Live: Putin says peace talks with Ukraine are at dead end, goads West

Putin says Kyiv had derailed peace talks by staging what he said were fake claims of Russian war crimes

10:15 PM

Egypt to accept offers from Russia, Ukraine in wheat tender

Egypt's state grains buyer will accept offers from Russia and Ukraine in its international wheat purchasing tender this week despite supply disruptions, according to the state buyer's tender book seen by Reuters. It set a limited tender on Monday to buy an unspecified amount of wheat from European import origins included in its tender book only.

9:12 PM

Johnson, finance minister to be fined over lockdown parties

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his finance minister Rishi Sunak are to receive fines for breaching strict coronavirus lockdown rules, the government said on Tuesday, prompting calls for them both to resign. Police have been investigating 12 gatherings at Johnson's Downing Street office and the Cabinet Office after a damning internal inquiry found his staff had enjoyed alcohol-fuelled parties that should not have been allowed. 

5:38 PM

Serum Institute asks govt to reduce vaccine shots gap

Vaccine major Serum Institute of India (SII) has appealed to the government to reduce the gap between the second and booster dose to six months from nine months at present to safeguard people against emerging COVID variants, according to its CEO Adar Poonawalla. Recalling that they could not meet the commitment of exporting vaccines in the first quarter of 2021 due to "so much noise from public and the opposition", Poonawalla on Tuesday also pitched for a global pact for vaccine utilization.

4:26 PM

Centre wants uniformity in state cooperative laws: Amit Shah

The central government will not interfere in state cooperatives, but wants bring uniformity in state laws, says Union Minister Amit Shah.

3:55 PM

Pakistan wants to settle issues with India peacefully, says Shehbaz Sharif

Shehbaz Sharif thanks Narendra Modi for congratulating him on becoming Pakistan’s new Prime Minister. Peaceful settlement of outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, is indispensable, says Shehbaz Sharif.

3:25 PM

India, US ask Taliban to abide by the UNSC resolution

India and the US have called on the Taliban leadership to abide by the UNSC resolution which demands that Afghanistan's territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to plan or finance terrorist attacks. In a joint statement issued after the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the two countries' ministers urged the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children and members of minority groups; and to uphold freedom of travel.

2:34 PM

Have urged the govt to reduce the gap between 2nd and 3rd dose to 6 months: Poonawala

The (vaccine inoculation) uptick right now is a bit slow...because we have got this rule that you have to wait for 9 months between dose 2 and 3. We have appealed to the govt on how to reduce this further to 6 months, will propose the 6-month gap:  Adar Poonawalla, CEO, SII

 

2:08 PM

S. Korea's new Covid-19 cases bounce back to more than 200,000

South Korea's new coronavirus cases bounced back to more than 200,000 on Tuesday after falling to the lowest level in seven weeks amid the government's efforts to return to normalcy.

The country reported 210,755 new Covid-19 infections, including 33 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 15,635,274, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.

The public health agency reported 171 new Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, raising the death toll to 19,850.

1:47 PM

Made-in-India Dornier plane takes off for first commercial flight

Alliance Air's made-in-India Dornier 228 aircraft was deployed for its first commercial flight on the Dibrugarh-Pasighat route on Tuesday with Union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kiren Rijiju on board.

Accompanied by senior government officers, Scindia and Rijiju boarded the flight at the Mohanpur airport in Asssam's Dibrugarh for Pasighat in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.

The state-run Alliance Air became the country's first commercial airline to fly an Indian-made aircraft for civil operations. Till now, Dornier 228 planes were used by the armed forces only.

1:40 PM

Jharkhand HC takes suo motu cognizance of Deoghar ropeway incident

Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of Deoghar ropeway incident, orders inquiry in the matter. The court will hear the matter on April 26. Before that,  the state has to file a detailed inquiry report through an affidavit.

1:31 PM

Unrest at JNU

Union Ministry of Education seeks report from JNU over unrest in the university campus on the occasion of Ram Navami.

1:29 PM

Zelensky seeks to address AU on Russia's invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reached out to the African Union (AU) for support against Russia's aggression and requested to address the continental organisation.

Zelensky called Senegalese President Macky Sall on Monday and their conversation touched on an AU statement in February that called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

African nations have showed disunity in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.

 

1:28 PM

BJP sweeps UP Council polls, SP draws a blank

The BJP scored a massive victory in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council polls on Tuesday by winning 33 of the 36 seats where voting were held through local bodies.

The Samajwadi Party suffered a humiliating defeat and could not win even a single seat.

Three seats were won by independent candidates.

The Jansatta Dal, floated by Raghuraj Pratap Singh a.k.a. Raja Bhaiyya, retained the Pratapgarh seat where Akshay Pratap Singh Gopalji was the candidate.

Vikrant Singh Rishu, son of expelled BJP MLC Yashwant Singh, won the Azamgarh seat.

 

1:28 PM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah at 'Amrit Samagam'

If people take small resolutions, then this country with a population of 130 Cr people can make nation more powerful & great.Our new generation should become aware of freedom struggle, heroes of freedom movement should be celebrated. Don't know who will be running govt in Centre after 25 years but nation will be there & nation should move ahead, we should work together for 'Sankalp Yatra' irrespective of party politics: Union HM Amit Shah at 'Amrit Samagam' in Delhi

 

1:27 PM

Keeping close watch on Covid situation in Delhi, no need to panic, says Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said his government is keeping a close watch on the Covid situation in the capital and there is no major reason to panic at present.

He said all necessary steps will be taken if the need arises.

Delhi reported a positivity rate of 2.70 per cent on Monday, the highest in the last two months, triggering concerns about the resurgence of Covid in the capital.

1:23 PM

Indian Oil removes Russian Urals from latest tender: Reports

 Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has excluded several high-sulphur crude grades, including Russian Urals, from its latest tender, trade sources said on Tuesday.

India's top refiner informed market participants that Das, Eugene Island, Thunder Horse and Urals crude were no longer on the list of grades under its latest tender, which closes on Tuesday, the sources said.

IOC imports crude for itself and on behalf of its Chennai Petroleum subsidiary.

U.S. President Joe Biden had told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi late on Monday that buying more oil from Russia was not in India's interest and could hamper the U.S. response to the war in Ukraine.

1:08 PM

Modi says India ready to supply food stock to world if WTO gives nod

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that during his talk with US President Joe Biden, he offered to supply India's food stock to the world if the World Trade Organisation (WTO) accords permission.

Food stock in different parts of the world is dwindling due to the war (in Ukraine), Modi said after inaugurating the hostel and education complex of Shree Annapurna Dham Trust in Adalaj in Gujarat via video link.

Today the world is facing an uncertain situation as nobody is getting what they want. Petrol, oil and fertilizers are hard to procure as all the doors are getting closed. Everybody wants to secure their stocks after this (Russia-Ukraine) war began, Modi said.

12:45 PM

Health Minister chairs meeting with experts on new 'XE' Covid variant

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday chaired a meeting with the key experts and officials of the country on the new 'XE variant' of Covid.

While reviewing the Covid cases in the country, he directed the officials to boost ongoing monitoring and surveillance of new variants and cases.

On the medical infrastructure and resources front, Mandaviya directed officials to constantly review the availability of essential drugs and medicines required for Covid treatment. He further emphasised that the ongoing vaccination drive must be carried out at full pace and all eligible should be vaccinated.

12:15 PM

Andhra Pradesh train accident

Pained by the loss of lives in a train accident in Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh. My prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

 

11:39 AM

Tata Motors global sales

Tata Motors reports an increase of 2% for total global wholesales for Q4, but JLR saw a decline of 35% in global wholesales YoY

11:36 AM

Congress leader Pawan Bansal appears at ED in connection with National Herald corruption case

Congress leader and former Union Minister Pawan Bansal appears at ED office for questioning in connection with National Herald corruption case

11:35 AM

Imperative to reimagine, re-design & rebuild our traditional war-fighting machinery: IAF Chief Air Marshal

It's imperative to reimagine, reform, re-design & rebuild our traditional war-fighting machinery amid a new emerging paradigm. As the world becomes more interconnected, a cyber attack on our networks can cripple command & control systems:IAF Chief Air Marshal VR Chaudhari

 

11:32 AM

11,000 MT rice from India reached Colombo

11,000 MT rice from India reached Colombo on board ship Chen Glory today ahead of New Year celebration in Sri Lanka.16,000 MT rice supplied by India to Sri Lanka in the past week itself.These supplies which mark special bond b/w 2 nations will continue:Indian Embassy in Sri Lanka

11:32 AM

PM inaugurates the hostel and education complex of Shri Annapurnadham Trust at Adalaj

11:02 AM

ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava's tenure extended by three months: Report

The term of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director-General Dr Balram Bhargava has been extended by three months until further orders, said sources.

He will continue as DG ICMR-cum-Secretary Department of Health and Research for another three more months starting April 15.

He was appointed on April 16, 2018, for a four-year term.

11:01 AM

Goa Police arrests Congress leader Dharmesh Saglani in an extortion case

Goa Police Crime Branch on Monday, April 11, arrested Congress leader Dharmesh Saglani in an extortion case worth Rs 50 lakhs: SP Shobhit D Saxena to ANI. Saglani will be produced before the magistrate this afternoon

 

 

10:43 AM

BJP candidate Keya Gosh entered a couple of booths last night, we approached the EC: Babul Supriyo

BJP candidate Keya Gosh entered a couple of booths last night, we approached the EC regarding that. I've been in touch with people on the ground. I suspect CPM & BJP will hurl allegations that I'm being trying to influence the voters: TMC leader Babul Supriyo

10:37 AM

West Bengal bypolls: Violence breaks out in Asansol where bypoll voting to Lok Sabha seat is underway

10:06 AM

Jharkhand Ropeway Accident: 7 more rescued by IAF choppers

Seven of the 15 tourists who remained trapped mid-air in cable cars connecting the Trikut Hills in Jharkhand's Deoghar district for about 40 hours were rescued by Indian Air Force choppers that resumed rescue operations early on Tuesday morning, officials said.

Some 50 people have been rescued so far from cable cars which were left dangling mid-air after a malfunction of the ropeway which saw trolley cars colliding on Sunday 4 pm.

Two persons have died so far including one on Monday who fell to his death during a botched helicopter rescue attempt, while 12 persons who were injured are being treated in hospitals.

9:46 AM

Chidambaram counters FM, says social sector spending dipped 'as a proportion' after 2014-15

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday hit back at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for stating that the NDA government's developmental expenditure was higher than that under the UPA regime, asserting that as a proportion, social services expenditure had plummeted after 2014-15.

Citing the Reserve Bank of India data, Sitharaman's office had tweeted on Saturday that the total developmental expenditure incurred by the Modi government in 2014-22 was Rs 90.9 lakh crore, far higher than what was being alleged by some sections of the Opposition.