Latest LIVE: Rahul Gandhi to join Congress party's march in Bihar's Begusarai

Catch all the latest news updates from around the world here

10:03 PM

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi on Sunday visits New Delhi to seek investments

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday went to New Delhi to seek investments for his state.

 

During the visit, the state government will sign agreements with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Petronet LNG, and Indian Strategic Petrochemical Reserves Ltd, among others, a statement said.

 

These collaborations underscore the state government's commitment to making Odisha a leading hub for petrochemicals and chemicals, it said.

 

The CM will visit the HCL Tech campus in Noida and meet influential industry captains from diverse sectors.

 

He is likely to return to Odisha on April 9, the statement said.

9:57 PM

6,700 Afghan nationals deported from Pakistan since April 1: Report

Pakistan has deported 944 Afghan families comprising 6,700 individuals since April 1 as the deadline set by the government expired last week, a media report said on Sunday.

 

The deportation intensified after the March 31 deadline set for the voluntary return of all Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) expired.

 

Citing immigration sources, the Express Tribune newspaper reported that among those deported included 2,874 men, 1,755 women, and 2,071 children.

8:23 PM

Nepal govt will take action if ex-king continues to indulge in anti-constitutional activities: Minister

Nepal's Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung on Sunday said that former King Gyanendra breached the agreement he had reached with political parties that he would honour the constitution.

 

The government will take action if he continues to indulge in activities directed against the constitution, he said.

 

Speaking at a programme in Lamjung district, Gurung said, the ex-monarch has violated the agreement he had reached with the political parties in the past that he would honour the constitution and not indulge in activity that would undermine the sovereign people, he said.

8:19 PM

Hindus in Europe, US mull opening 'Ram Naam Bank' overseas

Indian origin Hindus living in Europe and US are mulling opening overseas chapters of Prayagraj-based 'Ram Naam Bank' in their countries.

 

On the occasion of Ram Navami on Sunday, the idea of opening a Ram Naam Bank was discussed among the devotees in Sweden.

 

Nityanand Sharma, an IT Solution Architect, who works for a global furniture retailer in Sweden's Almhult and manages the affairs of a local temple there, said people were enamoured by the idea of a bank that propagates the name of Lord Ram.

8:08 PM

Moroccans protest Trump, Israel's latest offensive in Gaza

Tens of thousands of Moroccans on Sunday protested Israel's latest offensive in Gaza, putting anger toward US President Donald Trump near the centre of their grievances.
 

Demonstrators denounced Israel, the United States and their own government. Some stepped on Israeli flags, held banners showing slain Hamas leaders and waved posters juxtaposing Trump alongside displaced Palestinians fleeing their homes.

Organisers condemned Israel's ongoing military operation in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since Israel renewed its air and ground war last month, aimed at pressuring Hamas to release remaining hostages.

6:40 PM

Agniveers will get 20% reservation in state police recruitment: Haryana CM Saini

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini Sunday said 'Agniveers' will be provided 20 per cent reservation in the police recruitment in the state.

In July 2024, months ahead of state assembly polls, the BJP government in the state had announced a 10 per cent reservation for Agniveers in the recruitment of constables, forest guards and jail wardens, along with quotas in other posts.
 

Chairing a review meeting in Panchkula on Sunday, Saini said Haryana is the first state in the country which has secured the future of Agniveers by creating a provision for jobs after their service period in the armed forces.

6:15 PM

BJP govt wants to acquire land through Waqf Act, grab Padmanabh temple gold: Maharashtra Cong chief

Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Sunday suggested that the acquisition of land is the motive of the BJP government behind the Waqf Amendment Act.
 

He claimed the government has set its eyes on "grabbing" huge amount of gold in the famous Padmanabh temple (in Kerala).

Sapkal visited the Kalaram temple in Nashik holding the Constitution book and offered prayers on the occasion of Ram Navami.

Speaking to reporters, he said Lord Ram is an integral part of the Indian culture.

He said Babasaheb Ambedkar had protested to gain entry into the historical Kalaram temple in Nashik, but the then system resisted his attempts.

"I entered the Kalaram temple holding the sacred Constitution written by Babasaheb to have darshan of Lord Ram," he said.

Kunal Gaikwad, grandson of Dadasaheb Gaikwad who had accompanied Ambedkar during the Kalaram Temple satyagraha, was also present.

"Lord Ram belongs to everyone, he is an integral part of the Indian culture," Sapkal said, adding that he wished "the thought of equality, brotherhood, and Constitutionalism spread in India and Maharashtra".

The Congress leader referred to the satyagraha protest by Ambedkar for Kalaram temple entry during 1930-35.

5:37 PM

Generational shift ongoing process in Congress: Sachin Pilot

Ahead of the AICC session in Ahmedabad, Congress general secretary Sachin Pilot on Sunday said a generational shift was underway in the party with young leaders living up to the tasks entrusted to them, and asserted that accountability as well as strengthening of ideology would be the watchwords going forward.

In an interview with PTI, Pilot said the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session taking place in Gujarat is significant as it comes at a time when the focus is on strengthening the party in that state and restoring its past glory there.
 

The former Union minister also asserted that while the party may have lost some state polls after the Lok Sabha elections, it has not lost the conviction or the vigour to fight on.

4:36 PM

Waqf land occupied by 'musclemen', poor Muslims got no benefit: Rajasthan BJP chief

Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore on Sunday said that "musclemen" have encroached upon Waqf Board land and built hotels and mansions while poor Muslims were left to earn a living by repairing punctures.
 

He said the Waqf (Amendment) Act would prove to be significant in securing the rights of poor Muslims and women.

"Musclemen have occupied Waqf Board land and built hotels and mansions, while poor Muslims were not allowed to go beyond repairing punctures," Rathore said at a press conference here.

He said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been passed by both Houses of the Parliament and has received the President's assent, making it a law.

 

4:33 PM

Toy industry ready to take advantage of high US tariffs on competitors like China, Vietnam

The Indian toy industry is ready to take advantage of the high tariffs imposed by the US on competitors such as China and Vietnam, and the domestic players have already begun work on expanding capacity and forming joint ventures with global firms, exporters said on Sunday.

They added that India has emerged as a winner in the recent US tariff hikes, as the exporters are better positioned to absorb the impact compared to competitor countries that are facing higher import duties in America.
 

While the US has imposed an additional 26 per cent import duty on India, its competitor Vietnam is facing 46 per cent tariff, Bangladesh 37 per cent, China 54 per cent, Indonesia 32 per cent, and Thailand 36 per cent.

"Huge opportunities are there for our exporters now. Vietnam's exports are about USD 6 billion and China's are USD 80 billion. Now their items will face higher duties in the US than that of Indian toys. All big toy firms are exploring opportunities to set up plants in India," the CEO of Playgro Toys India, Manu Gupta, said.

3:56 PM

PM Modi should allay fears of TN over delimitation exercise: CM Stalin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should allay the fears of people of Tamil Nadu surrounding the proposed delimitation exercise, Chief Minister M K Stalin said here on Sunday.
 

Modi should also ensure that a resolution is passed in the Parliament to make sure the rights of Tamil Nadu are not curbed, he said at an official event here.

Stalin, after inaugurating a slew of projects and announcing new schemes to the popular tourist spot here, said he has sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to present the memorandum on the concerns surrounding the proposed delimitation.

3:41 PM

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ends his indefinite hunger strike

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal on Sunday ended his indefinite fast, which he had started on November 26 last year to press for various demands of agitating farmers including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price for crops.
 

The announcement came a day after Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu appealed to him to end his fast-unto-death.

Dallewal announced that he was ending his indefinite fast at a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' organised at Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab.

3:30 PM

Pope Francis appears before the crowd in St. Peter's Square 2 weeks after his release from hospital: Report

Pope Francis appears before the crowd in St. Peter's Square 2 weeks after his release from the hospital, reports AP

3:11 PM

Centre does not seek to control Waqf Boards, but to ensure they operate within law: Nadda

The Centre does not want to control Waqf Boards but ensure that they operate within the bounds of law so that their assets are used in promotion of education, healthcare and employment for the Muslim community, BJP president JP Nadda said on Sunday.
 

Addressing an event organised at the BJP headquarters here to mark the party's 46th foundation day, Nadda said governments in Turkey and many other Muslim countries have taken the Waqf properties under their control.
 

"We are only asking those who are operating (the Waqf Boards) that you do it as per rules. You will have to do it as per rules," he said.
 

"We do not seek to control the Waqf Board. Our goal is to ensure that those managing it operate within the bounds of the law and adhere to established rules. The properties and funds of the Waqf Board will be dedicated to promoting education, providing healthcare and employment opportunities for the Muslim community," the BJP chief said.
 

Before the address, Nadda hoisted the BJP flag at the party headquarters. Several party leaders including MPs and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were present.

2:44 PM

PM Modi visits Ramanathaswamy temple in TN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at the famous Ramanatha Swamy temple in this holy town, coinciding with Rama Navami.

 

Clad in the traditional 'veshti' (dhoti), shirt and 'angavastram' (worn around the neck), the PM visited the holy shrine on Sunday for the second time in a little over a year. He had offered prayers at the temple last year, ahead of the Pran Pratishta of Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

 

Upon his arrival at the temple, the priests accorded him a traditional welcome and the PM offered prayers at the shrine. Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Union Minister L Murugan and BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai accompanied him.

 

The PM was here to inaugurate the New Pamban bridge and launch and lay the foundation stone for various initiatives. He had arrived from neighbouring Sri Lanka after wrapping up his official visit of the island republic.

 

As Modi's car passed through the town, people queued up on either sides of the road and enthusiastically greeted him by raising slogans and waving at him. The PM waved back at the people and his supporters.