THE WEEK morning brief: J&K marks 1 month in lockdown, JioFiber launch, US Open semis

Here is all the news you need to know to start your day

KAshmir security AFP Paramilitary forces question a motorist at a roadblock in Srinagar | AFP

INDIA

J&K marks 1 month of end of special status

Thursday marks the completion of a month since the Narendra Modi government announced the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir. While the government has eased restrictions on communications and movement in some parts of the state, security remains stringent and daily life continues to be disrupted. High-profile political leaders, such as Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, remain under house arrest.

Chidambaram bail plea in SC

A two-member Supreme Court bench is expected to pronounce on Thursday its order on a plea by Congress veteran P. Chidambaram challenging the Delhi High Court's denial of anticipatory bail for him in a INX Media money-laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate. Chidambaram has been in CBI custody since August 21.

Rainfall warning for Mumbai

The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall for Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Nashik for Thursday. The state government has ordered that schools and junior colleges in Mumbai, Thane and the Konkan region be shut for Thursday. On Wednesday, road and rail movement were severely disrupted in several parts of Mumbai due to waterlogging; the rainfall also affected flight services.

Modi in Russia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold meetings on Thursday with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad at Vladivostok on the second day of his visit to Russia. Modi and the other leaders had arrived for the Eastern Economic Forum summit. Modi will leave for India later on Thursday.

BUSINESS

Reliance JioFiber launch today

Reliance will mark its foray into the broadband service business on Thursday with the launch of it JioFiber service. The optic fibre-based service offers customers free voice calls for life from landlines, speeds of up 1 Gigabit per second and subscription packages starting at Rs 700.

SPORTS

FIFA World Cup qualifiers

India will again look up to the talismanic Sunil Chhetri when they open their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier campaign against Oman in Guwahati on Thursday in coach Igor Stimac's biggest test so far.

Oman, along with Qatar, are the two favourites in the group.

Ashes 4th Test continues

Australia will begin the second day of the fourth Ashes Test against England at Manchester on 170 for 3. Steve Smith, who is batting on 60, will be looking to get his third century of the ongoing Ashes. The first day was severely curtailed by rain, with play possible for only 44 overs.

US Open women's semis today

Seven-time US Open champion Serena Williams will take on Czech Barbora Strycova in the first women's semifinal at the US Open on Thursday. Romanian Simona Halep will take on Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the second semifinal.