Highlights of the day: Earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hits Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh

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10:03 PM

5.3 earthquake hits Chamba region in Himachal Pradesh

An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hit the Chambal region in Himachal Pradesh.

9:57 PM

Nato is not and will not be party to the conflict in Ukraine, says Stoltenberg

Nato "is not and will not be party to the conflict in Ukraine," Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a news conference on Thursday. "We don't have any plans of having Nato combat troops inside Ukraine, there has been no request for that," he added.

9:11 PM

Vistara cancels flights on Thu; efforts continue to address pilots' issues

Vistara continued to cancel flights on Thursday as the Tata Group works to address pilot issues, while fares spiked in some routes due to cancellations, according to sources and travel industry executives. A day after Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan apologised to pilots about the issues and assured them of taking steps to resolve them, the airline saw cancellations of around 20 flights. The number of flight cancellations was in the double digits on Thursday but less than 26 cancellations were seen on Wednesday and the situation is improving, the sources said. Vistara, which is to operate more than 300 flights daily in the ongoing summer schedule, has decided to temporarily scale back operations. Meanwhile, two pilots' groupings on Thursday said the problems raised by Vistara pilots are not isolated but rather indicative of systemic issues across Tata Group aviation entities.

7:45 PM

Enforcement Directorate files prosecution complaint against Hemant Soren in 'land scam'

Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ranchi has filed a Prosecution Complaint against Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and former Chief Minister Hemant Soren under PMLA, 2002 for acquiring, possessing, and concealing proceeds of crime in the form of an 8.8-acre immovable property at Bariyatu, Ranchi. "Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ranchi has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) against Hemant Soren & four others in one of the cases of land scam being investigated under the provisions of PMLA, 2002, for acquiring, possessing and concealing the proceeds of crime in the nature of an immovable property admeasuring 8.8 acres at Bariyatu, Ranchi," as per a press release.

7:43 PM

Arvind Kejriwal urges court to allow more time with lawyer

Jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday moved a city court urging it to allow him to spend more time with his lawyer in order to prepare for cases pending against him in several parts of the country.

 

Kejriwal moved the application claiming that two meetings every week with his lawyer, as permitted by the court, was not sufficient since he was facing multiple cases in various states and needed more time for consultation.

 

The AAP leader urged the court to increase the number of meetings to five per week.

 

The application is likely to come up for hearing before special judge for ED cases Kaveri Baweja on Friday.

 

The court had on April 1 sent Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 in the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.

7:24 PM

Lok Sabha Election 2024: CPI(M)'s promise for governor appointments

On CPI(M)'s promise regarding the appointment process of the Governor, in their manifesto, party leader Brinda Karat said, "Now Central government sends things one-sidedly and there is no consultation, which is the infringement of federal character. We said that in a discussion along with CM, three names will be selected, and on that hold a discussion with state government representatives and do the appointment based on the consensus. So, this is the consultation process of the governor...However, the situation is that the BJP leader becomes governor and...Therefore, the dignity of the governor's position has gone down, so that's the position of CPI(M) on changing the process..."

7:08 PM

Alaska Air says Boeing paid $160 mln in compensation after MAX 9 grounding

Alaska Air Group said on Thursday that Boeing had paid about $160 million to the airline in the first quarter as initial compensation to address the hit from the temporary grounding of 737 MAX 9 jets. The payment is equivalent to lost profits in the quarter, the carrier said in a filing, adding it expects additional compensation. An Alaska Airlines-operated MAX 9 jet experienced a mid-air cabin panel blowout in January, which led the U.S. aviation regulator to order a temporary grounding of 171 jets for inspections. "Although we did experience some book away following the accident and 737-9 MAX grounding, February and March both finished above our original pre-grounding expectations," Alaska said. The airline will now exclude the compensation from its calculation for first-quarter adjusted loss per share, which is expected to be $1.05 to $1.15. It had earlier planned to include the payment in its results.

7:08 PM

Rescuers in Taiwan search for those missing or stranded after major earthquake kills 10

Rescuers searched Thursday for missing people and worked to reach hundreds stranded when Taiwan's strongest earthquake in 25 years sent boulders and mud tumbling down mountainsides, blocking roads. Ten people died and more than 1,000 were injured. The powerful quake struck during the morning rush hour a day earlier, sending schoolchildren rushing outdoors and families fleeing their apartments through the windows.

7:07 PM

Visit your areas, solve problems of people: CM Kejriwal's message to AAP MLAs

Arvind Kejriwal has asked AAP MLAs to visit their constituencies daily and ensure people do not face problems, his wife Sunita Kejriwal said on Thursday, as she conveyed the Delhi chief minister's message from Tihar jail. In a digital briefing, she said that Kejriwal, in his message, said even though he is in jail, the two crore people of Delhi, who are his family, should not face any problems. "We need to solve their problems apart from official work," Sunita Kejriwal said while delivering the AAP chief's message. Kejriwal, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case linked to the Delhi government's now-scrapped excise policy, is in judicial custody till April 15.

4:57 PM

No increase in prices of essential medicines this fiscal year, says Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya

Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated today that there will be no increase in prices of essential medicines this fiscal year in view of negligible growth in wholesale price-based inflation. Interacting with editors of news agency PTI at its headquarters, Mandaviya assured that this is "Modiji's guarantee." When asked about reports of hike in rates of essential drugs, he said, "It is absolutely incorrect. There will be no increase in the price of medicines."

4:47 PM

BJP placed objectionable hoardings across Delhi, have used photo of CM Kejriwal, says Atishi

"The BJP has placed many objectionable hoardings across Delhi, at some places they have even used the photo of CM Arvind Kejriwal. We filed a complaint against this, 6 days back but surprisingly no action has been taken. It's worrying as it raises questions over the level playing field for Lok Sabha elections... Today we met CO Delhi regarding the hoarding issues and got the assurance, but still, if action won't be taken, we will seek time from the ECI. Even the ECI doesn't give time to meet the opposition leaders. This Lok Sabha elections are becoming historic for all the sad reasons," Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi said today.

4:44 PM

Rouse Avenue court reserves order on framing of charges in Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh case

The Rouse Avenue court reserved order on framing of charges in sexual harassment case against BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for April 18.

4:23 PM

Delhi Excise policy case: Court reserves order on interim bail of BRS leader K Kavitha

The Rouse Avenue court has reserved its order on interim bail of BRS leader K Kavitha for Monday.  She had sought interim bail on the grounds that her son has exams.

3:17 PM

Swiggy appoints Suparna Mitra as independent director

Delivery firm Swiggy today announced the appointment of Suparna Mitra, Titan Company Ltd CEO Watches and Wearables Division, as an Independent Director on its board. Mitra joins Swiggy's other independent directors that include Anand Kripalu - MD & Global CEO at EPL Limited and Chairperson of the Swiggy board, Shailesh Haribhakti - Chairman of Shailesh Haribhakti & Associates, and Sahil Barua - Managing Director & CEO at Delhivery.

3:16 PM

DMK was party to Katchatheevu deal with Sri Lanka, says Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar saidon Thursday the regional party was very much a party to the then Centre's negotiations with Sri Lanka on Katchatheevu island and the outcome five decades ago.

2:45 PM

Sri Lanka does not see any need to re-open talks on Katchatheevu island: Lanka's Foreign Minister

Sri Lanka does not see any need to re-open talks on Katchatheevu, ceded to it by New Delhi 50 years ago, Sri Lanka's foreign minister has said, after the low-key territorial squabble turned into an election issue in India.

2:29 PM

Bengal govt has to own responsibility, Calcutta HC on Sandeshkhali

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday rapped Bengal over the Sandeshkhali issue.

2:07 PM

News updates: Karnataka child rescued from 16- feet deep borewell

A two-year-old boy who had fallen into a 20-feet open borewell in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district was rescued today after an 18-hour operation. The boy who has been identified as Satwik Mujagond, a native of Lachyan village, is alive and is being taken to a local hospital for treatment.

1:48 PM

President Murmu launches indigenously-developed CAR T-cell therapy to treat cancer

President Droupadi Murmu’s launched India’s first Homegrown Car-T Cell Therapy at IIT Bombay, Mumbai

1:32 PM

One can trust snake but not BJP, says Mamata in Cooch Behar rally

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the BJP of not following the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha elections and asserted that the poisonous snake can be trusted but not the saffron camp. At a rally in Cooch Behar, Banerjee claimed that the central investigating agencies, BSF and CISF are working at the behest of the BJP and asked the Election Commission of India to examine the issue and ensure a level-playing field.

12:56 PM

Supreme Court upholds caste certificate of BJP leader Navneet Rana

The Supreme Court today upheld the caste certificate of BJP MP from Amravati, Navneet Rana, setting aside the previous verdict passed by the Bombay High Court.

12:51 PM

Delhi HC directs smartphone maker LAVA to pay Rs 244 cr to Ercsson over 2G, 3G patents

The Delhi High Court has asked domestic smartphone maker LAVA to pay more than Rs 244 crore to Swedish firm Ericsson for infringing the latter's 2G and 3G patents. The court ordered  that seven out of the eight Standard Essential Patents over which Ericsson had claimed ownership were valid.

12:10 PM

INS Trishul and INS Sumedha rescue FV Al Kambar, crew of 23 Pakistani nationals

During anti-piracy operations along East of Somalia on March 29, INS Trishul and INS Sumedhao successfully rescued  FV Al Kambar and its crew of 23 Pakistani nationals. INS Trishul arrived at Mumbai yesterday and handed over all nine pirates to the local police for further action.

12:01 PM

Sec 144 imposed in Noida till Apr 26 ahead of LS polls, festivals

Restrictions under CrPC section 144 would remain imposed across Noida and Greater Noida till April 26, the day of the Lok Sabha election here, according to an order issued by the Gautam Buddh Nagar police. Cops stated that the restrictions have been imposed keeping in mind the upcoming festivals like Chaitra Nav Ratri, Eid, Ambedkar Jayanti and Ramnavmi while some protests are also planned and the Lok Sabha election is scheduled during this period.

11:51 AM

Officials issue heatwave warning for 130 mandals in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has warned of a heatwave in 130 mandals across the state on Thursday.

11:18 AM

8 gunmen and 5 security force members die in clashes in Iran's southeast: State media

Eight gunmen and five members of Iranian security forces died in clashes at two separate points in southeastern Iran, state media said Thursday.

The official IRNA news agency said 10 other security force members were injured. It said the fighting erupted overnight in Sistan and Baluchistan province when gunmen opened fire on a Revolutionary Guard post in Rask town and a coast guard station in Chahbahar city, some 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran.

10:43 AM

News update: Tamil Nadu fishermen return to India after being released from Sri Lankan prison

Nineteen Tamil Nadu fishermen, who were released from Sri Lankan prison recently, arrive at the Chennai airport today.

10:41 AM

PMLA court takes cognizance of ED complaint against former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren

A special PMLA court in Ranchi has taken cognizance of Prosecution Complaint filed by ED against former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren and others under PMLA in a land scam case.

10:22 AM

Supreme Court transfers case linked to Mundra port drug haul to Gujarat court

The top court on Wednesday allowed National Investigation Agency (NIA)'s plea and ordered that a heroin smuggling case allegedly linked to the sensational Mundra port drug haul be transferred from a court in Punjab's Hoshiarpur to a special NIA court in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has filed a case in Gujarat and the second case is pending before a special court in Saket here.

10:17 AM

Govt releases myCGHS iOS app for healthcare services

The Centre has unveiled the 'myCGHS' app for iOS to provide Central Government Health Scheme beneficiaries access to electronic health records, information, and resources. The app facilitates a wide range of services, including booking and cancellation of online appointments, accessing reports from CGHS labs, checking medical reimbursement claim status, and locating nearby wellness centres.