LIVE: No country can emerge victorious in Ukraine conflict, says PM Modi

Live news updates: PM Narendra Modi on Monday held a meeting with German Challancer Olaf Scholz in Berlin as the two leaders look forward to expanding India-Germany cooperation

11:16 PM

Germany commits 10 billion euros for green projects in India by 2030

Germany committed to provide additional support worth euro 10 billion to India by 2030 to support green growth initiatives. The commitment came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country — his first trip abroad this year. Read more

10:44 PM

Indian Railways spent Rs 150 cr to repair wagons, help coal movement

The railways spent more than Rs 150 crore in repairing around 2,000 damaged and dilapidated wagons over the last four months to augment coal movement to power plants, according to official data.

Officials said it cost the national transporter around Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh to repair each wagon.

9:49 PM

India and Germany made significant progress over last few years: PM Modi

Underlining the importance of India's bilateral ties with Germany, PM Modi said both countries share several common values and have made significant progress over the last few years.

"As democratic countries, both India and Germany share several common values. Based on these values, our bilateral relations have made significant progress over the last few years," PM Modi said while addressing a joint statement with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

9:34 PM

Maharashtra records 92 new Covid cases, one death

Maharashtra reports 92 new Covid-19 cases, a majority of them in the Mumbai Circle, and one more death on Monday, taking the overall tally in the state to 7,877,993 and the toll to 147,844.

9:17 PM

Children aged 12-17 can get Covovax jab at private centres: Report

Children aged 12 to 17 can now opt for Serum Institute's Covid vaccine jab Covovax at private centres as provision enabled on CoWIN portal, reports PTI quoting sources. 

8:49 PM

Heatwave claims 25 lives in Maharashtra

The ongoing unprecedented heatwave in Maharashtra has claimed at least 25 lives so far, the highest since 2016, with the number of heat-stroke cases standing at around 375, officials said.

This is the highest toll due to heat-wave in the past seven years in the state, said Awate, with 19 deaths notched in 2016, followed by 2 in 2018 and 9 in 2019, jumping upto 25 in 2022.

8:23 PM

Record sales of residential ACs in April amid heatwaves

The early arrival of summer and the subsequent heat wave have led to soaring demand for residential air conditioners, with manufacturers such as Voltas, Panasonic, Hitachi, LG and Haier posting record growth sales in April.

This year the AC sales have crossed the pre-pandemic levels in April 2019, according to industry players. Read more

8:06 PM

Finland ends deal with Russia's Rosatom for nuclear plant

A Finnish nuclear energy company said  it has decided to terminate with immediate effect a contract with Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom for the delivery of a nuclear power plant, in part due to the war in Ukraine which has worsened the risks for the project. Read more

7:52 PM

PM Modi's meets German Chancellor Scholz during Europe visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a meeting with German Challancer Olaf Scholz in Berlin as the two leaders look forward to expand India-Germany cooperation.

"Expanding India-Germany cooperation. PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Scholz meet in Berlin. @Bundeskanzler," Office of the Prime Minister of India said in a tweet.

7:39 PM

Omicron's latest subvariant proves virus not declining: Report

Omicron's latest subvariant BA.2.12.1, responsible for about one-fourth of Covid-19 cases in the US, shows that the virus is not showing any signs of decline even over two years after it was first detected in humans.

BA.2.12.1 has also been detected in Australia and New Zealand. Read more

7:27 PM

India's pharma exports touch Rs 1.8 trillion in FY22

India’s pharma exports touched Rs 1.8 trillion in fiscal 2022, said the commerce ministry, marking flat growth compared to last fiscal.

In the pandemic year of 2020-21, pharma exports had grown by 18 percent to $24.4 bn (roughly Rs 1.8 lakh crore at current exchange rates).

7:11 PM

Prashant Kishor announces a fresh beginning from his home state Bihar

Prashant Kishor made cryptic announcement of a fresh beginning in Bihar. 

In a tweet, he said, "My quest to be a meaningful participant in democracy and help shape pro-people policy led to a roller-coaster ride! As I turn the page, time to go to the Real Masters, THE PEOPLE, to better understand the issues and the path to Jan Suraaj people's good governance, tweeted Kishor, adding the hashtag shuruat Bihar se (Beginning from Bihar)."

6:56 PM

Nancy Pelosi thanks Poland for Ukraine support, meets president

A top-level US congressional delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in Warsaw on Monday to express gratitude to Poland for their humanitarian and other support for Ukraine.

Pelosi and a half dozen US lawmakers met with President Andrzej Duda and Polish lawmakers in Warsaw.

 

6:38 PM

First civilians leave Ukraine's Mariupol steel plant

People fleeing besieged Mariupol described weeks of bombardments and deprivations as they arrived Monday in Ukrainian-held territory, where relief workers awaited the first group of civilians freed from a steel plant that is last redoubt of Ukrainian fighters in the devastated port city. Read more

4:54 PM

LIC IPO gets strong demand from anchor investors: Reporter

The IPO of India's biggest insurer, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), has got off to a good start, with the $732 million of shares reserved for so-called anchor investors oversubscribed at the upper end of the price range, Reuters reported quoting a banking source. The Indian government has said it expects to raise up to $2.74 billion, just a third of its original target, from selling a 3.5% stake in LIC in the country's biggest initial public offering (IPO).

4:04 PM

Russia has to leave Ukraine: Germany sets terms for lifting sanctions

Sanctions against Russia can only be lifted after its forces leave Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, adding this includes Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.

3:47 PM

Punjab Cabinet approves 26,000 recruitments in govt depts

The Punjab Cabinet Monday approved recruitment on 26,000 posts in different government departments, and also gave its nod to roll out a doorstep ration delivery scheme. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

3:46 PM

Dental health start-up Toothsi raises $40 million

Toothsi on Monday said that it has raised USD 40 million (over Rs 305 crore) in a round of funding from a clutch of investors, including veteran banker Aditya Puri, Eight Roads Ventures, Paramark and IIFL. The newly raised funds will be used for building a team which will help the 2018-founded company expand into newer geographies and categories, PTI reported quoting the company.

2:59 PM

PMO shares images from Berlin's Brandenburg Gate

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Office shares images from Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate on Monday.

 

PM Narendra Modi arrived in Germany today on the first leg of his visit to three European nations.

2:38 PM

Terrorists not been able to breach our anti-infiltration grid: Army

Only one infiltration attempt was made from across the border this year and it was foiled. Terrorists have not been able to breach our anti-infiltration grid, said Lt General DP Pandey, GOC Chinar Corps on Monday.

 

Majority of these terrorists here remained quiet & put local youth as the face of terrorism here, he said, adding as numbers of local terrorists decreased, they're now getting exposed & contacts are happening.

2:33 PM

Action plan should be made to meet future energy demands: CM Adityanath

Batting for comprehensive reforms in the power sector, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that an action plan should be made keeping in view future energy needs, PTI reported.

The state is currently facing a power crisis. Against the demand of about 23,000 MW electricity, only 20,800 MW is being supplied. Though the state has got about 1600 MW of power from Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, there is still a shortfall of about 2000 MW resulting in power cuts.

2:31 PM

NTAGI to review Covid-19 vaccine data for 5-12 age group on May 4: Report

National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) to review the data of Covid-19 vaccines for the 5-12 age group on May 4, reports ANI

2:15 PM

Heatwave is over in most parts of India including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and UP: IMD

Heatwave is over in most parts of India including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and UP, said RK Jenamani, Senior Scientist, IMD on Monday.

 

Western disturbance is quite active, temperature will not rise for next 6-7 days, said Jenamani, adding northwest India has yellow alert for thunderstorms, while Delhi to receive rainfall on May 3.

1:38 PM

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces series of schemes

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Monday announces approval of 26,454 recruitments in various departments, one MLA-one pension, door-to-door ration delivery scheme, a compensation of Rs 41.8 crore for soft crops failure in Sri Muktsar Sahib, & extension of time for depositing fees for small transporters.

1:02 PM

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin thanks EAM Jaishankar for helping Sri Lankans during crisis

12:55 PM

Vice President Naidu administers oath to 3 newly elected members of Rajya Sabha

12:21 PM

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to visit Kerala on May 15

11:54 AM

Ensuring that Char Dham Yatra will be safe, teams of doctors on spot: Uttarakhand CM

We're ensuring that Char Dham Yatra will be safe & comfortable for people & that they should remain healthy throughout the yatra, Uttarakhand CM PS Dhami said on Monday.

 

Teams of doctors & nurses from social orgs will be providing health services to devotees during the yatra across the state, he added.

11:42 AM

Loudspeakers will be removed from temples and mosques: Shiv Sena

No one including Muslims opposed Hanuman Chalisa...Loudspeakers will be removed from temples and mosques, said Kishori Pednekar, Shiv Sena.

 

"Appeal to all to maintain peace...Law is equal for all. If Raj Thackeray has said anything objectionable in his speech then action will be taken against him," she added.

11:21 AM

Mumbai court to pronounce order on bail plea of MP Navneet Rana, MLA Ravi Rana

Mumbai Sessions Court on Monday will pronounce order on bail plea of MP Navneet Rana and MLA Ravi Rana, ANI reported.

 

Mumbai police had arrested the couple after they called for a recitation of Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree'.