LIVE: Yogi govt issues new rules to ensure safety of working women

No female worker shall be bound to work without her written consent before 6 am and after 7 pm

Live news updates: S&P Global Ratings cut Ukraine’s rating by one notch amid a more protracted conflict than originally forecast when Russia invaded the nation in February. Ukraine’s foreign-currency rating was reduced to CCC+, on par with Argentina and Mozambique, and only five notches above default. It also assigned a negative outlook to the country as risks to the economy, external balances, public finances and financial stability stemming from the war might undermine the government’s ability to meet its debt obligations, S&P said in a statement. 

India on Friday described as "unacceptable" the comments made by OIC-IPHRC (Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission) criticising New Delhi for the court ruling against Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the world seeks "zero tolerance" against terrorism and urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) not to justify it in any manner.

Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday praised India for extending support amid the continuing economic crisis and expressed a desire to further strengthen ties between the two nations. "I expressed our country's appreciation for the support India has extended during this difficult period. I look forward to further strengthening ties between our nations," the Sri Lankan PM tweeted.

Former President Donald Trump rejected tighter gun control after a Texas school shooter killed 19 children and two teachers, telling a National Rifle Association (NRA) meeting that solutions include mental-health care and training teachers to carry concealed weapons.

11:39 PM

Siemens Mobility wins $8.7 billion high-speed rail deal in Egypt

Egypt has signed a contract with industrial manufacturing company Siemens' rail and traffic unit and its consortium partners to build about 2,000 kilometres of high-speed railways, the German group said on Saturday.

 

The deal between Egypt's National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) and a consortium of Siemens Mobility, Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors will create the world's sixth largest high-speed rail system, Siemens said.

 

"It is the biggest order in the history of Siemens", Siemens Chief Executive Roland Busch said in a statement.

10:07 PM

SpiceJet plane returns to Mumbai after windshield crack observed

9:50 PM

Delhi reports 442 new Covid cases

9:36 PM

Coal India to import for first time in years as power shortages loom

State-run Coal India , the world's largest coal miner, will import the fuel for use by utilities, a power ministry letter seen by Reuters showed on Saturday, as shortages raise concerns about renewed power outages.

 

It would be the first time since 2015 that Coal India has imported the fuel, highlighting efforts by state and federal officials to stock up to avoid a repeat of April, when India faced its worst power cuts in more than six years.

 

8:25 PM

Macron, Scholz urge Putin to release Azovstal fighters: Elysee palace

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday to release the 2,500 Ukrainian defenders of the Azovstal steel plant detained by Russian forces, the Elysee palace said.

 

The two European leaders, in a joint call, also urged Putin to accept a direct exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the palace said.

 

Russia said this month that almost 2,000 Ukrainians had surrendered after making a last stand in the ruins of Mariupol, where they had held out for weeks in bunkers and tunnels beneath the vast Azovstal steelworks.

7:37 PM

Yogi government's new rules to ensure safety of working women

7:31 PM

Vice President Naidu unveils late Karunanidhi's 16-ft tall statue in TN

7:00 PM

Jacqueline Fernandez gets court permission to travel to Abu Dhabi

6:15 PM

For first time, B.A. 4 & 5 variants found in Maharashtra

6:06 PM

4 cases of BA 4 variant, 3 cases of BA 5 variant of Omicron detected in Maha

6:01 PM

Prices of fertilizers up due to pandemic, war; but govt ensured supply: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the prices of fertilizers have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine, but the government has ensured that farmers in the country do not face scarcity of urea and other inputs.

 

“We will do everything that is required to be done to strengthen farmers,” he said at a seminar on co-operatives here.

5:57 PM

G7 working to resume grain exports from Ukraine, UK's Johnson tells Zelensky

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday that international partners were working intensively to find ways to resume the export of grain from Ukraine to avert a global food crisis.

 

Johnson, who has spoken regularly to Zelensky since the beginning of the invasion, said the two leaders also discussed the importance of the international community remaining united over the war.

 

"He said that the UK would work with G7 partners to push for urgent progress," a British readout of the call said, on the export of grain. "The leaders agreed next steps and the imperative for Russia to relax its blockade and allow safe shipping lanes.

5:32 PM

Imported urea bag of 50 kg is given to farmers at Rs 300, says PM

5:23 PM

Today, India produces milk worth around Rs 8 trn in a day: PM Modi

5:09 PM

PM Modi inaugurates Nano Urea (Liquid) Plant in Gandhinagar