LIVE: Vietnam an important pillar of India's Act East Policy, says PM Modi

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3:02 AM

Kushner to lead maiden flight from Israel to Morocco

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner announced Monday that he will join an Israeli delegation on the first direct flight to Morocco to celebrate the US-brokered agreement establishing ties between the two Mideast countries.
 

The flight, set to depart Tuesday, marks the fourth diplomatic pact brokered by the Trump administration between Israel and an Arab country.
 

The agreements, known as “the Abraham Accords,” have reshaped the Middle East, reflecting a shared concern among many Arab countries and Israel about Iran and a departure from the traditional focus on the Palestinian struggle for independence.
 

At a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kushner said the agreements reflected “common sense” and the administration's new approach to the Middle East.
 

“The results are really what matters and I believe together we've achieved some historic results,” said Kushner, who is President Donald Trump's son-in-law.

"As this new Middle East moves forward, I hope that all countries will focus on pursuing common interests for the benefits of their citizens, instead of being held back by stale thinking and old conflicts,” he added.
 

Since August, the U.S. has brokered agreements to establish diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

Netanyahu praised Kushner for showing “how wrong these naysayers were,” and said Israel is “deeply indebted” to the Trump administration.
 

3:00 AM

Reports of gunfire close lanes on DC-area highway

Authorities have closed the northbound lanes of a highway in the Washington, DC, area after a report of a shooting.
 

The US Park Police issued a statement Monday saying that officers went to the Baltimore–Washington Parkway in the area of Route 410 in response to a report of a shooting.
 

The area is in Maryland just outside of the District of Columbia.
 

It wasn't immediately clear if anyone was hit by gunfire.
 

News stations showed images of traffic backed up on the highway.
 

11:01 PM

3-day state mourning declared in Chhattisgarh on demise of Motilal Vora

Three-day State Mourning from December 21 to 23 has been declared in Chhattisgarh on the demise of Motilal Vora, Ex-Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: State Government

10:47 PM

Pak violates ceasefire, heavy firing along LoC

Pakistani troops violate ceasefire by resorting to heavy firing and mortar shelling in forward areas along Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district: Officials

10:34 PM

Centre trying to tire out farmers: Sukhbir Singh Badal

The Centre is trying to tire out farmers by starting talks from the very beginning again. This is a futile exercise when farmer organisations have already rejected three agriculture laws and want them repealed: SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal

9:23 PM

NIA arrests 17 members of SDP, PFI in connection with Bengaluru violence

National Investigation Agency says it arrested 17 leaders and activists of Social Democratic Party of India and Popular Front of India in connection with Bengaluru violence on August 11

8:56 PM

IBC to remain 'rightfully' suspended till FY21 end: FM Sitharaman

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) will remain suspended for another three months or so till the end of the current financial year.

 

"Gradually even the suspension of the IBC has been postponed even further from 25th of December, I think up to March 31, 2021," Sitharaman said while addressing the Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce via video conferencing.

 

She said IBC will remain suspended for the entire current financial year. "Rightfully so, because every industry has gone through major stress because of the pandemic. And nobody could be drawn towards insolvency process which may have occurred during the pandemic," she said. The finance minister said not only the compliances but even the tax payments that companies have to make were postponed so that nobody is put to difficulty, she said. READ MORE...

8:38 PM

Reliance-Future deal: Delhi HC rejects plea for injunction against Amazon

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to restrain Jeff Bezos-led Amazon from interfering in Kishore Biyani-headed Future Retail’s $3.4 billion deal with Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Retail by writing to statutory authorities.

 

The order was pronounced by a Single Judge Bench of Justice Mukta Gupta in the suit by Future Retail Ltd after an Emergency Arbitrator of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) restrained Future Group from taking any steps in furtherance of the transaction with Reliance Retail, according to the information available on law platform Bar & Bench.

 

“However, the court passed a neutral observation that the balance of convenience lay both in favour of FRL (Future Retail Ltd) and Amazon and also observed that the statutory authorities were free to form their own opinion as per law,” said Salman Waris, managing partner at technology law firm TechLegis Advocates and Solicitors, after doing an analysis of the development. “The Court opined that it was ‘a matter of trial’ to determine whether Amazon's case outweighed FRL's claim and for now, it was for the statutory authorities (or) regulators to come to their own right conclusion.” READ ON...

8:13 PM

Air quality remains 'very poor' in Noida, Ghaziabad, 'poor' in Gurgaon, Faridabad

The average air quality remained "very poor" in Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida, and "poor" in Gurgaon and Faridabad, according to a 24-hour data issued by a government agency on Monday.

 

Presence of pollutant PM 2.5 and PM 10 also remained high in the five immediate neighbours of Delhi, according to the air quality index (AQI) maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

 

According to the index, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. The average 24-hour AQI at 4 pm on Monday was 391 in Ghaziabad, 366 in Greater Noida, 363 in Noida, 289 in Faridabad and 271 in Gurgaon, according to CPCB's Sameer app. READ MORE...

 

7:36 PM

Investor wealth tumbles Rs 6.59 trillion as new Covid-19 strain jolts markets

Investor wealth eroded by Rs 6.59 trillion on Monday as equities tanked after the UK reported a new strain of the COVID-19 virus. The 30-share BSE Sensex plunged 1,406.73 points or 3 per cent to close at 45,553.96. The benchmark hit an all-time high of 47,055.69 during the session. Following the sharp selling, the market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms plummeted by Rs 6,59,313.65 crore to Rs 1,78,79,323.05 crore.

 

"Brutal bloodbath witnessed in today's session after a new coronavirus strain was found in Britain. Market extended losses in late afternoon session, tracking sell-off in the European markets amid concern of fresh travelling lockdown restrictions across countries. "Uncertainties over the Brexit deal also dented the investors' sentiments," said Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director, Choice Broking.

Global markets were knocked off highs after the UK government reported a new strain of the coronavirus that was up to 70 per cent more contagious. READ MORE...

6:55 PM

India should not be worried about our ties with Pakistan: Russia

Russia on Monday said India should not be worried about its relationship with Pakistan but noted that Moscow is committed to develop ties with Islamabad as it is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Deputy Chief of the Russian mission Roman Babushkin said Russia's ties with Pakistan are "independent" in nature and that his government is mindful of respecting sensitivities of other countries.

 

"We do not think India should be worried," he said at a media briefing when asked about Russia's military drills with Pakistan as well as trade cooperation. "Russia is very cautious when it comes to respecting the sensitivities. But at the same time we regard our relationship with Pakistan as independent in nature and we also have bilateral trade and economic agenda. We are quite committed to develop this relationship further including from the point of view of Pakistan being a partner country in the framework of the SCO," Babushkin said.

 

He said the basic principle of Russian foreign policy is to have bilateral relations that are not aimed against any other country.

 

"This is the very important principle we are following when it comes to cooperation with every country in the world including Pakistan and many others," he said.

6:45 PM

We look at our ties with Vietnam with long-term and strategic perspective: PM Modi at India-Vietnam Summit

We look at our ties with Vietnam with long-term and strategic perspective: PM Modi at virtual summit with Vietnamese counterpart

6:28 PM

Veteran Congress leader Motilal Vora, a former MP CM, passes away at 93

Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Motilal Vohra passed away at a hospital in New Delhi on Monday at the age of 93.

 

"Vora was hospitalised with urine infection two days ago but it was not the cause of his death," Congress sources said.

 

Fortis Escort Hospital where he was admitted is yet to inform about the actual cause of the Congress leader's death. Vora was a Rajya Sabha member from Chhattisgarh from April 10, 2002 to April 9, 2020. The late Congress leader became the 13th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh on January 25, 1989 and was in office till December 8, 1989.

Vora also held the office of Governor of Uttar Pradesh between 1993 and 1996. READ MORE...

6:18 PM

Our cooperation can contribute to maintaining peace and stability: PM Modi at India-Vietnam Summit

6:01 PM

Actor Arjun Rampal appears before NCB in drug case

Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal appeared before the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) here on Monday in connection with a drug case lodged following the death of filmstar Sushant Singh Rajput, an official said.

 

According to the NCB official, the 47-year-old actor was summoned last week, but he had sought time till December 22 to appear before the central agency citing personal reasons.

 

The model-turned actress reached the NCB office in south Mumbai for questioning in the drug case. The NCB had questioned Rampal and his partner, Gabriella Demetriades, last month and later arrested her brother Agisilaos in the case.

5:42 PM

Vietnam important partner in India's Indo-Pacific vision: PM Modi

Describing Vietnam as an important partner in India's Indo-Pacific vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said cooperation between the two countries can contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region. At a virtual summit with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Modi said India looks at its ties with Vietnam with a long-term and strategic perspective.

 

"Vietnam is an important pillar of India's Act East policy," Modi said in his opening remarks, adding the scope of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has expanded significantly. "Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region is our common aim. Our cooperation can make an important contribution in maintaining peace and stability in the region," said Modi.

 

He also complimented Vietnam for the way the country handled the coronavirus pandemic. India and Vietnam upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016 and defence cooperation has been one of the most significant elements in the fast-expanding bilateral ties.

5:36 PM

Sensex sinks 1,407 points as new Covid-19 strain spooks markets; investors lose Rs 6.6 trillion

Snapping its six-session record-setting streak, equity benchmark Sensex crashed 1,407 points on Monday as a new strain of the coronavirus in the UK clobbered global markets and cast a cloud over the economic recovery expected next year. A sharp drop in the rupee and profit-booking after the recent rally added to the selling pressure on Dalal Street, traders said.

 

The 30-share BSE Sensex plunged 1,406.73 points or 3 per cent to close at 45,553.96. This was its biggest single-day fall since May 4 this year.

 

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty tanked 432.15 points or 3.14 per cent to finish at 13,328.40. All Sensex components ended in the red, with ONGC leading the pack by tumbling 9.15 per cent. IndusInd Bank, M&M, SBI, NTPC, ITC, Axis Bank and PowerGrid shed up to 6.98 per cent. The market capitalisation of all BSE-listed companies dropped by Rs 6.59 lakh crore to stand at Rs 178.79 lakh crore.

5:24 PM

Next year both of us will be members of UN Security Council: PM Modi at India-Vietnam Summit

5:10 PM

We look at our ties with Vietnam with long-term and strategic perspective: PM Modi at virtual summit

We look at our ties with Vietnam with long-term and strategic perspective: PM Modi at virtual summit with Vietnamese counterpart

5:02 PM

PM Narendra Modi condoles death of senior Congress leader Moti Lal Vohra

5:01 PM

Vietnam is an important pillar of India's Act East Policy: PM Narendra Modi

4:24 PM

Moti Lal Vohra was a true congressman and a wonderful human being: Rahul Gandhi

4:09 PM

Union Budget 2021: FM Sitharaman holds 12th Pre-Budget consultations with leading experts

3:58 PM

Congress leader Moti Lal Vohra passes away in Delhi at the age of 93

3:47 PM

PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate IISF 2020 on Tuesday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday inaugurate the sixth edition of the India International Science Festival, a four-day science carnival, Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Monday. Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu will also address the IISF on December 25, the last day of the festival, Vardhan said.

 

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the IISF on December 22 at 4.30 pm and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on December 25," Vardhan said.

 

The theme of the IISF 2020 is 'Science for Self-Reliant India and Global Welfare'. The event has been jointly organised by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Vijnana Bharti - a science organisation linked to the RSS, the Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

 

Over one lakh registrations for the event have been received so far, the minister noted. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sixth edition of the IISF is being organised virtually.

3:20 PM

BJP MP Saumitra Khan's wife Sujata Mondal Khan joins Trinamool Congress in Kolkata

Sujata Mondal Khan, wife of BJP MP Saumitra Khan, switched over to the TMC from the saffron camp on Monday, claiming that she did not get her due recognition even after taking several risks to get her husband elected during 2019 Lok Sabha elections. She alleged that "newly inducted, misfit and corrupt leaders" are getting more importance in the saffron camp than the loyal ones.

 

"Despite enduring physical attacks, sacrificing so much to get my husband elected to Parliament, I got nothing in return... I want to work under our beloved leader Mamata Banerjee and our dada Abhisek Banerjee," Mondal Khan said, after joining the party in the presence of TMC MP Saugata Roy and its spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.

 

Asked about the reaction of her husband, who is also the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) state unit chief, she said it was up to him to decide his future course of action.

 

"I hope he would realise one day... Who knows he might be back in the TMC one day," the newly inducted leader of the Bengal's ruling party said.

3:07 PM

BJP MP Saumitra Khan's wife Sujata Mondal Khan joins Trinamool Congress in Kolkata

BJP MP Saumitra Khan's wife Sujata Mondal Khan joins Trinamool Congress in Kolkata

3:00 PM

New Electricity rules give consumers across India the right to 24x7 supply

Consumers across the country will now have the right to a minimum standard of service for supply of electricity. This will also include the right to round-the-clock electricity supplies, unless stated otherwise for a specific category, such as an agricultural connection.

 

Announcing the notification of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power and New and Renewable Energy, R K Singh said, “Distribution Companies across the country are monopolies – whether government or private – and the consumer has no alternative – therefore it was necessary that the consumers rights be laid down in Rules and a system for enforcement of these rights be put in place.”

 

These rules provide for Rights of consumers and Obligations of Distribution licensees, release of new connection and modification in existing connection, metering arrangement, Billing and Payment among others. READ MORE...

 

 

2:50 PM

Rupee falls 17 paise to 73.73 against US dollar in early trade

2:33 PM

Cold wave continues in Punjab and Haryana, Adampur coldest at 3.2 deg Celsius

The ongoing cold wave conditions sweeping Punjab and Haryana for the past few days continued unabated on Monday, with Adampur recording the lowest minimum temperature of 3.2 degrees Celsius, Meteorological Department officials said. Amritsar too reeled under an intense chill, recording a low of 4.8 degrees Celsius.

 

Minimum temperatures in Faridkot, Gurdaspur and Bathinda settled at 4 degrees Celsius, 6.2 degrees Celsius and 5.2 degrees Celsius, respectively. Cold weather conditions also prevailed in Ludhiana and Patiala, which recorded a low of 5.7 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius, respectively.

 

Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a low of 5.8 degrees Celsius. In Haryana, Ambala experienced a cold night at 3.3 degrees Celsius, while Hisar registered a low of 5.5 degrees Celsius.