LIVE: UP govt's affidavit in SC on Hathras case a white lie, says Congress

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the state government should not cover up the issue and present facts before the public.

3:20 PM

Producing company cannot participate in the bidding process, anyone else can participate: Dharmendra Pradhan

3:19 PM

E-bidding platform for natural gas will be formed, producers will have the option to chose the platform: Dharmendra Pradhan

3:18 PM

We have to increase the consumption of natural gas in India: Dharmendra Pradhan

3:17 PM

It is the time to reap benefits of reforms undertaken during 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019: Dharmendra Pradhan

3:16 PM

Dharmendra Pradhan says Cabinet approves reforms in natural gas marketing

3:14 PM

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addresses the media about decisions taken during the Cabinet meeting today

3:11 PM

Today's cabinet was special cabinet where many important decisions were taken: Javadekar

3:10 PM

MoUs have been signed with Canada government for barcoding of animal genomes: Javadekar

3:07 PM

Wearing masks, washing hands are two of the ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

3:07 PM

Cabinet Briefing begins. Prakash Javadekar addresses the media

2:57 PM

Rupee recovers by 13 paise; ends 2-day losing streak

Snapping its two-day losing streak, the rupee strengthened by 13 paise to settle at 73.33 against the US dollar on Wednesday helped by positive domestic equities and foreign fund inflows.

At the interbank forex market, the domestic unit opened at 73.53 against the US dollar, but gained ground during the day and finally settled at 73.33, registering a rise of 13 paise over its last close of 73.46 against the greenback.

During the session, the local unit witnessed an intra-day high of 73.29 and a low of 73.55 against the American currency.

2:15 PM

New H-1B visa rules programme will restrict US access to skilled talent: Nasscom

Industry body Nasscom on Wednesday said the changes announced to the H-1B visa programme will restrict access to skilled talent as well as harm the American economy and jobs.

The Trump administration has announced new restrictions on H-1B non-immigrant visa programme, to protect US workers ahead of presidential election.

It said the move is aimed at protecting American workers, restoring integrity and to better guarantee that H-1B petitions are approved only for qualified beneficiaries and petitioners. The move is likely to affect thousands of Indian IT professionals.

2:13 PM

Over 93,500 data science jobs vacant till August in India, finds Study

Over 93,500 data science jobs were vacant in India at the end of August 2020, a study conducted by EdTech company Great Learning said.

Despite Covid-19, the enthusiasm and optimism around the analytics function continues to remain high with India contributing 9.8 per cent of the total global analytics job openings in August 2020 compared to 7.2 per cent in January this year, it said.

While the sector did witness a decrease in vacancies (from 109,000 vacancies in February to 82,500 vacancies in May 2020), the demand has continued to be fairly consistent across key industry sectors.

The factors contributing to the increased demand include a year-on-year increase in funding in Indian analytics startups, investment in the development of enhanced analytics capabilities in India, and a greater proportion of jobs outsourced to firms based in India owing to the pandemic, it added.

1:53 PM

India, Japan hold strategic dialogue, call for free, open, inclusive India-Pacific region

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi on Wednesday participated in the India-Japan Strategic Dialogue, during which they discussed cooperation in manufacturing, skills, infrastructure and health sectors, reaffirming the similarities in their respective India-Pacific visions, that are based on rule of law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

During the 13th India-Japan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, the two ministers exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed that the strong and enduring partnership between the two countries will play a pivotal role in overcoming challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Jaishankar is in Tokyo to attend the foreign ministers meeting of India, the US, Australia and Japan, which was held yesterday.

 

"Reaffirming the mutual trust and shared values, they reviewed the progress made in India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and discussed convergence in various areas, including maritime security, trade and investment, manufacturing, skill development, connectivity and infrastructure, health and wellness, Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) and UN Reforms," a statement by Ministry of External Affairs read.

1:47 PM

Global airline industry drains $77 billion cash in H2 2020: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that the global airline industry will burn through $77 billion in cash during the second half of 2020 (almost $13 billion a month or $300,000 per minute) despite the resumption of operations.

The slow recovery in air travel will see the airline industry continuing to burn through cash at an average rate of five billion to $6 billion per month in 2021.

IATA called on governments to support the industry during the coming winter season with additional relief measures, including financial aid that does not add more debt to the industry's already-highly-indebted balance sheet.

So far, governments around the world have provided 160 billion dollars in support including direct aid, wage subsidies, corporate tax relief and specific industry tax relief including fuel taxes.