Parliament LIVE: Lok Sabha adjourns sine die; Monsoon session ends

The Lok Sabha will be adjourned sine die today, eight days ahead of the scheduled end of the monsoon session. Stay tuned for Latest LIVE news

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level virtual meeting with chief ministers and health ministers of seven most-affected states today to review the coronavirus situation. The states with the highest Covid-19 caseload are Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab.
 

In another important news, the navies of India and Australia will carry out a two-day mega exercise in the Indian Ocean Region beginning today. The exercise will involve a range of complex naval manoeuvres, anti-aircraft drills and helicopter operations, according to officials.
 

The Lok Sabha will be adjourned sine die today, eight days ahead of the scheduled end of the monsoon session, amid concerns of the spread of coronavirus among lawmakers. Several MPs, including a few ministers, have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past few days.
 

On the technology front, Apple Inc has launched its much-awaited online store in India today.
 

Stay tuned for the latest news of the day.

2:17 AM

Fed officials double down on pledge to keep rates near zero

Hoping to convince investors they will keep monetary policy super easy for years, two Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday explicitly pledged no rate hikes until inflation gets to 2 per cent and stays there.

 

The Fed's governing board made that vow last week at its regularly scheduled policy meeting, promising to leave rates at their current near-zero levels until the economy reaches full employment, inflation has risen to 2 per cent, and is on track to moderately exceed that level.

 

Both Fed Vice Chair Richard Clarida and Chicago Fed President Charles Evans were adamant on Wednesday: Rates will not increase until labor markets recover fully from the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus, and prices hit the Fed's target.

1:36 AM

Goldman, Citi, HSBC halt UK office return on Johnson plea

Banks from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to Citigroup Inc., and HSBC Holdings Plc have hit pause on plans to return workers in London after Prime Minister Boris Johnson appealed to Britons to work from home to help tame a resurgent coronavirus.

 

Goldman Sachs is encouraging its London employees to go back to working remotely if possible, though its Plumtree Court office will remain open for those who need it. Deutsche Bank AG, HSBC and Citigroup will pause the return of some teams to its UK offices.

12:08 AM

India 'proud' to endorse US initiative on joint statement on Universal Declaration of Human Rights

India on Wednesday said it is "proud" to endorse the US initiative on a joint statement on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that recognises the many differences in national traditions and yet reaffirms fundamental freedoms and rights for all.

 

A joint statement, issued by the US, on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) said, "On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, We, the above listed signatories of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, established and adopted in 1948, recommit ourselves today to the Declaration and its foundational ideal that certain principles are so fundamental as to apply to all human beings, everywhere, at all times."

11:13 PM

Over 256,000 hectares of land in India affected by forest fires in 2019: Govt to Lok Sabha

10:46 PM

Economy can be revived only by boosting consumer sentiments: FICCI president

10:09 PM

Conditions are likely to become favourable for withdrawal of southwest monsoon from west Rajasthan and adjoining areas around September 28: India Meteorological Department

9:00 PM

Delhi: Opposition MPs protest against farm Bills

8:51 PM

Delhi govt keeping close watch on prices of essential commodities

8:39 PM

8:21 PM

Lok Sabha passes the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020

8:09 PM

11,76,164 Tuberculosis cases notified from Jan to August this year: Govt

7:57 PM

Congress is not worried about MSP: Irani

7:38 PM

Fire breaks out in Noida building

7:17 PM

Agriculture reforms will make the farmers 'Aatmanirbhar': Irani

7:05 PM

Congress in its 10 years in power didn't implement Swaminathan Report: Irani