Predator Drone Deal LIVE Updates: Congress raises questions on pricing of predator drone deal with US

15:06 (IST)

Pakistan Bailout Package LIVE Updates

Pakistan, IMF discuss $2.5 billion standby arrangement

According to Pakistani publications, Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund are negotiating a $2.5 billion "standby arrangement" for six to nine months, with the present bailout package slated to end on June 30.

Pakistan has pushed through a host of recent policy changes, including an IMF-requested amended budget and an off-cycle interest rate rise, in the hopes of securing the outstanding funds under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) inked in 2019.

With time running out, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that the two countries were working on a "mechanism" to guarantee that Pakistan received the whole amount, not just the almost $1.1 billion due under the current review.

15:05 (IST)

India-Philipines Defence Alliance LIVE Updates

Want 'very robust' defence partnership with India: Filipino Foreign Secretary

Filipino Foreign Secretary Enrique A Manalo said on Wednesday that the Philippines wants to create a "very robust" defence alliance with India and is looking forward to acquiring military gear from it, amid worries in Manila about China's rising military strength in the South China Sea.

Manalo said in a speech at a renowned think tank here a day before meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that his nation has "repeatedly" questioned Chinese presence in the Philippines' exclusive economic zones (EEZs) in the South China Sea and will continue to do so.

On a four-day visit to India, the Filipino foreign secretary said the ten ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) nations and China had been working on a code of conduct (CoC) for the South China Sea, but he was sceptical of a beneficial conclusion.

15:02 (IST)

India Monsoons LIVE Updates

Light to heavy rains in Rajasthan following onset of monsoon

Light to heavy rain was reported in several regions of Rajasthan owing to the arrival of monsoon, resulting in a dip in maximum and lowest temperatures, according to the meteorological department, which issued an orange alert for nine districts of the state on Wednesday.

Heavy rains are expected in the next two days in the divisions of Udaipur, Ajmer, Kota, and Bharatpur in south-eastern Rajasthan.

The meteorological department said that Banswara had 10 cm of rain, followed by Jayal in Nagaur district, 8 cm in Nasirabad in Ajmer, 7 cm in Kekdi, 7 cm in Mandrayal, 6 cm in Savar, 6 cm in Mandalgarh, and 6 cm in Rohat.

The minimum temperatures in most parts of Rajasthan were recorded between 28.8 degrees Celsius and 23.7 degrees Celsius.

14:38 (IST)

Predator Drone Deal LIVE Updates

Congress raises questions on pricing of predator drone deal with US, seeks complete transparency

Congress sought total openness in the multibillion-dollar India-US drone agreement on Wednesday, saying that the 31 MQ-9B Predator UAV drones were purchased at a higher price.

At a news conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera stated that national security was vital and that various concerns had been raised about the predator drone contract.

"The Modi government is known to jeopardise national interests and the people of India have witnessed the same in the Rafale deal, where the Modi government bought only 36 Rafale jets instead of 126. We also saw how HAL was denied transfer of technology. We also saw how several unilateral decisions were made, despite widespread objections from the Defence Acquisition Committee and the Armed Forces. The Rafale 'scam' is still under scrutiny in France," he charged.

The Defence Ministry said on Sunday that India has yet to finalise the cost and specific terms of purchase of 31 MQ-9B long endurance drones from the US and that it will examine the "best price" offered by the manufacturer to other nations before concluding the procurement.

14:15 (IST)

BMC LIVE Updates

BMC to implement a 10% water supply cut from 1st July onwards across BMC limits

BMC has agreed to execute a 10 per cent water supply reduction across BMC limits from 1 July. According to the BMC, the decision was made owing to the monsoon arriving later, receiving less rain in catchment regions of water-providing lakes, and depleting water reserves for feeding Mumbai.

13:27 (IST)

Amit Malviya LIVE Updates

Congress files FIR against Amit Malviya over mocking Rahul Gandhi

The Congress Party has filed an FIR against Amit Malviya, the BJP's national convener of the IT cell, for reportedly ridiculing Rahul Gandhi.

Following a complaint by Congress' Ramesh Babu, a FIR was filed against BJP IT Cell chairman Amit Malviya at Bengaluru's High Grounds PS under sections 153A 120b 505(2), 34 of the IPC for his tweet against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

13:22 (IST)

India Highways LIVE Updates

Length of highways in India increased 59 pc in 9 years: Nitin Gadkari

According to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, the total length of national highways in India has increased by about 59% in the last nine years - since the current government came into power - and the country now has the second largest road network after the United States as a result of this expansion.

Gadkari stated during a news conference in New Delhi on Tuesday that the overall length of National Highways was 91,287 km in 2013-14, but that it has now been expanded to 145,240 km in 2022-23.

He also stated that the number of four-lane highways has more than doubled in the previous nine years. The length of four-lane roadways was 18,371 km in 2013-14, and it is currently 44,654 km.

13:17 (IST)

Delhi Deer Park LIVE Updates

Oh Deer! Why Delhi's Deer Park is shutting down after 55 years

It's time to say good-by to Delhi's renowned Deer Park in Hauz Khas. Because of their rapidly expanding numbers and insufficient staff, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has revoked their accreditation as a "mini zoo" and planned to relocate the animals.

According to an Indian Express article, the decision was made due to 'overcrowding' at the park. Because there is no natural predator in the region, the deer population has multiplied uncontrollably.

Deer Park is home to around 600 deer, who will be relocated to forest regions in Rajasthan and Delhi after the mating season is complete. The park will be kept as a protected forest by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

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13:12 (IST)

Mumbai LIVE Updates

Mumbai's Versova–Bandra Sea Link renamed as Veer Savarkar Setu

On Wednesday, the Versova-Bandra Sea Link in Mumbai was christened Veer Savarkar Setu.

The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link is now known as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Smruti Nhava Sheva Atal Setu.

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13:10 (IST)

Delhi Retail Liquor Trade LIVE Updates

Delhi's retail liquor trade records sharp fall compared to Q1FY23

The retail spirits trade in the national capital has reported a sharp decline compared to the first quarter (April-June) of 2022, when the AAP-led Delhi government's scrapped excise policy was in place, according to a report prepared by the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC).

After Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered a CBI inquiry after suspected irregularities in its execution, the Delhi government cancelled the new tax policy in July 2022.

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13:08 (IST)

Uniform Civil Code LIVE Updates

PM's comparison between family and nation to justify UCC flawed; Uniform Civil Code can't be forced, says Chidambaram

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong case for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), senior Congress leader P Chidambaram stated on Wednesday that PM Modi's analogy of a family and the nation to defend UCC in his address to BJP members in Madhya Pradesh was incorrect.

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12:20 (IST)

Jobs Scam LIVE Updates

ED summons TMCP state president Saayoni Ghosh in jobs scam

According to an official, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoned Trinamool Congress Chatra Parishad (TMCP) state president Saayoni Ghosh on Wednesday in connection with the continuing investigation into suspected irregularities in the school recruitment scandal.

Ghosh has been summoned to appear before ED officials at their city office on June 30 at 11 a.m., he added.

"Ghosh's name has surfaced multiple times while questioning those arrested in the case. We have evidence about Ghosh's involvement in several dealings with one accused arrested in this scam. We have asked her (Ghosh) to bring a few specific documents on Friday," he said.

The ED had summoned Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee earlier this month for interrogation in connection with the same scandal.

Former Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee, his close friend Arpita Mukherjee, and numerous top education department employees have been detained on suspicion of participation in the scandal.

12:18 (IST)

Cabinet Meeting LIVE Updates

Cabinet is likely to approve PRANAM scheme today

The PRANAM plan was implemented to minimise the country's reliance on chemical fertilisers and promote organic fertilisers. 50% of the subsidy savings will be returned to the state as a grant under the plan. total, it is intended to aid in the reduction of the total subsidy.

11:41 (IST)

Cough Syrup Death LIVE Updates

Indian firm Marion Biotech used toxic industrial-grade ingredient in cough syrup

According to two sources familiar with the situation, the Indian producer of cough syrups that Uzbekistan accused of poisoning 19 children last year used a dangerous industrial-grade component rather than the legal medicinal version.

According to Reuters, Marion Biotech purchased the component - propylene glycol (PG) - from trader Maya Chemtech India. However, Maya did not have a licence to sell pharmaceutical-grade products and instead "dealt in industrial-grade only," according to a source within the business familiar with the Marion probe.

11:39 (IST)

Money Laundering Probe LIVE Updates

ED arrests IRS officer in money laundering case

According to official sources, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended an IRS officer serving as an Additional Commissioner of Customs and GST on Wednesday in connection with a money laundering probe.

Sachin Sawant, who formerly worked for the federal agency as a deputy director in its Mumbai zonal office, was arrested on Tuesday under the terms of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the agency conducted searches on his and other people's homes in Mumbai.

According to authorities, the officer was assigned to Lucknow.

The money laundering case against the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) official derives from a CBI FIR filed against him on suspicion of excessive asset possession.

11:37 (IST)

Mumbai LIVE Updates

India antitrust body examining Air India, Vistara merger -sources

According to two sources with firsthand information, India's antitrust regulator is investigating Air India's proposed merger with Vistara and has asked the business why it should not be scrutinised further due to competition concerns.

It is a new challenge for the once state-owned Air India, which Tata Group acquired last year. The Indian airline has lofty goals for modernising its fleet, operating processes, and revenue management.

Tata said in November that it will merge its two full-service airlines, Air India and Vistara, to form a larger airline that would compete with local competitors such as IndiGo and Middle Eastern carriers that dominate outbound traffic from India.

11:20 (IST)

Mumbai LIVE Updates

Elderly man fatally struck in hit-and-run incident: Search for culprit underway

An elderly guy was killed in a horrific hit-and-run accident in Mumbai's Mulund district. A fast automobile struck the 75-year-old man while he was riding his scooter, causing severe injuries.

He was brought to a neighbouring hospital for medical care, according to sources. Despite his best attempts, he died as a result of the injuries he acquired in the collision. The motorist who caused the accident left the scene, leaving the vehicle.

The police responded quickly and filed a complaint against an unknown individual under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 279, 304(A), 337, and 338, as well as the Motor Vehicle Act. A rigorous search is presently underway to find the driver.

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11:16 (IST)

Uttar Pradesh LIVE Updates

Man beheads daughter-in-law amid domestic feud, confesses crime

On Tuesday, a 62-year-old man, the father of a police officer stationed in Farrukhabad, walked to the Kirawali police station in Agra district with blood on his hands.

He said that he murdered his daughter-in-law during a violent family fight.

Priyanka Singh, a 28-year-old lady from Malikpur village, has been confirmed as the victim.

Raghuveer Singh, the accused, admitted to the crime. Gaurav Singh, the victim's spouse and a police policeman, was not there at the time of the crime.

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11:11 (IST)

India COVID-19 LIVE Updates

Active COVID-19 cases in India dip to 1,579

According to Union Health Ministry data published on Wednesday, India has recorded 65 new coronavirus infections, while the number of current cases has decreased to 1,579.

The death toll was 5,31,905, with one fatality reported by Uttar Pradesh and one reconciled by Kerala, according to figures updated at 8 a.m.

The total value of the Covid case was 4.49 crore (4,49,94,097).

According to the health ministry's website, the national COVID-19 recovery rate is 98.81 per cent.

The number of patients who have recovered from the sickness has risen to 4,44,60,613, with a case fatality rate of 1.18 per cent.

According to the ministry's website, the country has received 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine as part of the statewide immunisation push.

11:03 (IST)

Mexico LIVE Updates

Armed men kidnap 14 security ministry staff in Mexico

Fourteen administrative personnel of the Chiapas police force were kidnapped by armed individuals on a roadway approximately 22 miles (about 34 kilometres) west of the state capital Tuxtla, according to Gutierrez.

According to local officials, the 14 state security ministry personnel were kidnapped while travelling along a highway.

“Nothing like this has ever happened,” a ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying by Reuters.

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10:32 (IST)

Assam Floods LIVE Updates

Assam: Floods affect preparations for Eid celebration in Barpeta

While Eid al-Adha preparations are underway in other parts of the country, thousands of residents in Assam's flood-ravaged Barpeta district are concerned.

The floods have affected around 67,000 people from 93 communities in the Barpeta district.

The inhabitants of up to 15 villages in the Bhella region of the lower Assam district stated they would not be able to celebrate Eid al-Adha this year owing to flooding.

According to Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Shilla village near the Bhella region, the water has affected up to 15-20 villages.

"People are facing lots of problems. The flood waters submerged our Eidgah Maidan and we are very worried about this," Rafiqul Islam said.

10:29 (IST)

Uniform Civil Code LIVE Updates

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar supports PM Modi's speech on UCC in Bhopal

According to Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, opposition parties today are a conglomeration of groups with a long history of corruption, exploitation, and fear-mongering among minorities, as well as terrorising the Muslim community.

Whatever PM Modi stated yesterday is a reflection of the opposition parties' faces, the union minister continued.

10:26 (IST)

BJP Worker Murder Case LIVE Updates

NIA searches houses of three absconding suspects in BJP worker's murder case in Karnataka

An official said on Wednesday that the National Investigation Agency has searched the homes of three missing suspects in a case involving the assassination of BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Nettaru by members of the outlawed Popular Front of India in Karnataka last year.

The NIA searched three places in two districts of Karnataka as part of its attempts to find the fugitives, according to a spokeswoman for the federal agency.

Several electronic devices and papers were confiscated during searches at the homes of Abdul Nasir and Abdul Rahaman in Kodagu district, and Naushad in Dakshina Kannada district, according to the official.

10:23 (IST)

Foreign Exchange LIVE Updates

Rupee gains 5 paise to 81.97 against US dollar

The rupee rose 5 paise to 81.97 per dollar in early trade on Wednesday, boosted by foreign money inflows and increases in local shares.

The currency began 2 paise higher at 82 in the interbank foreign exchange market, moving in a narrow range of 82.01 to 81.97 in early activity.

At 9:35 a.m., the rupee was trading at 81.97 versus the US dollar, up 5 paise from the previous close of 82.02.

Analysts noted that foreign portfolio inflows into stocks and overnight losses in the US currency in global markets improved rupee sentiment in early trade.

10:16 (IST)

Stock Markets LIVE Updates

Sensex, Nifty touch all-time high levels in early trade

The benchmark equity indexes Sensex and Nifty hit new highs in early trade on Wednesday, fueled by a rebound in US markets and fresh foreign capital inflows.

Investing in market heavyweights like as Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank also contributed to the upward trend.

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 299.97 points to an all-time high of 63,716 in early trade, extending the previous day's rise. The NSE Nifty rose 90.75 points to a career-high of 18,908.15.

Titan, Bajaj Finance, State Bank of India, ITC, Larsen & Toubro, IndusInd Bank, HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, and Infosys were among the biggest gainers within the Sensex pack.

10:12 (IST)

Uniform Civil Code LIVE Updates

AIMPLB opposes Uniform Civil Code after PM Modi advocates for proposed law

The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) voted to oppose the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a strong push for it.

The Personal Law Board convened an emergency online meeting late Tuesday evening, hours after Prime Minister Modi advocated for the implementation of the UCC, questioning how the country can function with dual laws governing personal matters and accusing the Opposition of using the UCC issue to "mislead and provoke" the Muslim community.

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09:50 (IST)

India Monsoons LIVE Updates

IMD issues 'yellow' alert in Goa

Heavy rains drenched sections of Goa, with the India Meteorological Department issuing a 'yellow' alert for the coastal state until Thursday, anticipating heavy showers in isolated areas.

09:48 (IST)

World University Ranking LIVE Updates

IIT-Bombay ranked in top 150

“I'd like to congratulate Indian universities on their ever-improving performance,” said Nunzio Quacquarelli, Founder & CEO, QS.

“We've rated 2900 institutions for this year's ranking system, and there are 45 Indian universities that are appearing in the ranking. That is a 297% increase over the last nine years. So really continuous, steady improvement by Indian universities,” Quacquarelli added.

09:46 (IST)

Tamil Nadu LIVE Updates

Tomatoes to be sold through FFOs in a bid to control prices

To help the poor and middle-class people, tomatoes will be sold through Farm Fresh Outlets (FFOs) across Tamil Nadu to keep tomato costs under control, says Periyakaruppan, Tamil Nadu Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department Minister.

Tomatoes will be offered at FFOs for Rs.68 per kilogramme. Steps are also being done to offer tomatoes in FFOs for Rs 60 per kg, he added.

09:16 (IST)

India Monsoons LIVE Updates

Moderate to heavy rain likely in Goa today: IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Goa would see moderate to heavy rain on Wednesday.

It further stated that clouds are visible over the talukas of the North and South Goa districts and are migrating east.

08:53 (IST)

Manipur Violence LIVE Updates

Rahul Gandhi to visit violence-hit Manipur on 29-30 June

Rahul Gandhi, the senior Congress leader, will visit violence-torn Manipur on June 29 and 30, the AICC general secretary in charge of the party, KC Venugopal, stated on Tuesday.

During his two-day tour to the northeastern state, Gandhi will visit relief camps and meet with civil society groups in Imphal and Churachandpur.

“Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Manipur on June 29-30. He will visit relief camps and interact with civil society representatives in Imphal and Churachandpur during his visit,” Venugopal tweeted.

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08:35 (IST)

India Monsoons LIVE Updates

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami holds review meeting as monsoon hits state

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a review meeting with divisional and district level bureaucrats at the Circuit House on Tuesday in light of severe rainfall during the monsoon season.

"Today in Kathgodam (Nainital) held a meeting with the higher officials regarding the development works of the area. During this, in view of the alert issued by the Meteorological Department, instructions were given to fix all the arrangements related to disaster management at the earliest," read a rough translation of the Chief Minister's tweet in Hindi.

In light of the monsoon rains, the Chief Minister directed his subordinates to devise an effective action plan to mitigate the consequences of potential calamities. The Chief Minister has directed that all departments exercise prudence and collaboration in this respect.

In anticipation of the monsoon season, the Chief Minister has directed all district magistrates and government agencies to undertake solid preparations this time, based on previous experience with disasters during the rainy season.

07:53 (IST)

India Cheetahs LIVE Updates

Male cheetah, Agni, injured in fight at Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park

An official claimed on Tuesday that a translocated African cheetah was hurt in a battle with other cheetahs at Kuno National Park (KNP) here.

Agni, the male cheetah, was hurt during a fight between two groups of cheetahs in Kuno National Park's open forest region on Monday evening, he said, adding that the injured cheetah was receiving care and his condition was improving.

Notably, six cheetahs have perished since March, including three of the four cubs born in the park, pointing fingers at the KNP's management and administration.

07:49 (IST)

India Monsoons LIVE Updates

Himachal Pradesh set to receive more rain: IMD

The IMD has forecast further rain for Himachal Pradesh for the remainder of the week, with heavy showers possible in certain areas.

Authorities in Himachal Pradesh said at least six people were killed between Monday and Tuesday. The state has borne the brunt of a monsoon that has barreled through the country with renewed vigour in recent days, after cyclone Biparjoy slowed the season's progress two weeks ago.

“There is a possibility of rain for the next five days. Heavy rain alert continues at some places of the state,” said Sandeep Kumar Sharma, IMD scientist, Shimla.

The state government advised tourists and residents to avoid unnecessary travel and not to venture near rivers and landslide-prone areas.

07:20 (IST)

India Monsoons LIVE Updates

Wet spell across India as rains advance, ‘orange’ alert in hills

Rain and storms continued to batter numerous regions of north, northwest and central India on Tuesday, as the southwest monsoon moved farther into the nation, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) authorities, with nighttime rains also keeping Delhi colder than usual.

According to the national weather service, the southwest monsoon has now enveloped most of the country, with just northern Rajasthan and small portions of Haryana and Punjab remaining outside the rainy season's footprint.

The monsoon will have passed across the whole country in the next two days, according to the IMD report.

Meanwhile, the meteorological service issued orange warnings for regions of Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.