Highlights of the day: Zee to layoff 15% of workforce in a bid to cut costs

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9:54 PM

Inspired by Gandhi, Mandela; see you soon outside: Sisodia in letter from Tihar jail

AAP leader Manish Sisodia has written a letter from the Tihar jail to the people of his Assembly constituency, comparing his plight with the atrocities committed by the British against freedom fighters and asserting his commitment towards education for children. The former Delhi deputy chief minister, who has been arrested in connection with the alleged excise policy scam, also expressed hope that he will be out of jail soon. "Will meet you soon outside. The British rulers also had the arrogance of power and sent people to jail in false cases," Sisodia said, adding that Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, who spent many years in prison, were his inspiration. A court here is scheduled to hear Sisodia's bail plea on Saturday.

8:31 PM

4.7 magnitude earthquake hits New York, New Jersey

A 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck the New York City region on Friday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, shaking buildings and surprising residents in an area that rarely experiences notable seismic activity.

8:31 PM

Russian personnel expelled from Nato headquarters, Stoltenberg tells Bild

Several Russian personnel have been expelled from Nato headquarters in recent months amid espionage claims, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg told Germany'sBild tabloid in an interview released on Friday. "We realized that they were carrying out activities that were not actually diplomatic work, but intelligence work,"Stoltenberg was quoted as saying by Bild. There was no immediate comment from Nato.

6:17 PM

Zee to layoff 15% of workforce in a bid to cut costs

Indian broadcaster Zee Entertainment said on Friday it has initiated a 15 per cent cut in its workforce as the company is in the middle of a slew of cost-cutting measures.

4:44 PM

Delhi excise case: Court allows CBI to interrogate BRS leader K Kavitha in Tihar jail

 A Delhi court today permitted the CBI to interrogate BRS leader K Kavitha, arrested in the Delhi liquor policy case, in Tihar jail. Kavitha was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the alleged scam on March 15.

4:38 PM

Tie-up with BJP after elections depends on how they treat us, like to be Agri Minister: Kumaraswamy

JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has state that he is sincerely working for NDA's better prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and the continuation of tie-up with BJP, after the elections, will depend on how his party and its leaders are treated. Kumaraswamy also added that given an opportunity he wants to be the agriculture minister, in the event of NDA coming back to power at the Centre.

4:35 PM

Voted for CAA in Parliament because Meghalaya was exempted: Tura MP Agatha Sangma

Agatha K Sangma, the incumbent Lok Sabha MP and National People's Party candidate for Tura, today stated that she supported the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Parliament since Meghalaya was exempted from its provisions. Despite facing criticism from opposition parties for her stance, Agatha asserted that since the CAA does not apply in Meghalaya, there is no cause for concern.

4:29 PM

ECI identifies 266 LS seats with lower voter turnout; says 'one size fits all' approach won't work

The poll body today stated that it has identified 266 parliamentary constituencies, including 215 in rural areas, with low voter turnout and is planning targeted intervention to increase voting percentage in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

4:26 PM

2 officers dismissed by Israeli military over drone strikes on aid workers

Israeli military dismisses 2 officers over drone strikes on aid workers, citing rules of engagement violations, reports news agency AP.

4:16 PM

Work done in 10 years just an appetiser, main course yet to come: PM Modi at Churu rally

Underlining the work done by his government in the last 10 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stated it was just an "appetiser" and the main course is yet to come. PM Modi also accused the Congress of insulting the Army and dividing people and said this represented the "identity" of the opposition party. He was addressing a rally in Churu, his second election rally in Rajasthan in three days.

Addressing a rally in Churu, his second election rally in Rajasthan in three days, 

3:04 PM

Will allow 'temporary' opening of aid routes into Gaza, says Israel

Israel said today that it would allow "temporary" aid deliveries into famine-threatened northern Gaza, hours after the United States warned of a sharp shift in its policy over Israel's war against Hamas militants.

3:02 PM

One dead, one injured in blast during suspected making of country-made bomb in Kerala's Kannur

One person was killed and another seriously injured in a blast near Panur in this north Kerala district in the early hours of Friday, police said. The incident took place at around 1:00 am, and the opposition Congress alleged that the blast happened during the manufacturing of country-made bombs.

2:58 PM

AAP wrote multiple letters to EC over BJP's 'objectionable' posters, but no action was taken: Atishi

Delhi minister and senior AAP leader Atishi slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) after she was served a show-cause notice today, asking if it was a "subsidiary organisation" of the BJP. The notice was issued to her over her remarks that the BJP had approached her to either join the party or be prepared to be nabbed by the Enforcement Directorate within a month.

2:53 PM

Delhi High Court seeks Centre's stand on plea by NGO against FCRA cancellation

The Delhi High Court today sought the stand of the central government on a plea filed by NGO Environics Trust challenging its order cancelling its registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). "The petitioner has approached this court challenging an order dated March 4, 2024 cancelling the registration under FCRA. Issue Notice. Reply be filed in four weeks," Justice Subramonium Prasad said.

2:50 PM

DJB money laundering case: Delhi court issues notice to ED on bail plea of accused person

The Rouse Avenue court today issued notice to the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on a bail plea moved by CA Tejinder Pal Singh, accused in the Delhi Jal Board money laundering case. Special judge Bhupinder Singh issued notice to ED on the bail application of Tejinder Pal Singh and directed him to file a reply. The matter has been listed on April 8 for a hearing. The probe agency filed a charge sheet against four people.