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

12:07 PM

Escalation of geopolitical tensions biggest risk to India's growth outlook: Jayanth Varma

The biggest risk to India's growth outlook is an escalation of geopolitical tensions, especially if these tensions spread to the Asian region, RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member Jayanth R Varma said on Wednesday.

Varma, in an interview to PTI, said that inflation and inflationary expectations appear to be moderating and high inflation will certainly not become the 'norm' in the country.

He is cautiously optimistic about the Indian economy for several reasons.

11:24 AM

Vijay Kumar Sinha resigns as Speaker of Bihar Assembly

Vijay Kumar Sinha resigns as the Speaker of the Bihar Assembly. 
"Allegations against me unacceptable; decided not to step down without setting record straight," says BJP's Sinha. He adds, "Bowing before majority, I resign as speaker."

 

11:02 AM

Hearing this from media: Gehlot on being offered Congress prez post

"I'm hearing this from the media. I don't know about this. I'm fulfilling duties that have been assigned to me," says Rajasthan CM and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on reports that he has been offered Congress president post by party's interim president Sonia Gandhi

10:56 AM

Zelensky warns against massive Russian shelling on I-Day

As Ukraine prepares to celebrate Independence Day on Wednesday and also mark six months since the Russian invasion began on February 24, President Volodymyr Zelenksy has warned citizens against massive shelling and possible provocations by Moscow.

In a video address to the nation on Tuesday evening, the President said: "Tomorrow (Wednesday) is an important day for all of us. And that is why this day, unfortunately, is also important for our adversary. We must be aware that tomorrow Russian provocations and brutal strikes are possible.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine, our intelligence, special services will do everything to protect people, as much as possible. And we will certainly respond to any manifestation of Russian terror.

10:51 AM

BJP MLAs protest outside Bihar Assembly ahead of Nitish govt Floor Test

BJP MLAs protest outside Bihar Assembly, ahead of Floor Test of Nitish Kumar-led govt today. Ex-Dy CM Tarkishore Prasad says, "We've come here for the Assembly Session...As far as raids are concerned,it's an independent agency doing its work. I won't make a comment on it," quotes ANI

10:35 AM

Parag Agrawal lashes out at Zatko's false claims about Twitter

Twitter's Indian-origin CEO Parag Agrawal has lashed out at the company's former head of security, Peiter 'Mudge' Zatko, saying his false claims are "riddled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies, and presented without important context".

Agrawal came out in the open on bots controversy after a long time, as Zatko who was fired by the company in January this year over 'poor performance' claimed on Tuesday that Twitter lied about the actual number of bots on its platform and misled federal regulators about users' data safety.

"There are news reports outlining claims about Twitter's privacy, security, and data protection practices that were made by Mudge Zatko, a former Twitter executive who was terminated in January 2022 for ineffective leadership and poor performance," Agrawal said in an internal message sent to the staff.

10:34 AM

Pak to launch int'l appeal to help cope with flood crisis

The Pakistan government has decided to launch an international appeal to help cope with the disastrous flood situation in the country which was triggered by incessant rainfall since July and have claimed the lives of 830 people so far.

This decision was taken during an urgent briefing on the flood emergency in Pakistan by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday, reports Dawn news.

In addition to looking outward for assistance to mitigate the devastation caused by abnormal monsoon rainfall, Prime Minister Sheh­baz Sharif also appealed to the nation to extend help to the flood-stricken people as the government required hundreds of billions to rehabilitate the victims.

10:30 AM

Oppn MLAs protest outside Bihar Assembly, demand speaker to resign

Opposition MLAs gather outside Bihar Assembly and demand the resignation of Speaker VK Sinha. They say, "Conspiracy to scare us through raids won't work. It's a conspiracy to topple our government. Our proposal for No-Confidence Motion against Speaker should be considered and discussed"

10:22 AM

Himachal CM Thakur visits Thunag hit by rains and floods

Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur visited the Thunag area of his Assembly constituency in Mandi district and took stock of the damage caused by rains and floods. "In this difficult time, everyone should stay together. We will try to help as much as possible," says CM Thakur

10:21 AM

Another witness in 2008 Malegaon blast case turns hostile

Another witness in 2008 Malegaon blast case turns hostile before Special NIA Court, reports ANI. He was the landlord of accused Sudhakar Chaturvedi, briefly in 2006-07. He denied having given any statement to NIA. 

He is the 24th witness in this case who has turned hostile.

9:51 AM

PM Modi to visit Haryana & Punjab today, unveil two health initiatives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana and Punjab on Wednesday as he is slated to inaugurate and dedicate to the nation two important health initiatives.

Prime Minister will inaugurate Amrita Hospital at Faridabad in Haryana after which he will travel to Mohal and dedicate the 'Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre' to the nation at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District in Mohali at around 02:15 PM, read a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

The availability of modern medical infrastructure in the National Capital Region (NCR) will get a boost with the inauguration of Amrita Hospital at Faridabad.

9:49 AM

Ashok Gehlot is Sonia's choice to 'lead' Congress, say sources

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has emerged as the top choice for the Congress president's post. Sources have indicated that Sonia Gandhi has requested him to take over before she heads abroad for medical checkup and treatment.

Sources said that Sonia Gandhi had said this to Ashok Gehlot in a meeting. The Gehlot camp has not confirmed the development, but sources have confirmed that the Congress is looking beyond the Gandhis for the top post.

The Central Election Authority of the Congress is awaiting a nod from the party's working committee to announce the schedule for electing the next Congress President as the grand old party is still in search of a consensus candidate for the top post after refusal by Rahul Gandhi.

9:37 AM

Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan Bihar govt to face floor test today

The Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar will go for a floor test on August 24 to prove its majority in the state assembly. Nitish Kumar was sworn Chief Minister for a record eighth time on Wednesday after he resigned from the post a day earlier and quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

 

9:23 AM

Singapore to drop most indoor mask requirements next week

Singapore will do away with requirements to wear masks indoors starting Aug. 29, as the country sees its COVID-19 situation stabilise further, the health minister said on Wednesday.

 

For the first time in more than two years, people in the Southeast Asian city-state will no longer be required to wear masks indoors except on public transport and in high-risk settings like healthcare facilities.

 

The health ministry also updated rules for non-vaccinated travellers, dropping a 7-day quarantine requirement starting next week.

9:21 AM

Move to stifle any semblance of independent media: Cong on Adani's NDTV stake

With billionaire Gautam Adani launching a hostile takeover of NDTV, the Congress on Wednesday alleged that the bid by a company owned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "khaas dost (special friend)" is a brazen move to control and stifle any semblance of an independent media.

 

In a stunning move with the potential to change the media landscape, Adani launched a hostile takeover of NDTV, first with an indirect acquisition of a 29.18 per cent stake in the broadcaster followed by an offer to buy out a further 26 per cent controlling stake.