Breaking news highlights: WHO chief urges halt to booster shots for rest of 2021

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to return to a nuclear deal after a scathing report by the UN atomic watchdog and Tehran's signals that it would take a while to return to talks. Read more

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that rich nations with large supplies of vaccines against Covid-19 should refrain from offering booster shots through the end of the year and make the doses available for poorer nations. 

The creation of theatre commands to best utilise the military’s resources could take two to three years, with senior officers from the three services being assigned key responsibilities to finalise the joint structures, people familiar with the developments said on Wednesday. Read More

The new Taliban setup in Kabul has said it desires healthy relations with all neighbours of Afghanistan based on mutual respect, even while assuring that Afghan soil will not be used against the security of any nation. “We want strong and healthy relations with our neighbours and all other countries based on mutual respect and interaction. Our relations with those countries will be based on the highest interests and benefits of Afghanistan,” the statement said.

US doing 'everything in our power' to start charter flights from Afghanistan, says Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Reserve Bank of India said on Wednesday it has taken UCO Bank out of prompt corrective action restrictions, subject to certain conditions and continuous monitoring, news agency Reuters reported. 

CPM headquarters in Agartala was ransacked and a motorbike was set on fire in front of the office. In Sepahijala district, a CPM party office was set on fire. A clash also occurred between CPM and BJP at Udaipur in Gomati district.

China announced on Wednesday that it would donate 200 million yuan (US$31 million) worth of aid, including grains, winter supplies and coronavirus vaccines to Afghanistan, a day after the Taliban announced the formation of an interim government in Kabul.

Government of India on Wednesday signed a fresh ceasefire pact with the Niki Sumi-led Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) in New Delhi. The development is being seen as a boost to the ongoing Naga peace process for which the Centre is holding peace talks with NSCN (IM) and a conglomeration of seven Naga nationalist political groups (NNPGs).

The new ceasefire agreement is for a period of one year with effect from September 8, 2021. The agreement is subject to adherence to the existing ceasefire ground rules signed by the two sides.

Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mohammed Qureshi on Wednesday proposed the idea of inviting Taliban leaders in future regional meetings during a virtual gathering of foreign ministers of nations which are neighbours of Afghanistan, news agency Reuters reported. Read More

Maharashtra Government prohibits public from visiting Ganesh mandals on Ganesh Chaturthi, asks mandal organisers to make darshan available online or through other electronic means. 

Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approves procurement of 56 C-295 MW transport aircraft for Indian Air Force.

China on Wednesday said the formation of a provisional Taliban government in Afghanistan was a “necessary step” in pursuing a post-war reconstruction, adding that it is ready to maintain communication with the new leaders. Read More

Talks with Karnal district admin lasted for three hours but failed. Officers are not ready to suspend him (SDM Ayush Sinha) and lodge a case against him. The officers are getting directions from Chandigarh. So we have decided to continue our protest here: BKU leader Rakesh Tikait

Collision between two ferries on Brahmaputra between Kamalabari (Majuli) and Nematighat (Jorhat). Dozens feared missing as one ferry is reported to have capsized. NDRF and SDRF teams start rescue operations.

Trnamool Congress supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to file her nomination for Bhabanipur bye-election on September 10.

Top security and intelligence officials of the UK, the US and Russia have made a beeline for India to discuss the situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in Kabul and the implications for regional security. Read More

China on Wednesday said the formation of a provisional Taliban government in Afghanistan was a “necessary step” in pursuing a post-war reconstruction, adding that it is ready to maintain communication with the new leaders.

It is a “necessary step for Afghanistan to restore domestic order and pursue post-war reconstruction,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin told state English broadcaster, CGTN, in an interview.

The European Union warns Taliban, says govt not 'inclusive, representative', reports AFP.

Delhi reports 41 new cases, 13 recoveries and zero deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases 414. Positivity rate 0.05%

Russia's emergency situations minister dies during drills, reports multiple news agencies. Yevgeny Zinichev, 55, “tragically died in the line of duty during inter-agency exercises to protect the Arctic zone from emergency situations, while saving a person's life," the ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.

During India-Russia consultations, attention was paid to intensifying joint work of the both country's special services and military bodies. An exchange of views took place on the military, political and socio-economic situation in Afghanistan, informs the Russian embassy in India. During consultations, Secretary of Russia's Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev and NSA Ajit Doval discussed deepening bilateral cooperation in security with an emphasis on further interaction on anti-terrorist track, combating illegal migration and drug trafficking, informs Russian Embassy.

The Union Cabinet has approved MSP for rabi crops for marketing season 2022-23.