Breaking news: India, 3 EU nations begin 2-day naval drill in Gulf of Aden

The next Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls will be contested under the leadership of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, state BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh confirmed on Friday. This comes amid speculation that the Union government maybe looking at replacing Adityanath over Covid-19 management.

Pakistan opposition on Friday staged a walkout from the National Assembly over federal budget. According to the local media, Bilawal Bhutto said that the country has seen an unprecedented increase in inflation, poverty and unemployment during the PTI's rule. He also questioned the authenticity of the government's claims of economic growth.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Friday alleged that the central government is "defaming" the farmers' protest against the three contentious farm laws. The umbrella body of the farmers' union also said that the agitation would not dissipate as being "hoped" by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "Every opportunity is being desperately seized upon to slander the protestors. However, their failed strategy is bound to fail again," PTI quoted the union as saying.

India and three European nation began a two-day high-voltage naval wargame in the Gulf of Aden with the aim of improving operational interoperability and promote, peace, security and stability in the key waterways, PTI quoted an official as saying.

Delhi Traffic Police on Friday prohibited movement of any motor vehicle on the main Chandni Chowk road from Red Fort to Fatehpuri Mosque from 9am to 9pm. The police said no motor vehicle is allowed to ply on the route during the time on all days.

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla on Friday said not even a single Member of Parliament (MP) in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha objected to the construction of the new parliament building when the request for it was made by both houses to the Centre.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a high-level meeting on Friday reviewed developmental works in Jammu and Kashmir. The home ministry said that all-round development and welfare of J-K are top priorities of the Modi government. During the meeting, Shah congratulated Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for completing 76 per cent vaccination targets in J-K and 100% in four districts.

Karnataka revenue minister R Ashoka on Friday said that there is no change in the leadership and BS Yediyurappa will continue as the chief minister.

"There is no change in the leadership. BS Yediyurappa will continue as the chief minister. No MLA is talking about this. There are only one or two of them & we will take strict action within few days," ANI quoted him as saying.

A 5-member delegation of Lok Janshakti Party met Election Commission on Friday. "In 2019, I was elected as LJP president for 5 years. EC has assured us that if somebody tries to prove claim in name of LJP, we will be given chance to provide evidence," ANI quoted Chirag Paswan as saying about the meeting.

Assam education minister Ranoj Pegu on Friday said that the government has decided to cancel High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary (HS) examinations.

National security advisor Ajit Doval, home secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau director Arvind Kumar, R&AW chief Samant Kumar Goel, CRPF director General Kuldiep Singh and Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh arrived at Union home ministry on Friday to attend a high-level meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah.

Meeting of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information & Technology has begun and representatives from Twitter India are also present in the meeting. The representatives from the microblogging site deposed before the parliamentary panel over issues of social media platform misuse and protection of citizen rights.

Newly elected Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Pashupati Kumar Paras said according to the party's constitution, Chirag Paswan is neither LJP's national president nor the leader of the parliamentary party. "Yesterday’s election was completely valid under party's constitution, of which he is not aware," ANI quoted Paras as saying for the constitutionality of his appointment as party president.

Dr Naveet Wig, head of the medicine department, All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) on Friday cautioned about the looming threat of coronavirus disease (Covid-19). "Virus has not been eradicated, it keeps on changing its colours. Wear a clean mask and do not use an unhygienic mask at all," ANI quoted Dr Wig as saying.

A special court of Delhi on Friday dismissed bail petition of Christian Michel, who is an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland case. The court rejected the bail in both CBI and ED cases, reported ANI.

Union minister for health and family welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday urged the citizens to remain cautious and follow all Covid protocol. "People started taking Covid appropriate behaviour lightly after vaccine was rolled out. We have started the unlocking process but we still need to remain cautious and follow all Covid protocols properly," ANI quoted the minister as saying.

IMD Karnataka said red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued in Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts for Friday and Saturday. Kodagu, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts have been given orange alert warning for the same period, reported ANI.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said that the southwest monsoon has advanced into some parts of north Arabian Sea, most parts of Gujarat region, some parts of Saurashtra, southeast Rajasthan and some more parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

Calcutta High Court orders National Human Rights Commission to examine complaints about displacement of people in West Bengal due to post poll violence.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Legislative Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has given a petition to the assembly Speaker for disqualification of TMC leader Mukul Roy, MLA from 83-Krishnanagar Uttar Assembly constituency, reports ANI.