THE HEADLINES:
• New Delhi slams Pakistan for longstanding misuse of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation platform for anti-India propaganda.
• West Bengal Governor visits violence hit areas of Murshidabad; Assures help to affected families.
• Gujarat Government announces 5 per cent Tax rebate on Electric Vehicles to boost Green Mobility.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, WAVES is emerging as a global connector between creators, buyers, and markets for creative solutions.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin announces Easter truce in conflict against Ukraine till Sunday midnight.
• In Squash, Veer Chotrani and Anahat Singh enter final of World Championship Qualifying Event Asia in Kuala Lumpur.
• In IPL T20 Cricket, Gujarat Titans beat Delhi Capitals by 7 wickets in a table-topping clash at Ahmedabad.
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India has slammed Pakistan for misuse of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) platform. Replying to a query during media briefing in New Delhi this evening, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, it is a longstanding habit of Islamabad, and New Delhi has regularly spoken out against it and raised the issue with friends and partners in the OIC.
Replying to a question on the Russia-Ukraine war, the Foreign Secretary said it is going to be a significant area of discussion during the Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia. He noted that the Prime Minister has articulated India’s position on the need for dialogue to address and resolve the issue, encouraging the principal protagonists to sit around the table and find a solution.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two day visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday at the invitation of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This will be PM Modi’s third visit to the Kingdom.
Briefing media in New Delhi this evening, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, the visit is important on account of the obvious significance of Saudi Arabia as a strategic partner for India. He said, the visit provides an opportunity to build on the already strong relations with this strategic partner. The Foreign Secretary said, the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince share a very close personal relationship with a lot of warmth and respect for each other, and the bilateral relationship has gained a lot from strategic guidance at the topmost level.
Mr Modi will be welcomed to the city of Jeddah by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. The two leaders will co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council. Several MoUs between the two sides are also expected to be signed after the bilateral talks.
Mr Modi is also expected to visit a factory employing Indian workers in Saudi Arabia.
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West Bengal Governor Dr C V Ananda Bose visited the violence affected areas of Samsherganj and Jafrabad of Murshidabad district today. He has assured all help to the families of those killed during violent protest against the Waqf Amendment Act in Murshidabad. In Shamsherganj the Governor met the family members of the father son duo who were killed by an unruly mob on the 12th of this month.
The Police have arrested 3 persons in connection with the killing including the key accused Inmajul Haque. People of Jafrabad demanded Border Security Force camps for their protection.
On the other hand, a five member team led by National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya K Rahatkar visited the family of those killed in violence on the 12th of April during anti Waqf protests in Samsherganj.
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Eleven people have lost their lives after a four-storey building collapsed in the Mustafabad area of Delhi during the wee hours today. Five people rescued from the debris are undergoing treatment, while six injured have been discharged after receiving medical care. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with the Police, Fire Department, Delhi Disaster Management Authority, and other agencies, are engaged in the rescue operation. An official from the NDRF described it as a “pancake collapse,” in which a structure collapses vertically. He highlighted that space constraints in the congested area are limiting the use of heavy machinery and posing a challenge to the rescue efforts.
Responding to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed her condolences and ordered an investigation into the matter, assuring strict action against the culprits. She stated that medical arrangements have been made for the treatment of all the injured.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sadness on the loss of lives due to a building collapse in Dayalpur area of North East Delhi. In a social media post, Mr Modi expressed condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. He hoped that the injured will recover soon. Mr Modi announced that an ex-gratia of two lakh rupees from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. He said, the injured will be given 50 thousand rupees.
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The Gujarat government has announced a substantial 5 per cent rebate on motor vehicle tax for electric vehicles, reducing the rate from 6 per cent to just 1 per cent to encourage EV adoption. The decision has been made to boost electric vehicle adoption, protect the environment, and promote the tourism sector. This green initiative, valid until 31st March next year, is now live on the VAHAN 4.0 portal. Additionally, the previously applicable tax rates of 8 percent and 12 percent on passenger vehicles classified under the maxi category have been revised to a uniform rate of 6 percent, based on the seating capacity of the vehicles.
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Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that the world of creators and their economy is going through a fundamental change. Interacting with the news media in New Delhi today ahead of the maiden World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, Mr Vaishnaw said, with the advent of technology, the old model is giving way to the new model, creating opportunities as well as challenges. He said, India’s creative economy has received an overwhelming boost, with more than one lakh registrations for WAVES 2025.
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In a significant breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has dismantled a cross-border drug syndicate operating between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Addressing a press conference in the National Capital, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Surender Singh Jakhar said ten accused have been arrested in this operation. He said the operation led to the seizure of a large quantity of heroin, mobile phones, vital incriminating evidence, and drug proceeds.
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The Punjab Police have busted two foreign-based, ISI-backed terror modules arresting 13 operatives with a cache of arms and ammunition. Punjab Police Chief Gaurav Yadav said, these modules were operated by France- and Greece-based Babbar Khalsa International operatives, who were working in close coordination with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin today announced an Easter truce in the conflict in Ukraine starting this evening and lasting till midnight on Sunday. In televised comments, while speaking to chief of Russia’s general staff Valery Gerasimov, Mr. Putin announced the Easter truce. Mr. Putin said, he assumed Ukraine would follow Russia’s example, but told the chief of Russia’s general staff to keep Russian troops ready to repel any violations of the truce by Kyiv.
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The second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran began in Italy today. Both sides are discussing Tehran’s civilian nuclear programme and the termination of American sanctions against Iran. The talks led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US President’s Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff are hosted by Oman’s Embassy in Rome.
Washington wants Iran to halt production of highly enriched uranium, which it believes is aimed at building an atomic bomb.
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President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar have extended greetings to all citizens, especially the Christian community residing in India and abroad, on the eve of Easter. In her message, the President said the sacred festival of Easter, commemorating the resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ, conveys a message of selfless love and service. President Murmu added that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ teaches the values of renunciation and forgiveness, and His life inspires humanity to follow the path of truth, justice, and compassion.
Vice President Dhankhar said, Easter symbolizes hope and renewal through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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In Squash, Veer Chotrani and Anahat Singh advanced to the finals of the World Championship Qualifying Event (Asia) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today. The second-seeded Chotrani prevailed 3-1 against Chi Him Wong, his eighth-seeded opponent from Hong Kong.
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In IPL T20 Cricket, Gujarat Titans defeated Delhi Capitals by 7 wickets in a table-topping clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Titans comfortably achieved the target of 204 runs in 19.2 overs losing three wickets. For Gujarat, Jos Buttler was the highest scorer who remained unbeaten on 97 off 54 balls.
Meanwhile, in another match, electing to bat first, Lucknow Super Giants were 166 for 5 in 19.3 overs against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, when reports last came in.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• New Delhi slams Pakistan for longstanding misuse of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation platform for anti-India propaganda.
• West Bengal Governor visits violence hit areas of Murshidabad; Assures help to affected families.
• Gujarat Government announces 5 per cent Tax rebate on Electric Vehicles to boost Green Mobility.
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, WAVES is emerging as a global connector between creators, buyers, and markets for creative solutions.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin announces Easter truce in conflict against Ukraine till Sunday midnight.
• In Squash, Veer Chotrani and Anahat Singh enter final of World Championship Qualifying Event Asia in Kuala Lumpur.
• In IPL T20 Cricket, Gujarat Titans beat Delhi Capitals by 7 wickets in a table-topping clash at Ahmedabad.
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