Latest news today (September 7): Presenting FE’s Breaking News today. We will keep you updated on all major news, views and much more throughout the day.

China gov’t employee iPhone ban aims to curb Apple’s market access – US lawmaker

A wider ban on China state employees from using Apple’s iPhones is unsurprising and seeks to limiting a Western company’s market access, the chair of the U.S. House panel on China told Reuters on Thursday. “This is textbook Chinese Communist Party behavior—promote PRC (People’s Republic of China) national champions in telecommunications, and slowly squeeze western companies’ market access,” U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher, a Republican, said in an emailed statement. (REUTERS)

Kashmir valley set to host its first-ever auto-cross event

The Kashmir valley will be hosting its first ever auto-cross motorsports event on September 22, 2023. It will be a collaboration between J&K Motorsport Federation (JKMSF) and the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India (FMSCI). The event will take place on the outskirts of the state in Nowgam track stretched to 2 kilometers.

More than 800 people rescued from floodwaters in Greece after severe rainstorms

Greece has been challenged with heavy rainfall for the past two days, the fire department successfully rescued around 800 people from floodwaters. In addition to Greece, nearby Bulgaria and Turkey were also affected by the rainstorms, which resulted in 14 fatalities throughout the three nations, including three in Greece.

Heavy rains lash Odisha, IMD forecasts more downpour on Friday

Many parts of Orisha received heavy rainfall which affected common people’s daily routine. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said The heavy rain is due to activation of the south-west monsoon and a cyclonic circulation and more such precipitation is forecast for one more day.

Three-hour instrumental music performance at dinner hosted by President for G20 leaders

On September 9, the President of India will host an event where leaders of the G20 meeting will be treated to first-of-their-kind instrumental music performances demonstrating the depth of Bharat. For three hours, 78 instrumentalists from throughout the nation will perform in unison in front of foreign guests as part of the dinner program the President is hosting at “Bharat Mandapana” in honor of the G20 leaders.

Kremlin decries US plan to give seized Russian money to Ukraine

A US plan to send Ukraine funds seized from Russian business people targeted by sanctions is illegal and any such actions will be contested, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on a visit to Kyiv on Wednesday that Washington was transferring to Ukraine $5.4 million in “assets seized from sanctioned Russian oligarchs, which will now be used to support Ukrainian military veterans”. (Reuters)

Russian officials say five drones shot down, including one targeting capital

Five drones were shot down over three Russian regions overnight, with one targeting the capital, reports said. There were reports of no casualties. Meanwhile, Russia launched a fourth day of air attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Izmail, located on the Danube river. Oleh Kiper, regional Governor of Odesa, said infrastructure was damaged in the attack, including grain silos, and one person was injured.

India records 71 fresh COVID-19 cases, active cases stand at 494

India saw a single-day rise of 71 fresh COVID-19 cases while the active cases have been recorded at 494, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll has been recorded at 5,32,024, the data updated at 8 am stated. The country’s infection tally stands at 4.49 crore (4,49,97,537).

Ola Electric raises $140 mn before IPO

Singapore’s investment firm Temasek led a $140 million funding round in Ola Electric at a valuation of $5.4 billion, two sources with the direct knowledge said, the latest funding for the e-scooter maker before its initial public offering. The investment round has been closed and Ola will be receiving the funds within a week’s time, though there will be another round of fund raising before it files papers for an up to $1 billion IPO planned for late 2023, said the first source. (Reuters)

Rahul Gandhi arrives in Brussels for week-long Europe tour

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is on a week-long Europe tour, reached Brussels. According to the Congress party, Gandhi, during his Europe visit, will meet the Indian Diaspora and European Union (EU) lawyers from European nations.

China’s exports and imports fall in August as weak global demand keeps its economy under pressure

China’s exports and imports both fell in August from a year earlier, reflecting tepid global demand that is adding to pressures on its slowing economy. Customs data released on Thursday showed exports for August slumped 8.8 per cent to USD 284.87 billion in the fourth straight month of decline. Imports slid 7.3 per cent to USD 216.51 billion. (AP)

Aditya L1 sends selfie from space

Aditya L1, ISRO’s solar mission, has just sent a selfie and a stunning pic of Moon and Earth, the space agency said on X.

Curfew relaxed in 5 valley districts of Manipur

A day after curfew was clamped in all the five valley districts of Manipur, authorities announced curfew relaxation timing to facilitate the general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food. An official order issued on Wednesday said curfew has been relaxed from 5 am to 6 pm for Imphal East, Imphal West and Kakching districts on Thursday. Curfew relaxation in Thoubal district is from 5 am to 8 pm. Curfew relaxation for Bishnupur district is from 5 am to 11 am, it said. More than 40 people, mostly women, were injured after security forces fired several rounds of teargas shells to disperse thousands of protesters who tried to breach security barricades at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district on Wednesday. (PTI)

Russia shoots down more Ukrainian drones

Ukrainian drones were downed near Moscow, the southern Rostov region and the Bryansk region in the southwest in the early hours of Thursday, the RIA news agency cited Russian authorities as saying. According to another news agency, TASS, three buildings were damaged in the city of Rostov-on-Don and one person was injured when one of the drones crashed in the downtown area. The other drone in the Rostov region fell outside the city. In Bryansk, debris from one of the two destroyed drones shattered windows in a railway station building and damaged cars nearby, the Interfax news agency reported. (Reuters)

US wants G20 to help reshape multilateral development banks like IMF and World Bank

The US wants the G20 countries to help reshape and scale up multilateral development banks like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, a top White House official has said. White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communication John Kirby said the US will make it clear during President Joe Biden’s visit to India that it remains committed to the G20 as a critical forum for all the major economies of the world to come together for global problem-solving. President Biden will arrive in New Delhi on Friday to participate in the G20 Summit.

PM Modi arrives in Indonesia to attend East Asia, ASEAN-Indian summits

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Indonesia to attend the 18th East Asia Summit and 20th ASEAN-Indian Summit in the early hours of Thursday. The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Jakarta International Airport. PM Modi was received by I. Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Protection.

Delhi Police to ensure round-the-clock security arrangements during G20 summit

The Delhi Police authorities have geared up to ensure round-the-clock security arrangements in the national capital during the G20 summit scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10. “At Shahdra 10 pickets are in place. Forces from outside have come here. Our security is present round the clock. Foot march and patrolling is happening regularly. We are closing all market areas timely,” Shahdra DCP Incharge Harsh Indora said while speaking to ANI.

A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake shakes northern Chile

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake shook northern Chile but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was registered at 20:48 local time (00:48 GMT), and its epicenter was 41 kilometers (25 miles) south-southwest of Coquimbo, Chile. The quake had a depth of 41 kilometers (25 miles).