Highlights: Reliance Industries Q4 profit falls nearly 2% on higher expenses

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10:27 PM

Apple close to finalizing deal with FIFA over TV rights for new tournament: Report

FIFA is close to an agreement with Apple to give the tech company worldwide television rights for a new, month-long World Cup-style tournament, the New York Times reported on Monday. The tournament will be held in the United States for the first time next summer, the report said, adding that a deal could be announced as soon as this month. The deal could be valued at around $1 billion — a quarter of the $4 billion FIFA had first estimated, the report said, citing three people familiar with the matter. Soccer's global governing body and Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comments.

9:15 PM

To change laws, one needs to be in govt. Not possible for Cong to be even main opposition: Amit Shah

"To change laws, one needs to be in govt. Not possible for Cong to be even main opposition," said Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Chidambaram's remarks on repealing CAA.

8:50 PM

Rupee rises 8 paise against dollar as crude oil cools on easing Iran-Israel conflict worries

 The rupee rises by 8 paise to close at 83.36 against the US dollar on Monday on positive domestic markets and a soft American currency. Forex traders said a decline in crude oil prices also supported the local unit. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.40 against the greenback. The unit hit an intra-day high of 83.32 and a low of 83.45 against the greenback. The domestic unit finally settled at 83.36 against the dollar, up by 8 paise from its previous close. On Friday, the rupee appreciated by 8 paise to close at 83.44 against the US dollar. "We expect the rupee to trade with a slight positive bias amid easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East which improved global risk sentiments. Retreating US Dollar and

8:02 PM

Indians can now get multiple entry Schengen visa with longer validity as EU eases norms

Frequent Indian travellers to Europe will now be able to apply for multiple entry Schengen visa of up to five years, with the European Commission effecting certain changes in existing rules. European Union's ambassador to India Herve Delphin described the new visa regime as another step towards enhancing people-to-people contact between the two sides. "On April 18, the European Commission adopted specific rules on the issuing of multiple entry visas to Indian nationals, which are more favourable than the standard rules of the visa code that applied to date," an EU readout said. It said this new visa 'cascade' regime for Indian nationals residing in India who apply for Schengen (short-stay) visas in India will provide easier access to visas with multi-year validity for travellers with an established travel history. "According to the newly adopted visa 'cascade' regime for India, Indian nationals can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years," the readout said. "The two-year visa will normally be followed by a five-year visa, if the passport has sufficient validity remaining. During the validity period of these visas, holders enjoy travel rights equivalent to visa-free nationals," it said.

7:25 PM

Delhi news: MCD to launch inquiry into Ghazipur fire incident; blaze rages on

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi will launch an inquiry into the fire that broke out at the Ghazipur landfill site a day back, Mayor Shelly Oberoi said on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi also said that the fire incident would be investigated to ascertain the cause. "For now, we are waiting for the (Ghazipur landfill) site to cool down. We will set up an inquiry to investigate the cause of the fire. Based on the investigation, appropriate action will be taken," Oberoi told PTI. A major fire broke out at the landfill site in east Delhi on Sunday evening and toxic fumes sent people in the area gasping for breath on Monday.

6:46 PM

Ex-vice president M Venkaiah Naidu conferred Padma Vibhushan by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu conferred Padma Vibhushan by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

6:45 PM

Prez Droupadi Murmu confers Padma Vibhushan on Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak posthumously

President Droupadi Murmu confers Padma Vibhushan on Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak posthumously.

6:02 PM

Macquarie's $1.5 bn India EV platform to focus on fleet electrification: Report

Australia's Macquarie Group launched on Monday an EV financing platform for India that will focus 95% of its $1.5 billion investment on electrifying fleets of commercial vehicles, Reuters reported. The platform, called Vertelo, will offer financing, fleet management and charging infrastructure solutions, its chief executive Sandeep Gambhir said at the launch. The remaining 5% of investment will go towards charging infrastructure and other requirements. Macquarie had previously said it would launch an EV financing platform along with the United Nations' Green Climate Fund (GCF) targeting initial investments on electric buses, shared fleets and charging infrastructure, but did not give a breakdown. The Australian financial services conglomerate's focus on fleet electrification comes as EV sales are slowing down globally, with carmakers resorting to discounts to boost demand.

5:10 PM

Normalisation of scores for CUET-UG, NET to be done away with: UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar

Normalisation of scores for CUET-UG and NET to be done away with, said UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar. 

5:02 PM

Domestic air traffic touches new single-day high; crosses 471,000 passengers

Domestic air traffic touched a new single-day high of 471,751 passengers on Sunday, according to data from the civil aviation ministry. The traffic on Sunday was more than 14 per cent higher than the average pre-Covid count of 3,98,579. On April 21, the total number of flights was 6,128.

5:00 PM

Punjab High Court dismisses FIR against Emaar India

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed the FIR recorded by Gurgaon police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) against Emaar India, the local arm of Dubai's EmaarProperties, and international property consultant JLL India. The local police had registered a case of undervaluation of land and other charges of committing fraud  against Emaar India.

 

4:49 PM

Iranian Prez Raisi, Pak PM agree on joint efforts to eliminate terrorism months after tit-for-tat air strikes

Months after the two neighbours carried out tit-for-tat air strikes against alleged terrorist hideouts on rival lands, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi today agreed on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism as they talked on ways to promote cooperation between their countries. Raisi was welcomed by PM Sharif at the Prime Minister House where the Iranian leader inspected the Guard of Honour.

 

4:33 PM

Odisha heatwave: Summer vacation announced for schools as heatwave grips states

The Odisha government announced summer vacations in all schools beginning April 25 because of the current heatwave conditions, until further notice. Jharkhand too has declared changes in school timings. The schools will now run from 6:30AM to 10:30AM for three days, April 22-24. Read here for more details.

4:30 PM

Supreme Court refuses to entertain PIL seeking 3-year law course instead of 5

The top court refused to entertain a PIL seeking directions to the Centre and the Bar Council of India to establish an expert panel for exploring the feasibility of introducing a three-year LLB course after class 12 instead of the existing five-year course. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala said the five-year LLB (Bachelor of Law) course is "working fine" and there was no need to tinker with it. "Why have a three-year course at all? They can start practice (of law) after high school only!... According to me, even 5 years is too less," the CJI said.

4:00 PM

BJP's Mukesh Dalal set to get elected unopposed from Surat: Party's Gujarat chief

BJP's Mukesh Dalal set to get elected unopposed from Surat after all other candidates withdraw: Party's Gujarat chief C R Paatil. 

 

 

3:37 PM

AAP, BJP clash over landfill fire; local residents complain of breathing

A row erupted today over the Ghazipur landfill fire incident with the BJP attacking AAP-led MCD over the blaze which left local residents gasping for breath and racked with other health issues. Delhi cabinet minister Atishi said the incident will be probed to ascertain its cause. A major fire broke out at the landfill site on Sunday evening.

3:22 PM

3 Germans arrested on suspicion of spying for China, transferring info on potential military tech

Prosecutors said three people suspected of spying for China and facilitating the transfer of information on technology with potential military uses were arrested in Germany today. One of the suspects, identified only as Thomas R in line with German privacy laws, was allegedly an agent for an employee of China's Ministry of State Security and procured information in Germany on militarily usable innovative technologies for that person, federal prosecutors added.

 

2:58 PM

Have been asking for insulin on daily basis: Delhi CM Kejriwal to Tihar superintendent

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal  wrote to Tihar jail superintendent stating he has been asking for insulin on daily basis, news agency PTI quoting AAP sources.

 

2:46 PM

Salman Khan shooting case: Mumbai Crime Branch conducts searches in Tapi river

Officials belonging to the Mumbai Crime Branch on Monday conducted searches in Tapi river in Gujarat's Surat for the weapon used by the accused in firing outside actor Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai.

2:25 PM

Verdict illegal, will challenge HC ruling on 2016 W Bengal teacher recruitment test: CM Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that the state government will challenge the Calcutta HC ruling on the 2016 W Bengal teacher recruitment test. 

2:17 PM

Hubballi student murder case: Karnataka government will deal with it in its own way, says deputy CM Shivakumar

"We don't mind, let them handover. Let them do whatever they want. They are not eligible. Karnataka government will deal with it in its own way. There is no question of it," Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said, on the BJP's demand to handover Hubbali murder case to CBI.

 

 

2:02 PM

Hubballi student murder case handed over to CID, special court will be set up: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said that Hubballi student murder case will be handed over to the CID and a special court will be set up to adjudicate on the matter.

1:40 PM

News update: FIR filed against unknown persons in connection with Ghazipur landfill fire

 Delhi Police has filed an FIR against unknown persons in connection with Ghazipur landfill fire incident.

1:37 PM

Ghazipur fire news updates: Delhi government seeks report in 48 hours

Delhi Cabinet minister Gopal Rai on Monday ordered the environment secretary to submit a detailed report within 48 hours on causes of fire at Ghazipur landfill site and an action plan to avoid such incidents at all such sites.

1:14 PM

Both Centre and states are equal partners: SC asks govt to amicably resolve drought fund issue with Karnataka

The top court today reminded the central government and Karnataka about the need to amicably resolve differences that arise in a federal structure, even as the Centre assured that “something will be done” to resolve the drought worries of Karnataka in a week’s time. “Resolve this amicably. We have a federal structure. Both the Union and the States are equal partners,” the bench addressed Attorney General R Venkataramani, for the Centre and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who represented Karnataka.

 

1:08 PM

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrives in Pakistan on three-day official visit

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Islamabad today on a three-day official visit to meet Pakistan's top leadership, the first by any head of state after the February 8 General Elections. The Iranian president is accompanied by his spouse and a delegation comprising the foreign minister and other members of the cabinet and senior officials.

12:52 PM

Supreme Court issues notice in Soumya Vishwanathan murder case, seeks response in 4 weeks

The top court today issued  notice on the petition filed by the mother of television journalist Soumya Vishwanathan against the Delhi High Court order granting bail to four men serving life imprisonment in the 2008 murder case of her daughter.

12:37 PM

Actor Ranveer Singh files police case after deepfake video goes viral

Actor Ranveer Singh has filed a police case over a viral deepfake video that reportedly showed him supporting a political party.

12:33 PM

Excise policy case: ED lied about insulin requirement for Delhi CM Kejriwal, alleges Atishi

AAP leader and Atishi Monday today claimed that the ED "lied" in court about consulting specialists from AIIMS over whether Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a diabetic, needs insulin. At a press conference, Atishi said, "The ED lied in court and said specialists from AIIMS were consulted and they have said that no insulin is needed and have also formulated a diet chart for Kejriwal." 

Kejriwal had on Friday moved a fresh plea seeking consultation with his physician for 15 minutes every day and administration of insulin in jail.

12:29 PM

BJP holds protests across Karnataka over Hubballi murder

The Karnataka unit of BJP today staged statewide protests against the alleged brutal murder of a young woman in Hubbali. Neha Hiremath (23), daughter of Congress councillor of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Niranjan Hiremath, was allegedly stabbed to death on the campus of BVB College in Dharwad on April 18.