Highlights news: India, US finalise terms of reference for first phase of trade deal

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10:01 PM

Congress working to strengthen organisation: Bhupesh Baghel

Congress general secretary in-charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said that the party had already started working on strengthening the organisation across the country and the same thing was being done in Punjab.
 

He said that the party will be strengthened right up to the "booth level".

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister, who arrived here on a two-day visit, held a series of meetings with the party leaders including one with the District Congress Committee (DCC) president and another meeting of the Political Affairs Committee.

8:40 PM

India not encouraging FDI from China: Piyush Goyal

India does not intend to encourage foreign direct investments (FDI) from China, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday, indicating New Delhi's intentions of not easing overseas investment curbs imposed on the neighbouring country in 2020.

FDI applications from countries sharing land borders, such as China, have to mandatorily seek government approval for all sectors. This policy was issued in April 2020.
 

"As of now, there's hardly any foreign direct investment from China...It was the same 25 years ago when it (FDI) was open (from China), not too much Chinese investment has come to India. Nor are we encouraging any significant investment coming in from China at all. At the moment, that is the policy," Goyal said here at an event.

The remarks assume significance as certain quarters are of the view that the rule needs to be eased to attract technology and capital.
 

In 2020, the government made its approval mandatory for FDI from countries that share land borders with India.

8:31 PM

Sebi cautions public against fraudulent activities on social media platforms

Markets regulator Sebi on Friday cautioned the public against manipulative activities related to the securities market on social media platforms (SMPs) in the wake of a growing number of frauds emerging on these platforms.

The regulator also stressed the importance of dealing only with Sebi-registered intermediaries and using authentic trading apps while investing.

This advisory comes after Sebi observed a sharp rise in fraudulent activities across several popular platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Play Store, Apple Store, and others.

7:34 PM

Major nations agree on first-ever global tax on greenhouse gases with plan that targets shipping

Major nations agree on first-ever global tax on greenhouse gases with plan that targets shipping, reports AP. 

7:28 PM

Govt to construct new flyover to decongest area between Civil Lines and Signature Bridge: Parvesh Verma

PWD Minister Parvesh Verma on Friday said the Delhi government will construct a new flyover at a cost of Rs 183 crore in North Delhi to decongest the area between Civil Lines and Signature Bridge.
 

According to the plan, the Public Works Department (PWD) will construct 680 metres long six-lane flyover starting near the Civil Lines Trauma Centre and the DRDO office. This road intervention will be specifically designed for the Metcalf House T-Junction where the outer ring road and Hegdewar road merge.

6:33 PM

NBCC e-auctions 560 homes in Greater Noida for Rs 1,153 crore

State-owned NBCC has sold 560 housing units in Greater Noida through e-auction for Rs 1,153 crore.

In a regulatory filing, NBCC informed that it has successfully sold 560 residential units at Aspire Leisure Park, Greater Noida (W), Uttar Pradesh through an e-auction at a total sale value of approximately Rs 1,153.13 crore.
 

NBCC will get marketing fee of 1 per cent of sale value.

On Thursday, the company said it has sold 1,185 units for Rs 1,504.69 crore through e-auction in Greater Noida.

 

6:18 PM

India uniquely poised to combine sprawling DPI with power of AI: Nandan Nilekani

India is uniquely placed to combine its sprawling digital public infrastructure (DPI) with the power of artificial intelligence to unleash transformative use cases, Infosys chairman and Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani said on Friday.
 

Speaking at Carnegie India's Global Technology Summit 'Sambhavna', Nilekani cautioned that while artificial intelligence (AI) hype cycles have reached unprecedented levels, real challenges exist in building and operationalising it at scale.

5:17 PM

News update: US Vice President JD Vance expected to come to India, says India's trade official

5:01 PM

Taking steps to ensure India is not used by other countries to divert trade to US: Trade official

India and the United States have finalised terms of reference for talks over first segment of bilateral trade deal, a trade official told news agency Reuters.

4:57 PM

India, US finalise terms of reference for first phase of trade deal

India and the US have finalised terms of reference for talks over the first segment of a bilateral trade deal, a trade official said on Friday, adding that there was a possibility of a "win-win shape and form" to the deal in the next 90 days. Trade engagements between the countries will continue virtually and regularly, the official said

4:36 PM

Karnataka Cabinet decides to set up SIT to probe 40% commission allegation against BJP government

The Karnataka Cabinet on Friday decided to set up a Special Investigation Team to probe the 40 per cent commission allegations against the previous BJP government in the state, in the light of Justice Nagmohan Das Commission inquiry report. The SIT will complete the investigation in two months and submit the report to the state government, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told reporters. Subsequently, the probe report will be presented in the cabinet meeting.

4:14 PM

News update: Industrial production growth slows to 2.9% in February

4:12 PM

Oriental Insurance asks cyclist's kin to produce driving licence, ordered to pay claim amount

A consumer commission in Nagpur has directed the Oriental Insurance Company Limited to pay Rs 3 lakh to the kin of a man, who was killed while riding a bicycle, after it rejected their claim demanding his driving licence. In its order of March 25, a copy of which was made available recently, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that such a demand by the insurance company was “inappropriate” and “unlawful”. It also asked the company to pay 9 per cent interest.

3:47 PM

Nadda launches Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Friday launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha. He also launched the Ayushman Vaya-Vandana Yojana, and the state-run Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Deputy Chief Ministers K V Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, state Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling and several MPs and MLAs were present at the function organised on Bali Yatra Ground near Mahanadi River in Cuttack.

3:09 PM

Odisha announces 2 pc hike in DA for govt employees, pensioners

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced a two per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners. With this hike, the ratio of DA for government employees and TI (temporary increase) for pensioners will rise from 53 per cent to 55 per cent, an official release issued by the CMO said. It said the hike will be implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2025.

2:42 PM

`MUMBAI-1' single card system for all public transportation in Mumbai region: CM Fadnavis

Railway minister Vaishnaw stated that 238 new AC trains will be sanctioned for the Mumbai suburban network.

2:32 PM

NIA will decide where Rana will be taken for probe: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the National Investigation Agency and the Union Home Ministry will decide where 26/11 terror attack conspirator Tahawwur Rana will be taken for probe. He was responding to the question whether Rana, extradited from the US, will be brought to Mumbai.

"Mumbai police will extend all cooperation to the NIA, and if we need any update on the probe, we will seek it from NIA. The NIA will decide where to take him,' Fadnavis said.

2:12 PM

News update: China raises additional tariffs to 125 per cent on imported US products

1:53 PM

Parvesh Verma orders vigilance inquiry into construction of government-run schools

Delhi Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Verma on Friday ordered a vigilance inquiry into the construction of government-run schools. Verma was on an inspection visit to Palam where the local residents complained about waterlogging in the area and a government school principal highlighted the problem of leakage in classrooms.

1:16 PM

News update: One terrorist killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district

1:02 PM

Union Minister Amit Shah visits bereaved Tamilisai at her residence, consoles her

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Saligramam residence of BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan today and consoled her over the loss of her father, Kumari Anandan, who died on April 9. Despite his hectic programme during his day's visit to the city, Shah drove to Dr Tamilisai's house, from the hotel where he was staying in Guindy, and consoled her. He paid floral tributes to a portrait of Kumari Anandan, a veteran Congress leader, who died due to age-related ailments at 93.

12:59 PM

YSRCP leader detained for attempting to attack TDP worker in Andhra

YSRCP leader K Gorantla Madhav has been taken into custody by the police after he allegedly attempted to attack C Kiran Kumar, who was arrested for inappropriate remarks against Y S Bharathi Reddy, police said on Friday. While Kumar was being shifted following his arrest, Madhav allegedly attempted to attack him because of his remarks against party leader Bharthi Reddy.

12:47 PM

Cops prevent PDP march against passage of Waqf (Amendment) Act

Police here on Friday prevented a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) march against the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, barricading the party office and restricting the protestors within the premises. Led by party general secretary Khurshid Alam, scores of PDP workers had assembled at the party headquarters near the Sher-e-Kashmir Park here to protest against the passage of the act last week.

12:24 PM

Rahul Gandhi hits out at PM Modi over Employment Linked Incentive scheme

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the government's 'Employment Linked Incentive' scheme, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said while he creates new slogans everyday, the youth are still waiting for real opportunities, and asked if it was "just another jumla". The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said that after the 2024 election, PM Modi announced the "Employment Linked Incentive" scheme with much fanfare, promising to provide employment to our youth.

12:05 PM

Varanasi is steering development of Purvanchal: PM Modi

Varanasi has gained new momentum of development in last 10 years, PM Modi stated today. 

11:45 AM

PM Modi inaugurates development projects worth Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi

Among the projects inaugurated are schemes focused on rural development, including 130 drinking water projects, 100 new anganwadi centres, 356 libraries, a polytechnic college in Pindra, and a government degree college.

11:31 AM

Chennai-based company donates 100 bicycles to Tirupati temple

A Chennai-based company donated 100 bicycles to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the official custodian of Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple here. Representatives from the industrial group performed a special puja (prayer) and handed over the bicycles to TTD deputy executive officer Lokanatham.

11:20 AM

Rana's extradition a big breakthrough, will reveal real plot of 26/11 attacks: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday termed Tahawwur Hussain Rana's extradition a major breakthrough and said it would help unravel the crucial details of the conspiracy behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, a key accused in the case, landed in Delhi in a special plane from Los Angeles Thursday evening. A special court subsequently remanded him in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 days.

11:07 AM

News update: PM Modi asks officials to take strict action against those behind gang-rape case in Varanasi

10:46 AM

Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings emerge from eggs, begin seaward journey

The hatching of Olive Ridley turtle eggs has begun in Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha's Ganjam district, as thousands of hatchlings emerged from sandy pits and crawled towards the sea, a senior forest official said. The mass hatching in the rookery started on Thursday as the baby turtles began their seaward journey without their mothers, who returned to the waters after laying the eggs.