News Highlights: Zomato-backed Shiprocket enters unicorn club with Rs 259-crore fundraise

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Apple targets September 7 for iPhone 14 launch

The new iPhones will kick off a busy fall product season, which will also include multiple new Macs, low-end and high-end iPads, and three Apple Watch models.

Experts warn of spike in Swine flu cases in Delhi

With Delhi witnessing an increase in swine flu cases, they have also advised people to follow the mask mandate and adhere to social distancing norms.

DoT gets Rs 17,876 crore from telecom operators as upfront payment for 5G spectrum

While all telecom operators have opted to make payments in 20 annual instalments, Bharti Airtel has paid Rs 8,312.4 crore equivalent to four annual instalments. Reliance Jio has made payment of Rs 7,864.78 crore, Vodafone Idea Rs 1,679.98 crore and Adani Data Networks Rs 18.94 crore.

FSIB recommends Mohammad Mustafa as NABARD Chairman

Mustafa, a 1995 batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, served as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Small Industries Development Bank of India.

MahaRERA order to allow developers to cut over 2% amount from buyers in booking cancellation

In July, MahaRERA had issued an order prescribing the number of days and amount that can be deducted in case of cancellation of a booking. According to this, no amount could be deducted for cancellation within 15 days of booking, 1 percent of the cost of the said unit between 16 days to 30 days, 1.5 percent between 31 days to 60 days and 2 percent for cancellation over 61 day.

CUET 4th phase: Technical glitches continue, exam cancelled at their centres

Students from centres including Guru Hargobind Institute of Management and Information Technology in Delhi, Asia Pacific Institute in Jasola (Delhi) AIS Assessment Zone, Aakash International Senior Secondary School in Delhi's Nangloi and Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies in Pitampura, claimed they were asked to go back citing technical glitches and server problems.

BS Yediyurappa appointed to top BJP panel ahead of K'taka polls, will focus on other south states

The appointment seemed like it had in some way brought back the glory that the state BJP strongman enjoyed during his heydays in power, along with the rare smile on his face, as many party leaders, legislators and ministers, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai made a beeline to his residence to congratulate and greet him.

COVID Update:

-9,062 fresh cases, 36 more deaths countrywide

-Delhi sees nearly two-fold rise in hospitalisations in fortnight

-18 new cases in Ladakh

-Odisha logs 280 new cases, two fresh fatalities

-43 fresh cases in ArunachalPradesh

-Three new cases in the Andamans

-Assam logs 202 fresh cases and Mizoram logs 222 cases

Protests against CAA resume in Assam as AASU hits the streets

Protests by members of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), a part of the North East Students' Organisation (NESO), were held in all the district headquarters of the state amid heavy security arrangements.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return to Sri Lanka on August 24

Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return to Sri Lanka on August 24, his cousin Udayanga Weeratunga said on Wednesday, over a month after the former president fled the country amid mass anti-government protests over an unprecedented economic crisis. Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million people, is grappling with its worst economic turmoil in seven decades, leaving millions struggling to buy food, medicine, fuel and other essentials. The massive protests that began in March culminated with Rajapaksa's resignation.

SC asks Centre to take pro-active role in facilitating holding of U-17 Women's World Cup Football

The top court deferred till the August 22 hearing on the AIFF matter after the Centre said it is in discussion with the International Football Federation (FIFA) over the holding of the U-17 Women's world cup in India. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, AS Bopanna, and JB Paridwala said, "We would impress upon the Union of India to take a pro-active role in the matter so that the holding of the Under-17 World Cup and the lifting of the suspension of AIFF, in order to achieve that object, is duly facilitated".

WPI inflation dips to five-month low in July

India's inflation based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) declined to 13.93 percent in July, recording a five-month low, as per data released by the commerce ministry on August 16. The WPI inflation was 15.18 percent in June, down from an over three-decade high of 16.63 percent in May. In July 2021, WPI inflation stood at 11.57 percent. Read More

Maharashtra government announces free travel by ST buses for people above 75

"As we are celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Maharashtra government has taken this decision", Shinde said. The cabinet also decided to offer a Rs 10 lakh insurance protection to `Govinda' troops which form human pyramids during Gokulashtami festival.

Swiggy appoints Rohit Kapoor as CEO of its food delivery business

With over 20 years of industry experience, Kapoor has held various leadership positions in sales and finance roles in leading companies such as Max India Limited and Mckinsey & Company. Prior to joining Swiggy, he worked for close to four years in OYO, first as the CEO of the company’s India and Southeast Asia operations and subsequently as the global CMO.

DGCA advises airlines to strictly comply with COVID-19 Protocols inside the Aircraft as cases are on the rise

Airlines have to ensure that passengers are wearing face masks properly throughout the journey and proper sensitization of the passengers through various platforms should be ensured.Strict action will be taken by airlines against the passenger in case of non-compliance.

India supplies nearly 60% of vaccines used worldwide: Nirmala Sitaraman

Launching the book 'India's Vaccine Growth Story' by Sajjan Singh Yadav, Additional Secretary, Expenditure Department, Sitharaman said it is in the country's DNA to be able to contribute to world vaccination. "Over the decades India has made remarkable contribution. Nearly 60 per cent of all the vaccines which are used in the world are produced in India. India has singular contribution to make to the world in terms of vaccination and that which is being produced and supplied to the entire world," Sitharaman said.

NASA's moon rocket moved to launch pad for 1st test flight

The 322-foot (98-meter) rocket emerged from its mammoth hangar late Tuesday night, drawing crowds of Kennedy Space Center workers. It took nearly 10 hours for the rocket to make the four-mile trip to the pad, pulling up at sunrise.NASA is aiming for an Aug. 29 liftoff for the lunar test flight.

Zomato-backed Shiprocket enters unicorn club with Rs 259-crore fundraise

In 2021, Shiprocket raised $185 million in a Series E round co-led by Zomato and Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek.Shiprocket acquired textile manufacturer Arvind’s SaaS business Omuni in a Rs 200-crore cash-and-stock deal last month.

Around 25 lakh new voters likely to be enrolled in J&K: Chief Electoral Officer

The massive exercise to complete the process in time is going on to ensure that all the eligible voters including those who have attained the age of 18 years on October 1, 2022 or earlier are enrolled to provide an "error-free" final list, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer Hirdesh Kumar said.

Amid spike in Covid cases, Delhi sees nearly two-fold rise in hospitalisations in fortnight

Of the 9,405 available beds for coronavirus patients in Delhi, 307 (3.26 per cent) were occupied on August 1. The occupancy rate was 3.75 per cent on August 2 and four per cent the day after. It kept on rising on most days thereafter and stood at 6.24 per cent on August 16.

Devendra Fadnavis appointed Leader of House in Maharashtra Legislative Council

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been appointed the Leader of the House in the state Legislative Council, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Wednesday. Shinde made the announcement as he introduced newly-inducted members of his Cabinet to the Upper House on the first day of the monsoon session of the state legislature. Read more.

Special Forces troops of the Indian Army & US Army take part in the ongoing joint exercise "Vajra Prahar" at SFTS, Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh | Congress expels party leaders Pawan Kajal and Lakhvinder Rana from party membership for six years for "anti-party" activities

ITBP Bus Accident

The last rites of ITBP Constable Sandeep Kumar, who lost his life in the Pahalgam bus accident yesterday, are being conducted in Jammu.

Calcutta HC Division bench grants conditional interim bail of 3 months to suspended Jharkhand Congress MLAs

Calcutta HC Division bench grants conditional interim bail of 3 months to suspended Jharkhand Congress MLAs who were nabbed with huge amounts of cash; they can't leave the city, Rs 1 lakh bond to be furnished & they have to appear once a week before the investigating officer.

Former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa thanks Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa thanks Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for giving him the opportunity to serve on BJP Parliamentary Board & Central Election Committee.

UK | 10 fire engines & around 70 firefighters are tackling a fire under the railway arches on Union Street in Southwark

A railway arch containing a number of vehicles is completely alight. The cause of the fire is not known at this time: London Fire Brigade

SC stays proceeding before Jharkhand HC on PIL filed against CM Hemant Soren for alleged money laundering via shell companies

Supreme Court reserves order on plea filed by Jharkhand govt & CM challenging HC's order which accepted PIL's maintainability seeking probe against Soren

Update | MHA has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in Delhi

- With respect to news reports in certain sections of media regarding Rohingya illegal foreigners, it is clarified that Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in Delhi: MHA

- Illegal foreigners are to be kept in Detention Centre till their deportation as per law. The Government of Delhi has not declared the present location as a Detention Centre. They have been directed to do the same immediately: MHA

- Govt of Delhi proposed to shift the Rohingyas to a new location. MHA has directed the GNCTD to ensure that the Rohingya illegal foreigners will continue at the present location as MHA has already taken up the matter of their deportation with the concerned country through MEA: MHA

Cabinet decision | India information minister: Cabinet allows patent applicants access to traditional knowledge digital library

Cabinet decision

Cabinet approves enhancement in corpus of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme for increasing the limit of admissible guarantees; Hospitality and related sectors to get a boost.

Cabinet decision | Enhancing credit flow in agriculture sector 

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Cabinet decision | Enhancing credit flow in agriculture sector

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Cabinet meeting update 

Cabinet approves Interest subvention of 1.5% per annum on Short Term Agriculture Loan upto Rupees Three lakh; decision to ensure adequate credit flow in agriculture sector. (1/3)

Cabinet meeting update | Cabinet approves expansion of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme

India information minister: Cabinet approves expansion of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme by Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 5 lakh crore.

Additional funds available for travel, tourism, hospitality sectors.

Cabinet meeting |

Delhi | Himachal Pradesh Congress MLAs Pawan Kumar Kajal and Lakhvinder Singh Rana join BJP in the presence of CM Jairam Thakur

Kerala | Malayalam month of Chingam begins today

In Kerala, the first day of Chingam is celebrated as 'farmers day'. Visuals from Kottayam where former CM Oommen Chandy felicitated and awarded farmers on the occasion.

Two interstate gangs of auto lifters busted by Anti-Auto Theft Squad team of Central district

In the bust, 6 accused including 5 auto lifters & a receiver were arrested. Many of them are notorious criminals. 13 luxury cars, a pistol, tools to break into car recovered: Delhi Police

Vishwa Hindu Parishad urges GOI to send Rohingya refugees back

The Hindu Refugees from Pakistan continue to live in abysmal sub-human conditions in the Majnu-ka-Tila area of Delhi making the bounty proposed to be conferred on the Rohingyas makes it more deplorable, saidAlok Kumar, Central working president, Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

He added, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad urges the Government of India to reconsider this issue and instead of providing the Rohingyas with housing, make arrangements to send them back and out of India.

CCPA penalises Flipkart for selling sub-standard Pressure Cookers to consumers; to pay penalty of ₹1 Lakh

Flipkart directed to recall 598 pressure cookers that do not follow Quality Control Orders and reimburse the consumers.

Jungle Raj has begun in Bihar: Union Minister RK Singh

I am from Bihar & I am shameful of what's happening. Jungle Raj has begun. The law minister himself is an absconder, that too in a kidnapping case. He is the right hand of Anant Singh, who is a don. Does CM not know? Kartikeya Singh should be sacked: Union Minister RK Singh

Bengaluru | Alleged unhygienic practices followed at a Dominos outlet 

FSSAI issues spot memo to Food Business Operators seeking explanation regarding "unhygienic food handling practices of outlet reported in the complaint."

Improvement notice also issued based on inspection observations to be complied with within 15 days. Further necessary action to be taken by the Designated Officer (State Licensing), Bangalore Urban District, as per the provisions under the FSS Act upon receipt of explanation.

New additions to BJP Parliamentary Board - BS Yediyurappa, Sarbananda Sonowal, K Laxman

- The Board, headed by the party's national president JP Nadda, will also have PM Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

- MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari out of the BJP's Parliamentary Board.

AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal launches 'Make India No.1' mission

We have to make India the number 1 nation in the world once again. We have to make India great again. We are beginning a national mission called 'Make India No.1' today. Every citizen of this country, 130 cr people have to be connected to this mission: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami pays his last respects to Lance Naik Chandrashekhar 

-Mortal remains of Lance Naik Chandrashekhar, recovered after 38 years from Siachen glacier brought to his home in Haldwani, Uttarakhand
-Lance Naik Chandrashekhar's mortal remains were recovered after 38 years from the Siachen glacier
-The jawan had gone missing in an Avalanche on May 29, 1984, during operation Meghdoot

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi

Opposition demands dismissal of Bihar law minister Kartikeya Singh over alleged outstanding arrest warrant

CM Nitish Kumar addresses Bihar law minister Kartikeya Singh's alleged outstanding arrest warrant, says "I do not know, I have no information about this"

RJD leader, Bihar law minister Kartikeya Singh said "All MLAs & ministers submit affidavit, there is nothing like that in it", reacting to demands for his dismissal over alleged outstanding arrest warrant by the Opposition

TRS MLA K Kavitha comments on PM Modi statement over 'Parivaarvaad'

"Biggest issue of country is poverty, unemployment&communalism. Only when political system tries to eradicate these, can India prosper. People will come out of being misled, real issues need to be focused upon" TRS MLA K Kavitha