LIVE: Cabinet approved National Logistics Policy, says Anurag Thakur

National Logistics Policy will introduce ULIP, standardization, monitoring framework and skill development for greater efficiency in logistics services, says Thakur

Over 90 airports in the country will be carbon-neutral by 2024, while the number of airports will rise to 220 in the next five years, Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said. Currently, the country has 141 airports, of which Kochi and Delhi airports are carbon-neutral, the minister said. "One of the first things that I did when I took over as the aviation minister was to put a carbon mapping profile of our airports. Two of our airports, Delhi and Kochi, are already carbon-neutral and India will have 92-93 carbon-neutral airports by 2024," Scindia said.

Russian-controlled regions of eastern and southern Ukraine announced plans to start voting this week to become integral parts of Russia. The concerted and quickening Kremlin-backed efforts to swallow up four regions could set the stage for Moscow to escalate the war following Ukrainian successes on the battlefield. The scheduling of referendums starting Friday in the Luhansk, Kherson, and partly Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions came after a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin said the votes are needed and as Moscow is losing ground in the invasion it began nearly seven months ago.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday once again raked up the Kashmir issue during his address to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly session. "India and Pakistan, after having established their sovereignty and independence 75 years ago, they still haven't established peace and solidarity between one another. This is much unfortunate. We hope and pray that a fair and permanent peace and prosperity will be established in Kashmir," Erdogan, a close ally of Pakistan, said at the General Debate.

3:53 PM

Cabinet approves changes in PLI scheme for semiconductor manufacturing

3:51 PM

Cabinet approved National Logistics Policy, says Anurag Thakur

3:36 PM

Aim to create an ecosystem for manufacturing of high efficiency solar PV modules: Thakur

3:31 PM

Anurag Thakur speaks on Cabinet decisions

3:02 PM

Odisha logs 199 fresh COVID-19 cases

Odisha's COVID-19 tally rose to 13,32,281 on Wednesday as 199 more people, including 40 children, tested positive for the infection, a health bulletin said.

The state had recorded 164 infections on Tuesday.

The toll remained unchanged at 9,186, with no reports of any new casualties. Besides, 53 other patients have died due to comorbidities, it said.

2:59 PM

China says it has patience needed to bring Taiwan under control

China said it has the patience to someday bring Taiwan under its control, partly because “compatriots” there want it to happen -- a view that contrasts with polling showing skeptical views of Beijing in the democracy.

 

“With regard to resolving the Taiwan question and realizing the complete unification of China, we have strategic composure and historic patience, and we are also full of confidence,” Qiu Kaiming, an official in a Chinese government department that handles ties with the island, said Wednesday.

2:42 PM

China goes easy on foreign lending as BRI loans mount

China's flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has hit a snag, with many loans to emerging economies falling into repayment troubles, forcing Beijing to scale back on lending.

The COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has adversely affected emerging economies. As countries struggle to meet debt obligations, China is likely to face more problem loans, Nikkei Asia reported.

China reported 19 cases of interest payment waivers and other loan conditions in 2021, a significant jump from previous years, according to the US think tank Rhodium Group estimate.

2:16 PM

India to announce 2022/23 sugar export quota 'very soon'

 India will announce a quota for sugar exports "very soon" for the new season beginning Oct. 1, Food Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey said on Wednesday.

Reuters reported last week that India was set to allow exports of 5 million tonnes of sugar in the first tranche for the new marketing year.

 

2:15 PM

ISRO successfully tests hybrid motor, eyes new propulsion system for rockets

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully tested a hybrid motor, potentially paving the way for a new propulsion system for the forthcoming launch vehicles.

The 30 kN hybrid motor tested at ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday is scalable and stackable, the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency said.

The test was supported by ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).

The motor used Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) as the oxidiser.

1:44 PM

SC directs CBI to file status report on investigation into intercepted conversations of Niira Radia

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the CBI to file a status report on the investigation into intercepted conversations of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud was hearing a plea filed by industrialist Ratan Tata seeking protection of right to privacy in view of the emergence of the Radia tapes.

"We will have it after the vacations as there is a Constitution Bench next week. Meanwhile, the CBI may file an updated status report," said the bench also comprising Justices Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha.

1:35 PM

Lumpy skin disease kills 101 cattle in MP; CM says state to vaccinate animals for free

A total of 7,686 cattle have been found infected with the lumpy skin disease in Madhya Pradesh so far and 101 of them have succumbed to the infection, an official said on Wednesday.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who held a meeting on Wednesday to review the situation, announced that the vaccination of cattle will be done free of cost.

He directed the officials concerned to take necessary steps to control spread of the disease and stop the movement of cattle into the state from outside, the official said.

1:16 PM

Everybody is trying to persuade Rahul Gandhi to return as Cong Prez, says Salman Khurshid

The response that Rahul Gandhi received for his ongoing 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' is a good reason to persuade him to return as the Congress President, senior party leader Salman Khurshid said on Wednesday.

He said "everybody" is trying to persuade Rahul to take on the mantle, and favoured the consensus route to pick the Congress President.

"If there are any final attempts that are going on to persuade Rahul Gandhiji, we are fully supportive of those attempts' ', Khurshid told PTI.

1:01 PM

PM chairs meeting of board of trustees of PM CARES Fund; lauds people for contributing wholeheartedly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the people for contributing wholeheartedly to the PM CARES Fund as he chaired a meeting where it was discussed that the initiative has a larger vision on effectively responding to emergency and distress situations, his office said on Wednesday.

Modi chaired a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the PM CARES Fund on Tuesday during which a presentation was made on the various initiatives undertaken with the help of PM CARES Fund, including the PM CARES for Children scheme which is supporting 4,345 children, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

The trustees appreciated the role played by the fund at a crucial time for the country. Prime Minister Modi appreciated the people of the country for contributing wholeheartedly to the PM CARES Fund, the statement said.

12:52 PM

Special PMLA Court to start hearing on Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's bail plea from September 27

Special PMLA Court to start hearing on Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut's bail plea from September 27. Court is likely to complete hearing on co-accused Pravin Raut's bail plea by Sept 23 & then it'll start hearing Sanjay Raut's bail plea from Sept 27

 

12:50 PM

Sonia Gandhi, Rahul permission not required to contest Cong presidential poll: party

The Congress on Wednesday said no one requires the permission of its president Sonia Gandhi or its leader Rahul Gandhi to contest in its presidential polls which is likely to be held next month if there is no consensus on who should be at the helm of the grand old party.

AICC general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh, speaking to the media during the break between the first and second leg of the days' Bharat Jodo Yatra, said, "Anybody is free and welcome to contest in the election if they have the backing of 10 PCC delegates."

"No one requires the permission of Congress president or Rahul Gandhi to file nomination. The elections will be fair and transparent. No other political party in the country holds elections to select their party chief."