Breaking news highlights: UN raises alarm on Taliban crackdown on protests

The United Nations on Friday raised the alarm over Taliban's crackdown on peaceful protests, many of them by women demanding equal rights, and journalists covering such events.

A local court in Chattisgarh granted bail to chief minister Bhupesh Baghel's father Nand Kumar Baghel on Friday. The 86-year-old was arrested on Tuesday by Chhattisgarh police, after being booked promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of a complaint filed by Sarv Brahmin Samaj.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said talks with additional secretary to Haryana government Devender Singh was 'positive, and the next meeting has been scheduled for 9am tomorrow. The Haryana government sent Singh to talk to farmers ahead of Samyukt Kisan Morcha's meeting on Saturday, after farmer leaders had refused to hold further talks with the Karnal DC, alleging that he did not have the authority to take a decision on their demands.

Maharashtra recorded 4,154 Covid-19 cases on Friday, taking the total number of cases to 6,491,179. In the last 24 hours 44 deaths have also been reported, the death toll now stands at 138,061, according to the state health department.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters on Friday that the state has recorded 25,010 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours and 177 fatalities. Marking a slight decrease from the 26,200 cases the state had recorded a day before. The fatality count however went up. 

Balbir Singh Rajewal of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) told news agency ANI on Friday that the union has asked political parties in Punjab to suspend election campaigning before elections are announced. "Congress and SAD said that they will hold discussions about this with their high command," he added.

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered extension of the existing Covid restrictions till September 30, in view of the upcoming festival season, with a limit of 300 on all gatherings, including political, and strict enforcement of wearing of masks as well as social distancing. He also made it mandatory for organisers, including political parties, to ensure that participants, management and staff at food stalls etc in festival related events are fully vaccinated, or at least have had a single dose.

Punjab government announced on Friday that state government employees who are yet to receive their first dose of vaccine will be sent on compulsory leave after September 15. Those with medical condition are exempted from this order, the government added. 

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi attended the party's election panel meeting in Lucknow on Friday ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections of 2022, reported ANI.

Singapore sees no need to tighten Covid-19 curbs for now despite a spike in infections over recent weeks, a top official said on Friday, but will not press ahead with more reopening moves as it monitors for severe cases.

India lead Test series against England 2-1, cancelled fifth and final match can be played later: BCCI source, reports PTI.

Singapore sees no need to tighten Covid-19 curbs for now despite a spike in infections over recent weeks, a top official said on Friday, but will not press ahead with more reopening moves as it monitors for severe cases.

Pakistan reported fresh 3,689 cases of Covid-19, after 61,128 tests of Covid-19 were conducted across the country in the last 24 hours, according to Pakistan's National Command and Operation Centre data.

PM Narendra Modi will perform the Lokarpan of Sardardham Bhavan and Bhoomi Pujan of Sardardham Phase – II Kanya Chhatralaya in Ahmedabad on September 11, via video conferencing: PMO.

India forfeit fifth and final Test against England in Manchester amid Covid-19 concerns.

The union territory of Puducherry added 111 new coronavirus cases during the last 24 hours taking the overall tally to 1,24,629, a senior official of the Department of Health said on Friday.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a "grand" Ganesh Pujan here this evening, which will be attended by him and his ministers and telecast live from 7 pm, saying the festival is a blend of patriotism and spirituality.

With the Taliban forming the interim "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," and appointing hardliners in its new government, experts have warned that risks of terrorism are set to increase in the war-torn country.

BJP's Priyanka Tibrewal to challenge Mamata Banerjee from Bhabanipur seat in Bengal by-polls.

A major fire broke out at a plyboard godown in north Kolkata's Nimtala Ghat Street on Friday morning, officials said.