Live: Migrant labourer shot at by terrorists in Kashmir's Budgam dies

Live news updates: The latest on the war in Ukraine, the coronavirus pandemic and national politics and events.

11:36 PM

Putin-linked elites, yachts, firms targeted for US sanctions

The US announced new sanctions on Thursday on Russian oligarchs and elites, including some of the richest men in Europe and their families, as well as penalties targeting more Kremlin officials, businessmen linked to President Vladimir Putin and their yachts, aircraft and firms that manage them. The latest US penalties imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine also include Sergei Roldugin, considered a custodian of Putin's offshore wealth, the AP reported.

 

9:54 PM

Jagan Reddy meets PM Modi ahead of presidential elections

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, ahead of presidential and vice-presidential elections scheduled in July. The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader's meeting with Modi assumes significance as the BJP has stepped up preparations for the presidential elections and is rallying support from allies in the event of Opposition fielding a joint candidate, PTI reported.

9:17 PM

India’s decision guided by energy security requirement: MEA on Russian oil

India once again asserted on Thursday that its procurement of crude oil from Russia is guided by its energy security requirements. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said many countries have taken policy decisions with a similar perspective and procurement of oil from Russia is not an India-related issue. "We have consistently maintained that our approach is guided by our energy security requirements. You would note that many regions and countries have taken policy decisions recently with a similar perspective," he said.

8:06 PM

Mumbai reports 704 new cases of Covid-19

Mumbai reports 704 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours—the second day straight the city clocked more than 700 daily infections.

6:15 PM

Coal imports declined in FY'22 as power sector needed less: Govt

The government on Thursday said the drop in coal imports in FY'22 was mainly on account of the power sector's inbound shipments declining. Coal imports that had touched 248 million tonnes (MT) in FY'20 dropped continuously during the next two financial years to 215 MT in 2020-21 and 209 MT in 2021-22, PTI reported.

6:04 PM

Govt proposes to set up grievance appellate committee on social media

The Centre plans to set up a grievance appellate committee to look into appeals filed by individuals against decisions of grievance officers of social media platforms, PTI reported. The panel has to dispose of the appeals within 30 days of receiving them and its decision will be binding on the intermediaries or social media companies.

4:37 PM

Congress will win 3 of 4 Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan: Gehlot

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Thursday his Congress party will win three out of four Rajya Sabha seats from the state on June 10. Gehlot said that despite not having a majority, the BJP has backed an independent candidate, who "will face defeat".

4:13 PM

Russia has occupied 20% of Ukraine's territory, says president Zelenskiy

Russia is currently occupying about 20% of Ukraine's territory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Luxembourg's parliament in a video address on Thursday.

 

"We have to defend ourselves against almost the entire Russian army. All combat-ready Russian military formations are involved in this aggression," he said, adding that the front lines of battle stretched across more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles).

3:44 PM

Time is running out for Russia, says German economy minister

Germany must work harder to reduce its energy-dependence on Russia but western sanctions in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine are still taking a heavy toll on the Russian war machine, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Thursday.

 

"The Russian economy is collapsing," Habeck told lawmakers, adding that exports to Russia from Germany had dropped by 60% in March with an even sharper fall expected in April.

"Putin is still getting money but ... time is not working for Russia, it is working against Russia," the minister said.

3:39 PM

Centre to set up 'PM Shri Schools' to prepare students for future: Education Minister

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said the Centre is planning to set up "PM Shri Schools" which will be aimed at preparing students for future and will be the laboratory of new National Education Policy (NEP).

 

Pradhan was addressing the two-day National Education Minister's Conference in Gujarat.

 

"School education is the foundation on which India will become a knowledge-based economy. We are in the process of establishing 'PM Shri schools' which will be fully equipped to prepare students for the future," Pradhan said in his address.

 

He said these state-of-the-art schools will be the "laboratory of NEP 2020".