LIVE: Union Cabinet approves policy on long-term leasing of Railways' land

300 cargo terminals will be developed in 5 years, says Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Union Cabinet decisions

4:01 PM

Rahul Gandhi visits Vivekananda Memorial in Kanyakumari ahead of Bharat Jodo Yatra

3:42 PM

Union Cabinet has approved the launch of a new scheme for setting up PM-SHRI schools: Pradhan

3:41 PM

Union Cabinet approves policy on long-term leasing of Railways' Land

3:01 PM

Former RBI governor suggests 10-year road map for privatisation of all public sector banks

Former RBI governor D Subbarao has suggested that the government should come up with a 10-year road map for privatisation of all Public Sector Banks (PSBs) as it would provide much needed predictability to stakeholders.

Subbarao further said that the big bang approach to privatisation of state-owned banks is not desirable but at the same time the issue should not be put on the back burner.

"Ideally, we should have a road map, maybe over a 10 year timeframe, to privatise all PSBs.

"That will give much needed predictability to all stakeholders," he told PTI.

2:58 PM

UAE healthcare provider appoints Shah Rukh Khan as brand ambassador

Burjeel Holdings, a leading private healthcare services provider in the MENA region and one of the largest in the UAE, has partnered with superstar Shah Rukh Khan as its new brand ambassador.

The partnership between the actor and Burjeel Holdings, owned by UAE-based Indian entrepreneur Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, was confirmed during a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi earlier this week.

Khan, 56, will appear in a region-wide, multi-platform advertising campaign for the healthcare group that will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

The partnership with Burjeel Holdings marks the first healthcare ambassador role for the actor, who is set to return to the big screen with the 2023 release "Pathaan". Burjeel Holdings operates 39 hospitals and medical centres across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.

2:46 PM

AAP releases third list of 10 candidates for Gujarat Assembly polls

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday released its third list of 10 candidates for the Gujarat Assembly elections due later this year.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP had earlier announced 19 candidates for polls to the 182-member Assembly in BJP-ruled Gujarat.

No other party has so far declared its candidates for the state elections due in December.

2:45 PM

Putin blames Germany and West for Nord Stream 1 shutdown

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia would resume gas supplies to Germany through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline as soon as a key turbine was returned, and rejected Western claims that Moscow used gas as a weapon.

 

At an economic forum in the eastern city of Vladivostok, Putin said Germany and Western sanctions were to blame for the Nord Stream 1 pipeline not being operational and that Ukraine and Poland decided on their own to switch off other gas routes into Europe.

 

Europe is facing a winter fuel crisis and surging energy bills after Gazprom fully suspended gas supplied through Nord Stream 1, after it said it found an engine oil leak during maintenance work.

 

2:44 PM

India in much better position to deal with growth, inflation challenges: CII President Sanjiv Bajaj

India is in a much better position to deal with the challenges related to growth and inflation, said Sanjiv Bajaj, President of industry body CII.

According to official figures, India's retail inflation continues to remain above the Reserve Bank's tolerance level of 6 per cent since January, while the economic growth in the first quarter of the fiscal was 13.5 per cent, lower than the central bank's estimate of 16.2 per cent.

"I don't want to say we don't have our own challenges with growth, with inflation but we are in a much better position and credit must go to everybody including the central and state governments. I don't see economic growth as an issue," Bajaj, who is also the CMD of Bajaj Finserv, told PTI.

2:42 PM

Delhi LG asks Kejriwal govt to release Rs 383 crore to MCDs, says 'pending' for 2 years

Delhi LG V K Saxena has asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to release Rs 383.74 crore due to the city's municipal corporations under education and health heads, the LG office said on Wednesday.

Sharing on Twitter a letter he wrote to the CM, Saxena's office said he has asked for the release of the fund pending for two years.

Holding the fund "without any reason" was adversely impacting primary education and health in Delhi, he said in the letter.

2:41 PM

UK PM Liz Truss appoints diverse Cabinet in shake-up of old guard

Prime Minister Liz Truss held her first Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday after announcing one of the UK's most diverse Cabinets, with key frontline posts going to ethnic minority members of Parliament, including Indian-origin Suella Braverman as the Home Secretary.

Another Indian-origin minister in the Cabinet, Agra-born Alok Sharma, retains his climate action job as the COP26 President, as does Defence Secretary Ben Wallace in a new top team that is otherwise a complete shake-up of the old guard.

London-born junior minister Ranil Jayawardena, of mixed Sri Lankan and Indian heritage, has been promoted as the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

2:40 PM

Until we get a good deal, no trade pact with Israel: Goyal

The proposed India-Israel trade pact should be beneficial to both nations and until New Delhi gets a good deal, it would not do an agreement, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said.

 

India and Israel are negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) since May 2010.

 

"With Israel, until we get a good deal, we will not do an FTA. It has to be reciprocally beneficial," the minister said here on Tuesday while interacting with the Indian community.

1:56 PM

Delhi LG writes to CM Kejriwal to release MCD's amount of Rs 383 cr

Delhi Lieutenant Governor writes to Chief Ministeer Arvind Kejriwal and asks him to release MCD's amount of Rs 383.74 crores, relating to education and health, pending for two years.

 

1:39 PM

I-T dept conducts pan-India raids against unrecognised political parties, linked funding

The income tax department on Wednesday conducted raids in multiple states as part of a pan-India tax evasion probe against certain registered unrecognised political parties (RUPP) and their alleged dubious financial transactions, official sources said.

 

At least 110 locations in Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and some other states are being searched, they said.

 

The tax teams are being assisted by police.

1:23 PM

Oppn thanked me when I left BJP: Nitish Kumar

"All of us - seven parties - are united in Bihar and they (BJP) are alone in Opposition. So, we are working together, to develop our section of society. I am meeting everyone. When I left them (BJP) and joined this side, people thanked me and told me I did well," Bihar CM Nitish Kumar 

1:11 PM

Putin says developing world being 'cheated' by Ukraine grain deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday Russia and the developing world had been "cheated" by a landmark grain deal designed to alleviate a looming food crisis.

 

Speaking at an economic forum in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, Putin took aim at the deal, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, saying Ukrainian grain exports were not going to the world's poorest countries.

 

12:46 PM

NDMC pases proposal, Rajpath to be called 'Kartavya Path' now

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday approved a proposal to rename Rajpath as 'Kartavya Path'.

Lok Sabha MP and NDMC member Meenakshi Lekhi said the proposal was approved in a special meeting of the NDMC Council.

"We have approved the proposal to rename Rajpath as Kartavya Path in the special Council meeting today," Lekhi said.
 

12:44 PM

'Bharat Jodo Yatra' will highlight how Constitution is being violated: Mallikarjun Kharge

Senior Congress leader and the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that through 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' the party intends to apprise the people how the provisions of the Constitution are being violated in the country.

Speaking exclusively to IANS, the veteran leader termed the yatra "a turning point" in Indian politics which marks a new beginning.

On the need for such a grand yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, LoP Kharge said under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, the party will reach out to the people across the country and make them aware of the Centre's "divide and rule policy"of the Centre.

12:29 PM

Giga factories to be fully indigenous, aligned with India's geopolitical needs: Adani

"This value chain will be fully indigenous and aligned with geopolitical needs of our nation. I also believe that we can further accelerate our goals with support from companies in the US that are willing to work with us. Both of us stand to benefit," says Gautam Adani as he announces to set up giga factories in India

12:26 PM

Giga factories will generate additional 45 GW of renewable energy: Adani

The giga factories will "extend from polysilicon to solar modules, manufacturing of wind turbines and manufacturing hydrogen electrolysers. As a result, we will generate additional 45 GW of renewable energy to add to our existing 20 GW capacity and 3 mn tons of hydrogen. It will be completed before 2030," says Gautam Adani.

12:23 PM

Adani Group to set up 3 Giga factories in India: Gautam Adani

"In terms of climate change, there has been a lot of talk about developed nations supporting developing nations. But far more needs to be done urgently. With signing of US Climate Bill into law, both nations must find a mechanism to benefit from this," says Adani Group Chairman, Gautam Adani. 
He adds, "Governments have done their part, it is now the job of business to find a way to collaborate. Adani Group has already committed $70 billion to these efforts. It will see us building three Giga factories in India, leading to one of the world's most integrated wind energy value chains." 

 

12:14 PM

IT raids at Congress MLA factory in Rajasthan in mid-day meal scam

IT raids underway at the factory of State Minister and Congress MLA from Kotputli, Rajendra Singh Yadav, in connection with mid-day meal scam

 

12:02 PM

Lost father to politics of hate, will not lose country to it: Rahul Gandhi

After paying tributes at his father's memorial in Tamil Nadu's Sriperumbudur on Wedensday ahead of launching Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he lost his father due to the politics of hate, but will not lose the country to it.

"I lost my father to the politics of hate and division. I will not lose my beloved country to it too. Love will conquer hate. Hope will defeat fear. Together, we will overcome," he tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi paid tributes to his father, former Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi who was assassinated in Sriperumbudur on May 21, 1991. Later Rahul Gandhi will arrive at Kanyakumari to start his Yatra.

11:40 AM

Team is 95% settled, but we still need some answers: Rohit

Staring an early exit from the Asia Cup, the Indian team is facing some flak for a below-par show but skipper Rohit Sharma insists that the team combination is more or less settled going into the T20 World Cup, though, they are still looking for some "answers".

The absence of an indisposed Avesh Khan and Ravindra Jadeja, who underwent a knee surgery, meant that India competed with only two frontline seamers -- Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh -- with Hardik Pandya being the third fast-medium option.

Lack of enough sting in its bowling attack meant that the team suffered back-to-back Super 4 defeats against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, failing to defend par-scores of 181 and 173 respectively.

11:28 AM

New Data Privacy Bill will be ready soon: Sitharaman

The (IT) minister has been working very diligently and has assured the new bill will be ready soon. We'll soon have a new Data Privacy Bill, which will be a product of consultations and will address every such concern most of us had on the Privacy Bill, says Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

11:19 AM

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna introduces standalone bill in US House for CAATSA waiver to India

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has introduced a standalone bill in the US House of Representatives seeking a waiver to India against the punitive CAATSA sanctions, asserting that it is in the best interests of both countries to deter "aggressors" in light of Russia and China's close ties.

The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is a tough US law that authorises the US administration to impose sanctions on countries that purchase major defence hardware from Russia in response to Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections.

The resolution, which has also been endorsed by Congressman Brad Sherman and David Schweikert along with Khanna, has been sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary action.

11:17 AM

Law minister Rijiju attacks Kejriwal over report of pending salaries in Punjab

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday attacked AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal over a news report that the party-led Punjab government is yet to clear the salaries of its employees for August.

The report claims, based on sources, the Bhagwant Mann-led government was grappling with a paucity of funds and has not been able to pay its employees their August salaries.

Rijiju said Kejriwal wants to make "India World No 1" but what has he done to "Punjab within a year?"

10:57 AM

Delhi govt extends ban on firecrackers till Jan 1, 2023

The Delhi government extends the ban on manufacturing, storing, sale and bursting of firecrackers in continuation of last year's directive. This year, the Delhi Govt also bans the online sale and delivery of firecrackers. This will remain in effect till 1st January 2023.

 

10:22 AM

Thane logs 122 new COVID-19 cases; active tally at 1,748

Maharashtra's Thane district has reported 122 new cases of coronavirus, raising its infection count to 743,042, a health official said on Wednesday.

 

With the addition of the latest numbers on Tuesday, there are currently 1,748 active COVID-19 cases in Thane district, which is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, he said.

 

One death was also reported on Tuesday, which raised the COVID-19 fatality toll in the district to 11,948, the official said.

10:21 AM

India calls for 'mutual restraint' around embattled Ukrainian nuke plant

Amid widespread warnings of a potential "catastrophe" at Europe's largest nuclear power plant trapped in the middle of the Ukraine war, India has called on both Moscow and Kiev to show "mutual restraint".

"With a view to not endangering the safety and security of nuclear facilities and personnel working there, we reiterate our call for strict mutual restraint," India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj said on Tuesday at a Security Council meeting on the dangers to the Zaporizhzhia plant.

"India attaches high importance to ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, as any accident involving nuclear facilities could potentially have severe consequences for public health and the environment".

10:04 AM

Minister Umesh Katti death: K'taka govt announces one-day state mourning

The Karnataka government declared one-day state mourning across the state on Wednesday as a mark of respect on the passing away of Minister Umesh Katti, who died last night due to heart attack.

The state government in its official notification said that the last rites of the minister, who held the food, civil supplies and consumer affairs, and forest portfolios, will be performed with full state honours.

It has also declared a holiday to all schools and colleges, along with government offices in Belagavi district on Wednesday.

Katti had died due to heart attack at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday night. He was 61.