The Economic Times

The Supreme Court has permitted a 15-year-old girl to medically end her over seven-month pregnancy. Justices emphasized a woman's reproductive autonomy and the potential long-term harm to a minor carrying an unwanted pregnancy. The court stated that forcing a woman, especially a minor, to continue a pregnancy against her will violates her constitutional rights.

The Supreme Court has halted a 35-year-old case against a police officer. Proceedings for rioting and causing hurt from 1989 are now on hold. The court noted no witnesses were examined for decades. It is considering quashing the case solely due to the extreme delay. The Uttarakhand government will be heard before a final decision is made.

Rakesh Bedi Dhurandhar bonus: Rakesh Bedi, riding high on the massive success of Dhurandhar 2, has responded to reports claiming he received a Rs 1 crore bonus from the films makers, saying he doesnt know kiski jeb mein hai as the money hasnt reached his account. Despite the rumours being false, Bedis performance as Jameel Jamali has earned widespread praise and marked a strong comeback, with the film crossing Rs 1,100 crore at the box office and co-star Ranveer Singh even crediting him with a m

A third suspect, Michael James Ryan, 34, has been arrested in connection with the fatal April 13 shooting of Chris Leggett in Amherst. Ryan was apprehended in Moncton on April 23. Two other suspects, Sean Eugene Patriquin and Natasha Deborah Austin, were arrested earlier. The investigation into Leggett's death is ongoing.

NEET UG 2026 aspirants, mark your calendars for May 3rd! The NTA has issued strict exam day guidelines, prohibiting items like mobile phones, calculators, and even water bottles. Extensive frisking is mandatory. Ensure you carry your admit card and valid ID for entry. Special approvals are needed for medical conditions.

West Bengal Elections BJP vs TMC: Political campaigns in West Bengal are creatively using fish and meat, staples of Bengali culture, to connect with voters. This strategy highlights the significant economic importance of the state's non-vegetarian food industry, which supports numerous livelihoods and contributes substantially to exports, revealing a deeper economic narrative beyond political symbolism.

Indus Water Treaty News: Pakistan has approached the UN Security Council after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following a deadly terror attack. The treaty, crucial for Pakistan's water security, has remained intact for decades despite bilateral tensions. India cited cross-border terrorism as the reason for the suspension, stating 'blood and water cannot flow together.'

Global LNG markets face tightness until 2027. Middle East conflict disrupts supply and delays new capacity. Shipping disruptions have removed nearly 20% of global LNG supply, causing price spikes. Europe's gas consumption fell. Asian countries are switching fuels. Delays in Qatar's infrastructure will create a supply shortfall.

Former Army Chief General MM Naravane has released a new book, 'The Curious and the Classified'. The book explores military myths and mysteries. This release follows a controversy surrounding his unpublished memoir, 'Four Stars of Destiny'. The new work delves into lesser-known aspects of India's armed forces. It covers stories of courage, culture, and curiosity.

Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, the Kerala-born scientist who became one of the key architects of Indias space programme, rose from humble beginnings to lead ISRO as Chairman from 1994 to 2003, shaping major milestones like PSLV, GSLV and the early vision for Chandrayaan-1. The journey of Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan reflects a powerful mix of education, resilience and scientific excellence, with contributions spanning space research, astrophysics, and over 240 research papers.

A strong El Nino is expected in the second half of 2026. This will bring hotter, drier weather to Asia. Crops and food supplies will be affected. Farmers face fertiliser shortages and high fuel costs. India anticipates below-average monsoon rains. Southeast Asia's palm oil and rice production may decline. China could see increased flooding risk.

The Supreme Court has ordered the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police to form a special investigation team. This team will probe the tragic case of a four-year-old girl's rape and murder in Ghaziabad. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the local police's investigation. The SIT will also examine the role of two hospitals that allegedly refused treatment to the child.

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) is expected to announce ISC (Class 12) and ICSE (Class 10) results by the last week of April 2026. Students can check their results on cisce.org and results.cisce.org, with digital marksheets also available via DigiLocker.

The Delhi High Court has upheld a trial court's decision to grant bail to former Congress councillor Ishrat Jahan in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy. The court dismissed the Delhi Police's appeal, noting that over four years have passed since the bail was granted and no violations have occurred. This decision does not comment on the case's merits.

China's car market faces fierce price competition. BYD and rivals are increasing discounts despite government calls to stop. This intense rivalry is pushing companies to seek growth overseas. Overcapacity is a major issue, with factories producing far more cars than are sold domestically. This situation impacts the entire automotive system, including used car values.

The Supreme Court has sent Christian Michel's plea for release from jail to a new bench. Michel is involved in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam. The Delhi High Court had previously dismissed his petition. He is challenging provisions of the India-UAE extradition treaty. Michel claims he has served the maximum sentence for the offenses he was extradited for.

CBSE Class 12 results for 2026 are anticipated by the end of April, with official confirmation pending. Approximately 18-19 lakh students appeared for the exams. Students can access their results online, via SMS, DigiLocker, and the UMANG app. Those unsatisfied can apply for compartment exams.

The Election Commission has ordered the suspension of Sandip Sarkar, the Officer-in-Charge of Hingalganj police station in North 24 Parganas. This action follows allegations of partisan behavior and a nexus with local elements. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Sarkar, with the EC demanding immediate implementation and a proposal to fill the vacant post.

Pakistan has successfully test-fired its Taimoor air-launched cruise missile. This indigenous weapon can strike enemy ships from up to 600 kilometers away. The missile's development enhances Pakistan's maritime strike capabilities. This test follows other recent naval advancements by Pakistan. India's naval chief noted past Pakistani naval limitations during Operation Sindoor.

Iran's Consulate in Mumbai responded to US President Donald Trump's 'hellhole' remarks about India by suggesting he needs a one-way cultural detox. The consulate's post on X invited Trump to visit India before making such comments, highlighting the absurdity of his statements.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit Shah expressed confidence in the party's performance in the West Bengal Assembly elections. He stated that the BJP anticipates securing more than 110 seats in the first phase. Shah highlighted the enthusiastic voter turnout as a positive sign for the BJP's prospects.

Former US President Donald Trump has warned Britain of significant tariffs. This action is contingent on Prime Minister Keir Starmer not withdrawing the digital services tax. Trump views the tax as unfairly targeting American technology firms. The United Kingdom introduced the 2% tax in 2020. This move has drawn criticism from both Trump and President Joe Biden.

Kedarnath Temple's opening day saw massive crowds and disarray. Viral videos show chaotic scenes with broken queues and devotees unable to have darshan. This surge raises concerns about crowd management and a shift in pilgrimage behavior, with some blaming social media trends. The situation highlights pressure on existing systems and prompts discussions on responsibility, system versus behavior.

A 56-year-old company director from Bengaluru lost nearly Rs 74,000 after falling victim to a cyber fraud involving a fake bank reward points message, according to a TOI report. The victim, Naveen (name changed), received a call and an APK link claiming it was the last day to redeem benefits, prompting him to pay a nominal fee of Rs 34 using his credit card. Within minutes, Rs 73,889 was fraudulently debited, leading him to alert his bank and report the incident via the cybercrime helpline 1930.

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene stated that player burnout is not the reason for the team's struggles. He believes the focus should be on regaining rhythm and consistency. The team is looking to regroup and plan for the remaining seven matches. Jayawardene defended captain Hardik Pandya, stating the team's performance is a collective effort. Jasprit Bumrah's role was also discussed.

India's Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi was inducted into the International Hall of Fame at the US Army War College, becoming the third Indian Army chief to receive this prestigious honor. During his US visit, General Dwivedi also addressed faculty and students, toured facilities, and engaged in academic discussions, reinforcing India-US defense cooperation.

New rules are in place for West Bengal assembly elections. SD cards from polling booth cameras will not be removed immediately. Officials must dismount cameras under sector officer supervision. Video footage will be preserved securely. Polling party members and BLOs cannot leave until cameras are dismounted. A webcasting trial run begins Friday for the second phase of polling.

During his visit to Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a scenic boat ride along the Hooghly river. He engaged warmly with local boatmen and joggers, capturing the moment with photos that featured the majestic Howrah Bridge and Vidyasagar Setu.

President Donald Trump is exploring a government takeover of Spirit Airlines. The plan involves buying the struggling airline with taxpayer money. The aim is to resell Spirit for a profit once oil prices decrease. This move could save jobs and an airline. Details of the potential financing deal are being discussed with creditors.

The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) will release the Class 12 results for Science, Arts, and Commerce streams on April 28, 2026. Students can access their scorecards online via the official AHSEC website and other designated portals. Results will also be available via SMS for convenient checking.

In the South Delhi rape and murder case, police suspect former domestic help Rahul used a spare key to enter a Kailash Hills flat and attack a 22-year-old IIT Delhi graduate preparing for UPSC, staying inside for about 40 minutes before fleeing, as per TOI. He allegedly showed no remorse, claimed it was triggered by a money dispute, assaulted the victim, stole cash and jewellery, and escaped. Investigators are probing a revenge motive linked to his dismissal, along with possible links to another

India and the United States share a robust partnership. Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra noted the strong bond between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump fuels wide-ranging cooperation. Key areas include defense, trade, and critical minerals. India is on a path of transformation, aiming for Viksit Bharat 2047. This partnership is crucial for advancing economic growth and prosperity.

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Navy Secretary John Phelan has been dismissed. President Donald Trump stated conflicts over shipbuilding led to the firing. This is the latest wartime change at the Pentagon. Phelan, a billionaire with ties to Trump, was reportedly moving too slowly on reforms. The departure occurs during a tense ceasefire with Iran. Naval assets are being increased in the Middle East.

Pope Leo XIV calls for renewed talks between the United States and Iran to end the war. He strongly condemns capital punishment and advocates for humane treatment of migrants. The Pope also addresses the church's focus on sexual morality, suggesting greater emphasis on justice and freedom. His remarks come as he returns from a trip to Africa.

The National Testing Agency will announce CUET PG 2026 results today. Candidates can check their scorecards online after 5 pm. The exam was held from March 6 to 27, 2026. Applicants need their application number and password or date of birth to access results. Universities will conduct their own counselling based on these scores.

Regeneron will reduce prices for its drugs on Medicaid. A cholesterol drug, Praluent, will be available for USD 225 on Trump's discounted drug website. This deal aims to lower healthcare costs for Americans. Regeneron also commits to significant investment in US research and development.

The United States Department of Justice is easing rules on certain marijuana items. The drug will be reclassified as less dangerous. This significant policy shift impacts the multi-billion dollar cannabis industry. It aims to reduce research barriers and tax burdens. This move aligns federal policy with scientific and medical understanding. It also addresses patient needs across the nation.

Iran's fast boats are now a key naval tactic. These small, speedy vessels pose a significant challenge to international shipping near the Strait of Hormuz. Their use highlights Iran's evolving asymmetrical warfare strategy. This development complicates efforts to ensure the safe passage of vital oil and gas supplies through this critical global waterway.

Delhi power outage today: Power cuts are scheduled across Delhi on April 24. Several areas in North, North-West, West, and South Delhi will experience temporary outages. Distribution companies TPDDL and BRPL are conducting maintenance and network upgrades. Residents are advised to plan accordingly. Supply restoration is expected after work completion.

Iran war: As geopolitical tensions continue with the looming threat of a restart of the conflict in Iran, India finds itself at a crossroads economically. One innovative solution could be the implementation of multiple time zones: eastern regions could synchronise with Bangladesh while western areas align with Pakistan.

Punjab today power cut: Punjab is experiencing widespread power cuts affecting over 273 locations amidst a severe heatwave. Initially scheduled for up to nine hours, PSPCL has revised the maximum outage duration to four hours daily following public backlash. These pre-scheduled maintenance works aim to ensure stable supply during peak demand.

India and New Zealand will sign a Free Trade Agreement on Monday, April 27. This landmark deal aims to boost bilateral trade significantly. Negotiations concluded last year with a goal to double trade to five billion dollars in five years. The pact is expected to offer tariff-free access for Indian goods.

An Iranian lawmaker has called talks with the US in Pakistan regarding Iran's nuclear program a strategic error. He stated that discussing the nuclear issue there emboldened the enemy. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump asserted that any deal with Iran would only be made when it benefits the United States and its allies.

AP SSC Results Date 2026: AP 10th class results are expected to be announced by April 25. Students can check their Class 10 scores online using their hall ticket numbers. The official websites bse.ap.gov.in and results.bse.ap.gov.in will host the results. Alongside individual marks, the board will release overall pass percentages. Students who do not pass will have a chance in supplementary exams in June 2026.

America has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to a G20 summit in Miami. President Donald Trump expressed doubt about Putin's attendance. This invitation signals a shift in international engagement with Russia. Putin has avoided Western soil since the Ukraine invasion. The summit is scheduled for December in Florida. Russia's participation is pending a final decision from Moscow.

Donald Trump says America has completed most initial goals in the West Asia conflict. He is now evaluating options for a negotiated settlement. Trump warns that if a deal is not reached, further military action may follow. He also pointed out that the opposing side's oil infrastructure faces significant disruption.

Iran's central bank has confirmed receiving transit fees for ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The revenue was deposited in cash currency. Iran's Deputy Parliament Speaker stated the tolls are a rightful fee for using Iranian territorial waters. He also warned of consequences for aggressive US policies.