Latest news LIVE updates: WHO airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister declared a national mourning on Wednesday for the victims of the explosions that took place the previous evening. Stay tuned for latest news live updates

2:11 AM

Malls in Mumbai resume operations after four months; rains hinder footfall

Even as torrential rains lashed the city, the malls in Mumbai witnessed 15-20 per cent footfall on Wednesday, on opening after a gap of over four months.

 

The malls were mostly visited by individuals who were middle age and young, however, there were no children and senior citizens among the visitors.

 

Most of the outlets that were open were apparels, electronics, footwear and cosmetics, among others.

 

The city has 12 big malls mostly located in the Mumbai suburbs, excluding Navi Mumbai and Thane.

2:11 AM

Gold breaches $2,000-barrier over prospect for further Covid-19 stimulus

Gold advanced to a fresh record beyond $2,000 an ounce in the international market, as investors assessed increased geopolitical risks and the prospect for further stimulus to combat fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Bullion is up almost 35 per cent this year, with its haven status enhanced by sliding US real yields.

 

In New Delhi, the metal jumped Rs 1,365 to Rs 56,181 per 10 gram, HDFC Securities said.

 

Silver also depicted a strong trend as it zoomed Rs 5,972 to Rs 72,726 per kg from Rs 66,754 per kg in the previous trade.

2:10 AM

As UK eases lockdown, services activity expands at fastest pace in 5 years

Output from the UK’s dominant services industry rose at the fastest pace since 2015 in July as more of the nation’s economy opened up after the coronavirus lockdown.

 

IHS Markit’s Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 56.5 last month, up from 47.1 in June. While that is marginally below the 56.6 flash estimate, it is well above the 50 level that indicates expansion for the first time in five months.

 

New orders climbed as firms reopened and business expectations improved for a fourth straight month, Markit said. Employment, however, slumped amid concerns that longer-term demand won’t fully recover to its pre-Covid levels, and new export sales declined.

12:28 AM

Pakistani groups in UK stage protest outside Indian High Commission

A small group of protesters representing Pakistani groups staged a protest outside the Indian High Commission in London on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of India's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Around 150 people gathered opposite the High Commission building with a banner reading Implement UN Resolution but remained barricaded away from the main India House complex at Aldwych in central London.

 

Police are aware of a planned protest outside the Indian High Commission in Aldwych on Wednesday August 5. A proportionate policing plan is in place throughout the duration of the demonstration, a Metropolitan Police statement said.

11:44 PM

Section 144 imposed in areas that fall under limits of Thelamara and Dhekiajuli police stations

11:43 PM

All 55 passengers have been rescued by National Disaster Response Force: Satya Pradhan, Director General of NDRF

11:05 PM

Wall Street gains on Disney's surprise profit, fiscal aid hopes

Wall Street's main indexes rose on Wednesday after Disney delivered a surprise quarterly profit, with sentiment aided by signs that a coronavirus fiscal relief package was imminent.

 

Walt Disney Co's shares jumped 9.5 per cent, among the biggest boosts to the S&P 500 and Dow, as revenue declines for its parks and media networks were not as bad as feared.

 

Payments processor Square Inc surged 8.7 per cent after reporting a 64 per cent rise in second-quarter revenue, as consumers increased online buying and used its peer-to-peer Cash App platform during the pandemic.

11:04 PM

Involvement of parents, communities in children's education a must in rural India: Experts

11:04 PM

DUTA seeks President intervention regarding non-payment of salaries to employees of 12 DU colleges

11:03 PM

India hits out at China for calling reorganisation of J&K as illegal

9:29 PM

Heavy rains claims three more lives in Kerala, monsoon toll rises to 31

9:29 PM

Extremely heavy rains to continue in Mumbai until morning of Aug 6: IMD's special bulletin

8:59 PM

Bihar flood situation worsens, 66 lakh affected; CM Nitish Kumar makes aerial survey

8:26 PM

Beirut explosions update: WHO airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon

The World Health Organization says it is airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon to cover up to 1,000 trauma interventions and up to 1,000 surgical interventions following the explosion in Beirut, according to a PTI report.

 

WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said supplies airlifted from a humanitarian hub in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates would be used to treat burns and wounds caused by broken glass and other debris from the explosion. The airlift follows a request from the Lebanese health minister, and the supplies were expected to arrive in Lebanon later Wednesday.

 

Jasarevic said in an email that the WHO will stand ready to also provide other urgent support.

8:20 PM

Seven dead, 60 infected by new infectious disease in China: Report

A new infectious disease caused by a tick-borne virus has killed seven people and infected 60 others in China, official media reported on Wednesday, warning about the possibility of its human-to-human transmission.

 

More than 37 people in East China's Jiangsu Province contracted with the SFTS Virus in the first half of the year. Later, 23 people were found to have been infected in East China's Anhui province, state-run Global Times quoted media reports.