Highlights: Iran, Saudi Arabia to re-establish diplomatic ties

A 26-year-old man, Sainath Naroti shot dead by naxals in Bhamragarh, Gadchiroli in Maharashtra on suspicions of being a Police informer, ANI reported. 

Telangana minister KT Rama Rao arrived at the Telangana chief minister and his father K Chandrashekar Rao's residence ahead of BRS MLC K Kavitha's scheduled appearance before the ED tomorrow in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday inaugurated Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium Complex and Hockey Training Centres in Rourkela. 

The stadium is designed with four galleries and a seating capacity of over 9000 spectators, including seating for people with disabilities. The complex includes an Olympic-sized indoor pool. This pool is equipped to host regional level competitions, as it has a gallery with seating for 500 spectators.

Iran and Saudi Arabia on Friday agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after seven years of tensions, according to AP reports. The two Mideast rivals came up with the decision after talks between officials in Beijing. Read more

Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) party president and Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Friday said that party will not go for early polls, and that it will go into elections as per schedule, according to ANI reports citing party MLC Koushik Reddy. He instructed party members to conduct Padayatras across the state. 

Haryana health minister Anil Vij stated that so far10 cases of H3N2 virus has been reported in the state and that precaution is needed, ANI reported. He further said that the state is preparing and there is no need to panic as the virus like H1N1, even milder. 

As per MoHFW, so far Karnataka and Haryana have confirmed one death each from H3N2 virus.

Massive fire that broke out on the set of a TV serial in Goregaon film city in Mumbai has now been declared a Level 3 as it has spread to 4 to 4 studios due to wind flow. Fire fighting operations underway.

Fire broke out on the set of a TV serial in Goregaon film city in Mumbai, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) statement. No injuries have been reported and efforts to douse the fire are underway.

Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Friday remanded Manish Sisodia to 7 days ED custody in the case of money laundering registered by ED in connection with the alleged irregularities in framing and implementation of the Delhi Liquor Excise Policy.

Delhi police on Friday stated that cognisance of the video where a Japanese woman was allegedly harassed by men during Holi celebration had been taken after it had gone viral, ANI reported. “Email sent to embassy for details of the woman and information on men seen in the video also being collected,” police further said.

Union Health Ministry on Friday stated that it is keeping a close watch on the Seasonal Influenza situation in various States/UTs through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network on real-time basis. The ministry said that so far, Karnataka and Haryana have confirmed one death each from H3N2 influenza.

Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Friday reserved the order on remand application moved by the Enforcement Directorate. Order will be pronounced soon. Court adjourned hearing on the bail application moved by Manish Sisodia for March 21.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Friday rescued from a gorge in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand where a car was reported falling from a road bend ahead of Mussoorie lake near Bhatta village at around 11. 50 am.

Union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal said that the India-US Commercial Dialogue will help in rapidly expanding India-US business to business engagement. He said that Top US companies will be presenting on Friday's CEO Forum meeting.

Delhi excise policy case: The Enforcement Directorate told the Delhi Court that Manish Sisodia's statement on increasing profit margins differed from others.

According to ED, Sisodia stated that "profit margins to wholesale sellers were doubled based on previous calculations."

The Enforcement Directorate sought a 10-day custody of Delhi's former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on the grounds that he needs to be confronted with 3-4 people who had been summoned. Officers whose statements have been recorded in the case are among them. 

Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Manish Sisodia, opposed ED plea seeking Sisodia's 10-day custody. Read more

Delhi excise policy case: Enforcement Directorate on Friday told Delhi Court that the conspiracy was coordinated by Vijay Nair, along with others and that the ‘Excise policy’ was brought out for extraordinary profit margin for wholesalers. 

Sumalatha Ambareesh, an actress turned politician and Independent MP from Mandya in Karnataka, announced her support for the BJP on Friday, ANI reported. “I extend my support to BJP led by PM Narendra Modi. I believe in the leadership of PM Modi,” Sumalatha said.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia was brought to a Delhi court in the alleged scam in Delhi excise policy case on Friday.

A shooting at a Jehovah's Witnesses hall in the German city of Hamburg killed eight people, apparently including the perpetrator, police said Friday. Read more.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has received “assurances on safety of Indians in Australia” after meeting Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Friday during bilateral talks.

Punjab government on Friday has proposed the allocation of ₹1,000 cr for crop diversification; to start crop insurance scheme, said its finance minister while tabling budget.

Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema proposes total budget size of over ₹1.96 lakh crore for FY 2023-24.

PM Narendra Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese met at Hyderabad House on Friday to hold bilateral talks.