Highlights of the day: Highest temperature in Raj was recorded in Phalodi at 50 degrees C on May 25

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8:55 PM

Rajkot game zone fire: 11 killed

At least 11 persons, including children, were killed and three others injured in a massive fire that broke out in a crowded game zone in Gujarat's Rajkot city on Saturday evening, police said. Rescue operations are underway at the affected TRP game zone and officials feared the count of casualties may go up as several children were present at the spot due to the ongoing summer vacation and weekend.

8:08 PM

Kolkata airport to suspend flight operations for 9 hours in view of cyclone Remal's landfall

Kolkata airport to suspend flight operations for 9 hours from Sunday midnight in view of cyclone Remal's landfall, reports PTI citing official.

7:43 PM

The highest temperature in Rajasthan was recorded in Phalodi at 50 degrees C on May 25, says IMD

The Indian Meteorological Department reports extreme temperatures in Rajasthan on May 25, with Phalodi reaching 50°C and Barmer hitting 48.8°C. The heatwave conditions are severe, and residents are advised to take precautions against the intense heat.

7:42 PM

People of Bihar not afraid of people of Gujarat, says Tejashwi Yadav

On PM Modi's remark, former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, "People of Bihar are not afraid of people of Gujarat... The people of Bihar are not afraid of anyone, our Lord Krishna was born in jail. A 75-year-old man is threatening a 34-year-old youth that if you defeat us in the election, we will send you to jail...the public will decide."

7:22 PM

Voter turnout at 57.70% till 5 pm, highest in West Bengal at 77.99%

As per EC data, as of 5 pm, the overall voter turnout remained steady at 57.70 per cent. West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout at 79.99 per cent, while Uttar Pradesh had the lowest at 52.02 per cent. Jharkhand saw a significant participation rate of 61.41 per cent, followed by Odisha at 59.60 per cent. Haryana registered a turnout of 55.93 per cent, closely followed by Delhi at 53.73 per cent. Bihar saw 52.24 per cent voter turnout by 5 pm while Jammu & Kashmir saw 51.35 per cent voting.

7:22 PM

Misa Bharti slams PM Modi for ‘mujra’ remark against the opposition

“These are the ‘sanskaar’ of PM Modi. He uses such words for the opposition, but the people of the country support the INDIA bloc. All the members of the alliance are with the public and their issues,” said the RJD leader.

5:36 PM

EaseMyTrip withdraws bid for GoFirst to focus on core growth areas: CEO Nishant Pitti

4:24 PM

Deep depression in Bay of Bengal to intensify into cyclonic storm, expected to hit WB coasts by May 26

The deep depression over Eastcentral Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards with a speed of 17 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 0830 hrs IST of May 25, 2024 over the same region near latitude 18.0°N and longitude 89.7°E, about 440 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), 440 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and 480 km south-southeast of Canning (West Bengal).

4:17 PM

G7 to impose further sanctions against Russia

The G7 has announced its commitment to imposing further sanctions against Russia, according to AFP.

4:17 PM

Congress considers the nation as its property and believes that 'shahzada' is the only heir, says PM Modi

"When people asked about INDI bloc's PM candidate, they start fighting among themselves. Meanwhile, Congress considers the nation as its property and believe that 'shahzada' is the only heir. However, their alliance partners say that there will five PMs in five years. Can a country work like this?" said PM Modi in in Bihar's Buxar.

4:07 PM

G7 agree further financing for Ukraine, to discuss details in coming weeks

Finance ministers from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies have agreed on further financing for Ukraine but have not yet agreed on the details, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Saturday.

The G7 countries are now working on next year's financing plan for Kyiv as this year's financing has been successful, Lindner added.

"We are not yet ready to find further and clear measures to finance Ukraine. But this is now a topic of intensive work," Lindner told journalists on the sidelines of the meeting of G7 finance chiefs in the northern Italian town of Stresa.

3:46 PM

49.2% voter turnout recorded till 3 pm, in the 6th phase of elections.

As of 3 pm, the overall voter turnout remained steady at 49.2 per cent. Among the states, West Bengal showed the highest turnout at a remarkable 70.19 per cent.

Bihar- 45.21 per cent   

Haryana- 46.26 per cent  

Jammu & Kashmir- 44.41 per cent  

Jharkhand- 54.34 per cent  

Delhi- 44.58 per cent  

Odisha- 48.44 per cent  

Uttar Pradesh-43.95 per cent  

West Bengal- 70.19 per cent

In Phase 6 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, a total of 889 candidates are in the fray.

3:32 PM

'Mahayagna' of Viksit Bharat is going on in the country: PM Modi at Buxar rally in Bihar.

The 'balloon' of opposition INDIA bloc has burst, said PM Modi at Buxar rally in Bihar. 

3:29 PM

People are celebrating democracy: PM Modi

Addressing a public gathering in Buxar, Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Today is also the sixth phase of voting...People are celebrating democracy at a fast pace and strengthening the resolve for a developed India. The voting that is taking place today has shown INDI alliance their place..."

2:58 PM

LS polls: China encroached on our land but PM Modi is silent, says Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that China has encroached on India's land and is constructing houses and roads but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is silent and has done nothing about it.

2:51 PM

Reliance seeks CCI approval for $ 8.5-bn Viacom18-Star India merger

Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries has sought approval from Competition Commission of India (CCI) for the $8.5-billion merger of Viacom18 and Star India Pvt Ltd (SIPL).

 

2:45 PM

Peak power demand hits season's new high of nearly 240 GW on Friday

With the mercury soaring and the usage of air conditioners and coolers rising, India's peak power demand hit the season's new high of 239.96 GW on Friday.

2:42 PM

A look at voter turnout until 1 PM; West Bengal leads at 54.80%

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 voter turnout data as of 1 PM:
 

As of 1 pm, the overall voter turnout was recorded at 39.13 per cent. Following previous trends, West Bengal recorded the highest turnout at 54.80 per cent, while Bihar and Haryana closely followed with 36.48 per cent each. Jharkhand recorded 42.54 per cent voter turnout, while Jammu & Kashmir and Odisha saw 35.22 per cent and 35.69 per cent respectively. Uttar Pradesh registered a turnout of 37.23 per cent, and Delhi reported 34.37 per cent.

2:27 PM

All citizens should exercise their right to vote, says CDS Anil Chauhan

"We want all citizens to exercise their democratic right:" Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan after casting vote. General Chauhan was with his wife at the polling booth.

 

2:19 PM

LS polls: PoK belongs to India and we will take it, says HM Amit Shah

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is an integral part of India and "we will take it", Home Minister Amit Shah asserted on Saturday. Shah added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already won 310 seats in the first five phases of Lok Sabha polls and the target of '400-paar' would be achieved in the sixth and the last phases.

 

2:06 PM

Will begin process of holding assembly polls in J&K very soon: CEC Kumar

Encouraged by the voter participation in Jammu and Kashmir in the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission is likely to "very soon" initiate the process of holding assembly polls in the Union Territory, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday.

 

1:47 PM

Blast at explosives factory in Chhattisgarh leaves one dead, six injured

One person was killed and at least six were injured in a blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Chhattisgarh's Bemetara district on Saturday, officials said.

 

1:37 PM

LS polls: INDIA bloc performing 'mujra' for its vote bank, says PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday vowed to dismantle alleged attempts to rob Dalits and backward classes of reservations by the INDIA bloc which he accused of enslavement and performing mujra for Muslim vote bank, PTI reported.

 

1:26 PM

Unemployment, inflation biggest issues; public in our favour: Priyanka

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday said unemployment and price rise are the "biggest issues" in the country. She said that her party was confident that the INDIA bloc will emerge victorious in the Lok Sabha elections, with an undercurrent in its favour.

 

1:09 PM

Widespread rains cause damage to property in Kerala; heavy downpour likely

The ongoing spell of heavy rains in Kerala has put normal life off track, with scores of houses suffering damage, roads being submerged, trees uprooted, flood water entering houses and trains running late, PTI reported.

12:32 PM

Voter turnourt until 11AM: Here are the details of voting across states

With the voting for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections underway in seven states and the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, here are the details of voter turnout until 11 AM on saturday.

State/UT	Voter Turnout
Bihar	23.67%
Haryana	22.09%
Jharkhand	27.8%
Odisha	21.30%
Uttar Pradesh	27.06%
West Bengal	36.88%
Delhi	21.69%
Jammu and Kashmir	23.11%

12:25 PM

Bihar is living with lanterns in the era of LED bulbs: PM Modi

Addressing a poll rally in Bihar, PM Narendra Modi said, "This is the era of LED bulbs and people in Bihar are roaming around with a lantern. This is a lantern that lights up just one house. This lantern has spread darkness all over Bihar."

 

12:04 PM

We need to dispel doubts, suspicions around electoral processes: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar cast his vote at a polling booth in Delhi and emphasised the need to dispel doubts and suspicions surrounding electoral processes.

 

11:54 AM

India's first Palme d'Or contender in 30 yrs emerges as frontrunner

One of the final few main Competition titles to premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine as Light" has instantly emerged as a frontrunner for the Palme d'Or. No Indian female director has ever competed for Cannes' top prize nor has any filmmaker from the country bagged the coveted award.

11:37 AM

Pak PM Sharif to visit China next month for launch of 2nd phase of CPEC

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to visit China in the first week of next month to join the formal launching of the second phase of the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, according to a media report on Saturday.