LIVE: India celebrates openness; come, be a partner, Modi tells investors

LIVE updates: The virtual summit has seen a high-level presence from Indian and US government policymakers. Stay tuned for latest news of the day.

1:51 PM

Latest News LIVE: China says US orders it to close its consulate in Houston

China says the US has ordered it to close its Houston consulate in what it called a provocation that violates international law. There was no immediate confirmation or explanation from the US side. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Wednesday that the US had abruptly demanded the previous day that the consulate cease all operations.

 

He said that China strong condemns the such an outrageous and unjustified move that will sabotage China-US relations.

1:40 PM

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appreciates IAF's proactive response in bolstering operational capabilities over past few months

1:20 PM

Jyotiraditya Scindia greets Digvijaya Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, before taking oath as Rajya Sabha member

1:18 PM

Beijing says United States ordered it to close Chinese consulate in Houston: AFP News Agency

1:16 PM

Those behind journalist Vikram Joshi's murder must be given strict punishment, says Arvind Kejriwal

1:09 PM

SC seeks detailed response from Prashant Bhushan on contempt matter over his tweets

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a notice to senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan asking him to file a detailed response on a suo moto criminal contempt matter against him over his alleged tweets.

 

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra also asked Twitter India to file its response in the case and fixed the matter for further hearing on August 5. The apex court also asked the Attorney General to assist the court in the case.

 

Senior lawyer Sajjan Poovayya, appearing for Twitter India, submitted that Twitter Inc is the correct party and added that it has been incorrectly impleaded in the case. "We can disable the tweet after a court order," Poovayya said.

1:01 PM

Congress won't be scared by 'raid raj': Surjewala

The Centre has created a 'raid raj' but the Congress won't be scared, the party's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Wednesday after the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the home of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's brother.

 

The Congress leader also reacted to the killing of a journalist in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and said there was ''gunda raj'' and ''jungle raj'' in the state.

 

"It is clear there is no law and order in Uttar Pradesh. Becoming a journalist in Uttar Pradesh has become a sin," he said.

1:00 PM

Inter-state gang of drug smugglers busted in UP, 6 held

With the arrest of six people, police here have busted an inter-state gang of narcotics smugglers, a senior officer said on Wednesday.

 

On a tip off, four vehicles were intercepted by a police team in Mahokhar village on Tuesday and during checking 32.75 kg ganja (cannabis) was recovered from them, Superintendent of Police, City, Alok Mishra said.

 

He said six people were arrested and the vehicles were seized.

12:53 PM

Coronavirus in India: Five states with most active cases

Maharashtra (132,538)

Tamil Nadu (51,347)

Karnataka (44,146)

Andhra Pradesh (32,336)

Uttar Pradesh (20,204)

12:46 PM

US business groups file lawsuit, seek to overturn Trump's work visa order

US business groups representing multiple industries filed a lawsuit on Tuesday (local time) against the Trump administration over newly issued limits on work visas.

 

The US Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Retail Federation, and others challenge federal restrictions on businesses' ability to meet their workforce needs through lawful immigration.

 

US Chamber CEO Thomas J Donohue said in a statement, "Our lawsuit seeks to overturn these sweeping and unlawful immigration restrictions that are an unequivocal 'not welcome' sign to the engineers, executives, IT experts, doctors, nurses, and other critical workers who help drive the American economy. Left in place, these restrictions will push investment abroad, inhibit economic growth, and reduce job creation."

12:44 PM

Contempt proceedings: SC issues notices to activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan, AG

The Supreme Court Wednesday issued notices to Attorney General K K Venugopal and advocate Prashant Bhushan on the contempt proceedings it has initiated against the activist-lawyer for his alleged derogatory tweets against the judiciary.

 

The apex court directed that Twitter INC be made a party, instead of Twitter India, to the contempt proceedings it has initiated suo motu (on its own) and asked the US-based firm to file a response in the matter.

 

A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra was told by Twitter's counsel that if the top court directs, then they would disable the alleged contemptuous tweets of Bhushan.

12:43 PM

Indians across the world should be allowed to contribute to Ayodhya Temple: Bhandari

A prominent Indian-American activist in the US has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow members of the Indian diaspora to contribute to the development of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

 

Prem Bhandari, a community activist and also the head of Jaipur Foot USA, said that there are nearly 32 million Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin around the world and many of them would like to contribute to the development of the temple.

 

Bhandari appealed to Prime Minister Modi to ensure a system that enables those interested from the Indian diaspora to contribute any amount they deem fit from $10 to $100.

 

He added that all the money collected from the diaspora should go directly to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust.

12:34 PM

Alaska earthquake: Tsunami warning after enormous 7.8 magnitude tremor strikes off coast

A tsunami warning has been issued after an enormous earthquake 7.8 magnitude hit Alaska, the United States Geological Survey said.

 

The earthquake was at a depth of 10 km (six miles), the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences added.

 

If it is not downgraded, it could be the strongest earthquake this year.

 

Frightening noises can be heard in dramatic video footage posted online from Kodiak, Alaska.

 

The warning is in effect for South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.

 

An alert said the level of tsunami danger is also being evaluated for other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America.

 

"Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300km of the earthquake epicentre," the warning reads.

12:25 PM

Seven Afghan security forces killed in Taliban attack in Kandahar

At least seven Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban attack in the southern province of Kandahar, police chief Tadin Khan confirmed on Wednesday.

 

The clashes started in Takhta Pul district of the province on Tuesday when the Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints, kiling seven security force members, Tolo news reported.

12:22 PM

7.4 magnitude quake in Alaska; tsunami warning issued