LIVE: China amassing large number of troops since early May, MEA on LAC row

Monsoon set to hit Delhi today. PM Modi will inaugurate employment scheme for 12.5 mn UP residents. Stay tuned with Business Standard for the latest news of today

12:27 AM

US shifting military to face China threat to India, Southeast Asia: Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday that the Chinese threat to India and Southeast Asian nations is one of the reasons America is reducing its troop presence in Europe and deploying them to other places.
 

Pompeo made the remarks in response to a question at the Brussels Forum that he had addressed virtually.
 

When asked why the US had reduced the number of troops in Germany, Pompeo said that if US troops were no longer there, it was because they were being moved to other places.

 

He said the actions of the ruling Chinese Communist Party meant there were “threats to India, threats to Vietnam, threats to Malaysia, Indonesia and the South China Sea challenge." "We are going to make sure the US military is postured appropriately to meet the challenges," he said. Read more

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a press conference. (Source: @SecretaryPompeo)

11:32 PM

Pak not in favour of escalating tensions with India

Pakistan on Thursday said it was not in favour of escalating tensions with India, days after it told Islamabad to reduce the staff in its high commission in New Delhi by half.

The Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday the Charge d'Affaires of Pakistan High Commission was summoned and informed about the decision which was based on instances of involvement of Pakistani officials in "acts of espionage" and "dealings with terrorist organisations".

The activities of the two Pakistani mission officials caught red-handed and expelled on May 31 this year was one example, the MEA said in a statement.

11:05 PM

Lightning strikes in five districts in Bihar; 83 killed, many injured

Thunderstorms and lightning have wrought havoc in Bihar over the past two days, claiming 83 lives, leaving many injured and causing widespread damage to property, the state disaster management department said here on Thursday.

 

According to a statement put out by the department, the deaths in lighting strikes happened in 23 districts of the state, with Gopalganj accounting for the maximum number of casualties at 13.

 

Deaths have also been reported from: Nawada and Madhubani (eight each); Siwan and Bhagalpur (six each); East Champaran, Darbhanga and Banka (five each); Khagaria and Aurangabad (three each); West Champaran, Kishanganj, Jehanabad, Jamui, Purnea, Supaul, Buxar and Kaimur (two each); and Samastipur, Sheohar, Saran, Sitmarhi, Madhepura (one each), it said.

8:52 PM

Pak's continuation in FATF grey list vindicates India's position: MEA

India on Thursday said Pakistan's continution in the "grey list" of global terror financing watchdog, FATF, vindicated its position that the country has not taken any appropriate action against terror networks operation from its soil.

 

It vindicated our position that Pakistan has not taken appropriate action against terror outfits, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said during an online media briefing. FATF on Wednesday decided to keep Pakistan in the "grey list" as it has failed to check flow of money to terror groups like the LeT and the JeM.

 

The decision was taken at the Financial Action Task Force's third and final plenary held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On the Trump administration's decision to suspend H1B visas, Srivastava said India is assessing its impact on Indian industry.

8:38 PM

India-China standoff a wake-up call for industry to become more competitive : CII

The India-China standoff in Galwan Valley is a 'wake-up call' for the Indian companies to introspect and take actions to become more competitive globally, top industry body CII said on Thursday.

 

The Indian and Chinese armies are locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for the last six weeks, and the tension escalated manifold after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash in Galwan Valley on June 15. On this issue, the industry stands by the government as it ensures sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, CII said in a statement.

 

"Even while trying to keep the borders of the country safe, the government is also battling the pandemic within. These are challenging times indeed. However, in every challenge there is also an opportunity, and as a nation we should look at that side of the coin also," the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said.

 

It said this is the right time to take some strategic and tactical decisions to ensure that India becomes economically more self-reliant, more competitive and more globally engaged.

 

"The world sees India in a very positive light and every effort should be made to ensure that industry in India secures a larger share of international trade through greater integration into global value chains. CII has set a target of 5 per cent and 7 per cent shares respectively of international merchandise and services trade by 2025," it said.

8:31 PM

Latest News LIVE: Monsoon arrives in Delhi but rainfall activity to remain weak for next three days

The India Meteorological Department on Thursday declared the onset of monsoon in the national capital, two days earlier than the usual date of June 27. However, rainfall activity over Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh is likely to remain weak for the next three days, said Sathi Devi, the head of National Weather Forecasting Centre (NWFC).

 

The monsoon has further advanced into "some more parts of Rajasthan, remaining parts of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, entire Delhi, some parts of Haryana and most parts of Punjab", according to the Met Department. Mahesh Palawat of Skymet Weather, a private weather forecasting service, said the monsoon has reached Delhi but the rains will remain subdued.

 

"We can expect light, patchy rains on Thursday evening and Friday. Dry weather will prevail on June 27 and 28," he said.

 

Normally, the wind system reaches Delhi on June 27. From this year, the IMD revised the onset date for monsoon. The earlier date for monsoon's arrival in the national capital was June 29. According to weather experts, the earlier than usual arrival of the monsoon in Delhi can be attributed to a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal which moved towards southwest Uttar Pradesh on June 19 and June 20, helping monsoon advance further.

8:20 PM

Congress asks PM Modi to come clean on whether he misled nation on China incursion

The Congress on Thursday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clean on whether he has misled the nation by saying there has been no intrusion into Indian territory in Ladakh and cited reports quoting experts that China's PLA has returned to the Galwan valley.

 

Addressing a joint virtual press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala and spokesperson Pawan Khera demanded answers from the Prime Minister on what his government was doing to secure Indian territory from Chinese incursions.

 

Surjewala said experts and reports, citing satellite images, say that instead of withdrawing from Indian territory the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has returned with bigger strength to the Galwan valley where 20 Indian soldiers were recently killed while protecting the country's territorial integrity. READ MORE...

8:00 PM

Latest News LIVE: Monsoon covers most of Punjab, some parts of Haryana

The southwest monsoon advanced further to cover most parts of Punjab and some parts of Haryana on Thursday, the Meteorological Department said. The wind system had reached the northern parts of Punjab, and Chandigarh, on Wednesday, bringing rains at many places.

 

The monsoon has advanced into most parts of Punjab and some parts of Haryana. The northern limit of monsoon passes through Nagore, Alwar, Delhi, Karnal and Ferozepur, the MeT department said Thursday. Meanwhile, the maximum temperatures settled a few notches below normal limits in the two states and at their common capital Chandigarh. Chandigarh recorded a high of 34.1 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal limit.

 

In Haryana, Narnaul's maximum settled at 34.8 degrees Celsius, five notches below normal, while Hisar recorded a high of 36.5 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal.

 

Karnal, which received light rain during the day, recorded a high of 35 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal. Ambala recorded a maximum of 34.7 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal. Patiala in Punjab recorded a high of 35 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal. Amritsar and Ludhiana, which received light showers, recorded maximum temperatures at 33.5 degrees Celsius 33.2 degrees Celsius and, respectively. The MeT has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab over the next two days.

7:51 PM

India stands with Republic of Korea for permanent peace in Korean Peninsula: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to those who sacrificed their lives for establishing peace in the Korean Peninsula and said New Delhi stands by the Republic of Korea in its quest for permanent peace. In a video message to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War, he said India is proud to have contributed to this cause by deploying its 60 Para Field Hospital in the Korean Peninsula during the war.

 

"I salute the resilience and resolve of the Korean people who have build a great country rising from the ashes of war," he said. The prime minister also appreciated the efforts made by President Moon Jae-in to preserve and promote peace in the Korean Peninsula.

 

"The government and people of India stand by the government and the people of the Republic of Korea in their quest for permanent peace in the Korean Peninsula," the prime minister said.

 

The message from the prime minister was screened during a commemorative ceremony to mark the occasion in Seoul, a statement said. The field hospital deployed by India had rendered yeoman service during the war and provided essential medical aid both to soldiers and civilians. North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. The war, which continued till July 1953, cost millions of lives. It ended in an armistice.

7:48 PM

Sony Pictures to resume production for TV, films, online streaming business

Sony Pictures Networks India, which owns and operates the Sony Entertainment network of television channels, on Thursday said it is gearing up to resume production work for its TV, film and online streaming businesses. The company has obtained "all relevant government permissions to resume production", which was closed following the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), a subsidiary of Sony Corporation, said in a statement.

 

"The network is working closely with its production partners to ensure shoots resume in a controlled environment with strict compliance to all necessary government rules, regulations and safety protocols," it added.

 

All producers working with SPN have been asked to strictly comply with all guidelines issued by the government and local authorities. READ MORE...

7:45 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: 84 more Covid-19 patients recover in Ladakh; active cases now 582

As many as 84 more Covid-19 patients were released from quarantine after getting cured of the disease in Ladakh on Thursday, bringing down the number of the active cases in the union territory to 582, officials said.

 

While 16 patients were discharged in Leh district, the rest 68 were discharged in Kargil district, they said.

 

According to the media bulletin released by the Directorate of Health Services Ladakh, 16 patients in home isolation were discharged from Leh district and 12 patients in home isolation, two patients from Covid Hospital Kargil and 54 patients from Covid Care Centre (CCC) were discharged from Kargil district after they tested negative for the disease.

 

With this, the number of Covid-19 active cases in Ladakh has come down to 582 -- 147 in Leh and 435 in Kargil, it said. The condition of all active patients is stable, according to the bulletin. As many as 154 samples were sent to PGIMER Chandigarh for testing on Thursday, 60 from Leh and 94 from Kargil, it said. PTI AB.

7:20 PM

Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) scheduled on July 5 has been postponed, will be conducted when situation is conducive: HRD minister

7:16 PM

Onus for violent clash on LAC not on us: China's Ambassador to India

Striking a conciliatory tone after raising tensions in eastern Ladakh to a fever pitch, China on Thursday said it was ready to work with India to properly deal with the border standoff while noting that "suspicion and friction" was a wrong path that goes against the fundamental aspirations of people of the two countries.

 

In an interview to PTI, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidon said India and China are able to properly manage their differences, and called upon New Delhi to avoid taking actions that may "complicate" the situation in eastern Ladakh. He went on to add that at present, the overall situation in the China-India border areas is "stable and controllable."

 

"We hope the Indian side meets the Chinese side halfway, avoids taking actions that may complicate the border situation and takes concrete actions to maintain stability in the border areas," he said. READ MORE...

6:56 PM

Latest News LIVE: CBI grills retd IAS officer in Manipur graft case

A day after questioning former Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh in connection with Rs 332 crore misappropriation case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday questioned O. Naba Kishore Singh, then Chairman of the Manipur Development Society (MDS).

 

The retired IAS officer was questioned by the CBI team led by Joint Director N.M. Singh, who reached Imphal on Tuesday for questioning the former Chief Minister and others. During the questioning that started around 11.30 a.m at the CBI office in Imphal, the central agency team asked Naba Kishore Singh about the misappropriation of funds and the projects sanctioned, when he was the MDS Chairman.

 

According to CBI sources, the agency also examined a few more people in connection with the case.

6:40 PM

Onus is not on China: says Chinese envoy when asked how current Sino-India border dispute can be resolved

6:39 PM

Actions taken by Indian side are not in consonance with spirit of several bilateral agreements: Chinese envoy

6:33 PM

LIVE updates: Bridge damaged in Tinsukia's Baghjan following heavy rainfall in Assam

6:26 PM

China amassing large number of troops since early May; India had to make counter deployment: MEA on eastern Ladakh row

6:25 PM

Conduct of Chinese side along LAC is reflective of complete disregard to existing agreements: MEA

6:23 PM

LIVE: 45 deaths and 3,509 new coronavirus cases in Tamil Nadu today; state tally rises to 70,977

6:22 PM

Sebi eases pricing framework for preferential issue of shares

Markets regulator Sebi on Thursday decided to temporarily relax pricing framework for preferential allotment of shares as part of efforts to liberalise norms for raising funds amid the coronavirus pandemic. The watchdog would provide an additional option to the existing pricing methodology for preferential issuances, according to a release issued by Sebi after its board meeting.

 

In the wake of serious challenges faced by the corporate sector due to Covid-19, Sebihas been receiving representations from various stakeholders for temporarily liberalising regulations relating to raising of capital from thesecurities market. In case of frequently traded shares, the price of the equity shares to be allottedpursuant to the preferential issue should not be less than higher of

 

"the average of the weekly high and low of the volume weighted average price of the related equity shares" during the twelve weeks preceding the relevant date.

 

Further, companies can consider "the average of the weekly high and low of the volume weighted averageprices of the related equity shares quoted on a recognised stock exchange during the two weeks preceding the relevant date" for pricing guideline for preferential issue.

6:12 PM

Pakistan's continuation in FATF grey list vindicates India's position that it continues to support terror networks: MEA

6:10 PM

India proud to have contributed by deploying 60 Para Field Hospital in the Korean Peninsula during the war: PM Modi

6:09 PM

I salute all the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for establishing peace in the Korean peninsula: PM Modi

On this special occasion, I salute all the bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for establishing peace in the Korean peninsula: PM Narendra Modi speaking at the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War

5:54 PM

There is already an existing bilateral mechanism between India and Nepal: MEA

5:39 PM

Latest News LIVE: Gold falls Rs 293, silver plunges Rs 598

Gold prices fell by Rs 293 to Rs 49,072 per 10 gram in the national capital on Thursday amid rupee appreciation, according to HDFC Securities. The precious metal had closed at Rs 49,365 per 10 gram in the previous trade.

 

The rupee erased its initial losses and settled 7 paise higher at 75.65 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday. Silver also plunged Rs 598 to Rs 48,705 per kg from Rs 49,303 per kg in the previous trade. In the international market, gold was quoting with gains at USD 1,767 per ounce, while silver was trading at USD 17.58 per ounce.

 

"The rising virus cases and worries over economic recovery has led gold prices to the highest levels since 2012," HDFC Securities Senior Analyst (Commodities) Tapan Patel said.

5:29 PM

PM Narendra Modi to launch 'Aatma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan' tomorrow at 11 AM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch "Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan" on June 26 at 11 am through video-conference in presence of the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This Abhiyan is intensely focused towards providing employment, promote local entrepreneurship and create partnership with Industrial associations and other organizations to provide employment opportunities.

 

Centre announced the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package to stimulate various sectors. In order to generate employment with thrust towards creating infrastructure in backward regions of the country Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan was launched on June 20, 2020.

 

In Uttar Pradesh, nearly 30 lakh migrant workers have returned. Thirty-one districts of Uttar Pradesh have more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers.

 

These include five aspirational districts. The Government of Uttar Pradesh envisaged a unique initiative "Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan" which dovetails programs of Government of India and the State government while creating partnerships with Industry and other organizations. Covid-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on workforce in general and migrant workers in particular. A large number of migrant workers returned to several states.

 

The challenge of containing COVID-19 was compounded by the need to provide basic amenities and means of livelihood to migrants and rural workers. Villages across all districts of Uttar Pradesh will join this program through the Common Service Centers and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, maintaining the norms of social distancing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

5:23 PM

India's exports likely to dip 10-12% in 2020-21: FIEO

The country's exports are likely to witness a 10-12 per cent year-on-year decline during the ongoing fiscal, if the current trend persists, due to the contraction in global demand on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, FIEO said on Thursday. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S K Saraf said although exporters are receiving a lot of enquiries from countries where anti-China sentiments are high, demand in employment intensive sectors like gems and jewellery, apparels, footwear, handicrafts, and carpets is still a challenge.

 

"Initially, looking into the lockdown challenges and projected decline in global trade, we expected 20 per cent decline in our exports. However, two days back, the WTO (World Trade Organisation) trade estimates for the second quarter puts the contraction only at 13 per cent," Saraf told reporters during a video conference briefing.

 

"...We do not expect much improvement in demand. Therefore, we expect around 10 per cent-12 per cent decline in India's exports in the current fiscal," he added.

 

However, in case of a second wave of the pandemic, the contraction in exports may reach 20 per cent, Saraf said. India's exports contracted by a record 60 per cent in April and 36.47 per cent in May.

5:22 PM

NDRF teams undertaking flood rescue operations in Assam

5:12 PM

India should produce end-consumed items that we need on a sustained basis, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman