LIVE news updates: Covid virus jumped to humans at Wuhan mkt, find studies

Live news updates:The findings may quash the theory that the virus leaked from the lab at the infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology

12:08 PM

BJP begins preparing for 2024 Lok Sabha polls with 3-day meet in Chitrakoot

The BJP in Uttar Pradesh will now plunge into preparation mode for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

 

The party will be holding a three-day meeting for its functionaries in Chitrakoot between July 29-31.

 

As per party sources, the meeting is expected to be attended by party national chief

 

J.P. Nadda, national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh and P Murlidhar Rao, national convener of Swadeshi Jagran Manch - the economic and cultural arm of the RSS.

 

The event will also be attended by all union ministers from UP, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, his ministers and state BJP chief.

11:47 AM

5G spectrum: Fifth round of bidding underway, auctions may conclude today

After a better-than-expected response from players on the opening day, the 5G spectrum auctions entered the second day on Wednesday, with the fifth round of bidding currently underway.

 

Firms run by tycoons Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal and Gautam Adani as well as Vodafone Idea had put in bids of about Rs 1.45 lakh crore to buy fifth-generation (5G) airwaves on Tuesday.

 

11:37 AM

It is enough if ED, at time of arrest, discloses grounds of such arrest: SC on PMLA provisions.

It is enough if Enforcement Directorate, at time of arrest, discloses grounds of such arrest: SC on PMLA provisions.

11:37 AM

SC upholds validity of certain provisions of PMLA, says supply of ECIR in every case is not mandatory.

SC upholds validity of certain provisions of PMLA, says supply of Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in every case is not mandatory. 

 

11:30 AM

Singapore extends ex-Sri Lankan prez Rajapaksa's visit pass by 14 days: Report

The Singapore government has issued a new visa to ex-Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, extending his stay in the country by another 14 days till August 11, a media report said on Wednesday.

Rajapaksa arrived in Singapore on a private visit from the Maldives after fleeing his country.

Rajapaksa has been issued a new visa, extending his stay here till August 11. His visit pass has been extended by 14 days, The Straits Times reported.

11:15 AM

MVA experiment wasn't wrong, Shiv Sena will have its CM again: Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena president and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance experiment led by him was not wrong and people had welcomed it.

In the second part of his interview to Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', Thackeray said he wants not just local body polls due in Maharashtra, but also the Assembly elections and claimed the Sena will have its own CM once again for which he will tour the state to rejuvenate the party cadre.

The BJP is giving everything to those who have come from other parties - from the post of chief minister (Sena rebel Eknath Shinde) to leader of opposition (which is currently held by NCP's Ajit PAwar), said Thackeray, who turned 62 on Wednesday.

11:09 AM

Sonia Gandhi appears before ED for third round of questioning in money laundering case

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the third round of questioning in the money laundering case linked to the National Herald newspaper.

She reached the federal agency's office in central Delhi at 11 am accompanied by her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The 75-year old Gandhi has been questioned for over eight hours till now where she has faced close to 65-70 questions.

The questioning is expected to end Wednesday with the agency putting across a set of another 30-40 questions to Gandhi.

10:58 AM

Singapore extends ex-Sri Lankan prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa's visit pass by 14 days: Report

Singapore government extends ex-Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa's visit pass by 14 days, report

10:58 AM

IPL monopolising global cricket is a 'little bit dangerous', says Australia's Adam Gilchrist

With reports emerging that Australian batting stalwart David Warner could ditch the domestic Big Bash League (BBL) this season and head to more lucrative tournaments like the United Arab Emirates T20 league, legendary cricketer Adam Gilchrist has warned Cricket Australia (CA) to take cognizance of it before more players decide to follow suit.

A report in The Australian has suggested Warner, 35, wants to skip Big Bash League this season and has sought permission to play in the inaugural season of the UAE T20 League, whose dates are likely to clash with the BBL early next year.

Three IPL franchises -- Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals -- have made huge investments in the UAE T20 league and Warner's reported decision "is a blow to Cricket Australia's plans to have its Test stars available for BBL-12", said sen.com.au on Wednesday.

10:52 AM

All eyes on India ahead of the 44th Chess Olympiad

Chess Olympiad fever peaks here with Indian teams appearing primed for glory in the 44th edition of the prestigious event that starts from Thursday.

With powerhouses Russia and China missing, India will be fielding three teams each in the Open and women's sections respectively.

Though the five-time world champion and legendary Viswanathan Anand has chosen not to play and donned the mentor's hat this time, the Indian teams, nonetheless, wear a formidable look.

The Indian 'A' team, seeded second behind the star-studded USA is likely to be among the main challengers for the top prize along with Norway led by Carlsen and Azerbaijan.

The youthful India 'B' squad coached by R B Ramesh, is seeded 11th and can be counted among the dark horses.

10:48 AM

Sri Lanka's former president to extend stay in Singapore: Reports

Sri Lanka's former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will extend his stay in Singapore, as his short-term visit pass has been extended by another 14 days, local media reported.

Sri Lanka's cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said on Tuesday at a press conference in Colombo that Rajapaksa is expected to return to the country from Singapore, the Straits Times reported on Wednesday.

Rajapaksa arrived in Singapore from the Maldives on July 14, and he was issued a 14-day visit pass when he arrived at the Changi Airport. He initially stayed at a hotel in the city centre but is believed to have moved to a private residence, Xinhua news agency reported quoting The Straits Times.

10:47 AM

Neeraj Chopra expresses disappointment on being ruled out of CWG 2022

After being ruled out of the upcoming Commonwealth Games, star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra expressed disappointment about not being able to represent the country at the prestigious event at Birmingham.

Neeraj Chopra sustained a groin injury in the finals of the World Athletics Championships in Oregon on Sunday, where he clinched the silver medal, to end India's 19-year-long wait for a medal at the world championships.

"I'm extremely disappointed to inform you all that I will not be able to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. I had been feeling uncomfortable after the pull I felt in my groin during my fourth throw at the World Championships. On having it investigated medically yesterday by a group of doctors here in the US, a minor strain was discovered and I have been advised to undergo rehabilitation and give it rest for the next few weeks," Neeraj said in a tweet.

10:39 AM

Money laundering case:HC to deliver verdict on plea to suspend Delhi minister Satyendar Jain

The Delhi High Court is scheduled to pronounce on Wednesday its verdict on a plea seeking suspension of arrested Delhi minister Satyendar Jain from the cabinet.

Jain has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case.

The high court is also likely to give its judgement on an appeal challenging a single judge's order dismissing the plea seeking the agenda of the Supreme Court collegium's meeting on December 12, 2018, when certain decisions were purportedly taken on elevation of judges to the apex court, under the RTI.

10:39 AM

Hyderabad's Musi river in spate, two bridges shut

Two bridges across Musi river in Hyderabad were closed for traffic on Wednesday as flood water was overflowing them.

With the Musi in spate due to heavy inflows from upstream and discharge of flood water from twin reservoirs on the outskirts, traffic police closed Moosarambagh causeway and Chaderghat old bridge.

Traffic police erected barricades on both sides of the bridges, leading to huge traffic jam in Chaderghat, Malakpet, Moosarambagh and adjoining areas.

9:57 AM

India reports 18,313 fresh Coronavirus cases, 57 fatalities

With 18,313 fresh cases reported in a day, India's COVID-19 tally has climbed to 43,938,764, while the count of active cases of the infection has declined to 145,026, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday.

 

The death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 526,110 with 57 more fatalities, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am.

 

The active cases account for 0.34 per cent of the total caseload, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.47 per cent, the ministry said.

 

A decline of 2,486 cases was recorded in the active Covid caseload in a span of 24 hours, it added.

 

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.31 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.57 per cent, according to the data.