Highlights of the day: Naidu-Pawan Kalyan seal alliance with BJP

From govt's decision to cut LPG cylinder prices to Rahul Gandhi's poll promises, catch all the latest news from around the world here

It will be a sweep, says Chandrababu Naidu as his party, ally Jana Sena finalise alliance with BJP.

Telugu Desam party supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, BJP Chief J P Nadda, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah met on Saturday, March 9. The three leaders are said to have discussed their alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

PM Modi addressed a public gathering in Itanagar after inaugurating and laying the foundation of stone of several developmental projects in the North East. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "...Today, I got the opportunity to be a part of all the Northeastern states in this festival of a developed Northeast." These projects are spread across Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh. The total cost to built these projects is estimated at Rs 55,600 crore.

PM Narendra Modi visted Kaziranga National Park in Assam and shared pictures with elephants. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, PM Modi posted, "This morning I was at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Nestled amidst lush greenery, this UNESCO World Heritage site is blessed with diverse flora and fauna including the majestic one-horned rhinoceros...I would urge you all to visit Kaziranga National Park and experience the unparalleled beauty of its landscapes and the warmth of the people of Assam. It's a place where every visit enriches the soul and connects you deeply with the heart of Assam."

Attacking the central governemnt, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday said that PM Modi's decision to reduce LPG cylinder prices by Rs 100 on Women's day is driven by Lok Sabha elections. The leader spoke with news agency ANI on Friday and said, "This is an election-driven decision as opposed to one taken keeping the interests of women at heart. Women across the country have been demanding a reduction in the price of LPG cylinders for a while now."

 

10:33 PM

India's Sini Shetty makes it to Top 8 list of Miss World 2024 finalists

Miss World 2024 has unveiled its top eight contestants from various regions. Representing America, the winners are Leticia Frota from Brazil and Aché Abrahams from Trinidad and Tobago. Africa's representatives are Lesego Chombo from Botswana and Hannah Karema from Uganda. Europe's champions include a contestant from Czech Republic and Jessica Ashley from England. Finally, Asia's contenders are Sini Shetty from India and Yasmin Azaytoun from Lebanon.

10:31 PM

Delhi namaz incident: Security forces remain deployed in Inderlok, hold flag march

A day after a Delhi Police sub-inspector was suspended for allegedly kicking people offering 'namaz' in Inderlok, security personnel remained deployed on Saturday to maintain law and order in the area, officials said. At least three companies of paramilitary along with the local police remained deployed in Inderlok and its nearby areas in north Delhi, they said. The force also a held a flag march and requested locals to not believe on rumours. Official sources said the senior police officers held meetings with the members of a peace committee to calm flared tempers in the area. Joint Commissioner of Police (Central) Parmaditya on Saturday said the situation is completely under control and peace prevails in the area.

9:08 PM

IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Istanbul delays due to technical issue

IndiGo reported that the flight from Mumbai to Istanbul has been delayed due to a technical issue with the incoming aircraft from Istanbul. Passengers booked on this flight are being accommodated on two special flights operated by A32x aircraft. The airline stated that they are actively collaborating with regulators to obtain the necessary clearances promptly.

8:53 PM

IFL rates to drop, no increase in country liquor prices as Punjab govt clears new excise policy

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced that under the newly approved excise policy for 2024-25, prices of imported foreign liquor (IFL) will decrease, while rates for country liquor will remain unchanged. The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, approved the policy, which aims to generate revenue of Rs 10,145.95 crore from liquor sales.

8:47 PM

Maharashtra engine of Indian economy, has more FDI than Guj, Karnataka, UP: Fadnavis

During a 'Viksit Bharat' event at Pune's Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted that Maharashtra, as the economic engine of the country, has attracted more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) compared to states like Gujarat, Karnataka, or Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized the importance of the 'Viksit Bharat' concept, originally envisioned by late President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, noting that little progress was made on it between 2000 and 2014, according to Fadnavis' allegations.

7:06 PM

Fair break out near temple fair in Indore; none hurt Indore

A fire broke out in an open space next to a temple where a fair was being held in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district on Saturday, police said.
 

No one was injured in the incident that occurred around 11.30 am in the Devguradiya area, about 14 km from the district headquarters, an official said.
 

The blaze did not spread as fire tenders stationed nearby for the temple fair quickly responded and doused the flames, Khudel police station in-charge Deepak Khatri told PTI.
 

The fire destroyed PVC pipes stored at the site by a gas company, and a probe is underway to ascertain the cause of the blaze, police said.

5:59 PM

Asif Ali Zardari elected Pakistan's President

Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari was elected as Pakistan's 14th President on Saturday, becoming the head of state for a second time.
 

Zardari, 68, was the joint candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) while his rival Mahmood Khan Achakzai, 75, was the candidate of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
 

The new president was elected by the electoral college of the newly elected members of the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies, as per the provisions of the Constitution.

5:55 PM

PM Modi unveils projects worth over Rs 4,500 crore in northern West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 4,500 crore in northern West Bengal on Saturday. The PM unveiled the projects at a programme in Siliguri, the region's largest city, during his third visit to the state this month. Governor CV Ananda Bose was among those present at the programme. Addressing the function, Modi said eastern India was ignored after Independence but his government considers it as the growth engine of the country. "Over the last 10 years, the development of Bengal, especially North Bengal, has been a priority for our government," he said. The PM inaugurated multiple projects of railway line electrification that will benefit the people of northern West Bengal and nearby areas, an official statement said.

5:04 PM

Chandrababu Naidu-Pawan Kalyan seal alliance with BJP

It will be a sweep, says Chandrababu Naidu as his party, ally Jana Sena finalise alliance with BJP.

4:52 PM

Israel strikes landmark residential tower in southern Rafah as truce talks stall

Israel struck one of the largest residential towers in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, residents said, stepping up pressure on the last area of the enclave it has not yet invaded and where over a million displaced Palestinians are sheltering. The 12-floor building, located some 500 metres from the border with Egypt, was damaged in the strike. Dozens of families were made homeless though no casualties were reported, according to residents. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident.

4:50 PM

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Manish Khanduri joins BJP

Congress leader Manish Khanduri joins BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, at the BJP Mahanagar office in Dehradun.

3:30 PM

Lok Sabha election 2024: Defence minister addresses rally

"Country's growth cannot be imagined without development of farmers, villages," says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at farmers' rally in Raipur. 

3:27 PM

Lok Sabha election 2024: Home minister addresses rally

"I want to thank the people of Bihar. In 2014, people of Bihar helped us win 31 seats, while we won 39 seats in 2019. In 2024, we will win all 40 seats in Bihar," says Union Home Minister Amit Shah

2:57 PM

Bihar caste census an X-ray for country, step towards justice: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand to conduct caste survey across the country. Saying this, the congress leader said that the exercise done in Bihar presents the true picture of India and is a step towards doing justice to all countrymen.

2:29 PM

Can PM promise LPG prices will not rise if BJP wins? asks Chidambaram

Congress veteran and former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said that he welcomed the Centre's announcement to reduce the LPG cylinder price by Rs 100 but said PM Narendra Modi should assure that the price will not be increased if his party comes to power again.