LIVE: India becoming a trusted partner in global supply chain, says PM Modi

Live news updates: "India was hardly counted in start-up ecosystem; it now ranks third in the world," PM Modi said

10:38 PM

Heatwave abates from all parts of India: IMD's latest forecast

Heatwave has abated from all parts of the country and the maximum temperature has further fallen by two to four degrees Celsius over Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi and Haryana, the India Meteorological Department said

9:36 PM

India becoming a trusted, reliable partner in global supply chain: PM Modi

India becoming a trusted and reliable partner in global supply chain, said PM Modi in Denmark.

9:34 PM

Was hardly counted a startup ecosystem, India now ranks 3rd in world: PM Modi

Addresing Indians living in Denmark, PM Modi said, "Need of time is to promote 'LIFE' which is 'lifestyle for environment' and to get out of consumption-oriented approach: PM Modi in Denmark. 

"India was among most backward countries in per capita data consumption 5-6 years back, things have changed now," said PM Modi.

He added, "India was hardly counted in start-up ecosystem; it now ranks third in the world."

8:47 PM

Aurangabad cops file case against Raj Thackeray over speech; court issues him NBW in 2008 matter

Trouble mounted for MNS president Raj Thackeray after the Aurangabad police on Tuesday registered an offence against him over his "provocative" speech on loudspeakers atop mosques two days ago, while the Maharashtra DGP said appropriate legal action will be taken against him over the issue.

In a related development, a court in western Maharashtra's Sangli district has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Raj Thackeray in connection with a 14-year-old case. Sending out a blunt message to the MNS president over his May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers from mosques, the ruling Shiv Sena said the state does not run on ultimatums and that the rule of law prevails here even as some MNS leaders warned they will hit the streets in case of further action against their leader.

The police in Aurangabad, located more than 350km from Mumbai in central Maharashtra, on Tuesday registered a case against Raj Thackeray, two days after he called for silencing loudspeakers atop mosques from May 4, an official said.

The 53-year-old politician was booked under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 116 (abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment if offence be not committed) and 117 (abetting commission of offence by the public or by more than 10 persons) of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act, the official told reporters. In the Aurangabad rally on May 1, the MNS chief had asked people to play the Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques from May 4 if loudspeakers there were not removed. 

8:41 PM

Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi to address tribals on May 10 in Dahod

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address the 'Adivasi Satyagrah Rally' on May 10 in tribal-dominated Dahod town of Gujarat, where elections are scheduled for later this year, a party functionary said on Tuesday.

Tribals are decisive in at least 40 of the 182 Assembly seats in the state, including 27 which are reserved for members of the Scheduled Tribe communities, said senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia while addressing a press conference here.

Giving details about Gandhi's visit, former state unit chief Bharatsinh Solanki said the purpose of the rally is to expose the ruling BJP, make tribals aware about their rights and tell them how the Congress will help them if voted to power.

"We had planned to organise this rally on May 1, but had to postpone it due to some unforeseen circumstances. Rahul Gandhi will address tribals on May 10 in Dahod town. At the rally, Congress will reiterate its resolve to fight for the rights of tribals, who are at the receiving end at present under BJP rule," Solanki told reporters.

The Congress leader accused the BJP of not implementing several pro-tribal Acts properly, such as MNREGA and Forest Rights Act, and also said the state government had displaced tribals from their land in the name of building highways and dams.

"The Congress will reinstate the rights of tribals given to them by the Constitution. Since we are confident of winning the Assembly polls, Rahulji will share Gujarat Congress' roadmap for the overall development of tribals during the rally," said Solanki.

7:50 PM

Loudspeaker row: BJP playing with people's faith, will oppose move in Delhi, says AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday said it will oppose any move to remove loudspeakers from religious places in the national capital and accused the BJP of playing with people's faith.

AAP leader Atishi said loudspeakers are played during various religious occasions across the country and cited Ramlila as well as recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and 'Sunderkand paath' as examples.

"We will definitely oppose it," Atishi told reporters when asked if her party would oppose any move to remove loudspeakers from religious places in Delhi.

"Be it Ramlila or Sunderkand recitation, people's faith is attached to them. I want to ask what is their problem with the religious faith of people.

"Now you will tell us that we won't organise jagran, that we can't organise sunderkand paath (recitation), can't recite Hanuman chalisa," AAP leader Atishi said slamming BJP's Delhi unit president Adesh Gupta for seeking removal of loudspeakers from religious places in the capital.

Gupta had on Monday written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanding removal of loudspeakers from religious and other places as per the Supreme Court's order and on the lines of the action taken by other states in this connection.

This came hours after BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma made a similar request to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and commissioners of the three municipal corporations in the national capital.

7:50 PM

Loudspeaker row: BJP playing with people's faith, will oppose move in Delhi, says AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday said it will oppose any move to remove loudspeakers from religious places in the national capital and accused the BJP of playing with people's faith.

AAP leader Atishi said loudspeakers are played during various religious occasions across the country and cited Ramlila as well as recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and 'Sunderkand paath' as examples.

"We will definitely oppose it," Atishi told reporters when asked if her party would oppose any move to remove loudspeakers from religious places in Delhi.

"Be it Ramlila or Sunderkand recitation, people's faith is attached to them. I want to ask what is their problem with the religious faith of people.

"Now you will tell us that we won't organise jagran, that we can't organise sunderkand paath (recitation), can't recite Hanuman chalisa," AAP leader Atishi said slamming BJP's Delhi unit president Adesh Gupta for seeking removal of loudspeakers from religious places in the capital.

Gupta had on Monday written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanding removal of loudspeakers from religious and other places as per the Supreme Court's order and on the lines of the action taken by other states in this connection.

This came hours after BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma made a similar request to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and commissioners of the three municipal corporations in the national capital.

7:48 PM

803 of 1,144 Mumbai mosques obtain police nod to use loudspeakers

Amid the row triggered by MNS chief Raj Thackeray, 803 of the 1,144 mosques in Mumbai have obtained police permission to use loudspeakers, an official said on Tuesday.

This may the first time that more than 70 per cent of mosques in the metropolis have obtained permission to use loudspeakers to relay azaan, the call for prayer, the official added.

"There are 1,144 mosques in Mumbai that adhere to all legalities. Of these, 803 have obtained permission for loudspeaker use, while other applications are being processed. We have made it mandatory for them to follow all noise pollution norms, including Supreme Court and MPCB guidelines. The time given to them for usage is between 6am and 10pm," he informed.

"In what is a positive development, at least 72 per cent mosques in the metropolis are not using loudspeakers to relay azaan in the morning. Incidentally, Mumbai police had begun working on enforcing noise pollution norms over a month ago, much before this row erupted," he added.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has demanded that loudspeakers atop mosques be removed by May 4, failing which azaan would be drowned out by playing Hanuman Chalisa at a higher volume outside these places of worship.

6:42 PM

TN CM appeals for donations to help Lankans, DMK pledges Rs 1 crore

Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday appealed to the people to donate to the Tamil Nadu government to buy essentials such as food and ship it to Sri Lanka to help its people, who are battling the impact of a battered economy.

Stalin, who is also the president of the ruling DMK announced a contribution of Rs 1 crore from his party to the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund to support the island nation's people.

Top AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam had days ago said that he would contribute Rs 50 lakh in his personal capacity to help the Lankan people.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the Tamil Nadu government would soon be sending 40,000 tonnes of rice, 500 tons of milk powder and life saving drugs in the first phase to the neighbouring country. He recalled that the Centre has given its approval for the state's humanitarian initiative.

"This is the time to render whatever assistance that is possible to the beleaguered people," he said in his appeal and requested donations to help the Sri Lankan people.

 

6:32 PM

Low-pressure area over South Andaman Sea in forecast

A low-pressure area is likely to be formed over the South Andaman Sea by the end of this week, the weather office said on Tuesday.

In its tropical weather outlook, the weather office said that a cyclonic circulation is likely to form over South Andaman Sea and its adjoining areas around May 4.

Under its influence, a low-pressure area is likely over the region around May 6.

"Probability of cyclogenesis during next 120 hours high," the weather office said, even as it refrained from making any forecast on the path of the low-pressure system.

"It is likely to become more marked during subsequent 24 hours," it said.

In its warning for fishermen for May 4, it said squally wind is very likely to prevail over South Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal.

6:32 PM

Nadda to attend Telangana BJP's public meeting at Mahabubnagar on May 5

BJP president J P Nadda will attend a public meeting at Mahabubnagar in Telangana on May 5 as part of the state unit president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar's ongoing 'padayatra'.

BJP is organising the 'Janam Gosa- BJP Bharosa' (people's suffering - BJP's reassurance) rally to mount pressure on the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government towards implementing its election promises and to rebuild the state as per the dreams of all sections of society, state BJP general secretary G Premender Reddy and other leaders said in a statement on Tuesday.

Sanjay Kumar began the second phase of his 'padayatra' on April 14 after offering prayers at the temple of Goddess Jogulamba at Alampur in Gadwal district.

They alleged that the aspirations of a separate Telangana, including jobs, irrigation, relief for farmers from debt burden and double bedroom houses for poor as promised by TRS have not been realised since the state's formation eight years ago. Kumar undertook his 'padayatra' to fight for the people, they added.

The BJP hopes to gain momentum with Nadda's rally.

The second phase of Kumar's 'padayatra' is likely to conclude on May 14 and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to attend a public meeting to be organised on the occasion.

Sanjay Kumar held the first phase of his 'padayatra' last year.

6:31 PM

Maharashtra doesn't run on ultimatums: Raut on Raj Thackeray deadline for removal of loudspeakers

In a terse message to MNS chief Raj Thackeray over his May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers from mosques, the ruling Shiv Sena on Tuesday asserted Maharashtra does not run on ultimatums and that the rule of law prevails in the state.

Raj Thackeray faces possible police action for allegedly giving a provocative speech in Aurangabad on Sunday where he reiterated his demand for removal of loudspeakers from mosques. Talking to reporters here, Shiv Sena MP and party's chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said suitable action will follow if someone give inflammatory speeches. The government does not run on an ultimatum. There is rule of law in the state. There is a buzz that anti-social elements will be brought to the state for instigating riots, he said. Asked who are behind allegedly bringing anti-social elements in the state, Raut said,

Those who don't have the strength, such people. This is 'supari' (contract) politics. The state police are capable of handling the situation. So is the home department. The chief minister is keeping an eye on the situation. At a rally in Aurangabad in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra on May 1, Raj Thackeray said he was firm on the May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers, which he termed as a nuisance, from mosques, and added that if this was not done, then all Hindus should play the Hanuman Chalisa outside these religious places. Raut claimed some anti-social elements will enter the state and disrupt the law and order.

Anyone who thinks they can make the government unstable, then they are making a big mistake and they will be exposed. Ultimatum politics will not work in the state, he said. The Shiv Sena heads the Maha Vikas Aghadi government which also comprises the NCP and the Congress.

5:37 PM

India's coal production touches 66.15 mn tonnes in Apr amid power crisis

India's total coal production in April touched 66.15 mn tonnes even as the nation grappled with the worst power crisis in over six years while demand hit a record high.

5:18 PM

Thousands of containers, vehicles destined for Russia blocked in Belgian

About 3,000 containers and 5,000 vehicles destined for Russia are being checked or blocked in Belgian ports due to European sanctions against Moscow, a representative of the Belgian customs service told Sputnik.

"As of now, 2,980 containers and 4,876 vehicles are being checked in Belgian ports," the representative said.

The official added that 876 cars -- expensive cars, the cost of which exceeds 50,000 euros ($52,538) and the export of which from the EU to Russia is prohibited under the anti-Russian sanctions -- were detained.

5:07 PM

Pakistan's PTI's hashtag 'Imported hukoomat namanzoor' trends on TikTok

Social media is not a new battleground in Pakistan for political parties to unleash their hatred for each other. Earlier they used Twitter and now their verbal 'war' has shifted to TikTok in which the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) hashtag, "Imported hukoomat namanzoor" is trending.

On TikTok, the hashtag "Imported hukoomat namanzoor" has reached a viewership of 933 million, whereas, on Twitter, the same hashtag crossed over 100 million in the last week of April, Dawn newspaper reported.