News updates: 1 killed, a couple injured in Kashmir twin attacks ahead of polling

From Swati Maliwal's assault case to the raging heat wave in North India, catch all the latest updates from around the world here

11:49 PM

1 killed, Jaipur couple injured in Kashmir twin attacks ahead of polling

A former sarpanch was killed and a couple from Rajasthan was injured in firing by terrorists in two separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, two days before polling. The country is in the middle of a marathon six-week general election. Four rounds are over, three more remain. The votes will be counted on June 4. 

9:31 PM

Fire breaks out in Gurugram slum, 65 shanties gutted

About 65 shanties were gutted after a major fire broke out in local slum cluster in sector 65 here on Saturday, a fire official said.

 

Initial investigations have revealed the cause of the fire was a cooking gas leakage, the official said.

 

According to police, a fire broke out in the sector 65 area around 10 am. Five fire engines were immediately pressed into the service, they said, adding that the blaze was brought under control but 65 shanties were gutted.

 

There were no casualties or burn injuries reported, the police said.

8:40 PM

Our goal is to protect Constitution: Rahul Gandhi at a poll rally

"...Our goal is to protect this Constitution...If this (Constitution) goes away - which the BJP and PM Modi want...So, the first work is to safeguard this Constitution because this is your future, your dream and the voice of your heart..," says Rahul Gandhi at a poll rally.

8:03 PM

Omar Abdullah requests to lift the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami

“I would request the central government to lift the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami immediately after the Lok Sabha elections conclude and it should contest the upcoming state elections. They have supported other candidates in the past but not fought elections themselves,” says National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah.

8:02 PM

Nepali Ambassador to India attends PM Modi's public rally in Delhi today

On attending PM Modi's public rally in Delhi today, Nepali Ambassador to India, Dr. Shankar P Sharma says, "20 foreign delegates including 6 ambassadors of different countries are here today to see what the election rally looks like. We are proud to attend the PM's rally and get a first-hand experience of it. India is the mother of democracy...

7:08 PM

PM Modi addresses a public rally in North East Delhi

"This is the time when Bharat is taking a leap for development. 2024 elections is to make India one of the top three economies in the world. This election is also to protect the country's economy from powers which want to bankrupt the country with its policies. It is also to protect the poor and middle class from those who want to snatch away their wealth...," the PM said.

7:07 PM

'BJP and its Delhi Police know that this case is false,' says Atishi

Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Minister Atishi on Saturday said that BJP and Delhi Police know that the case against Bhibhav Kumar is fake. “From the videos that have surfaced in the last two days, it has become clear that there was no attack on Swati Maliwal ji. When the court was about to dictate its order at 4:45 PM, the Delhi Police counsel through VC said that this is no longer the nature of anticipatory bail.

7:07 PM

FSSAI warns against use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits, urges strict compliance

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has alerted traders’/fruits handlers/Food Business Operators (FBOs) operating ripening chambers to strictly ensure compliance with the prohibition on calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits, particularly during the mango season. FSSAI is also advising Food Safety Departments of States /UTs to remain vigilant and take serious action and deal stringently against person(s) indulging in such unlawful practices as per the provisions of FSS Act, 2006 and Rules/Regulations made thereunder.

5:53 PM

Delhi CM, AAP leaders to go to BJP headquarters at 12 noon tomorrow, dares PM to get them arrested

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he will go to the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters at 12 pm on Sunday (May 19) along with all Aam Aadmi Party leaders, MLAs and MPs. 'Arrest us together. You think that by jailing AAP leaders, you will crush AAP. It will not happen. You can try. AAP is a thought that has made home in the hearts of the people of the country,' the AAP supremo said.

5:48 PM

Court dismisses CM Kejriwal ex-aide Bibhav Kumar's anticipatory bail plea

His bail application has become infructuous. After the conclusion of arguments, Public Prosecutor informed the court that Bibhav Kumar has been arrested at 4.15 PM. Earlier, the order was reserved.

5:48 PM

'Matter of surprise that Bibhav was found inside premises of CM's residence,' says BJP's Shazia Ilmi

"It has taken far too long for Bibhav to get arrested...It is not a matter of surprise that he was found inside the premises of CM's residence...He(Bibhav) was enjoying the protection of Kejriwal...It is Kejriwal who ordered Bibhav to beat up Swati Maliwal...He(Arvind Kejriwal) is directly responsible for this assault," said BJP leader Shazia Ilmi, following the arrest of Bibhav Kumar.

4:37 PM

Delhi’s peak power demand clocks 6987 MW, highest ever in the first 18 days of May

"Delhi’s peak power demand clocks 6987 MW, highest ever in the first 18 days of May. In the first 18 days of May 2024, Delhi’s peak power demand higher on 100 per cent of the corresponding days vis-vis May-2023. Delhi’s peak power demand was 5781 MW in the first 16 days of May last year. Power demand in April-24 higher on 83 per cent of the corresponding days as compared April-23. BRPL and BYPL successfully met the peak power demand of 3131 MW and 1537 MW respectively,"says DISCOM official.

3:49 PM

When there is strong govt in country, enemy thinks 100 times before doing anything: PM Modi at rally in Ambala

Election 2024 Live News: Strong government of Modi brought down wall of Article 370. Kashmir now moving on path of development: PM Modi at Ambala rally.

3:36 PM

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with party's candidate KL Sharma holds a roadshow in Amethi

Election 2024 Live News: KL Sharma is contesting the sitting MP and BJP candidate Smriti Irani in Amethi, the constituency that is set to vote on May 20, in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

3:36 PM

Death toll from tourist attack in Afghanistan rises to six, AFP reports citing government

The death toll from an attack in the popular tourism destination of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan has risen to six, the interior ministry said Saturday, with three Afghans and three Spanish nationals killed in gunfire.

 

"The new information is that three Afghan citizens were killed in the attack, of which one was a Mujahid (Taliban member) and two of them were civilians," interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani told AFP, adding that all the dead and wounded had been transferred to Kabul.

3:35 PM

Massive fire breaks out in Silchar, Assam; leaves 1 injured

A massive fire broke out in a building in Silchar town in Assam's Cachar district. A girl was injured after she fell from the building, she was rushed to the hospital. Five fire tenders at the spot.Fire has been doused and cooling operation is underway.

3:06 PM

LS polls: Former-PM Manmohan Singh, LK Advani cast votes from home

Former VP Mohammad Hamid Ansari, former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, former deputy prime minister LK Advani and former Union minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi have cast their votes using the home voting facility, the Delhi poll body said.

 

3:01 PM

BJP alleges AAP circulating 'edited' videos to malign Swati Maliwal

BJP has accused AAP of circulating 'edited' videos to malign Swati Maliwal.

1:57 PM

People of Bengal will avenge injustice by BJP, says CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said that the state will avenge the "injustice" done by the BJP and the "anti-Bengalis will be washed away for sure."

 

1:47 PM

Nepal bans sale of four MDH, Everest spice-mix products over quality concerns

After Singapore and Hong Kong, Nepal has also banned the sale and import of certain spice-mix products manufactured by Indian brands over alleged quality concerns. Four spice-mix products by MDH and Everest were banned from Friday.

 

1:35 PM

Delhi Police arrest Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar in Swati Maliwal assault case

Delhi Police arrest Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar in Swati Maliwal assault case. Kumar will be produced in the Tis Hazari Court, reported Indian Express.

12:57 PM

Maitri Setu, Agartala-Akhaura rail link to be operational soon: Tripura CM

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said the Maitri Setu in South Tripura and Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) rail link will become operational very soon, PTI reported.

12:46 PM

Delhi HC restrains entities from using actor Jackie Shroff's name, voice

The court said Shroff is a celebrity and this status inherently grants him certain rights over his personality and associated attributes.

12:42 PM

LS polls: Maha CEO calls for initiatives to boost voter participation

Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam has called for special initiatives to boost participation of voters, including house-to-house outreach programmes.

 

12:31 PM

No objection to action against grandson if found guilty: Deve Gowda

JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda, who turned 92 on Saturday, finally spoke about the sexual abuse charges levelled against his grandson and MP Prajwal Revanna and said he has no objection to the action taken against him if found guilty.

 

12:26 PM

LS elections 2024: Sixth schedule, employment key issues in Ladakh

As Ladakh prepares to vote first time since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, safeguards under the sixth schedule, statehood and employment are the key issues in the two distant districts of the constituency that is the largest in the country in terms of area.

 

12:22 PM

AAP RS MP Raghav Chadha arrives at CM Kejriwal's official residence

Last month, a Delhi minister had said that the MP had developed a serious eye ailment which could have led to blindness.

12:12 PM

LS polls: Security tightened ahead of rallies by PM Modi, Rahul in Delhi

Security arrangements in parts of Delhi were beefed up in view of two different rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with the local police having planned to deploy around 3,000-personnel strong force on the day.

 

11:42 AM

OYO withdraws DRHP, to refile its much-awaited IPO post refinancing

Backed by Japan's Softbank, OYO is set to refile its much-awaited IPO as the global travel tech player is close to finalising its refinancing plans to raise up to $450 million via sale of dollar bonds, PTI reported citing sources.

 

11:31 AM

Swati Maliwal blackmailed by BJP to go against CM Kejriwal, says AAP

AAP's Atishi Marlena on Saturday claimed that party MP Swati Maliwal, who has accused CM Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her, is facing arrest in an illegal recruitment case and she was "blackmailed" by the BJP to become part of the "conspiracy" against the Chief Minister.