Former PM Ghani who fled Afghanistan, in talks to return

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• 18 Aug 2021, 10:37:58 PM IST

  West Bengal logs 646 new Covid-19 cases and 7 deaths

  West Bengal reports 646 new Covid-19 cases, 660 recoveries and seven deaths. Total cases rise to 1,540,258.

• 18 Aug 2021, 09:51:46 PM IST

  Ahead of festivals, Maharashtra CM's request to people

  Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray urges people to not violate Covid-19 protocols in the state.

• 18 Aug 2021, 09:18:35 PM IST

  36 new Covid-19 cases and 4 deaths in Delhi

  Delhi logs 36 new Covid-19 cases, four deaths and 76 recoveries. Total cases at 1,437,192 including 1,411,688 recoveries, 25,077 deaths and 427 active cases. Positivity rate at 0.05%.

• 18 Aug 2021, 08:43:07 PM IST

  Fresh Covid-19 cases rise in Maharashtra and Mumbai

  Maharashtra records 5132 new Covid-19 cases after three straight days of less than 5000 fresh infections. 285 people test positive in Mumbai, up from 196 on August 17.

• 18 Aug 2021, 08:16:04 PM IST

  US authorises Covid-19 booster shots for all Americans from September 20

  US authorises Covid-19 booster shots for all Americans from September 20, warns of reducing vaccine efficacy.

• 18 Aug 2021, 08:03:31 PM IST

  NATO foreign ministers to meet on Friday to discuss Afghanistan

  "I have convened an extraordinary virtual meeting of NATO foreign ministers this Friday to continue our close coordination and discuss our common approach on Afghanistan," tweets NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg.

• 18 Aug 2021, 07:44:11 PM IST

  Himachal announces easing of Covid-19 curbs

  Covid-19 restrictions eased for "all goods carriers, daily/weekend commuters or people who intend to commute for medical purpose. Children below 18 accompanied by parents with vaccination certificates (double doses) or negative RT-PCR report are also excluded": Himachal Pradesh govt

• 18 Aug 2021, 07:28:30 PM IST

  Afghan president Ashraf Ghani taken in by UAE: Report

  Afghan president Ashraf Ghani and family taken in by UAE on "humanitarian grounds", reports AP

• 18 Aug 2021, 07:25:30 PM IST

  No vaccination in Mumbai on Aug 19 and 20, says BMC

  Due to shortage of Covid-19 vaccines, there will be no vaccination in government and municipal corporation-run centres in Mumbai on August 19 and 20. Vaccination will resume from August 21: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)

• 18 Aug 2021, 06:55:31 PM IST

  'Deeply worried about Afghan women': Joint statement

  We're deeply worried about Afghan women and girls, their rights to education, work and freedom of movement. We call on those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to guarantee their protection. We stand ready to assist them with humanitarian aid. We will monitor closely how any future govt ensures rights and freedoms that have become an integral part of the life of women and girls in Afghanistan during the last 20 years: 21 countries including the US, UK and Canada in a joint statement.

• 18 Aug 2021, 06:30:00 PM IST

  '2nd Covid-19 wave under control': Maharashtra govt

  "Zero patient in Nandurbar while less than 10 in six districts. Less than 100 in eight districts. Positivity rate 2.4. About 50 percent citizens above 45 have been given at least one dose of vaccine. As also, 25 percent in 18-45 age group," says Maharashtra govt in press release after meeting of state cabinet.

• 18 Aug 2021, 06:06:33 PM IST

  Kerala logs 21,427 new Covid-19 cases and 179 deaths

  Kerala reports 21,427 new Covid-19 cases, 179 deaths and 18,731 recoveries. Positivity rate at 15.5%.

• 18 Aug 2021, 05:23:34 PM IST

  'Maintain branch-wise list of vacant lockers': RBI tells banks

  Banks to maintain a branch-wise list of vacant lockers as well as a wait-list for the purpose of allotment of lockers and ensure transparency in allotment of lockers. Revised instructions will come into effect from January 1, 2022: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• 18 Aug 2021, 04:58:34 PM IST

  Cong appoints Dr Ajoy Kumar as in-charge of 3 northeastern states

  Congress appoints Dr Ajoy Kumar as All India Congress Committee (AICC) incharge of Sikkim, Nagaland and Tripura.

• 18 Aug 2021, 04:18:01 PM IST

  Tsunami alert issued after quake off Vanuatu

  Tsunami alert issued after 6.8-magnitude earthquake off Vanuatu, reports AFP.

• 18 Aug 2021, 04:00:01 PM IST

  Local trains suspended on Mumbai's Harbour Line

  Local train services suspended on the Harbour Line between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Vadala due to technical issues. Trains are operating between Kurla and Panvel railway stations.

• 18 Aug 2021, 03:49:30 PM IST

  Cabinet approves implementation of National Mission on Edible Oils

  "Union Cabinet has approved the implementation of National Mission on Edible Oils–oil palm with a financial outlay of ₹11,040 crores. The focus is on increasing area and productivity of oilseeds and oil palm," announces Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

• 18 Aug 2021, 03:35:50 PM IST

  UNHRC to hold special session on Afghanistan on August 24

  UNHRC to hold one-day special session on August 24 to address "Serious Human Rights Concerns and Situation in Afghanistan." Session to be convened with the support of 60 observer states so far, including India, France, UK, Japan and Pakistan.

• 18 Aug 2021, 03:01:52 PM IST

  Cong MPs break down while addressing media over RS ruckus

  Congress MPs Chhaya Verma and Phulo Devi Netam break down in Raipur while addressing the media on the August 11 ruckus in Rajya Sabha.

• 18 Aug 2021, 02:12:55 PM IST

  '21 Indians onboard France's first evacuation flight from Kabul'

  "The first French evacuation flight from Kabul yesterday included 21 Indian nationals," tweets Emmanuel Lenain, the French ambassador to India.

• 18 Aug 2021, 02:01:54 PM IST

  Taliban Ring Kabul Airport With Checkpoints

  Taliban fighters have ringed Kabul’s international airport with security checkpoints, raising concerns the group will prevent hundreds of Afghans from leaving the country after the US-backed government collapsed.

• 18 Aug 2021, 01:46:53 PM IST

  Taliban destroy statue of Shiite foe from 1990s civil war

  The Taliban have blown up the statue of a Shiite militia leader who had fought against them during Afghanistan's civil war in the 1990s, according to photos circulating on social media Wednesday.

• 18 Aug 2021, 01:31:47 PM IST

  Gujarat: 2 killed, 5 injured in road accident; 2 drown during religious event

  Two people were killed and five others injured when a car hit them in Gujarat's Banaskantha district on Wednesday, police said. Besides, two persons drowned in a river during a religious programme in Anand district, they said.

• 18 Aug 2021, 12:28:18 PM IST

  Bombay HC grants interim relief to businessman Raj Kundra in pornography case

  Bombay High Court grants interim relief to businessman and Shilpa Shetty's husband Raj Kundra and keeps his anticipatory bail application for hearing next Wednesday, 25th August.

• 18 Aug 2021, 12:15:27 PM IST

  Over 56 crore Covid-19 vaccines administered in India

  India achieved a landmark of administrating over 56 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses till date under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive, the Union Ministry of Health informed on Wednesday.

• 18 Aug 2021, 11:44:31 AM IST

  Supreme Court directs women can sit for National Defence Academy entrance exams

  Supreme Court directs women can sit for exams for entry in the National Defence Academy (NDA). The exam is slated for Sep 5. Admissions etc will be subjected to the final orders of the court.

• 18 Aug 2021, 11:43:46 AM IST

  UK inflation slows in July: Official data

  Britain's annual inflation rate slowed sharply last month on falling prices for clothing, footwear and recreational goods and services, official data showed Wednesday.

• 18 Aug 2021, 11:27:45 AM IST

  SC dismisses Maha govt plea challenging CBI probe against ex-HM Anil Deshmukh

  SC dismisses petition filed by Maharashtra government challenging CBI probe against former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. The Court said, “An impression is being given that the state is trying to protect this man….investigation is not against state but your Home Minister”.

• 18 Aug 2021, 11:10:26 AM IST

  Delhi Court discharges Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in connection with Sunanda Pushkar death case.

  Delhi court discharges Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in connection with Sunanda Pushkar death case.

• 18 Aug 2021, 10:44:17 AM IST

  First batch of Indian athletes leaves for Tokyo Paralympics amid warm send-off

  The first batch of Indian athletes for the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics, including flag bearer Thangavelu Mariyappan left for the Games on Wednesday amid a warm send-off.

• 18 Aug 2021, 10:26:05 AM IST

  Haryana CM asks Neeraj Chopra to head a centre off excellence

  I have asked Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra to head a centre of excellence to groom athletes for the Olympics. We want to make Haryana a hub of sports: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

• 18 Aug 2021, 10:01:57 AM IST

  Over 2,200 people evacuated on Kabul military flights: Security official

  Over 2,200 diplomats and other civilians have so far been evacuated on military flights out of Kabul, a Western security official in the Afghan capital told Reuters on Wednesday.

• 18 Aug 2021, 09:15:11 AM IST

  India records 35,178 fresh Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours

  India reports 35,178 new Covid-19 cases, 37,169 recoveries and 440 deaths in the last 24 hrs, as per Health Ministry.

  Total cases: 3,22,85,857

  Total recoveries: 3,14,85,923

  Active cases: 3,67,415

  Death toll: 4,32,519

• 18 Aug 2021, 08:52:12 AM IST

  Sydney warned worse to come as Delta cases surge

  Sydney's Delta outbreak has not peaked and residents must brace for more deaths, authorities said on Wednesday, as Australia's largest city continued to break records for new daily infections despite a nearly two-month lockdown.

• 18 Aug 2021, 08:28:40 AM IST

  New Zealand PM announces lockdown over single suspected Delta variant case

  New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a nationwide lockdown after the country confirmed the first locally transmitted Covid-19 since February.

• 18 Aug 2021, 08:18:41 AM IST

  Japan extends Covid-19 emergency lockdown as cases surge

  Japan on Tuesday extended its state of emergency in Tokyo and other regions and announced new measures covering seven more prefectures to counter a spike in Covid-19 infections that is threatening the medical system.

• 18 Aug 2021, 07:34:16 AM IST

  Assam's revised Covid-19 guidelines comes into effect from today

  The Assam government's new set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in regard to Covid-19 pandemic will come into effect from Wednesday.

• 18 Aug 2021, 07:05:40 AM IST

  US military has evacuated 3,200 people from Afghanistan so far

  US military has evacuated 3,200 people from Afghanistan so far: AFP news agency quoting official.

• 18 Aug 2021, 06:30:42 AM IST

  FM Jaishankar, Estonia counterpart exchange views on Afghan crisis

  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met Estonia counterpart Eva Maria Liimets and exchanged views on the developments in Afghanistan.

• 18 Aug 2021, 06:15:14 AM IST

  Iran to make efforts to stabilise Afghanistan: President Raisi

  Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday said that his country would make serious efforts to stabilise Afghanistan as the country's government fell on Sunday and the Taliban took over the control, a media report said.

• 18 Aug 2021, 05:48:13 AM IST

  Delhi Riots: HC to hear former AAP leader Tahir Hussain's bail pleas today

  The Delhi high court is set to hear today the bail pleas of suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain in connection with the four separate instances of violence during the northeast Delhi riots in January last year.

• 18 Aug 2021, 05:40:07 AM IST

  Haiti earthquake death count rises to 1,941: Officials

  The death toll from a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti has risen to 1,941, the Caribbean nation's civil protection agency said Tuesday, as a tropical storm brought torrential downpours on survivors already coping with catastrophe.

• 18 Aug 2021, 05:28:13 AM IST

  Belur Math in Kolkata to re-open for public from today

  Belur Math, the global headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, will be open for devotees and visitors for about five hours from today, a spokesman had said on August 11.

• 18 Aug 2021, 05:19:42 AM IST

  UK plans to welcome thousands of Afghans in new refugee plan

  Britain on Tuesday announced plans to welcome up to 5,000 Afghans fleeing the Taliban during the first year of a new resettlement programme that will prioritise women, girls and religious and other minorities.

• 18 Aug 2021, 05:08:37 AM IST

  California to review 2009 fatal shooting at train station

  California's attorney general said Tuesday that his office will conduct its own review of a transit officer's involvement in the shooting death of a 22-year-old Black man at a San Francisco Bay Area train station in 2009.