Breaking News, February 25 | HIGHLIGHTS

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said the Congress should be absolutely clear in its ideological stance in favour of an inclusive India and pointed out that party could have been more vocal on issues such as the Bilkis Bano outrage and murder in the name of cow vigilantism. Addressing the 85th plenary session of the party here, the former Union minister said the Congress should stand up for its foundational principles. "We should be absolutely clear in our ideological stance in favour of inclusive India. The tendency to downplay some positions or avoid taking a stand on some issues in order not to alienate what we assume to be the sentiments of the majority only plays into the BJP's hands," Tharoor said.

Nine children in the 11-14 age group fell ill after consuming 'ratanjot' seeds in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district on Saturday, an official said. The incident took place in Begumganj town, some 60 kilometres from the district headquarters, he added. "After consuming these seeds, they complained of uneasiness and vomiting and were taken to the local government hospital. Four of them have been referred to Raisen district hospital for further treatment," Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Sunil Barkade said.

Seven tourists were injured as a vehicle on a jungle safari fell into a ditch after being attacked by two wild rhinoceroses at the Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal's Alipurduar district on Saturday, officials said. Six tourists were out on a jungle safari in a hoodless vehicle at the national park when they came across two rhinos fighting each other. On noticing the vehicle, the rhinos went after it. The driver of the four-wheeler started driving it in reverse gear as the two rhinos were chasing it, officials said. The driver could not see the ditch behind, and the vehicle fell into it. Seven people, including the driver, were injured, they said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday visited Patna Sahib gurdwara amid tight security. Shah visited the gurdwara after addressing a conclave of farmers and labourers in the city.
"Blessed to visit the sacred Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib... a sacred place for every Indian. I prayed for the prosperity and welfare of the country and its people," he tweeted.
Elaborate security arrangements were in place in view of the visit, police said. After visiting the gurudwara, he went to the state guest house to chair a meeting of senior Bihar BJP leaders.

Police here on Saturday said they have booked more than 500 people for blocking the Nuh-Alwar highway during a protest to demand the arrest of those behind the abduction and murder of two Muslim men from Rajasthan whose bodies were found in Haryana's Bhiwani. The FIR has been registered at Ferozpur Jhirka police station, they said.

Mid and higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh are likely to receive rain and snowfall due to a western disturbance from February 28 onwards, according to the Meteorological (MeT) Department. The western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from Tuesday onwards. The local MeT office has issued a yellow warning of heavy rainfall and snowfall in Mandi, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Shimla and Lahaul and Spiti districts on March 1 and thunderstorm and lightning at isolated places over low and mid hills on February 28.

A notice has been issued to six persons including former Haryana minister Sukhbir Kataria to remove alleged illegal encroachment in around 4 acres of land here belonging to the urban estate department within 15 days, an official said. Kataria, however, claimed that it was his ancestral land which has been with his family for the last 100 years and alleged that he was being harassed by authorities.

A dog and two bikes fell into a pit after a portion of a road collapsed in southwest Delhi's RK Puram area, police said on Saturday. The incident took place on Friday around 12.45 pm. The video of the incident is taking rounds on social media. In the video, a dog sitting near the bike can be seen falling into the hole. Another bike falls in when people arrive at the spot to take a look. A senior police officer said no injury was reported and the road has been repaired.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the development of Karnataka has been a top priority of the ruling BJP whereas previous dispensations used to divert its money to outside the state. He also said his government has worked for India's progress by taking along traditions as well as technology. "There was a time when people after forming government in Karnataka would take its money outside. Today, the country's money and resources are honestly directed towards Karnataka's development," he said after inaugurating the "Barisu Kannada Dim Dimava" cultural festival here.

Four alleged criminals, including the son of an ITBP officer, were arrested along with a country-made pistol and several sharp-edged weapons in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said. An investigation into a recent case related to criminal intimidation and weapon brandishing by a gang at Nathwal in Vijaypur led to the arrests, a police spokesperson said.

Will support the party who will present an effective package for the country in Lok Sabha Election 2024 

'Baniya' of Gujarat is responsible for Partition of India-Pakistan not Jinnah, said Touqeer Raza.

Touqeer Raza asserted that the opposition must contest the 2024 election considering the benefits to the netizens of the country. 

Tauqeer Raza while interacting with India TV slammed the Modi government and questioned 'lathi will rule or the government?'

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday asked Akhilesh Yadav why does he not treat his uncle Shivpal Yadav respectfully and claimed that whatever little courtesy the Samajwadi Party chief has shown to his general secretary is due to BJP. He was speaking during the motion of thanks to Governor Anandiben Patel’s address in the legislative assembly.
"I talk about 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. But at least on the pretext of this side (BJP), you have started giving respect to your 'Kaka Shri' (uncle)," he said. "Shivpal ji, when I look at you, I am reminded of a scene from the Mahabharata. An experienced person like you is always cheated and repeatedly insulted. We respect you. You are our senior member and should get respect," Adityanath continued.

The convoy of Union Minister Nisith Pramanik was attacked on Saturday allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters in the Dinhata area of West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district. The ruling TMC dubbed the allegation as “baseless”. The attack came within a week after TMC's daylong sit-in near the residence of Pramanik, the union minister of state for home, at Bhetaguri in Cooch Behar, seeking justice for an "innocent Rajbanshi youth who was branded as cattle smuggler and shot dead by the BSF". "My convoy was not only pelted with stones but also shots were fired. Bombs were also hurled. The entire incident happened in front of the police, and they were just mute spectators," Pramanik claimed.

A final year MBBS student has ended his life in his hostel room by hanging, officials said on Saturday. Medico Harsha went into the room last night and did not come out in the morning. So his friends broke open the door and found his body hanging. They immediately informed the authorities. An official of the medical college said Harsha was a clever student and appeared for two papers of the final year already and was supposed to attend another one on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday gifted Meghalaya stoles and Nagaland shawls to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who is on a visit to India. Officials sources noted that these items have traditionally symbolised the culture and craftsmanship of the two northeastern states, home to different tribes. Meghalaya stoles carry a rich history and a royal lineage that dates back centuries. Their weaving is an ancient tradition that has been passed down through generations, they added.

Five days after she was allegedly set on fire by a former student, the 54-year-old principal of a private pharmacy college succumbed to injuries on early Saturday morning, police said.
Dr Vimukta Sharma, principal of the B M College of Pharmacy, had been battling for her life at a local hospital after Ashutosh Shrivastava (24) allegedly poured petrol on her and set her on fire on the college premises on February 20 over a dispute about a mark sheet. Sharma, who had suffered 80 per cent burns, could not be saved despite the best efforts by doctors, said Superintendent of Police (Rural) Bhagwat Singh Virde.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said those who took the Sikh holy book Guru Granth Sahib to a police station as a shield cannot be called the 'waris' (heir) of Punjab.
His remarks came days after self-styled Sikh preacher and Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into a police station in Ajnala on the outskirts of the Amritsar city on Thursday, extracting an assurance from the police that his aide and kidnapping case accused Lovepreet Singh would be released.

India has been pressing for resolving the Ukraine conflict through diplomacy and dialogue and it is ready to contribute to any peace process, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday after holding wide-ranging talks with visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The talks between the two leaders covered the entire gamut of bilateral ties as well as key regional and global issues, including the Ukraine conflict. In his media statement, Scholz said the world is suffering as a consequence of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and asserted that no one can change borders through the use of violence.

A minor brother-sister duo was injured after some plaster of the ceiling of their house at Kalwa in Maharashtra's Thane city on Saturday fell on them, a civic official said. The incident occurred around 11.45 am in their first floor flat in a four-storey building, he said. "The plaster of the ceiling fell on two siblings, in which they suffered injuries. While the boy is four-year-old, his sister is aged seven," Avinash Sawant, chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), said. They are undergoing treatment at Kalwa civic hospital, he said.

Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi launched an all-out attack on the BJP government on Saturday, accusing it of "fuelling the fire of hatred" and "viciously targeting minorities, women, Dalits and tribals". She urged the Congress workers to tackle the current regime with vigour and reach out to people to convey the party's message. Addressing the party's 85th plenary session here, Gandhi accused the government of causing economic ruin by favouring a particular businessman, making a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a controversy involving the business empire of industrialist Gautam Adani.

An announcement on the ruling DMK's much touted monthly assistance scheme for each woman head of the family in Tamil Nadu will be made in the forthcoming state budget, Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Saturday here. Hitting the campaign trail for the February 27 Erode (East) bypoll on the last day of canvassing votes, Stalin, also the president of DMK, said his party never failed to execute its promises or announcements. The DMK's poll promise of providing Rs 1,000 per month to every woman head of the family will certainly be implemented, he asserted in the wake of severe criticism from Opposition parties who have been questioning the government over the alleged delay in rolling out the initiative.

The Congress is likely to propose a legislation against hate crimes in the country as part of the party's 56-point political resolution to be adopted at its 85th plenary session on Saturday, sources said. In its political resolution, the Congress is likely to allege that the judiciary is constantly threatened by direct and indirect measures, which create apprehensions in its mind. The party has been alleging that the law minister himself is leading the blatant attack on the judiciary. The Congress will promise that the independence and integrity of the judiciary will be maintained and protected at all costs, the sources said. The opposition party is also likely to promise that if voted to power, it would bring a legislation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, gender or language in the supply of goods and services. The Congress will deliberate and finalise three resolutions -- one each on political, economic and international affairs -- on Saturday.

Five days after she was set ablaze by her former student, the 54-year-old principal of a private pharmacy college in Madhya Pradesh's Indore succumbed to her burn injuries at a local hospital early on Saturday, police said. The victim, Dr Vimukta Sharma, principal of B M College of Pharmacy located under Simrol police station area, had been battling for life after former student of the institute Ashutosh Shrivastava (24) allegedly poured petrol and set her on fire over a marksheet on Monday, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Bhagwat Singh Virde told PTI. She could not be saved despite best efforts by doctors, he said. Shrivastava had set her on fire in the college premises leaving her 80 per cent burnt, he added. The accused, who was arrested on Monday, is currently in police custody, Virde said. The district administration has invoked the National Security Act (NSA) against Shrivastava for conspiring and committing the heinous crime, he said.

The rising incidents of moral policing in coastal Karnataka, especially in Mangaluru, in the last few years have cast a shadow over the port city, once known as a liberal society with a cosmopolitan culture. Social activists in the region reason that the deterioration in the social harmony happened after the growth of right-wing organisations, which have gained ground in the coastal belt. They attribute the recurrence of such incidents as a result of the impunity granted to moral policing, political support to the outfits and a passive approach of the ruling BJP.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz arrived in India on Saturday on a two-day visit that is expected to further expand the overall bilateral relations in a number of key areas, including new technologies, clean energy and trade and investment. Scholz will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at around 11:45 am, covering the Ukraine conflict, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and ways to boost bilateral ties. It is Scholz's first visit to India after he became the German chancellor in December 2021 following Angela Merkel's historic 16-year tenure at the top post. People familiar with the broad agenda of the Modi-Scholz talks said the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict are expected to figure prominently during the deliberations.

A 14-year-old boy was killed and about a dozen people were injured when a tractor trolley overturned in this Uttar Pradesh district, police said on Saturday. Station House Officer (SHO), Bisauli, Sanjeev Shukla said, "Farm labourers were returning to their village in a tractor trolley on Friday evening when the driver lost control over the vehicle, which overturned." "Ajay Kumar (14) was killed in the incident and around a dozen people were injured," the SHO said. The body has been sent for post-mortem.

Four people were dead after a truck met with an accident near Delhi's Anand Parbat area, last night. On reaching the spot at Rohtak road, police found one MCD truck which had turned turtle. Three were dead on spot & one person succumbed to his injuries at hospital: Delhi Police

The West Bengal government on Friday issued a notification for the grant of dearness allowance (DA) to the employees, pensioners, and family pensioners at the rate of six per cent of the basic pay with effect from March 1, following the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission. The six per cent in DA is the total of the three per cent increase announced in December 2020 (meant for January 1, 2021 implementation) and a similar raise declared recently. The notification said that "the calculation of DA shall be made taking into account the revised basic pay and non-practising allowance if any, but it shall not include any other type of pay." "The DA will also be admissible to teaching and non-teaching staff of government-aided institutes as well as to staff of the local bodies. It will be the responsibility of the pension disbursing authority to calculate the quantum of dearness relief on revised pension and family pension payable to each individual case," the notification stated.

Less than a fortnight after entering the race to the White House, Indian-American Nikki Haley is leading against President Joe Biden in a hypothetical match, a latest opinion poll said on Friday. But she trails badly against leading GOP candidate former president Donald Trump, Rasmussen Report said based on a survey it conducted between February 16 to 19. Surprisingly, Haley, 51, as per the survey has the support of 18 per cent of the Democrats, reflecting her outreach and support base outside of her traditional Republican party. “The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that, if the 2024 election were between Haley and Biden, 45 per cent of likely US voters would vote for Haley and 41 per cent would vote for Biden,” the report said.

Heavy snow and rain pounded California and other parts of the West in the nation's latest winter storm, while thousands of people in Michigan suffered in freezing temperatures through extended power outages wrought by one of the worst ice storms in decades. The storms have blacked out nearly 1 million homes and businesses from coast to coast, closed major roads, caused pileups and snarled air travel. More than 300 flights were cancelled and over 5,000 were delayed Friday across the US, according to FlightAware.com. The National Weather Service warned of a “cold and dangerous winter storm” that would last through Saturday in California. Blizzard warnings were posted in the Sierra Nevada and Southern California mountain ranges, where as much as 5 feet (1.5 meters) of snow was expected.

India ranks 42nd among 55 leading global economies on the International IP Index released by the US Chambers of Commerce, according to which India is ripe to become a leader for emerging markets seeking to transform their economy through IP-driven innovation. “As India’s size and economic influence grows on the world stage, India is ripe to become a leader for emerging markets seeking to transform their economy through IP-driven innovation,” Patrick Kilbride, senior vice president of the US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Center who publishes the annual report said Friday. According to the report, which covers everything from patent and copyright laws to the ability to monetize IP assets and the ratification of international agreements, India has maintained continued strong efforts in copyright piracy through the issuing of “dynamic” injunction orders.

The Biden administration declared its solidarity with Ukraine with fresh action as well as strong words on Friday, piling sweeping new sanctions on Moscow and approving a new USD 2 billion weapons package to re-arm Kyiv a year after Russia's invasion. Despite the US and allies' continued ambitious efforts to bolster the Ukrainians, there are no signs of an endgame in the war, which seems destined to enter an even more complicated phase in the months ahead. On the somber anniversary, Biden and fellow leaders from the Group of Seven allies that have been at the forefront of backing Ukraine stayed focused on a unified front.