News Highlights: India, Sri Lanka set to ink major defence pact during PM Modi's Colombo trip

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11:40 PM

Xi backs exclusive Chinese industrial zone in Bangladesh, welcomes BRI cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed Beijing's support for setting up an "exclusive" Chinese industrial economic zone and industrial parks in Bangladesh. He also welcomed Dhaka's commitment to "high-quality" cooperation in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, according to official media reports. Xi made these remarks during a meeting with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who is on a four-day visit to China.

11:17 PM

Gautam Adani meets J'khand CM Hemant Soren

Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani on Friday met Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, a statement issued by the CMO said. Adani arrived at the chief minister's residence in Ranchi on Friday evening. The meeting with Soren lasted for approximately two hours, it said.

10:23 PM

Gujarat HC grants bail to Asaram for three months on medical grounds

On Friday, the Gujarat High Court granted a three-month temporary bail to self-proclaimed godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence in a rape case. Earlier, on January 7, the Supreme Court had granted him interim bail until March 31 in connection with a rape case filed by the Gujarat police. Currently, he is receiving ayurvedic treatment in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

8:56 PM

India, Sri Lanka set to ink major defence pact during PM Modi's Colombo trip

India and Sri Lanka are set to sign a major defense cooperation pact for the first time during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the island nation next week. This move comes as China continues its efforts to expand military influence over Colombo. Both countries are also expected to finalize several bilateral agreements, including one on restructuring Sri Lanka's debt, following talks between Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on April 5.

8:42 PM

ICICI Pru Life Insurance gets Rs 328 cr tax demand notice for FY24

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance on Friday said it has received a demand notice of Rs 328.41 crore for the assessment year 2023-24. The demand notice has been sent by the Assistant Commissioner of Income-Tax, Maharashtra, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance said in a regulatory filing.

7:58 PM

US imposes new sanctions on Hezbollah

US govt has imposed new sanctions targeting Hezbollah, said US Treasury department.

7:56 PM

India, US to hold wrap-up session on Saturday on proposed trade pact

India and the visiting US officials have decided to hold a wrap-up session on Saturday morning to conclude the three-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement, government sources told PTI.

6:46 PM

Arunachal Pradesh minister raises funding challenges with FM Sitharaman

Arunachal Pradesh's Minister for Urban Affairs, Civil Aviation, and Land Management, Balo Raja, informed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday about the state's lack of financial assistance from international institutions, allegedly due to China's interference. Raja, along with Itanagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Tame Phassang, met the minister in the national capital.

6:43 PM

RG Kar rape-murder: Cal HC directs CBI to submit case dairy of Kolkata Police

The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit the case diary initially prepared by the Kolkata Police in connection with the rape-murder of an on-duty doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh also instructed the CBI to present a list of individuals interviewed in the case at the next hearing scheduled for April 23.

6:34 PM

India imported gold from 48 countries in 2023-24: Govt to RS

India imported gold from 48 countries during the 2023-24 financial year, with varying import duties on the metal due to the nation's strategic trade interests under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Parliament was informed on Friday. In a written response to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada stated that the country imposes import duties on gold either based on the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle or under FTA provisions.

5:57 PM

India's CAD widens to $11.5 bn in Q3, shows RBI data

India's CAD widens to $11.5 billion, or 1.1 per cent of GDP, in Q3, 2024-25 from $10.4 billion in year-ago period, as per RBI data

5:26 PM

Interest rates on small savings schemes remain unchanged for April-June qtr

Interest rates on small savings schemes like PPF, NSC remain unchanged for April-June quarter, read a govt notification.

5:20 PM

India's efforts, innovation, opinion receiving from the world today: PM

Importance India's efforts, innovation, opinion receiving from the world today never happened earlier, said PM Modi.

5:15 PM

Core sector growth slows down to 2.9% in Feb

India's core sector growth slows down to 2.9 per cent in February 2025 as against 7.1 per cent in same month last year, as per govt data.

 

4:40 PM

Siliguri police use water cannons, tear gas shells to disperse DYFI cadres staging a protest

Police in Siliguri use water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse DYFI cadres who are holding a protest march towards Uttarkanya, Mini secretariat, alleging corruption in the state and demanding employment. Police have put barricades to stop the protesters.

4:25 PM

Rescue efforts underway in Myanmar after 7.7 magnitude earthquake jolts nation

4:22 PM

Centre raises dearness allowance by 2 percentage points for govt employees: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Govt raises dearness allowance by 2 percentage points for central govt employees, effective Jan 1, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

4:20 PM

Justice Yashwant Varma's transfer from Delhi to Allahabad HC announced amid cash discovery row

Amid cash discovery row, govt notifies Justice Yashwant Varma's transfer from Delhi to Allahabad High Court.

 

4:19 PM

Cabinet approved PLI scheme for non-semiconductor electronics component: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Cabinet approves PLI scheme for non-semiconductor electronics component with an outlay of Rs 22,919 cr: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

4:08 PM

Nepal: Clash between police, pro-monarchists in Kathmandu near the airport

A clash broke out between pro-monarchists and Police in Nepal's Kathmandu near the airport. Several rounds of tear gas and  rubber bullets fired by the Police. Vehicles and a house torched. Curfew ordered in Tinkune, Sinamangal and Koteshwor area. 

 

Visuals from Kathmandu where protesters attacked a TV station as well as CPN (Unified Socialist) party office.

3:48 PM

Indian Embassy in Bangkok issues helpline after Myanmar quake hits Thai capital

The Embassy of India, Bangkok, issues an emergency number, +66 618819218, for Indian nationals in Thailand, which they can use in case of any emergency.

 

"After powerful earthquake tremors recorded in Bangkok and in other parts of Thailand, the Embassy is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Thai authorities. So far, no untoward incident involving any Indian citizen has been reported...All members of the Indian Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate in Chiang Mai are safe."

3:29 PM

At least 2 killed in Bangkok building collapse after 7.7 magnitude rocks Myanmar

7.7 magnitude earthquake rocks Thailand and Myanmar, killing at least 2 in Bangkok high-rise collapse 

3:26 PM

Here's what AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj had to say on power issue

"Since the BJP formed the government in Delhi, there have been constant power cuts in the city. Under Arvind Kejriwal Ji, electricity was available 24/7 at the cheapest rates. Soon, the BJP will increase electricity rates. It will also become more expensive.

 

On Delhi Budget, he says: "A one trillion budget is a lie. They claim more tax will come, but that means higher taxes on traders, with tax officers pressuring them. This will only cause trouble for people and is not possible. A year from now, you'll see it was all a lie," says Saurabh Bharadwaj on power issue in the national capital. 

3:15 PM

Pastor Bajinder Singh found guilty in 2018 sexual harassment case, sentence pronouncement on April 1

Mohali court pronounces Pastor Bajinder Singh guilty in a 2018 sexual harassment case. Pronouncement of sentence on punishment on 1st April.

 

2:53 PM

PM Modi to visit Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh on March 30; to lay foundation stone and inaugurate projects

PM Modi to visit Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh on 30th March. He will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate several projects in Nagpur and Chhattisgarh

2:41 PM

Here's what BJP's Gaurav Bhatia said after Delhi CM Gupta presented the Budget

"...It is a matter of pride for us that when Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the Delhi budget, it was brought with a new thinking and enthusiasm. Whatever was said in the Sankalp Patra will be fulfilled. A big example of this is that every woman will get Rs 2500 per month and a provision of Rs 5100 crore has been made in the budget for this... In the AAP government, a budget of Rs 65 crore was allocated for the improvement of SC colonies, but only Rs 50 lakh was used. Under the 'Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana', the objective was to provide coaching centres for children coming from backward societies and give them allowance... There was zero utility on the budget allocation of Rs 70 crore... Arvind Kejriwal means waste, corruption, blatant dishonesty,' says Gaurav Bhatia

2:23 PM

Manoj Tiwari reacts to Amit Shah's statement on Immigration and Foreigners bill

On Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, "Yesterday in the House, the law that was needed for people coming from abroad, especially for illegal intruders, was made... The country should understand. This is a matter of great concern. The (TMC government) is not able to give land to fence the 465 km India-Bangladesh border where our West Bengal border meets, it is showing reluctance... I think that the people of West Bengal will also have to stand up once to solve this problem."

2:04 PM

PM Modi assures help as 7.7 magnitude jolts Myanmar and parts of Bangkok

Concerned by the situation in the wake of the Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand.

 

1:49 PM

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake felt in Bangladesh

An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 was felt in various parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chittagong, on Friday. However, no casualties have been reported so far. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the earthquake with the epicentre at Mandalay in Myanmar near the Bangladesh border hit at 12:25 pm.

1:46 PM

Earthquake of magnitude 4.0 hits East Garo Hills, Meghalaya:NCS

Earthquake of magnitude 4.0 hits East Garo Hills, Meghalaya: National Center for Seismology