PM Modi to launch development projects in Haryana on Ambedkar birth anniversary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch several development initiatives in Haryana on April 14 to mark the birth anniversary of Bhim Rao Ambedkar, an iconic figure known for his role in Dalit emancipation and for preparing the Constitution. Later, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects in Yamuna Nagar and address a public meeting.

New earthquake shakes central Myanmar, one of the biggest aftershocks since March 28 disaster

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck morning near Meiktila, a small city in central Myanmar, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake came as Myanmar is engaged in relief efforts following a massive 7.7 magnitude temblor that also hit the country's central region on March 28. The epicentre of the latest quake was roughly hallway between Mandalay, Myanmar's second-biggest city, which suffered enormous damage and casualties in last month's earthquake, and Naypyitaw, the capital, where several government offices were then damaged.

U.S. NSA Waltz puts off India visit amid ‘Signalgate’ controversy

Amidst turmoil in Washington over communication security breaches by the National Security Council, including the National Security Advisor’s office itself, U.S. National Security Advisor (NSA) Michael Waltz has put off his visit to India slated for next week, a number of sources confirmed to The Hindu. Mr. Waltz was due to visit New Delhi from April 21 to 23, for official meetings and addressing the annual U.S.-India Forum sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs and organized by the Ananta Centre. The U.S. NSA’s office conveyed to the MEA and to NSA Ajit Doval’s office a few days ago that he would postpone his visit to Delhi for now, the sources said.

Kerala temple opens sacred space to all sections

In a landmark move, devotees from all communities entered the nalambalam - the sacred inner quarter - of the centuries-old Pilicode Rayaramangalam temple in the Kasaragod district of Kerala for the first time, ending restrictions based on caste. Previously restricted to specific communities, the doors of the four sanctums of the temple were opened to all sections following a campaign led by a reformist organisation.

Parliamentary panel recommends independent survey to assess MGNREGA

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has recommended an independent survey to assess the effectiveness of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), and its shortcomings. This survey, the panel said, should focus on worker satisfaction, wage delays, participation trends, and financial irregularities within the scheme.  The panel also stressed on the need to revamp the scheme, keeping in view the “changing times and emerging challenges”.

Trump’s Commerce Secretary says new electronics tariff exemptions are temporary, chip tariffs coming

Tariff exemptions announced Friday on electronics like smartphones and laptops are only a temporary reprieve until the Trump administration develops a new tariff approach specific to the semiconductor industry, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said. The Trump administration late Friday had said it would exclude electronics from broader so-called reciprocal tariffs, a move that could help keep the prices down for popular consumer devices that aren’t usually made in the U.S. The move was expected to benefit big tech companies like Apple and Samsung and chip makers like Nvidia, though the uncertainty of future tariffs may rein in an expected tech stock rally on Monday.

Bangladesh reintroduces 'except Israel' inscription on passports after thousands rally in Dhaka over Gaza situation

Bangladesh has reintroduced "except Israel” inscription on passports debarring its citizens from travelling to the Jewish state as public anger mounted against Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, officials said. The home ministry issued a directive asking the passport and immigration department to reinstate the sentence “THIS PASSPORT IS VALID FOR ALL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD EXCEPT ISRAEL” in the official travel permits for citizens visiting abroad, the state-run BSS news agency reported.

DRDO tests directed energy weapon system that can disable drones, missiles

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday (April 13, 2025) announced the successful trial of a Mk-II(A) Laser- Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system “mastering the technology of disabling missiles, drones and smaller projectiles.” The success has put India in the exclusive and limited club of nations, which are possessing the high-power Laser-DEW system, DRDO said in a statement.

India's iPhone, smartphone exports to U.S. have 20% tariff edge over China after exemption: Industry

Export of iPhones, smartphones, tablets, laptops from India to the U.S. will be cheaper by 20% compared to those shipped from China following the exemptions given by the Trump administration, industry body ICEA said. The U.S. government on Saturday amended its tariff order to exempt smartphones, tablets, laptops, and some other electronic devices from the new taxes.

China calls on U.S. to 'completely cancel' reciprocal tariffs

China called on the United States to “completely cancel” its reciprocal tariffs after Washington announced exemptions for consumer electronics and key chipmaking equipment. “We urge the U.S. to... take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and return to the right path of mutual respect”, a commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

Favourable weather may herald bountiful rabi wheat harvest in Punjab and Haryana

Favourable weather conditions over the rabi (winter) crop in the country’s key wheat-producing States of Punjab and Haryana are likely to boost the yield of wheat this harvest season, experts said. However, untimely rain accompanied by hailstorms in a few parts of Punjab and Haryana in the past two days triggered concern among farmers that the standing wheat crop’s quality could be damaged, causing losses. The harvesting of wheat, with the main rabi crop sown between late October and December, has already commenced in Punjab and Haryana.

17 companies of CAPF deployed in Murshidabad, situation under control says DGP

Seventeen companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act that claimed three lives on Saturday. Over 150 people were arrested and one person who sustained bullet injury was admitted to a State-run health facility, the police said. Meanwhile, 23 high-ranking officers from the State police and other agencies have been deployed in the violence-affected district.

MHA likely to file review petition against SC verdict on Governor, President role in assenting to State laws

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is likely to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s April 8 judgement allowing judicial intervention if Governors withhold assent to legislative Bills for too long. It also prescribed a three-month timeline for the President to decide on Bills referred by the Governor.

BJP files complaint against Kanhaiya Kumar for making ‘abusive’ remarks on RSS, PM Modi

The BJP on Sunday (April 13, 2025) filed a police complaint against Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar in Patna, alleging that he used abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS during a recent TV interview. A delegation led by the BJP’s media in-charge in Bihar, Danish Iqbal, visited the Kotwali police station and filed the complaint.

Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s Sumy: More than 30 people killed, at least 84 injured

“At least 32 people were killed in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday (April 13, 2025),” officials said. Two ballistic missiles struck the heart of the city at around 10:15 a.m. as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, according to officials. Videos posted from the scene on official channels showed bodies on the ground amid debris and smoke around central Sumy.

Israeli missiles hit Al-Ahli Arab Baptist hospital in Gaza, patients evacuated: medics

Two Israeli missiles hit a building inside a main Gaza hospital on Sunday (April 13, 2025), destroying the emergency and reception department and damaging other structures, medics said. Health officials at the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital evacuated the patients from the building after one person said he received a call from someone who identified himself with the Israeli security shortly before the attack took place.

NIA probes Tahawwur Rana’s links with Dubai-based individual who knew of 2008 Mumbai attack

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) questioned Mumbai attacks conspirator Tahawwur Hussain Rana for the second consecutive day to probe larger conspiracy behind the terror strikes of 2008, sources said on Saturday (April 12, 2025). He would also be quizzed about individuals he met, especially an alleged key contact in Dubai who is said to be aware about the plans on carrying out Mumbai terror strikes, the sources said.

China storm: Beijing cancels flights, closes parks due to high winds and sandstorms

High winds and the threat of sandstorms Saturday (April 12, 2025) prompted Beijing to cancel hundreds of flights and close public parks, as massive gales felled hundreds of trees, crushing cars and damaging older homes across China’s capital. More flights and trains were canceled in other parts of China. Some parts of the country recorded their most powerful winds in more than 75 years, registering at up to 148 kph (92 mph).

Kohli, Salt guide RCB to nine-wicket win against RR

Openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt slammed brisk half-centuries and shared a 92-run partnership to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a nine-wicket win against hosts Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Premier League match in Jaipur on Sunday (April 13, 2025). Salt smashed 65 off 33 deliveries, his highest score this season, while Kohli struck an unbeaten 62 (45 balls) as RCB overhaul RR's 173/4 with 15 balls to spare. One-down Devdutt Padikkal also scored an unbeaten 40 (28 balls) in the big win.