News highlights of the day: Verdict against Lalu, Mishra in a fodder scam case deferred till Mar 19

Himachal Pradesh has been given Krishi Karman Award for its landmark achievement for the highest foodgrain production. The Krishi Karman Award for year 2015-16 presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Himachal IT minister Ram Lal Markanda at a function organised at New Delhi on Saturday. The award carried a trophy, citation and cash prize. Besides, two progressive farmers of the state, including a woman farmer also received the prizes. (PTI)

19:55 BJP MLA 'manhandles' toll plaza staff, video goes viral

A video surfaced purportedly showing a BJP MLA manhandling a toll plaza worker in Rajasthan's Banswara district. In the video that went viral on social media, the accused MLA of the ruling party, Jeetmal Khant, is seen dragging and slapping a toll plaza in Badhalia. However, no police case has been registered in the matter, police said. (PTI)

19:07 Maharashtra farmers `reclaim' land acquired by Nirav Modi's firm

Farmers in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra today claimed that fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi, prime accused in the alleged Rs 11,400 crore Punjab National Bank fraud, had acquired their lands at less than prevailing rates.

A group of over 200 farmers, who arrived in bullock carts at the tract of land at Khandala in Karjat tehsil, ploughed a part of it using a tractor as a symbolic reclaiming of possession.

18:46 Sebi fines NDTV, others for disclosure lapses

Capital markets watchdog Sebi has imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on media firm NDTV and of Rs 3 lakh each on four individuals, including promoters Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy, for certain disclosure lapses.

The order follows a probe by Sebi (Securities and Exchange Board of India) into alleged delay in disclosure about Rs 450 crore income tax demand -- subsequently challenged by NDTV, which has been in cross hairs of various agencies -- and about sale of some shares by a top company executive over four years ago.

In its 23-page order dated March 16, Sebi imposed penalty of Rs 10 lakh on NDTV and Rs 3 lakh each on Prannoy Roy, Radhika Roy, Vikramaditya Chandra (group CEO at that time) and Anoop Singh Juneja (compliance officer).

18:12 Railways could run 100-plus trains by cutting layover time: Piyush Goyal

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal today said that an analysis done by his department has found that 100-plus new trains could be run on shorter routes by cutting layover time.

Layover time is defined as the idle time of a train at the originating or terminating station before commencement of journey.

"The analysis has found that 100-plus new trains could be started just by using trains lying idle on shorter routes," Goyal said at 58th National Cost Convention.

The minister gave the example of high-speed Gatimaan Express plying between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Agra. The train has been extended up to Gwalior and will, thereafter, be extended to Jhansi, cutting the layover time, he said.

17:47 Precautions must while sharing Aadhaar number online: UIDAI

The UIDAI today asked people to take "due precautions" while sharing their personal information such as Aadhaar on the internet for availing any service.

Playing down reports of Aadhaar pdf being allegedly available through Google search query of Mera Aadhaar, Meri Pehchan, UIDAI claimed that the issue had "nothing to do with the security of Aadhaar and its database".

"People share their personal information, including Aadhaar on internet, to some or other service provider or vendor to get the services and when they put their details on internet they should take due precautions as required in any digital activities," Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said in a statement.

17:26 Verdict against Lalu, Mishra in a fodder scam case deferred till Mar 19

A special CBI court has deferred till March 19 the judgement against former Bihar chief ministers Lalu Prasad and Jagannath Mishra in the fourth fodder scam case pertaining to alleged withdrawal of Rs 3.13 crore from the Dumka treasury over two decades ago, a lawyer said today.

This is the second time that the verdict in the case has been postponed, RJD chief Prasad's counsel Prabhat Kumar said

The court of special judge Shiv Pal Singh had yesterday fixed today as the date for the pronouncement of the order, he said.

17:04 Confusion being spread about support price to farmers: PM

In an apparent attack on opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said confusion is being spread about the budget decision to fix MSP for crops, at least 1.5 times the production cost, and assured farmers that all major costs incurred will be included while declaring the support price.

The Centre is already working with state governments to ensure that farmers get the benefit of the declared Minimum Support Price (MSP), he said.

Addressing a three-day Krishi Unnati Mela 2018 here, Modi also appealed to farmers not to burn crop residues so as to curb pollution.
Besides, he asked farmers to grow more oilseeds to reduce dependence on import of cooking oil as also to cut urea consumption by at least half by 2022.

16:25 Sonia targets Modi, accuses him of making hollow promises

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi today launched an all-out attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that his pre-poll promises of combating corruption and ensuring inclusive development were "only dramebazi' and a trick to grab power.

Gandhi, in her address at the 84th Congress Plenary Session, gave a clarion call to the partymen to be ready for any kind of sacrifice to strengthen the party and to make the county free from discrimination, vendetta politics and arrogance.

She called upon them to forcefully fight against the challenges posed by the present dispensation and asked them to mount a struggle to free the country from the fear of power.

"The slogans of 'sab ka saath, sab ka vikas' and 'na khaoonga, na khaane doonga' are only and only dramebazi (drama) and a trick to grab power," she said, referring to Modi's promises of inclusive development and corruption-free governance.

15:47 Karnataka polls will be 'secularism vs communalism' contest: Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said the state Assembly elections will see a "secularism versus communalism" contest and the Congress will emerge victorious.

He also said the poll results will work as a "stepping stone" for the 2019 general elections.

14:51 Russia to expel 23 British diplomats: Foreign Ministry

Russia announced today it will expel 23 British diplomats and halt the activities of the British Council in response to London's "provocative" measures over the poisoning of a former Russian double agent and his daughter.

"Twenty three diplomatic staff at the British embassy in Moscow are declared persona non grata and to be expelled within a week," the foreign ministry said in a statement after summoning the British ambassador Laurie Bristow.

It said the move was a response to Britain's "provocative actions" and "baseless accusations over the incident in Salisbury on March 4," referring to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal with a nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union, which Britain has blamed on Russia.

Russia also said it was halting the activities of the British Council, Britain's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, across the country.

"Due to the unregulated status of the British Council in Russia, its activity is halted," the foreign ministry said. And the ministry had also warned Britain that "if further unfriendly actions are taken towards Russia, the Russian side retains the right to take other answering measures."

14:46 JUST IN | Lalu Yadav has been brought to RIMS Hospital in Ranchi after he complained of health issues.

14:40 AAP leader H S Phoolka favours autonomy for AAP Punjab unit, not a split 

Senior AAP leader H S Phoolka today asked party legislators in Punjab to seek "autonomy" for the state unit rather than forming a separate party "in the best interest" of the state, a day after majority of AAP MLAs contemplated a split.

Giving his views for the first time after party chief Arvind Kejriwal's apology to a former minister which pushed the state unit into a crisis, the former leader of opposition in Punjab Assembly and MLA from Dakha also suggested that the state unit should function like a regional party with total independence on state matters.

"In best interest of Pb, my suggestion to Pb AAP MLAs- demand autonomy, not a separate party. AAP Punjab should function as a Regional party with an alliance with national AAP.In Punjab matters, total independence and on national issues, go by National leadership (sic)," Phoolka, a noted Supreme Court lawyer, tweeted.

14:36 Bank guarantees of Rs 155.5 crore issued to NSIC against 100% margin: UBI

United Bank of India (UBI) today said it has issued bank guarantees of Rs 155.5 crore to National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) against 100 percent margin.

The ED has registered a money laundering case in connection with an alleged fraud of over Rs 173 crore in at UBI in 2016, involving the NSIC in West Bengal. "We would like to clarify that the Bank had issued Bank Guarantees (BG) amounting to Rs 155.50 crore to NSIC against 100 per cent margin," UBI said in a filing to BSE.

NSIC sought confirmation for further BGs amounting to Rs 18 crore which, as per the bank, are non-existent in its records, UBI said. It added that the bank guarantees amounting to Rs 155.5 crore were periodically and prematurely invoked by NSIC and the amount was "duly credited to their account".

The matter is under investigation by CID, West Bengal since July 2016, it added.

14:27 JUST IN | Congress hints at possible alliance for 2019.

14:23 Centre working with states to ensure farmers get declared MSP: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said MSP for crops will be at least 1.5 times the production cost so as to boost farmers' incomes and the Centre is working with states to ensure that they get the benefit of the support prices.

Modi also said that many people are spreading rumours regarding the minimum support price (MSP) and creating a gloomy atmosphere. He said all input costs would be included while fixing MSPs of various crops and this decision would help double farm income by 2022.

Addressing the Krishi Unnati Mela 2018 at Pusa agri complex here, he asked farmers to grow more oilseeds to reduce the country's dependence on imports of cooking oil. Besides, he appealed to them to reduce the consumption of urea by at least half by 2022. Modi also urged farmers not to burn crop residue as it leads to air pollution and affects soil fertility.

14:18 BJP assumed power at Centre due to PM Modi's ability to pick 'committed' workers: Anandiben Patel 

Crediting her success in politics largely to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has said the BJP gained power at the Centre due to Modi's ability to select "committed" party workers.

Patel had replaced Modi as the Gujarat Chief Minister after the latter became the prime minister in May 2014. She stepped down as Gujarat Chief Minister in August 2016.

Patel remembered Modi during the launch of her biography "Karma Yatri", written by Ameya Latkar, here last night in the presence of BJP chief Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, among others.

"When I was a teacher before joining politics (in 1980s), I saved two girls from drowning during a picnic. After reading that news, Modi came to my house and asked me to join politics. That was the first time I met him. This is an example how he used to find party workers," 76-year-old Patel recalled.

"He was an expert in picking up right party worker. He used to select those who are committed. He used to select those who never gave up till the assigned work is over. Thanks to this, BJP was able to form its government at the Centre," quipped Patel.

14:12 BCCI proposes day-night test match: Amitabh Chaudhary

Today's meeting was essentially to fix venues and dates for our home series beginning with West Indies and concluding with Australia. The venues for the matches with West Indies and Australia were also decided.

The committee considered the proposal of converting 1 of the 2 test matches into a day-night test match and considered the view of all stake holders and the view was unanimous favoring this experiment.

However, the decision was not taken today, only decision taken today was to send recommendation to the COA. The day night match will happen only when COA approves: Amitabh Chaudhary, Secretary, BCCI told ANI after the fixtures meeting.

14:08 Russia summons British ambassador over spy poisoning dispute

Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned the British ambassador to Russia today in a deepening geopolitical dispute over a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain.

Russia is expected to announce the expulsion of British diplomats and possibly other measures in a retaliatory move. British Prime Minister Theresa May this week ordered 23 Russian diplomats expelled to punish Russia over the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the city of Salisbury. British Ambassador Laurie Bristow is expected at the Russian Foreign Ministry late today morning.

Britain's foreign secretary accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of personally ordering the poisoning of the Skripals, who remain hospitalised in critical condition after the March 4 attack. Putin's spokesman denounced the claim.

14:05 Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session | Nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, reports ANI. 

14:04 Congress Plenary session: BJP spreading anger, hatred, says Rahul Gandhi ## Congress Plenary session: BJP spreading anger, hatred, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi today accused the Narendra Modi government of spreading hatred and anger, and said the Congress was the only party that would take the country forward by fostering an environment of amity and love.

In his brief inaugural address at the 84th Congress Plenary session, Gandhi said the Congress's hand (election symbol) is the only one that would unite India and take it forward, and reminded partymen that it followed the ideology of love.

The difference between the BJP and the Congress was that while they spread anger and hatred, "we spread love and brotherhood", he said.

14:00 Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session | On corruption, the party said that the BJP government "lacks sincerity in fighting corruption, to ensure transparency and accountability. This is underscored by its non-appointment of Lokpal".

The party also said the judicial system needed urgent reforms for effective and timely dispensation of justice and said the huge pendency of cases and providing affordable justice remains a big challenge that needs to be addressed.

The resolution also called upon the media to restore the balance in national narrative to safeguard democracy. The political resolution also talked about deteriorating internal and external security environment, youth, women empowerment and social justice.

It also highlighted the atrocities on dalits, minorities and tribals, alleging that they are living under the general fear of insecurity under the BJP rule.

13:51 Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session |  The party hit out at the BJP-RSS ideology, alleging that it was creating an environment of "distrust, fear and intimidation" in pursuit of their "insidious and divisive agenda".

"The Congress condemns the BJP government for brazen abuse of power and misuse of central agencies for targeted political vendetta to harass, humiliate and persecute its political opponents. The Congress party warns the BJP and its government that its undemocratic methods and acts to curtail liberty, freedom of expression and violation of fundamental rights of its citizens as enshrined in the Constitution will be strongly resisted," the resolution said.

13:48 An illustrious example of 'isolation to integration' is seen in the turnaround of Northeast. Out of the 16,452 villages electrified in the last 4 years, 13,000 were in East India alone of which 5,000 were in Northeast. The problem was measured to manage and create mass movement: PM Modi at Krishi Unnati Mela 2018.

13:45 Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session | The draft resolution said that the BJP's move of simultaneous elections is "misplaced" and is "incompatible with the Constitution as also impractical".

"It will have serious implications, which must be thoroughly enquired into, and a national consensus built," it said. Facing the challenge of defections in the party, with BJP poaching many of its leaders, the party sought debarring defectors from contesting elections for six years to check the "brazen misuse of money power to create political instability".

13:41 Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session | The party also gave a clarion call to its rank and file to rise to the occasion and defend the foundational values of the Republic and constitutional democracy.

The resolution said at a time when the country stood at the crossroads, facing the threat posed by "authoritarian, divisive and disruptive forces", the Congress is committed to serve the people of India with its illustrious history and legacy that represent multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious India.

The party said that under the BJP regime, the people of the country, be it farmers, labourers, unorganised sector workers, self-employed, dalits, traders, minorities and the poor have been "betrayed".

13:36 Congress to adopt 'pragmatic approach' for cooperation with like-minded parties

The Congress today resolved to adopt a "pragmatic approach" for cooperation with all like-minded parties and evolve a common workable programme to defeat the BJP-RSS in the 2019 general election.

This indication of a pre-poll tie-up comes in the wake of efforts by the Congress to evolve a consensus among various opposition parties to unitedly take on the might of the BJP. In its political resolution moved at the party's 84th Plenary Session, the Congress today launched a scathing attack on the BJP-RSS, saying the country's core constitutional values are under attack and freedom of all is in jeopardy, with institutions under stress and their independence compromised.

"A resurgent Congress alone shall win back the idea of India as envisioned by the founding fathers of our nation," reads the draft resolution moved at the conclave by senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

The party said it was prepared for making sacrifices required to defend the ethos of the Constitution and "we will purge the polity of the aberrations witnessed during the BJP regime, which has failed to honour its commitments to the people of India".

13:33 Trump fires FBI official for unauthorised disclosure to media 

The Trump administration has fired the number two official at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) accusing him of making an unauthorised disclosure to the media.

Andrew McCabe, the FBI Deputy Director, who was set to retire on Sunday, in a lengthy statement fired back alleging that his termination was an effort on the part of the administration to undermine the investigation in the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election by counsel Robert Mueller.

The announcement by Attorney General Jeff Sessions late last night comes within days of President Donald Trump firing his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Sessions said McCabe has been fired based on the recommendation of an internal FBI office that handles disciplinary matters.

The FBI's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and Office of Inspector General (OIG) had found McCabe made an unauthorised disclosure to the news media and "lacked candour - including under oath - on multiple occasions," the attorney general said.

13:27 In this budged we announced GOBAR-Dhan Yojana which stands for Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources, it will help in managing bio-waste being produced in villages, in a big way: PM Modi at Krishi Unnati Mela 2018.

13:16 We are working with state governments so that farmers receive the entire benefit of MSP, says Narendra Modi.

13:09 Through the medium of this event I have got the opportunity to simultaneously interact with the 2 most important parts of new India, that is the farmers who provide food and the scientists who come up with the latest technology: PM Modi at Krishi Unnati Mela 2018.

13:05 Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session |  The country is tired of what is happening under the current government. Only the Congress party can show the way and heal divisions in the nation: Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

13:00 Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session |  The symbol of the hand is the symbol of the Congress party. This is the symbol that holds the country together, shows us the way, and will take India forward: Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

12:56 FLASH | Precautionary landing carried out by Indian Navy's Chetak 413 helicopter near Kerala's Cochin, after experiencing low engine oil pressure. Aircraft and crew are safe.

12:54 Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session |  Change is necessary and we need to bring the change. Following our leader Rahul Gandhi we are willing to give our sweat and blood to revive the party and estabilish Congress rule in the centre once again: Congress MP Sachin Pilot.

12:38 BJP spreading anger, hatred: Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi today accused the Narendra Modi government of spreading hatred and anger, and said the Congress was the only party that would take the country forward by fostering an environment of amity and love.

In his brief inaugural address at the 84th Congress Plenary session, Gandhi said the Congress's hand (election symbol) is the only one that would unite India and take it forward, and reminded partymen that it followed the ideology of love.

The difference between the BJP and the Congress was that while they spread anger and hatred, "we spread love and brotherhood", he said.

Gandhi also said that the Congress party under him would take the seniors and the youths together as the tradition of the Congress party was to embrace change without forgetting its past and legacy.

"If the youths have to take the Congress forward, it cannot be done without the experience the party veterans. My task is to be take them together," he said.

Representatives of the party have fought hard to keep the Congress ideology alive. Senior leaders of the Congress will guide the youths and take the party forward, he added.

Taking a jibe at the present dispensation, Gandhi said that crores of youths in the country, looking up to Modi, are not finding any anything as there were no jobs. "The country is tired of what is happening under the current government. Only the Congress party can show the way and heal divisions in the nation," he said.

"Come what may, this country belongs to everyone, every religion, every caste and every person and the Congress party is for everyone and we will not leave anyone behind," he added. The two-day plenary session is being attended by senior Congress leaders including former party president Sonia Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

12:35  Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session | To those who challenge us, I would say... as of now we have won by-polls under leadership of Rahul Gandhi, soon you'll see us winning states and in 2019 Congress will win the elections: Sachin Pilot

12:27 Gorakhpur debacle won’t happen again: Rajnath Singh

Undaunted by the Gorakhpur bypolls defeat, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the BJP realises that loss is also a possibility in the election. “What happened in Gorakhpur will not happen again because we know that this result is also a possibility,” Singh said at News18’s Rising India Summit.

The remarks come after the BJP lost in the bypolls conducted in Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats. The loss is being seen by political experts as a wake-up call as Gorakhpur was earlier held by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while Phulpur’s elected representative was Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Interestingly, Adityanath won the Gorakhpur seat  five times, making it a BJP bastion.

Read the full report here. 

12:24  Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session | Congress party led India to independence and helped establish democracy. It was democracy which brought PM Modi to power but, ironically, his Govt itself has now become a threat to democracy: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

12:23  Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session | "Congress party led India to independence and helped establish democracy. It was democracy which brought PM Modi to power but, ironically, his Govt itself has now become a threat to democracy," senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said in his address.

12:10 Parliamentary panel raps govt over delay in framing law to regulate AYUSH ads 

A parliamentary committee has rapped the health and AYUSH ministries for their "laid back" approach in the framing of a new legislation to regulate misleading advertisements promoting the sale of AYUSH medicines.

The panel, in its report on Demands for Grants 2018-19 for the Ministry of AYUSH, noted that it is the "need of the hour" to strictly monitor and regulate misleading advertisements promoting the sale traditional medicines.

"The committee is of the view that a strong and strict regulatory framework is essential for quality control of AYUSH drugs," the panel said.

Due to monitoring by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and the Grievances against Misleading Advertisements (GAMA), 65 percent of the advertisements found misleading were withdrawn or rectified and the rest were forwarded to State AYUSH Drug Regulators, the ministry of AYUSH has informed the panel.

The committee is of the view that collaborative efforts of the ministry, along with the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and state governments, have certainly given results as misleading advertisements with respect to AYUSH drugs which have been unregulated so far have been controlled to an extent.

"Hence the role of the ministry is pivotal in proactively pursuing the issue with other departments, ministries, ASCI on a regular basis for effectively preventing the publication of inappropriate misleading advertisements," it said.

11:50 "The slogan ‘na mein khaunga, na Khane dunge’ has now become ‘Mein Khaunga, aur apna doston ko khilaunga’," senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said, taking a dig at PM Modi.

11:49 Mallikarjun Kharge at plenary session in New Delhi

"No one else has the strength to defeat us. If Congress party lost it is because of infighting among members. I request everyone to unite and come together as one," Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said.

11:44 No more personnel changes coming up: White House 

The White House is not planning any "immediate personnel changes" and is focused on work, chief of staff John Kelly has assured President Donald Trump's senior staff, amid a flurry of recent departures of top officials that have jolted the Trump administration.

Kelly met with the administration staff yesterday, reassuring them that their jobs were safe and they "shouldn't be concerned".

"The Chief of Staff actually spoke to a number of staff this morning, reassuring them that there were no immediate personnel changes at this time. And that people shouldn't be concerned," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference yesterday.

"We should do exactly what we do every day, and that's come to work and then do the very best job that we can. And that's exactly what we're doing. That's exactly what we're focused on. And many of us have relayed that to other staffers that weren't part of that meeting," she said.

In a major story on Friday, The Washington Post reported that Trump was "now comfortable" with ousting national security adviser H R McMaster with whom he never personally gelled, but is willing to take time executing the move because he wants to ensure both that the three-star Army general is not humiliated and that there is a strong successor lined up.

11:33 4,500 PHCs transformed into wellness centres: Ashwini Choubey

Union minister Ashwini Choubey today said 4,500 primary health centres have been transformed into wellness centres and rest of the 1.5 lakh such units will be similarly developed to make healthcare accessible and affordable for the poor.

The government has taken several initiatives, such as National Health Policy and Ayushman Bharat, which would fulfil the dream of a Healthy India by 2022, the Minister of State for Health said.

Choubey released two knowledge papers on Healthcare issues at NATEv2018 -- the 5th Annual event of Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH).

"The focus of the government is to transform primary healthcare to help the underserved section of the society and 1.5 lakh primary health centres would be transformed into well-equipped wellness centres.

11:30 Second, third Scorpene-class submarines undergoing sea trials

The second and third of the six Scorpene-class submarines, part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy, are undergoing sea trials while the rest are under construction, a senior naval officer said.

Interacting with reporters during an event at Kota House here, Commandant of National Defence College Vice Admiral Srikant also said the air independent propulsion (AIP) indigenous system for submarines, on which the DRDO is working, will go for marine testing.

He was speaking at the launch of a teaser of 'Breaking Point: Indian Submariners', a four-part series which will air on the Discovery Channel on March 19.

11:24 'The difference between our party and the incumbent ruling party is that they follow the ideology of hatred while we follow the ideology of love and fraternity. The tradition of the Congress party is to embrace change without forgetting our past and legacy,' Congress President Rahul Gandhi said in New Delhi.

11:19 After Kejriwal's apology, Punjab AAP unit contemplates breaking away

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's apology to an SAD leader for accusing him of drugs trade pushed the party's Punjab unit into a crisis as the state leadership contemplated breaking away and forming a separate unit, saying the "meek surrender" was painful and very unfortunate.

Kejriwal's apology to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia triggered upheaval in the state unit as AAP's Punjab unit president Bhagwant Mann and co-president Aman Arora resigned from their posts.

Mann tweeted, "I m resigning as a president of AAP Punjab... but my fight against drug mafia and all kind of corruption in Punjab will continue as an "Aam Aadmi" of Punjab (sic)."

11:15 North Korean minister in 'constructive' talks in Sweden

Sweden's foreign minister held what she called "good and constructive" talks with her North Korean counterpart today amid growing speculation about a possible meeting in the Scandinavian country between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom refused to comment on whether she and North Korea's Ri Yong Ho discussed a Trump-Kim meeting in brief comments as she left the Stockholm villa where the meeting took place.

The building is close to the embassies of South Korea and the United States.

11:13 IndusInd Bank sells 85 lakh shares of Jaypee Infratech

On March 16, 2018 IndusInd Bank Ltd Client A/C sold 85,00,000 shares of Jaypee Infratech at Rs 10.70 on the NSE.

On Friday, Jaypee Infratech ended at Rs 10.70, up Rs 0.50, or 4.90 percent on the NSE.

The share touched its 52-week high Rs 25.55 and 52-week low Rs 9.50 on 08 January, 2018 and 12 March, 2018, respectively.

11:09 Give more autonomy to northeastern people: Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has called for giving more autonomy to the northeastern people and not adopting a one-size-fits-all approach as different areas of the region have different problems.

Speaking at the launch of Avalok Langer's book on the Northeast, 'In Pursuit of Conflict', at Oxford Bookstore here last evening, Tharoor also voiced support for amending the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as, according to him, it does more harm than good.

"I have a clearly point of view for as much autonomy as possible for the local people (of the northeastern states)," Tharoor said, calling for much attention to the needs and sensitivities of each area in the region.

11:01 Congress President Rahul Gandhi says, "Only our party can unite the nation."

11:00 "Only Congress can show the way for this nation. This country belongs to all irrespective of which religion caste community one belongs to. We will work for all," says Rahul Gandhi in the Congress 84th Plenary Session.

10:59 "Today anger is spread across the country, nation is getting divided, one is made to fight against other. Congress' job is to keep them together. You have the strength of this Hand symbol in you," says Rahul Gandhi.

10:58 Rahul Gandhi is addressing the Indian National Congress 84th Plenary Session today. The Congress' three-day plenary session commenced at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Friday.

10:50  Xi Jinping re-elected as China's President after removal of term limit

Chinese President Xi Jinping has been "re-elected" for a second five-year tenure today by China's rubber stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, days after scrapping two-term rule for the President paving the way for his lifelong tenure.

He has also been elected as the head of the powerful Central Military Commission, the overall high command of the Chinese military.

On March 11, over 2900 deputies of the NPC have voted for the constitutional amendment for removing the two-term limit for President and Vice President proposed by the ruling Communist Party of China, (CPC).

Originally Xi is set to retire by 2023 as head of the CPC, the military and Presidency following a two-term limit followed by his predecessors. He became President in 2013.

10:43 Binani Industries moves NCLAT over sale of Binani Cements

Binani Industries has moved the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal against the Resolution Professional (RP) of Binani Cement, alleging that its order was not followed while declaring the successful resolution plan for the struggling cement maker.

Filing a contempt plea against RP and representative of Deloitte who is assisting resolution plan, Binani Industries has also asked the NCLAT to declare the meeting of Committee of Creditors (CoC) of Binani Cements held on March 14, 2018 as "null and Void" in which bid of Dalmia Bharat Cement was approved.

10:42 EU releases list of US products that could face duties

The European Union today published a list of US products it plans to introduce duties on if the 28-nation bloc is not exempted from President Donald Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs.

The list contains dozens of products including breakfast foods, kitchenware, clothing and footwear, washing machines, textiles, whiskey, motorcycles, boats and batteries.

They are worth around 2.8 billion euros (USD 3.4 billion) in trade annually, but the list could grow to the equivalent of 6.4 billion euros once the full extent of the impact of US tariffs is known.

10:35 CDSCO raids 2 firms in Uttarakhand for making drugs without approval

The Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has conducted raids at two firms based in Haridwar and Roorkee and is mulling cancellation of their licenses for manufacturing and selling medicines without approval from the drug regulator, officials said today.

The two companies were apparently found to be manufacturing and selling fixed dose combination for treatment of diabetes and fungal infection without the permission from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

DCGI official said two separate teams of CDSCO raided the premises of the two firms in coordination with the state drug control officials of Uttarakhand and local police officials yesterday.

10:28   Vijay Mallya case: UK judge says ‘obvious' Indian banks broke rules

British judge hearing the extradition case of liquor baron Vijay Mallya today said that it was “blindingly obvious” that rules were being broken by Indian banks which sanctioned some of the loans to the erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines.

Presiding over a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, Judge Emma Arbuthnot directed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian government, to provide a breakdown of where some of the emails and documentary evidence presented in the case came from.

The hearing today marked the effective end of oral arguments in the case, which will now return to the court on April 27 to consider the additional material sought by the judge and for closing submissions by Mallya's defence team.

10:22 100 Left organisations to hold protest in state capitals against Modi govt on May 23

More than 100 Left-affiliated organisations will hold marches in all state capitals on May 23 to protest the Centre's policies.

The 'Jan Ekta Jan Adhikar Andolan' (JEJAA), an umbrella organisation consisting of trade unions, peasant organisations, agricultural workers, state and central government employees, bank and insurance workers, college and university teachers, students, women, dalits, adivasis and environmentalists, would observe 'Protest Day' on May 23.

"Taking further the recent struggle of the peasantry and the workers and various other sections of the people, JEJAA has decided to launch struggle on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of the NDA government," Hannan Mollah, member of the coordination committee told reporters.

10:15 TDP felt that it was pointless to continue in NDA, says N Chandrababu Naidu

TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu tonight wrote to BJP president Amit Shah, saying they felt it pointless to continue in NDA as the union government failed to discharge its constitutional responsibilities in implementing 'Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act,2014' in letter and spirit.

Naidu pointed out that on most of the crucial provisions of the Act, and the assurances given in the Rajya Sabha, the progress was 'tardy, unsatisfactory and disappointing.'

In the four-page letter, the TDP chief, however, did not mention about the 'collusion' between BJP and other parties (YSR Congress and Jana Sena) that he alleged in the morning during a teleconference with party politburo members and MPs.

10:14 Good morning readers, this blog will keep you posted on news around the globe. Stay tune for LIVE updates.