Highlights news: India, US finalise terms of reference for first phase of trade deal
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India and the United States have finalised the terms of reference for discussions on the initial portion of a bilateral trade agreement, a trade official told news agency Reuters on Friday. The official added that within the next 90 days, there is potential for the deal to take a form that benefits both nations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 44 development projects worth Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi. According to Varanasi Divisional Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma, among the projects to be inaugurated are schemes focused on rural development, including 130 drinking water projects, 100 new Anganwadi centres, 356 libraries, a polytechnic college in Pindra, and a government degree college. PM Modi will also inaugurate a transit hostel at the Police Lines and police barracks in Ramnagar and four rural roads, he said.
The lab of Madhya Pradesh's Damoh Missionary Hospital, where arrested fake' cardiologist Narendra Yadav, alias Narendra John Camm, performed procedures on patients, seven of whom died, has been sealed, an official has said. It was sealed by a team of five government doctors, he said. The cath lab was sealed on the guidelines of the district administration since all the cases are related to it and it contains all the evidence, Dr Vikrant Chauhan, a member of the team, said. The US has sanctioned a United Arab Emirates-based Indian national and two India-based entities operating as part of Iran's shadow fleet and involved in shipping Iranian oil. Jugwinder Singh Brar owns multiple shipping companies that boast a fleet of nearly 30 vessels, many of which operate as part of Iran's shadow fleet, the US Department of the Treasury said in a statement on Thursday. In addition to his UAE-based businesses, Brar owns or controls India-based shipping company Global Tankers Private Limited and petrochemical sales company B and P Solutions Private Limited.
10:01 PM
Former Chhattisgarh chief minister, who arrived here on a two-day visit, held a series of meetings with the party leaders including one with the District Congress Committee (DCC) president and another meeting of the Political Affairs Committee.
Congress working to strengthen organisation: Bhupesh Baghel
Congress general secretary in-charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said that the party had already started working on strengthening the organisation across the country and the same thing was being done in Punjab.
He said that the party will be strengthened right up to the "booth level".
Former Chhattisgarh chief minister, who arrived here on a two-day visit, held a series of meetings with the party leaders including one with the District Congress Committee (DCC) president and another meeting of the Political Affairs Committee.
8:40 PM
FDI applications from countries sharing land borders, such as China, have to mandatorily seek government approval for all sectors. This policy was issued in April 2020.
The remarks assume significance as certain quarters are of the view that the rule needs to be eased to attract technology and capital.
India not encouraging FDI from China: Piyush Goyal
India does not intend to encourage foreign direct investments (FDI) from China, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday, indicating New Delhi's intentions of not easing overseas investment curbs imposed on the neighbouring country in 2020.
FDI applications from countries sharing land borders, such as China, have to mandatorily seek government approval for all sectors. This policy was issued in April 2020.
"As of now, there's hardly any foreign direct investment from China...It was the same 25 years ago when it (FDI) was open (from China), not too much Chinese investment has come to India. Nor are we encouraging any significant investment coming in from China at all. At the moment, that is the policy," Goyal said here at an event.
The remarks assume significance as certain quarters are of the view that the rule needs to be eased to attract technology and capital.
In 2020, the government made its approval mandatory for FDI from countries that share land borders with India.
8:31 PM
Sebi cautions public against fraudulent activities on social media platforms
Markets regulator Sebi on Friday cautioned the public against manipulative activities related to the securities market on social media platforms (SMPs) in the wake of a growing number of frauds emerging on these platforms.
The regulator also stressed the importance of dealing only with Sebi-registered intermediaries and using authentic trading apps while investing.
This advisory comes after Sebi observed a sharp rise in fraudulent activities across several popular platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Telegram, Google Play Store, Apple Store, and others.
7:34 PM
Major nations agree on first-ever global tax on greenhouse gases with plan that targets shipping
Major nations agree on first-ever global tax on greenhouse gases with plan that targets shipping, reports AP.
7:28 PM
Govt to construct new flyover to decongest area between Civil Lines and Signature Bridge: Parvesh Verma
PWD Minister Parvesh Verma on Friday said the Delhi government will construct a new flyover at a cost of Rs 183 crore in North Delhi to decongest the area between Civil Lines and Signature Bridge.
According to the plan, the Public Works Department (PWD) will construct 680 metres long six-lane flyover starting near the Civil Lines Trauma Centre and the DRDO office. This road intervention will be specifically designed for the Metcalf House T-Junction where the outer ring road and Hegdewar road merge.
6:33 PM
In a regulatory filing, NBCC informed that it has successfully sold 560 residential units at Aspire Leisure Park, Greater Noida (W), Uttar Pradesh through an e-auction at a total sale value of approximately Rs 1,153.13 crore.
On Thursday, the company said it has sold 1,185 units for Rs 1,504.69 crore through e-auction in Greater Noida.
NBCC e-auctions 560 homes in Greater Noida for Rs 1,153 crore
State-owned NBCC has sold 560 housing units in Greater Noida through e-auction for Rs 1,153 crore.
In a regulatory filing, NBCC informed that it has successfully sold 560 residential units at Aspire Leisure Park, Greater Noida (W), Uttar Pradesh through an e-auction at a total sale value of approximately Rs 1,153.13 crore.
NBCC will get marketing fee of 1 per cent of sale value.
On Thursday, the company said it has sold 1,185 units for Rs 1,504.69 crore through e-auction in Greater Noida.
6:18 PM
India uniquely poised to combine sprawling DPI with power of AI: Nandan Nilekani
India is uniquely placed to combine its sprawling digital public infrastructure (DPI) with the power of artificial intelligence to unleash transformative use cases, Infosys chairman and Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani said on Friday.
Speaking at Carnegie India's Global Technology Summit 'Sambhavna', Nilekani cautioned that while artificial intelligence (AI) hype cycles have reached unprecedented levels, real challenges exist in building and operationalising it at scale.
5:17 PM
News update: US Vice President JD Vance expected to come to India, says India's trade official
5:01 PM
Taking steps to ensure India is not used by other countries to divert trade to US: Trade official
India and the United States have finalised terms of reference for talks over first segment of bilateral trade deal, a trade official told news agency Reuters.
4:57 PM
India, US finalise terms of reference for first phase of trade deal
India and the US have finalised terms of reference for talks over the first segment of a bilateral trade deal, a trade official said on Friday, adding that there was a possibility of a "win-win shape and form" to the deal in the next 90 days. Trade engagements between the countries will continue virtually and regularly, the official said
4:36 PM
Karnataka Cabinet decides to set up SIT to probe 40% commission allegation against BJP government
The Karnataka Cabinet on Friday decided to set up a Special Investigation Team to probe the 40 per cent commission allegations against the previous BJP government in the state, in the light of Justice Nagmohan Das Commission inquiry report. The SIT will complete the investigation in two months and submit the report to the state government, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told reporters. Subsequently, the probe report will be presented in the cabinet meeting.
4:14 PM
News update: Industrial production growth slows to 2.9% in February
4:12 PM
Oriental Insurance asks cyclist's kin to produce driving licence, ordered to pay claim amount
A consumer commission in Nagpur has directed the Oriental Insurance Company Limited to pay Rs 3 lakh to the kin of a man, who was killed while riding a bicycle, after it rejected their claim demanding his driving licence. In its order of March 25, a copy of which was made available recently, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that such a demand by the insurance company was “inappropriate” and “unlawful”. It also asked the company to pay 9 per cent interest.
3:47 PM
Nadda launches Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha
Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Friday launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha. He also launched the Ayushman Vaya-Vandana Yojana, and the state-run Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Deputy Chief Ministers K V Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, state Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling and several MPs and MLAs were present at the function organised on Bali Yatra Ground near Mahanadi River in Cuttack.
3:09 PM
Odisha announces 2 pc hike in DA for govt employees, pensioners
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced a two per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners. With this hike, the ratio of DA for government employees and TI (temporary increase) for pensioners will rise from 53 per cent to 55 per cent, an official release issued by the CMO said. It said the hike will be implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2025.
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First Published: Apr 11 2025 | 9:17 AM IST
