LIVE updates: India asks Pakistan to reduce high commission staff by 50%

Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane will visit Leh today to review the on-ground situation and the progress in talks with the Chinese military

2:44 PM

ED raids at six locations in Delhi-NCR in PMLA probe against suspended AAP councillor Tahir Hussain in riots case

2:43 PM

Massive setback for RJD in Bihar as five of its eight MLCs join JD(U)

2:43 PM

Sebi relaxes rules for listed companies with stressed assets

To ease fundraising for companies with stressed assets, market regulator Sebi on Tuesday decided to relax pricing framework under the preferential route and exempted allottees of preferential issues from open offer obligations in such cases with immediate effect, PTI reported.

 

Typically, listed companies having "stressed assets" experience progressive fall in their share price. Further, the disclosures that are made by stressed companies such as their financial results and default in servicing debts also aggravate the fall.

 

Such firms face certain difficulties in raising capital through the conventional means. Consequently, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has eased the pricing methodology of preferential issues by such firm.

 

The Office of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also tweeted: In order to help stressed firms raise capital while also protecting shareholders' interests, Sebi has relaxed the pricing methodology for preferential issues by listed companies having stressed assets and has exempted allottees of preferential issues from open offer obligations.

2:20 PM

Rupee jumps 37 paise to close at 75.66 (provisional) against US dollar

2:16 PM

LIVE updates: Historic Jagannath Rath Yatra begins in Puri

The historic Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath commenced on Tuesday in this pilgrim town without the usual sea of devotees and amid tight security in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, less than 24 hours after the Supreme Court modified its earlier order to clear the decks for the annual ritual. In order to prevent any congregation, a curfew-like shutdown has been imposed across Puri district from 9 pm on Monday till 2 pm on Wednesday, DGP Abhay said.

 

Over 50 platoons of police force (one platoon has 30 personnel) have been deployed and CCTVs installed at various locations as part of the security arrangement for the nine-day festival, officials said, adding, all entry points to Puri were sealed. Priests and police personnel, who were part of the chariot pulling ritual, underwent mandatory Covid-19 testing on Monday night and only those whose reports came out negative were allowed to participate in the festival, they said.

 

A number of customary rituals like 'Mangla Arati' and 'Mailam' were held before the presiding deities -- Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra -- set out from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

 

Descending from the 'Ratna Sinhasana', the bejeweled throne, the three deities were taken out of the temple down the 22 steps known as 'Baisi Pahacha' through the Lion's Gate in an elaborate royal ritual called 'Pahandi'. In a rhythmic style, the deities moved forward step by step amid blowing of conch shells and ringing of bells.

2:13 PM

It is India's hope that we will also now converge on the values of reformed multilateralism: Foreign Minister S Dr Jaishankar

2:05 PM

Indian, Chinese militaries agree to disengage from friction points in eastern Ladakh

Indian and Chinese armies have arrived at a consensus to "disengage" from all friction points in eastern Ladakh at a marathon meeting of top military commanders of the two sides on Monday, official sources according to PTI said. The talks were held in a "cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere" and it was decided that modalities for disengagement from all areas in eastern Ladakh will be taken forward by both the sides, they said.

 

On Monday, Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the commander of the 14 Corps, held a nearly 11-hour meeting with Commander of the Tibet Military District Maj Gen Liu Lin in an attempt to lower the temperature between the two sides, PTI reported.

 

The talks were held in the midst of escalating tension between the two countries following the violent clashes in Galwan Valley last week that left 20 Indian Army personnel dead.

 

"There was a mutual consensus to disengage. Modalities for disengagement from all friction areas in eastern Ladakh were discussed and will be taken forward by both the sides," said a source.

2:05 PM

Indian blood was shed in the battlefields of the world: Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar

The victory over Nazism and Fascism was achieved through sacrifices by many countries. India made significant contributions. Indian blood was shed in the battlefields of the world: Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar (NDTV alert).

1:52 PM

We, the RIC countries, have been active participants in shaping global agenda: Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar

We, the RIC countries, have been active participants in shaping global agenda: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar at virtual Russia-India-China trilateral meet.

1:52 PM

India and China have agreed to take steps to cool down situation at border through dialogue and consultation: Chinese foreign ministry

1:51 PM

The challenge today is not just of concepts and norms but equally of their practice: Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar

The challenge today is not just of concepts and norms but equally of their practice: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar at virtual Russia-India-China trilateral meet.

1:49 PM

Leading voices of world must be exemplars in every way: Dr S Jaishankar

Leading voices of world must be exemplars in every way. Respecting international law, recognising legitimate interest of partners, supporting multilateralism and promoting common good is only way to build a durable world order: EAM at virtual meeting of RIC (Russia,India and China). 

1:48 PM

This special meeting reiterates our belief in time-tested principles of international relations: Dr S Jaishankar

1:46 PM

Important for the world to realise India's contribution and need to rectify the past: S Jaishankar at Russia-India-China trilateral meet

It is important for the world to realise India's contribution and need to rectify the past: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar at virtual Russia-India-China trilateral meet

1:44 PM

Dharmendra Pradhan visited Jagannath Temple in Hauz Khas today on occasion of Jagannath Rath Yatra