Highlights of the day: Naidu-Pawan Kalyan seal alliance with BJP

From govt's decision to cut LPG cylinder prices to Rahul Gandhi's poll promises, catch all the latest news from around the world here

10:33 PM

India's Sini Shetty makes it to Top 8 list of Miss World 2024 finalists

Miss World 2024 has unveiled its top eight contestants from various regions. Representing America, the winners are Leticia Frota from Brazil and Aché Abrahams from Trinidad and Tobago. Africa's representatives are Lesego Chombo from Botswana and Hannah Karema from Uganda. Europe's champions include a contestant from Czech Republic and Jessica Ashley from England. Finally, Asia's contenders are Sini Shetty from India and Yasmin Azaytoun from Lebanon.

10:31 PM

Delhi namaz incident: Security forces remain deployed in Inderlok, hold flag march

A day after a Delhi Police sub-inspector was suspended for allegedly kicking people offering 'namaz' in Inderlok, security personnel remained deployed on Saturday to maintain law and order in the area, officials said. At least three companies of paramilitary along with the local police remained deployed in Inderlok and its nearby areas in north Delhi, they said. The force also a held a flag march and requested locals to not believe on rumours. Official sources said the senior police officers held meetings with the members of a peace committee to calm flared tempers in the area. Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) Parmaditya on Saturday said the situation is completely under control and peace prevails in the area.

9:08 PM

IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Istanbul delays due to technical issue

IndiGo reported that the flight from Mumbai to Istanbul has been delayed due to a technical issue with the incoming aircraft from Istanbul. Passengers booked on this flight are being accommodated on two special flights operated by A32x aircraft. The airline stated that they are actively collaborating with regulators to obtain the necessary clearances promptly.

8:53 PM

IFL rates to drop, no increase in country liquor prices as Punjab govt clears new excise policy

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced that under the newly approved excise policy for 2024-25, prices of imported foreign liquor (IFL) will decrease, while rates for country liquor will remain unchanged. The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, approved the policy, which aims to generate revenue of Rs 10,145.95 crore from liquor sales.

8:47 PM

Maharashtra engine of Indian economy, has more FDI than Guj, Karnataka, UP: Fadnavis

During a 'Viksit Bharat' event at Pune's Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted that Maharashtra, as the economic engine of the country, has attracted more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) compared to states like Gujarat, Karnataka, or Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized the importance of the 'Viksit Bharat' concept, originally envisioned by late President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, noting that little progress was made on it between 2000 and 2014, according to Fadnavis' allegations.

7:06 PM

Fair break out near temple fair in Indore; none hurt Indore

A fire broke out in an open space next to a temple where a fair was being held in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district on Saturday, police said.
 

No one was injured in the incident that occurred around 11.30 am in the Devguradiya area, about 14 km from the district headquarters, an official said.
 

The blaze did not spread as fire tenders stationed nearby for the temple fair quickly responded and doused the flames, Khudel police station in-charge Deepak Khatri told PTI.
 

The fire destroyed PVC pipes stored at the site by a gas company, and a probe is underway to ascertain the cause of the blaze, police said.

5:59 PM

Asif Ali Zardari elected Pakistan's President

Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari was elected as Pakistan's 14th President on Saturday, becoming the head of state for a second time.
 

Zardari, 68, was the joint candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) while his rival Mahmood Khan Achakzai, 75, was the candidate of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
 

The new president was elected by the electoral college of the newly elected members of the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies, as per the provisions of the Constitution.

5:55 PM

PM Modi unveils projects worth over Rs 4,500 crore in northern West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 4,500 crore in northern West Bengal on Saturday. The PM unveiled the projects at a programme in Siliguri, the region's largest city, during his third visit to the state this month. Governor CV Ananda Bose was among those present at the programme. Addressing the function, Modi said eastern India was ignored after Independence but his government considers it as the growth engine of the country. "Over the last 10 years, the development of Bengal, especially North Bengal, has been a priority for our government," he said. The PM inaugurated multiple projects of railway line electrification that will benefit the people of northern West Bengal and nearby areas, an official statement said.

5:04 PM

Chandrababu Naidu-Pawan Kalyan seal alliance with BJP

It will be a sweep, says Chandrababu Naidu as his party, ally Jana Sena finalise alliance with BJP.

4:52 PM

Israel strikes landmark residential tower in southern Rafah as truce talks stall

Israel struck one of the largest residential towers in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, residents said, stepping up pressure on the last area of the enclave it has not yet invaded and where over a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering. The 12-floor building, located some 500 metres from the border with Egypt, was damaged in the strike. Dozens of families were made homeless though no casualties were reported, according to residents. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident.

4:50 PM

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Manish Khanduri joins BJP

Congress leader Manish Khanduri joins BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, at the BJP Mahanagar office in Dehradun.

3:30 PM

Lok Sabha election 2024: Defence minister addresses rally

"Country's growth cannot be imagined without development of farmers, villages," says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at farmers' rally in Raipur. 

3:27 PM

Lok Sabha election 2024: Home minister addresses rally

"I want to thank the people of Bihar. In 2014, people of Bihar helped us win 31 seats, while we won 39 seats in 2019. In 2024, we will win all 40 seats in Bihar," says Union Home Minister Amit Shah

2:57 PM

Bihar caste census an X-ray for country, step towards justice: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand to conduct caste survey across the country. Saying this, the congress leader said that the exercise done in Bihar presents the true picture of India and is a step towards doing justice to all countrymen.

2:29 PM

Can PM promise LPG prices will not rise if BJP wins? asks Chidambaram

Congress veteran and former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said that he welcomed the Centre's announcement to reduce the LPG cylinder price by Rs 100 but said PM Narendra Modi should assure that the price will not be increased if his party comes to power again.

 

2:05 PM

Congress played key role in developing country's infrastructure: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that his party played an instrumental in developing the country's infrastructure, however, the ruling BJP was trying to take credit for it.

 

1:45 PM

India, four-nation EFTA set to sign free trade agreement on Sunday

India and the four-nation European bloc EFTA are set to sign a free trade agreement on Sunday with an aim to boost two-way trade in goods, services and investments.

 

1:13 PM

Mutual fraternity necessary for equality in country: CJI Chandrachud

Addressing a state-level 'Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman' campaign in Bikaner, the CJI asked how will the country progress if people fight with each other.

12:21 PM

Defence minister Rajnath Singh reaches Chhattisgarh, to address 'Kisan Mahakumbh'

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reached Raipur, Chhattisgarh. CM Vishnu Deo Singh and Deputy CM Arun Sao received him at the airport. 

 

The Defence Minister will address ‘Kisan Mahakumbh’ here, ANI reported.

Rajnath Singh Vishnu Deo Singh (Photo: X@ANI)

12:17 PM

Kingpin of India-Aus-New Zealand drug trafficking network, Jaffer Sadiq held: NCB

NCB has apprehended Jaffer Sadiq, the kingpin in the India-Australia-New Zealand Drug trafficking network being investigated by us, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said, according to ANI.

12:11 PM

Changing his seat or state will not help Rahul Gandhi win elections: Union Minister Anurag Thakur

"Rahul Gandhi can change his seat or state but his defeat is certain. The public feels cheated," Union Minister Anurag Thakur said.

11:56 AM

What's stopping PM Modi from visiting strife-torn Manipur, asks Cong

Taking a dig at PM Modi's visit to Kaziranga National Park, Congress on Saturday asked what's stopping PM Modi from visiting violence-hit Manipur.

11:39 AM

Congress would have taken 20 yrs to do what we have done in last five years in Northeast: PM Modi

Congress would have taken 20 years to do what we have done in last five years in Northeast, says PM Modi in his public address. The entire Northeast is watching how Modi's guarantee is working, Modi said in Itanagar.

11:30 AM

Visit North East to realise the meaning of 'Modi Ki Guarantee,' says PM Modi in Itanagar

During his address to the public gathering in Itanager, PM Modi said, "You must have heard of 'Modi Ki Guarantee'. You will realize its meaning once you reach Arunachal. The entire Northeast is a witness to this. I laid the foundation of the Sela Tunnel here in 2019, and today it has been inaugurated."

11:28 AM

Andhra CM Naidu reaches residence of HM Shah, seat-sharing discussion likely on agenda

TDP chief and former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu arrived at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in Delhi. The two leaders are likely to discuss on alliance and seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

11:19 AM

PM Modi inaugurates Sela tunnel in Itanagar, addresses public gathering

Addressing a public meeting in Itanagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Our vision is that of 'Ashta Lakshmi' for the development of the Northeast. Our Northeast is becoming a strong link for trade and tourism with South Asia and East Asia," ANI reported.

11:13 AM

Cong yatra's Gujarat leg continues under Rahul Gandhi on its third day

Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered third day of its Gujarat leg on Saturday. The Congress ledaer is set ot address a public gathering of social workers in Narmada districit today.

10:51 AM

Voting begins in Pakistan's presidential election: Asif Ali Zardari set to win

The newly-elected president would replace the incumbent Dr Arif Alvi, whose five-year term ended last year. However, he has continued since the new electoral college was not yet formed.

10:29 AM

English cricketer James Anderson becomes first pacer to take 700 wickets in Test cricket

English fast-bowler James Anderson has become the first pacer to take 700 wickets in the history of Test cricket. The cricketer is 41-years-old and is the oldest player to play the sport. The two bowlers with more wickets to their credit are both spinners -- Muthaiah Muralidharan and Shane Warne.

10:14 AM

ED raid underway at residence of Subhash Yadav, close aide of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav

Enforcement Directorate officials are conducting a raid at the residence of Subhash Yadav - a close aide of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav - in Danapur, Patna. Subhash Yadav is reportedly involved in the sand business, according to ANI.