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10:03 PM

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi on Sunday visits New Delhi to seek investments

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday went to New Delhi to seek investments for his state.

 

During the visit, the state government will sign agreements with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Petronet LNG, and Indian Strategic Petrochemical Reserves Ltd, among others, a statement said.

 

These collaborations underscore the state government's commitment to making Odisha a leading hub for petrochemicals and chemicals, it said.

 

The CM will visit the HCL Tech campus in Noida and meet influential industry captains from diverse sectors.

 

He is likely to return to Odisha on April 9, the statement said.

9:57 PM

6,700 Afghan nationals deported from Pakistan since April 1: Report

Pakistan has deported 944 Afghan families comprising 6,700 individuals since April 1 as the deadline set by the government expired last week, a media report said on Sunday.

 

The deportation intensified after the March 31 deadline set for the voluntary return of all Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) expired.

 

Citing immigration sources, the Express Tribune newspaper reported that among those deported included 2,874 men, 1,755 women, and 2,071 children.

8:23 PM

Nepal govt will take action if ex-king continues to indulge in anti-constitutional activities: Minister

Nepal's Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung on Sunday said that former King Gyanendra breached the agreement he had reached with political parties that he would honour the constitution.

 

The government will take action if he continues to indulge in activities directed against the constitution, he said.

 

Speaking at a programme in Lamjung district, Gurung said, the ex-monarch has violated the agreement he had reached with the political parties in the past that he would honour the constitution and not indulge in activity that would undermine the sovereign people, he said.

8:19 PM

Hindus in Europe, US mull opening 'Ram Naam Bank' overseas

Indian origin Hindus living in Europe and US are mulling opening overseas chapters of Prayagraj-based 'Ram Naam Bank' in their countries.

 

On the occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday, the idea of opening a Ram Naam Bank was discussed among the devotees in Sweden.

 

Nityanand Sharma, an IT Solution Architect, who works for a global furniture retailer in Sweden's Almhult and manages the affairs of a local temple there, said people were enamoured by the idea of a bank that propagates the name of Lord Ram.

8:08 PM

Moroccans protest Trump, Israel's latest offensive in Gaza

Tens of thousands of Moroccans on Sunday protested Israel's latest offensive in Gaza, putting anger toward US President Donald Trump near the centre of their grievances.
 

Demonstrators denounced Israel, the United States and their own government. Some stepped on Israeli flags, held banners showing slain Hamas leaders and waved posters juxtaposing Trump alongside displaced Palestinians fleeing their homes.

Organisers condemned Israel's ongoing military operation in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since Israel renewed its air and ground war last month, aimed at pressuring Hamas to release remaining hostages.

6:40 PM

Agniveers will get 20% reservation in state police recruitment: Haryana CM Saini

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Sunday said 'Agniveers' will be provided 20 per cent reservation in the police recruitment in the state.

In July 2024, months ahead of state assembly polls, the BJP government in the state had announced a 10 per cent reservation for Agniveers in the recruitment of constables, forest guards and jail wardens, along with quotas in other posts.
 

Chairing a review meeting in Panchkula on Sunday, Saini said Haryana is the first state in the country which has secured the future of Agniveers by creating a provision for jobs after their service period in the armed forces.

6:15 PM

BJP govt wants to acquire land through Waqf Act, grab Padmanabh temple gold: Maharashtra Cong chief

Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Sunday suggested that the acquisition of land is the motive of the BJP government behind the Waqf Amendment Act.
 

He claimed the government has set its eyes on "grabbing" huge amount of gold in the famous Padmanabh temple (in Kerala).

Sapkal visited the Kalaram temple in Nashik holding the Constitution book and offered prayers on the occasion of Ram Navami.

Speaking to reporters, he said Lord Ram is an integral part of the Indian culture.

He said Babasaheb Ambedkar had protested to gain entry into the historical Kalaram temple in Nashik, but the then system resisted his attempts.

"I entered the Kalaram temple holding the sacred Constitution written by Babasaheb to have darshan of Lord Ram," he said.

Kunal Gaikwad, grandson of Dadasaheb Gaikwad who had accompanied Ambedkar during the Kalaram Temple satyagraha, was also present.

"Lord Ram belongs to everyone, he is an integral part of the Indian culture," Sapkal said, adding that he wished "the thought of equality, brotherhood, and Constitutionalism spread in India and Maharashtra".

The Congress leader referred to the satyagraha protest by Ambedkar for Kalaram temple entry during 1930-35.

5:37 PM

Generational shift ongoing process in Congress: Sachin Pilot

Ahead of the AICC session in Ahmedabad, Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot on Sunday said a generational shift was underway in the party with young leaders living up to the tasks entrusted to them, and asserted that accountability as well as strengthening of ideology would be the watchwords going forward.

In an interview with PTI, Pilot said the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session taking place in Gujarat is significant as it comes at a time when the focus is on strengthening the party in that state and restoring its past glory there.
 

The former Union minister also asserted that while the party may have lost some state polls after the Lok Sabha elections, it has not lost the conviction or the vigour to fight on.

4:36 PM

Waqf land occupied by 'musclemen', poor Muslims got no benefit: Rajasthan BJP chief

Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore on Sunday said that "musclemen" have encroached upon Waqf Board land and built hotels and mansions while poor Muslims were left to earn a living by repairing punctures.
 

He said the Waqf (Amendment) Act would prove to be significant in securing the rights of poor Muslims and women.

"Musclemen have occupied Waqf Board land and built hotels and mansions, while poor Muslims were not allowed to go beyond repairing punctures," Rathore said at a press conference here.

He said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been passed by both Houses of the Parliament and has received the President's assent, making it a law.

 

4:33 PM

Toy industry ready to take advantage of high US tariffs on competitors like China, Vietnam

The Indian toy industry is ready to take advantage of the high tariffs imposed by the US on competitors such as China and Vietnam, and the domestic players have already begun work on expanding capacity and forming joint ventures with global firms, exporters said on Sunday.

They added that India has emerged as a winner in the recent US tariff hikes, as the exporters are better positioned to absorb the impact compared to competitor countries that are facing higher import duties in America.
 

While the US has imposed an additional 26 per cent import duty on India, its competitor Vietnam is facing 46 per cent tariff, Bangladesh 37 per cent, China 54 per cent, Indonesia 32 per cent, and Thailand 36 per cent.

"Huge opportunities are there for our exporters now. Vietnam's exports are about USD 6 billion and China's are USD 80 billion. Now their items will face higher duties in the US than that of Indian toys. All big toy firms are exploring opportunities to set up plants in India," the CEO of Playgro Toys India, Manu Gupta, said.

3:56 PM

PM Modi should allay fears of TN over delimitation exercise: CM Stalin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should allay the fears of people of Tamil Nadu surrounding the proposed delimitation exercise, Chief Minister M K Stalin said here on Sunday.
 

Modi should also ensure that a resolution is passed in the Parliament to make sure the rights of Tamil Nadu are not curbed, he said at an official event here.

Stalin, after inaugurating a slew of projects and announcing new schemes to the popular tourist spot here, said he has sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to present the memorandum on the concerns surrounding the proposed delimitation.

3:41 PM

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ends his indefinite hunger strike

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday ended his indefinite fast, which he had started on November 26 last year to press for various demands of agitating farmers including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for crops.
 

The announcement came a day after Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu appealed to him to end his fast-unto-death.

Dallewal announced that he was ending his indefinite fast at a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' organised at Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab.

3:30 PM

Pope Francis appears before the crowd in St. Peter's Square 2 weeks after his release from hospital: Report

Pope Francis appears before the crowd in St. Peter's Square 2 weeks after his release from the hospital, reports AP

3:11 PM

Centre does not seek to control Waqf Boards, but to ensure they operate within law: Nadda

The Centre does not want to control Waqf Boards but ensure that they operate within the bounds of law so that their assets are used in promotion of education, healthcare and employment for the Muslim community, BJP president JP Nadda said on Sunday.
 

Addressing an event organised at the BJP headquarters here to mark the party's 46th foundation day, Nadda said governments in Turkey and many other Muslim countries have taken the Waqf properties under their control.
 

"We are only asking those who are operating (the Waqf Boards) that you do it as per rules. You will have to do it as per rules," he said.
 

"We do not seek to control the Waqf Board. Our goal is to ensure that those managing it operate within the bounds of the law and adhere to established rules. The properties and funds of the Waqf Board will be dedicated to promoting education, providing healthcare and employment opportunities for the Muslim community," the BJP chief said.
 

Before the address, Nadda hoisted the BJP flag at the party headquarters. Several party leaders including MPs and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were present.

2:44 PM

PM Modi visits Ramanathaswamy temple in TN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at the famous Ramanatha Swamy temple in this holy town, coinciding with Rama Navami.

 

Clad in the traditional 'veshti' (dhoti), shirt and 'angavastram' (worn around the neck), the PM visited the holy shrine on Sunday for the second time in a little over a year. He had offered prayers at the temple last year, ahead of the Pran Pratishta of Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

 

Upon his arrival at the temple, the priests accorded him a traditional welcome and the PM offered prayers at the shrine. Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Union Minister L Murugan and BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai accompanied him.

 

The PM was here to inaugurate the New Pamban bridge and launch and lay the foundation stone for various initiatives. He had arrived from neighbouring Sri Lanka after wrapping up his official visit of the island republic.

 

As Modi's car passed through the town, people queued up on either sides of the road and enthusiastically greeted him by raising slogans and waving at him. The PM waved back at the people and his supporters.

2:39 PM

Sudarshan Pattnaik becomes first Indian artist to receive Sand Master Award in UK

World-renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has been honoured with The Fred Darrington Sand Master Award for his contributions to the field.
 

During the Sandworld 2025 International Sand Art Festival, which opened at Weymouth in the southern England county of Dorset on Saturday, Pattnaik set another milestone when he created a 10-feet-high sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha with the message of "World Peace".
 

He was named the winner of the prestigious award, made extra special as the year 2025 coincides with the centenary of the legendary British sand sculptor Fred Darrington.

2:07 PM

BJP looking to elect chiefs in big states before picking national president

The BJP is looking to elect its heads in a number of key states in the coming days to pave the way for the election of its new national president, a process which has stretched longer than expected.
 

Official sources said the party leadership is keen on a quick election of its presidents in big states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, among others, to finish the organisational exercise that began with the launch of a nationwide membership drive in September last year.

2:02 PM

Centre does not seek to control Waqf Boards, but to ensure they operate within law: Nadda

The Centre does not want to control Waqf Boards but ensure that they operate within the bounds of law so that their assets are used in promotion of education, healthcare and employment to the Muslim community, BJP president JP Nadda said on Sunday.

 

Addressing an event organised at the BJP headquarters here to mark the party's 46th foundation day, Nadda said the governments in Turkey and many other Muslim countries have taken the Waqf properties under their control.

 

"We are only asking those who are operating (the Waqf Boards) that you do it as per rules. You will have to do it as per rules," he said.

 

"We do not seek to control the Waqf Board. Our goal is simply to ensure that those managing it operate within the bounds of the law and adhere to established rules. The properties and funds of the Waqf Board will be dedicated to promoting education, providing healthcare and employment opportunities for the Muslim community," Nadda said.

 

Before addressing the party leaders and workers, the BJP chief hoisted party's flag at the headquarters.

1:59 PM

Max Verstappen wins the Japanese Formula One grand prix for Red Bull

1:31 PM

South Korea firefighting helicopter crashes, pilot dead

A firefighting helicopter in South Korea crashed on Sunday, killing its pilot, Yonhap News Agency reported. The chopper was helping extinguish a wildfire in the southeastern city of Daegu, Yonhap said.

1:25 PM

Kerala leader M A Baby elected CPIM general secretary

Former Kerala minister M A Baby was elected as the CPI(M) general secretary at the 24th party congress here on Sunday, sources said.

 

A section of the party leaders had backed All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) president Ashok Dhawale for the post.

 

Born to P M Alexander and Lilly Alexander in Kerala's Prakkulam in 1954, Baby's first exposure to politics came when he joined the Kerala Students Federation, the predecessor of the Students Federation of India, during his school days.

 

He was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1986 to 1998.

 

Baby has been a member of the Politburo, the highest decision-making body of the CPI(M), since 2012.

 

The post of the party general secretary fell vacant following the death of Sitaram Yechury last year, after which Prakash Karat took over as the interim coordinator.

 

The 24th party congress of the CPI(M) began on April 2 and will end on Sunday.

1:17 PM

PM Modi inaugurates India's first vertical lift sea bridge in Tamil Nadu

PM Modi inaugurates new Pamban bridge, which provides rail link to Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu.

12:52 PM

Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi temple witnesses 'Surya Tilak'

On the occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday, the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya witnessed the 'Surya Tilak' illuminating the forehead of Ram Lalla.

 

The 'Surya Tilak' occurred exactly at noon when a beam of sunlight precisely directed on the forehead idol of Ram Lalla and formed a celestial tilak.

 

Visuals showed priests offering prayers to Ram Lalla during the Surya Tilak.

 

Earlier in the day, large crowds gathered at the temples across Uttar Pradesh in Ayodhya and Sambhal.

11:49 AM

PM Modi leaves for home after concluding Sri Lanka visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for India on Sunday after concluding a "very productive" visit to Sri Lanka where he held extensive talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and witnessed the signing of several agreements to boost cooperation in sectors such as defence, energy and digitalisation.

 

Modi arrived in the Sri Lankan capital from Thailand, where he attended a summit of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

 

"A very productive State Visit to Sri Lanka concludes. PM @narendramodi emplanes for India," the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

 

During the prime minister's visit, the two nations inked a defence pact to institutionalise military cooperation, signalling an upward trajectory in defence relations, leaving behind the bitter chapter of India pulling out the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF) from the island nation around 35 years ago.

11:49 AM

A leader should consider party, its workers as his family: Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that for a political leader, the party should be like his family and he should consider the party workers as his family members.

 

Gadkari was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for the BJP's new office in Maharashtra's Nagpur city.

 

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule were also present in the programme.

 

The Bharatiya Janata Party is also celebrating its foundation day on Sunday.

 

The BJP was founded on April 6, 1980 by leaders of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh, a party which had merged with other opposition parties to form the Janata Party to take on the Congress in the post-Emergency 1977 polls.

 

The BJP won only two Lok Sabha seats in the first national election it fought in 1984. However, it rose rapidly later under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani, coming to power in the 90s as the head of a coalition, before Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the party to its maiden majority in 2014.

 

The party has been in power at the Centre since then.

11:25 AM

Weakening BJP means 'obstacles' in India's path to become global leader: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said weakening the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will mean creating "innumerable obstacles" in India's path to attain the position of a global leader.
 

Addressing party workers on the occasion of the 46th foundation day of BJP here, Sarma also opined that the saffron party will serve the nation till the sun and moon will be there.
 

"Weakening the BJP does not mean weakening any individual. It means weakening an ideology and national pride. Weakening the BJP means creating innumerable obstacles in the path to take India to the world stage," he said.

11:06 AM

PM Modi reaches Anuradhapura to launch Maho-Anuradhapura railway line

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reached Anuradhapura with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to inaugurate the Maho-Anuradhapura railway line, a project supported by the Indian government.

 

Calling Dissanayake his friend, PM Modi arrived at the venue to jointly launch the signalling system for the Maho-Anuradhapura railway line and launch the railway track of the Maho-Omanthai railway line with him.

 

"In Anuradhapura with my friend, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake," PM Modi said in a post on X.

11:05 AM

EU countries cautious on Brazil's push for new climate body

Brazil's idea to create a new multilateral body under the UN climate regime to fast-track implementation of COP decisions has triggered cautious responses from key developed countries, with Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden backing reform discussions but warning against weakening the core UNFCCC process.

 

Brazil, which will host this year's UN climate conference or COP30 in Belem, has informally proposed setting up a "Climate Change Council" under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to improve how the world responds to climate change.

 

The idea is to speed up decision-making, coordinate efforts and improve implementation as many feel the current UN climate process is too slow and complicated.

 

While the Paris Agreement has helped lower projected warming since the start of the Industrial Revolution to around 2.1-2.8 degrees Celsius, the world is still off track for its 1.5 degrees Celsius goal. In fact, 2024 was the first year with global temperatures above 1.5 degrees Celsius for a full calendar year.

11:05 AM

India yet to secure offshore campus from leading global universities: Parliamentary panel

India is yet to secure a campus from any of the leading global universities, including Ivy League institutions, and should make efforts for it, a Parliamentary panel has noted.

 

The panel headed by Congress MP Digvijay Singh made the observations in its report tabled in the Rajya Sabha earlier this week.

 

"The Committee notes that in recent years, there has been a notable trend of foreign universities establishing campuses in India which is driven by India's vast student market and the government's efforts to increase collaborations and joint degrees.

 

"However, India is yet to secure a campus from any of the leading global universities (the Ivy Leagues, New York University, Carnegie Mellon University, etc). The Committee recommends that the Department of Higher Education should make efforts to secure the same to enable greater access to the best of global resources for students within the country," the report said.

 

Ivy League is a group of long-established universities in the US having high academic credentials and reputation. It includes Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia.

 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) had in 2023 announced Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India Regulations.

11:05 AM

Waqf Act will help in transparent, accountable management of properties: CM Yadav

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said the Waqf Act will ensure transparent, equitable and accountable management of Waqf properties and take its benefits to the poor, need and deprived people of the Muslim community.

 

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament earlier in the week.

 

Murmu also gave her assent to the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025.

 

CM Yadav in a statement said that with the approval of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, it has now become an Act.

 

"This Act will ensure transparent, equitable and accountable management of Waqf properties and will bring its benefits to the really needy, poor and deprived people of Muslim community, thereby paving a new path for their education, health, housing and employment opportunities," he said.

 

The BJP leader congratulated Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju for "this bold, visionary, constitutional and unprecedented decision".

 

The Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to the uplift of every section and community with the basic mantra of justice and empowerment, Yadav said.

 

Parliament early on Friday approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill after the Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the contentious legislation following an over 13-hour debate.