Baba Ramdev defended his «sharbat jihad» remark, claiming he didn't target any specific brand, while Congress leader Digvijaya Singh filed a police complaint alleging promotion of religious hatred. Singh accused Ramdev of indirectly targeting Rooh Afza, implying its sales fund religious institutions, and demanded an FIR for inciting communal sentiments. Police are investigating Singh's complaint.

Kapil Sibal criticized Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's disapproval of the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential bill decisions and Tamil Nadu governor's bill withholding. Sibal emphasized that both the President and governors must act on ministerial advice, accusing the governor of interfering with legislative authority.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has voiced strong concerns about the judiciary's increasing reliance on Article 142 of the Constitution, describing it as a threat to democratic forces. He called for a review of constitutional interpretation practices, particularly in light of recent judicial directives to the President regarding state bills.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has refuted claims of a nationwide satellite-based tolling system replacing FASTag by May 1, 2025. Instead, MoRTH will introduce an ANPR-FASTag-based barrier-less tolling system at select locations to ease traffic flow. This hybrid system will use number plate recognition and FASTag, with penalties for non-compliance.

[allAfrica]

The People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) will be fielding 14 candidates in seven constituencies in the upcoming General Election. The constituencies include Tanjong Pagar and Jalan Besar GRCs, and Mountbatten, Potong Pasir, Queenstown, Radin Mas and Yio Chu Kang SMCs. At a walkabout at Pek Kio Market and Food Centre on Saturday (April 18), PAR's secretary-general Lim Tean said that they would not contest for the Marymount, Jalan Kayu and Kebun Baru SMCs.  Red Dot United (RDU) had previously announced plans to contest Jalan Kayu, while the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) has said that it will contest Kebun Baru and Marymount SMCs. PAR also revealed their potential candidate for Queenstown SMC, Mahaboob Baatsha, who will be making his electoral debut. 

The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra have been inscribed in Unesco’s Memory of the World Register, marking a significant recognition of India’s civilisational legacy. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hailed this as a historic moment, emphasizing their role as philosophical and aesthetic foundations.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has firmly dismissed Bangladesh's remarks regarding the Murshidabad violence, urging them to address the persecution of their own minorities. The MEA refuted Bangladesh's denial of involvement and accusations against India, following unrest that claimed lives and displaced families.

Anurag Thakur criticized the Congress party following the ED's chargesheet in the National Herald case, alleging repeated corruption. He stated the party's unease indicates guilt, referencing historical scams. The ED's chargesheet against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi involves alleged proceeds of crime, while Congress dismisses the case as politically motivated, leading to protests.

Harpreet Singh, a key suspect in multiple Punjab terror attacks, has been apprehended in California by the FBI and US Immigration. Wanted in India and linked to international terrorist organizations, Singh illegally entered the US in 2021. He faces charges related to the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack, where he allegedly provided support alongside Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu.

Harpreet Singh, wanted in India for alleged involvement in multiple terror activities, including grenade blasts and drug trafficking, has been apprehended in Sacramento, California. The FBI and US immigration authorities detained Singh, who illegally entered the US via Mexico in 2021.

[allAfrica]

[allAfrica]

Al Masirah said the US Air Force launched at least 14 air raids, some of which continued even after doctors and civil defense teams arrived on the scene

L'Economie de la Polynésie était au cœur de notre rubrique Regards Croisés ce jeudi 17 avril. Le ministre de l'économie, du budget et des finances Warren Dexter et le maître de conférences en sciences économiques Florent Venayre ont donné leurs points de vue sur le prêt à taux 0, la taxe de développement local, les marges mais aussi les conséquences des décisions de Donald Trump.

Lars Klingbeil still stressed that «Germany should remain Ukraine’s biggest military supporter in Europe»

Ding Xuexiang noted that work was underway on major projects as the two countries kept expanding areas of cooperation

The Russian delegation will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk

Under separate agreements with the regional government, $455,000 have been allocated for upgrade of the Vorkuta airport's runway and apron

Governor Artur Parfenchikov called promising seaweed extraction and cultivation due to the region's access to the White Sea

Delhi Airport alerted passengers on Friday about potential flight delays due to shifting wind patterns. Arrival management measures were implemented from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm to ensure operational safety. While other airport operations continue normally, passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates. The IMD forecasts strong winds and thunderstorms in Delhi, potentially impacting flight schedules.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has assured citizens that their safety remains the government's top priority amidst heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms across multiple districts. He directed officials to conduct surveys, initiate relief operations, and promptly distribute relief funds for casualties and injuries.

Bollywood actors Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda, along with director Gopichand Malineni and producer Naveen Yerneni, face legal trouble. A case has been registered against them at Jalandhar's Sadar police station. The charges stem from their film 'Jaat,' accused of hurting religious sentiments.

The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra have been inscribed in Unesco’s Memory of the World Register, marking a significant recognition of India’s civilisational legacy. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hailed this as a historic moment, emphasizing their role as philosophical and aesthetic foundations.

Minister of Transport Chee Hong Tat will be leading the People's Action Party's (PAP) team to contest Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the 2025 General Election. Joining Chee on the team is Saktiandi Supaat, with both PAP candidates having contested the constituency in the past two elections. Newcomers Elysa Chen and Cai Yinzhou, who were introduced at a PAP press briefing on April 18 at its Toa Payoh West-Thomson Branch, will also be part of this team.  This team will be without Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who is retiring from politics after over two decades in Cabinet. Over the years, he has held various political positions, including Minister for Education and Minister for Manpower, before being appointed Minister for Defence in 2011. «It's my liberation day,» said the 66-year-old. 

Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang will contest again for Marymount SMC in the upcoming general election on May 3.  The former air force general won the seat over Progress Singapore Party's Ang Yong Guan in 2020, earning 55.04 per cent of the votes to his 44.96 per cent. Gan made the announcement at the People's Action Party (PAP) Toa Payoh West-Thomson branch today (April 18), recounting how she has worked alongside Marymount residents to improve the neighbourhood. She said: «For the past five years, I've done my best to walk the ground, helping the vulnerable residents, build the team and also creating a new Marymount identity. »We've put in a lot of hard work to turn ideas into action. In the last five years, we've introduced new community programmes, and upgraded common infrastructure to make Marymount more inclusive and accessible." Gan added that the journey has been meaningful to her and she hopes to continue with them.

Two women who reportedly assaulted another woman at a St James-based nightclub in March were freed on Wednesday after their case was settled through mediation. Isheka Thomas and Vanessa Ewers were before the St James Parish Court on the charge...

A St James man who reportedly injured his female neighbour during a brawl over a fire that he lit in his yard has been bound over to return to the St James Parish Court on May 21, following his first court appearance on Wednesday, April 16....

A St James resident who was reportedly held with several rounds of ammunition during a police operation in Montego Bay was offered bail in the sum of $400,000 when he appeared before the St James Parish Court on Wednesday. Twenty-four-year-old...

The US has struck a Houthi-linked fuel port in Yemen, which it claimed was used to fund the rebel group’s “terrorist effort” Read Full Article at RT.com

The New Zealand Government is increasing its support for Vanuatu’s climate and energy priorities through a major investment in the Renewable Energy Solar and Storage on Efate and Tanna (RESSET) project.

The first-ever Pacific Island Oceans Ministers meeting, held in Fiji last Friday, has appointed Vanuatu’s Minister of Fisheries, Ocean, and Maritime Affairs, Jack Norris Kalmet, to lead the regional campaign against marine pollution in the Pacific.