Highlights of the day: Adani Enterprises acquires Le Marche Duty Free
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 "Adani")
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Gautam Adani-led Adani Enterprises on Wednesday said that the company's Dubai arm, Ospree International FZCO, has acquired France-based Le Marche Duty Free SAS (LMDF) at a cost of 5,000 euros. In an attempt to further push its expansion in the duty free industry, Adani Enterprises said in an exchange filing that the acquisition is of strategic nature in the interest of Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited.
The CBI obtained custody of Shajahan Sheikh, a key accused in the Sandeshkhali ED official attack case, from the West Bengal CID. This development followed two consecutive orders by the Calcutta High Court directing the transfer of the case and the custody of the main accused to the central agency. In a fresh directive issued on Wednesday, the high court instructed the state government to promptly implement its Tuesday's judgement, transferring the case concerning the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at Sandeshkhali to the CBI and transferring custody of the primary accused, Sheikh, to the central agency.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from the party's Uttar Pradesh bastion of Raebareli, according to media reports. Rahul Gandhi will return to contest from Amethi - which he lost to the BJP's Smriti Irani in 2019.
Despite the BJP having only 25 lawmakers in the hill state against Congress' 40 MLAs, BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan had secured the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal. The victory became possible after six Congress MLAs and three independent MLAs allegedly cross-voted in the BJP's favour, triggering a political crisis for the Sukhu government.
After unveiling several projects in Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began addressing a women's rally in Barasat, North 24 Parganas district. "Today's event is a testimony of BJP's belief that Nari Shakti is the force that will lead us to Viksit Bharat. On January 9, BJP began the Nari Shakti Vandan Abhiyan. We have received messages from lakhs of SHGs all across India," says PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday unveiled India's first underwater metro route and other projects projects worth Rs 15,400 crore in Kolkata. This is PM Modi's second visit to West Bengal within a span of five days. The Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata Metro's East-West corridor  is nestled under the River Hooghly, which separates the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah on its east and west banks respectively. Although the inauguration will take place today, the passenger services will begin at a later date, CPRO Metro Railways Kaushik Mitra said. Kolkata Metro touched a milestone in April 2023, as its rakes completed a trial journey under the bed of Hooghly through a tunnel 32 metres below the water level for the first time in India.
 Moving closer to a historic rematch, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump began gaining early victories as states across the country held Super Tuesday polls. Super Tuesday features polls in 16 states and one territory from Alaska and California to Vermont and Virginia. Hundreds of delegates are at stake, the biggest haul of the race for either party. Biden and Trump won Maine, Oklahoma, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Biden also won the Democratic primaries in Massachusetts, Vermont and Iowa.The earliest either can become his party's presumptive nominee is March 12 for Trump and March 19 for Biden. But, in a departure from most previous Super Tuesdays, both nominations are effectively settled.
Criticising the West Bengal Police for a "totally biased" conduct, the Calcutta High Court directed that the CBI be handed over the case of attack on ED officials at Sandeshkhali and the custody of suspended TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh on Tuesday. The West Bengal government moved the Supreme Court challenging the order and the state police refused to hand over Sheikh to the CBI team, which returned from CID headquarters at Bhawani Bhawan at 7:30 pm. "We have not handed him over to CBI as the state government has moved the Supreme Court," a CID official said, even as the CBI took over the probe by registering an FIR soon after the HC order."
10:56 PM
'INDIA' to form coordination committee for Lok Sabha elections in Goa
Constituents of Opposition's INDIA bloc on Wednesday decided to set up a coordination committee to formulate a joint strategy for Lok Sabha elections in Goa. The Congress has already announced that it would be contesting both North Goa and South Goa seats, which other allies have supported. Leaders of INDIA parties including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Goa Forward Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar) met here on Wednesday.
10:46 PM
Farmers' group to protest outside Noida police commissioner's office on Thursday
A group of farmers has called for holding a demonstration outside the police commissioner's office in Noida on Thursday over the non-withdrawal of police cases against them during a protest against local authorities. The Bharatiya Kisan Parishad, which led a major protest between December 2023 and February 2024 against the Noida Authority, the Greater Noida Authority and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Dadri, has asked its supporters to gather outside the police commissioner's office in Sector 108 on Thursday.
10:30 PM
Congress govt's first decisions will be caste census, MSP law: Rahul Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh
Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said conducting a caste census and providing legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price for crops will be the first two decisions of the Congress government after coming to power. Taking part in the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra along with Gandhi in tribal-dominated Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre of not wanting the names of purchasers of electoral bonds to be disclosed. In a change in the yatra's schedule, it will enter Rajasthan on Thursday instead of Wednesday evening, a party leader informed.
10:03 PM
DRI officers intercept illegal elephant tusk trade, arrest 7 persons
Directorate of Revenue (DRI) officers have intercepted illegal elephant tusk trade in Bengaluru, leading to the arrest of seven persons, the Finance Ministry said on Wednesday. Two elephant tusks, weighing 6.8 kg, were recovered and seized as per Section 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA),1972. Seven individuals have been arrested, a finance ministry release said.
9:48 PM
BJD, BJP hint at pre-poll alliance in Odisha
Although there was no formal announcement regarding a pre-poll alliance between the ruling BJD and the Opposition BJP in Odisha, leaders from both parties on Wednesday hinted towards a mutual tie-up before the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. While BJD leaders held a marathon meeting at Naveen Niwas, the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, here on Wednesday, the BJP leaders had a similar meeting in the national capital, discussing election matters, including a potential alliance.
9:23 PM
Adani Enterprises acquired 100% stake in Le Marche Duty Free
Gautam Adani-led Adani Enterprises on Wednesday said that the company's Dubai arm, Ospree International FZCO, has acquired France-based Le Marche Duty Free SAS (LMDF) at a cost of 5,000 euros. In an attempt to further push its expansion in the duty free industry, Adani Enterprises said in an exchange filing that the acquisition is of strategic nature in the interest of Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited.
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8:43 PM
Indian Navy Commissions INS Jatayu at Minicoy, the southernmost island of Lakshadweep
On INS Jatayu, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said, "..We have commissioned this establishment, we had a presence here for a long time. By commissioning this, we have to improve the facility, capability, develop its capacity and the ability to provide Maritime domain awareness (MDA).."
8:25 PM
Sumitomo Wiring Systems sells 4.4% stake in Samvardhana Motherson for Rs 3,633 cr
Japan's Sumitomo Wiring Systems on Wednesday divested a 4.4 per cent stake in Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd for Rs 3,633 crore through open market transactions. Sumitomo Wiring Systems (SWS) is one of the promoter entities in Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd (SAMIL).
7:55 PM
CBI gets custody of Shajahan Sheikh from CID in ED official attack case
The CBI obtained custody of Shajahan Sheikh, a key accused in the Sandeshkhali ED official attack case, from the West Bengal CID. This development followed two consecutive orders by the Calcutta High Court directing the transfer of the case and the custody of the main accused to the central agency. In a fresh directive issued on Wednesday, the high court instructed the state government to promptly implement its Tuesday's judgement, transferring the case concerning the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at Sandeshkhali to the CBI and transferring custody of the primary accused, Sheikh, to the central agency.
7:42 PM
Cong removes HP leader from party secretary's post amid stepped up efforts to end rebellion in state
The Congress has intensified its efforts to restore order within its ranks in Himachal Pradesh. The party is engaging in discussions with senior ministers of the state amidst a precarious situation where six party MLAs switched sides, aiding the BJP nominee in winning the lone Rajya Sabha seat in the state. In a significant move on Wednesday, the party removed former minister Sudhir Sharma, who was among the six rebel MLAs disqualified for disregarding the party whip on the state budget, from the post of AICC Secretary with immediate effect.
7:09 PM
BJP nervous ahead of LS polls: Akhilesh on UP cabinet expansion
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday took a dig at the BJP over the cabinet expansion in Uttar Pradesh, saying the ruling party is "nervous" ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Yadav was in Sambhal to pay homage to party MP Shafiq-ur-Rehman Burq who passed away recently.
6:43 PM
Taiwan detects 14 Chinese military aircraft, six naval ships around nation
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported tracking 14 Chinese military aircraft and eight naval vessels around Taiwan starting from 6 am (local time), as per Taiwan News. The MND clarified that none of the 14 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or ventured into the southwest corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
2:51 PM
'Hand over Sheikh Shahjahan to CBI by 4:15 pm': Calcutta HC orders Bengal govt
The Calcutta High Court today asked the West Bengal government to hand over the custody of suspended Trinamool leader Sheikh Shajahan to the CBI by 4:15 pm.
2:48 PM
Madras HC dismisses petition against Stalin Junior Over 'Sanatana Dharma' remarks
The Madras High Court today dismissed the petition against DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin over 'Sanatana Dharma' remarks.
2:36 PM
News update: Priyanka Gandhi replaces Sonia Gandhi in Raebareli
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest from the party's Uttar Pradesh bastion of Raebareli, according to media reports. Rahul Gandhi will return to contest from Amethi - which he lost to the BJP's Smriti Irani in 2019.
Topics : Narendra Modi Rahul Gandhi Joe Biden BJP Congress Lok Sabha USA Donald Trump Israel-Palestine
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First Published: Mar 06 2024 | 9:25 AM IST
