India

Mumbai, Apr 22 (PTI) The rupee declined 32 paise to close at 76.49 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, in line with a sell-off in domestic equities and a firm greenback in the overseas markets.

Persistent foreign capital outflows also dented investor sentiment, forex traders said.

At the interbank forex market, the rupee opened sharply lower at 76.31 against the greenback and lost further ground during the session. The domestic unit witnessed an intra-day high of 76.19 and a low of 76.50.

New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) The Delhi government on Friday made masks mandatory at public places with immediate effect, and imposed a fine of Rs 500 for any violation.

However, the rule on fine will not be applicable on people travelling together in private vehicles.

The Health and Family Welfare Department's order comes in the wake of rising coronavirus cases in the city.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority(DDMA) had in its meeting last Wednesday decided to make masks mandatory at public places.

Lucknow, Apr 21 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday ordered the construction of new jails and more barracks in the existing ones to deal with overcrowding.

He said there should be a facility of sanitary napkins, dispensers, and incinerators at the women's help desk in prisons.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) India on Thursday reiterated that it has been looking at keeping its economic ties with Russia stable and that it procures "very little" Russian crude oil.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said this when asked at a media briefing about reports that India is buying more Russian crude oil.

Bagchi said India's position on Russia has been "clear and steadfast"

New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Delhi Congress vice-president Abhishek Dutt's SUV car was stolen from near his residence in the Jangpura Extension area here on Friday morning, officials said.

In a tweet, he said his white colour Haryana number Toyota Fortuner car got stolen this morning.

A senior police officer said that a case has been registered and legal action is being initiated.

Footage from CCTV cameras is being examined to identify the accused persons . The anti-auto theft squad has been briefed about the incident, the officer said.

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 22 (PTI) Targeting the BJP-led Union government at the Centre over the demolition drive in Delhi, veteran Marxist leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked whether India's 101st rank in the recent Global Hunger Index can be "erased with bulldozers?"

The CM was referring to the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021, released last October, which placed the country in an alarming 101st position.

NEW DELHI (AP) — India and Britain on Friday called on Russia for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced steps to help move New Delhi away from its dependence on Russia by expanding economic and defense ties.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told reporters that he and Johnson discussed the situation in Ukraine, underscoring the importance of diplomacy and dialogue to settle issues.

Baramulla, 21 April 2022: Two Kashmiris were killed by Indian security forces in Malwah area of Baramulla district of the Indian Administered Kashmir on Thursday, Indian officials said.

Three soldiers were also injured in gunfight.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) The Congress on Thursday termed as "undemocratic" and "unconstitutional" the arrest of Gujarat legislator Jignesh Mevani over his tweets, with former party chief Rahul Gandhi saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot imprison the truth by trying to "crush" dissent.

The Congress attacked the BJP government over Mevani's arrest by the Assam Police and alleged that Prime Minister Modi was "scared" and running "helter-skelter" by such actions.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) In the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asked the top commanders of the Army to prepare for every possible security challenge that India may face in the future including that of unconventional and asymmetric warfare

Singh made the remarks at the biannual Army Commanders' Conference that began on Monday

The defence minister also complimented the Army for its operational readiness to deal with any possible eventualities