Highlights: Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia walks out of Tihar jail after 17 months

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5:33 PM

Japan Issued Its First ‘Megaquake’ Warning After Powerful Tremor

An earthquake off the coast of Japan’s southern island of Kyushu prompted the government to issue its first-ever warning for a megaquake from an undersea trough running along a swath of the country’s coast, Bloomberg reported.
 

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called off a planned trip to Central Asia out of an abundance of caution following the warning. Bullet trains were running at reduced speeds, national broadcaster NHK is running cautionary graphics and some semiconductor-related factories temporarily halted production. Some beaches in the affected regions have been closed off for the time being, according to local reports.

5:16 PM

Tata Chemicals plans to raise Rs 1,700 crore through NCDs

Tata Chemicals plans to raise Rs 1,700 crore through the issue of non-convertible debentures to investors on a private placement basis.

In a regulatory filing, the company informed that an internal committee, constituted by the board of directors, has, at its meeting held on Friday, finalised the terms of the issue of NCDs (non-convertible debentures).

The company proposes to issue 1,70,000 NCDs of face value Rs 1 lakh each, aggregating to Rs 1,700 crore, on a private placement basis to eligible investors.

The NCDs are proposed to be listed on the debt segment of the NSE.

4:53 PM

Mumbai hoarding collapse: No impairment in arrest, says HC; refuses relief to advertising firm director

The Bombay High Court today rejected a plea filed by advertising firm director Bhavesh Bhinde, arrested in the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse case, in which he had claimed the incident was an "act of God" and his arrest was illegal. A division bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande said it has not found any legal infirmity and no impairment in the procedure mandated while arresting a person.

 

4:42 PM

RSS urges central govt to ensure safety of Hindus, other minority communities in Bangladesh

RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale also urged the interim government of Bangladesh to immediately take strict action to stop such incidents and "make proper arrangements for the protection of life and property, and honour of victims".

4:38 PM

Delhi liquor policy case update: Court issues release order for AAP leader Manish Sisodia

 A Delhi court on Friday issued an order for the release of AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court earlier in the day in the excise policy cases lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Special Judge Kaveri Baweja accepted the bail bonds and surety bonds submitted by the advocates representing Sisodia.

4:19 PM

Can't put career of 2 lakh students in jeopardy at behest of five students, says Supreme Court

The top court today rejected a plea seeking postponement of the NEET-PG examination, scheduled for August 11, which claimed that candidates have been allocated cities that are highly inconvenient for them to reach. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said it can't put the careers of two lakh students in jeopardy for five students.

4:01 PM

Centre issues clarification on documents needed for citizenship under CAA

The Centre has expanded the ambit of the rules issued under the citizenship law CAA through which Indian nationality will be given to persecuted minorities coming from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan. The Union home ministry announced that "any document" issued by the central or state governments or quasi-judicial body in India proving that either of the parents, grandparents or great-grandparents is or had been a citizen of one of the three countries will be acceptable.

3:58 PM

Delhi liquor policy case update: Counsel for AAP leader Manish Sisodia furnishes bail bond before Delhi court

The Supreme Court granted bail to Sisodia today in the corruption and money laundering cases, registered by the CBI and the ED, respectively, on a personal bond of Rs 10 lakh with two sureties of the like amount.

 

3:11 PM

News update: Decision on Phogat's application for a shared silver medal to be issued before end of Olympics

Vinesh Phogat has appealed against her disqualification from the 50kg category Olympic finals in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

2:56 PM

News Update: SC partly stays circular of Mumbai college banning 'hijab, burqa, cap and naqab' inside campus

The top court said that students must have choice to wear what they want.  The court stated that its interim order on 'burqa, hijab' should not be misused, and grantedd liberty to the Mumbai college to approach court in case of misuse. 

2:41 PM

Pakistan more of 'nuisance', than strategic threat to India: Shaurya Doval

Pakistan is now more of a "nuisance" than a strategic threat as India has gained an edge over its neighbour, according to BJP leader and India Foundation founder Shaurya Doval. "We have passed various points in our relationship with Pakistan, and while they still present challenges, they no longer represent a serious threat...Pakistan poses nuisance value to us now but does not pose any strategic threat to us. So, that is one situation solved," he said.

2:30 PM

Disseminate message of Independence across India: Home Minister Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday asked people to actively disseminate the message of Independence across the country as part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. Shah said following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he has changed his profile picture to national flag on 'X', and appealed all to do the same.

2:29 PM

Bengal CM Mamata congratulates Muhammad Yunus for taking charge of Bangladesh's interim govt

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today congratulated Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on taking charge of the interim government in Bangladesh. "My sincere congratulations and best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus and those who have taken up their duties in Bangladesh. Hopefully, our relationship with them will improve further," Banerjee posted on X.

2:03 PM

Supreme Court to screen 'Laapataa Ladies' today

The Supreme Court will host a screening of the film Laapataa Ladies for the judges, their families, and registry officials. A notice from the court’s administration department indicates that actor and producer Aamir Khan, along with the film’s director Kiran Rao, will also attend the screening. Read here for more details.

2:01 PM

A triumph for democracy, defeat of injustice and dictatorship: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren on bail to Sisodia

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday described the Supreme Court verdict granting bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia as a "triumph for democracy" and "defeat of dictatorship and injustice". The top court granted bail to the AAP leader in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, noting that he has been in custody for 17 months. "It is a triumph for democracy and defeat of injustice and dictatorship," said Soren in a post on X.