Breaking News August 17

Assam reports 741 new COVID cases, 1,012 discharges, and 11 deaths today 

Active cases: 7,425
Total discharges: 5,67,113
Death toll: 5,513

In its preparation for presumed COVID-19 third wave, Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked officials to complete the recruitment of doctors in govt hospitals for PHCs to CHCs and teaching hospitals. The CM reiterated that the process should be completed within 90 days: CMO

Kerala Cabinet decides to appoint former DGP Loknath Behera as Managing Director of Kochi Metro Railway Limited for a period of three years

Magnitude 4.7 earthquake occurred in Ukhrul, Manipur at 9:02 pm today

Meghalaya: Curfew in Shillong Agglomeration will be relaxed from 5 am to 4 pm on August 18 and will be reimposed thereafter until further orders

Night curfew is fully withdrawn from the UT. All restaurants/bars can remain open with 50% capacity from 8 am to 12 midnight. Restriction of 50% capacity of passengers for public transport is withdrawn: Chandigarh Administration

ICMR/DHR supports the manufacturers to export surplus quantities of the COVID-19 diagnostic kits after meeting the in-country demands: ICMR

"On August 16, Income Tax Department conducted searches on the premises of a company engaged in trading of telecom equipment & installation & servicing of these items for various telecom players in India. Searches were conducted at 5 premises, including the corporate office, residence of foreign director, residence of company secretary, accounts person & the cash handler of a foreign subsidiary company in India. Examination of import bills vis-à-vis sale bills show that there is huge gross profit (approximately 30%) on the trading of these items, however, the company has been booking huge losses over the years. Issue of tax liability of hundreds of crores has been identified so far. Unaccounted cash of more than Rs 62 lakh has been found at the premises. 3 lockers have also been found during the search, that have been placed under restraint. Search is still continuing": Finance Ministry

Odisha will continue to sponsor Indian hockey teams for another 10 years, says CM Naveen Patnaik

Kinnaur landslide, Himachal Pradesh: Bodies of all the missing persons have been retrieved, says State Disaster Management Authority

HAL has placed an order of USD 716 million (Rs 5375 crores) for 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services with GE Aviation, USA to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. The contract was signed today at HAL Corporate Office in Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Pakistan spy agency ISI will try and influence the Taliban. However, it will have a very limited effect as Taliban has acquired power in a position of strength. ISI can only influence weak Taliban but it looks unlikely in the present situation: Sources

PM has been constantly in touch with officials regarding the situation. He was taking stock of situation till late night yesterday and was updated when the flight took off. He instructed that adequate arrangements be made to ensure providing food for all those who returned at Jamnagar.

There will be increased security vigil in Kashmir but things are in control and Pakistan based groups in Afghanistan have little capacity to use the situation. Taliban has clarified its position on Kashmir. It regards it as a bilateral, internal issue; their focus is unlikely on Kashmir: Sources

Centre to provide Rs 1,300 crore as Covid response package to Northeastern states: Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Guwahati

For evacuations, India parked its C-17 at Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan as there was a huge rush at Kabul airport in Afghanistan. So Indian aircraft were on standby at Ayni Air Base and they flew to Kabul when cleared by the US which is controlling Kabul Airport. India is also exploring options to hire charter planes to evacuate more Indians from Afghanistan: Sources

Border Security Force (BSF) thwarted a major infiltration attempt by apprehending nine Bangladeshi nationals in the border area of ​​North 24 Parganas in West Bengal yesterday. Among those apprehended are two children, five women & two men: BSF

Terrorists shot dead a civilian at Brazul area of Kulgam in South Kashmir. Meanwhile, forces have cordoned off the area. 

Central Govt told Kerala HC that fully vaccinated persons can't be vaccinated again, during hearing on a plea of a Kannur man who sought permission for re-vaccination with Covishield stating that Covaxin, the vaccine he received, is not recognized in Saudi Arabia where he works.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar takes stock of flood-affected regions

SC issues notice to Centre on PILs seeking court-monitored probe of Pegasus, seeks reply in 10 days

Demonetisation, GST, Farm Laws designed to weaken informal structure of Indian economy: Rahul Gandhi

PAC members meet senior Army officials at Leh to take stock of procurements for Army

Agriculture is an intrinsic part of our history, culture and heritage: Rahul Gandhi

India administers over 88 lakh vaccine doses, achieves highest single-day record

PM Modi interacts with 54-member Paralympic contingent ahead of Games

Rajasthan: Four people killed as two vehicles catch fire after collision at NH 8

All military and civilian flights halted at Kabul airport, reports agency AFP quoting Pentagon.

West Bengal: Clash erupts between Siliguri BJP workers, Police

UN Security Council discussions today on developments in Afghanistan: S Jaishankar

Incidents of drone threats reported in Jammu, Punjab: BSF

Chemical tanker overturned on Ghodbunder road in Thane

Important to furnish financial assistance of $500 million for refugee, migration needs: White House

Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov says Taliban had made Kabul safer