News updates: New India Cooperative Bank General Manager held for 'misappropriation' of Rs 122 crore

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9:19 PM

Delhi records second-hottest day of season as mercury touches 28.6 deg C

8:56 PM

Fire at Maha Kumbh camp store destroys supplies, no casualties reported

8:56 PM

BJP-NDA continues to receive overwhelming support across states: Modi

"After the new government was formed, the BJP-NDA has been continuously receiving the blessings of the people in many states of the country. In June, the people of Odisha accelerated the resolve for a developed India, then the people of Haryana gave their support, and now the people of Delhi have given us overwhelming support, PM Modi said at the ET Now Global Business Summit.

8:55 PM

Today, India is at the forefront of discussions about the world's future: PM Modi

"India is, in many respects, taking a leading role in the world's future," he added while addressesing the ET Now Global Business Summit on Saturday.

8:55 PM

This sentiment was evident during the discussions at the AI Action Summit in France: PM Modi

8:54 PM

The major countries and leading platforms around the world have a strong confidence in India: PM Modi

"I have just returned from a trip to America and France last night. Today, the big countries and platforms of the world are filled with a confidence towards India that was never there before," he said. The prime minister was addressing the ET Now Global Business Sumit on Saturday.

8:53 PM

This sentiment was evident during the discussions at the AI Action Summit in France: PM Modi

7:53 PM

New India Cooperative Bank's General Manager held for 'misappropriation' of Rs 122 crore

5:46 PM

J-K: Cold wave persists in Srinagar as temperature drops to 0 degrees

The cold wave continued in Jammu and Kashmir's capital, Srinagar, as the city recorded a minimum temperature of 0 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while the maximum temperature reached 13 degrees Celsius. Several other towns in the Kashmir Valley experienced similar weather conditions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, while the maximum temperature dipped to 13 degrees Celsius from Friday.

Despite the cold weather, videos from Dal Lake showed locals enjoying the winter season.

The District Administration and the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department organised the 'Lal Draman Winter Festival 2025' in Doda on February 9. The event attracted thousands of visitors, including tourists, locals, officials, and media personnel, who witnessed a grand celebration of culture, adventure, and natural beauty.

Lal Draman, a serene meadow in the picturesque Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, came alive with the much-anticipated winter festival. The event brought together thousands of visitors and locals, showcasing the beauty and vibrant culture of the Lolab Valley in the Kupwara district. The festival, aimed at celebrating the winter season and promoting the region's scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage, featured a series of exciting activities.

5:45 PM

Govt must regulate coaching institutes: Kanhaiya Kumar

Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar on Saturday asked the government to regulate various coaching institutes in the country in view of the high cases of student suicides.

He said there is a flood of private coaching institutes providing training for UPSC, medical and engineering exams across the country because the condition of government institutes is not good.

"For the last several days, there are news of coaching institutes claiming to make doctors and engineers disappear after collecting fees from students. Whenever there is such a systemic failure in the country, the government should take responsibility for it," Kumar told a press conference.

He claimed students and common people are being crushed between the government and the market.

Kumar said the government should act in such cases and not indulge in whataboutery.

He also urged the government to strengthen and improve the condition of government institutes in the country.

"Today, the dreams are being sold in the country and there is a flood of coaching institutes, because the condition of the government system is very weak," he alleged.

5:45 PM

Jamia protest: AISA claims 17 students suspended, calls for boycott of classes

The Left-affiliated All India Students' Association has called for a boycott of classes at Jamia Millia Islamia on Monday, claiming 17 students have been suspended by the university for protesting against the disciplinary action against two PhD scholars.

The university is yet to issue a response to the claims about the suspensions of students.

The controversy began after the university suspended two PhD scholars for allegedly leading an unauthorised protest in December last year. The administration defended its actions, stating that protests disrupted academic activities and resulted in property damage, including vandalizing the central canteen and breaking the gate of the security advisor's office.

However, student activists argued that the administration was attempting to stifle dissent.

Jamia's action triggered a stir with several students claiming they received suspension notices, citing their alleged involvement in "acts of vandalism, unauthorized protests, and defamation of the university".

According to the All India Students' Association (AISA), the university administration suspended 17 students overnight, prompting students from various departments to declare their participation in the boycott.

5:18 PM

Uttarakhand to install smart meters statewide, promises fewer billing complaints

5:18 PM

White South Africans gather in support of Trump, his claims that they are victims of racism

5:17 PM

Indian Railways to launch train connectivity from Bengaluru city to Airport: Ashwini Vaishnaw

4:50 PM

Pope spends quiet first night in hospital, continues drug therapy, reads papers: Vatican

Pope Francis slept well during a quiet first night in the hospital after being admitted with a respiratory tract infection, and was up eating and reading Saturday, the Vatican said.
 

Francis, 88, ate breakfast Saturday morning and read the newspapers while continuing his drug therapy, spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Friday after a week-long bout of bronchitis worsened. It was his fourth hospitalization since his 2013 election and raised questions about his increasingly precarious health.

Preliminary tests showed he had a respiratory tract infection and a slight fever. The Vatican cancelled his audiences through Monday at least.

4:40 PM

Large fire tears through luxury London hotel known as celebrity hotspot

A fire broke out at a luxury London hotel and restaurant known as a celebrity hotspot, engulfing the historic building and forcing about 100 people to be evacuated, fire services said.
 

More than 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines spent hours fighting the blaze that ripped through Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone on Friday, the London Fire Brigade said.

4:02 PM

Zelenskyy says time has come for creation of 'armed forces of Europe'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday the time has come for the creation of an armed forces of Europe and says his country's fight against Russia has proved that a foundation for it already exists.

 

The Ukrainian leader said Europe cannot rule out the possibility that American might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it, and noted that many leaders have long spoken about how Europe needs its own military.

 

I really believe that time has come, Zelenskyy told the Munich Security Conference. The armed forces of Europe must be created.

3:43 PM

Fire broke out at Freemasons Hall in the Fort Mumbai area. Four fighting tenders are present at the spot.

3:43 PM

Israel releases Palestinian prisoners after Hamas frees hostages as shaky Gaza truce holds

2:56 PM

President's rule in Manipur symbolic of PM, HM's collective failure: Gaurav Gogoi

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi termed the imposition of President's rule in Manipur "symbolic of the collective failure" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP's leadership in the Northeast. President's rule was imposed in strife-torn Manipur on Thursday and the state assembly put under suspended animation, days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post.

2:50 PM

BJP alleges Punjab CM Mann playing politics over deportees after 'conspiracy' claim

The BJP hit back at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the issue of deportees, accusing the AAP leader of playing politics over the matter. The second batch of 119 illegal immigrants from the US is expected to land at the Amritsar airport late on Saturday evening. On Friday, Mann accused the Centre of trying to defame Punjab as part of a conspiracy by choosing the Amritsar airport for the landing of the aircraft.

2:24 PM

BJP's Anurag Thakur demands stringent actions to end drug menace in Himachal

BJP MP Anurag Thakur strict action drug mafia and suggested that the kingpins of drug cartels should be caught and put behind bars to end narcotic smuggling in Himachal Pradesh. Talking to reporters on Friday, he said that the society, families, government and opposition parties have to unite and mount a major attack against drug abuse. The state government should form special teams to take action against drug abuse, he said, adding that the central government is also taking strict action in this regard across the country.

2:04 PM

VP Dhankhar pays obeisance at Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday paid obeisance at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, officials said. Dhankhar reached Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the revered shrine, on a day-long visit to preside as chief guest the 10th convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.

1:50 PM

Earthquake of 6.4-magnitude strikes southern Siberia, no casualties reported

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck Russia's Altai Republic in southern Siberia on Saturday morning, according to Russian seismologists. The quake occurred at 8:48 a.m local time (0148 GMT), according to Russian state news agency Interfax, citing the Unified Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported. Tremors were also felt in neighbouring regions.

1:34 PM

Goa guv P S Sreedharan Pillai, CM Pramod Sawant to take holy dip at Maha Kumbh

Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and his cabinet will visit the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj on Saturday and take a holy dip in the river Ganga. Pillai, Sawant, his cabinet and core members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) left for Prayagraj on a special flight from Dabolim International Airport in the morning. Talking to reporters at the airport, the chief minister said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in such an event.

1:22 PM

Kiren Rijiju reiterates Centre's resolve to restore statehood to J-K in due course

Union minister Kiren Rijiju said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have made it clear that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be restored in due course of time. However, Rijiju, who holds the parliamentary affairs and minority affairs portfolios, declined to give a timeline for the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.

1:14 PM

Future to be dramatic with far-reaching advances expected in Artificial Intelligence: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday asserted that with far-reaching advances in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the future is going to be dramatic. She said the Centre was taking steps to integrate AI into higher education, and it was a matter of pride that Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi was ahead of the curve with related courses launched in 2023.

1:00 PM

CM Siddaramaiah slams BJP for 'peddling lies' on Jal Jeevan Mission

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday slammed BJP alleging that it "betrayed Karnataka" with regard to the Jal Jeevan Mission by not releasing the funds it had announced for the state. The Chief Minister specially targeted Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti V Somanna charging that he was "peddling lies". Media reports stated that Somanna told Lok Sabha that the state spent Rs 11,760 crore against the allocation of Rs 28,623 crore to Karnataka under the JJM.

12:35 PM

Stalin accuses Palaniswami of ''voice dubbing'' for BJP

Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday accused AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami of "voice dubbing" for the BJP and said he proved correct the DMK's allegation that there is a secret alliance between the two parties.

12:20 PM

Maharashtra govt sets up panel to study legal aspects for law on forced conversions, 'love jihad'

The Maharashtra Government has set up a seven-member committee headed by the state director general of police (DGP) to study the legal aspects for a new law against forced conversions and cases of 'love jihad". The committee includes secretaries of the women and child welfare, minority affairs, law and judiciary, social justice and special assistance departments, and deputy secretaries of the home department.