Here are the highlights of the news stories on April 18.
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Karnataka Elections 2023
Congress announces seven more candidates for Karnataka assembly polls, fields ex-CM Jagadish Shettar from Hubli-Dharwad Central.
All Odisha schools shut on April 19, 20 due to heatwave
All government, government-aided, and private schools up to Class 12 along with all anganwadi centres in Odisha shall remain closed on April 19 and 20 due to prevailing heatwave conditions.
IPL 2023:
Mumbai Indian scores 192/5 in 20 overs against SunRisers Hyderabad.
Karnataka Elections 2023
“Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the Congress party withdrew cases against the PFI, released 1,700 PFI activists from jail...Siddaramaiah is their patron...,” said BJP chief JP Nadda.
ALERT:
Members of theLGBTQshouldn't be stigmatised, but be assimilated with society, petitioner argues before SC during same-sex marriagehearings.
JUST IN: Rohit Sharma third Indian batsman to score 6,000 plus runs in IPL.
ALERT:
US FDA completes inspection at Piramal Pharma Sellersville manufacturing unit.
EV industry body seeks Par panel's intervention in release of pending subsidies
Electric vehicle industry body SMEV on Tuesday appealed to a parliamentary panel to direct the government to release the pending subsidy of Rs 1,200 crore earmarked for the liquidity-hit sector. In a petition to the Parliamentary Standing Committees on Industry and Estimates, the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) stated that EV adoption is slowing down due to the financial stress being faced by the industry.
ED attaches Cong MP Karti Chidamabaram's properties worth Rs 11.04 crore
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday attached properties to the tune of Rs 11.04 crore belonging to Congress MP Karti Chidambaram in the INX money laundering case, an official statement said here. The ED said that out of four attached properties, one is an immovable asset located in Coorg district of Karnataka.
Income Tax Department clarifies that there is no proposal before the Government on capital gains tax
Earlier today, Bloomberg reported thatIndia is eying a higher capital gains tax for the rich to curb inequality. The Income Tax Department denied the reports in a tweet
Notion of man, woman not absolute based on genitals: SC
The very notion of a man and a woman is not "an absolute based on genitals", the Supreme Court said on Tuesday while discussing the ambit of gender and whether it expanded beyond the biological sex of a person. In a day-long hearing on the pleas seeking legal validation for same-sex marriages, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud took note of submissions in favour and against the petitions, and one of them was that even the Special Marriage Act has terms like "a man and a woman"and hence using term "person" instead may unsettle existing statutes.
News Alert: South Indian Bank to hike lending rates by 5-10 bps across tenures w.e.f. April 20
'Make in India' should embrace Chinese market to help correct trade imbalance'
China's Consul General in the financial capital, Kong Xianhua, on Tuesday stressed that there is a need for increasing Indian exports into the northern country, emphasising that a big opportunity exists. Addressing representatives of trade at a promotion event for the China International Import Expo here, Xianhua acknowledged the high imbalance in trade in favour of his country. "give more emphasis to China, 'Make in India' should embrace Chinese market," Xianhua urged the industry.
Attack on mining officials: Police launch manhunt to nab prime accused
The Bihar Police launched a massive manhunt to arrest the prime accused in the attack on three government officials, including a woman inspector, allegedly by goons of the sand mining mafia in Bihta block of Patna district, an official said on Tuesday. Altogether 45 people were arrested and four cases were registered in connection with the attack on Monday, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Rajeev Mishra said.
Delhi govt denies renewal of sales licence to Pernod Ricard; spirits maker to challenge order
In a setback to the French spirits major Pernod Ricard, the Delhi government has rejected its application for renewal of its sales licence on the ground of the ongoing investigations against the company. However, Pernod Ricard India, which owns brands such as Royal Stag and Blenders Pride, in a statement said it will "challenge through due process the recent decision" by the excise authorities to deny this operating licence.
Train services hit as farmers squat on rail tracks over wheat crop damage compensation
At least 20 trains were cancelled after farmers squatted on railway tracks at several places in Punjab on Tuesday as part of their four-hour 'rail roko' agitation against the value cut announced by the Centre on wheat grain shrivelled and broken due to unseasonal rains. While the Centre has relaxed quality norms for wheat procurement in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Rajasthan following crop damage in unseasonal rains, it has decided to cut the value of shrivelled and broken wheat above 6 per cent. The farmers are also demanding a higher compensation per acre for crop damage.
NHRC issues notice to UP Police over killing of Atiq Ahmad, brother
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh Police over the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf when they were being escorted by police in Prayagraj, officials said on Tuesday. In its notice to the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh and the Commissioner of Police of Prayagraj, the commission sought reports from them within four weeks.
BJP spokesperson Prashant Umrao clears top court’s Advocate on Record examination
Days after being asked by the Supreme Court to be responsible with what he tweets, BJP spokesperson Prashant Umrao clears the top court’s Advocate on Record examination. He is one of the 260 people to have cleared the exams.
Prices of vegetables soar due to summer heat in and around Kolkata
The sweltering heat in Kolkata and surrounding districts are impacting vegetable production leading to a surge in prices, an official said on Tuesday. Prices of common vegetables have increased by 15-30 per cent in recent weeks and unless there is rainfall within the next five to six days, rates are expected to rise further, a vendors'body said.
Indian mountaineer Baljeet Kaur rescued from Mt. Annapurna in Nepal
Baljeet Kaur, a 27-year-old prominent Indian woman climber was rescued on Tuesday, a day after she went missing near Camp IV of Mt Annapurna while descending from the summit point, an official of the expedition organiser said. Kaur, who scaled the world's 10th highest peak without using supplemental oxygen on Monday, was rescued from 7,363m after an aerial search team located her above Camp IV, Chairman at Pioneer Adventure Pasang Sherpa, was quoted as saying by the Himalayan Times newspaper.
Excise scam: Court reserves verdict on Sisodia's bail plea in money laundering case for April 26
A Delhi court on Tuesday reserved its order on the bail application of AAP leader Manish Sisodia, arrested in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, for April 26. Special Judge M K Nagpal reserved the order after hearing arguments on his application seeking relief claiming his custody is no longer required for investigation.
J&J sales in US rise 10 per cent, health care giant raises dividend
Johnson & Johnson beat first-quarter expectations, as growth in the health care giant's home market helped counter another revenue hit overseas from a strong dollar. The health care giant booked a USD 68 million loss on a one-time charge in the quarter, and revenue grew more than 5 per cent to USD 24.75 billion, which was better than anticipated.
J&J sales in US rise 10 per cent, health care giant raises dividend
Johnson & Johnson beat first-quarter expectations, as growth in the health care giant's home market helped counter another revenue hit overseas from a strong dollar. The health care giant booked a USD 68 million loss on a one-time charge in the quarter, and revenue grew more than 5 per cent to USD 24.75 billion, which was better than anticipated.
Over 430 per cent rise in active Covid cases in Delhi since March-end: Data
From 932 cases on March 30 to 4,976 on April 17, active coronavirus cases in Delhi have registered a jump of more than 430 per cent in nearly three weeks, according to official data. Delhi has reported more than 13,200 cases of COVID-19 in the past 19 days. The active case tally on Monday stood at 4,976, a jump of nearly 433 per cent since March 30 when the corresponding figure was 932, data showed.
Indian climber, Anurag Maloo, 34, reported missing below the Camp III of Annapurna Mountain in Nepal
The search operation has begun. He fell into a crevasse while returning from Camp IV this afternoon: Mingma Sherpa, Seven Summit Treks told ANI
Unnao gang-rape: Accused set minor Dalit victim's house on fire; her infant son and sister fight for life
Two infants were in a critical condition Tuesday after a group of men set fire to the home of a minor Dalit girl, whom two of them had allegedly raped last year. The injured babies include the rape victims six-month-old child born after the 11-year-old was impregnated in the sexual assault and her two-month-old sister, police said. The two rape accused, recently released on bail, allegedly barged into the family's thatched shed Monday evening with five others, after the victim refused to withdraw the case. They beat up her mother and then set the shed on fire.
SC to rule on Bilkis Bano convicts' remission pleas
SC has posted a batch of pleas challenging remission to convicts in Bilkis Bano case for final disposal on May 2. A plea may be filed for review of the March 27 order asking for original files on remission to convicts in Bilkis Bano case. SC said "apples cannot be compared with oranges, similarly massacre cannot be compared with a single murder" The court further questioned the parole granted to convicts in the case during incarceration, stating that the gravity of offence should have been considered by the state.
News Alert:
Constitution Bench hearing pleas seeking legal sanction of same sex marriage rises for the day, to continue hearing tomorrow.
Attack on Bihar Mining officer: Update
Chandrashekhar Singh, DM Patna reported, "Three FIRs registered, and 44 people arrested in the matter of the attack on mining department officials. One car with a wireless communication system has been seized". He said that "Stringent action will be taken in this incident. "
Sugar production drops 6% till April 15 of 2022-23 marketing year
India's sugar production fell 6 per cent to 311 lakh tonnes till April 15 of the 2022-23 marketing year ending September, mainly due to lower output in Maharashtra, according to industry body ISMA. The sugar marketing year runs from October to September. Sugar output stood at 328.7 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year.
Two-day G20 conference for advancement of sustainable energy innovation to begin
A two-day conference of the G20 Research and Innovation Initiative Gathering would begin in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh to deliberate on ways to build a sustainable eco-innovative energy transition system, state officials. Representatives of G20 countries, guest nations, international organisations and experts from the scientific community will take part in the deliberations, according to an official statement issued in Dharamshala on April 18.
Initiative aimed at strengthening India's road to Olympics launched
A multi-year, systematic and synchronised programme for grassroots sports development and strengthening India's road to the Olympics has been launched. The Delhi-based Society for Transformation, Inclusion, and Recognition through Sports (STAIRS) launched its latest initiative 'One India One Goal' on Saturday with Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhoumik unveiling the logo and merchandise of the initiative.
Man booked for threatening to kill UP CM Adityanath
Police here have registered a case against a man from Jharkhand who threatened to kill Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, officials said on Tuesday. Aman Raja shared a post on Facebook in which he vowed to shoot Adityanath. A screenshot of the post was tweeted to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Director General of Police and other officials.
Coinbase CEO: Crypto firms will develop "offshore" without clear regulations
Clarity on crypto rules in "onshore" locations such as Britain and the United States is needed otherwise crypto firms will develop "offshore," the chief executive of major U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase Global Inc said on Tuesday. Asked about the failure last year of the Bahamas-based FTX exchange, Brian Armstrong told a conference in London: "This is the reason why we need clarity about legislation and regulation onshore because if the UK doesn't have this, if the US doesn't have this, these firms are going to be built in offshore havens."
Volkswagen to bring its first EV in India next year
German carmaker Volkswagen plans to bring its first electric vehicle in India next year with the launch of premium electric SUV ID.4 to tap the opportunity in the fast growing electric mobility space in the country, a senior company official said on Tuesday. By 2030, Volkswagen expects 25-30 per cent of its total sales in India to come from EVs and the rest from internal combustion engine vehicles.
FTA between Israel, India will be discussed today: Israeli Minister
Israeli Minister of Economy, Nir Barkat, said that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Israel and India will be discussed on Tuesday, April 18. He added that Indiais emerging to be the third largest economy in the world.
News Alert
Employee services from branch office to head office, and vice versa to attract 18% GST: AAR
News Alert
I am with the NCP and will remain with the party: Ajit Pawar, LoP Maharashtra Assembly & NCP leader
News Alert
SpiceJet's Delhi-Srinagar flight returned to Delhi as the cargo fire warning light illuminated in the cockpit. The light later extinguished upon actions taken by the flight captain and the flight landed safely. No sign of fire or smoke was detected in AFT cargo and the warning was observed to be false: SpiceJet spokesperson
Customer brings old Macintosh Classic to Apple store opening, Tim Cook impressed
Customer surprises Apple CEO Tim Cook by bringing anold Macintosh Classic machine at the opening of India's first Apple store at Mumbai's BKC.
News Alert
Ajit Pawar is busy with election-related work. All this talk is only in the media: NCP chief Sharad Pawar amid speculations of Ajit Pawar's alleged rebellion
Ajit Pawar removes NCP logo from Twitter handle
Former CM Ajit Pawar has removed the party logo image from his Twitter handle amid speculation that he will join the BJP party in Maharashtra.
Same-sex marriage matter in SC
SG Mehta tells that there is no legal lacuna in the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act and the question is not of granting a socio-legal sanction. He apprises the court that it has been clarified that none will discriminate against transgender persons. There are provisions of reservation for transgender, he adds.
Sharad Pawar on Ajit Pawar's alleged rebellion
Ajit Pawar is busy with election-related work. All this talk is only in the media: NCP chief Sharad Pawar amid speculations of Ajit Pawar's alleged rebellion
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and CJI Chandrachud clash during the hearing seeking legal sanction for same-sex marriage
Friction between Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and CJI Chandrachud during the hearing seeking legal sanction of same-sex marriage. SG insists preliminary objections of the government should be heard first and responded to. CJI says he would want to hear the broad canvas of the arguments. SG says preliminary arguments should be heard be replied to before the case is heard on merits.
CJI says “I am in charge I will decide... we will hear the petitioners first. I will not allow anyone to dictate how proceedings will happen in this court.”
News Alert:
Karnataka assures that no admission/appointment will be made till April 25, based on its order scrapping 4% OBC reservations to Muslims. Court accordingly adjourns the case to April 25.
India's First Apple store In Mumbai's BKC to open soon
-Apple CEO Tim Cook will be present at the opening of the store and he is also expected to interact with some visitors.Apple BKC will serve as a dynamic space where customers can come together, explore Apple products and services, and learn how to get more out of their devices through free Today at Apple sessions.
-“Apple BKC is a reflection of Mumbai’s vibrant culture and brings together the best of Apple in a beautiful, welcoming space for connection and community,” Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail, said.
News Alert:
-Lawyer mentions plea seeking an independent inquiry into all encounter killings in UP since 2017. SC agrees to list it on April 24.
-Supreme Court agrees to hear on April 24 a plea seeking to constitute an independent expert committee under the chairmanship of a former Supreme Court judge to inquire into the killing of gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf amid police presence
