The Economic Times

An undercover investigation reveals a network in the UK charging migrants thousands of pounds for fake gay asylum claims. Advisers allegedly provide fabricated stories, evidence, and coaching to help applicants pass scrutiny. This comes as asylum claims from Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals rise sharply.

Jeff Bezos' ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott has donated big once again, and this time it is $70 million directed to Meals on Wheels America to help the senior and elderly citizens of America. MacKenzie Scott has donated more than $26 Billion since 2020 as part of her donation drives. On the other hand,

Choosing between striped vs unstriped watermelon often confuses buyers, but both varieties offer nearly identical nutritional benefits, making them equally healthy summer fruits. Packed with over 90% water, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants like lycopene, watermelon supports hydration, digestion, and heart health. The difference between striped and unstriped watermelon lies mainly in appearance and variety, not in health value.

Samsung Electronics has asked a court to block planned union strike activities, which unions have decried as a declaration of war. Workers are threatening an 18-day strike from May 21 over a wage dispute, seeking to remove performance pay caps and link bonuses to operating profit. A potential strike could significantly impact output at Samsung's semiconductor complex.

Lashkar-e-Taiba co-founder Amir Hamza was shot in Lahore. This marks the second attempt on his life in under a year. Hamza, accused in the 2005 Indian Institute of Science attack, was targeted by unidentified assailants. He was previously shot in May last year. Sources suggest internal rifts within Lashkar-e-Taiba may be the cause.

With just a bicycle and a pocket full of seeds, Telanganas Tree Man Daripalli Ramaiah planted over 10 million trees, creating one of the most inspiring tree plantation movements in India. His journey highlights the power of environment conservation, afforestation in India, and sustainable living, proving that a single individual can drive a massive green movement in India through consistent efforts and dedication.

Why are gold and silver prices up today, and will precious metals continue to rise or fall again? Gold and silver prices moved higher after the US dollar weakened and Treasury yields fell. Markets reacted to growing hope of a US-Iran peace deal and possible rate cuts. Investors now question if metals will continue rising or reverse later. Analysts say bond yields, inflation fears, and interest rate expectations will guide the next move.

LIC Housing Finance recruitment 2026: LIC Housing Finance Limited has opened applications for 180 Junior Assistant positions and the deadline is April 30. To apply for LIC HFL, candidates need a graduate degree with 55% marks and must be between 21 and 30 years old. The selection process involves an online exam and interview, with a starting salary of 20,000 plus benefits.

Wondering what to watch on OTT this week? April reaches its peak with an explosive lineup of new movies and web series across Netflix, Prime Video, ZEE5, and JioHotstar. The biggest highlight is the long-awaited premiere of Euphoria Season 3 on Netflix. Power Star fans can finally catch Ustaad Bhagat Singh, while Vijay Varma takes us into the 1960s underworld in Matka King.

The latest global energy shock highlights the risks of fuel import dependence, with Bangladesh hit hard by soaring LNG costs after supply disruptions, forcing costly spot purchases. In contrast, Pakistans shift to solar reduced reliance on imports and cushioned the impact. The divergence underscores the need for emerging economies to accelerate clean energy adoption to limit exposure to price volatility.

BJP National President Nitin Nabin took oath as a Rajya Sabha MP on Thursday. He was joined by other newly elected members from various states. The oath-taking ceremony took place in the Rajya Sabha. Chairman C P Radhakrishnan congratulated the new parliamentarians. The elected MPs represent states including Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Maharashtra.

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday reconstituted its panel of vice-chairpersons, nominating six members from the BJP, Congress, AIADMK and BJD, with effect from April 15.

Parliament is considering a new law to bring 33 percent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies starting from the 2029 elections. This move aims to increase women's representation significantly. The proposed legislation seeks to implement this reservation by expanding the number of seats.

Uttar Pradesh has produced 89.26 lakh tons so far, against last year production of 91.10 lakh tons.

The Election Commission of India is enhancing surveillance for the West Bengal Assembly polls by installing cameras for 100% webcasting, monitored by AI technology. Temporary bamboo fencing will also be erected at polling stations lacking boundary walls to prevent unauthorized access and improve security.

The big fire broke out early in the morning in Sector 11 of Vikas Nagar and quickly spread across the make shift settlement. As per report, the fire erupted due to explosions of over 50 LPG cylinders, intensifying the blaze and making firefighting efforts difficult. The fire was so huge that residents watched helplessly as black smoke covered the sky, visible from kilometres away. The shanties were located on land belonging to the Awas Vikas Parishad.

Britains economy delivered a stronger-than-expected rebound in February, with growth outpacing forecasts and pointing to solid first-quarter momentum. But economists warn the boost may prove short-lived, as the fallout from the Iran conflict and a fresh energy price shock threaten to revive inflation pressures and weaken the labour market.

In a case of gross medical negligence at BHU Trauma Centre in Varanasi, a 71-year-old woman Radhika Devi was wrongly operated upon for hip replacement instead of her spinal tumour due to patient mix-up. She was partially operated on March 7, underwent the correct surgery on March 18, and passed away on March 28.

Mango Adulteration Alert: With the mango season in full swing, rising cases of mango adulteration in India have sparked serious food safety concerns after the FDA in Pune seized over 3,800 kg of adulterated mango pulp during raids. Authorities found the use of unauthorised colours and harmful substances, highlighting the risks of consuming chemically ripened mangoes, which can cause health issues ranging from digestive problems to long-term illnesses. Consumers are advised to remain cautious and

Salmokji: Whispering Water is a Korean horror film experiencing a phenomenal box office run. It has held the top spot for eight days and is nearing one million admissions. The film continues to attract over 60,000 viewers daily. Its success has also led to a surge in visitors at the real-life reservoir that inspired the movie.

India begins a special parliamentary session aiming for women's empowerment. Prime Minister Modi calls it a historic step. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi supports women's reservation but criticizes the delimitation process. He demands consideration of caste census data. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin protests the delimitation bill. The government plans to implement women's reservation before the 2029 elections.

The self-enumeration phase of Census 2027 house listing begins today (April 16) in Haryana (including Gurgaon and Faridabad), Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Residents can submit household details online till April 30. Door-to-door verification will follow from May 1 to May 30.

Amravati viral videos: In a significant development in the Amravati sex abuse scandal, police revealed that the alleged mastermind Ayan Ahmed was a former member of Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. Ayan Ahmed, accused of sexually abusing 180 minors and recording more than 300 explicit videos, had a bet with his friend who would win over more girls, that finally blew the lid off the scandal.

Irans move to charge tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz has sparked a legal and geopolitical debate. Under international law, particularly UNCLOS, vessels are entitled to transit passage through key straits without interference, making unilateral tolls highly contentious. While Iran argues it can regulate movement within its territorial waters, most experts view such charges as inconsistent with established maritime norms.

Aarav Vats remarkable achievement of scoring 96.6% in the CBSE Class 10 examinations, despite battling Lymphoblastic Lymphoma for two years, stands as a powerful testament to his courage, resilience and unwavering determination, showing that even the most serious health challenges cannot stand in the way of focus, perseverance and academic success.

Cryptocurrency has matured into a recognized asset class, with Bitcoin and Ethereum leading institutional adoption and market volumes. amana facilitates robust, diversified portfolios by offering access to over 325 digital assets across various sectors, emphasizing structured strategies and risk management for confident investing.

In Ghaziabad, a 19-year-old girl died, and her friend got critically injured when they were filming a reel on their sports bike, Yamaha on NH-9. Neither of them was wearing a helmet and left their home without informing their families. A video of the collision has now surfaced on social media which shows what happened before the fatal clash.

Mysterious disappearances and deaths of at least 10 US scientists since 2023, many linked to national security labs, have sparked alarm. Reports detail abrupt departures and violent ends. This echoes a similar pattern in India between 2009-2013, where over a dozen nuclear scientists died under unusual circumstances, fueling ongoing speculation.

Rajasthan's Sarthak Naam Abhiyan, intended to provide meaningful student names, has sparked controversy due to an inappropriate draft list. The suggested names, including 'Bhiksha' and 'Ugra Singh,' have drawn criticism for being embarrassing and undermining the campaign's objective. The education minister's office clarified it's a draft needing revision.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller said that the United States' naval blockade against Iran in the Persian Gulf is squeezing the economic life out of the Islamic Republic, while reiterating Washington's firm opposition to Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons as part of the deal to achieve a complete end to the hostilities in West Asia.

Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will start a citywide tree census next week. This exercise, the first in eight years, will take about 1.5 years to complete. Experts and modern technology will be used for the counting. The civic body is also preparing for monsoon by pruning over 45,000 hazardous trees and branches across the city.

Iran war: Earlier on Wednesday (local time), Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi welcomed Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir in Tehran, expressing appreciation for Pakistan's role in facilitating dialogue and underscoring the shared commitment to regional peace and stability amid West Asia tensions.

CBSE Class 10 second exam date: The CBSE second board examination scheme rolled out for Class 10 students will be rolled out in the 2026 cycle in May. According to CBSE, students who want to appear for the second exam must have given the first board examination. If a student has not appeared in three or more subjects in the first examination, then he/she is not eligible to appear in the second examination.

Yogi Adityanath said there will be no compromise on workers rights, dignity and social security, warning of strict legal action against violations amid recent unrest in Uttar Pradeshs industrial hubs. Chairing a review, the chief minister ordered a probe into labour practices, directed timely wage payments and statutory benefits, and called for grievance redressal systems and improved worker facilities, including housing.

The mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is deeply painful. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured, the Prime Minister's Office posted on X.

Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she spent Poila Boishakh among the people of West Bengal and reaffirmed her commitment to serving the state, while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to undermine Bengal's identity and constitutional rights.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has initiated a statewide protest against the proposed delimitation bill. He burned a copy of the bill and raised a black flag, signaling strong opposition. This move escalates concerns over constituency revisions based on the 2011 census.

Odisha Class 10 Result 2026 Date: Odisha Class 10 students are eagerly awaiting their matriculation results. The Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, is expected to release the outcomes by the second week of May. Over 5.61 lakh students appeared for the examinations this year. Evaluation is in progress, and students can check their results online using their roll number once declared.

Vaishakha Amavasya time: Vaishakha Amavasya, dedicated to ancestors and forefathers, is being observed tomorrow, April 17, 2026. The Amavasya tithi will begin from 8:11 PM, April 16, 2026, and will end at 5:21 PM on April 17, 2026. Vaishakha Amavasya or New Moon Day is considered very powerful for performing religious and spiritual practices.

Iran War News Day 48: As the Iran-Israel war reaches its 48th day, tensions escalate with Iran threatening US forces and the US intensifying economic pressure through new sanctions and a naval blockade. Israel aligns with US goals, expanding military objectives, while diplomatic efforts and global economic concerns continue to shape the conflict's critical juncture.

The Senate rejected a proposal to curb President Trump's war powers regarding Iran for the fourth time this year. Meanwhile, the US Treasury warned of secondary sanctions on Chinese institutions facilitating Iranian financial flows. President Trump also claimed China committed to halting weapon supplies to Iran.