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The Supreme Court has refused to grant Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation benefits to candidates involved in a major Uttar Pradesh recruitment case, ruling that invalid income certificates cannot be accepted for eligibility.
A bench comprising Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Prasanna B. Varale heard a petition filed by Poonam Dwivedi and other candidates challenging an Allahabad High Court decision. The High Court had earlier rejected their claim for inclusion under the EWS category in a recruitment drive for female health workers.
The United States has initiated a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports, significantly escalating tensions in the Gulf region. The move comes after diplomatic efforts failed to produce a breakthrough, prompting a sharper military stance.
US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning shortly after the blockade was enforced. In a statement, he cautioned that any Iranian vessels approaching the restricted zone would face immediate action.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has urged the Centre to resume dialogue with key Ladakh groups, warning that continued delays are widening a trust gap in the strategically important region.
Negotiations between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and two Ladakh-based groups- Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance have remained stalled since violence broke out in Leh in September last year. The unrest led to police firing in which four people lost their lives.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has urged the Centre to resume dialogue with key Ladakh groups, warning that continued delays are widening a trust gap in the strategically important region.
Negotiations between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and two Ladakh-based groups- Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance have remained stalled since violence broke out in Leh in September last year. The unrest led to police firing in which four people lost their lives.
The Supreme Court has refused to grant interim voting rights to individuals whose names were removed from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal, dealing a setback to petitioners ahead of the upcoming state elections.
During the hearing, the bench made it clear that allowing such voters to cast ballots while their appeals are pending is not feasible. The court underlined that granting interim relief could disrupt the verification process and overwhelm appellate tribunals already handling a massive number of cases. It cautioned against taking steps that may compromise procedural integrity.
The United States military on Monday began enforcing a blockade on all Iranian ports and coastal areas, marking a sharp escalation in tensions across the Gulf region. The move follows an order by US President Donald Trump aimed at pressuring Tehran to agree to Washington’s terms after recent talks failed.
The blockade, implemented by US Central Command, targets vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Officials said the restrictions would be applied across the board, regardless of a ship’s nationality.
Amid ongoing workers' protests in Noida over long-pending demands for salary revision, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted a high-level committee on Monday to address the escalating industrial unrest in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district.
The decision follows widespread protests by industrial workers demanding a long-pending wage revision in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district.
Officials said the move aims to ensure industrial harmony, protect workers’ interests and restore normalcy after demonstrations turned disruptive in several parts of the city.
The Supreme Court of India on Monday refused to quash the FIR and chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the alleged land-for-jobs case involving RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.
A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh, however, granted partial relief to the 77-year-old leader by exempting him from appearing before the trial court during proceedings.
The Supreme Court of India on Monday issued notices to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Centre and state governments on a petition seeking the introduction of fingerprint and iris-based biometric systems at polling stations to curb electoral fraud.
The matter was heard by a two-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The bench clarified that the proposal would not be applicable to the ongoing assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Amidst increasingly competitive competition in the auto sector, Kia has taken a major step to strengthen its foothold in the Indian market. The company has confirmed plans to launch three new hybrid cars in India by 2030. These models include the Kia Seltos Hybrid, Kia Sorento Hybrid, and Kia Carnival Hybrid.
According to reports, the Kia Seltos Hybrid (codenamed SP3i) is expected to be launched in the first half of 2027. The Sorento Hybrid will follow in the second half of 2027, followed by the Carnival Hybrid. The company aims to establish a strong presence in the hybrid segment.
Amidst increasingly competitive competition in the auto sector, Kia has taken a major step to strengthen its foothold in the Indian market. The company has confirmed plans to launch three new hybrid cars in India by 2030. These models include the Kia Seltos Hybrid, Kia Sorento Hybrid, and Kia Carnival Hybrid.
According to reports, the Kia Seltos Hybrid (codenamed SP3i) is expected to be launched in the first half of 2027. The Sorento Hybrid will follow in the second half of 2027, followed by the Carnival Hybrid. The company aims to establish a strong presence in the hybrid segment.
The tech world could see a major shift as Elon Musk's company, X (formerly Twitter), is preparing to launch a new messaging app. This app is reportedly called XChat, designed specifically for iPhone and iPad users. According to reports, the app may be available for download from April 17th.
The company is introducing XChat as an independent messaging platform separate from its existing app. While X was previously planning to upgrade its direct messaging feature, it has now decided to launch a dedicated app. This will provide users with a better and faster chatting experience.
At least seven pilgrims lost their lives after a speeding truck ran over them on the Lakhtar-Viramgam highway in Surendranagar district in the early hours of Monday. The victims were part of a group travelling on foot as part of a religious journey.
The incident occurred near Lakhtar, between Chharad and Bhaskarpara villages, at around 1:20 a.m. The group was walking along the roadside from Gadhka village in Rajkot towards Viramgam for temple visits and a flag-hoisting ceremony scheduled later that morning.
Ten people were killed and several others seriously injured in a tragic road accident in Maharashtra. A cement mixer truck and an Eco car full of passengers collided head-on near the Raite bridge on the Kalyan-Ahilyanagar highway in Maharashtra. The accident caused chaos in the area, and screams and cries were heard everywhere.
According to preliminary information, the Eco car was traveling from Kalyan to Murbad. The five-seater car was carrying 12 people. The car collided with an oncoming cement mixer truck near the Raite bridge. The impact was so severe that the car was completely damaged, leaving no room for the passengers to recover.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday described the Women’s Reservation Bill as one of the most significant decisions of the 21st century, asserting that it will redefine India’s democratic and social landscape.
Speaking at the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan’ held at Vigyan Bhawan, he said the country stands united in support of the legislation.
The case of alleged "Bhondu Baba" Ashok Kharat, who emerged from Nashik, Maharashtra, has now become one of the country's biggest sex and blackmailing scandals. Amid allegations of sexual exploitation of women in the name of tantra-mantra, blackmailing them by making obscene videos, and defrauding them of crores of rupees, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation.
The ED filed an ECIR against Ashok Kharat and his associates and raided five locations in Nashik, three in Pune, and three in Shirdi. Documents, digital evidence, and property records were examined. The agency suspects the case is not limited to sexual crimes but also involves large-scale money laundering.
The Assam government has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the relief granted to Congress leader Pawan Khera. The petition challenges the Telangana High Court's order granting Khera a one-week transit anticipatory bail. The matter relates to a case filed in Assam in which Khera is accused of making serious allegations.
The controversy began when Pawan Khera accused Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, of possessing multiple foreign passports and undeclared assets. Following Khera's statements, a case was filed against him in Assam. Fearing arrest in this case, he approached the court.
Amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, the United States has taken a major step, announcing the imposition of a maritime blockade on Iranian ports. This decision was taken after the failure of high-level talks in Islamabad, raising regional and global concerns.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), entry and exit to Iranian ports will be blocked for all ships from April 13th. The blockade will take effect at 7:30 pm Indian time. The move is stated to maintain security in the region and control Iran's activities.
Gold and silver prices fell on April 13. Precious metals saw pressure due to rising tensions between the US and Iran and a surge in crude oil prices. Meanwhile, a shift in investor sentiment led to mild selling in the market.
Gold opened lower on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) today. Gold futures opened at ₹1,51,547 per 10 grams and slipped to ₹1,51,457 in early trade. Gold for June delivery fell by nearly 0.7%, or more than ₹1,100, to trade at ₹1,51,551 per 10 grams.
Silver prices also fell further. Silver for May delivery fell by more than ₹5,300, or more than 2%, to ₹2,37,961 per kilogram.
The Indian stock market witnessed a sharp decline on Monday, the first trading day of the week. Global tensions and a surge in crude oil prices led to a sharp decline. The BSE Sensex opened at 76,134, down nearly 1,400 points, while the Nifty 50 fell nearly 480 points to 23,571.
The market decline was driven by a surge in Brent crude oil prices, which crossed $101 per barrel. Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated following the failure of peace talks. Reports of the US's planned naval blockade of Iranian ports and Israel's renewed offensive fueled investor concern.
High-level talks between Iran and the United States to resolve the ongoing tensions in West Asia ended without any concrete results. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that an agreement between the two sides was "just inches away," but that a sudden increase in demands and shifting positions derailed the talks.
Araghchi stated on the social media platform X that Iran had entered the talks with "the noble intention of ending the war." These were considered the highest-level talks between the two countries in nearly 50 years. He said that despite coming close to an "Islamabad MoU," more demands and obstacles arose at the last minute, preventing agreement.
In Lucknow, petrol is ₹94.69 and diesel is ₹87.81 per liter. In Varanasi, petrol is ₹95.11 and diesel is ₹88.30. In Prayagraj, petrol is ₹95.70 and diesel is ₹88.89, while in Mathura, petrol is ₹94.38 and diesel is ₹87.24.
Petrol prices in Agra were recorded at ₹94.64 and diesel at ₹87.72, Aligarh at ₹94.82 and ₹87.93, Ghaziabad at ₹94.75 and ₹87.86, Noida at ₹94.90 and ₹88.01, and Unnao at ₹94.97 and ₹88.13 per liter.
There is a difference in petrol and diesel prices even in the country's metropolises.
In New Delhi, petrol is ₹94.72 and diesel is ₹87.62. Petrol is priced at ₹104.21 and diesel at ₹92.15 per liter in Mumbai, ₹103.94 and ₹90.76 in Kolkata, and ₹100.75 and ₹92.34 in Chennai.
In addition, petrol is priced at ₹107.46 and diesel at ₹95.70 in Hyderabad, ₹102.92 and ₹89.02 in Bengaluru, ₹104.72 and ₹90.21 in Jaipur, and ₹105.58 and ₹93.80 in Patna.
In a devastating blow to the Indian music industry, legendary singer Asha Bhosle has passed away at the age of 92. Her passing has sent shockwaves across not only the film industry but the entire nation. The passing of Asha Tai, who captivated millions with her melodious voice for decades, is being considered the end of an era.
According to reports, she was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on the night of April 11th after her health suddenly deteriorated. Doctors stated that she breathed her last on April 12th. Her death was due to multi-organ failure, leaving music lovers deeply shocked.
Asha Bhosle's funeral will be held with full state honors today on Monday, at 4 p.m. at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. This is the same venue where many eminent personalities have been given their final farewells. Many prominent figures from the film, political, and sports worlds are expected to attend her funeral.
The weather across the country is expected to exhibit two distinct patterns in the coming days. According to the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures will rise rapidly in the plains, leading to heat waves, while rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall are expected to intensify in the hilly and northeastern states.
