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11:44 PM

Nithyananda's 'Kailasa' cons 30 US cities with "sister city" scam: Report

Self-proclaimed godman and fugitive Nithyananda's "United States of Kailasa" has signed a "cultural partnership" with over 30 American cities, a media report has said, days after the city of Newark in the US state of New Jersey said it rescinded a "sister-city" agreement with the fictional country.
 

The sister-city agreement between Newark and the fake "United States of Kailasa" was inked on January 12 this year and the signing ceremony took place at City Hall in Newark.

 

Nityananda, whose mind-bending spiritual homilies wrapped in a sheen of pseudo-science has provided much mirth on social media, claims to have set up a country called the "United States of Kailasa" in 2019.

6:20 PM

IHC suspends Imran's arrest warrants, gives him chance to go to trial court on March 18

3:01 PM

Akhilesh in Kolkata, says main target is to oust BJP in 2024

The one and only target of Samajwadi Party is to oust BJP from power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections at any cost, the party chief and the leader of opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly Akhilesh Yadav said after arriving here on Friday.

 

He will first be attending a meeting of the national working committee of his party at a hotel in Kolkata. Thereafter at around 5 p.m. he will have a meeting with CM Mamata Banerjee at her residence in South Kolkata.

 

"I will be meeting with the Chief Minister of West Bengal this afternoon. It is not possible to say right now what will be the outcome of the discussion. The Union government is not ready to discuss burning issues like inflation, unemployment and farmers' plight. Instead, the Union government wants to harass the opposition parties through central agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate," Akhilesh Yadav told media persons after at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose international airport on Friday afternoon.

 

2:57 PM

Govt plans to introduce PLI 2.0 for specialty steel: Scindia

The government is planning to introduce the second edition of the PLI scheme for specialty steel to boost production of value-added steel in the country, Union Minister of Steel Jyortiraditya Scindia said on Friday.

The minister was speaking at the PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel MoU signing event in the national capital. It was attended by the companies selected to invest under the Rs 6,322-crore scheme.

"Today is an important day in the history and future of the steel industry. PLI 1.0 is not a full stop, it is the beginning of the journey. Our ministry is already looking at PLI 2.0," he informed the participants of the first edition of PLI for specialty steel.

2:50 PM

Congress gives breach of privilege notice over PM's remarks on Nehru surname

Congress leader K C Venugopal on Friday gave Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar a breach of privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on why former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's family did not use his surname.

The prime minister's remarks were made during his reply to the motion of thanks on the president's address in the Rajya Sabha on February 9 during the first part of the budget session.

"I hereby give a notice of question of privilege against the prime minister of India under Rule 188 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Council of States (Rajya Sabha) for having cast reflections upon members of Parliament during his reply to the motion of thanks on the president's address on February 9, 2023," Venugopal said in his notice.

2:36 PM

Gurugram health department collects samples of 30 influenza suspects

The health department has sent the samples of 30 patients suspected of suffering from H1N1, H3N2 for examination, an official said on Friday.

While issuing advisories regarding the seasonal influenza, the health department has been asked to make all arrangements in the hospitals as well as inform the patients about the required precautions.

"If any patient is suffering from fever, cough, respiratory problems or a symptom associated with the influenza virus, we first take all of his samples and after getting the report, we provide immediate treatment," Civil surgeon Dr. Virender Yadav said.

2:35 PM

'Can't bulldoze govt authority by judicial orders', SC on land allotment for lawyers' chambers

The Supreme Court on Friday observed that a signal must not go to the government that the court can bulldoze its authority by passing judicial orders, while hearing a plea moved by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to convert a land measuring 1.33 acres allotted to the top court for the construction of lawyers' chambers.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices S.K. Kaul and P.S. Narasimha, said it would take up the land allotment issue for lawyers' chambers with the government.

The bench queried senior advocate and SCBA president Vikas Singh, how could the court pass an order to take over the land for allotment of chambers? Lawyers are part of us, but can we use our own judicial powers to safeguard our own people?

2:25 PM

No proposal to reduce subsidy on fertilisers: Govt

The government on Friday said that there is no proposal to reduce subsidies on fertilisers in the country.

Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Bhagwanth Khuba, in his written reply to the Lok Sabha, said, "No such study to understand the impact of reducing fertiliser subsidy on farmers has been conducted so far."

In a separate reply, the minister said the government at present has no plan to control the rates of P&K fertilisers under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme.

The government provides subsidy on both urea and non-urea fertilisers to ensure farmers get the soil nutrients at affordable rates.

2:04 PM

Cong must smell poliatical coffee after BJP's poll results in northeast: Union minister Smriti Irani

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's comments in the UK did not come due to his concern over India but for his political legacy, Union minister Smriti Irani said on Friday, stressing that the opposition party should take a hint from the recent poll results in the northeast and "smell the political coffee".

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained power on its own in Tripura and with its senior ally, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), in Nagaland.

1:36 PM

Mamata to visit Odisha this month, meeting with Naveen Patnaik likely

West Bengal Chief Minister and All India Trinamool Congress' National President Mamata Banerjee will be on a two-day visit to Odisha this month when she is likely to call on her counterpart and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik.

Trinamool Congress sources said that the chief minister will reach Odisha- capital of Bhubaneswar on March 21 evening and make a night-stay there.

1:21 PM

Students performing well due to Delhi govt's focus on education: LG Saxena

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Friday said the city government's focus on improving the education sector had ensured that students are performing well now.

 

During his maiden address in Delhi Assembly on the first day of the budget session, Saxena said the government is upgrading the education and health infrastructure in the national capital.

1:03 PM

No decision on recruiting civic volunteers in schools : WB edu min

West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu has said that the department has not taken any decision on recruiting civic volunteers in schools in Bankura amid controversy over the reported move by the district police to induct them as primary school teachers.

The government has sought a report from Bankura district administration and police about what prompted them to take the move, Basu told reporters on Thursday.

12:49 PM

Jairam playing Chief Saboteur': Himanta on Ramesh's prompt to Rahul

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being apparently prompted by party colleague Jairam Ramesh during a press conference, by terming the economist-turned politician, Congress's "Chief Saboteur".

He also ridiculed those who believe that Gandhi will emerge as a challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

12:37 PM

Delhi HC refuses to entertain PIL seeking compulsory voting in Parliament, Assembly polls

The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to hear a PIL moved by BJP leader and practicing lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay seeking compulsory voting in Parliament and Assembly elections.

Upadhyay had moved the plea on Wednesday.

12:21 PM

India's smart home security camera market grows 44%

India's smart home security camera market shipments experienced 44 per cent (on-year) growth in 2022, a report has said.

Xiaomi led the market in 2022 with a 33 per cent share. Tapo registered 88 per cent growth and maintained its second position in 2022 with a 17 per cent share, according to Counterpoint Research.

12:09 PM

Beijing monitors share prices of Indian companies linked to Chinese businesses

China's financial market regulators are monitoring the over valuation of India-listed companies which have business dealings with Chinese-origin companies in Asia, following a recent dispute settlement of two firms from both countries, informed sources said on Friday.

The sources cited a judgement by the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) this month, involving India's Kiri Industries and DyStar Global Holdings (Singapore), a subsidiary of the world's largest dye manufacturer from China.

11:56 AM

Humanitarian earthquake aid in Syria continues to scale up, says UN

Despite operating challenges, relief workers in Syria have scaled up aid delivery to victims of the devastating February 6 earthquakes, UN humanitarians said.

 

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that since the massive temblor it has reached more than 1.2 million people with food together with aid partners, reports Xinhua news agency.

11:43 AM

TCS new CEO confident about doubling down on customer deliveries

K Krithivasan, chief executive officer-designate of the country's largest software services major TCS, on Friday said the company doesn't have a culture of making radical strategic changes when it gets a new chief and sounded sanguine about doubling down on customer deliveries.

The USD 25-billion software giant in a surprise announcement on Thursday said Rajesh Gopinathan, its CEO for more than six years with over four years left to his second five-year term, has decided to move on from September 15. The IT major also said that Krithivasan, president of its BSFI vertical which contributes 31.5 per cent of its top-line, will head the company as the CEO-designate with immediate effect.

11:31 AM

Japan, South Korea agree to mend ties as leaders meet after 12 year gap

As Japan and South Korea continue to deal with North Korean threats and growing concerns about China, the leaders of two neighbours promised to rekindle ties in a fence-mending summit in Tokyo, reported CNN.

 

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, "From now on, I would like to open a new chapter in Japan-South Korea relations through frequent visits by both sides that are not tied down by formality." He made these remarks in Tokyo after meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday.

11:19 AM

Maha: HC quashes CM Shinde's decision over recruitment in co-op bank; slams him for interference

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has quashed the decision of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to stay the recruitment process of a co-operative bank, noting that the CM has no powers to review or modify the calls taken by the minister concerned.

A division bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes in its order of March 3 termed Shinde's decision wholly unwarranted and without authority of law.

11:02 AM

Rahul Gandhi has become part of 'anti-nationalist toolkit', says Nadda

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda on Friday launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi over his remarks in the UK and said that he has become a permanent part of the "anti-nationalist toolkit".

 

"It's unfortunate that the Congress party is indulging in anti-national activities. After being repeatedly rejected by the nation, Rahul Gandhi has now become a permanent part of this anti-nationalist toolkit," Nadda told ANI.

10:48 AM

Foreign entity Twitter can't seek protection under Article 19: Centre to HC

The Centre has submitted to the Karnataka High Court that American microblogging platform Twitter cannot take protection under Article 19 of the Constitution which ensures freedom of speech and expression.

 

The Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression to Indian citizens and not to foreigners and foreign entities, the Additional Solicitor General (South) R. Sankaranarayanan representing the central government submitted to the High Court on Thursday.

10:38 AM

796 fresh Covid infections in India, active cases cross 5K after 109 days

India on Friday recorded a single-day rise of 796 coronavirus infections, while the number of active cases surpassed 5,000 after 109 days, according to Union health ministry data.

The total tally of Covid-19 cases now stands at 4.46 crore (4,46,93,506). The death toll increased to 5,30,795 with five fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

10:22 AM

UP: Death toll in cold storage roof collapse rises to 8, CM sets up probe panel

As the death toll in a roof-collapse incident at a cold storage in Sambhal climbed to eight on Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the deceased and formed a committee to probe the reasons behind it.

Eight people have so far died in Thursday's roof-collapse incident at the cold storage chamber located on the Indira Nagar road within the Chandausi police station limits, Deputy Inspector General of Police Shalabh Mathur said.

10:02 AM

BJP President J P Nadda slams Rahul Gandhi over remarks in UK, seeks apology

9:55 AM

Maha: Three killed as car rams into stationary truck on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Three persons died after the car they were travelling in crashed into a stationary truck on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Friday morning, said an official.

Police said that the incident took place around 7.30 am near the Talegaon toll plaza on the busy carriageway. The car was travelling from Mumbai to Pune. It hit a loaded stationary truck, which was parked on the roadside. All three 

9:40 AM

PM Modi has done a lot for Sikhs and Sikhism: Former pro-Khalistan leader

The founder of Dal Khalsa and former pro-Khalistan leader Jaswant Singh Thekedar has lauded the work undertaken and accomplished by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the country's Sikh community, saying that he admires the community and has done a lot for its people.

 

In an interview with ANI, Thekedar said, "Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has done a lot for Sikhs and Sikhism. He loves our community. He has done a lot -- ended the blacklists, opened Kartarpur Corridor, and talked about Chhote Sahibzadas (the sons of Guru Gobind Singh)."

 

9:21 AM

Microsoft introduces AI-powered '365 Copilot'

Tech giant Microsoft has announced its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered 'Microsoft 365 Copilot' for Word, Excel, Outlook and more.

"This latest AI-powered offering combines the power of large language models (LLMs) with your business data and context -- across all your Microsoft 365 apps, documents, and conversations -- to turn your words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet," the tech giant said in a statement.

9:01 AM

Congress MP Manish Tewari gives adjournment motion notice in LS

Congress MP Manish Tewari gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha demanding discussion on "essence, substance and spirit of Freedom of Speech accorded to Members of Parliament under Article 105 of the Constitution."

 

 

8:54 AM

Guneet Monga returns to India after winning Oscar, expresses gratitude

Producer Guneet Monga is back in India after winning an Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

Guneet received a warm welcome at the Mumbai airport during the wee hours of Friday from her friends and fans. She also spoke to reporters stationed outside the airport.