Latest News: Sudan’s Prez Declares a Year-Long State of Emergency
Catch the latest news updates of the day here.
Catch the latest news updates of the day here.
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Encounter With Terrorists Underway in J&K's Baramulla District
An encounter has started between terrorists and security forces in Warpora area of Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Acting on specific input, the security personnel launched a cordon and search operation in the area, police said.
A senior official said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired at the search party of the security men, who then returned fire. The exchange of fire was on and further details were awaited, he added.
(Source: ANI)
Rahul Gandhi to Offer Worship, Address Rally in Tirupati
Congress President Rahul Gandhi will offer worship at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati on Friday, 22 February. After offering worship, he will come address a public meeting at Taraka Rama Stadium.
(Source: PTI)
Truck Carrying Acid Meets Accident, At Least 18 Killed in Congo
At least 18 people were killed in DR Congo's mining belt on Wednesday when a truck laden with industrial acid collided with a bus, spewing its contents on passengers, sources said.
"A Tanzanian-registered tanker truck carrying acid hit a stationary bus. The acid poured out onto the passengers," police captain Corneille Lwitetele, in-charge of road traffic in Lualaba province, told AFP on Thursday.
He gave a toll of 21 dead and 12 injured, while Lualaba's provincial health minister, Samy Kayombo, gave a figure of 18 dead and 12 injured with burns.
(Source: AFP)
IOC Suspends Talks With India on Hosting International Events
The International Olympic Committee has suspended all discussions with India on hosting any international event until clear written guarantees are obtained from the Indian government of complying with the Olympic Charter.
(Source: ANI)
BSF Jawan Found Dead Under Suspicious Conditions Along LoC
An Assistant Sub-Inspector of the BSF was reportedly found dead under suspicious conditions in Mendhar area on a forward post along LoC. The jawan’s body had bullet injuries.
(Source: News18)
Avalanche Hits Gurez in Kashmir
An avalanche hit a village in Gurez sector of Kashmir's Bandipora district, officials said on Friday. There were no reports of loss of life, however many houses were reportedly damaged.
(Source: PTI)
One Terrorist Killed in Encounter in Sopore
One terrorist has been killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, acting on specific input, the security personnel had launched a cordon and search operation in the area.
A senior official said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired at the search party of the security men, who then returned fire.
Sensex, Nifty Slip in Early Trading
Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty opened with losses on Friday morning. The 30-share BSE index was testing the 35,800-levels, down nearly 100 points in the initial minutes of trading while the broader 50-share NSE Nifty too was trading in the red.
Rahul Gandhi, Yechury Asked To Appear in Court in Defamation Case
A Mumbai court has issued defamation process against Rahul Gandhi and Sitaram Yechury for making allegations against RSS over Gauri Lankesh’s murder. The case was filed by a RSS worker. The next date of hearing is 25 March and the Court has asked them appear before it in person.
SC Asks For Election Commission's Response on Plea Seeking Audit Review of EVMs
Supreme Court has sought Election Commission’s response on a plea seeking direction for the government to conduct an independent audit review of various ‘software products’ and particularly the ‘source code’ of EVM, VVPAT and ETS.
(Source: ANI)
SC Adjourns Final Hearing in SNC Lavalin Case to April
The Supreme Court has adjourned the final hearing in the SNC Lavalin case for April first week.
The case is related to an alleged financial scandal regarding awarding contract for renovation and modernisation of few hydroelectric projects to Canada based company SNC Lavalin at exorbitant rates thereby causing a loss of Rs 374.50 crores to the state of Kerala.
(Source: ANI)
J&K Govt Files Plea to Transfer Pakistani Terrorists From Jammu Jail
The Jammu and Kashmir government has moved SC seeking transfer of 7 Pakistani terrorists from Jammu jail to Tihar, alleging they are indoctrinating local prisoners.
SC has sought response from the Delhi and central government.
(Source: ANI)
BJP MLAs Marshalled Out of Delhi Assembly for Interrupting LG's Address
BJP MLAs marshalled out of Delhi Assembly for interrupting LG's address on Day 1 of Budget Session over prosecution sanction delay in JNU case.
(Source: ANI)
Congress President Rahul Gandhi Reaches Tirupati
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has reached Tirupati where he is scheduled to offer prayers and later address a rally.
Lookout Notice Issued Against Chanda Kochhar
The CBI has issued lookout notice against Former CEO of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar
17 People Die After Consuming Illicit Alcohol in Assam
17 people have died, allegedly after consuming illicit liquor in Golaghat in Assam.
"Initial diagnosis suggests alcohol poisoning, 4 people were brought dead last night and later 12 other people died. Total 17 people have died. Post-mortem to be done" said Dr Dileep Rajvanshi of a government hospital.
(Source: ANI)
Robert Vadra Appears Before ED Again
On Friday, Robert Vadra ppeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the fifth time in connection with a money-laundering case related to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad, officials said.
Vadra reached the agency's office at Jamnagar House in central Delhi shortly before 11 am, they said.
He has been grilled in this case four times in the past, the last being February 20.
(Source: PTI)
Telangana Govt Announces Ex-Gratia for Pulwama Martyrs
Telangana Government has announced ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh each for the CRPF jawans who lost their lives in Pulwama terror attack.
(Source: ANI)
Congress Spokesperson Manish Tewari Reacts on Cricket With Pak
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari on Friday said, “Till the time, terrorist organisations and their bosses who are sitting in Pakistan encourage terrorist activities in India, cricket should not be played with Pakistan”.
(Source: ANI)
Police Arrests One for Possession of Elephant Tusks
One person was arrested in possession of elephant tusks in the Nainital’s Tarai area. Further investigation is underway. A case has been registered.
(Source: ANI)
Subramanian Swamy Files Two Applications in Air Asia Case
Subramanian Swamy has filed two applications in Delhi High Court in connection with Air Asia case. One to seek status report from CBI and ED, and the second to stay the international operations of Air Asia.
The court has asked respondents to file their response to the application. Matter fixed for 29 March.
(Source: ANI)
Bhima Koregaon Case: Teltumbde's Bail Application Hearing Adjourned Till 27 Feb
The Bombay High Court adjourned hearing of the anticipatory bail application of Professor Anand Teltumbde for 27 February in the Bhima Koregaon case.
(Source: ANI)
BSF Arrests One Person in Possession of Fake Currency
One person was arrested by the Border Security Forces (BSF) today in West Bengal’s Malda in possession of Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) with the face value of Rs 47,000.
(Source: ANI)
Preparing Database for Elderly People, Widows: Assam Govt
The Assam government said Friday that it did not have data related to the old people, widows and physically challenged residing in the state.
In a written reply to a query by AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam, Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma said her department has not prepared any data or list of these three categories of people in the society.
(Source: PTI)
Telugu Director Kodi Ramakrishna Passes Away
Renowned Telugu director Kodi Ramakrishna passed away in a hospital in Hyderabad today. He was admitted there a few days ago.
(Source: ANI)
Petition Filed in SC Asking Centre, CVC, CBI to Frame Guidelines in Pending Cases
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court today seeking direction for the Centre, CVC and CBI for framing of guidelines and policy for timely completion of investigation in the cases which have been pending with the agency for five years or more.
(Source: ANI)
Two Students Arrested in Kerala Under Sedition Charges
Two students, Mohammed Rinshad and Mohammed Faris, have been arrested in Kerala under sedition charges for allegedly putting up posters saying 'Freedom for Kashmir' in the premises of a government college in Malappuram. A case has been registered.
(Source: ANI)
Earthquake With 7.5 Magnitude Hits Ecuador: USGS
Earthquake with 7.5 magnitude hits Ecuador: USGS.
(Source: PTI)
Gold Worth Rs 6.24 Crore Seized at Chennai Airport; 6 Held
A total of 17.9 kg of gold worth Rs 6.24 crore has been seized and six people have been arrested in this connection, directorate of revenue intelligence officials said on Friday.
Acting on information that some foreign origin gold was being smuggled into the country, a search conducted Thursday at the city airport yielded the precious metal, the officials said.
The gold was concealed in domestic appliances and gadgets by passengers, they said.
(Source: PTI)
HAL Signs MoU With Central PWD for Works at Chopper Factory
Defence public sector unitHindustan Aeronautics Ltd Friday signed an MoU with Central Public Works Department for execution of the stage 2 infrastructure development works at its greenfield helicopter factory in Tumakuru at the Aero India.
The MoU was signed by GVS Bhaskar, Chief Executive Officer, Helicopter Complex and Rajesh Jain, Chief Project Manager (CPM), HAL project zone, CPWD in the presence of R Madhavan, CMD, HAL, a release said.
(Source: PTI)
IED Found in Transport Service Bus in Raigarh on Thursday
IED was found in a transport service bus in Raigarh on Thursday, 21 February.
(Source: ANI)
Fire Claims Seven Lives in Bihar Village
Seven persons including four children were charred to death in a fire that broke out in a village in Gopalganj district on Friday, a top district official said.
According to District Magistrate, Gopalganj, Animesh Kumar Parashar, the incident took place at Bakhri village in the early hours killing Bakridan Shah (36), Husntara Khatoon (35), Sufrina (8), Hasanuddin Miyan (24), Salauddin (7) and Shamima (8) besides a seven-month-old boy.
All the deceased belonged to the same extended family and they lived in a hutment which caught fire, apparently, on account of a short circuit, the District Magistrate said.
(Source: PTI)
Mild Earthquake Hits Himachal Pradesh
A mild 3.5 magnitude earthquake hit Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district on Friday, the Meteorological Department said.
The quake struck the region at 7.17 am. Its epicentre was located at a depth of 10 km, the department said.
There was no report of loss of life or damage to property.
(Source: PTI)
Bjp MLAs Protest Delay in Prosecution Sanction in JNU Sedition Case, Marshalled out of Assembly
Three BJP MLAs were marshalled out of the Delhi Assembly on the first day of the Budget session on Friday for interrupting Lt Governor Anil Baijal's address with their protests over the AAP government's "delay" in sanctioning prosecution in the JNU sedition case.
Speaker Ram Niwas Goel tried to reason with the legislators, saying the LG's address is not a part of proceedings of the House, but they did not relent.
(Source: PTI)
West Bengal: Blaze Kills 7 People in Purulia
Seven people died in Purulia’s Mahadebpur village of Para police station area after the hut they were sleeping in burnt down on Thursday night.
(Source: ANI)
PILs for Review of Software Used in EVMs, VVPA; SC Seek Poll Panel's Reply
The Supreme Court Friday asked the Election Commission to respond to two pleas seeking an independent review of the software used in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) and EVM Tracking Software (ETS).
A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna asked the poll panel to file its response by March 1 to the PILs which have also suggested changes in the source code of EVMs to make them tamper proof and would prevent a "pre-determined outcome" during elections.
(Source: PTI)
BJP Will Contest Mizoram Lok Sabha Seat
The BJP state unit on Friday announced that the party would contest the Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram and also the Assembly by-election.
Mizoram has only one Lok Sabha seat. By-election to the Aizawl West-I Assembly seat is most likely to be held simultaneously with the parliamentary polls.
A press statement issued by the state BJP unit said that the meeting of the office bearers of the BJP Mizoram Pradesh, chaired by state unit president Prof John V Hluna took the decision on Friday.
"The names of the candidates for both the polls would be announced after the search committee, which will be constituted soon, makes its recommendations," the statement said.
(Source: PTI)
Himachal Pradesh: 9 Vehicles Washed Away in an Avalanche
An avalanche hit Himachal Pradesh’s Pangmo village in Pin Valley around 3 pm today. Nine vehicles were washed away, forest guard hut was destroyed and Chomo Gompa (Chomo Buddhist Monastery)'s roof was badly damaged. No casualty reported.
(Source: ANI)
Convicts Find Fault With IPC Section on Death in Rape Cases
The counsel for the three men convicted in the Shakti Mills gangrape case here raised questions before the Bombay High Court Friday on the legal soundness of Section 376 (E) of the Indian Penal Code under which they were awarded the death sentence in 2014.
Advocate Yug Chaudhry, representing the death row convicts Vijay Jadhav, Kasim Bengali and Salim Ansari, told the court the legislature had brought in several provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act that provides for, among other things, a harsher punishment for rape, in "haste".
(Source: PTI)
Leopard Seen in Rangamatia Area of Bhubaneswar
A leopard was reportedly sighted by residents of Rangamatia area here, Forest officials said Friday.
The leopard was seen by a resident and he raised an alarm on Thursday night. A team of forest personnel went to the spot and examined the pug marks.
The forest staff suspect that a leopard from the Chandaka sanctuary might have strayed into the human settlement area.
The incident comes days after a leopard had strayed into Palaspalli area of the city on 18 February evening. The animal was captured by forest officials near the Bhubaneswar airport on 19 February.
The animal was shifted to the Nandankanan Zoological Park and later released to Chandaka forest after treatment at the zoo.
(Source: PTI)
Minor Fire Breaks out at Private Hospital, No Casualties
A minor fire broke out at a private hospital triggering panic at Perinthalmanna in Malappuram district Friday.
However, there was no casualty as fire-tenders rushed to the spot and doused the blaze.
According to police, the cause of the fire was suspected to be a short circuit in the generator.
Thick black smoke billowed following the sound of an explosion from the office block.
The fire was brought under control within an hour, the police said.
(Source: PTI)
6 Killed, Over 10 Injured in Fire at TN Cracker Factory
Six employees of a fireworks factory were charred to death and over 10 others got injured after a fire broke out at its unit in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district Friday, police said.
Eight sheds in the factory unit at Varaganur were destroyed when the bundles of firecrackers kept for drying exploded, they said.
Three fire tenders were engaged to douse the flames which spread from the sheds to the area, where the employees were working, police said.
The injured people were rushed to a government hospital in Kovilpatti, they said.
A case was registered against the factory owner, who was at large, police said.
(Source: PTI)
Fashion Icon Karl Lagerfeld Cremated in France
Fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld was cremated in France and his ashes were to join some from his great love Jacques de Basher.
(Source: AFP)
Trump Expresses Optimism on Trade Talks with China
US President Donald Trump expressed optimism in reaching a trade deal with China. “There is a very, very good chance,” he said, as the two sides hold talks to defuse the tariff war.
The clock runs out on the Trump administration's self-imposed 1 March deadline for reaching an agreement with China.
(Source: AFP)
Sudan's President Declares a Year-Long State of Emergency
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir declares a year-long state of emergency after anti-government protests. The Sudanese cabinet and local governments are dissolved, President Omar al-Bashir said.
(Source: AFP)