Synopsis

Bihar polls in 3 phases from Oct 28; counting of votes on Nov 10: EC

Voting for Bihar assembly elections will be held in three phases on October 28, November 3 and November 7 in one of the biggest elections globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by counting of votes on November 10, the Election Commission announced on Friday. Announcing the poll schedule for the 243-member Bihar assembly, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said voting will begin as usual at 7 am but the period will be extended by one hour until 6 pm, except in the Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, so that COVID-19 patients can vote in the last hour of the day.

Legendary singer S P Balasubrahmanyam dies after fighting COVID-19

Chennai: Celebrated playback singer S P Balasubrahmanyam, who held sway over millions of fans with his golden voice for over five decades, died at hospital here where he was treated for COVID-19 since last month, the hospital said.

COVID-19 tally in India crosses 58-lakh mark

India's COVID-19 caseload zoomed past 58 lakh, while over 47 lakh people have recuperated from the disease, pushing the national recovery rate to 81.74 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated.

International

Despite Trump attacks, both parties vow orderly election

Washington: President Donald Trump''s refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses drew swift blowback Thursday from both parties in Congress, and lawmakers turned to unprecedented steps to ensure he can''t ignore the vote of the people.

Pence, Ivanka visit salon damaged by Minneapolis unrest

Vice President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump made an unannounced stop Thursday at a hair salon left in rubble by the violence that followed George Floyd''s death, part of a campaign visit aimed at driving home President Donald Trump''s law-and-order message in a key swing state.

UN panel says corruption hits the poor hardest

A U.N. panel says tax abuse, corruption and money laundering are draining hundreds of billions of dollars from governments that could help the world''s poor.

Protesters at Louisville church, several arrests

Several arrests have been made near a downtown Louisville church where people protesting a grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case had gathered.

Business

Sensex climbs nearly 400 points in early trade; Nifty above 10,900

Mumbai: Equity benchmark Sensex opened on a strong note and surged nearly 400 points in early trade as investor sentiments improved amid positive leads from Asian markets and overnight gains on the Wall Street.

US announces USD 150 million for H-1B One Workforce training programme

The US will invest USD 150 million in training for middle-to-high-skilled H-1B occupations in key sectors, including in information technology which employs tens of thousands of Indian professionals.

Amazon launches new version of echo devices in India

US technology firm Amazon on Thursday announced a new version of artificial intelligence-based Echo speakers in the price range of Rs 4,499 to Rs 9,999 a unit.

GMR to sell 51 per cent stake in Kakinada SEZ to Aurobindo Realty

GMR Infrastructure Ltd on Friday announced signing of definitive agreements for the sale of entire 51 per cent equity owned by its wholly owned subsidiary GMR SEZ and Port Holding Ltd (GSPHL) in Kakinada SEZ Ltd to Aurobindo Realty and Infrastructure Pvt Ltd.

Entertainment

Ryan Gosling collaborating with David Leitch on untitled stuntman drama

Los Angeles: Hollywood star Ryan Gosling is teaming up with "Hobbs & Shaw" director David Leitch for a stuntman action drama.

Sports

RCB skipper Kohli fined Rs 12 lakh for slow over-rate

Dubai: Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli has been fined Rs 12 lakh after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their Indian Premier League match against Kings XI Punjab here.

Kohli takes blame for dropping Rahul twice, says time to move on after heavy loss

Dubai: Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli took the blame for his team''s 97-run thrashing by Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League here.

GK Snapshot on 25 September 2020

1. World Maritime Day 2020 – September 24
2. PM Narendra Modi, Ayushmann Khurrana among 5 Indians Named in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020

3. EESL Appoints Rajat Sud as its New Managing Director; Succeeds S Gopal

4. Somalia’s President Appointed Mohamed Hussein Roble as New Prime Minister
 

5. Acer India Appoints Actor Sonu Sood as its Brand Ambassador

6. India-UK Water Partnership Forum held Virtually on Water Conservation

7. 4th WEF’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit held Virtually; Delhi may have 8 months of 32°C temp by 2100

8. Airports Authority of India Commenced Work on Airport Expansion Project in Maldives

9. Odisha’s Krushi Bhavan Wins 10th Annual AZ Awards 2020
10. Indigenously Developed Prithvi-II Missile Successfully Night Test Fired from Chandipur, Odisha

11. Suresh Angadi, MoS for Railways: 1st Central Minister to Die of COVID-19

12. Sub Lt. Kumudini Tyagi & Sub Lt. Riti Singh to Become the 1st Women Observers to Operate from Warships

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