Top news headlines of the hour

Published : Aug 17, 2021, 9:26 AM IST

Updated : Aug 17, 2021, 1:42 PM IST

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13:40 August 17

1. Is Taliban trying to shed its misogynistic image?

Amid widespread apprehensions of repression of women and girls by the Taliban after assuming power in Afghanistan, it seems the fundamentalist outfit is trying to shed this image and allay such fears.

2. India brings back its Ambassador, officials from Kabul

India on Tuesday brought back home its Indian Ambassador in Kabul and staff in a heavy-lift military transport aircraft amid the deteriorating security situation in the warn-torn nation.

3. Indians stranded in Kabul Airport and Gurudwara seek Govt assistance

Several people from the Sikh and Hindu communities stranded in Kabul Airport and the Karte Parwan Gurdwara in Afghanistan have sought the assistance of the Indian government for their security and safe return.

4. ED issues fresh summons to Anil Deshmukh in money laundering case

The ED has issued fresh summons to former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh to appear before it on Wednesday in connection with a money laundering case probe against him and others, official sources said on Tuesday. The development comes a day after the Supreme Court refused interim protection to the 71-year-old NCP politician from any coercive action by the federal agency.

5. India beat England at lord's, Anushka Sharma says 'What a team!'

Actor Anushka Sharma on Monday night congratulated her husband Virat Kohli and the Indian cricket team led by him after they recorded a win on the final day of the India-England Test series at Lord's cricket ground on Monday. The Indian cricket team beat England by 151 runs on the final day of the Test.

12:57 August 17

1. Days after seizing power, Taliban announces general amnesty for govt officials

The Taliban on Tuesday announced 'general amnesty for govt officials and have urged officials to return to work. According to sources, a statement issued by the Taliban said, "A general amnesty has been declared for all... so you should start your routine life with full confidence".

2. Taliban tries to assure the world that it is business as normal after Kabul takeover

The Taliban's takover of Kabul and Afghanistan in general will not impact the work of foreign aid workers as well as foreign charitable institutions in the country. The assurance was given by the spokesperson for the Taliban Suhail Shaheen.

3. National level special force to protect judges not possible: Centre to SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on those states who have failed to file a counter in Suo moto cases pertaining to the protection and security of judges.

4. Was told to leave sports and focus on studies, but I took it as a challenge: Devendra Jhajharia tells PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with the Indian contingent headed for the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics, beginning August 24. In an effort to boost the confidence of the para-athletes, he wished them luck and asked them to go ahead and express themselves at the showpiece event.

5. Covid-19 vaccine: India looking at Rs 81k crore market opportunity

India's pharmaceutical sector is looking at an opportunity to the tune of USD 10 to 11 billion in the form of COVID-19 vaccine supply, in both domestic and export markets in the next three years, rating agency Care Ratings has said in a report.

11:54 August 17

1. Doval, US NSA held talks last evening to coordinate Indian officials' evacuation

Amid the efforts to coordinate the evacuation of Indian citizens from Afghanistan, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval spoke to his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in detail last evening.

2. Afghan students in India express concerns over Taliban take over

Several Afghanistan students studying in various universities pan India, under student exchange programmes have expressed shock over the recent developments in their country. They are worried about their families and have also sought the Indian government to extend their visas.

3. T20 WC: India to square off against Pak on Oct 24, match against NZ on Oct 31

India and Pakistan will be locking horns on October 24 in a group-stage encounter of the upcoming T20 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Tuesday.

4. Two specially abled cricketers from Kashmir selected for Indian team

The Board of Disabled Cricket Association has selected two players from Kashmir who will play against Bangladesh for team India. Specially abled Nayeem Ahmed Malla and Feroz Ahmed Ganaie will join the rest of the team in Hyderabad.

5. Situation in Afghanistan 'better' under Taliban than Ghani, says Russia

Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov on Monday said the situation in the Afghan capital of Kabul was better in the first day of control by the Taliban than it was under President Ashraf Ghani, local media reported.

10:52 August 17

1. India's envoy in Kabul, staff to be brought home immediately: Centre

The Centre on Tuesday said that the Indian Ambassador in Kabul and the Indian staff will be brought home immediately.

2. India records 25,166 fresh COVID-19 cases, 437 fatalities

A single-day rise of 25,166 COVID-19 cases and 437 fatalities pushes India's tally to 3,22,50,679, death toll to 4,32,079, as per the data updated at 8 am on Tuesday by the Union health ministry.

3. India announces new category of visa for Afghans

Taking cognizance of the current situation in Afghanistan, India has reviewed visa provisions and introduced a new category of electronic visa called "e-Emergency X-Misc Visa" with an aim to fast-track visa applications for entry into India.

4. Jaishankar arrives in New York, will discuss Afghan situation at UNSC

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who arrived here to chair two high-level signature events this week under India's current Security Council Presidency, has said that he expects to discuss the situation in Afghanistan during his engagements at the United Nations.

5. Mukhtar Ansari claims threat to his life in jail

Jailed Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Mukhtar Ansari has told a court that a contract of Rs 5 crore has been given for his killing inside the jail. According to his lawyer, Ansari claimed that unauthorised people entered the prison without making any entry in the register.

09:35 August 17

1. Over 120 Indian officials and others being brought back home: Centre

Indian Government has deployed an IAF C-17 aircraft to ferry over 120 stranded Indians from the war-torn nation of Afghanistan, following the Taliban take over. MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "In view of the prevailing circumstances, it has been decided that our Ambassador in Kabul and his Indian staff will move to India immediately."

2. Interior designer booked for 'molesting' actress in Mumbai

An interior designer has been booked by Mumbai's Oshiwara police after an actress complained that he had allegedly molested her.

3. US eases travel advisory for India

The US eased its travel advisory for India on Monday, lowering it to Level 2: Moderate. The new travel advisory of Level 2 which is considered as safe came in the wake of the significant improvement in the Covid situation in India.

4. Haiti quake death toll rises to 1,419, injured now at 6,000

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Haiti over the weekend has risen to 1,419, while the number of injured people has grown to 6,000, the Caribbean nation's Civil Protection Agency said on Monday.

5. Costs of the Afghanistan war, in lives and dollars

At just short of 20 years, the now-ending US combat mission in Afghanistan was America's longest war. Ordinary Americans tended to forget about it, and it received measurably less oversight from Congress than the Vietnam War did. But its death toll is in the many tens of thousands.

09:16 August 17

1. Biden defends US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan

US President Joe Biden said on Monday that he stands 'squarely behind his decision' to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan as he blamed the Afghan leadership for giving in to the Taliban without any fight. He described the images coming out of Afghanistan as 'gut-wrenching'.

2. 'Bum-Shami' Treat: India's pacers script 151-run win over England

India's world class pace attack pulled off an incredible heist with the bat and then a magnificent performance with the ball to decimate England by 151 runs in the second Test here on Monday.

3. MEA sets up Afghanistan cell to coordinate repatriation

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up an 'Afghanistan Cell' to coordinate repatriation and related matters in the backdrop of the Taliban seizing control of the country.

4. UNSC calls for establishment of new, united, inclusive and representative govt in Afghanistan

The UN Security Council on Monday called for the establishment through inclusive negotiations of a new, united, inclusive and representative government in Afghanistan with full women participation as it reaffirmed the need to ensure that the Taliban or any other Afghan group should not support terrorists operating on the territory of any other country.

5. Afghan crisis: Taliban working on future govt plan in Doha

The Taliban leaders are discussing future government plans in Doha after gaining control of Kabul and seizing the presidential palace in Afghanistan's capital, a media report said.