US President Joe Biden delivered his annual State of the Union address to US Congress. Biden started his State of the Union Address with a focus on defending democracy economic recovery and Reproductive Rights but before any of this was brought up he attacked Russian President Putin for the Ukraine war. Biden warned Putin that he will not back down. Biden said that the US is standing up against China's unfair economic practice, standing up for peace and stability across the Taiwan state and revitalizing its partnership with allies like India. Watch to know more!

Biden says US to revitalise partnership with allies like India | US State of Union Address

<p>India's Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah held talks with Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday (March 7) and discussed the chances of an alliance between the regional party and BJP for the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two elections are slated to be held simultaneously in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda in Delhi (07/03) <a href="https://t.co/C3LWe3sNjo">pic.twitter.com/C3LWe3sNjo</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1765861321147404370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The TDP was earlier a part of the National Democratic Alliance, headed by the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party. However, it exited in 2018 when Naidu was the chief minister of the state.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-contest-lok-sabha-polls-from-amethi-up-congress-leader-confirms-697201">Lok Sabha polls: Rahul Gandhi to contest from Amethi and Wayanad, Priyanka to debut from Rae Bareli</a></p>

<p>BJP President JP Nadda also participated in the deliberations, as per some media reports which further hinted that the two parties are open to an alliance. However, the final decision depends on whether they are able to successfully finalise an agreeable seat-sharing arrangement.</p>

<p>However, the scope of an alliance has increased in the wake of a second meeting between the two leaders.</p>

<h2><strong>TDP leaders push for alliance with BJP&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>TDP leaders said that any further delay in the formation of an alliance would not be beneficial as the elections are just months away, and any kind of ambiguity will only confuse party workers and supporters.</p>

<p>Another Jana Sena Party, led by actor Pawan Kalyan, is a member of the NDA and has joined hands with the TDP already. The party is now appealing BJP to follow similar steps.</p>

<p>Kalyan also participated in the meeting with Amit Shah. Naidu earlier held talks with leaders, which included MPs of the TDP.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India Elections 2024: War of words from Modi to Mamata on Sandeshkhali</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-elections-2024-war-of-words-from-modi-to-mamata-on-sandeshkhali-697750/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The talks of the alliance are taking place amid reports that the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal, which is in power in the Indian state of Odisha, are in the final stage of entering an alliance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The reports emerged as the senior leaders of the two parties held separate meetings on Wednesday (Mar 6) and gave hints of such a possibility.</p>

<p>In February, Naidu held talks with Shah and BJP President JP Nadda which ignited speculations regarding them entering an alliance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the reports, the parties have been differing over the number of seats on which the BJP will fight in the state.</p>

<p>There are 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the BJP is willing to contest eight to 10 parliamentary constituencies.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


India's Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah held talks with Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday (March 7) and discussed the chances of an alliance between the regional party and BJP for the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

India's Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah held talks with Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday (March 7) and discussed the chances of an alliance between the regional party and BJP for the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. The two elections are slated to be held simultaneously in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda in Delhi (07/03) pic.twitter.com/C3LWe3sNjo — ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2024 × The TDP was earlier a part of the National Democratic Alliance, headed by the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party. However, it exited in 2018 when Naidu was the chief minister of the state. Also Read: Lok Sabha polls: Rahul Gandhi to contest from Amethi and Wayanad, Priyanka to debut from Rae Bareli BJP President JP Nadda also participated in the deliberations, as per some media reports which further hinted that the two parties are open to an alliance. However, the final decision depends on whether they are able to successfully finalise an agreeable seat-sharing arrangement. However, the scope of an alliance has increased in the wake of a second meeting between the two leaders. TDP leaders push for alliance with BJP TDP leaders said that any further delay in the formation of an alliance would not be beneficial as the elections are just months away, and any kind of ambiguity will only confuse party workers and supporters. Another Jana Sena Party, led by actor Pawan Kalyan, is a member of the NDA and has joined hands with the TDP already. The party is now appealing BJP to follow similar steps. Kalyan also participated in the meeting with Amit Shah. Naidu earlier held talks with leaders, which included MPs of the TDP. Watch: India Elections 2024: War of words from Modi to Mamata on Sandeshkhali The talks of the alliance are taking place amid reports that the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal, which is in power in the Indian state of Odisha, are in the final stage of entering an alliance. The reports emerged as the senior leaders of the two parties held separate meetings on Wednesday (Mar 6) and gave hints of such a possibility. In February, Naidu held talks with Shah and BJP President JP Nadda which ignited speculations regarding them entering an alliance. According to the reports, the parties have been differing over the number of seats on which the BJP will fight in the state. There are 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state and the BJP is willing to contest eight to 10 parliamentary constituencies. (With inputs from agencies)

India elections: BJP's Amit Shah meets TDP's Chandrababu Naidu, discuss possibility of alliance

Today its Mahashivratri, on this Festival devotes offer their prayers to Lord shiva. Prayers are being observed at temples across India. Watch to know more!

Mahashivratri Festival 2024: Devotees offer prayer to Lord Shiva in temples across India

India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) busted a people trafficking network on Thursday which was allegedly sending young people to the Russia-Ukraine war zone under the guise of lucrative jobs. Watch to know more!

India: CBI busts Human Trafficking racket taking Indians to Russia-Ukraine conflict zone

<p>In a move towards strengthening economic integration, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank Indonesia (BI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, to establish a framework promoting the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions.</p>

<p data-ogsb="white">As per a press release by the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, the MoU, inked during the visit of a high-level delegation from BI to Mumbai, aims to enhance business ties between India and Indonesia by facilitating transactions in Indian Rupees (INR) and Indonesian Rupiahs (IDR).</p>

<p data-ogsb="white">The framework, the second of its kind for India with a foreign country after the UAE, encourages the use of INR and IDR in current account transactions, permissible capital account transactions, and other economic and financial dealings as agreed upon by both nations.</p>

<p data-ogsb="white">With bilateral trade between India and Indonesia reaching USD 40 billion in 2022, the MoU is expected to streamline trade processes, reduce settlement time and costs, and minimise foreign exchange volatility for exporters and importers.</p>

<p data-ogsb="white">The MoU lays the groundwork for more profound financial market integration, including opening the door for future payment system linkages.</p>

<p data-ogsb="white">This closer cooperation is set to benefit professionals working in each other's countries, fostering an environment conducive to financial growth.</p>

<p data-ogsb="white">Additionally, it holds promise for about half a million Indian tourists who visit Indonesia annually.</p>


In a move towards strengthening economic integration, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank Indonesia (BI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, to establish a framework promoting the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions.

In a move towards strengthening economic integration, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank Indonesia (BI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, to establish a framework promoting the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions. As per a press release by the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, the MoU, inked during the visit of a high-level delegation from BI to Mumbai, aims to enhance business ties between India and Indonesia by facilitating transactions in Indian Rupees (INR) and Indonesian Rupiahs (IDR). The framework, the second of its kind for India with a foreign country after the UAE, encourages the use of INR and IDR in current account transactions, permissible capital account transactions, and other economic and financial dealings as agreed upon by both nations. With bilateral trade between India and Indonesia reaching USD 40 billion in 2022, the MoU is expected to streamline trade processes, reduce settlement time and costs, and minimise foreign exchange volatility for exporters and importers. The MoU lays the groundwork for more profound financial market integration, including opening the door for future payment system linkages. This closer cooperation is set to benefit professionals working in each other's countries, fostering an environment conducive to financial growth. Additionally, it holds promise for about half a million Indian tourists who visit Indonesia annually.

RBI and Bank Indonesia ink pact to boost bilateral trade using local currencies

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a significant rally in Srinagar on March 7, marking his first visit since the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

PM Modi Kashmir Visit: Indian PM Narendra Modi to unveil infrastructure projects in Srinagar

India: PM Modi to unveil infrastructure projects, address rally ahead of elections

A Google employee was charged Tuesday with stealing artificial intelligence trade secrets from the tech giant while secretly working with two Chinese-based companies in the AI industry. Linwei Ding, who also goes by Leon Ding, is charged with four counts of theft of trade secrets.

Google employee charged with stealing AI trade secrets

The Reserve Bank of India governor, Shaktikanta Das, raised India's economic growth forecast for 2024, citing strong performances in manufacturing, construction, and rural demand. He expects the economy to grow close to 8% this year, exceeding previous estimates.

RBI Governor buoyant on India's growth

Welfare schemes and freebies are an integral part of India's polity. The line between what constitutes a freebie and a welfare scheme is a hazy one. But they have a huge impact on the political economy of India. We decode more on Pollnomics today.

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Assam gears up for PM Modi's two-day visit, includes inauguration of infrastructure and heritage projects totaling Rs 18,000 crore. Watch in for more updates on India's Lok Sabha Election 2024.

India Election 2024: Assam gears up for PM Modi's visit

Indian Navy rescued the crew members of a Barbados-flagged ship that came under the attack of a Houthi missile. The ship caught fire in the Gulf of Aden, three of its crew members died, and the rest were forced to abandon the ship and take refuge in life rafts. Indian Navy's INS Kolkata reached the scene and rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national.

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The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is entering the western state of Gujarat. The flagship Congress campaign March is now in its final leg the state of Gujarat that has been a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party for decades now.

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Wednesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi fired bobs at the Trinamool Congress over the raging Sandeshkhali issue. He warns that the storm of Sandeshkhali will reach every part of West Bengal. A day later Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit back as she led a rally of women supporters in Kolkata today.

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In India's race to power, the 'storm of Sandeshkhali' is sweeping the battleground of West Bengal. Sandeshkhali is where the ruling TMC party is facing political heat with party leaders accused of rape, exploitation and loot. After Prime Minister Modi's addressed a public rally in Barasat on Wednesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for a huge rally in Kolkata on 10th March.

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Special Investigation Team (SIT) finds 13,000 illegal madrasas across Uttar Pradesh. The SIT in its report mentioned, that around 13,000 unauthorised madrasas were functioning. The U.P. government has ordered their closure.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a significant rally in Srinagar on March 7, marking his first visit since the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

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Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms- Customs officials in Thailand arrested six Indian nationals at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport who were allegedly trying to smuggle 87 wild animals, including a red panda and cotton-top tamarin monkey, out of the country.

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The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned its new base "INS Jatayu" at Minicoy in Lakshadweep islands, enhancing its operational capability and reach in the Indian Ocean region. Watch to know more!

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The Indian Navy responded to a maritime incident in the Gulf of Aden, after a Houthi missile strike on a cargo ship off southern Yemen. Watch in for more details!

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Top Congress leadership is likely to deliberate and finalise the candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections when the party's central election committee meet will meet on March 7.

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Indian Election Commission's announcement of the general election schedule is still some days away, but the ruling BJP's election machinery has already run in Top Gear. Late last week the party put out its first list of nearly 200 candidates who will be hitting the campaign Trail. The opposition Congress on the other hand is lagging behind.

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Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy criticised the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and BJP, accusing them of scheming to topple his government. Reddy warned that those who attempt to dislodge his government would not be spared as it is a democratically-elected administration working for the people's welfare.

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Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has hinted at rekindling ties with the BJP for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls and the assembly elections, 15 years after quitting the NDA.

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The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court issued a fresh summons to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal asking him to appear physically on March 16, after the Enforcement Directorate filed a fresh complaint .

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After a rising attacks and Resurgence in piracy attempts India has deployed at least a dozen warships east of the Red Sea to provide security to the merchant vessels. A missile attack by Houthi rebels on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday killed three of its crew members and forced survivors to abandon the Vessel. It was the first fatal strike in a campaign of assaults by the Iranian backed group over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Watch to know more!

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<p>The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has declared a cash reward of ₹1 million ($13k) for any information regarding the perpetrator of the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru city of India's Karnataka state.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Assuring informants of anonymity, the agency sought&nbsp;to expedite the investigation into the incident.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NIA announces a cash reward of Rs. 10 lakh for information about the bomber in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case of Bengaluru. Informant's identity will be kept confidential: NIA <a href="https://t.co/NY5PPnELKE">pic.twitter.com/NY5PPnELKE</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1765316638822298065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>The explosion at the bustling Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru's Brookfield area left nine individuals, including seven customers, injured. Contrary to initial suspicions of a gas leak, investigators later turned their attention to an improvised explosive device (IED) concealed in a bag at the cafe.</p>

<h2><strong>Probe into the incident</strong></h2>

<p>Karnataka Police, in collaboration with the NIA and Intelligence Bureau (IB), are conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the blast. Surveillance footage captured moment of the explosion, triggering chaos and prompting an urgent evacuation of the premises.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/inside-bengalurus-rameshwaram-cafe-blast-man-orders-idli-flees-leaving-bag-with-explosives-watch-695702">Also read |&nbsp;Rameshwaram Cafe blast: Man orders idli, flees leaving bag with explosives at Bengaluru eatery. WATCH</a></p>

<p>Authorities suspect the blast originated from a bag placed by an unidentified individual. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has raised concerns over the incident, suggesting the involvement of an improvised explosive device (IED), and disclosing details about a suspicious individual captured on security cameras.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah said&nbsp;that a masked individual arrived by bus, purchased food from the cafe, and subsequently left behind a bag containing an IED with a timer device.&nbsp;He urged the public to refrain from politicising the issue and urged cooperation with the investigation, promising stringent action against the culprits.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: At least nine injured, shifted to hospital</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bengaluru-rameshwaram-cafe-blast-at-least-nine-injured-shifted-to-hospital-695644/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Despite the unsettling incident, the co-founder of Rameshwaram Cafe announced plans to reopen the establishment on March 8, extending resilience in the face of adversity.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has declared a cash reward of ₹1 million ($13k) for any information regarding the perpetrator of the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru city of India's Karnataka state.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has declared a cash reward of ₹1 million ($13k) for any information regarding the perpetrator of the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru city of India's Karnataka state. Assuring informants of anonymity, the agency sought to expedite the investigation into the incident. NIA announces a cash reward of Rs. 10 lakh for information about the bomber in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case of Bengaluru. Informant's identity will be kept confidential: NIA pic.twitter.com/NY5PPnELKE — ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2024 × The explosion at the bustling Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru's Brookfield area left nine individuals, including seven customers, injured. Contrary to initial suspicions of a gas leak, investigators later turned their attention to an improvised explosive device (IED) concealed in a bag at the cafe. Probe into the incident Karnataka Police, in collaboration with the NIA and Intelligence Bureau (IB), are conducting a comprehensive inquiry into the blast. Surveillance footage captured moment of the explosion, triggering chaos and prompting an urgent evacuation of the premises. Also read | Rameshwaram Cafe blast: Man orders idli, flees leaving bag with explosives at Bengaluru eatery. WATCH Authorities suspect the blast originated from a bag placed by an unidentified individual. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has raised concerns over the incident, suggesting the involvement of an improvised explosive device (IED), and disclosing details about a suspicious individual captured on security cameras. Siddaramaiah said that a masked individual arrived by bus, purchased food from the cafe, and subsequently left behind a bag containing an IED with a timer device. He urged the public to refrain from politicising the issue and urged cooperation with the investigation, promising stringent action against the culprits. Also watch | Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: At least nine injured, shifted to hospital Despite the unsettling incident, the co-founder of Rameshwaram Cafe announced plans to reopen the establishment on March 8, extending resilience in the face of adversity. (With inputs from agencies)

Rameshwaram cafe blast: India’s NIA announces ₹1 million reward for information on bomber

Customs officials in Thailand arrested six Indian nationals at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport who were allegedly trying to smuggle 87 wild animals, including a red panda and cotton-top tamarin monkey, out of the country.

Six Indians arrested in Bangkok Airport for allegedly trafficking wild animals

Six Indians arrested in Bangkok for allegedly trafficking Red Panda, 86 other wild animals

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