LIVE: Appetite of states for capex has gone up, says FM Sitharaman

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10:03 PM

"Whom are you laughing upon, the people..." Union FM slams KCR for calling USD 5 trillion economy aim a "joke"

10:00 PM

Russia expels Austrian diplomats in tit-for-tat move

Moscow said Thursday it was expelling four Austrian diplomats after Vienna expelled four employees of Russia's foreign missions in Austria, with tensions soaring over the Ukraine conflict.The foreign ministry said the expulsion of its diplomats had been an "unfriendly and unjustified step" that "causes serious damage to bilateral relations, which are already in crisis due to the actions of the Austrian side".Austria and other EU nations have expelled dozens of Russian diplomats since Moscow launched a military campaign in Ukraine, with Russia reciprocating the measures.

 

9:51 PM

Jharkhand ATS conducted a mock drill at a private hotel in Ranchi ahead of G20 Summit

8:23 PM

EC says Tripura polls 'largely violence-free', Bru voters cast vote after several years

The Election Commission on Thursday said the Tripura assembly polls remained "largely violence-free", with Bru migrant voters being able to exercise their franchise for the first time in many years. The tentative voter turnout was recorded at around 80 per cent. Final turnout figures will be known by Friday, it said.No complaints have been received so far by the EC demanding repolling, EC officials said."There have been no reports of any major violence or attack on candidates or (polling) agents, intimidation of voters, throwing of bombs, repoll (or) damage to EVMs. As against 168 repolls in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, today's polls in 60 assembly seats in Tripura have been largely peaceful with no (demand for) repoll reported so far," the poll panel said.

 

8:21 PM

How can you tell that aim of 5 trillion economy is a joke? Every state should contribute towards it: FM

8:19 PM

Black Hawk helicopter crashes in Alabama, killing 2 crew

A Black Hawk helicopter from the Tennessee National Guard crashed Wednesday in Alabama, killing two crew members, the Tennessee National Guard said. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Tennessee National Guardsmen, and our prayers are with their families during this heartbreaking tragedy," Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee's Adjutant General, said in a statement. "We ask Tennesseans to join us in supporting their families during this time of unthinkable grief."According to Ross, two members of the Tennessee National Guard were killed during a flight- training mission. The helicopter crashed around 3 p.m. local time and caught fire.

 

7:33 PM

CM Kejriwal approves proposal to provide tents, basic amenities to those affected

7:32 PM

BJP broke alliance in Meghalaya to contest all seats, become stronger party: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the BJP broke its alliance with the NPP before the elections in Meghalaya so that it can contest all 60 assembly seats and emerge stronger. Addressing an election rally in the North Tura constituency, he appealed to the people to vote for the BJP, promising to end corruption in the state."Due to mismanagement and corruption in the state, in 2022-23, the deficit was Rs 1849 crore. It's a huge amount for a small state like Meghalaya. As per an RBI report, Meghalaya is developing at the slowest pace in the country," he said.

 

6:47 PM

12 Cheetahs to be brought from South Africa through Indian Air Force plane on 18th February

6:36 PM

Over 81% voter turnout recorded till 4 pm amid sporadic incidents of violence

Approximately 81 per cent of 2,813,000 voters exercised their franchise in the Tripura assembly elections till 4 pm on Thursday, with polling largely being peaceful amid sporadic incidents of violence, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinakarrao said. At least three people, including a CPI(M) leader and two polling agents of the Left party, were injured in separate incidents of violence during the polling. The exercise began at 7 am and continued till 4 pm.

6:28 PM

Unique non-cytotoxic nanocomposite coatings developed to prevent post-surgical infections

6:27 PM

Fire broke out at Vellaram Para Police Dumping Yard in Kannur, fire tenders at the spot

5:43 PM

We will show a big change in the Yamuna in six months: Delhi LG VK Saxena

5:42 PM

Tamil Nadu: Several fishermen allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan boats

Several fishermen were allegedly attacked by people in Sri Lankan boats while they were fishing last night near Kodiyakarai in Nagapattinam district. They were brought to the hospital during the early hours today. Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai writes to EAM S Jaishankar for the intervention into the matter where several fishermen were allegedly attacked by "perpetrators travelling in Sri Lankan boats."

 

2:56 PM

Gujarat court issues arrest warrant against Hardik Patel for failure to appear before it in 2017 case

A court in Gujarat's Surendranagar district has issued an arrest warrant against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Hardik Patel for failing to appear before it in a 2017 case in which he is accused of violating a government order.

Patel had made a political speech in violation of a government order at a village in the district ahead of the 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections.

Additional chief judicial magistrate D D Shah at Dhrangadhra issued the arrest warrant against Patel for failure to appear the court. Through its order dated February 2, the court directed the Dhrangadhra taluka police station officer in Surendranagar district to arrest Patel and produce him before the court without fail.

2:44 PM

Water security important concern for India, conservation a collective responsibility: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said water security is an important concern for India and conserving the resource is a collective responsibility.

Modi said this in a virtual address at the launch of Jal Jan Abhiyan, a joint nationwide campaign of Brahma Kumaris and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, in Rajasthan's Sirohi district.

We will have to generate faith in the value of water conservation among the people of the country," he said and called for combating water pollution.

2:21 PM

PM to visit Meghalaya ahead of Assembly polls, to hold roadshow in Shillong

Ahead of the Assembly election at the end of this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit poll-bound Meghalaya on February 24.

According to sources, PM Modi will address a rally in Tura on February 24. The same day, he is scheduled to hold a roadshow as a part of an election campaign in Shillong, where the BJP hopes to secure large vote shares.

"The PM will also address a public rally to give a boost to the election campaign. Meeting with state BJP leaders is also in the schedule", the sources added.

2:09 PM

Senior BJP leader Lakshman Prasad Acharya takes oath as new Sikkim Guv

Senior BJP leader Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Thursday took oath as the new governor of Sikkim.

He was administered the oath of office by Sikkim High Court Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder at a function in Raj Bhavan here.

Acharya succeeds Ganga Prasad as the 15th governor of Sikkim.

1:38 PM

Justice Sonia Gokani sworn in as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court

Justice Sonia Gokani was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court on Thursday, becoming the first woman judge to be elevated to the post at the high court, just a few days before her retirement on February 25.

Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath of office to Justice Gokani at Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar. Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, Judge of Supreme Court Justice Bela Trivedi, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and state Law and Justice Minister Rishikesh Patel were present on the occasion.

1:22 PM

Any committee other than JPC will be exercise in exoneration: Cong on Adani issue

The Congress on Thursday said a thorough investigation into the Adani issue is necessary, holding that any committee other than a JPC will be nothing but an "exercise in legitimisation and exoneration".

Congress General Secretary Communications Jairam Ramesh said the proposal before the Supreme Court for setting up of a committee by the government can hardly ensure transparency.

In a statement, he said, a Supreme Court bench on February 13, while hearing petitions on the Adani-Hindenburg matter, discussed the creation of a committee of experts to examine the regulatory regime post the allegations made by the US-based short-seller.

1:03 PM

Government going to those considered remote earlier, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that the country is working for the tribal population with a pride that was not seen earlier, stressing that their welfare is a matter of "personal relations and sentiments" for him.

 

Modi inaugurated 'Aadi Mahotsav', a mega national tribal festival to showcase the tribal culture on a large scale, and listed steps taken by his government since 2014 to boost progress of the community.

 

For the first time, a tribal in Droupadi Murmu has occupied the top constitutional post in the country, he said, adding the budgetary allocation for the community has risen manifold since 2014.

12:42 PM

Rahul replies to breach of privilege notice over remarks on PM Modi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sent his reply to the breach of privilege notice against him over his February 7 remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Lok Sabha secretariat, sources said on Thursday.

 

According to sources, Gandhi replied to the notice on Wednesday. He replied on the privilege motion by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi over his speech where he spoke regarding the Hindenburg research report on the Adani group.

12:37 PM

Man arrested at Delhi airport for trying to smuggle gold worth Rs 90 lakh

Customs officials have arrested a passenger coming from Riyadh at Delhi airport for allegedly trying to smuggle gold worth about Rs 90 lakh into the country, an official statement issued on Thursday said.

 

The accused was intercepted after his arrival from Riyadh on Monday at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here.

12:24 PM

Demand for traditional products rising continuously, says PM Modi

Today, the demand for India's traditional products, especially those made by the tribal community, is rising continuously. Products from the northeast are being exported to even foreign countries. There is a rapid rise in the demand for bamboo products: PM Modi at Aadi Mahotsav

 

12:23 PM

2023 significant year for Delhi Police in view of G20 summit and its security implications: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asserted that 2023 will be a significant year for the Delhi Police as the force will have to stay alert since the national capital will be hosting international dignitaries for G20 summit.

 

Speaking at the 76th Raising Day parade of the Delhi Police, he also paid tributes to ASI Shambhu Dayal, who was stabbed to death by a snatcher in west Delhi's Mayapuri last month.

12:07 PM

Search operation in Srinagar locality after gunshot-like sound

Security forces have launched a cordon and search operation in Qamarwari area of the city after a gunshot-like sound was heard, police said on Thursday.

 

The sound caused panic in the area with passersby scurrying for safety. Some gunshot-like sound was heard in Qamarwari area. Police team is in the locality to ascertain facts, there is no damage or injury whatsoever. Cordon and Search Operations launched in the area, the Srinagar Police said in a tweet.

11:58 AM

Maharashtra: Fire breaks out at building in Thane, no casualties reported

A fire broke out in Guruprerna building in the Naupada area of Thane today, TMC officials said.

 

"Five fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire was brought under control", the officials added. Speaking about the number of people rescued, the officials said, "13 people have been successfully rescued while the cause of the blaze is not clear yet".

11:45 AM

31.23% voter turnout recorded till 11 am in Tripura assembly elections

11:30 AM

PM Modi inaugurates Aadi Mahotsav to showcase tribal culture in New Delhi

PM Modi inaugurates "Aadi Mahotsav" to showcase tribal culture, pays tribute to freedom fighter Birsa Munda

 

11:22 AM

Privileged to partner with Fiji in its nation-building efforts: Jaishankar

Emphasising on the "close and long-standing ties" shared between India and Fiji through "people to people linkages", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said it was a privilege to partner in the nation building efforts across various sectors in the South Pacific country.