LIVE: Ukraine's foreign minister says tank fire recorded in country's East

These shells came from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, which are controlled by Russia, says Dmytro Kuleba

9:46 PM

Temperatures set to rise next fortnight after wet winter: IMD

After a wet winter, minimum temperatures are set to rise across the country from next fortnight, the weather office said on Thursday.

 

However, parts of extreme southern peninsula and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to experience above normal rainfall, it said.

 

In the extended range forecast for the next two weeks, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that dry weather is very likely over remaining parts of the country during most days of the week.

 

It said there is likely to be a gradual rise in minimum temperatures over most parts of the country between February 24 to March 2.

9:26 PM

Vistara plane makes emergency landing at Delhi airport; DGCA probing incident

An Amritsar-bound Vistara plane, carrying 146 passengers, on Thursday made an emergency landing at the airport in the national capital soon after take off due to a technical snag and aviation regulator DGCA is probing the incident, according to officials. The officials said the aircraft suffered hydraulic power failure and landed back at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here at around 9.45 am.

 

A Vistara spokesperson said a technical snag was detected on flight UK 697 operating from Delhi to Amritsar.

 

As a precautionary step, the pilots decided to turn-back and landed safely at the airport, the spokesperson said in a statement. According to the airline, it was only an precautionary turn back and not an emergency landing. However, the officials said the plane made an emergency landing.

9:12 PM

Nestle India Q4 profit dips 20 pc to Rs 386.66 cr, revenue up 8.9 pc

FMCG major Nestle India Ltd on Thursday reported a 20 per cent decline in its net profit to Rs 386.66 crore for the fourth quarter ended on December 31, 2021, on account of a one-time exceptional item on change of pension scheme for its employees.

 

The company, which follows a January-December financial year, had posted a profit of Rs 483.31 crore in the same period a year ago, Nestle India said in a regulatory filing.

 

However, its revenue from operations was up 8.93 per cent to Rs 3,739.32 crore during the period under review, as against Rs 3,432.58 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal, the company said.

 

Nestle India's total expenses in the October-December quarter, were up 8.23 per cent to Rs 3,022.97 crore, as against Rs 2,793.01 crore of the corresponding period.

9:03 PM

Govt encourages Indian airlines to operate chartered flights from Ukraine to India

To ensure the safe return of Indian citizens, especially students to India amid the tense situation in Ukraine, the government of India encouraged Indian airlines to operate chartered flights from Ukraine to India.

 

"Several flights are operational from Ukraine to other countries but not to India. However, airlines are being encouraged to operate chartered flight and increase operations," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

 

Government has not taken any decision for evacuation from Ukraine. "There is no plan to undertake any evacuation operation for Indian nationals by ministry," MEA spokesperson said on Thursday during weekly media briefing.

 

On Thursday Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) issued a statement about withdrawing restriction which was imposed during spread of Omicron variant.

 

8:51 PM

Ukraine's foreign minister says tank fire recorded in country's East

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Thursday that fire from a tank operated by Russia-backed separatists has been recorded in the east of the country.

 

"These shells came from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, which are controlled by Russia," Kuleba said at a joint press conference in Kyiv after meeting his British counterpart Liz Truss.

8:46 PM

Ukraine says Russia will try to blame escalation on us

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said after talks with his British counterpart that Russia would try to set up different situations to blame Kyiv for escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

 

"We should be ready for any scenario," he added.

 

Earlier on Thursday, Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists within Ukraine exchanged fire across a frontline that divides them, in what Western officials described as a possible pretext created by Moscow to invade.

8:24 PM

Night curfew to be enforced in only two cities: Gujarat

8:15 PM

Russia is not planning any attack on Ukraine: foreign ministry

8:07 PM

Biden says threat of Russian invasion is 'very high'

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine is "very high."

 

Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House, Biden said there was "every indication that they are prepared to go into Ukraine" and there was no plan for him to hold a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

7:26 PM

Former chairman of ABG Shipyard Rishi Kamlesh Agarwal questioned by CBI

7:05 PM

Mumbai reports 259 fresh infections, zero deaths

7:05 PM

IED found in the suspected bag from the house in Old Seemapuri area

6:24 PM

Punjab polls: Arvind Kejriwal holds a road show in Pathankot

5:46 PM

No immediate evacuation plans, so don't have any special flights: MEA

5:39 PM

We have transformed Manipur from blockades to development: JP Nadda

5:35 PM

Discussing the processes of conversation with China and how the situation has arisen: MEA

5:14 PM

Supportive of immediate de-escalation of tensions & resolution of issue via sustained diplomatic dialogue: MEA

4:28 PM

Russia, Belarus to end military drills as planned

Russia and Belarus will end their joint military drills on Feb. 20 as previously planned, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday, addressing Western concerns that Russian troops may stay in Belarus for a longer time.

 

Separately, the RIA news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that the matter of extending Russian troops' stay in Belarus was not on the agenda.

 

The drills in Belarus have added to Western fears of a possible Russian invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Moscow has denied planning such an attack.

4:03 PM

PM is visiting Punjab only when elections are near, but not during farmers' protests: Priyanka Gandhi

3:44 PM

Karnataka discontinues RT-PCR negative test report for those arriving from Goa, Kerala

3:18 PM

Reports alleging that Covid mortality in India is much higher than the official count is false: Govt

3:05 PM

Karnataka HC begins hearing petitions challenging the ban on hijab in educational institutions

2:51 PM

Girls from the economically weaker sections will be given an incentive of Rs 25,000: JP Nadda

2:40 PM

SP leaders would refer to vaccine as 'Modi vaccine, BJP vaccine', saying they won't take it: Adityanath

2:18 PM

Of all political parties that talk about Paunjabiyat, one already bowed down before industrialist: Priyanka

2:08 PM

Technical snag detected on Vistara flight UK 697 operating Delhi to Amritsar

1:56 PM

No farmer in UP will pay electricity bill for the next five years: Amit Shah in Shikohabad rally

1:53 PM

There are two batters in Congress right now, both will get out: Rajnath

1:41 PM

Was Sant Ravidas born in Punjab?: PM Modi

1:38 PM

PM Modi attacks Punjab CM over 'UP, Bihar ke bhaiye' remark