Solar Eclipse: Cheers in Mexico as moon begins passing over sun

At the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, thick clouds cleared late this morning as dozens of people gathered
at the Hidden Springs Ranger Station. The national forest is in the path of totality and will experience just over four minutes of darkness.

Thousands of people are expected to watch the eclipse from this area, a park official said.

Cheers broke out along the beach in this resort city as the moon began to pass over the sun.

Hundreds in a beachside park had passed the waiting time by readying their equipment and listening to a youth orchestra play Star Wars songs while a large screen projected images of Princess Leia behind them.

Commerce Secretary, Sunil Barthwal inaugurates the 7th round of India-Peru Trade Agreement negotiations. The Peruvian delegation is in New Delhi and the Working Groups shall engage in productive negotiations during the 4-day round from 8-11th April, 2024.

Partial eclipse begins over the South Pacific as the moon starts to cover up the sun

Abortion rights should be left up to US states to decide, Republican Donald Trump said Monday, rejecting a national abortion ban after months of mixed signals on one of the most contentious issues of the November election

'"There is no special drive to re-open cases of mismatch, and media reports alleging that large-scale re-opening is being undertaken by the CBDT are completely misplaced," Ministry of Finance said in a statement

Shops and establishments not displaying signboards in Marathi or Devanagari script will have to pay double property tax from May 1, Mumbai's civic body said

Germany’s ruling coalition will forge ahead this quarter with a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s armed forces with orders worth as much as €7 billion ($7.6 billion) for two navy frigates and hundreds of armored transport vehicles, according to a Bloomberg report

Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "...Delhi LG (Vinai Kumar Saxena) needs to understand the Constitution...Water, health, environment and forest are all transferred subjects of the elected govt...When we tell him our problems, he says that they are transferred subjects but now he is calling a meeting of the ministers...If the LG is interested in running the govt then he can fight the elections and defeat Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal."

Supreme Court on Monday underlined the need for an effective standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure trouble-free access of airports across the country to persons with disability.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud was hearing a plea filed by a wheelchair-bound woman who had faced difficulties at Kolkata airport on January 30. "You are justifying your action about asking a woman wheelchair-bound passenger to stand up and stand up for screening in a security area in the airport," the bench told Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee, who was representing the Centre.

Denial of partial Input Tax Credit of Rs 21,03,063/- and consequential levy of Interest of Rs. 18,92,753/- and Penalty of Rs 2,27,380/-, aggregating to Rs. 42,23,196, by passing order under section 73 of Karnataka Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, the firm said in a regulatory filing.

Union minister and BJP leader Shantanu Thakur on Monday claimed to have received a letter from terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), threatening him that if NRC is implemented in West Bengal, they will burn the entire country”.

The purported letter, typed in Bengali, also threatened to raze the 'Thakurbari', a pilgrimage of the Matua community, in case Muslims were tortured following the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Frequent weather shocks caused by climate change pose challenges for the monetary policy as well as downside risks to economic growth, a Reserve Bank report said. Global average temperatures are on a rise, with accompanying increase in extreme weather events (EWE), and the economic and social impact of global warming is becoming increasingly evident, said RBI's Monetary Policy Report – April 2024.

India's top singles player Sumit Nagal shocks world number 38 Matteo Arnaldi in Monte Carlo, earns his maiden main draw win at an ATP Masters event.

Delhi HC to pronounce on Tuesday verdict on Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest and ED remand in excise policy-linked money laundering case

The Kerala government has handed over to CBI the probe into alleged financial fraud worth hundreds of crores of rupees involving a Thrissur-based private financial firm.

ED, Hyderabad has attached various movable/ immovable properties totalling to Rs. 25.20 crore belonging to Methuku Ravinder, his family members, close aides and associates, under the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in Sun Parivar Ponzi Scheme case

Delhi LG writes to MHA; claims Delhi ministers, especially Saurabh Bharadwaj, refused to attend meetings with him, citing excuses, says Raj Niwas

The bank shall not, without prior approval of RBI in writing grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits, disburse or agree to disburse any payment whether in discharge of its liabilities and obligations, RBI said in a release

Delhi HC stays conviction of former union minister Dilip Ray in coal scam case to enable him to contest upcoming elections

Gujarat government has declared May 7, when voting will take place for all 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state and five Assembly bypolls, as a public holiday, an official said on Monday. A notification on this was issued by the state General Administration Department (GAD), he added. A notification on this was issued by the state General Administration Department (GAD), he added.

The Mughal Road, connecting Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region with Shopian in south Kashmir, reopened for one-way traffic on Monday after being closed for more than three months due to heavy snowfall, officials said. Movement is being allowed from Poonch and Rajouri to Shopian, they said.

JLR today reported its full year sales are up over 20% year-on-year reflecting improved production and sustained global demand

The wholly owned subsidiary and special purpose company (SPC) of Omaxe Ltd, Worldstreet Sports Center
Lirr1ited, will be developing India's first integrated multi sports facility consisting of an international cricket and
football stadium, an indoor stadium along with a retail and hospitality hub spread across an area of 50.40 acres
in Delhi's Dwarka area for around Rs 1500 Crore, under the public-private partnership model with the Delhi
Development Authority.

Supreme Court quashes a money laundering case against accused persons in a matter relating to the Chhattisgarh liquor scam observing that the complaint was based on an IT act offence, which is not a scheduled offence as per PMLA.

SC remarks that there is no predicate offence, therefore there cannot be proceeds of crime.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) received more than Rs 28,400 crore since 2015-16 but it did not use the funds as per sanction conditions, the Delhi government's principal finance secretary has told the Supreme Court which is hearing an AAP government's plea alleging non-disbursal of funds to the water utility.

Coffee shipments from India rose 13.35 per cent to 1,25,631 tonnes during January-March period of this year on higher demand for Robusta coffee, according to the official data. The country had exported 1,10,830 tonnes of coffee in the same period in 2023

Jindal Lifestyle, a subsidiary of India’s largest stainless steel manufacturer Jindal Stainless, has launched the first premium cookware range under its Arttd'inox lifestyle brand. The new cookware range has three collections – Vida, Stellar, and Timber

The Delhi Police has arrested two men at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for mentioning they were "carrying a nuclear bomb", officials said on Monday. The incident happened on April 5 when Jignesh Malani and Kashyap Kumar Lalani, residents of Rajkot in Gujarat, objected to being frisked by the security staff before boarding an Ahmedabad-bound flight.

The number of telecom subscribers in India increased 0.38 per cent to 119.7 crore in February 2024 as compared to the previous month, according to a TRAI report published on Monday. The urban telephone subscription increased to 66.37 crore while rural subscription increased to 53.13 crore with a sequential growth rate of 0.40 per cent and 0.34 per cent, respectively.

Four people were killed and more than a dozen injured in a collision between two cars on the Kapurthala-Goindwal road in Punjab, police said on Monday. The accident occurred on Sunday night near Fattudhinga village, they said.

NTPC aims to add 3 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy (RE) capacity, exemplifying its steadfast dedication to environmental stewardship, a company statement said

The proposed IPO will combine a fresh issue of shares of up to Rs 1,000 crore and an offer-for-sale component of as much as Rs 4,000 crore. Blackstone will dilute its stake as part of the share sale.

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) recorded a turnover of Rs. 9400.00 Crore approx. (provisional and unaudited) for the financial year ended on 31 March 2024 (corresponding figure for the previous year was Rs. 7827.18 Crore), the firm said in a regulatory filing

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "...Adivasi means the original owners...The first owners have the right to the country's money, water, jungle and land. This is the fight of ideology...Adivasis constitute 8% of the population of the country...None of the owners of the biggest companies in India is an Adivasi..."

On Congress party's manifesto, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla says, "Congress party has always put vote bank interest above national security and interest. Congress' manifesto is a glaring example of that. It seems like the Muslim League has published the Congress Party's manifesto and given it to them. The demands that the Muslim League had before independence, the same thing is being done by the Congress today. They want triple talaq to come back and oppress the Muslim women... Congress party has always stood with the hardliners and has ensured that rights of women, national interest and security is subjugated..."

A Supreme Court judge initiated an inquiry into Elon Musk's actions following his decision to reinstate accounts on the social media platform X, despite prior orders from the judge to block them. The move has heightened tensions between Musk and Brazil, prompting an official investigation into the matter.

BJP Delhi President Virendraa Sachdeva says, "Liquor scam was caught and Delhi's Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister went to jail. Delhi Jal Board scam works to cheat the people of Delhi and does injustice to the poor people of Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal used to roam around with such papers that he would eliminate all the tanker mafia, today they take commission from that tanker mafia...We demand that the Delhi Jal Board scam should be investigated and all the ministers including Arvind Kejriwal who have been the Chairman, Vice Chairman or member of this Jal Board should resign ."

On the party's campaign for Lok Sabha polls, AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, "The party workers will take this campaign forward. I want to say to Delhi residents that before you go to vote see your electricity bill, see the face of the child for whom we have provided good education, the 'Teerth Yatra' scheme for senior citizens and free bus service for women..."

BJP's candidate from Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency Ashok Tanwar says, "Haryana Lokhit Party (of Gopal Kanda) has supported us. This will benefit us in Sirsa and the entire Haryana...The country is with BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi..."

In the ongoing Delhi excise probe, Bibhav Kumar is currently being questioned to provide clarifications regarding certain documents, according to sources familiar with the matter. Additionally, Durgesh Pathak has been summoned for questioning today as part of the investigation.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will clash with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in today's IPL match. KKR enters the game with three consecutive wins, while CSK aims to recover from recent setbacks. The match kicks off at 7:30 PM IST in Chennai. Viewers can catch the action live on the Star Sports Network and stream it on the JioCinema app and website. Here are more details.

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) return to their home ground after facing setbacks in away games. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra's lackluster performances have posed challenges for CSK, who now aim to bounce back against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). CSK faces concerns on the bowling front, hoping for the availability of pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Matheesha Pathirana. While spinner Maheesh Theekshana and Ravindra Jadeja's performances raise worries, Moeen Ali has shown promise. With the Chennai pitch favoring pace, CSK's spinners will face a stern test against KKR's formidable batting lineup. Details here.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation, South Korean auto giants, have joined hands with Indian battery manufacturer Exide Energy Solutions Ltd to localize electric vehicle (EV) batteries in India. This partnership, outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), is part of Hyundai Motor Group's broader EV expansion strategy.

Buildings in Taiwan's capital, Taipei, experienced brief shaking during an earthquake on Monday. The quake follows a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the east of the island last Wednesday, resulting in at least 13 fatalities. Taiwan has been enduring numerous aftershocks since the initial quake

Jammu-Srinagar National Highway blocked due to landslide at Khooni Nalla in Ramban; road restoration work underway.

The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court dismissed the interim bail application filed by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha in connection with the money laundering case linked to the now-voided Delhi excise policy.

Today marks the start of a trial involving twenty-seven individuals accused of money laundering in connection with the "Panama Papers" tax evasion scandal. The revelations in 2016 exposed how wealthy individuals worldwide hid assets in offshore companies, leading to widespread ramifications including government shake-ups, high-profile scandals, and global investigations. Among those facing trial are Jurgen Mossack and Ramon Fonseca Mora, founders of the law firm Mossack Fonseca central to the scandal. The leaked cache of 11.5 million documents implicated billionaires, politicians, and sports stars.

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's light either partially or entirely. This creates a shadow on Earth known as the "path of totality," a narrow band where observers can witness a total solar eclipse. Within this path, the sky darkens significantly, resembling dawn or dusk. Those outside the path witness a partial eclipse, experiencing a slight darkening of the sky depending on the extent of the Moon's coverage of the Sun.

A total solar eclipse is poised to awe skywatchers across North America on April 8, turning day into night in a dramatic celestial display. Only visible from specific locations, the eclipse offers a rare opportunity dubbed as once-in-a-lifetime. This astronomical phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight either partially or entirely. The path of totality, where the Moon fully obscures the Sun, will span a 185-kilometre stretch across Mexico, the US, and Canada, with 18 US states witnessing the event. The eclipse begins at 9:12 pm IST on April 8, with totality commencing at 10:08 pm IST and ending at 2:22 am on April 9, 2024.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public rally in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district on Monday, April 8, marking the beginning of Lok Sabha election campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. Modi's campaign will encompass at least 10 rallies across Maharashtra, with Chandrapur being the starting point. He will be endorsing Sudhir Mungantiwar, BJP's candidate for Chandrapur, who currently serves as the forest, cultural affairs, and fisheries minister in Maharashtra's cabinet led by Eknath Shinde. In response, the Congress party has nominated Pratibha Dhanorkar, the widow of the late Balu Dhanorkar, for the same seat.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced that troops exiting Gaza on Sunday were doing so to prepare for upcoming operations, including in Rafah, a southern city in the enclave. Gallant mentioned the recent "Shifa operation" as a precedent for such missions and indicated that further action is planned in the Rafah area.

- A standoff between Elon Musk and Brazil escalated on Sunday when a Supreme Court judge opened an inquiry into the billionaire after Musk said he would reactivate accounts on the social media platform X that the judge had ordered blocked.
- Musk, the owner of X and a self-declared free speech absolutist, has challenged a decision by Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordering the blocking of certain accounts. He has said X, formerly known as Twitter, would lift all the restrictions because they were unconstitutional and called on Moraes to resign. (Reuters)

According to reports from the Wafa news agency citing witnesses, Israeli forces conducted a raid on the Bab al-Rahma prayer hall within the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. The raid allegedly involved beating worshippers and resulted in the arrest of two individuals. Tensions have escalated at the site due to Israeli authorities restricting access to the mosque for most Palestinians from the occupied West Bank during Ramadan.

Local news outlets, supported by verified videos from Al Jazeera, depict rescue workers sifting through debris in the town of Sultaniya, southern Lebanon, following Israeli air strikes. Tensions have intensified between Hezbollah and Israel along Lebanon's southern border since October. The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, with approximately 270 Hezbollah fighters and 50 civilians killed by Israeli shelling. Additionally, around 90,000 people in southern Lebanon have been displaced, while over 96,000 Israelis have fled the northern border region.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel's proximity to victory in the Gaza war during a cabinet meeting commemorating six months since the conflict's onset on October 7th. He emphasized that no ceasefire would be entertained until Palestine releases all hostages. Netanyahu acknowledged the toll of the conflict, describing it as "painful and heartbreaking."

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced that troops exiting Gaza on Sunday were doing so to prepare for upcoming operations, including in Rafah, a southern city in the enclave. Gallant mentioned the recent "Shifa operation" as a precedent for such missions and indicated that further action is planned in the Rafah area.

Russia, holding control over Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, alleges that Kyiv targeted a dome above one of the plant's shutdown reactors. Ukraine denies the accusation, and the nature of the weapon used remains uncertain. The plant, seized by Russian forces following their invasion in 2022, reportedly faced an attack near its canteen, injuring three according to Rosatom, Russia's nuclear agency. However, Ukrainian defense intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov refutes any involvement, emphasizing the plant's illegal occupation by Russia. The IAEA, with experts on-site, confirmed a drone detonation, urging both parties to avoid actions compromising nuclear safety.

A new drone attack on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia power plant has raised the risk of a "major nuclear accident," the UN's atomic watchdog has warned. Russia said Ukraine was behind the attack, which it said injured three people. Ukraine has denied involvement. The giant Russian-held nuclear plant, with six reactors, is on the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned against such attacks. IAEA head Rafael Grossi said Sunday's drone strike was "reckless" and "a major escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers" facing the plant.

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