Coronavirus | Cases cross 13-lakh mark, daily deaths are over 750
With 48,962 COVID-19 positive cases and 757 deaths on Friday, for the third consecutive day cases and deaths in India crossed the 45,000 and 750 marks. Total cases stood at 13,36,874, with more that one lakh cases added in just the last two days. Data for Tripura was not available as this report went to press.
China yet to disengage from most LAC spots, says new report
China is yet to either fully disengage or dilute its extensive military build-up at most points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), according to a new assessment of satellite images by Stratfor, the United States-based intelligence platform.
Rajasthan political crisis | Why vote of confidence in Assembly needed if govt. enjoys majority, asks Kalraj Mishra
Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on Friday asked the Ashok Gehlot government why it wanted to call an Assembly session to secure a vote of confidence if it already has the majority.
Governors are not protecting rule of law: Sibal
In a sharp criticism of the Rajasthan High Court order that stayed the Rajasthan Assembly Speaker’s disqualification notice to dissident lawmakers of the party, and of Governor Kalraj Mishra refusing to act on the advice of the State government, former Law Minister and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Friday said the country is “witnessing a new definition of democracy”.
Bihar flood situation grim as river water levels rise
The flood situation northeastern Bihar turned grim on Friday after the water levels in several rivers rose dangerously and breached embankments at many places.
Shutdown in Kargil over jobs, discrimination
Ladakh’s Kargil district on Friday observed a shutdown in protest against “growing unemployment” and “discrimination” during recruitment for jobs. The call for a shutdown was issued by the All India Kargil Ladakh Students Union and was supported by the local political parties and religious bodies, besides the Panchayat Coordination Committee-Kargil.
Protect financial sector health: Rajan
With the corporate sector poised to suffer massive write-offs and bankruptcies due to the adverse economic effects of COVID-19 and prolonged lockdowns, the government ought to carefully consider the cost that the financial sector could bear as a result and still remain sound, said former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan.
Erdogan joins thousands to pray at Hagia Sophia
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday led the first Muslim prayers attended by thousands in Hagia Sophia since the controversial reconversion of the iconic Istanbul cathedral into a mosque.
PSG beats 10-man St Etienne to win French Cup
Paris St Germain's Neymar struck early to secure a 1-0 win over 10-man St Etienne as they claimed a record-extending 13th Coupe de France on Friday in a near empty stadium as French soccer came out of a four-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Broadcaster prompts earlier start to the IPL
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has advanced its schedule by a week to accommodate the broadcaster’s demand for reducing the number of double-headers — afternoon matches do not attract the same advertising rates that night games do.
