Highlights of the day: Lok Sabha's fifteenth session ends today

News updates: Catch all the latest updates from around the world here

10:29 PM

Lok Sabha Fifteenth Session ends today

Lok Sabha which commenced its Fifteenth Session on 31st January 2024 has been prorogued by the President on 15th February 2024.

10:29 PM

Three dead in fire at factory in outer Delhi's Alipur area: Police

A big fire broke out in a factory in outer Delhi's Alipur area here on Thursday evening, authorities said. A fire in a factory in the area's Dayalpur Market was reported at 5.25 pm, the officer from the Delhi Fire Service said.At least six fire tenders were pressed into service but the fire soon spread to the entire building, he said.The officer said at least 20 fire tenders are currently trying to douse off the fire and a rescue operation is underway.

10:29 PM

NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma to visit Sandeshkhali on February 19

National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma to visit Sandeshkhali on 19th February, during her 2-day visit to West Bengal. She will also be holding a meeting with Chief Secretary of West Bengal and DGP West Bengal.

9:12 PM

Delhi records high of 26 deg C, AQI improves

The national capital on Thursday noted a maximum temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, while the AQI moved to the 'poor' category after improvement in air quality.

 

The city recorded a low of 8.8 degrees Celsius, two notches below the season's average, while the maximum temperature was two notches above the normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

 

The humidity levels oscillated between 100 per cent and 34 per cent during the day, the IMD's weather bulletin showed.

 

The Air Quality Index (AQI) of the national capital has shifted from the 'very poor' category to the 'poor' category, with a reading of 279, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

 

The AQI stood at 356 at 9 am on Wednesday.

9:12 PM

EC on tour of states to review preparations for Lok Sabha polls

The Election Commission (EC) will resume its review of states' preparedness for the Lok Sabha polls with a visit to Odisha later on Thursday and complete the process in Jammu and Kashmir on March 13, sources said.

 

In January, the Commission reviewed the preparations in Andhra Pradesh, where Lok Sabha and assembly polls will be held together.

 

The Commission led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and comprising Election Commissioner Arun Goel will be in Odisha Thursday night, the sources said.

 

Besides Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh will see simultaneous parliamentary and assembly polls.

 

The panel will also be touring West Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, besides other states. It will visit Jammu and Kashmir on March 13, the sources said.

8:08 PM

Commuters inconvenienced as Singhu border remains closed for traffic

Farmers' protest Live: Carrying luggage, while accompanying their little children, several commuters faced difficulties as the Singhu border remained closed for traffic for the third consecutive day on Thursday in view of the farmers' protest. Some people also had to cross the Delhi-Haryana border on foot while carrying their little children in arms.

7:43 PM

NCP is party of common people; it's facing challenges today but we should not worry: Sharad Pawar

NCP founder Sharad Pawar on Thursday said his party belonged to the common people, and although it was going through difficult times today, nobody should worry about the challenges it was facing.

 

He also stressed that there was a need to stay united and work towards improving the state's image. Pawar was addressing the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) group's convention of young women in Mumbai hours before Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar passed his verdict on the disqualification of the rival NCP factions.

 

The speaker held that the Ajit Pawar-led group was the real NCP when two factions emerged in July 2023, and dismissed disqualification petitions filed by both the factions, one each led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar.

7:30 PM

White House economic adviser says consumer sentiment positive, but some prices too high

White House economic adviser Lael Brainard said the US economy has "quite good" fundamentals with US consumer sentiment turning a positive corner, but many Americans still feel that prices for everyday purchases are too high.
 

Brainard also told a National Association for Business Economics conference in Washington that recent data showing increased productivity was "very encouraging" but she was taking a cautious approach due to the volatility of productivity data.

7:28 PM

TMC welcomes SC verdict scrapping electoral bond scheme

Welcoming the Supreme Court's landmark judgment annulling the electoral bonds scheme, the Trinamool Congress on Thursday said people have the right to know the source of funding of political parties.

Without naming any political outfit, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the verdict was a blow to the party which introduced the bonds in the country.

6:53 PM

Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a public rally in Bihar

He said, "These people (BJP) neither follow the constitution nor the democracy... They want dictatorship. That's why we need to fight them by strengthening ourselves... I want to ask, where are two crores jobs? Where is Modi's guarantee? Where is that Rs 15 Lakhs that he promised?... Either the PM is a liar or you people, because he said that I'll give Rs 15 lakhs to all but you people are saying that you didn't receive... During UPA time the govt was in debt of only Rs 55 lakh crores but in Modi's era we are in a debt of Rs 185 lakh crores..."

6:52 PM

NCP's Ajit Pawar faction is the real NCP, says Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar decides that Ajit Pawar faction is the 'real NCP' political party. Decision was based on the factor of legislative majority. The party constitution and leadership structure and organizational structure do not provide any reliable outcome as to which faction is the real political party and consequently, this cannot be the yardstick to determine which is the political party. "And the legislative majority gives a clear idea of which faction is the real political party and therefore I hold that the Ajit Pawar faction is the real political party," says Maharashtra assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar.

4:47 PM

News update: DGGI summons offices of foreign airlines in country

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI)  has summoned Indian offices of international airlines over alleged tax evasion on import of services, CNBC-TV18 reported on Thursday citing sources.

4:43 PM

Oppn politicising electoral bonds scheme issue as it has no alternative to Modi: BJP

The saffron party today sought to downplay the Supreme Court verdict on electoral bonds, saying every decision of the top court should be respected and accused the opposition parties of politicising the issue. BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said the Opposition is politicising the issue as it does not have any alternative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

4:37 PM

I hope he (PM Modi) comes out with his 'Mann ki Baat' on why he did it: Cong's Priyank Kharge

"The ball is in the Prime Minister's court, at least for this, I hope he comes out with his 'Mann ki Baat' on why he did it," says Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on the Supreme Court's verdict on the electoral bonds scheme.

4:34 PM

News update: TMC's Mimi Chakraborty resigns from the post of MP

"I do not want to contest in elections. We are actors and love of public is divided when we reach the political landscape. Mamata Banerjee will decide the future course of action," the actor-politician said.

4:04 PM

PMLA court remands ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to judicial custody in money laundering case

A special PMLA court today Thursday remanded former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren to judicial custody in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader is in the ED custody.

3:40 PM

RS elections: Cong turncoats Chavan and Deora, NCP's Patel among 6 candidates who file nomination for RS polls

All six candidates who are vying for Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra, including Congress turncoats Ashok Chavan and Milind Deora, filed their nomination papers today. Polls to the six seats of the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra are likely to go unopposed considering the strength of the ruling allies and the opposition Congress in the assembly.

3:34 PM

Have never supported injustice, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Sandeshkhali violence

"I have never supported injustice. I sent the state commission and administration there. Seventeen people have been arrested so far...Our women's team is present there. A women police team is visiting people at their doorsteps to listen to their grievances. We will definitely address the issues that will be reported. I need to know the matter to act on it. RSS has a base there. Riots took place there 7-8 years back. It is one of the vulnerable riot spots. We handled the situation strongly during Saraswati Puja or else there were other plans," says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee 

3:30 PM

Rajya Sabha elections: BJP leader Ashok Chavan files nomination papers for RS polls

"I filed my nomination papers for Rajya Sabha today as a BJP candidate. I am thankful to PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, party's national president JP Nadda, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and party state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule for giving me this responsibility immediately after joining the party," BJP leader Ashok Chavan said.

3:28 PM

Every party has their own limitations: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on National Conference's decision

"Talks are going on. Every party has their own limitations. National Conference and PDP have been a part of the INDIA bloc, and will continue to remain so,"  says Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on NC contesting the elections alone

3:08 PM

News update: National Conference to contest elections alone in J&K

The National Conference today announced its decision to contest the upcoming elections alone, dealing yet another setback to the INDIA Bloc. Farooq Abdullah said that the party would contest the elections on its merit without entering into any alliance with other political parties.

"As far as seat sharing is concerned, I want to make it clear National Conference will contest e

2:15 PM

Scuffle breaks out between police and BJP workers in West Bengal

Scuffle breaks out between police and BJP workers holding a protest in Siliguri over the Sandeshkhali incident.

 

1:42 PM

News update: Praful Patel files RS nomination in Mumbai

NCP leader Praful Patel files his nomination for Rajya Sabha elections in Mumbai

1:32 PM

News update: Sonia Gandhi writes a letter to people of Rae Bareli thanking them for their support

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi today announced that she will not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing health concerns. "Due to health and increasing age, I will not contest the next Lok Sabha elections. After this decision, I will not get the opportunity to serve you directly, but, certainly, my heart and soul will always be with you," Mrs Gandhi said. 

1:23 PM

Election Commission requests 3,400 CAPF companies for Lok Sabha polls

The Election Commission has sought from the Ministry of Home Affairs a maximum of around 3,400 companies (340.000 security personnel) of Central Armed Police Forces in all states and Union Territories to ensure the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and state assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.

12:56 PM

LIVE news update: UK economy enters recession in second half of 2023

The UK economy entered recession in the second half of 2023, news agency AFP reported today.

12:46 PM

SC striking down electoral bonds scheme will reinforce power of votes over notes: Congress

The Congress today cheered the Supreme Court verdict striking down the electoral bond scheme, stating it will reinforce the power of votes over notes.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The Supreme Court has held the much-touted Electoral Bonds scheme of the Modi Sarkar as violative of both laws passed by Parliament as well as the Constitution of India. The long-awaited verdict is hugely welcome and will reinforce the power of votes over notes."

11:43 AM

News update: Allahabad HC reserves judgement on Gyanvapi Mosque committee's appeal

The Allahabad High Court today reserved its judgment on Gyanvapi Mosque committee's appeal challenging the Varanasi court's January 21 order which allows prayers to be offered in'Vyas Tehkhana' of the mosque.

 

11:35 AM

LIVE news: Enforcement Directorate questions Paytm officials, gets documents

Probe agency Enforcement Directorate has questioned senior Paytm executives and taken submission of documents from them following the recent RBI action of barring Paytm Payments Bank Ltd from accepting deposits or top-ups in any customer account, official sources said today.

11:21 AM

News update: CBSE Class 10, 12 board examinations begin from today

More than 3.9 million candidates will appear for the examination from 26 countries in India and abroad this year. The CBSE 10 and 12 board examinations will be conducted in single shifts-  from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm/1.30 pm.