Breaking news: US to send troops to Kabul airport to pull out embassy staff

The State Department said on Thursday that the US government will send troops to Kabul airport to pull out embassy staff. 

Haryana on Thursday reported one Covid-related fatality taking the cumulative toll to 9,654 while 16 new infections pushed the total case count to 770,146.

The ministry of civil aviation has allowed airlines to increase capacity for domestic flights to 72.5% from 65% immediately.

The Jammu and Kashmir police said that a mysterious blast occurred at a BJP worker's residence in Rajouri, reports ANI. More details awaited.

With 49 new Covid-19 cases and no fatalities in the last 24 hours, Delhi's tally reached 1,436,938 while the death toll remained at 25,068, according to a medical bulletin.

At least four labourers fell into a chimney at a cement factory in Ranavav, Porbandar in Gujarat, reports ANI.

Abhijit Bhomble, director in business Raj Kundra's company, has been arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch Property Cell, reported news agency ANI. An actress had filed a case against four people from Kundra's company, including Bhomble, Gehana Vashisth, Ajay Srimant and Prince Kashyap.

The Rajasthan government announced that schools for classes 9 to 12 would be reopened from September 1 with 50% capacity. It has also mandated at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine for all staff, 14 days prior to the start date, reports ANI. 

Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla expressed "deep concern" at the disruptive behaviour of some parliamentarians during the monsoon session.

A fire broke out in a showroom located on the first floor of a buil;ding in Nehru Place in Delhi and six fire tenders have been rushed to the spot, reports ANI.

More details awaited.

Industrial production grew by 13.6% in June, reports PTI citing data from the government.

The ministry of statistics and programme implementation said that the retail inflation in the country has eased to 5.59% in July 2021 as compared to the 6.26% last month.

Kabul has offered the Taliban power sharing to end violence in Afghanistan, reports AFP.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee extended the Covid-19 related restrictions in the state till August 30 and night curfew will be in effect between 11pm and 5am, reports PTI.

The Greek coast guard said that a British-flagged vessel sunk near the island of Milos in Greece and rescue operations are underway for 17 passengers at sea, reports Reuters.

"Dignity of Parliament and Rajya Sabha's Chairman hurt by a few Opposition members," said Union minister Piyush Goyal.

Union parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi demanded "strict action" against Opposition members who climbed the table in Rajya Sabha. "I strongly condemn behaviour of Opposition leaders, demand strict action against members who climbed the table in Rajya Sabha," he said.

"Action should be such that nobody should dare to do any such thing in the future," he added.

Russia on Thursday reported a record-high 808 coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours and 21,932 new Covid-19 cases, including 2,294 in Moscow.

The Congress on Thursday hit out at the government for “scuttling free speech” and said the party’s Twitter account and accounts of several of its leaders were temporarily locked for sharing a photograph of the family of a nine-year-old rape victim. Accounts of Randeep Singh Surjewala, Ajay Maken, Sushmita Dev, and Manickam Tagore were among those temporarily locked, Congress functionaries aware of the matter said. Read More

Landslide occurs on National Highway-10 in Sevoke near Siliguri after incessant rainfall overnight, news agency ANI reported. Traffic movement has been affected due to the restoration work underway.

It's unfortunate how Congress and other Opposition parties are protesting on road. Democracy has been shamed. I would say that not just VP Venkaiah Naidu cried but democracy also cried. Opposition ensured washout of the whole session, and this is the height of anarchy: Sambit Patra, national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party

An organisation representing the Indian diaspora in the US has said it will hoist the biggest tricolour at the iconic Times Square in New York on August 15 on the 75th anniversary of India's Independence Day. Read More

Taliban takes control of Ghazni city, 150 kms from the Afghan capital Kabul, AFP reported quoting local lawmaker.

India has asked the Canadian government to ensure the safety and security of its missions in the country as pro-Khalistan groups have warned of demonstrations and disruptions on August 15. Read More

The Opposition is united. On 20th August, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi will speak to CMs of Congress-ruled states. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray will also take part in this meeting, ANI quotes Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut saying.