Highlights: We call upon authorities to take stringent action, says MEA on vandalism at temple in US

Latest news updates: Catch all the live news developments from around the world here

8:26 PM

Iraq fears power cuts as US ends sanctions waiver for electricity purchases from Iran

The United States has declined to renew a waiver that had allowed Iraq to buy electricity from Iran without running afoul of sanctions, a US official said Sunday.
 

The previous waiver expired Saturday and the US Department of State did not renew it, the US embassy in Baghdad said in a statement.
 

The decision came as part of President Donald Trump's “maximum pressure campaign” on Iran, which is “designed to end Iran's nuclear threat, curtail its ballistic missile programme and stop it from supporting terrorist groups,” the statement said.

7:47 PM

Alpha Tocol hands over first real fuselage for LAC Mk1A to HAL; Rajnath Singh terms it 'historic'

Private firm Alpha Tocol Engineering Services on Sunday handed over the first rear fuselage for Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Defence Ministry said.
 

The rear fuselage was handed over at the HAL's Aircraft Division in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, according to a Defence Ministry statement.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh termed the handing over as a milestone in the historic journey of India's defence manufacturing.

 

7:38 PM

Bihar Politics: No realignment with Nitish Kumar, says Tejashwi Yadav

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav got miffed on Sunday when he was asked about the possibility of a realignment with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president, who snapped alliance with his party last year to return to the BJP-led NDA.
 

Yadav, the former deputy CM, was addressing a press conference here after a 'dharna' organised by the RJD over alleged "theft and eating up of reservations by the NDA".

When he was asked whether there was a possibility of his joining hands with his former boss and the JD(U) chief ahead of assembly polls, Yadav shot back, "Why would we join hands? Why are you trying to divert attention from the issue at hand?" It was pointed out to him that in a section of the media, there have been speculations that Kumar, who recently turned 74, was wary that the BJP might push for a leadership change after elections and the RJD was ready to exploit the situation with an "offer" of realignment.

5:55 PM

Don't regret passing on 'Darr', 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', says Aamir Khan

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan on Sunday said he doesn't regret opting out of hit films like "Darr", "Bajranji Bhaijaan", and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai", which eventually went on to become massive money spinners at the box office.
 

The popular actor was speaking at the press conference of PVR-INOX's "Aamir Khan: Cinema Ka Jadugar", a special film festival commemorating Aamir's contribution to Indian cinema. Veteran lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar also attended the event.
 

"Darr" (1993), directed by Yash Chopra, eventually went to Shah Rukh Khan, with Kabir Khan's "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" headlined by Salman Khan. "Lage Raho Munna Bhai", Rajkumar Hirani's sequel to "Munna Bhai MBBS", starred Sanjay Dutt.
 

"I was doing a film called 'Darr' but I didn't do it. That was for other reasons. Not for creative reasons. I feel whatever happened happened for the better. Even today, I feel Shah Rukh suited slightly better the 'sur' (note) that Yash ji had visualised for the character.
 

"Had I done that film it would have become something else because I was looking at it differently. I don't really regret that because that was a good film and went on to be a success," Aamir told reporters here.
 

The actor recalled that he told "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad that Salman would be a better fit for the role.

5:08 PM

Vice-President Dhankhar admitted to AIIMS, condition stable; PM Modi wishes speedy recovery

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar was admitted to the AIIMS here early on Sunday after complaining of uneasiness and chest pain, sources said.

Dhankhar (73) was taken to the hospital around 2 am and was admitted to the critical care unit (CCU) under Dr Rajiv Narang, head cardiology at AIIMS Delhi.

The vice-president is stable and under observation, a source said, adding that a group of doctors is monitoring his condition.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited AIIMS on Sunday afternoon and inquired about Dhankhar's health.

In a post on X, Modi said, "Went to AIIMS and inquired about the health of Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji. I pray for his good health and speedy recovery." Union Health Minister J P Nadda also visited AIIMS to inquire about Dhankhar's health.

3:56 PM

Polling underway for civic polls in Panipat, 35% turnout till 3 pm

Polling was underway to elect the mayor and 26 councillors for the Panipat Municipal Corporation in Haryana, with nearly 35 per cent of the over four lakh eligible voters exercising their franchise till 3 pm on Sunday, officials said.

 

Polling began across 365 polling booths at 8 am and will continue till 6 pm.

 

Officials said the voting was going on smoothly with a poll percentage of 35 per cent till 3 pm.

 

Four candidates are contesting for the mayor's post while 103 contenders are in the fray for the 26 councillors' seats in the Panipat Municipal Corporation.

 

Polls to elect mayors and ward members in seven municipal corporations were held on March 2, including in Gurugram, Manesar, Faridabad, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal and Yamunanagar.

 

Bypolls for the mayoral posts in Ambala and Sonipat and the elections for presidents and ward members in 21 municipal committees were also held on March 2.

 

The votes will be counted on March 12 and the results for all the municipal corporations will be declared the same day.

3:17 PM

Baba Ramdev condemns vandalism at a Hindu temple in California

Patanjali Ayurved's co-founder Ramdev on Sunday condemned vandalism at a Hindu temple in California and said India should take an initiative in finding a way to curb "religious terrorism".

 

Speaking to reporters the sidelines of an event here, the yoga guru also said Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the people's ideal and not Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

 

A prominent Hindu temple in California was defaced with anti-India graffiti by some unknown persons, in another incident targeting the community's sacred spaces in the US.

 

Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) said that its Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills city of San Bernardino County faced desecration. Chino Hills borders Los Angeles County.

 

India on Sunday strongly condemned the incident, and demanded "stringent action" against those involved. New Delhi also called for adequate security to the places of worship in view of the incident.

 

Asked about the incident, Ramdev said the way 'Sanatan Dharma' is being targeted in Europe, America and Britain by "religious terrorists" is very shameful.

2:37 PM

Cabinet reshuffle likely in Uttarakhand ahead of 2027 Assembly polls: Sources

A cabinet reshuffle is likely in Uttarakhand ahead of the State assembly elections in 2027, sources said on Saturday.

 

According to sources, the reshuffle may take place either before or after Holi. Discussions are underway between the Chief Minister and the party leadership in New Delhi and Dehradun.

 

The Chief Minister returned to Dehradun last evening after a two-day visit to the national capital, where he held the first round of discussions on the reshuffle with state in-charge Dushyant Gautam and other senior leaders.

 

Meanwhile, the Central Government has nominated Uttarakhand Finance Minister Premchand Agarwal as a member of the Group of Ministers (GoM) formed to consider imposing a special disaster cess in case of natural calamities.

2:37 PM

"India blessed with wildlife diversity": PM Modi after country adds 58th Tiger reserve

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted India's rich wildlife diversity and cultural commitment to conservation after the country added its 58th Tiger Reserve.

 

Madhya Pradesh's Madhav Tiger Reserve has become the ninth Tiger Reserve in the state and the latest addition to India's conservation efforts.

 

In a post on X, PM Modi shared Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav's announcement, reaffirming his government's commitment to protecting animals and contributing to a sustainable planet.

 

"Amazing news for wildlife lovers! India is blessed with wildlife diversity and a culture that celebrates wildlife. We will always be at the forefront of protecting animals and contributing to a sustainable planet," PM Modi said.

1:01 PM

China pledges more resources to support employment

China will step up resources and funding to support employment and unveil new policies to help college graduates get jobs, as the external environment could become more complex and severe, human resources minister said on Sunday.

China faces an arduous task to stabilise and expand employment in 2025, minister Wang Xiaoping said, estimating this year's employment will be generally stable.

12:55 PM

Work for additional spillway at Odisha's Hirakud Dam to start soon

Work for construction of an additional spillway at Hirakud Dam in Odisha will commence soon, enhancing the flood water discharge capacity of the reservoir, officials said.

 

A nine-member team comprising experts from the World Bank and Central Water Commission (CWC) visited the proposed site for construction at the left dyke of the Hirakud Dam, and the rehabilitation colony on Saturday.

 

The team also inspected the right dyke of the dam, power channel, its gates, and reviewed documents regarding additional spillway projects, they said.

 

Chief Engineer of Upper Mahanadi Basin, Sushil Kumar Behera, said tender for the additional spillway work will be floated soon after getting the administrative approval from the government.

 

We have already submitted the documents to the government and are waiting for the nod, he said.

 

If needed, the expert team will again visit the site for any further investigation," Behera said.

 

The project will entail a cost of around Rs 884 crore.

12:49 PM

CM Rekha Gupta hails women bikers at Connaught Place rally

Addressing bike rally organised in Connaught Place, CM Rekha Gupta said, "Women have reached this rally from various corners of Delhi as well as the armed forces, becoming an inspiration for lakhs of other women of Delhi..."

12:48 PM

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurate Patanjali Food & Herbal Park in Nagpur

12:25 PM

Key accused held in Karnataka in drug trafficking case

The prime accused in smuggling synthetic drug MDMA from Bengaluru to Kochi has been arrested from Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, police said on Sunday.

Christo T John, a resident of Madikeri in Karnataka's Kodagu district, was taken into custody in connection with the seizure of 20.01 grams of MDMA in Thoppumpady last November, they added.

Earlier, four people, including a couple had been arrested in the case.

Christo was arrested in Kallugundi in the Dakshina Kannada district on Friday after investigators traced his contacts and tracked his location.

Police said he had supplied MDMA to two people from Bengaluru.

The accused was produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. 

12:04 PM

Climate change more robust now, La Nia may not be effective in warmer future : Scientists

11:22 AM

We call upon local law enforcement authorities to take stringent action: MEA on vandalism at temple in US

We call upon local law enforcement authorities to take stringent action against those responsible: MEA on vandalism at temple in US

11:16 AM

Ludhiana factory collapse: Rescue operation continues

Rescue operation was underway Sunday to see if anyone was still trapped under the debris, a day after a factory building collapsed here.

 

A worker was killed after a building of a textile factory collapsed in the Focal Point area here late Saturday evening, officials said.

 

The six workers trapped under the debris were brought out by the NDRF teams, of which one was found dead and three sustained serious injuries.

 

An eye witness had earlier said a loud sound was heard before the building caved in.

 

Sources said repair work was being taken up in the factory when a pillar gave way.

 

Two teams of National Disaster Response Force and other teams of police, fire brigade and factories departments, the Municipal Corporation were undertaking the rescue operation.

9:52 AM

Maha Kumbh concludes, devotees continue to visit Sangam area

Devotees continue to visit the Sangam area here even after the Maha Kumbh Mela has officially concluded. Some of the arrangements will be retained throughout the year, officials said. Neeraj Kesariwani, a resident of Prayagraj's Colonelganj locality, who visited the Sangam area said, We couldn't visit the Maha Kumbh due to the massive crowd, which was a disappointment. However, the pleasant evening weather and the LED lights adorning the Sangam area make it feel like the fair is still going on.

9:44 AM

Congress' Pawan Khera slams government over 'reducing' tariff under Trump's pressure

Congress' Pawan Khera slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government on Donald Trump's statement on India agreeing to 'reduce' tariffs and questioned whether the reported deal was signed "under pressure." Noting Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's visit to US, Pawan Khera questioned the "secrecy" behind the reported deal and asked why the Indians are getting to know about it through the US President.

9:34 AM

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar admitted to AIIMS

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has been admitted to the AIIMS here after complaining of uneasiness and chest pain. The 73-year-old was taken to the hospital around 2 am. Dhankhar is admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) under Dr Rajiv Narang, Head of Department of Cardiology at AIIMS. A group of doctors is monitoring his condition.

9:23 AM

6 injured in road crash involving 3 vehicles in Thane

Six persons, including a toddler, were injured in an accident involving three vehicles in Thane city of Maharashtra in the wee hours of Sunday, officials said. The incident took place at 1.26 am at Cadbury junction bridge on the Eastern Express Highway, which is also the Mumbai-Nashik route, Thane Municipal Corporation's disaster management cell chief Yasin Tadvi said. Traffic on the route was affected for sometime.

 

9:16 AM

20-year-old man killed by his brother-in-law in Delhi, four nabbed

Delhi Police have arrested four people in connection with the murder of a 20-year-old man whose body was discovered in Kailash Colony on March 7. Investigations revealed that the victim was killed by his brother-in-law and his associates for allegedly mistreating his wife, the sister of one of the accused.

9:03 AM

Earthquake of 4.0 magnitude strikes Tibet

A mild earthquake of magnitude 4.0 struck Tibet on Sunday, the National Center for Seismology reported. The quake occurred at a depth of 10 km, raising the possibility of aftershocks. This follows a stronger 5.2-magnitude earthquake in the region on Saturday.

8:51 AM

Three injured as leaking gas pipeline catches fire in Mumbai

Three persons suffered burn injuries after a leaking gas pipeline caught fire on a road in Mumbai's Andheri area in the wee hours of Sunday, an official said. Two vehicles were also damaged in the incident, he said. The blaze erupted at 12.35 am in a heavily leaking supply pipeline of the Mahanagar Gas Limited, passing through the middle of a road at Sher-E-Punjab society near a gurdwara at Takshila in Andheri (East) area, the fire official said.

8:50 AM

Gangster Fati alias Asad, killed in police encounter in Mathura

A wanted criminal with a Rs 1 lakh bounty, Fati alias Asad, was killed in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh Police early Sunday. The operation, led by SSP Mathura Shailesh Pandey, left Fati injured. He was taken to a hospital but was declared dead, DGP Prashant Kumar said. Fati, leader of the Chhaimar gang, was wanted in over 36 cases across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir. His death marks a major success in the state’s crackdown on organised crime.