LIVE updates: 'Centre monitoring situation', says BJP on Adani stock rout

The Adani group has dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements. Stay tuned for the latest updates.

11:30 AM

Wikipedia blocked in Pakistan on account of blasphemous content

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked Wikipedia due to the website's refusal to remove allegedly offensive or blasphemy material.

Earlier, the telecom regulator had degraded the portal's services in the country, The News reported Saturday.

When a PTA spokesperson was contacted late Friday night and inquired about the blocking of Wikipedia, the official confirmed that "yes" it had been blocked.

11:25 AM

Sri Lanka must correct its 'errors and failures': President Wickremesinghe says at 75th Independence Day

Sri Lanka needs to rectify its "errors and failures" and review its strengths and gains as a nation, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Saturday, as the country marked its 75th anniversary of independence at a critical time when it is reeling under an unprecedented economic crisis.

The main Independence Day event was attended by foreign dignitaries, including India's Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. Wickremesinghe presided over the ceremony which featured a military parade with a 21-gun salute.

The celebrations happened despite criticism from Opposition groups who claimed the events costing Rupees 200 million were a waste as the island nation continues to grip in its worst economic crisis since gaining independence.

11:08 AM

Gymnast Dipa Karmakar gets 21-month ban for doping

Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar has been suspended for 21 months for the use of prohibited substance effective until July 10, 2023 the International Testing Agency (ITA) said.

Karmakar tested positive for higenamine (S3. Beta-2 Agonists as per the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list). The positive sample was collected on behalf of the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) in the scope of an out-of-competition control on 11th October 2021. Higenamine was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances in 2017.

11:05 AM

BJP appoints Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan poll in-charge for Karnataka

The BJP on Saturday appointed Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan its in-charge for the upcoming Karnataka assembly polls, a party statement said.

Tamil Nadu BJP unit president K Annamalai will be the co-incharge for the high-stakes polls where both the ruling party and the opposition Congress have launched intensive public outreach for the elections likely to be held in April-May.

Pradhan, a veteran organisation man of the party, has been tasked with handling several elections in the past.
 

11:03 AM

India logs 128 fresh Covid cases, toll rises to 530,745

India saw a single-day rise of 128 coronavirus infections, while the active cases have increased to 1,792, according to Union health ministry data updated on Saturday.

The death toll has increased to 530,745 with four deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The total tally of Covid cases is 44.7 million (44,683,250).

The daily positivity rate has been recorded at 0.09 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 0.07 per cent, it stated.

The active cases comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections and the national Covid recovery rate has increased to 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry's website.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,41,50,713, while the case fatality rate has been recorded at 1.19 per cent, it stated.

11:02 AM

Auto driver killed in Dwarka, man acquitted in Chhawla rape case accused

10:47 AM

Cops to be out of DI list for any private case against them: Delhi Police

In a major relief to Delhi Police personnel, the top brass have passed an order that if any case is registered against the police personnel in their private capacity, their name will not be recommended for inclusion in the Doubtful Integrity (DI) list.

The Vigilance Department monitors Integrity of the Delhi Police personnel. If the name of any police personnel is added to Doubtful Integrity list, they face problems in posting and promotion in future.

Recently, it was observed that names of the police personnel were recommended for inclusion DI list were based on petty issues.

10:45 AM

CRPF jawan deployed at IB Director's Delhi residence shoots himself dead

An 53-year-old Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), posted at the residence of Director Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director in the national capital allegedly shot himself dead with his service weapon, police said Saturday.

"According to preliminary investigation Rajbir Kumar (53) reportedly shot two rounds at himself from his service revolver on Friday evening at around 4.15 pm, while he was deployed at the residence of IB Director under the Tuglaq Road Police Station limits," Delhi Police said.

 

10:29 AM

Explosive device goes off at fashion show in Imphal, no casualty reported

10:24 AM

Members of Youth Congress wave black flag outside Kerala CM's Guest House, detained

10:21 AM

Office-bearer of banned PFI held in MP for 'conspiracy against govt'

The Madhya Pradesh Police have arrested an office-bearer of the now-banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) from Bhopal on the charge of conspiring against the government and indulging in unlawful activities, an official said.

The arrest was made on Friday in connection with a case registered by the state police's Special Task Force (STF) last year, he said. "PFI member Wasid Khan (26), a resident of Sheopur, was arrested under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 121A (conspiracy to wage war against govt), 153B (assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) besides the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act," the official said. Khan was associated with the PFI and had been attending the organisation's various programmes and secret meetings since 2017, he said.

10:14 AM

PM's resolution of building New India reflects in Union Budget 2023: Smriti Irani

PM's resolution of building a New India reflects in 'Saptarishi' of Union Budget 2023. With resolution of inclusive growth, enhanced infrastructure spend, Modi Govt re-established social investment as investment in future of nation through Budget: Union Min Smriti Irani,in Kolkata

10:09 AM

3.2 magnitude tremor hits Gujarat's Amreli, no casualty

A tremor of 3.2 magnitude was recorded in Amreli district of Gujarat's Saurashtra region on Saturday morning, but there was no report of any casualty or damage to property, officials said.

10:00 AM

Tamil Nadu: Schools, colleges shut in Thanjavur, Pudukottai districts amid heavy rainfall

In the wake of continuous heavy rainfalls in the isolated places of Tamil Nadu, schools and colleges in Thanjavur and Pudukkottai districts will remain closed on Saturday, respective District Collectors said.

Due to the Depression formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal, heavy rain lashes in Thanjavur and Pudukkottai districts, leading to the closure of schools and colleges in the districts.

9:15 AM

Another Chinese surveillance balloon transiting Latin America: Pentagon

The Pentagon on Friday night said that another Chinese surveillance is transiting Latin America.

We are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America. We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon. We have no further information to provide at this time, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said.