Highlights of the day: Earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hits Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh

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2:45 PM

Sri Lanka does not see any need to re-open talks on Katchatheevu island: Lanka's Foreign Minister

Sri Lanka does not see any need to re-open talks on Katchatheevu, ceded to it by New Delhi 50 years ago, Sri Lanka's foreign minister has said, after the low-key territorial squabble turned into an election issue in India.

2:29 PM

Bengal govt has to own responsibility, Calcutta HC on Sandeshkhali

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday rapped Bengal over the Sandeshkhali issue.

2:07 PM

News updates: Karnataka child rescued from 16- feet deep borewell

A two-year-old boy who had fallen into a 20-feet open borewell in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district was rescued today after an 18-hour operation. The boy who has been identified as Satwik Mujagond, a native of Lachyan village, is alive and is being taken to a local hospital for treatment.

1:48 PM

President Murmu launches indigenously-developed CAR T-cell therapy to treat cancer

President Droupadi Murmu’s launched India’s first Homegrown Car-T Cell Therapy at IIT Bombay, Mumbai

1:32 PM

One can trust snake but not BJP, says Mamata in Cooch Behar rally

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the BJP of not following the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha elections and asserted that the poisonous snake can be trusted but not the saffron camp. At a rally in Cooch Behar, Banerjee claimed that the central investigating agencies, BSF and CISF are working at the behest of the BJP and asked the Election Commission of India to examine the issue and ensure a level-playing field.

12:56 PM

Supreme Court upholds caste certificate of BJP leader Navneet Rana

The Supreme Court today upheld the caste certificate of BJP MP from Amravati, Navneet Rana, setting aside the previous verdict passed by the Bombay High Court.

12:51 PM

Delhi HC directs smartphone maker LAVA to pay Rs 244 cr to Ercsson over 2G, 3G patents

The Delhi High Court has asked domestic smartphone maker LAVA to pay more than Rs 244 crore to Swedish firm Ericsson for infringing the latter's 2G and 3G patents. The court ordered  that seven out of the eight Standard Essential Patents over which Ericsson had claimed ownership were valid.

12:10 PM

INS Trishul and INS Sumedha rescue FV Al Kambar, crew of 23 Pakistani nationals

During anti-piracy operations along East of Somalia on March 29, INS Trishul and INS Sumedhao successfully rescued  FV Al Kambar and its crew of 23 Pakistani nationals. INS Trishul arrived at Mumbai yesterday and handed over all nine pirates to the local police for further action.

12:01 PM

Sec 144 imposed in Noida till Apr 26 ahead of LS polls, festivals

Restrictions under CrPC section 144 would remain imposed across Noida and Greater Noida till April 26, the day of the Lok Sabha election here, according to an order issued by the Gautam Buddh Nagar police. Cops stated that the restrictions have been imposed keeping in mind the upcoming festivals like Chaitra Nav Ratri, Eid, Ambedkar Jayanti and Ramnavmi while some protests are also planned and the Lok Sabha election is scheduled during this period.

11:51 AM

Officials issue heatwave warning for 130 mandals in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has warned of a heatwave in 130 mandals across the state on Thursday.

11:18 AM

8 gunmen and 5 security force members die in clashes in Iran's southeast: State media

Eight gunmen and five members of Iranian security forces died in clashes at two separate points in southeastern Iran, state media said Thursday.

The official IRNA news agency said 10 other security force members were injured. It said the fighting erupted overnight in Sistan and Baluchistan province when gunmen opened fire on a Revolutionary Guard post in Rask town and a coast guard station in Chahbahar city, some 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran.

10:43 AM

News update: Tamil Nadu fishermen return to India after being released from Sri Lankan prison

Nineteen Tamil Nadu fishermen, who were released from Sri Lankan prison recently, arrive at the Chennai airport today.

10:41 AM

PMLA court takes cognizance of ED complaint against former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren

A special PMLA court in Ranchi has taken cognizance of Prosecution Complaint filed by ED against former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and others under PMLA in a land scam case.

10:22 AM

Supreme Court transfers case linked to Mundra port drug haul to Gujarat court

The top court on Wednesday allowed National Investigation Agency (NIA)'s plea and ordered that a heroin smuggling case allegedly linked to the sensational Mundra port drug haul be transferred from a court in Punjab's Hoshiarpur to a special NIA court in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has filed a case in Gujarat and the second case is pending before a special court in Saket here.

10:17 AM

Govt releases myCGHS iOS app for healthcare services

The Centre has unveiled the 'myCGHS' app for iOS to provide Central Government Health Scheme beneficiaries access to electronic health records, information, and resources. The app facilitates a wide range of services, including booking and cancellation of online appointments, accessing reports from CGHS labs, checking medical reimbursement claim status, and locating nearby wellness centres.