LIVE: Russia ready to discuss confidence-building measures, says Putin

Britain sees signs of a diplomatic opening with Russia over Ukraine, but the latest intelligence is still not encouraging, says PM Boris Johnson

9:11 PM

No sign of any de-escalation from Russia so far: NATO chief

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has said that it has not seen any sign of de-escalation on the ground from the Russian side with regard to Ukraine.

 

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels, "We haven't seen any de-escalation so far by Russia on the borders with Ukraine," BBC reported.

 

But, he added, "signs" coming from Moscow about diplomatic efforts give "some reason for cautious optimism".

 

Stoltenberg says a real de-escalation would mean a substantial withdrawal of Russian troops and military equipment from the border areas with Ukraine, the report said.

8:31 PM

Russia ready to discuss confidence-building measures, says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Moscow is ready for talks with the U.S. and NATO on limits for missile deployments and military transparency.

 

Speaking after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Putin said the U.S. and NATO rejected Moscow's demand to keep Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations out of NATO, halt weapons deployments near Russian borders and roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe.

 

They agreed to discuss a range of security measures that Russia had previously proposed.

7:46 PM

Intel on Russia-Ukraine border crisis 'not encouraging', says UK PM

Britain sees signs of a diplomatic opening with Russia over Ukraine, but the latest intelligence is still not encouraging, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday.

 

Russia said some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine, following days of U.S. and British warnings that Moscow might invade its neighbour at any time.

 

"Going into today clearly there are signs of a diplomatic opening, there always has been an opportunity to talk, there are grounds for a conversation about Ukraine, with Ukraine - and that's good. We are seeing Russian openness to conversations," Johnson told reporters.

 

"On the other hand, the intelligence that we're seeing today is still not encouraging."

 

Britain has threatened sanctions against Russia for any further incursion into Ukraine, which Johnson said could extend to stopping Russian companies raising money in London.

7:39 PM

Delhi declares Feb 16 on account of Guru Ravidas's birthday as a holiday

7:09 PM

NATO calls on Russia to prove will to de-escalate Ukraine tensions

NATO's chief on Tuesday welcomed signals that Russia may be looking for a diplomatic solution amid a military build-up on Ukraine's border but urged Moscow to demonstrate its will to act.

 

"There are signs from Moscow that diplomacy should continue.

 

This gives grounds for cautious optimism. But so far we have not seen any sign of de-escalation on the ground from the Russian side", NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters ahead of a two-day meeting of the alliance's defence ministers in Brussels.

 

"Russia has amassed a fighting force in and around Ukraine unprecedented since the cold war. Everything is now in place for a new attack. But Russia still has time to step back from the brink, stop preparing for war and start working for a peaceful solution", Stoltenberg said, calling the current situation the "most serious security crisis we have faced in Europe for decades".

6:46 PM

Educational institutions have the responsibility to implement HC order: Udupi Dy Commissioner

6:06 PM

Look Out Circulars have been issued against directors of ABG Shipyard

5:50 PM

The only option for a safe Punjab and safe India is BJP: JP Nadda

5:38 PM

Ashish Mishra, prime accused in Lakhimpur Kheri violence walks out of jail

4:59 PM

You have BJP and AAP leaders before you - both of them play the same game: Priyanka Gandhi in Rupnagar

4:24 PM

Government of Andhra Pradesh lifts the night curfew

3:57 PM

We're leaving our embassies, have increased our diplomatic forces inside the embassy: Israel Envoy to India

3:37 PM

AAP has opened liquor stores in every bylane of Delhi: Rajnath

3:23 PM

Karnataka HC begins hearing petitions challenging a ban on hijab in educational institutes

3:09 PM

Congress had their govt in Punjab still they couldn't do justice to the people: Rajnath Singh

2:58 PM

What PM Modi did for the welfare of farmers was never done by anyone else: JP Nadda

2:56 PM

US again warns Russia of 'severe consequences' if it invades Ukraine

The Biden administration has once again warned Russia of severe consequences in case its forces invade Ukraine and said that the path for diplomacy remains available if the Kremlin chooses to engage constructively.

White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday that the US is actively working to reach a diplomatic solution to de-escalate the crisis.

Over the weekend, as you all know, the President (Joe Biden) spoke with President (Vladimir) Putin, and we remain engaged with the Russian government in full coordination with our allies and partners, she said.

2:04 PM

Russia returns some troops to bases in areas near Ukraine, says report

Some troops in Russia's military districts adjacent to Ukraine are returning to bases after completing drills, Russia's defence ministry was quoted as saying on Tuesday, a move that could de-escalate frictions between Moscow and the West.

 

Russia's Interfax news agency cited the ministry as saying that while large-scale drills across the country continued, some units of the Southern and Western military districts have completed their exercises and started returning to bases.

 

Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders, prompting fears of an invasion, especially as Moscow's Feb.10-20 joint drills with Belarus mean that Ukraine is almost encircled by the Russian military.

1:58 PM

22 Covid deaths, 859 new cases in Odisha

Twenty-two more coronavirus patients have died in Odisha and 925 people tested positive for the pathogen, the Health Department said on Tuesday.

The daily positivity rate was 1.7 per cent and 203 children were among those newly infected.

1:20 PM

Data story: India logs 27,409 new cases; test positivity rate drops to 2.2%

India on Tuesday reported a net decrease of 55,755 in active coronavirus cases to take its count to 423,127. India’s share of global active coronavirus cases now stands at 0.59 per cent (one in 169). The country is twenty-fourth among the most affected countries by active cases. On Monday, it added 27,409 cases to take its total caseload to 42,692,943 from 42,665,534 — an increase of 0.06%. And, with 347 new fatalities, its Covid-19 death toll reached 509,358, or 1.19 per cent of total confirmed infections. Read on...

12:47 PM

Sansad Television says 'its YouTube channel-Sansad TV was compromised

Sansad Television says 'its YouTube channel-Sansad TV was compromised by some scamsters on Feb 15. YouTube is addressing the security threat'

12:02 PM

Ashwani Kumar, former law minister, quits Congress

Ashwani Kumar, former law minister, quits Congress

11:45 AM

Russia-Ukraine tension: India says its nationals may consider leaving temporarily

Russia-Ukraine tension: India says its nationals, particularly students whose stay not essential, may consider leaving temporarily, reports NDTV

 

10:52 AM

YouTube account of Sansad TV

The YouTube account of Sansad TV, which broadcasts Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha proceedings, has been "terminated for violating YouTube's Community Guidelines". 

 

10:34 AM

Rupee slips 9 paise to 75.69 against US dollar in early trade

Rupee slips 9 paise to 75.69 against US dollar in early trade

10:17 AM

ED officials visit the residence of Dawood Ibrahim's sister Haseena Parkar in Mumbai

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted multiple searches in Mumbai as part of a money laundering probe linked to the operations of the underworld and related property transactions, PTI reporter quoting official sources.
 

About ten locations are being covered in Maharashtra's capital city and the action is being conducted under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

9:47 AM

Coronavirus update | Mizoram reported 2,022 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours

Mizoram reported 2,022 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, taking active cases to 11,878

9:35 AM

Perfume maker Zighrana launches its Made-in-India perfume in New York

"This is possibly the first time that you have an Indian perfume from Kannauj (UP), that too, at a time when we are celebrating India's 75 years of Independence," says Consul General of India Randhir Jaiswal

9:27 AM

LIC IPO: Insurer gets until Jan 2023 to dispose of 'other investments'

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has received the insurance regulator’s nod for time till January-end 2023 to dispose of investments in pension, group and life annuity funds, which do not fall in the “approved investment” category.

 

Had the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irdai) denied more time to transfer the investments to shareholders’ fund at amortised cost, the loss that would have accrued in the profit and loss account (shareholders account) would have been Rs 5,365.83 crore as of September 2021, LIC said in its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP).

 

LIC is mandated to transfer those investments to shareholders’ fund at amortised cost, 90 days after such investments are reclassified as “other investments”, which it is yet to be undertaken. Read on...

9:18 AM

Russia-Ukraine tensions: Working with allies to mobilize robust international support for Ukraine, says US

US Secy of State Antony Blinken: We're working closely with allies to mobilize robust international support for Ukraine, including a US-backed sovereign loan guarantee of up to $1 billion to support key reforms. It'll bolster Ukraine’s ability to deliver prosperity for its people