LIVE: Ukraine Prez, Biden hold talks; US announces $500 mn more in aid

Volodymyr Zelensky discussed specific defensive support with US President in an hour-long call on Wednesday

12:14 PM

Sri Lanka announces 10-hour daily power cut amid fuel shortage

Sri Lanka imposes a nationwide 10-hour daily power cut as the nation faces a shortage of hydroelectricity triggered by the non-availability of fuel. 

The nation is facing an acute economic and energy crisis, which is a result of a shortage of foreign exchange. Read more

11:58 AM

Congress slams Centre over 'unabated' hike in fuel prices

As fuel prices increased for the eighth time in nine days, the Congress party slammed the central government over 'unabated' hike and termed it 'extortion.'

"The 8th increase has taken the #PetrolDieselPriceHike today to 5.60/litre. Is there an end date to this "loot"? Is PM unaccountable to people? Is there an answer?" Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala wrote on Twitter. Read more

11:12 AM

Russian troops forced to return to Belarus, Moscow to resupply: UK

UK military intelligence said on Wednesday that Russian troops, who suffered heavy losses in Ukraine, have been forced to return home and to Belarus, which came as an effort to re-organise Moscow's strategy. 

"Such activity is placing further pressure on Russia's already strained logistics and demonstrates the difficulties Russia is having re-organising its units in forward areas within Ukraine," Britain's defence ministry said.

10:08 AM

Stability of international order under question: PM Modi

The recent developments in Europe have raised questions about the stability of the international order. In this context, it has become a greater priority to have regional cooperation. Today we are adopting BIMSTEC charter to develop institution architecture for our group:  PM Narendra Modi

9:47 AM

US deputy NSA Daleep Singh to visit India today to discuss Ukraine

Indian-American Daleep Singh, US deputy NSA advisor, to visit India on March 30 and 31 to discuss the "consequences" of Russia's “unjustified war” against Ukraine. 
Singh's visit is coinciding with the tour of Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, who is expected to arrive in India by today evening or tomorrow morning. Read more

9:28 AM

Global Covid tally tops 484.9 mn, deaths surge to more than 6.13 mn

The global tally of Covid-19 cases tops 484.9 million, while the deaths surge to more than 6.13 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The worldwide vaccination against Covid surges over 10.90 billion. Read more

9:09 AM

India reports 1,233 new cases of Covid-19, 31 deaths in 24 hrs

India reports 1,233 new cases of Covid-19 while 31 died from the infectious disease in the last 24 hours. 
India's active caseload of Covid-19 now stands at 14,704 while the nation's coronavirus tally is at 43,023,215. The death toll from Covid-19 is 511,101.

8:49 AM

Pentagon says Russian troops 'repositioning' around Ukraine's Kyiv

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby highlighted that Russian forces have moved away from the Ukrainian capital city Kyiv 'in the last day or so', adding that he believes this is not a 'real withdrawal' but 'repositioning.'
"Has there been some movement by some Russian units away from Kyiv in the last day or so? Yeah. We think so. Small numbers," said Kirby.  His statement came after Russia earlier Tuesday announced that it will scale down attacks on Kyiv and Chernihiv. Read more

8:34 AM

Pak PM Imran Khan loses majority as ally MQM strikes deal with Oppn party

Pakistan's Imran Khan-led PTI government lost the majority in the lower house of Parliament ahead of the no-trust motion as the key ally and the main coalition partner Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM) after it struck a deal with the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
"The united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement. Rabta committee MQM and PPP CEC will ratify the said agreement," said PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a tweet. Read more

8:15 AM

Zelenskyy says 'Ukrainians not naive' on Russia's scale back claim

After Russia announced that it will scale back military operations in the capital Kyiv and Chernihiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, "Ukrainians are not naive people." 

Zelenskyy's response to Russia's announcement came after peace talks between Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul on Tuesday. Read more

7:58 AM

Oil prices climb on hopes of Russia-Ukraine peace talks

Oil prices rise on hopes of progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and providing a fresh reminder supply remains tight. Reversing a 2% loss in the previous session, Brent crude futures touched a high of $112.78 shortly after opening and were up $1.35, or 1.2%, at $111.58 at 0005 GMT.

7:51 AM

Ukraine food crisis worst since World War II, says UN food chief

The UN food chief warned the war in Ukraine has created a catastrophe on top of a catastrophe and will have a global impact beyond anything we've seen since World War II". The UN food chief David Beasley added that the crisis will be a result of war as many of the Ukrainian farmers who produce a significant amount of the world's wheat are now fighting Russians. Read more

7:17 AM

Biden says is skeptical on Russia scaling back in Ukraine's Kyiv

US President Joe Biden said he is not convinced about Russia's announcement on scaling back its military operations in Ukraine's capital Kyiv. Biden added that he was waiting to see what Russia offers in ongoing talks with Ukraine and how Moscow readjusts its troop presence. Read more

7:11 AM

Hopes of peace in Ukraine keep euro afloat

The dollar was kept on the back foot on Wednesday as hopes for a breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine peace talks lifted the euro, while the under-pressure yen steadied even as the Bank of Japan redoubled efforts to pin down bond yields.

The euro, battered in recent weeks by fear of the economic fallout from war in Ukraine and nerves about the risk of the conflict spreading west, touched a two-week high of $1.1137 overnight, before settling back to $1.1091 in Asia.

 

 

6:57 AM

Petrol, diesel costlier by 80 paise again; 8th increase in 9 days

Petrol and diesel became costlier by 80 paise a litre each, taking the total increase in fuel price in the last nine days to Rs 5.60 per litre. 

In Delhi, a litre of petrol is now selling at Rs 101.01 while diesel is priced at Rs 100.21. Petrol and diesel in Mumbai are selling at Rs 115.88 and Rs 100.10 per litre after an increase of 84 paise and 85 paise respectively. Read More