Highlights of the day: No breakthrough on agri, fisheries subsidies at WTO

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11:16 PM

Third day of WTO meet: No breakthrough on agri, fisheries subsidies issues

According to an official speaking on Wednesday, members of the World Trade Organisation have not made significant progress on critical issues related to agricultural and fisheries subsidies. This lack of progress is due to both developed and developing countries firmly maintaining their respective positions.

9:50 PM

Two pedestrians killed in Jamtara accident

Two persons walking on the track were run over by the train at least 2 km away from train no. 12254 passing from Vidyasagar Kasitar. There is no incident of fire. As of now, two deaths have been confirmed. The deceased are not passengers, they are walking on the track. A 3-member JAG committee has been formed to enquire about the issue: Kaushik Mitra, CPRO, Eastern Railway

8:59 PM

Our govt is safe, says Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu after meeting party observers

After a meeting with party observers, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed confidence, stating, "...Discussion was held regarding elections. Our government is safe..."

8:50 PM

Umar Khalid has moved a Delhi's Karkardooma Court seeking regular bail

Umar Khalid, Former JNU student leader and accused in the larger Conspiracy of Delhi Riots case, has moved a Delhi's Karkardooma Court seeking regular bail in the matter. He has been in custody since September 2020. 

 

The court has sought response from Delhi police on the bail application of Umar Khalid. It is his second bail application seeking regular bail. The matter has been listed on March 11, 2024, for reply and arguments on bail.

8:35 PM

Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh, son of Virbhadra Singh, takes back his resignation as Himachal minister

In signs of a thaw in the infighting-riddled Himachal Pradesh unit of the Congress, state minister Vikramaditya Singh has taken back his resignation hours after tendering it. Six Congress MLAs had cross-voted in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha election on Tuesday, leading to the party suffering a stunning defeat.

8:33 PM

Our govt is safe, says Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu after meeting party observers

After a meeting with party observers, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed confidence, stating, "...Discussion was held regarding elections. Our government is safe..."

8:33 PM

Jairam Thakur on notice to 6 Congress MLAs who voted for BJP candidate

On notice to 6 Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections yesterday, Himachal Pradesh LoP Jairam Thakur says, "...as we said yesterday, they will suspend BJP MLAs to pass the budget. Now they are moving towards taking action against the MLAs who supported the BJP candidate. We will fight the battle."

7:11 PM

Reliance-Disney media operation merged entity valued at Rs 10,352 cr

Reliance-Disney media operation merged entity valued at Rs 10,352 cr; Reliance and subsidiary to hold 63.16 per cent, Disney to own 36.84 per cent.

6:39 PM

Gender budgeting under PM Modi has gone up by 239% in last decade, says Smriti Irani

She added, "CII and FICCI will give instruments to India to train professionals in gender budgeting. In India today we are well positioned between the Global South and the Global North, we have a democratic glow that can keep these two parts together. We are hoping to be a bridge and hope it can be built on equity and equality, gender as a topic helps us do that."

6:37 PM

PM Modi unveils infrastructure projects worth over Rs. 4900 crores in rail, road and irrigation sectors

4:52 PM

Gyanvapi mosque case: Supreme court to hear case on March 1

The mosque committee has challenged the Allahabad High Court order which dismissed a plea challenging the Varanasi district court's decision to allow Hindu prayers in a cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque.

4:38 PM

Liquor policy case: SC extends protection against arrest to BRS Leader K Kavitha

The BRS leader, who is also the daughter of former Telengana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, was questioned last by the central agency in December 2022. In March last year, K Kavitha appealed to the top court, seeking relief from questioning by the Enforcement Directorate.

 

4:31 PM

Sunil Bharti Mittal becomes first Indian to get Honorary Knighthood from King Charles III

Bharti Enterprises Founder and Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has been awarded the Honorary Knighthood, the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), by King Charles III for advancing India-UK business relations. The KBE is among the highest honours given by the British Sovereign to civilians. 

4:29 PM

BJP’s fear is increasing as PDA family grows: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav

A day after Samajwadi Party's candidate lost due to cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha polls, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav saidthat strict action would be taken against the rebel legislators and pointed out that the BJP thus acted because they fear the expanding PDA (Backward, Dalit and Minority) in SP. The SP chief has floated the acronym PDA — ‘Picchde’ (backward classes or OBCs), Dalits and ‘Alpsankhyak’ (minorities).

2:38 PM

LIVE update: CBI summons SP chief Akhilesh as witness on Feb 29

Samajwadi party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has been summoned as a witness by CBI tomorrow for questioning in a case related to illegal mining.

1:59 PM

Mahadev betting app case: ED conducts raid over 15 locations in West Bengal, Mumbai, NCR

The Enforcement Directorate today conducted searches in Mumbai, some places in West Bengal and the Delhi-NCR as part of its money laundering investigation in the Mahadev online gaming and betting app. ED said that the alleged illegal funds generated by the app were used to pay bribes to politicians and bureaucrats in Chhattisgarh, from where the main promoters and operatives of the app hail. Many celebrities and Bollywood actors were summoned for questioning by the agency on their links with the betting platform.

1:27 PM

Assam Cong working chief Rana Goswami quits

The working president of Assam Congress, Rana Goswami, quit the party on Wednesday, and headed to New Delhi where he is likely to join BJP. Goswami is a former lawmaker from Jorhat.

 

Soon after sending the resignation letter to Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, Rana Goswami went to New Delhi where he is likely to meet BJP president JP Nadda and join the party.

1:23 PM

News update: Assam Cong working chief Rana Goswami quits

12:38 PM

News update: AAP MLA Prakash Jarwal convicted in case of suicide by a doctor

The Rouse Avenue Court today convicted AAP lawmaker Prakash Jarwal in a case of suicide by a doctor. He has been convicted under section 306 and 120B IPC.

 

12:35 PM

General Elections 2024: UDF partner IUML to field two sitting MPs in Kerala

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML)today  announced the candidature of its two sitting MPs for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The IUML is the second largest coalition partner in the opposition Congress-headed United Democratic Front in Kerala.

12:28 PM

News update: PM Modi prays at Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

11:58 AM

News update: BSP leader, ex-UP MLA Shah Alam joins Samajwadi Party

11:46 AM

Supreme Court sets deadline for Central govt to fix standardised hospital charges nationwide

The top court has asked the Centre to take immediate action after a significant discrepancy in hospital rates was brought to SC's attention. It also asked the Centre to standardise rates for medical procedures across all states. The discrepancy was underscored in a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO 'Veterans Forum for Transparency in Public Life'. 

11:43 AM

Madras High Court dismisses second bail plea of former TN Minister Senthil Balaji

The Madras HC today dismissed the bail petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by probe agency Enforcement Directorate last year in connection with a money laundering case. This was the second time in four months, that the DMK leader's plea for the relief was rejected by the court.

10:49 AM

Four labourers killed after rock caves in Dantewada mine area in Chhattisgarh

Following a landslide, four labourers were killed while two others sustained injuries after a portion of a rock caved in an iron ore mine area in Dantewada district, a police official said. The deceased were identified as Bittu Bala (26), Tushar Bala (49) and Nirmal Bala (56), all residents of West Bengal and Santosh Kumar Das (29), a resident of Bihar.

 

Additional Superintendant of Police R K Burman said the the incident took place at around 3:00 pm on Tuesday afternoon, during construction work of a retaining wall as part of the Screen Plant-03 extension project of National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).

10:31 AM

PM Modi inaugurates projects worth over Rs 17,000 cr in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled new projects and laid foundation stone for new projects worth Rs 17,000 crore at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu

10:12 AM

Testament to govt's commitment to making India drug-free, says Amit Shah on Gujarat narcotics seizure

 Historic success is testament to govt's unwavering commitment to making India drug-free, says Home Minister Amit Shah on seizure of narcotics.

10:09 AM

Navy seizes 3,300 Kg of narcotic drugs In drug bust off Porbandar

In one of the biggest drug seizures in recent times,  the Indian Navy and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Tuesday seized around 3,300 kg of drugs from a ship near Gujarat's Porbandar, the Navy said. On Tuesday, a small ship was intercepted by the Navy and over 3089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine and 25 kg of morphine was recovered. The ship's five crew, all Pakistani nationals, have been arrested.

9:15 AM

News update: Fire breaks out in slum near Mumbai, some persons feared injured

A fire broke out in a slum at Bhayandar in Maharashtra's Thane district today morning, destroying several huts and shops, officials said. Some persons were feared injured in the blaze, they said. The fire started at around 6:00 am in the Azad Nagar slum, Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) Commissioner Sanjay Katkar said.

8:59 AM

Santhan, convict in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and freed later, dies, says hospital official

Santhan, released convict in ex- Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination case, passes away at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai.