Today’s news LIVE: Jan 30 | Merger of two NCP groups was imminent: Ajit Pawar aide

Amit Shah to launch projects worth Rs 1,715 crore in Assam

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several development projects worth Rs 1,715 crore in Assam on Friday.

He will also address a public meeting, participate in a cultural programme of the Mishing tribe and interact with BJP functionaries and workers in Dibrugarh, Dhemaji and Guwahati, respectively.

Shah reached Dibrugarh around midnight on Thursday and was received by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, several members of the state cabinet and senior officials.

This is Shah's second visit, since December 29, to Assam, where the ruling BJP is aiming to retain power in the state for the third consecutive term in the upcoming assembly elections. ''Honoured to welcome Adarniya @AmitShah ji at Dibrugarh airport'', the chief minister posted on 'X'.

''His visit will mark key milestones across Upper Assam, spanning development, governance, and cultural celebration. We look forward to his guidance and everlasting support for the people of Assam'', Sarma said.

Rupee recovers from lowest level in early trade

The rupee recovered from its lowest level and gained 9 paise to trade at 91.90 against the American currency in early deals on Friday, supported by lower crude oil prices in the international market.

According to forex traders, a sharp recovery in the Indian currency was capped by a strong greenback and withdrawal of foreign funds from domestic equity markets.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 91.89 and strengthened up to 91.87 against the greenback before trading at 91.90 in initial deals, up 9 paisa from its previous closing level.

The rupee ended on a flat note at its lowest level of 91.99 against the dollar on Thursday. On January 23, the currency hit an all-time intraday low of 92 against the US dollar.

Merger of two NCP groups was imminent; Ajit Pawar was keen on it: Aide

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was keen on the merger of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and it was about to happen soon, a close associate of the deceased leader has claimed.

Kiran Gujar, who had been associated with Ajit Pawar since before his entry into politics in the mid-1980s, told PTI on Thursday that Pawar had confided in him about this only five days before Wednesday’s fatal plane crash.

“He was one hundred per cent keen on merging both the factions. He had told me five days ago that the entire process was complete and the merger was imminent in the next few days," Gujar said.

During the recent civic polls, which the two factions contested in alliance, Ajit Pawar had also told select journalists that he intended to merge his party with the NCP (SP) while his uncle Sharad Pawar (85) was in good health.

After contesting the January 15 civic elections in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad together, the two factions decided to continue the tie-up for the next month's Zilla Parishad elections too. 

Gujar said that Ajit had a roadmap ready for the merger and future course of the united NCP. Asked whether he had discussed the issue with Sharad Pawar, Gujar said "positive talks were underway with Pawar saheb, Supriya Tai (Supriya Sule) and other leaders", and there were indications that the senior Pawar would endorse the move.

Ranveer Singh’s 'Dhurandhar' streams on Netflix from today

After making a strong impact at the box office and emerging as one of the biggest blockbusters in recent times, Ranveer Singh–starrer Dhurandhar has now made its debut on the digital platform.

The film began streaming on Netflix from midnight on Friday, expanding its reach to a global audience. Along with the original Hindi version, Dhurandhar is also available in Tamil and Telugu, allowing viewers across multiple language markets to watch the film.

Commenting on the film’s arrival on Netflix, Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, said in a press note that Dhurandhar has become a pop-culture phenomenon and a blockbuster that captured widespread audience attention.

Dhurandhar has rewritten box office history by surpassing 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. Apart from Ranveer Singh, the film features Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan in pivotal roles. 

Srinivasan, husband of IOA chief PT Usha, passes away

V Srinivasan, husband of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President and Rajya Sabha MP PT Usha, died in the early hours of Friday, according to family sources. He was 67.

Srinivasan collapsed at his residence early this morning. Although he was rushed immediately to a nearby hospital, he could not be revived, the sources said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to a bereaved Usha and expressed his condolences on the passing away of her husband, officials said.

A former central government employee, Srinivasan was a constant presence by Usha's side throughout her illustrious sporting and political career. He was widely regarded as her pillar of support and the driving force behind her many professional milestones.

US to return three ancient bronze sculptures to India

The US will return three ancient bronze sculptures to India that were illegally removed from the country’s temples.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington DC said Wednesday that three sculptures will be returned to the Government of India, following "rigorous provenance research” that documented the sculptures had been removed illegally from temple settings. A statement issued by the museum said that the Indian government has agreed to place one of the sculptures on long-term loan, an arrangement that will allow the museum to publicly share the full story of the object’s origins, removal and return, and to underscore the museum’s commitment to provenance research.

The sculptures are ‘Shiva Nataraja’ belonging to the Chola period, circa 990; ‘Somaskanda’ of the Chola period, 12th century; and ‘Saint Sundarar with Paravai' of the Vijayanagar period, 16th century.

The sculptures “exemplify the rich artistry of South Indian bronze casting” and were originally sacred objects traditionally carried in temple processions. The ‘Shiva Nataraja’, which is to be placed on long-term loan, will be on view as part of the exhibition ‘The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas’, the statement said.

Uttarakhand HC dismisses plea against 'Sainik Dham' project

The Uttarakhand High Court has dismissed a plea seeking to halt the construction of the proposed "Sainik Dham" in Dehradun's Guniyal village.

The court has made it clear that the land on which the war memorial is being built is not forest land and therefore, there is no basis to stop the construction. Petitioner Vikas Singh Negi had filed the public interest litigation (PIL) matter, stating that the state government is proceeding with the construction of the "Sainik Dham", without determining the true nature of the land.

The plea had also claimed that the site fell under a forest area. On this basis, it had sought wide-ranging reliefs, including an immediate stay on the construction, the handing over of the land to the forest department, an inquiry by a special investigation team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged illegal change of land use, removal of encroachments and action against erring officials.

On behalf of the state government, a reference was made to a joint land-survey report prepared by the revenue and forest departments. The report clearly stated that the land was not part of any forest area. It also noted that the forest department had no objection to the allocation of the land for the "Sainik Dham".

Flight from Bangladesh lands in Pak’s Karachi for first time in 14 years

A flight from Bangladesh capital Dhaka landed at the Jinnah International Airport in Pakistan’s Karachi on Thursday, restoring non-stop air connectivity between the two countries after 14 years.

According to the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA), the Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG-341) from Dhaka to Karachi reached on Thursday evening. "This is the first flight from Dhaka which landed at Jinnah International Airport after 14 years," it said in a statement.

After landing at Karachi airport, the Biman Airlines flight was welcomed with a traditional water salute. "A new chapter in Pakistan-Bangladesh friendship -- air connectivity restored after 14 years, marked by a high-level reception ceremony at Karachi Airport," the PAA added.

The development comes amid growing bonhomie between Bangladesh and Pakistan after prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following massive student-led protests in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024.

The airlines will operate flights between Dhaka and Karachi twice a week and has been given license until March 30 to test the waters before a long-term permission is given to the airlines, sources said.

Venezuelan lawmakers approve easing state control of oil industry

Venezuela's legislature on Thursday approved opening the nation's oil sector to privatisation, reversing a tenet of the self-proclaimed socialist movement that has ruled the country for more than two decades.

The National Assembly approved the overhaul of the energy industry law less than a month after the brazen seizure of then-President Nicolas Maduro in a US military attack in Venezuela's capital.

The bill now awaits the signature of acting President Delcy Rodriguez, who proposed the changes in the days after US President Donald Trump said his administration would take control of the Venezuela's oil exports and revitalise the ailing industry by luring foreign investment.

Trump threatens tariffs on any country selling oil to Cuba

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, a move that puts pressure on Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that her government had at least temporarily stopped oil shipments to Cuba, but said it was a “sovereign decision” not made under pressure from the United States.

Trump has been squeezing Mexico to distance itself from the Cuban government.