader has been repeatedly levelling allegations against the Prime Minister on the India-China standoff.

Earlier on July 27, the former Congress president had claimed that China has occupied Indian land, and hinted that the government is hiding the truth.

On Saturday, Congress leader Ahmed Patel had also criticised the Centre over the eastern Ladakh stand-off and said that the Defence Minister contradicted Prime Minister on the matter.

"Merely saying it is not enough. If they gave a response we are happy. We must believe what PM says but he and his government know the reality. The reality is not good. If they (Chinese soldiers) entered into our territory -Defence Minister said something and PM said something else," he said while speaking to ANI.

"They should at least take Opposition into confidence. If something has happened then what is there to be ashamed of? It happened earlier too. The action should be taken diplomatically, economically and they should be pushed back if they entered into this side," he added.  -- ANI

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among several dignitaries who paid tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his second death anniversary on Sunday.

They were joined by several Union ministers and other leaders at 'Sadaiv Atal', the memorial to Vajpayee in the national capital, in paying respects to him.

Modi said India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards the nation's progress.

'Tributes to beloved Atal Ji on his Punya Tithi. India will always remember his outstanding service and efforts towards our nation's progress,' Modi tweeted.

Vajpayee, the first Bharatiya Janata Party prime minister, had passed away on this day in 2018.

A statesman and saffron stalwart, he was fondly remembered by other senior BJP leaders.

Home Minister Amit Shah said the country for the first time saw 'good governance' being implemented across the nation under Vajpayee.

The Modi government is striving for the welfare of the poor and good governance by keeping his ideas at the centre of its work, Shah added.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Vajpayee's tremendous contribution towards pubic life and India's development will always be cherished, and his vision for the country will continue to inspire coming generations.  -- PTI