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LIVE: Supreme Court has constituted an independent expert committee to probe Pegasus snooping allegations. Bombay HC will hear bail plea of Aryan Khan. Stay tuned for the latest news of the day

12:26 PM

Amarinder Singh lashes out at Sidhu

As far as Sidhu (Navjot Singh Sidhu) is concerned, wherever he fights from we will fight him: Captain Amarinder Singh

12:26 PM

Amarinder Singh on his new party

Yes, I will be forming a new party. The name will be announced once the Election Commission clears it, along with the symbol. My lawyers are working on it: Captain Amarinder Singh, in Chandigarh

 

11:35 AM

SC forms commitee to probe 'falsity, discover truth' in Pegasus row

Noting there is no clear stand of the Centre on the Pegasus spyware case, the Supreme Court on Wednesday formed a three-member committee to probe the "falsity and discover the truth" in the matter.

 

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana passed the order on a batch of pleas seeking an independent court-monitored probe into the alleged Pegasus spyware case.

 

Supreme Court said it has chosen renowned experts to be a part of the three-member Committee. The committee will be headed by RV Raveendran, former Supreme Court Judge and also comprise Alok Joshi and Sandeep Oberoi.

11:09 AM

Pegasus snooping allegations | Supreme Court says there has been no specific denial by Centre in the issue

Pegasus matter | Supreme Court says there has been no specific denial by Centre in the issue, thus we have no option but to accept the submissions of petitioner prima facie and we appoint an expert committee whose function will be overseen by the Supreme Court.

10:23 AM

India adds 13,451 new Covid-19 infections, active cases lowest in 242 days

India reported 13,451 new Covid-19 cases and 585 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative tally to 34,215,653, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.

 

Of the new infections reported in India in the last 24 hours, Kerala reported 7,163 new cases.

 

With this, the country's active caseload stands at 162,661, which is the lowest in 242 days.

10:22 AM

India reports 13,451 new Covid-19 cases and 585 deaths in last 24 hrs as per Health Ministry

Case tally: 3,42,15,653

Active cases: 1,62,661 (lowest in 242 days)

Total recoveries: 3,35,97,339

Death toll: 4,55,653

9:57 AM

Karnataka govt issues guidelines for international arrivals

Passengers arriving from countries in Europe including UK, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Zimbabwe would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India include post-arrival testing.

9:54 AM

Festival season in India fuels its return to world-beating growth

India showed more signs of a recovery taking hold last month as its consumption-driving festive season kicked off, keeping it on track to regain the title of the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

 

An array of indicators compiled by Bloomberg News pointed to a continuing rebound in demand in September, helping keep the needle on a dial measuring so-called animal spirits steady at 5 for a third straight month. Sentiment in the dominant services and manufacturing sectors was strong, thanks to a surge in new orders. Bank loan disbursals also grew as Asia’s third-largest economy slowly emerged from the shadows of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read on...

9:53 AM

At 3.30 PM today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the Army Commanders’ Conference

At 3.30 PM today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address the Army Commanders’ Conference.

9:08 AM

Tamil Nadu tragedy: Five killed in fire at a firecracker shop in Sankarapuram town of Kallakurichi district

9:04 AM

Lalu Prasad to campaign for RJD candidates today in Bihar bypolls

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad on Monday said that he will campaign in Munger and Darbhanga today for the upcoming assembly bypolls in the state.

 

"I will campaign in Tarapur in Munger and Kusheshwar Asthan in Darbhanga on October 27 for the upcoming bypolls in the state," Lalu Prasad told ANI.

 

The bypolls for Tarapur and Kusheshwar Asthan seats will be held on October 30. Read on...

8:53 AM

Pegasus row: SC to rule today pleas seeking independent probe

The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce verdict today on a batch of pleas seeking independent probe into the Pegasus snooping matter.

 

A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli had reserved order on September 13, saying it only wanted to know whether or not the Centre used the Pegasus spyware through illegal methods to allegedly snoop on citizens.

 

The apex court had observed orally that it would set up a technical expert committee to inquire into the matter and pass an interim order on the pleas seeking an independent probe into the grievances of the alleged surveillance of certain eminent Indians by hacking their phones using Israeli firm NSO's spyware, Pegasus. Read on...

8:52 AM

Speculation over Amarinder's next move, may launch party today

Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh may launch his new political party today, according to speculation triggered by the announcement of a press conference.

 

Singh had last week said he would soon launch his own party, and that he was hopeful of a seat arrangement with the BJP provided the ongoing farmers' stir against farm laws was resolved in their interest.

 

The development comes just months ahead of the Punjab assembly elections. Read on...

8:49 AM

Bombay HC will continue hearing on bail applications of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan

The Bombay High Court will today continue hearing on bail applications of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan and two other persons arrested by the NCB following alleged drug seizure from a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast on October 3.

 

Aryan (23), meanwhile, distanced himself from an allegation of extortion attempt against the NCB's zonal director Sameer Wankhede who had supervised the raid on the ship on October 2.

 

Aryan's lawyers Mukul Rohatgi and Satish Maneshinde argued before Justice N W Sambre that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had no evidence against him.