LIVE: A car carrying gelatin found near Mukesh Ambani's residence in Mumbai

Gelatin found inside the car not an assembled explosive device, says Mumbai Police. Stay tuned for Latest LIVE news

10:41 PM

Odisha govt asks district collectors to take measures to maintain law & order in view of Bharat Bandh

Odisha Home Department asks all Dist Collectors to take preventive measures to maintain law & order and to ensure the maintenance of essential services in their respective districts, in view of 'Bharat Bandh' call tomorrow by Confederation of All India Traders

10:27 PM

Pakistan remains on Financial Action Task Force 'Grey List'

Pakistan remains on Financial Action Task Force 'Grey List'. FATF states "Pakistan should demonstrate effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions against all 1267 and 1373 designated terrorists", according to ANI.

10:25 PM

Youth Akali Dal to ‘gherao’ Delhi Police personnel singling out Punjabi youth for arrests: SAD

9:04 PM

Vehicle with explosive substance found near Mukesh Ambani's house

A suspicious vehicle with gelatin, an explosive material, inside was found parked near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's house in Mumbai on Thursday evening, police said. The vehicle was found on Carmichael Road near 'Antilia', Ambani's residence, a police official said. A Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) team reached the spot immediately, he said.

 

It was not an assembled explosive device, he said, adding that further investigation was on.

 

Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh told newschannels that the vehicle, a Scorpio van, was found some distance away from the multi-storey residence of Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries. The Crime Branch of Mumbai police is conducting probe, he said.

9:01 PM

LIVE: A car carrying gelatin found near Mukesh Ambani's residence in Mumbai

8:58 PM

LIVE: A car carrying gelatin found near Mukesh Ambani's residence in Mumbai

8:47 PM

SKM appeals to farmers to peacefully participate in 'Bharat Bandh' on Friday

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), spearheading anti-farm laws protests at Delhi borders, appealed to farmers on Thursday to peacefully participate in a 'Bharat Bandh' called by transport and trade unions on February 26.

 

Traders' body CAIT has said that all commercial markets across the country will remain closed on February 26 in view of its 'Bharat Bandh' call demanding a review of the provisions of the goods and services tax (GST) regime. The Morcha, in a statement, said it supports the 'Bharat Bandh' called by transport and trade unions on Friday.

 

"We appeal to all farmers in the country to support all the 'Bharat Bandh' protesters peacefully and make the Bandh a success," it said.

8:23 PM

Uttar Pradesh legislature passes bill on religious conversion

The Uttar Pradesh legislature on Thursday passed a bill aimed at curbing religious conversions by fraudulent or any other undue means, including through marriage. The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2021, was passed in the Legislative Council by voice vote a day after it got the nod in the state Assembly, according to PTI.

 

After lunch, the Bill was tabled in the Upper House where the government does not enjoy a majority. Leader of Opposition Ahmed Hasan (Samajwadi Party) and Deepak Singh of Congress pointed to the shortcomings of the bill and urged that it be sent to a select committee.

 

In the 100-member UP Legislative Council, the SP has 51 members followed by the BJP which has 32 members. Bahujan Samaj Party has 6 MLCs, while the Congress has two MLCs. Apna Dal (Sonelal) and Shikshak Dal (non-political) have 1 MLC each. There are five independents. Two seats are vacant.

8:12 PM

PM Modi to deliver inaugural address at Khelo India Winter Games ceremony

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the inaugural address at the opening ceremony of the second Khelo India Winter Games to be held at Gulmarg in north Kashmir from February 26 to March 2.

 

Modi will attend the inauguration of the five-day long event via video conferencing on Friday, the Press Information Bureau said in a statement. The event is being organised by the Sports Ministry in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council and the Winter Games Association of J&K. The disciplines that will feature in it include alpine skiing, nordic ski, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, and ice skating among others. READ ON...

8:11 PM

For a country like India, we can't but invest more in health infrastructure: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

8:04 PM

India won by 10 wickets against England in the third Test at Narendra Modi Stadium

7:47 PM

No territory conceded under disengagement pact with China: MEA

India on Thursday said it has not conceded any territory as part of the disengagement agreement with China and asserted that it has rather enforced observance of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to prevent any unilateral change in the status quo.

 

At an online media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said there has not been any change in India's position on the LAC and the mutual redeployment as a result of the disengagement process should not be misrepresented.

 

Asked about the recent agreement on the de-escalation process in Ladakh's Pangong Lake area, he said the factual position has been very well conveyed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and in a Defence Ministry statement, which he said was aimed at setting the record straight in view of certain misleading and misinformed comments that appeared in the media.

7:23 PM

Centre ready to resume talks but farmer unions should first respond to govt proposal: Agriculture Minister

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday reiterated that the government is ready to resume talks with protesting farmers but first the unions should respond to its offer to put the three contentious farm laws on hold for one-and-a-half years and set up a joint committee to find solutions.

 

The government and unions have held 11 rounds of talks, the last being on January 22, to break the deadlock and end the farmers' protest. Talks have not resumed following widespread violence during a tractor rally by protesting farmers on January 26.

 

Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been camping at Delhi's borders for about three months in protest against the three laws that they say will end state procurement of crops at MSP.

7:13 PM

Social media platforms have to abide by Indian laws: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said the government is committed to providing a level-playing field to all digital media and OTT platforms but they will have to abide by Indian laws.

 

Shah's comments came hours after the government announced sweeping regulations for social media firms like Facebook and Twitter as well as OTT platforms such as Netflix, requiring them to remove any content flagged by authorities within 36 hours and set up a complaint redressal mechanism with an officer based in the country.

 

"All social media platforms have to abide by Indian laws. The new rules, announced today, will further empower social media users by institutionalising redressal mechanism and ensuring resolution of their grievances. I applaud @narendramodi ji and @rsprasad ji," the home minister said in a tweet.

7:11 PM

LIVE: Ministry of Home Affairs notifies President's Rule in Puducherry

6:46 PM

Facebook committed to people’s ability to freely and safely express themselves on our platforms: Spokesperson

6:33 PM

UP Legislative Council passes the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2021

UP Legislative Council passes the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2021

6:21 PM

Air quality 'very poor' in Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, 'poor' in Faridabad, Gurgaon

The average air quality was recorded in "very poor" category in Ghaziabad and Greater Noida, while it was poor in Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon, according to data issued by a government agency on Thursday.

 

Pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 also remained high in the air of the five immediate neighbours of Delhi, as per the air quality index (AQI) maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

 

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

5:59 PM

Delhi govt to switch its fleet of cars for electric vehicles within six months: Manish Sisodia

The Delhi government on Thursday announced that it will switch its entire fleet of hired cars for electric vehicles within six months.

 

The government, which has over 2,000 cars in its fleet, said it hopes its decision will inspire other cities in the country and the world to tackle the issues of pollution and climate change with the urgency they deserve.

 

The announcement came a day after the Aam Aadmi Party-led government launched a campaign, 'Switch Delhi', to encourage private vehicle owners to take a pledge to shift to electric vehicles and install a charging point within their premises in the next three years.

5:40 PM

Budget negated notion that welfare state is socialist prerogative: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

FM Nirmala Sitharaman says Budget negated notion that welfare state is socialist prerogative, and it has given directional change to economy wherein govt trusts wealth creators, citizens

5:22 PM

Social Media Intermediary Guidelines: Full load of what the govt announced

The rules for social media, also called Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, were notified by the cabinet on February 25.

 

Three years in the making, the rules add a bunch of compliance for social media companies, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube. ‘Significant social media intermediaries’ – decided on the basis of user base – will abide by the new laws, and must comply within three months of the rules being published in the official gazette.

 

Business Standard breaks-down key features of the new legislation

5:02 PM

SC committee yet to submit its feedback: Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar

4:46 PM

PNB scam case: Nirav Modi loses extradition fight, UK judge rules he has case to answer in India

Nirav Modi, the diamond merchant wanted in India on charges of fraud and money laundering in the estimated USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, on Thursday lost his legal battle against extradition as a UK judge ruled that he does have a case to answer before the Indian courts.

 

The 49-year-old appeared via videolink from Wandsworth Prison in south-west London and showed no emotion as District Judge Samuel Goozee handed down his judgment at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.

 

I am satisfied on the evidence that a prima facie case of fraud and money laundering is established, said Judge Goozee, as he read out parts of his judgment in court and concluded that he will send his ruling to the UK's Secretary of State, Priti Patel.

4:38 PM

UK judge rules Nirav Modi can be extradited to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering

PNB scam case: UK judge rules Nirav Modi can be extradited to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering

4:27 PM

There is no risk of suicide for Nirav Modi if he is sent to India: UK judge

There is no risk of suicide for Nirav Modi if he is sent to India as he will have access to adequate medical care at Arthur Road jail, says UK judge

4:24 PM

UK extradition judge orders Nirav Modi to be extradited to India to stand trial

UK extradition judge orders Nirav Modi to be extradited to India to stand trial

4:21 PM

UK judge rules that Nirav Modi will be given adequate medical treatment and mental health care in Mumbai

UK judge rules that Nirav Modi will be given adequate medical treatment and mental health care at Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai

4:20 PM

UK judge rules that Nirav Modi will be given adequate medical treatment and mental health care in Mumbai

UK judge rules that Nirav Modi will be given adequate medical treatment and mental health care at Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai

4:18 PM

UK Extradition judge rules Nirav Modi conspired to destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses

UK Extradition judge rules Nirav Modi conspired to destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses

4:17 PM

UK Extradition judge dismisses Nirav Modi's 'mental health concerns'

UK Extradition judge dismisses Nirav Modi's "mental health concerns," says they are not unusual in a man in his circumstances