Live: Modi launches 11 projects worth over Rs 31,400 cr, speaks in Chennai

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7:25 PM

PM Modi launches railway projects in Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dedicated to the nation various railway projects in Tamil Nadu, including the 75 km long Madurai-Theni Railway Gauge Conversion Project, in southern Tamil Nadu. Built at a cost of over Rs 500 crore, it will facilitate access and give a fillip to tourism in the region. He also dedicated a 30 km long third railway line between Tambaram and Chengalpattu here, built at a cost of about Rs 590 crore, to facilitate operation of more suburban services.

7:14 PM

Tamil Nadu is an outstanding state: PM Modi

Tamil Nadu’s people, culture and language are 'outstanding'. The Tamil language is eternal and Tamil culture is global, says Prime Minister Modi in Chennai.

6:04 PM

Russian central bank slashes key rate, sees room to cut further

Russia's central bank slashed its key interest rate to 11% on Thursday and said it saw room for more cuts this year, as inflation slows from more than 20-year highs and the economy heads towards a contraction. It announced the move, which followed two previous 300 basis point cuts which took the rate to 14%, at an extraordinary meeting. The bank has been gradually reversing an emergency rate hike to 20% in late February that was triggered by Russia's Feb. 24 move to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine and the imposition of Western sanctions in response, Reuters reported.

6:02 PM

PM Modi visits Hyderabad, KCR leaves for Bengaluru

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Thursday morning left for Bengaluru, just hours ahead of the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Hyderabad.  This is the second time in the last four months that KCR has avoided meeting Modi during his visit to Hyderabad, PTI reported.

4:58 PM

US official warns of Russian ‘springboard’

The US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe warned Russia could use any Ukraine territory it holds onto as a “springboard” to capture more terrain. “For as long as the Kremlin retains control of parts of Ukraine, it will use these territories as a springboard to launch additional attacks and conquer more terrain -- leaving a growing wake of destruction and atrocities,” Michael Carpenter told the OSCE’s permanent council in Vienna on Thursday. 

2:50 PM

Letter seeking permission for legal reporters to listen to hearing to be placed before District Judge

On the other hand, the letter seeking permission for legal reporters to listen to the hearing is to be placed before the District Judge.

 

2:48 PM

Rumours being spread about Shiva Linga to invoke sentiments of people: Masjid side

Rumours being spread about Shiva Linga to invoke sentiments of people: Masjid side

2:47 PM

This suit by the Hindu party is utterly non-maintainable: Masjid side

This suit by the Hindu party is utterly non-maintainable and should be rejected under Order 7 Rule 11 of the CPC, Masjid side says

1:56 PM

Gyanvapi case: Advocates from both sides reach courtroom

Advocates Abhay Nath Yadav from Muslim side representing Anjuman intezamia to appear

 

Advocates Shivam Gaur and Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi from Plaintiff's side (Hindu) to appear

1:50 PM

Gyanvapi row: Legal-Reporters' Association writes to District Judge seeking permission to enter court room

As media entry is barred inside the Courtroom, Legal-Reporters' Association of Varanasi has written to the District Judge seeking permission to enter the court room for reporting the hearing.

1:48 PM

COVAXIN has been approved by Germany

1:29 PM

Telangana CM gives PM's visit to Hyderabad a miss again

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Thursday morning left for Bengaluru, just hours ahead of the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

 

This is the second time in the last four months that KCR has avoided meeting Modi during the latter's visit to Hyderabad.

Earlier in February, PM was here to unveil the Statue of Equality, a giant statue of Saint Ramanujacharya, near here. 

 

Official sources then said Rao could not receive the PM as he was 'unwell'.

 

1:25 PM

China may benefit from Elon Musk's Twitter ownership: Reports

With Tesla CEO Elon Musk's deal to buy Twitter on hold, Amazon owner Jeff Bezos wondered whether Musk's ownership of Twitter might benefit China at democracy's expense.

China has banned Twitter since 2009. However, many Chinese citizens have been using proxy servers to escape from the autocratic regime of the Chinese government. They access news reports that the Chinese authorities view as unfavourable, reported The Washington Times.

The illegal usage of Twitter in China partly explains why 26,000-linked Twitter accounts have been found to be spreading regime-backed propaganda on the social media platform. Twitter has further shut down a significant number of Twitter accounts which is connected to the Chinese Communist Party.

1:19 PM

Yogi govt in UP presents state's largest Budget with an eye on 2024 polls

With an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday tabled a budget of Rs 6,15,518.97 crore for the financial year 2022-23.

This is almost double the size of Rs 3,46,935 crore budget presented by Akhilesh Yadav government for the financial year 2016-17.

It includes new schemes worth Rs 39,181.10 crore.

The state government has also announced budgetary provision worth crores of rupees to strengthen the police and maintain law and order in the state.

 

1:06 PM

State-run sports facilities in Delhi to stay open till 10 pm, says Sisodia

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed all state-run sports facilities in the city to stay open for sportspersons till 10 pm, his deputy Manish Sisodia said on Thursday.

The direction comes following a media report that the Thyagraj Stadium was being closed for sports activities earlier than usual so that an IAS officer could walk his dog at the facility.

Tagging the report, Sisodia said in a tweet: "News reports have brought to our notice that certain sports facilities are being closed early causing inconvenience to sportsmen who wish to play till late nite. CM @ArvindKejriwal has directed that all Delhi Govt sports facilities to stay open for sportsmen till 10pm (sic).