News updates: 8 killed by exploding pagers across the country, says Lebanon's health minister

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9:20 AM

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge greets PM Modi on birthday

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday on Tuesday and wished good health and a long life for him.

Prime Minister Modi turned 74 on Tuesday. "Best wishes to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji on his birthday. May he be blessed with good health and long life," Kharge said in a post on X. PM Modi will be on a day-long visit to Odisha where he will launch the state's newly-formed BJP government's social welfare scheme for women, 'Subhadra Yojana', and unveil a host of infrastructure projects. 

9:19 AM

China, Russia concerned about India-US relationship: Richard Verma

China and Russia are concerned about the strengthening India-US relationship because it promotes inclusivity, peace, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, along with valuing diverse voices in society, a top US diplomat said Monday. "Frankly, why do you think China and Russia are so concerned about this partnership? Because we bring a way of life to the rest of the world, that is about inclusivity, about peace, about the peaceful resolution of disputes, about the rule of law, and it's about hearing everyone's voice in a society," Richard Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources said at the prestigious Hudson Institute,

9:17 AM

Factory explosion in Firozabad kills 4, including 3-yr-old; 6 hospitalised

Four persons, including a three-year-old girl and a woman, were killed in a sudden explosion at a firecracker godown-cum-factory in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district, police said on Tuesday. Six persons were injured in the incident, which took place in the factory located in the Naushera area under Shikohabad police station limits on Monday night, a senior police official said.

8:54 AM

Supreme Court to resume hearing Kolkata rape-murder case today

The Supreme Court is scheduled to resume its suo motu hearing over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor inside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the city on August 9. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which which took over the case from Kolkata Police as per the Calcutta High Court's instructions, is set to present a confidential progress report to the top court