LIVE updates: Centre decides to hold test for govt jobs in 15 languages

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10:19 PM

Himachal rains: Death toll climbs to 71

At least 71 people have died in the past three days and 13 are still missing in Himachal Pradesh after devastating rains pounded the state, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu terming the work of rebuilding infrastructure a "mountain-like challenge". The death toll from landslides and flashfloods jumped on Wednesday as rescuers pulled out more bodies from the rubble of collapsed buildings, officials said.

 

10:19 PM

WTO rules against China retaliatory tariffs on US imports

World Trade Organization experts ruled Wednesday that tariffs imposed by China on billions' worth of US imports in retaliation for Washington's steel and aluminium tariffs violated international trade rules. A WTO panel set up to help resolve one of numerous disputes within the tit-for-tat trade war between the world's two biggest economies found that China's "additional duties measure is inconsistent" with various articles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

 

6:00 PM

Padma Shri & former ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai on Chandrayaan-3

"August 23 will definitely be the day for India to rejoice, when India made system lands on the Moon"

 

6:00 PM

Saudi Arabia oil exports hit 21-month low in June

Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports fell for a third straight month in June to their lowest since September 2021, data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) showed on Wednesday, with big Asian buyers favouring cheaper Russian oil. The kingdom's crude exports totalled 6.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in June, down about 1.8% from May's 6.93 million bpd.

 

2:48 PM

Tomatoes on 'vacation' as India battles food inflation, says Burger King

Burger King has scrapped tomatoes from its wraps and burgers in many Indian outlets after prices more than quadrupled, the latest symptom of surging food inflation that is hitting consumers hard across the world's most populous nation.

"Even tomatoes need a vacation ... we are unable to add tomatoes to our food," read notices pasted at two Burger King India outlets. The chain has cited quality issues in explaining the shortfall.

2:39 PM

AAP govt will establish coordination between departments and NCCSA: Atishi

Delhi minister Atishi on Wednesday said the AAP dispensation has decided to establish coordination among different departments of the government and the National Capital Civil Service Authority.

Citing a bill pending in Parliament to replace an ordinance on Delhi's services matters, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had deferred the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA) meeting scheduled for July 28. At that time, the panel secretary had said it would affect the city administration.

2:27 PM

M&M expects to produce 2 lakh EVs from upcoming Chakan plant by 2029: Veejay Nakra

Mahindra & Mahindra expects electric vehicle production at its upcoming plant in Chakan in Maharashtra to hit peak production mark of 2 lakh units per annum between 2027 and 2029, according to company President -Automotive Sector Veejay Nakra.

The company estimates that EVs would account for 30 per cent of the overall volumes by 2030.

2:03 PM

VHP disassociates itself from arrested cow vigilante Bittu Bajrangi

The Vishva Hindu Parishad on Wednesday disassociated itself from cow vigilante Bittu Bajrangi arrested in connection with the communal clashes in Haryana's Nuh district.

"Raj Kumar alias Bittu Bajrangi, who is said to be a Bajrang Dal worker, has never had any relation with Bajrang Dal. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) also does not consider the content of the video allegedly released by him to be appropriate," the right-wing outfit said in a statement.

1:11 PM

Vajpayee ji started new era of good governance says MP CM Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday paid tributes to BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary and said the former prime minister started a new era of good governance and his life was dedicated to the interest of the nation.

Vajpayee died in 2018 at the age of 93.

12:51 PM

BJP announces candidates for September 5 Tripura assembly bypolls

The BJP has announced its candidates for the September 5 bypolls to Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly constituencies in Tripura's Sepahijala district, a party leader said here on Wednesday.

The party nominated Taffajal Hussain for the Boxanagar assembly seat and Bindu Debnath for the Dhanpur segment, he said.

12:13 PM

HP rains: All schools, colleges to remain shut in state Wednesday, death toll climbs to 57

The death toll in the rain fury in Himachal Pradesh rose to 57 on Wednesday with the body of a woman being pulled out of the debris of a collapsed Shiv temple near Summer Hill here, officials said.

Heavy rains have battered Himachal Pradesh since Sunday, triggering landslides in Shimla's Summer Hill, Krishna Nagar and Fagli.

11:36 AM

Evacuations ordered as Northern California fire roars through forest

A wildfire pushed by gusty winds from a thunderstorm raced through national forest land near California's border with Oregon on Tuesday, prompting evacuations in the rural area.

The blaze in Siskiyou County, dubbed the Head Fire, was one of at least 15 fires most of them tiny that erupted in the Klamath National Forest as thunderstorms rolling through the area brought lightning and downdrafts that drove the flames through timber and rural lands.

11:14 AM

Excited to be in India, will be meeting PM Modi today: US congressman Rich McCormick

US Representative Congressman Rich McCormick, who is part of the American Congressional delegation visiting India, on Wednesday said that he is looking forward to his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

"I'm really excited about today, we're going to meet Prime Minister Modi and several other dignitaries and once again continue to advance the relationship between our two great countries", McCormick said in an exclusive interview with ANI.

10:47 AM

You had 10 years, what happened: Sibal's swipe at PM over his I-Day pitch against corruption

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Wednesday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks during the Independence Day speech, asking where were the "achche din" and what happened as he had almost 10 years to get rid of corruption.

In a post on X, Sibal said, "PM on August 15: You said: We have to get rid of corruption. But you had almost 10 years. What happened? Where are the 'Acchhe Din'. Forgotten? Inflation is imported. Our vegetables are not!"

10:39 AM

Five people dead as lorry crashes into auto-rickshaw in Telangana's Warangal

Five people died and two others were injured when a lorry, supposedly driven by a drunk man, hit an auto-rickshaw they were travelling in from the opposite direction in Warangal district of Telangana on Wednesday, police said.

The incident occurred near Yellanda village in Wardhannapet mandal of the district around 7.30 am, they said adding three people died on the spot. Two persons, among the four who were injured in the accident, were rushed to a hospital but died while undergoing treatment.