The Odisha government on Saturday directed all state-run universities and non-government degree colleges to resume physical classes for first-year undergraduate students for both three and four-year courses from September 20. The decision was taken in view of improving the COVID-19 situation. Hostels shall be reopened from September 19 and all COVID-related protocols must be followed.

The Uttarakhand government on Saturday announced that schools for Classes 1 to 5 will reopen from September 21. While the classes will be held for only three hours a day, children will not be allowed to bring food to school. Moreover, the option for online education will also be available to students of these classes.

Kerala government on Saturday announced that schools in the state will reopen for Classes 1 to 7 and 10 and 12 from November 1, while for other classes it will resume on November 15. The decision was taken at a COVID-19 review meeting. Earlier, the state government announced that colleges and other higher education institutions will reopen from October 4.

Television personality and model Divya Agarwal was named the winner of the reality show Bigg Boss OTT, hosted by director Karan Johar. Along with the trophy, she also got ₹25 lakh cash prize. While Nishant Bhat was named the runner-up of the show, actress Shamita Shetty came third. Raqesh Bapat and Pratik Sehajpal were also among the top five contestants.

The Centre on Saturday highlighted the "emerging challenge" of Serotype-II dengue in 11 states namely, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, MP, UP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. The disease is linked to more cases and more complications than other types of dengue. It suggested steps like fever helplines, stocking test kits, medicines etc, to control the disease.

Fast bowler Shardul Thakur said that he is a "little disappointed" on not being named in India's T20 World Cup main squad. He added, "I've done well in both departments in white-ball cricket too over a period of last two years. Now I'm a part of the reserves for the World Cup, so I guess I have to be ready."

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez took to Twitter to share a picture of New Zealand team at airport before leaving Pakistan after abandoning the tour due to security threat. Hafeez wrote, "Thanks to the security of Pakistan forces to make arrangements for New Zealand to reach airport safe and sound. Wonder same route & same security but no threat today?"

Union Home Ministry on Friday passed an order to scale down the security cover of former Union Minister Babul Supriyo from Z category to Y category. From about six-seven commandos, he will be guarded by two armed personnel during travel. The decision was reportedly taken after a recommendation from intelligence agencies. Notably, Supriyo joined TMC after leaving BJP on Saturday.

After he resigned from the post of Punjab CM, Congress' Captain Amarinder Singh was asked if he would join BJP. "Not in talks with anyone, have just submitted my resignation," the 79-year-old replied. Singh also clarified he's not quitting politics and will continue to fight issues that are bad for Punjab. "I will remain active in Assembly polls," he declared.

The Centre on Saturday instructed states and Union Territories to ensure necessary precautions and enforcement of COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour ahead of the upcoming festival season. It has further asked them to monitor the COVID-19 case trajectories in each district on a daily basis to track any early warning signs and impose relevant restrictions.

Recent satellite images by Maxar show construction taking place in an area adjoining the uranium enrichment plant at North Korea's main Yongbyon nuclear complex, a sign that it's intent on boosting the production of bomb materials, experts said. The assessment comes after North Korea's first missile tests in six months amid long-dormant nuclear disarmament negotiations with US.

Kangana Ranaut took to Instagram on Saturday to share a picture of a "special letter" that she received from former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shanta Kumar for her recently released film 'Thalaivii'. "This kind of love and appreciation coming from one of the greatest politicians ever on a film based on a politician's life is my biggest...reward," she wrote.

Actor Rajat Bedi has said he tried his best to save the life of the man who died at a hospital after being hit by his car in Mumbai earlier this month. "Even though it wasn't my fault, I'm devastated," he added. "I'm...waiting for...police thing to get done, then I'll...look after...[his] daughters and make some FDs for them," said Rajat.

Xiamen city in China has told its residents to stay home and closed various venues in response to a COVID-19 outbreak. The announcement comes on the first of the four-day Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, a peak travel season across the country. Xiamen is one of the four cities in Fujian province that has reported a surge in COVID-19 cases recently.

NCP leader Nawab Malik on Saturday alleged that fewer COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in the last two weeks so as to set a record on PM Narendra Modi’s birthday. On Friday, India set a record by administering over 2.5 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses in one day. He further asked why couldn’t a similar target be achieved the next day.

Mentor Sachin Tendulkar joined Mumbai Indians' training session on Saturday ahead of the second leg of IPL 2021 in UAE. "I was excited to wear this in my room...two years later," said Tendulkar in a video shared by MI. Tendulkar, who was last seen in the camp during IPL 2019 final, didn't travel to UAE for IPL 2020.

Cryptocurrency hedge fund manager Stefan Qin, who lied about returns on his $90 million fund and took money from its accounts to fund personal expenses, has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison, the US Department of Justice said. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud after prosecutors said he ran the fund like a Ponzi scheme.

After the first death anniversary of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) founder and former Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, his son Chirag Paswan wrote to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, demanding a recommendation for his late father for Bharat Ratna. He also urged the state government to install his father's life-size statue and declare his birth anniversary as a state holiday.

Andhra Pradesh BJP unit condemned the YSRCP government for bringing a separate sub-plan for the welfare of the minorities across the state. BJP leader Vamaraju Satyamurthy said, "The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet approved a sub-plan for minorities. It is nothing but appeasement politics. We strongly feel it is against the spirit of the Constitution."

After returning from her two-day visit to Uttarakhand, BJP state co-incharge Locket Chatterjee on Saturday exuded confidence that the party will form the government again in the state. "Our target...is...over 60 seats...There has been a lot of development in Uttarakhand under the double-engine government here...Everyone from the Dev Bhoomi wants BJP government in Uttarakhand again," she added.

Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday said that "disrupting parliamentary proceedings amount to contempt of the House and it cannot be claimed as a privilege". "MPs have the right to protest against the perceived omissions and commissions of the government. But it should be done in a civil manner without rendering the legislature dysfunctional," he added.

Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits staged a protest demonstration in Jammu on Saturday against a delay in the payment of monthly relief. Officials said that they also protested as their attempt to block the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was thwarted by police. The protesters came out from the Jagti migrant camp and raised slogans in support of their demand.

A special CBI court on Saturday rejected the bail applications of the wife and daughters of Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor and remanded them in judicial custody in the DHFL case. Rana Kapoor, among others, is booked in the case on the charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption. A special CBI Judge SU Wadgaonkar rejected their bail applications.

Malaysia on Saturday said that Australia's plan to build nuclear-powered submarines under a new pact with the UK and the US could spark a nuclear arms race in the Indo-Pacific region. "Malaysia holds the principle of maintaining ASEAN as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN)," it added. The US will help Australia build eight submarines under the pact.

The Indonesian military on Saturday said that Indonesia's most wanted militant was killed during a raid by a joint team of military and police officers in a remote jungle. Ali Kalora had led the East Indonesia Mujahideen network, which had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS). Kalora's group has claimed responsibility for several killings of police officers and Christians.