India

Nara Lokesh helped facilitate a ₹16-crore Zolgensma gene therapy for a baby with SMA Type-1 in Kurnool, bridging funding gaps and coordinating approvals, enabling timely life-saving treatment with support from public donations and medical teams

A former Indian Navy officer, Purnendu Tiwary, remains in Qatari custody despite his death sentence being commuted in 2023 along with seven colleagues. While the others have returned to India, Tiwary faces a separate conviction for alleged financial irregularities linked to his former employer.

Rajya Sabha Secretariat appointed K. S. Somashekhar as secretary, effective Saturday. With over three decades of experience in parliamentary administration and international exposure, he has previously served in senior roles in Karnataka and global parliamentary forums

The Allahabad High Court deferred its order on a plea seeking FIR against Rahul Gandhi over alleged dual citizenship, ruling that he must be given a hearing before any decision, and listed the matter for April 20

Director Vamshi Paidipally’s film starring Salman Khan and Nayanthara has begun shooting in Mumbai with a pooja ceremony. The high-budget action drama, produced by Dil Raju, marks their first collaboration and is slated for release in 2027

The government said all Indian seafarers in the Gulf and West Asia are safe, with no incidents reported. Over 2,487 have been repatriated, while flights continue and authorities monitor the situation to ensure safety of Indian nationals

Kanimozhi Karunanidhi criticised AIADMK for supporting a delimitation-linked bill, alleging it harms Tamil Nadu’s interests. She backed immediate women’s reservation without delimitation, while claiming Opposition unity blocked the Centre’s proposal in Parliament

Separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in connection with a 1996 terror case and remanded to 10 days of custody by a special court in Jammu. The arrest comes weeks after his release following nearly seven years of imprisonment in other cases.

Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation for India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park in Leh to preserve ancient rock carvings along the Indus River. The initiative aims to protect endangered heritage sites and promote responsible tourism in Ladakh

BJP women leaders staged a protest near Rahul Gandhi’s residence after the defeat of the women’s quota constitutional amendment in Lok Sabha. They accused Opposition parties of blocking women’s empowerment, while police used water cannons to disperse the march

The government said over 17.25 lakh 5-kg FTL cylinders were sold since March 23, with increased LPG allocation and PNG expansion. Auto LPG demand has shifted to PSU firms, while domestic supply remains prioritised amid geopolitical challenges

Gold prices may rise up to Rs 1.85 lakh amid favourable macroeconomic conditions, according to a report. Strong demand, central bank buying and global uncertainties continue to support the metal, making it an attractive investment this Akshaya Tritiya

In Gujarat’s Kheda district, police arrested eight men for allegedly gang-raping and blackmailing a 17-year-old since 2023 under the POCSO Act. One accused remains absconding, and investigations with forensic evidence are ongoing

In Nashik, police arrested eight people in multiple FIRs from a Tata Consultancy Services unit sexual harassment case, involving alleged assault, blackmail, and religious insults. The complainant also accused colleagues of pressure to convert religion, prompting a Special Investigation Team probe

The Supreme Court of India disposed of a petition on adult learning disability assessments, noting that NIMHANS is developing adult testing tools expected within three years, while observing the petitioner had completed a PhD despite claimed disability

The Union Agriculture Ministry has approved procurement of 20 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes in Uttar Pradesh at Rs 6,500 per metric tonne, with a financial outlay of Rs 203.15 crore. Alongside, chana procurement in Andhra Pradesh has been raised to 1,13,250 metric tonnes, while tur procurement in Karnataka has been extended till May 15.

ICICI Bank reported a 9 per cent rise in consolidated net profit for the March quarter, supported by growth in net interest income and lower provisions. The bank also announced a dividend of Rs 12 per share, subject to approvals

HDFC Bank reported an 8.04 per cent rise in consolidated net profit for the March quarter, driven by stable income and growth in advances. The bank also saw steady traction across retail and corporate segments despite a moderation in total income

Union Cabinet of India approved the ₹12,980 crore “Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool” to provide domestic marine insurance cover for Indian trade. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign insurers, strengthen sovereignty, and ensure continuity amid global geopolitical risks

Shashi Tharoor shared remarks after Lok Sabha adjournment, quoting a discussion with Kiren Rijiju on women’s representation. He supported women’s reservation but warned against linking it to delimitation, which he said could harm democratic balance

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two railway multitracking projects worth ₹24,815 crore in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, adding 601 km to the network. The upgrades aim to boost freight movement, industrial connectivity, and tourism across key routes

The Supreme Court of India increased a woman’s monthly maintenance from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000, ruling that a husband’s loan repayments cannot override his legal duty to support his spouse. The court stressed dignity, fairness, and adequate financial support

A Kerala court sentenced 10 CPI(M) workers to long prison terms in the 2011 Thimiri bomb attack case targeting RSS and BJP members, underscoring strict judicial action against political violence in Kannur

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said the defeat of the delimitation bill in Parliament was possible due to united opposition efforts. He criticised the BJP, called the move a partial victory, and urged continued resistance against similar proposals