Highlights of the day: Adani Enterprises acquires Le Marche Duty Free

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10:56 PM

'INDIA' to form coordination committee for Lok Sabha elections in Goa

Constituents of Opposition's INDIA bloc on Wednesday decided to set up a coordination committee to formulate a joint strategy for Lok Sabha elections in Goa. The Congress has already announced that it would be contesting both North Goa and South Goa seats, which other allies have supported. Leaders of INDIA parties including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Goa Forward Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar) met here on Wednesday.

10:46 PM

Farmers' group to protest outside Noida police commissioner's office on Thursday

A group of farmers has called for holding a demonstration outside the police commissioner's office in Noida on Thursday over the non-withdrawal of police cases against them during a protest against local authorities. The Bharatiya Kisan Parishad, which led a major protest between December 2023 and February 2024 against the Noida Authority, the Greater Noida Authority and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Dadri, has asked its supporters to gather outside the police commissioner's office in Sector 108 on Thursday.

10:30 PM

Congress govt's first decisions will be caste census, MSP law: Rahul Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh

Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said conducting a caste census and providing legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price for crops will be the first two decisions of the Congress government after coming to power. Taking part in the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra along with Gandhi in tribal-dominated Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre of not wanting the names of purchasers of electoral bonds to be disclosed. In a change in the yatra's schedule, it will enter Rajasthan on Thursday instead of Wednesday evening, a party leader informed.

10:03 PM

DRI officers intercept illegal elephant tusk trade, arrest 7 persons

Directorate of Revenue (DRI) officers have intercepted illegal elephant tusk trade in Bengaluru, leading to the arrest of seven persons, the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday. Two elephant tusks, weighing 6.8 kg, were recovered and seized as per Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA),1972. Seven individuals have been arrested, a finance ministry release said.

9:48 PM

BJD, BJP hint at pre-poll alliance in Odisha

Although there was no formal announcement regarding a pre-poll alliance between the ruling BJD and the Opposition BJP in Odisha, leaders from both parties on Wednesday hinted towards a mutual tie-up before the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. While BJD leaders held a marathon meeting at Naveen Niwas, the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, here on Wednesday, the BJP leaders had a similar meeting in the national capital, discussing election matters, including a potential alliance.

9:23 PM

Adani Enterprises acquired 100% stake in Le Marche Duty Free

Gautam Adani-led Adani Enterprises on Wednesday said that the company's Dubai arm, Ospree International FZCO, has acquired France-based Le Marche Duty Free SAS (LMDF) at a cost of 5,000 euros. In an attempt to further push its expansion in the duty free industry, Adani Enterprises said in an exchange filing that the acquisition is of strategic nature in the interest of Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited.

 

8:43 PM

Indian Navy Commissions INS Jatayu at Minicoy, the southernmost island of Lakshadweep

On INS Jatayu, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said, "..We have commissioned this establishment, we had a presence here for a long time. By commissioning this, we have to improve the facility, capability, develop its capacity and the ability to provide Maritime domain awareness (MDA).."

8:25 PM

Sumitomo Wiring Systems sells 4.4% stake in Samvardhana Motherson for Rs 3,633 cr

Japan's Sumitomo Wiring Systems on Wednesday divested a 4.4 per cent stake in Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd for Rs 3,633 crore through open market transactions. Sumitomo Wiring Systems (SWS) is one of the promoter entities in Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd (SAMIL).

7:55 PM

CBI gets custody of Shajahan Sheikh from CID in ED official attack case

The CBI obtained custody of Shajahan Sheikh, a key accused in the Sandeshkhali ED official attack case, from the West Bengal CID. This development followed two consecutive orders by the Calcutta High Court directing the transfer of the case and the custody of the main accused to the central agency. In a fresh directive issued on Wednesday, the high court instructed the state government to promptly implement its Tuesday's judgement, transferring the case concerning the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at Sandeshkhali to the CBI and transferring custody of the primary accused, Sheikh, to the central agency.

7:42 PM

Cong removes HP leader from party secretary's post amid stepped up efforts to end rebellion in state

The Congress has intensified its efforts to restore order within its ranks in Himachal Pradesh. The party is engaging in discussions with senior ministers of the state amidst a precarious situation where six party MLAs switched sides, aiding the BJP nominee in winning the lone Rajya Sabha seat in the state. In a significant move on Wednesday, the party removed former minister Sudhir Sharma, who was among the six rebel MLAs disqualified for disregarding the party whip on the state budget, from the post of AICC Secretary with immediate effect.

7:09 PM

BJP nervous ahead of LS polls: Akhilesh on UP cabinet expansion

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday took a dig at the BJP over the cabinet expansion in Uttar Pradesh, saying the ruling party is "nervous" ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Yadav was in Sambhal to pay homage to party MP Shafiq-ur-Rehman Burq who passed away recently.

6:43 PM

Taiwan detects 14 Chinese military aircraft, six naval ships around nation

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported tracking 14 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan starting from 6 am (local time), as per Taiwan News. The MND clarified that none of the 14 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or ventured into the southwest corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ).

2:51 PM

'Hand over Sheikh Shahjahan to CBI by 4:15 pm': Calcutta HC orders Bengal govt

The Calcutta High Court today asked the West Bengal government to hand over the custody of suspended Trinamool leader Sheikh Shajahan to the CBI by 4:15 pm.

2:48 PM

Madras HC dismisses petition against Stalin Junior Over 'Sanatana Dharma' remarks

The Madras High Court  today dismissed the petition against DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over 'Sanatana Dharma' remarks.

2:36 PM

News update: Priyanka Gandhi replaces Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest from the party's Uttar Pradesh bastion of Raebareli, according to media reports. Rahul Gandhi will return to contest from Amethi - which he lost to the BJP's Smriti Irani in 2019.

2:18 PM

Bengaluru water crisis: Govt working hard to address water crisis in Bengaluru, says Deputy CM Shivakumar

 

Karnataka government is working hard to address the crippling water crisis in Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Wednesday. He added that over 3,000 borewells in the city have dried up, including the one at his home. "All the borewells are dry, including the one at my house," Shivalumar told reporters.

2:12 PM

News Update: Sandeshkhali women meet PM Modi in Bengal

Women from Sandeshkhali on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his trip to West Bengal.

2:07 PM

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hikes salary of Bengal Anganwadi, ASHA workers

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that the monthly remuneration of Anganwadi and Asha workers has been hiked from Rs 8,250 to Rs 9,000 - a raise of Rs 750.

2:05 PM

Storm of Sandeshkhali will reach every part of West Bengal, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the storm of Sandeshkhali will reach every part of West Bengal, emphasising that 'Nari Shakti' (woman power) will play a pivotal role in decimating the ruling TMC in the state. PM Modi stated that whatever happened with women in Sandeshkhali is a matter of shame

2:02 PM

List for General Elections candidates in Karnataka to be announced shortly, says CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today stated that the Congress' list of candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls in the state would be announced in two-three days and there is no "major controversy" with respect to their selection. He said the nominees will be finalised based on the opinion of the party's local leaders.

2:00 PM

News update: Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma tests positive for Covid-19

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma today said that he has tested positive for Covid-19. "I am in self-isolation and am completely following the advice of doctors and will participate in all the upcoming programmes through the virtual medium," Sharma said in a post on X.

1:41 PM

Mumbai Congress unit holds protest against BMC

The Congress held a protest march towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters  a day after the party alleged that BMC tenders are rooted in corruption and rigged for a select few. Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad charged that one of the contractor beneficiaries paid Rs259 crore to the BJP through electoral bonds.

 

1:31 PM

News update: After RS poll debacle, Congress removes Himachal secretary-in charge

After six Congress MLAs and three independent MLAs allegedly cross-voted in the BJP's favour,the party's candidate Harsh Mahajan had bagged the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal. the Congress' loss triggered a political crisis for the Sukhu government. 

12:54 PM

Calcutta High Court grants leave to ED to file contempt petition against Bengal government

The Calcutta High Court today allowed the Enforcement Directorate to file a contempt petition against the West Bengal government over the state police not handing over custody of suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh to the CBI, despite an order to that effect.

12:43 PM

Watch: PM Modi addresses women's rally in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal

12:41 PM

I wished for justice, but got only humiliation, says rebel Cong legislator in Himachal Pradesh

 Running from Sujanpur to Shimla and from Shimla to Delhi with folded hands for the fulfilment of the promises made by the Congress in the run-up to the last Assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh did not yield results and "I wished for justice, but got only humiliation," rebel party MLA Rajinder Rana has said.

12:39 PM

'Nari shakti' will lead us to 'Viksit Bharat', says PM Modi at West Bengal

"Today's event is a testimony of BJP's belief that Nari Shakti is the force that will lead us to Viksit Bharat. On  January 9, BJP began the Nari Shakti Vandan Abhiyan. We have received messages from lakhs of SHGs all across India," says PM Modi.

12:31 PM

Buses taking Sandeshkhali women to PM's rally stopped over security norms

A few buses in which women of Sandeshkhali were travelling to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in West Bengal's Barasat on Wednesday were allegedly stopped at multiple places by the police citing "security protocol".

12:28 PM

Journalists not employees under Unfair Labour Practices Act as they enjoy special status: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court ruled today that working journalists do not fall in the definition of employees under the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act as they enjoy a special status. As a result, a complaint filed by a working journalist under these Acts before an industrial court would not be maintainable, a division bench of Justices Nitin Jamdar and Sandeep Marne said in its order of February 29.

12:19 PM

Amazed at audacity of ex minister, forest officer in giving total go by to provisions: SC

The top court today slammed former Uttarakhand forest minister and Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat and ex-divisional forest officer Kishan Chand for allowing illegal construction and felling of trees in the Corbett tiger reserve. This is a case where bureaucrats and politicians have thrown public trust doctrine in the waste bin, said a bench headed by Justice B R Gavai. The court asked the CBI, which is already probing the case, to file its status report in the matter within three months.