News updates: Govt orders CBI probe in NEET paper leak case

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6:03 PM

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to address press shortly

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday morning chaired a pre-budget meeting with Finance Ministers of all States and Union Territories. She also chaired the 53rd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council Meeting scheduled in the second half of the day.

5:02 PM

Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy death toll mounts to 53

5:01 PM

The International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza damaged by shell attack

Red Cross said its Gaza office was ‘damaged’ by in a shell attack Friday that killed at least 22 people who had taken shelter around the compound. 22 bodies and 45 wounded were taken to a nearby Red Cross field hospital.

4:11 PM

UAPA tribunal confirms Centre's decision to ban Muslim League Jammu Kashmir, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat

UAPA tribunal confirms Centre's decision to ban Muslim League Jammu Kashmir(Masarat Alam faction) and Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.

3:27 PM

Centre notifies that high-level panel on exam reforms to submit report within two months

3:23 PM

Former Isro chief to head seven-member panel on reforms in examination process: Education ministry

"Former Isro chief K Radhakrishnan to head seven-member panel on reforms in examination process," says education ministry.

3:02 PM

India, Bangladesh sign pact to boost ties in maritime sphere, blue economy

India and Bangladesh solidified plans for enhanced cooperation across various new sectors and signed multiple agreements, including those focused on maritime affairs, the blue economy, digital collaboration, and environmental initiatives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina finalized these agreements during extensive discussions. Additionally, they concluded an agreement aimed at improving railway connectivity between the two nations.

 

2:32 PM

Chief priest of Ram temple consecration ceremony dies at 86 due to illness

Acharya Laxmikant Dixit, the chief priest who conducted the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, passed away on Saturday morning. Aged 86, Dixit had been unwell for the past few days. His final rites will be performed at Manikarnika Ghat. UP CM Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences on platform X.

2:16 PM

Home Minister Amit Shah launches special programme to fast-track immigration services

Amit Shah launched a programme to expedite immigration for pre-verified Indian nationals and OCI cardholders. The Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) allows eligible individuals to apply online, submit biometrics, and necessary details. Registration under FTI will be valid for up to five years or until passport expiry.

1:56 PM

Swati Maliwal assault case: Court extends Bibhav Kumar's custody till July 6

A court in Delhi extended Bibhav Kumar's judicial custody till July 6. Kumar, an aide to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, faces charges of assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on May 13 at the CM's residence. Kumar, arrested on May 18, appeared via video conferencing before Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal, who granted the extension. Initially granted five days of police custody, his anticipatory bail plea had become infructuous.

1:32 PM

ED raids in Ranchi recover Rs 1 crore cash, 100 bullets in land grab case

The Enforcement Directorate seized Rs 1 crore in cash and 100 live bullets during raids in Ranchi as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged land grabbing involving former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and others. The raid, conducted at the Kanke road premises of Kamlesh Singh on Friday evening. The agency has also filed a police case under the Arms Act related to the discovery of the ammunition.

12:59 PM

Air Arabia flight from Kerala to Sharjah receives hoax bomb threat

A hoax bomb threat targeted an Air Arabia flight scheduled to depart for Sharjah from Calicut International Airport on Saturday morning, causing the aircraft to be grounded for inspection by the police bomb detection squad, according to airport sources. A senior airport official said that a passenger arriving from Sharjah to Calicut left a note with the word 'bomb' on one of the seats, discovered by the ground staff before boarding began.

12:36 PM

Govt doing 'damage control': Congress on implementation of law to curb exam irregularities

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed on Saturday that the Centre's decision to implement a law to prevent unfair practices in competitive examinations is "damage control" following several "scams," including those in NEET-UG and UGC-NET. He argued that while the law is necessary, it addresses question paper leaks and other irregularities only after they have occurred. 

12:00 PM

BJP holds marathon meeting to discuss strategy for upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls

The Maharashtra BJP unit conducted an extensive meeting to devise a strategy for the upcoming state assembly elections, sources reported on Saturday. The meeting, held on Friday night, lasted five hours and focused on planning the election campaign and finalizing the strategy. The elections for the 288-member state assembly are expected to take place in October. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP's seats in Maharashtra decreased from 23 to nine.

11:30 AM

Death toll rises to 53, seven people arrested in Kallakurichi hooch tragedy

The death toll from the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy has increased from 50 to 53, officials reported on Saturday. Kallakurichi District Collector MS Prasanth stated that out of 193 patients who consumed the illicit liquor, 140 are currently in stable condition. "Of the 193 people hospitalized, 140 are safe, though some are on ventilators. As of now, 53 have died," he said.