LIVE: Nitish wins trust vote after BJP lawmakers walk out of Bihar assembly

Bihar has given special message to nation (through confidence vote for Mahagathbandhan in Assembly), says Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav

1:20 PM

Vistara to start Mumbai-Abu Dhabi direct flights from Oct 1

Full service carrier Vistara will start daily non-stop flights between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi from October 1.

 

The airline, a joint venture between Tata group and Singapore Airlines, will use the A320 neo aircraft for the services.

 

"We are delighted to expand our presence in the UAE, with a second Emirate, and offer the choice of flying India's best airline on one of the busiest international routes from India.

1:15 PM

Ukraine marks Independence Day six months after start of war

Residents of Kyiv woke up to air raid sirens as Ukraine observed its Independence Day on Wednesday, six months since the star t of the Russian invasion.

Authorities in the capital banned large-scale gatherings until Thursday, fearing the national holiday might bring particularly heavy Russian missile attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the public to be vigilant.

Russian provocations and brutal strikes are a possibility, Zelenskyy said in a statement. Please strictly follow the safety rules. Please observe the curfew. Pay attention to the air sirens. Pay attention to official announcements. And remember: we must all achieve victory together.

1:09 PM

Nitish frowns upon controversy around minister's temple entry

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday expressed dismay over the controversy around Israil Ahmed Mansuri, his cabinet colleague, visiting a temple in Gaya.

Kumar blamed the controversy on "divisive" politics of the BJP, his former ally, while talking to reporters on assembly premises.

"They (BJP) have been wanting to divide the society by raising non issues. What is their grouse? Have their ministers not visited temples along with me," asked the JD(U) leader.

1:02 PM

Strictly abide by undertaking that no trees would be cut in Aarey colony: SC directs Mumbai Metro

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) to strictly abide by its undertaking that no trees would be cut in Mumbai's Aarey colony and warned that any violation will result in strict action.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice U U Lalit said he would hear the matter on August 30 after counsel for the Maharashtra government sought time to collate documents.

"The counsel for MMRCL submits that her clients have already filed an affidavit that no trees have been or would be cut in any manner. The said undertaking by the MMRCL director has already been taken on record and MMRCL shall be strictly bound by the same," the bench also comprising Justices S R Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia said.

1:02 PM

Will speak on matters related to the Assembly: VK Sinha after resigning as Bihar Speaker

"In the same House that gave me the honour of being the Speaker, I had said earlier that I won't resign outside. I'll speak on matters related to the Assembly, in the Assembly. I presented the entire issue before all MLAs," says VK Sinha after resigning from the Speaker's post

12:51 PM

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 2,600-bed hospital in Haryana's Faridabad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated a 2,600-bed private hospital here that is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a centralised fully-automated laboratory, in what will be a major boost to healthcare infrastructure in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Haryna Governor Bandaru Dattatreya and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar were also present on the occasion.

The state-of-the-art Amrita Hospital, built on a sprawling 130-acre campus with sustainability in mind, has a dedicated seven-storey research block and has been constructed over a period of six years under the auspices of the Mata Amritanandmayi Math.

12:39 PM

BJP offered Rs 20 crore each to 4 MLAs to switch sides: AAP MP Sanjay Singh

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed on Wednesday that the BJP has approached four of its legislators in Delhi, asking them to switch sides and join the saffron party or else, face "false cases, the CBI and the ED".

 

Addressing a press conference here, AAP's national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said the legislators -- Ajay Dutt, Sanjeev Jha, Somnath Bharati and Kuldeep -- have been approached by leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with whom they have "friendly relations".

 

"They have been offered Rs 20 crore each if they join the party and Rs 25 crore if they bring other MLAs along with them," Singh said.

12:37 PM

BJP has threatened four AAP MLAs, says AAP MP Sanjay Singh

BJP has threatened four AAP MLAs that they will have to face CBI, ED and false cases if they do not switch sides: AAP MP Sanjay Singh

12:37 PM

BJP has threatened four AAP MLAs, says AAP MP Sanjay Singh

BJP has threatened four AAP MLAs that they will have to face CBI, ED and false cases if they do not switch sides: AAP MP Sanjay Singh

12:36 PM

Army deployed to rescue people in flood-affected Bundi in Rajasthan

The Army was deployed on Wednesday to rescue nearly 300 people stranded in a flood-like situation in Rajasthan's Bundi district, officials said.

 

Bundi collector Ravindra Goswami said close to 300 people are stuck at four locations in low lying areas in Lakheri. The area is inundated due to inflow of water in the Mej river -- a tributary of Chambal river -- flowing through the district.

 

He said the Army was deployed to lead the rescue operations

12:36 PM

Ayodhya seers agree to Lata Mangeshkar Chowk

The seers of Ayodhya have finally relented to allow construction of the Lata Mangeshkar Smriti Chowk in the holy city.

This came after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured them that other places and roads would be named after famous seers.

The seer community in Ayodhya, including the all-powerful Mani Ram Das Chhavni Peeth, had opposed the state government's decision to name Naya Ghat crossing after Lata Mangeshkar.

The seers wanted the famous crossing to be named after Jagatguru Ramanandacharya.

12:34 PM

We don't care what army you have, we only care about our land: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vows on Independence Day that his country will fight Russia's invasion "until the end" and will not be making "any concession or compromise".

"We don't care what army you have, we only care about our land. We will fight for it until the end," says Zelenskyy

12:24 PM

4 MLAs offered Rs 20 cr each by BJP for switching party: AAP MP

"Four MLAs offered Rs 20 crore each by BJP if they switch sides, Rs 25 crore if they bring other party leaders with them," says AAP MP Sanjay Singh

12:22 PM

Ukraine will fight 'until the end', Zelenskyy says on Independence Day

Ukraine will fight Russia 'until the end', says President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the nation's Independence Day, reports AFP.

12:07 PM

Confusion in Nepal over recruitment in Gorkha regiments due to Agnipath scheme

The Nepal government is in a fix on whether to allow the Indian Army to recruit Nepali youths under the Narendra Modi governments newly launched Agnipath scheme of short-term recruitment into the armed forces.

New Delhi has apparently asked Kathmandu's views on the matter as India's Gorkha regiment plans to recruit Nepalis, for which tests are scheduled for August 25 in Butwal and September 1 in Dharan.

According to Nepali media reports, the delay over giving decision has reached to the office of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba who discussed the matter with Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka and some senior Nepal government officials.