Synopsis

National

Parliament's monsoon session likely to be curtailed, may end by mid-next week

New Delhi: The ongoing monsoon session of Parliament is likely to be curtailed and may end by the middle of next week in view of the threat of the COVID-19 spread among parliamentarians, official sources said.

COVID-19: India's single-day recoveries exceed fresh cases as record 95,880 recuperate

New Delhi: India's single-day recovery outstripped the number of new infections as nearly 96,000 people recuperated from the novel coronavirus, even as the total caseload went past 53 lakh, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan not implemented in Bengal as state did not provide any info: FM

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan was not implemented in West Bengal as the state did not provide any data regarding migrant workers who returned to their native places during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Centre rejects study which claims India is world's largest emitter of anthropogenic sulphur dioxide

The Environment Ministry on Saturday rejected the findings of a study which claimed that India is the world''s largest emitter of anthropogenic sulphur dioxide (SO2) and informed the Rajya Sabha that 18 units for flue-gas desulphurization were installed in the country.

DNA sample report in Shopian case expected soon: DGP

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh on Saturday said the DNA sample report of three youths killed in an alleged fake encounter in Shopian district is expected soon and subsequent action will be taken accordingly.

Pak uses drone to weapons in J-K's Rajouri; 3 LeT terrorists arrested

Pakistan dropped weapons and some cash in Indian currency using a drone in Jammu and Kashmir''s Rajouri district, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Saturday said, announcing the arrest of three LeT terrorists who had picked up the consignment near the Line of Control.

Govt should engage with int'l media to build pressure on Pakistan: Demand in RS

A demand for the government escalating its engagements with the international media to build a global opinion against Pakistan for sponsoring cross-border terrorism and harbouring fugitives such as Dawood Ibrahim was made in the Rajya Sabha on Saturday.

"Expect directions from BJP high command on cabinet expansion by today or tomorrow": Yediyurappa

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said he expects directions from the BJP high command by "today or tomorrow" regarding the much awaited expansion of his cabinet.

International

Russia's Navalny says he's now more than 'technically alive'

Moscow: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said he is recovering his verbal and physical abilities at the German hospital where he is being treated for suspected nerve agent poisoning but that he at first felt despair over his condition.

Virus spurs USD 7 bn tech push for German schools

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for massive upgrades of school technology around the country.

Iran vows 'hit' on all involved in US killing of top general

The chief of Iran''s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened on Saturday to go after everyone who had a role in a top general''s January killing during a US drone strike in Iraq.

Trump shifts on Puerto Rico, releases aid as election nears

Washington: President Donald Trump announced the release Friday of USD 13 billion in assistance to repair years-old hurricane damage in Puerto Rico and pledged to restore its economy.

Firefighter dies battling blaze, another fire burns homes

The death of a firefighter on the lines of a wildfire east of Los Angeles was under investigation Friday as another blaze to the north burned homes in a small community on the edge of the Mojave Desert.

Thai protesters hold ambitious rally for democratic reforms

Protesters were gathering Saturday in Bangkok for the most ambitious rally so far in a pro-democracy campaign that has shaken up the government and Thailand''s conservative establishment.

Peru president survives impeachment vote amid virus turmoil

Peruvian President Mart n Vizcarra survived an impeachment vote Friday night after opposition lawmakers failed to garner enough support to oust the leader as the country copes with one of the world''s worst coronavirus outbreaks.

Homeland Security whistleblower not yet ready to testify

A whistleblower from the Department of Homeland Security who says he was pressured to suppress facts in intelligence reports says he won''t be able to testify before a House panel until the department gives him more access to relevant information, according to his lawyer.

Business

No decision to discontinue printing of Rs 2000 note: FinMin

New Delhi: The Finance Ministry informed the Lok Sabha that no decision has been taken to discontinue the printing of Rs 2,000 denomination currency notes.

India's external debt up nearly 3 pc to USD 559 bn at March-end

India''s total external debt increased by 2.8 per cent to USD 558.5 billion at the end of March mainly on account of a rise in commercial borrowings, according to a report released by the Finance Ministry.

US stocks fall as market decline extends for third week

New York (US): Wall Street capped another turbulent week of trading Friday with a broad slide in stocks that left the S&P 500 with its third-straight weekly loss.

Blackstone sells 23% stake in Essel Propack

American buyout major Blackstone on Friday sold 23 per cent stake in Essel Propack, one of the largest manufacturers of laminated tubes used mostly by FMCG and pharma companies, for a little over Rs 1,860 crore through open market transactions.

Indian among six indicted in Amazon bribery case in US

Six people, including an Indian national and an Indian-American, were indicted by a US grand jury on Friday with conspiring to pay over USD 100,000 in commercial bribes to employees and contractors of Amazon for unfair competitive advantage on its merchant platform.

210 NH projects delayed due to land acquisition issues, poor performance by developers: Govt

The government on Saturday said as many as 210 national highway projects are delayed due to various reasons such as poor performance by developers and problems in land acquisition besides regulatory hurdles.

Legal

#MeToo: Scribe seeks acquittal in Akbar's complaint, says freedom of speech intrinsic to democracy

New Delhi: Journalist Priya Ramani sought acquittal in a criminal defamation complaint filed against her by former Union minister M J Akbar, saying freedom of speech and expression is intrinsic to a democratic society.

Poultry farms cause pollution, can't be exempted from regulation: NGT

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to revisit the guidelines for classifying poultry farms as Green category industry and exempting their regulation under various laws.

Chopper scam: CBI files supplementary charge sheet against 15 accused

The CBI has filed a supplementary charge sheet against British National Christian Michel James and businessman Rajeev Saxena in the AgustaWestland chopper scam.

HC seeks details from Tripura govt on COVID-19 preparedness

The Tripura High Court on Friday sought more detail on the states'' preparedness and measures undertaken to fight the novel coronavirus.

Entertainment

Scarlett Johansson talks about passing on 'Black Widow' mantle to Florence Pugh

Los Angeles: Actor Scarlett Johansson says she do believe that her "Black Widow" co-star Florence Pugh could succeed her as the titular superhero and take the franchise forward.

Luca Zingaretti to star in Italian prison drama The King'

Acclaimed actor Luca Zingaretti has been signed on to play the lead role in Italian prison drama The King from European pay-TV operator Sky Italia. The 58-year-old Italian star is known for playing Salvo Montalbano in mystery series Inspector Montalbano , based on the character and novels created by Andrea Camilleri.

Harley Quinn' renewed for season 3 at HBO Max

Harley Quinn animated series has been renewed for a third season at Warner Bros-owned streaming platform HBO Max.

A trailblazer and maverick: Hollywood celebs pay homage to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a trailblazer and an unapologetic feminist for her years of work towards women''s rights, a wide array of film personalities from Hollywood paid their tributes to the US Supreme Court justice who died on Friday.

Sports

Looking to play good brand of cricket to make this season a memorable one: KL Rahul

Dubai: Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul said the side is motivated to making this IPL season a memorable one by playing a good brand of cricket.

AIFF to conduct three-day International Virtual Conference for coaches

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to organise an International Virtual Conference for coaches from September 28-30.

Burkina Faso striker Traore leaves Lyon for Aston Villa

Aston Villa has signed Burkina Faso forward Bertrand Traore from French top-flight club Lyon subject to international clearance, the Premier League club announced on Saturday.

Asian Champions League: Virus-hit Al-Hilal set to advance

Despite missing 10 players due to the coronavirus, Asian Champions League titleholder Al-Hilal is confident of advancing to the knockout stage on Sunday.

St. Louis Online chess: Harikrishna stuns Carlsen but later suffers four losses

Indian GrandP Harikrishna pulled off a stunning win over world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway but suffered four losses later in the day to slip to overall sixth place in the St Louis Rapid and Blitz online chess tournament.

Woods, Mickelson, defending champ Woodland miss US Open cut

Mamaroneck (US): Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are heading home, hot-footing it out of Winged Foot after missing the cut at the US Open.

Man City star Aguero out for up to 2 months, Guardiola says

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero could be out for up to two months as he recovers his fitness after surgery on his left knee injury, manager Pep Guardiola said.

GK Snapshot on 19 September 2020

1. 11th edition of World Bamboo Day observed on September 18, 2020

2. PM Modi inaugurates Kosi Rail Mega Bridge and 12 other Railway Projects in Bihar

3. Hardeep Singh Puri Inaugurated India’s first Terminal at Delhi Airport

4. Singapore topped 2nd Smart City Index 2020; 4 Indian Cities Rankings Dropped

5. Ajit Doval Attended 10th BRICS NSAs Meet virtually

6. United Nations Named Indian Teenager Udit Singhal to the 2020 Cohort of Young Leaders for SDGs

7. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Honoured 12 Faculties with First Ever AICTE Visvesvaraya Best Teachers Award 2020

8. Government forms Expert Committee under NCSC Rajesh Pant to probe reports of snooping by Chinese firm

9. President Accepts the Resignation of Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries; Narendra Singh Tomar is Assigned with Her Portfolio

10. Centre Sets up High-Level Committee Headed by Ajay Tirkey to Prepare Roadmap to Regularise Land Leasing in Agri Sector

11. FSSAI constitutes task force to look into guidelines for Vegan Foods

12. Scientists Discovered 1st Ever Planet, ‘WD 1856 b’ Orbiting a White Dwarf, ‘WD 1856+534’

13. “A Promised Land”: First Volume of Former US President Barack Obama’s Memoir

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