Ukrainian Forces Withdraw From Avdiivka Amid Escalating Russian Attacks: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, February 17, 2024

Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the key eastern town of Avdiivka after months of intense fighting. The town of Avdiivka had become one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds on the eastern front and had witnessed an escalation of Moscow's attacks.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, on Saturday, February 17, attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he will become a dictator if you vote him back to power. "They are trying hard to bring their govt back by hook or crook, they are controlling independent bodies like media, ED, Income Tax, CBI, and judiciary.  Don't make him powerful, don't make him a dictator. He will become a dictator and there will be no elections in the future," Mallikarjun Kharge said.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, on Saturday, February 17, addresses "The Telegraph-Calcutta Club National Debate" at Calcutta Club. Speaking at the event, Mamata Banerjee said the federal system of the country has been totally bulldozed. "We supported GST thinking that one tax would help the country. But now, GST has become the (central) government’s ‘selfish tax’. State governments are not getting their money," she added.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, on Saturday, February 17, said that if Balasaheb Thackeray would be alive today, he would have appreciated the work of PM Modi and the development of Ram mandir and abrogation of Article 370. "They (Uddhav Thackeray) have no right to speak for Hindutva. Balasaheb Thackeray has taught us about true Hindutva. People of Maharashtra will vote for us and throw them (Uddhav Thackeray) into the dustbin Because we are the real Shiv Sena, not they (Uddhav Thackeray)," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, February 17, addressed BJP's two-day national council meeting at Delhi's Bharat Mandapam. Speaking at the event, Yogi Adityanath said that PM Narendra Modi leads the country from Uttar Pradesh. "Today, Lord Ram Lalla is finally in his divine and magnificent palace after five generations. Every devotee of Lord Ram is delighted, as India has been waiting for this moment for very long," he said.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Saturday, February 17, said that the number of startups in 2014 was around 300-500. Speaking at the BJP National Convention in Delhi,  Rajnath Singh said that the current number is more than 1,20,000.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath, on Saturday, February 17, said that he was happy to announce the successful accomplishment of the mission GSLV-F14 INSAT-3DS. "The spacecraft has been injected into a very good orbit. We also noted that the vehicle has performed very well. Congratulations to everyone who has been a part of the team," he said.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite today, February 17, at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite was launched onboard a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV-F14).

ISRO Launches INSAT-3DS Satellite

ISRO is set to launch the INSAT-3DS meteorological satellite via GSLV-F14 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 5:35 pm today, February 17. The satellite aims to bolster weather forecasting and disaster warnings.

ISRO Set To Launch INSAT-3DS Meteorological Satellite

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president JP Nadda, on Saturday, February 17, unfurled the party's flag during the two-day National Council meeting of BJP at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.

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A fire broke out in a shop located in the market yard near gate number 10 in Pune city. Four fire tenders are currently on the scene, working to control the blaze.

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A significant fire broke out in two companies located behind Gami Industrial Park of Pawne MIDC, Navi Mumbai. The incident has prompted a swift response from local authorities, with several fire tenders dispatched to the scene.

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A sudden explosion took place in a firecracker manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar on Saturday.

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A goods train derailed in Delhi on Saturday, resulting in the derailment of eight wagons. The incident occurred around 11:50 am near the Zakhira flyover in north Delhi.

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A stage collapse near the entrance of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi resulted in at least eight people being injured on Friday. The incident occurred while work was underway on the lawn near Gate No. 2 of the stadium.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has commenced its two-day National Council meeting today at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. The meeting is expected to be attended by around 11,500 delegates from across the country. The party’s top brass, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is set to outline its campaign themes for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

Rouse Avenue court in Delhi allowed CM Arvind Kejriwal to appear before it physically on March 16 after he cited trust vote today and budget session behind him not appearing in court in excise policy case.

A massive fire broke out in Govandi’s Baiganwadi, Mumbai, early Saturday morning, causing significant damage to at least ten to fifteen houses. The incident occurred around 4 am, and fortunately, no injuries have been reported. Fire engines and water tankers were immediately dispatched to the scene to combat the blaze.

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A fire broke out in a car showroom in Shivamogga, Karnataka, on Friday night. The incident occurred at a Hyundai Motor company dealership located on Shankara Mutt Road at Sheshadripuram. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, but a short circuit is suspected. Fortunately, there was no loss of human life in the incident as the staff had already left for the day. However, the building suffered significant damage.

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