Live: Congress expels Haryana MLA for cross-voting in Rajya Sabha poll

Live news updates: The latest on India news, the coronavirus, the war in Ukraine and other headlines.

6:50 PM

BJP suspends Rajasthan MLA

BJP suspends its Rajasthan MLA Shobharani Kushwah for cross-voting in favour of Congress candidate Pramod Tiwari in Rajya Sabha elections.

 

4:33 PM

Mamata Banerjee seeks meeting with Opposition parties for presidential election

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee writes to leaders of Opposition parties, calls for meeting on June 15 on presidential election next month.

3:38 PM

Bengal BJP president arrested before Howrah visit

Sukanta Majumdar, president of BJP's West Bengal unit, was arrested in Bengal on Saturday as he tried to visit Howrah, where violent protests have occurred over remarks about the Prophet by his party’s leaders.

3:31 PM

UP removes age bar of 60 for prisoners to be considered for early release

 

The Uttar Pradesh government has done away with the age bar of 60 years for inmates lodged in the state's prisons to avail a premature release, a senior official said on Saturday. "A decision to this effect was taken 7-10 days ago. Earlier, the age restriction was of 60 years, and no prisoner could avail premature release before attaining the age of 60," Uttar Pradesh Director General (DG), Jails, Anand Kumar told PTI.

3:30 PM

Stopping Russian invasion crucial for whole world: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking remotely at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, said the outcome of the war in his country affected not just Ukraine, but the future of international order. His country is seeking to push the Russians out of areas it has controlled since early in the war, and is defending against ferocious Russian attacks in the country's east, particularly around the city of Sievierodonetsk.

3:01 PM

Zelenskiy tells Asian meeting: Stopping Russian invasion crucial for whole world

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking remotely at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, said the outcome of the war in his country affected not just Ukraine, but the future of international order.

 

His country is seeking to push the Russians out of areas it has controlled since early in the war, and is defending against ferocious Russian attacks in the country's east, particularly around the city of Sievierodonetsk.

 

Noting the support so far from the West and its Asian allies, Zelenskiy - addressing the event via video link from an undisclosed location in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv - said it was crucial that the nations sending aid do not let up.

2:54 PM

Moderna data shows shot works in kids 6 months and up, says FDA

Moderna Inc.’s Covid-19 vaccine is effective in children and adolescents, with mostly mild to moderate side effects, the US Food and Drug Administration staff said.

 

“Available data support the effectiveness of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in preventing symptomatic Covid-19 in pediatric age groups from 6 months through 17 years of age,” the FDA staff said Friday in the report posted to the agency’s website. Side effects were “mostly mild to moderate in severity, generally of short duration.”

2:54 PM

Zelenskiy says Ukraine is 'definitely going to prevail in this war'

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that his country would "definitely prevail in this war that Russia has started".

 

Speaking from an undisclosed location in Kyiv, Zelenskiy told delegates at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that his country was unable to export enough food because of a Russian blockade, and that the world would face "an acute and severe food crisis and famine."

2:37 PM

Presidential polls: Mamata Banerjee to visit Delhi this month

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be on a three-day visit to New Delhi this month and in all probability, her scheduled visit will be from June 14-16.

 

According to sources in the state cabinet, the visit will be basically a preparatory mission so that the chief minister can take a lead role in ensuring that a unanimous opposition candidate can be fielded against BJP's candidate.

 

The presidential poll is scheduled on July 18 and the counting will take place on July 21. A senior member of the state cabinet, on condition of anonymity, said that the purpose of the mission is basically to consider some names which can be proposed as a unanimous opposition candidate. "There might be discussion on whether there is a possibility for the opposition parties to announce the name of their candidate before BJP announces their nominee," he said.

 

2:32 PM

India has shown exemplary resilience in recovery from COVID-19 crisis: CEA

The country has shown exemplary resilience in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) Anantha Nageswaran said on Saturday.

 

Nageswaran was addressing an event on "Indian Economy: Prospects, Challenges and Action Points" at Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) here.

 

"India has shown an exemplary resilience in recovering from a crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

2:15 PM

Sri Lanka's fuel supplies in crisis with last shipments under Indian credit line to arrive this month

The last of the fuel shipments due under the Indian Line of Credit are arriving in Sri Lanka this month with no indications on the sustenance of future supplies which are dependent on India's assistance.

 

Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1948.

 

The economic crisis has prompted an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper and even matches, with Sri Lankans for months being forced to wait in lines lasting hours outside stores to buy fuel and cooking gas.

 

2:13 PM

Japan vows bigger security role in region to tackle threats

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans on Friday to boost his country's diplomatic and security role in the Asia Pacific to tackle what he described as growing threats in the region amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

 

Kishida said Japan will consider acquiring a preemptive strike capability in response to an increasingly assertive China, North Korea and now Russia — a controversial plan that critics say would violate Japan's war-renouncing Constitution.

 

2:01 PM

Economic power will make India audible, persuasive: Rao Inderjit Singh

Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh on Saturday stressed on the significance of a strong economy and said the economic power is going to make India not only audible, but also persuasive in its dealings with the world.

 

He was speaking at the National Conference on Competition Law as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations under Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

1:47 PM

Biden warns U.S. inflation could last 'for a while'

President Joe Biden cautioned that U.S. inflation could last "for a while" after data on Friday showed that politically sensitive price pressures unexpectedly accelerated in recent weeks.

 

"We're gonna live with this inflation for a while," Biden said at a Democratic fundraising event in Beverly Hills. "It's gonna come down gradually, but we're going to live with it for a while."

 

1:41 PM

UP: 227 people arrested in Friday protests

A total of 227 people were arrested from various districts of Uttar Pradesh in connection with Friday violence, a senior police official has said.

 

In a statement issued here on Saturday, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar said, "227 persons have been arrested in the state for Friday violence. This includes 68 in Prayagraj, 50 in Hathras, 48 in Saharanpur, 28 in Ambedkarnagar, 25 in Moradabad, and eight in Firozabad." People pelted stones at police personnel in Prayagraj and Saharanpur as people took to rowdiness during their protests after Friday prayers.

 

1:36 PM

Russia says will respond to NATO build up in Poland

Russia's foreign ministry said on Saturday that Moscow's response to a build up of NATO forces in Poland will be proportionate, Interfax news agency reported citing a Russian diplomat.

 

"A response, as always, will be proportionate and appropriate, intended to neutralise potential threats to the security of the Russian Federation," Interfax quoted Oleg Tyapkin, the head of a foreign ministry department in charge of Russian relations with Europe.

1:24 PM

Bangladesh government under pressure to act on Prophet remarks row: Awami League leader

Amid protests over the remarks against Prophet Mohammad by two now-suspended BJP functionaries, a senior leader of the ruling Awami League has said that the Bangladesh government is under pressure to take "action" as events in India have consequences in this country.

 

Khandakar Goulam Moula Naqshbandi, Chairman of the Religious Affairs Sub-Committee of the ruling Awami League and a member of the Advisory Committee, also said that disruptive forces try to take advantage of such a situation to disturb law and order in Muslim majority Bangladesh.

1:06 PM

Some political parties behind Howrah violence, strict action will be taken: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that some political parties were behind the violent incidents that rocked Howrah district and promised to take strict action against those attempting to instigate riots in the state.

 

She also questioned why should common people suffer because of "sin" committed by the BJP, in reference to controversial remarks by suspended and expelled party leaders on Prophet Mohammad which triggered the violent protests.

 

"As I have said before, normal life has been affected by violent incidents in Howrah over the last two days. Some political parties are behind this they want to instigate riots. But this won't be tolerated and strict action will be taken against those involved. Why should common people suffer because of sin committed by BJP," Banerjee tweeted in Bengali.

1:06 PM

Modi-Shah laud CM Bommai after BJP wins 3 RS seats, hail his political strategy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah lauded Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday for the BJP winning three Rajya Sabha seats in the biennial elections to four seats on Friday.

Modi hailed the Chief Minister for his political strategy and acumen which played a major role in BJP winning three seats in the Rajya Sabha election, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office said.

"Modi called Bommai over phone immediately after the results were declared and congratulated the Chief Minister for his role in the victory," the statement read.

1:02 PM

Bangladesh govt under pressure to act on Prophet remarks row: Awami League leader

Amid protests over the remarks against Prophet Mohammad by two now-suspended BJP functionaries, a senior leader of the ruling Awami League has said that the Bangladesh government is under pressure to take "action" as events in India have consequences in this country.

 

Khandakar Goulam Moula Naqshbandi, Chairman of the Religious Affairs Sub-Committee of the ruling Awami League and a member of the Advisory Committee, also said that disruptive forces try to take advantage of such a situation to disturb law and order in Muslim majority Bangladesh.

 

1:01 PM

1/6 panel: Told repeatedly he lost, Trump refused to go

Donald Trump was told the same thing over and over, by his campaign team, the data crunchers, and a steady stream of lawyers, investigators and inner-circle allies: There was no voting fraud that could have tipped the 2020 presidential election.

 

But in the eight weeks after losing to Joe Biden, the defeated Trump publicly, privately and relentlessly pushed his false claims of a rigged 2020 election and intensified an extraordinary scheme to overturn Biden's victory.

 

12:22 PM

Sisodia to hold meet with representatives of Delhi wholesale market associations on Monday

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will hold a meeting with the representatives of wholesale market associations across the city on Monday to get inputs and suggestions on organising the Delhi Wholesale Shopping Festival to boost job avenues, officials said.

 

Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) Chairman Brijesh Goyal said representatives of over 20 wholesale markets of the national capital are likely to attend the meeting.

 

12:02 PM

Axis Energy commissions 445-MW solar plant in Rajasthan

Axis Energy Ventures India on Saturday said it has commissioned a 445 MW solar plant in partnership with Brookfield Renewables in Rajasthan.

 

In a statement, Axis Energy Ventures India Private Limited said the project is part of the joint venture platform 'ABC Renewables' -- signed with Brookfield Renewables -- to set up a 5 gigawatt (GW) large utility renewable energy portfolio in India.

 

"Under ABC Renewables platform, Axis Energy and Brookfield Renewable (have) commissioned 445 MW solar project in a record time of 6 months in Jodhpur, Rajasthan," the statement said.

 

11:50 AM

Situation in Bengal's Howrah 'peaceful'; Sec 144 CrPC remains imposed, internet suspended

The situation in West Bengal's Howrah district, which on Friday witnessed violent protests against controversial remarks of suspended BJP spokespersons, was peaceful on Saturday morning even as prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPc remained imposed and internet services suspended, officials said.

 

Assembly of five or more people in procession or carrying any dangerous weapon or any act that is likely to cause disturbance to public tranquility and breach of peace is prohibited in Uluberia, Panchla and Jagatballavpur areas and along the railway stations and the national highway in these areas from June 10-15, they said.

 

11:41 AM

Pakistan unveils 'pro-people' budget for FY23

Pakistan has proposed its financial budget for the next fiscal year with plans to focus on sustainable and inclusive economic growth, with officials calling it a "pro-people" and balanced budget amid financial challenging times.

On Friday, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail presented the budget of 9.5 trillion PKR ($121 billion) for the upcoming fiscal year starting from July 2022 to June 2023 at the Lower House of the country's Parliament, reports Xinhua news agency.

In his address to the House, the Minister said the government has to move towards sustainable growth, adding that the growth target for next year was set at 5 per cent.

11:27 AM

A convincing victory for BJP; planning, team work behind it: Fadnavis on party winning 3 RS seats in Maha

With the BJP winning all three Rajya Sabha seats it contested in Maharashtra, senior party leader Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said it was a "convincing" victory and attributed it to meticulous planning as well as team work.

 

Speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan here, Fadnavis also took a dig at Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut, who was one of the candidates in the fray, saying that BJP's Dhananjay Mahadik secured more votes than him.

 

11:15 AM

Delhi Police files FIR in connection with protests outside Jama Masjid over Prophet remarks

Police have registered a case in connection with Friday's protest outside Jama Masjid to demand the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad, officials said on Saturday.

 

After the Friday prayers, a large crowd of people had gathered on the steps of the famous mosque, carrying placards and shouting slogans against Sharma and Naveen Jindal, former head of the Delhi BJP's media unit, for allegedly making derogatory remarks on the Prophet.

 

11:01 AM

Indian GM Praggnanandhaa wins title in Norway chess open

Young Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa emerged winner in the Norway Chess Group A open chess tournament here with 7.5 points from nine rounds.

 

The 16-year old GM, the top-seed, was in fine form and remained unbeaten through the nine rounds. He finished the tournament with a win over fellow Indian V Praneeth, an International Master, late on Friday.

 

Praggnanandhaa (Elo 2642) finished a full point ahead of second-placed IM Marsel Efroimski (Israel) and IM Jung Min Seo (Sweden).

 

Praneeth with six points was joint third but was placed sixth due to an inferior tie-break score.

 

10:57 AM

Tim Cook expresses support for federal privacy plan to lawmakers

Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote a letter to US lawmakers voicing his support for a recent bipartisan effort to draft a comprehensive federal privacy law.

In the letter, which was obtained by AppleInsider, Cook echoes many of his past talking points on federal privacy legislation. He said he was "encouraged" by the draft proposals recently introduced by a bipartisan group of legislators.

The legislation was introduced on June 3 by Representative Frank Pallone, the House Energy and Commerce Chair, and Senators Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Roger Wicker, ranking members of the Senate Commerce Committee, the report said.

10:57 AM

WTO meet: India to pitch for permanent solution for food security; protect interest of farmers, fishermen

India will press for a permanent solution to the issue of public stock holding of grains for food security programmes and strongly protect the interests of farmers and fishermen at the 12th ministerial meet of the World Trade Organization, beginning on Sunday.

 

The Indian delegation is being led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

 

The four-day 12th ministerial conference (MC) will start on June 12 in Geneva. The meeting is taking place after a gap of four years and in the backdrop of the Ukraine-Russia war and uncertain global economic situation.