Breaking News, August 26 | Highlights

Union Minister Pashupati Kumar Paras writes to Union HM Amit Shah alleging that he and LJP's Keshav Singh are being threatened over phone calls and SMS. The Minister also cites earlier incidents of attempts of attack & requests security for Singh & 'Z Plus' security for himself.

Four US Marines were among those killed in the explosions at Kabul airport, and three were wounded, the U.S. ambassador told staff, an official said

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says his group “strongly condemns” Thursday's attack and is paying close attention to security.

The attack was believed to be carried out by Afghanistan's Islamic State group affiliate, which is separate from and more radical than the Taliban.

"India achieves unprecedented milestone! 50% of the eligible population inoculated with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine," tweets Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

 An explosion has been reported near Kabul airport in Afghanistan, reports said on Thursday. 

According to latest inputs, the blast was heard around one of the gates, near Abbey Gate. 

READ MORE: BREAKING: Explosion near Kabul airport, several feared injured, say reports

Uttarakhand: A fire broke out at a shop in the market area in Chamoli. Three fire tenders rushed to the spot. No casualty reported so far. "Cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained," says Chamoli SP, Yashwant Chauhan.

Kerala reports 30,007 new COVID-19 cases, 18,997 recoveries and 162 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases are 1,81,209, Death toll are 20,134, Test positivity rate is 18.03%, 1,66,397 samples tested in the last 24 hours.

India’s aviation watchdog DGCA lifts ban on Boeing 737 Max jets. In 2019, India had grounded the 737 Max aircraft after two fatal accidents that were reported: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Central Government submits before Kerala HC that there is currently no provision for taking a third dose of COVID19 vaccine after receiving two doses

Reduction in the gap between two doses of COVISHIELD is being considered and it will be further discussed in NTAGI (National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India): Government Sources

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Ajay Kumar as Executive Director with effect from August 20, 2021.

Kerala has more than 1 lakh active cases. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh have 10,000 to 1 lakh active cases. Kerala contributes to 51%, Maharastra 16% & rest of the three states contribute to 4-5% of the cases in the country: Union Health Secy Rajesh Bhushan

46,000 new cases were reported in the country in the last 24 hours. 58% of these cases were reported from Kerala. Rest of the states are still showing a declining trend: Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan

Nina Singh was appointed as Additional Director General in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on a deputation basis from the date of joining the post and up to 31st July 2024 (date of her superannuation) or till further orders whichever is earlier: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

Union Home Secy, Health Secretary to hold a virtual meet today at 5 pm in view of rising COVID cases in Kerala & Maharashtra. Respective states' Chief Secretary & senior officers will be present to discuss prevailing situation and containment efforts in these two states.

AIADMK walks out from Assembly following disagreement over affiliation of a college in Villuppuram

"We set up Dr J Jayalalithaa University in Villuppuram. But they said the college will be affiliated to Annamalai University," says LoP Edappadi Palaniswami

President Ram Nath Kovind notifies names' recommendations of Collegium for elevation and appointment as judges of the Supreme Court. Notifications for 3/ 9 judges are out with names of Justices Abhay Oka, Vikram Nath, Jitendra Maheshwari appointed as SC judges.

Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti workers protest in Nagpur over high fuel prices. Several workers have been detained by police.

Visakhapatnam: Employees were evacuated after toxic chemical leakage from the boiler at Admiron Life Sciences Private Limited in Visakhapatnam. The technical team rushed to the spot and leakage was brought under control, no casualty: Police

Bihar: Temples reopen in Patna after the state allowed the reopening of religious places. Visuals from Mahavir Temple.

Visakhapatnam: Employees were evacuated after toxic chemical leakage from the boiler at Admiron Life Sciences Private Limited in Visakhapatnam. The technical team rushed to the spot and leakage was brought under control, no casualty, informs Police.

The President will visit many places and will also offer prayers to Ram Lalla: Uttar Pradesh minister Sidharth Nath Singh on President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to the state (Uttar Pradesh).

Union Ministry of Law and Justice appoints five persons as additional judges of the Calcutta High Court.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin introduced a bill in State Assembly to provide 7.5% reservation to students from government schools in professional courses.

Earthquake of magnitude 4.0 on the Richter scale occurred 106 km west-southwest of Jodhpur, Rajasthan at 1115 hours: National Center for Seismology.

Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar briefs all-party panel over the present situation in Afghanistan.

Himachal Pradesh: Chandigarh-Manali Highway (NH-3) blocked due to a landslide near Pandoh in Mandi district. Restoration work to begin soon, says Ashish Sharma, ASP, Mandi.

West Bengal: Missionaries of Charity, a congregation in Kolkata, commemorates the 111th birth anniversary of its founder Mother Teresa.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrives in Leh, Ladakh today. He will be inaugurating Parliamentary Outreach Programme for the Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the Union Territory on August 27.

Amritsar (Rural) Police recovered 16 kg heroin from Madhopur this morning. The drugs consignment was being brought in by an Amritsar resident from J&K: DGP Punjab Police.

Mizoram reported 794 new positive cases, and 1 death yesterday (on Wednesday). Active cases 7,082 and total recoveries 47,567.

'Sukran ki Ardas' is being performed at Gurudwara Digiana Ashram in Jammu after three 'Guru Granth Sahibs' were brought back from Afghanistan.

Indian Air Force flight with 24 Indian and 11 Nepalese evacuees from Kabul, Afghanistan is on its way to Delhi: Ministry of External Affairs.

Noida: 4 people arrested for their alleged involvement in a dacoity on Wednesday. FIR was lodged on basis of a complaint made by the company's HR manager, who claimed that a few persons barged into their office & decamped with valuable items: ADCP (Central Noida), Ankur Aggarwal.

Delhi  Health Minister Satyendar Jain inaugurated a Covid-19 Rapid Response Centre at the Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital on Wednesday.

Because of security threats outside the gates of Kabul airport, we are advising US citizens to avoid traveling to the airport & to avoid airport gates at this time unless you receive individual instructions from a US govt representative to do so: US Embassy in Kabul.