LIVE: Adani Group decides not to go-ahead with FPO, money to be returned

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10:48 PM

Not morally correct to go ahead with FPO, says Adani

FPO called off after being fully subscribed considering market volatility. Company aims to protect investors' interest.

 

9:38 PM

FM Nirmala Sitharaman likely to address RBI board on Feb 11, highlight key points of Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to address the Reserve Bank of India's central board on February 11 and highlight key points of the Union Budget, including the fiscal consolidation roadmap and high capital expenditure plan.

 

The post-budget meeting has been scheduled for February 11 where Sitharaman would be addressing the board members and talk about announcements made in the Budget 2023-24 to perk up growth in view of geopolitical tension and tightening interest environment by central banks across the world, the PTI reported.

9:14 PM

India lists Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as UN-listed terrorist

9:14 PM

India lists Pakistan-based terrorist Abdul Rehman Makki as UN-listed terrorist

7:51 PM

Police busts LeT module in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri, arrests 3 including kingpin

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday claimed to have busted a module of terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, tasked with carrying out blasts in crowded places and to target security vehicles, with the arrest of three people.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rajouri, Haseeb Mughal said the module was busted after an investigation was launched following the recovery of sophisticated improvised explosive devices (IEDs), having pressure and timer mechanisms, in the district.

"The IEDs were smuggled from across the border to set off explosions at crowded public places and target security vehicles and camps. The arrest of the trio, including the kingpin, prevented nefarious designs of the terror handlers (from being executed)," Mughal told reporters in Rajouri, PTI reported.

7:33 PM

Delhi min temperature at 8.6 degrees Celsius, AQI in 'moderate' category

Chilly winds swept the national capital and kept the mercury down on Wednesday. The national capital recorded a high of 21.6 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average. The humidity level oscillated between 53 per cent and 100 per cent.

 

Delhi witnessed windy morning with the minimum temperature settling at 8.6 degrees Celsius — a normal for this time of the year.

 

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor SAFAR, the air quality will remain 'moderate' or the 'lower end of poor' for the next two days.

7:11 PM

2 polish nationals killed in massive snow avalanche in Kashmir's Gulmarg

Two polish nationals lost their lives to a massive avalanche that hit the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir's ski resort Gulmarg on Wednesday. 21 skiers trapped by the avalanche were rescued from the slopes.

 

Snow avalanches are frequent in higher reaches of Kashmir during the months of January and February, especially after fresh snowfall. Kashmir received heavy snowfall on January 29 and 30.

 

6:40 PM

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren announces compensation of Rs 4 lakhs for Dhanbad fire victims' family

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday, announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakhs for the family members of those who died in the Dhanbad fire incident that killed 14 people.

"The state government has directed to give a compensation amount of Rs 4 lakh rupees to the family members of the people who died in Dhanbad's Ashirwad apartment and other accidents in the past. Instructions have also been given to the district administration to provide proper treatment and other facilities to the people injured in the accident," Soren tweeted.

 

6:10 PM

WhatsApp bans over 3.6 million 'bad' accounts in India in December

Meta-owned WhatsApp on Wednesday said it banned over 36 lakh malicious accounts in India in the month of December 2022 in compliance with the new IT Rules 2021, which are being amended to put more responsibilities on social media platforms.

 

The messaging platform, which has more than 400 million users in the country, received 1,607 complaint reports in December in the country, and the records 'actioned' were 166.

5:46 PM

Delhi Mayor election to be held on February 6

Election for Delhi Mayor, which has been postponed twice already, will be held on February 6.

3:53 PM

Two foreign nationals dead in avalanche in J-K's Gulmarg, reports ANI

2:53 PM

Budget 'anti-people', 'opportunistic', says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Terming the Union Budget "anti-people", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said it will deprive the poor.

 

Addressing a government function at Bolpur in Birbhum district, she claimed that the changes in the income tax slabs will not help anyone.

2:48 PM

Budget 2023-24 has vision for 'New India', says UP CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the Union Budget 2023-24 has a vision for 'New India'.

 

"The budget talks about the vision for New India, the country's prosperity and aims to serve 130 crore Indians," he said in a series of tweets in Hindi.

 

2:47 PM

Budget 2023-24 has vision for 'New India': UP CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the Union Budget 2023-24 has a vision for 'New India'.

 

"The budget talks about the vision for New India, the country's prosperity and aims to serve 130 crore Indians," he said in a series of tweets in Hindi.

 

2:23 PM

Massive avalanche hits hits Gulmarg skiing resort; several people trapped

Massive avalanche hits hits Gulmarg skiing resort in Jammu and Kashmir; several people trapped

2:19 PM

TV, mobile to be cheaper; Gold, cigarette, imported cars to be dearer

Mobile phones and TV sets manufactured in India would become cheaper with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing cuts in Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on import of their components but smokers would have to pay more as the government has increased taxes.

2:16 PM

Govt has taken steps for betterment of urban and rural women working as domestic help: PM

Govt has taken steps for betterment of urban and rural women working as domestic help, says PM Modi

2:02 PM

Security of nation can neither be outsourced nor be dependent on largesse of others: Army chief General Pande

Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande on Wednesday said no country is willing to share the latest, "state-of-the-art" technologies and it implies that security of the nation can neither be outsourced nor be dependent on the largesse of others.

 

He was speaking at the foundation day of the Army Institute of Technology in Maharashtra's Pune city.

 

1:52 PM

Govt doubles deposit limit for Senior Citizen Savings Scheme to Rs 30 lakh

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday proposed to double the deposit limit for Senior Citizen Savings Scheme to Rs 30 lakh and Monthly Income Account Scheme to Rs 9 lakh.

 

In her Budget Speech, the minister also announced a new small savings scheme for women.

1:46 PM

India's electricity consumption grows nearly 13% to 126.16 billion units in Jan

India's power consumption logged a double-digit year-on-year growth of nearly 13 per cent to 126.16 billion units in January 2023, according to government data.

 

The robust growth of power consumption indicates sustained momentum of economic activities in January.

1:31 PM

Not just a budget but a gazette of country's inclusive development, says Abbas Naqvi

Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday hailed the Union budget, saying it has beaten the global economic slowdown and the "Bharat bashing brigade's propaganda".

 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the last full Budget of the second term of the BJP-led NDA government.

1:19 PM

Bajaj Auto total vehicle sales fall to 2,85,995 units in January

Bajaj Auto Ltd total vehicle sales fell 21 per cent at 2,85,995 units in January.

 

The company's vehicle sales stood at 3,63,443 units in the year-ago period.

1:11 PM

India logs 111 Covid infections in a day, active cases increase to 1,783

India's Covid-19 tally rose by 111 in a day while active cases have increased to 1,783, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

 

The death toll stands at 5,30,740 while the tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.46 crore, the data updated at 8 am stated.

12:59 PM

Jharkhand HC takes cognizance of Dhanbad fire accident, matter to be heard on Feb 2

After 14 people lost their lives in a tragic fire accident in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, the High Court has now taken cognizance of the matter and the matter will be heard tomorrow, reports ANI

12:55 PM

K'taka CM thanks PM Modi for announcing Rs 5,300 cr funds for Upper Bhadra project

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing Rs 5,300 crore funds for the Upper Bhadra project of the state in the Union Budget 2023.

 

CM Bommai said that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has given priority for the drought prone regions of the state in the 2023-24 Budget. "The Central government has announced Rs 5,300 crore for one of the major projects of the state," he said.

12:52 PM

66% hike in Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana outlay to Rs 79,000 crore

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced a 66 per cent hike in the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (PMAY) outlay to Rs 79,000 crore.

 

Presenting the Union Budget 2023-24, she said states and cities will be encouraged to take up urban planning.

12:45 PM

Myanmar resistance steadfast against army rule 2 years later

The prospects for peace in Myanmar, much less a return to democracy, seem dimmer than ever two years after the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, experts say.

 

On Wednesday, legions of opponents of military rule heeded a call by protest organisers to stay home in what they call a silent strike to show their strength and solidarity.

 

12:06 PM

Highest-ever capital outlay of Rs 2.40 trillion for railways in budget

The capital outlay for the railways has been increased to the highest-ever Rs 2.40 lakh crore in the Union Budget for 2023-24, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday.

 

Presenting the budget in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the outlay for the railways is nine times the amount provided in 2013-2014.

11:58 AM

India's G-20 presidency unique opportunity to strengthen its role in world economic order: Sitharaman

India's ongoing presidency of the G-20 grouping is a unique opportunity to strengthen the country's role in the world economic order when countries across the globe are facing various challenges, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday.

 

Presenting the Budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said India is steering an ambitious people-centric agenda to address global challenges and to facilitate sustainable economic development.

11:48 AM

Top Indian-American politician Nikki Haley planning to launch 2024 White House bid on Feb. 15

Prominent Indian-American Republican Party leader Nikki Haley is poised to launch her 2024 White House bid on February 15 -- positioning herself to be the first challenger to former US president Donald Trump.

 

Haley, 51, is the two-term Governor of South Carolina and the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.

 

When she enters the race, Haley will be the first contender to join the contest against her former boss, who is currently the sole Republican seeking his party's 2024 nomination.