India News Updates: India, China agree to resume direct flight connectivity between Chinese mainland and India at earliest, says MEA

The Ministry of External Affais said India, China agree to re-opening of border trade through three designated trading points. Both countries agree to facilitate trade and investment flows through concrete measures. They agree to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas through friendly consultations. India, China agree to resume various dialogue mechanisms and exchanges to enhance cooperation and address each other's concerns, the MEA said. -- PTI

INDIA alliance Vice-Presidential candidate and former Supreme Court Judge B. Sudershan Reddy arrives at Delhi airport.

Congress MPs Syed Naseer Hussain, Mallu Ravi, and Pramod Tiwari received him at the airport. Speaking to the reporters, he said, "Thank you for projecting me as a candidate on behalf of INDIA Alliance. But for you, it would not have been possible...As a candidate, I would humbly request and appeal to all the Parliamentarians to support my candidature."

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Amar Patnaik on Tuesday accused the Election Commission (EC) of ignoring serious discrepancies in votes polled and counted during last year's Odisha elections, alleging its approach was "my way or the highway" and warning that it is ready to take to the streets.

Addressing a press conference shortly after meeting EC officials, Patnaik warned that since the poll body continues to brush aside concerns and ask parties to "go to court", the BJD will not confine itself to legal remedies and is prepared to take to the streets in protest.

Opposition announced that it will field ex-SC judge B Sudershan Reddy against NDA's CP Radhakrishnan for the post of Vice President, setting up a keen clash that could put alliance loyalties on both sides to the test. Read here

The Rouse Avenue court on Tuesday heard the arguments on behalf of former Bihar CM and RJD leader Rabri Devi. It was submitted that Rabri Devi purchased land and paid money for it.

"Buying land for money is not a crime. No favour was given to any accused. These transactions are not connected," it was argued. Her counsel said the CBI has to show that there was corruption.

The court will continue to hear the arguments on charge tomorrow, August 20. -- ANI

Delhi High court rejected the bail plea of businessman Arvind Dham. Dham is an accused in a money laundering case linked with a multi thousand crores bank fraud case. -- ANI

Teaching job aspirants staged a demonstration in Salt Lake on Tuesday, urging the state government to immediately start the recruitment process for vacancies in primary schools.

The demonstrators claimed that though they cleared the Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) 2022, the TMC government has failed to start the recruitment process, with nearly 50,000 primary teachers' posts lying vacant.

Rain accompanied with thunderstorms and lightning is likely in parts of the national capital in the next few hours on Tuesday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) informed.

Some areas in Delhi received rain in the afternoon, with no alert issued for the city, the weather department said. In its latest nowcast, the IMD said that moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is likely in areas, including Kashmiri Gate, Seelampur, Patel Nagar, Red Fort, Preet Vihar, Buddha Jayanti Park, President’s House, and Rajiv Chowk.

Rainfall and thunderstorms is also predicted to occur in ITO, Delhi Cantt, India Gate, Akshardham, Safdarjung, Lodi Road, Nehru Stadium, RK Puram, Defence Colony, Lajpat Nagar, Hauz Khas, Malviya Nagar, Kalkaji, and Tughlaqabad, in the next few hours.

The Cabinet has approved setting up new airport for Rs 1,507 crore at Kota-Bundi in Rajasthan, says Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Haryana News Live: Yamuna River water level rises in Panipat; reaches near danger mark

Yamuna River water level rises in Panipat; reaches near danger mark.

Maharashtra News Live: Fire breaks out at chemical company in Bhiwandi

Fire breaks out at a chemical company in Bhiwandi. Efforts are underway to douse the flames.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, "This vice-presidential contest is an ideological battle, and all the opposition parties agreed on this, and this is the reason we have nominated B Sudershan Reddy as the joint candidate..."

On Vice Presidential election, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says, "The people of our INDIA alliance have also decided something together, you will get information very soon."

Mumbai Rains Live: Marine Drive sees high tides amid heavy rainfall

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived at the Parliament Library Building for the meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party.

Several parts of Mumbai received more than 200 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, with Vikhroli in the eastern suburbs reporting the highest downpour at 255.5 mm, the the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday.

In the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday, the Santacruz observatory (representative of western suburbs) recorded 238.2 mm rainfall, while the Colaba observatory (in south Mumbai) logged 110.4 mm rain, it said.

Vikhroli reported the highest downpour at 255.5 mm, followed by Byculla at 241 mm, Juhu 221.5 mm and Bandra 211 mm, the IMD said.

According to sources, during the meeting between Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and EAM S Jaishankar, China promised to address three key concerns of India. Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured EAM that China is addressing India’s needs of fertilisers, rare earths and tunnel boring machines, ANI reported.

India News Live: Rescue operation underway at in flash flood-hit Chasoti village in J&K

• NDRF, SDRF, Police and local administration are engaged in a search and rescue operation in flash flood-hit Chasoti village in Kishtwar district.
• As per J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, 61 people have lost their lives in the incident.

Two people died after a private bus collided with a road divider. Five people were seriously injured in the accident and have been admitted to the Haveri District Hospital. A total of 36 people were on board the bus. The accident occurred near Motebennur village: Haveri police.

India News Live: Yamuna flows above danger mark in Delhi

• Yamuna River flows above the danger mark after all 18 gates of the Hathinikund Barrage in Haryana's Yamunanagar were opened two days ago.
• Visuals from Old Yamuna Bridge.

IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory. It stated, "With Mumbai drenched in heavy showers, several routes to the airport are witnessing waterlogging and sluggish traffic. This has, in turn, led to operational challenges, with delays in both departures and arrivals and we truly regret the inconvenience this may cause..."

Mumbai Rains Live: Schools, colleges closed as IMD issues red alert in Mumbai

• Mumbai witnessed very heavy rainfall and severe waterlogging for the third straight day on Monday, prompting authorities to issue a two-day red alert for the city and its suburbs.
• The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced that all schools and colleges will remain closed on Tuesday.