Row over FB report, BJP vs AAP and more: A round-up of the top stories on August 18, 2020

A brief look at all the news you need to start the day with during the time of social distancing. Follow live updates on COVID-19 here.

Delhi BJP slams AAP over Shaheen Bagh comments

The blamegame between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi came up a day after several Muslims from Shaheen Bagh, a centre of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, joined the BJP on Sunday. Read More

1 killed, 4 injured in chemical factory blast in Maharshtra

The police, fire brigade and other agencies are investigating the detailed causes of the NOCPL plant blast which shook many homes in the vicinity, according to local eyewitnesses. Read More

Karnataka to slap UAPA, Goonda Act on Bengaluru violence accused

The Karnataka government has also decided to assess the damages caused to public and private property in the violent incidents in KG Halli and DG Halli, and recover the costs from the culprits. Read More

FIR against Facebook’s Ankhi Das for ‘inciting communal animosity’

The FIR, filed by Chattisgarh-based journalist Awesh Tiwari, comes on the same day as Ankhi Das’ own FIR with Delhi Police alleging threats to her life and online harassment. Read More

US health officials flags accuracy issue with widely used coronavirus test

Lab tests are the backbone of US screening for coronavirus, accounting for more than half of the roughly 750,000 tests developed daily. The tests look for traces of coronavirus' genetic material in nasal swabs taken from patients. Read More

Rakesh Asthana appointed Director General of Border Security Force

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal to appoint the Gujarat-cadre officer as the BSF chief till 31 July, 2021, when he is slated to retire. Read More

Pakistan PM says it will be ‘terrible atmosphere’ to play bilateral cricket with India

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral Test series since 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks though Pakistan did undertake a short tour to India in the winter of 2012 to play white ball cricket. Read More

Lebanese customs chief arrested over Beirut blast that killed at least 180 people

The investigation is focused on why nearly 3,000 tons of explosive ammonium nitrate was being stored at the city's port. The ignition of the stockpile caused an explosion that tore through the capital, killing at least 180 people and wounding 6,000. Read More

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw tests positive for coronavirus

"I have added to the covid count by testing positive. Mild symptoms and I hope it stays that way," the 67-year-old biotechnology industry veteran said in a tweet. Read More

Blackout across Sri Lanka after power failure, probe announced

The country’s public utility regulator has said a probe into the failure has been called and gave the state-run electricity monopoly, the Ceylon Electricity Board, three days to explain the massive disruption. Read More

Virus clusters linked to parties, packed clubs erupt in US universities

Outbreaks earlier this summer at fraternities in Washington state, California and Mississippi provided a glimpse of the challenges school officials face in keeping the virus from spreading on campuses where young people eat, live, study and party in close quarters. Read More