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12:29 PM

FTX Crypto Cup: Praggnanandhaa beats Nieman in 3rd round

Young Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa beat Hans Nieman 2.5-1.5 in the third round to notch up a third straight win in the FTX Crypto Cup, the American finale of Champions Chess Tour, here on Thursday.

The 17-year-old Indian is on top of the standings with nine match points along with world No.1 Magnus Carlsen, a 2.5-1.5 winner over Levon Aronian.

Praggnanandhaa bounced back brilliantly after losing the first game to secure victories in game two and four after a drawn second game to pick up three points.

12:11 PM

Child labour, caste-based discrimination, poverty closely interlinked in India: UN Special Rapporteur

Child labour, caste-based discrimination and poverty are closely inter-linked in India, according to a UN report which highlighted contemporary forms of slavery, including severe discrimination against Dalit women in South Asia due to which they are systematically denied choices and freedoms in all spheres of life.

Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Tomoya Obokata in his report on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, said that deep-rooted intersecting forms of discrimination, in combination with multiple other factors, are the main causes of contemporary forms of slavery affecting minorities.

They are often the result of historical legacies, such as slavery and colonisation, systems of inherited status, and formalised and State-sponsored discrimination, he said.

12:08 PM

Trump CFO's plea deal could make him a prosecution witness

Donald Trump's chief financial officer is expected to plead guilty to tax violations on Thursday in a deal that would require him to testify about illicit business practices at the former president's company, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

 

Allen Weisselberg is charged with taking more than USD 1.7 million in off-the-books compensation from the Trump Organization over several years, including untaxed perks like rent, car payments and school tuition.

 

The plea deal would require Weisselberg to speak in court on Thursday about the company's role in the alleged compensation arrangement and possibly serve as a witness when the Trump Organization goes on trial in October on related charges, the people said.

12:02 PM

Elon Musk's tweet sparks debate about parenting

Tech billionaire Elon Musk's tweet on parenting has sparked a new debate among his followers and fans.

 

On Twitter, Musk wrote about the importance of being a mother.

 

"Being a Mom is just as important as any career," Musk tweeted, which has garnered over 5 lakh likes and nearly 64,000 retweets.

 

Some users took his side, and many took a dig at him for not opting to compare fatherhood with work.

11:58 AM

I&B Ministry blocks 8 YouTube channels for spreading disinformation

I&B Ministry blocks 8 YouTube channels for spreading disinformation related to India's national security, foreign relations & public order. 

11:36 AM

Centre spent Rs 38 lakh on Trump's 36-hour State Visit in 2020: RTI

The Centre spent approximately Rs 38 lakh on the 36-hour State visit by former US President Donald Trump in 2020 in accommodation, meals, logistics etc, the External Affairs Ministry has told the Central Information Commission.

On his maiden visit to India, Trump accompanied by his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner and several top officials had visited Ahmedabad, Agra, and New Delhi on February 24-25, 2020.

He had spent three hours in Ahmedabad on February 24 during which he attended a 22-km-long roadshow, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram, and addressed a mega gathering "Namaste Trump" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the newly built Motera Cricket Stadium.

11:18 AM

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw asks telcos to gear up for 5G launch

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday asked telecom service providers to gear up for 5G launch, post the issuance of spectrum allocation letters.

In a first, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued spectrum assignment letters on the same day the successful bidders of radio waves made upfront payments.

"5G Update:Spectrum assignment letter issued. Requesting TSPs to prepare for 5G launch," Vaishnaw wrote on a social media platform.

11:17 AM

HAL to open office in Malaysia

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has signed an MoU for establishing an office in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).

The office in Malaysia will help HAL in tapping the new business opportunities for Fighter Lead-in Trainer (FLIT) LCA and other requirements of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) like Su-30 MKM and Hawk upgrades, the Bengaluru-headquartered company said in a statement on Thursday.

"It will reinforce commitment of India in supporting the Malaysian Defence Forces and industry for sustainable aerospace and defence landscape in Malaysia", it said.

10:24 AM

Afghanistan: Taliban condemn Kabul mosque blast

The Taliban on Wednesday condemned the explosion that took place at a mosque in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, which left 20 people dead.

The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a tweet that the perpetrators of "crimes" will soon be arrested and punished, Tolo News reported.

Earlier, on Wednesday evening, an explosion took place in the Khair Khana area of Kabul during evening prayers where 20 people were killed and another 40 were injured.

10:20 AM

Supporters of Maha CM Shinde, Uddhav gear up for show of strength in Dahi Handi festival in Thane

Thane, the home turf of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, will on Friday witness Dahi Handi events being organised by his faction as well as the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

Supporters of both the sides are busy making preparations to attract maximum crowds for the Dahi Handi, which is part of the Janmashtami festival where youngsters called Govindas, dressed in colourful attire, make human pyramid to reach an earthen pot containing buttermilk and hung mid-air, and break it.

This year, the supporters of Shinde are putting up a Dahi Handi at Tembhi Naka, while the rival camp of Thane MP Rajan Vichare is organising a similar event just about 200 metres away at Jambli Naka in Thane city.

10:15 AM

12,608 new COVID cases in India; 72 deaths

India saw a single day rise of 12,608 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 44,298,864, while the active cases declined to 101,343, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

The national death toll climbed to 527,206 with 72 fatalities, including 29 fatalities by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases comprised 0.23 per cent of the total infections, as the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.58 per cent, the health ministry said.

A decline of 3,715 cases was recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.48 per cent, and weekly at 4.20 per cent, according to the health ministry.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 43,670,315. The overall fatality rate to date stands at 1.19 per cent.

10:14 AM

Mizoram logs 153 new COVID-19 cases

Mizoram reported 153 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, 69 less than the previous day, with the tally rising to 2,35,682, a health official said.

The single-day positivity rate dipped to 18.19 per cent from 21 per cent on Wednesday as the fresh cases were detected from 809 sample tests, he said.

According to the official, the death toll remained at 717 as no new fatality due to the infection was reported in the last 24 hours, he said.

10:01 AM

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe interested in buying Manchester United

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe would be interested in buying Manchester United if the Premier League club was for sale.

Ratcliffe, who owns the chemical conglomerate Ineos and is a United fan, was unsuccessful in his bid to buy Chelsea in May and has now turned his attention to the Red Devils, the PA news agency understands.

The news comes after a report in Bloomberg said the Glazer family, who have owned the club since 2005, are contemplating selling a minority stake in the club.

9:51 AM

Odisha flood: Over 467,000 affected, govt prepares for fresh spell of rain

The Odisha government braces up for a fresh spell of heavy rain from Thursday as forecast by the meteorological department even as over 467,000 people in 12 districts have already been affected by the flood in the Mahanadi river system, an official said.

The Wednesday night was considered crucial for the Mahanadi delta region as the peak flood water was expected to pass through Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri and Khurda districts, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Jena said.

About 10 lakh cusec (cubic feet per second) of water would flow through the delta region which may inundate more villages, he said on Wednesday.

9:50 AM

Kerala CM extends greetings on Sree Krishna Jayanti

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday extended his greetings to people on the birthday of Lord Krishna and said may the occasion inspire everyone to fight against all kinds of evil.

 

Vijayan, in a Facebook post, said that devotees see Lord Krishna as a symbol of love and care and also against "adharmam." He further said that let the occasion of Sree Krishna Jayanti reinforce the message of spreading the light of love and happiness throughout the society.