The Morning Standard - April 22, 2025

In this issue

April 22, 2025

ADIEU, PROGRESSIVE POPE

Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, passed away on Monday. He was 88.

2 mins

IAF officer alleges assault in Bengaluru; biker held

In a case of road rage, an Indian Air Force wing commander was allegedly attacked by a biker at Byappanahalli in the city on Monday morning.

1 min

Summer plan a 'shared responsibility', says CM

TO protect people from the dangers of extreme heat, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday launched the ambitious Delhi Heat Action Plan 2025, describing it as a \"symbol of shared responsibility\" and not just a government initiative.

1 min

BJP Set to Regain MCD Control as AAP Calls It Quits, Says Not in Fray

AAP has decided not to contest the April 25 mayoral elections, clearing the way for the BJP to take charge of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

1 min

2 Accused in Murshidabad Riot Case Held

TWO key accused in the killing of a father-son duo in Murshidabad during the recent violence over Waqf (Amendment) Act were arrested by a joint team of West Bengal STF and Jharsuguda police in the early hours of Monday.

1 min

Modi, Vance Hail Progress in Trade Talks

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi and US Vice President J D Vance on Monday hailed the significant progress in the ongoing talks for a fair and forward-looking bilateral trade agreement.

1 min

ABVP seeks 'impartial' JNU student polls

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has raised serious concerns regarding the impartiality and transparency of the students' union elections at Jawaharlal Nehru University, demanding that the polling exercise be conducted strictly in accordance with the constitutional norms.

1 min

Capital sizzles at 42 degree C, no relief ahead

DELHI continued to reel under hot and dry conditions on Monday as temperatures hovered around 41°C, with no relief in sight over the next few days.

1 min

GTB Enclave murder: 2 more in police net

POLICE on Monday arrested two more men for allegedly murdering a 22-year-old woman in east Delhi's GTB Enclave area on April 14.

1 min

Bomb threats to 3 SDM offices turn out to be hoax: Cops

PANIC gripped parts of southwest Delhi on Monday after three Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) offices received bomb threat emails, prompting immediate evacuations and security checks.

1 min

Convict threatens judge after verdict

A Delhi court witnessed high drama when a convict and his lawyer openly threatened a judge after she convicted him in a cheque bounce case.

1 min

Schools refusing to promote pupils of Classes 6, 7 violation of RTE: Parents

PARENTS and activists have alleged that several prominent schools in the national capital allegedly held back students in classes 6 and 7, in stark violation of the Right to Education Act (RTE) of 2009.

1 min

Situation gone from bad to worse: SC on child trafficking

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed grave concern over the deteriorating state of child trafficking in the national capital, observing that the \"situation seems to have gone from bad to worse.\"

1 min

MCD mayor poll exit: AAP student body slams party

THE Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), student wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on Monday strongly criticised the party's decision to withdraw from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) mayoral election, calling it a betrayal of democratic values and the trust of the people.

1 min

Hosps must report heat illness: Govt

Under action plan, healthcare facilities required to set up wards for heatstroke patients

2 mins

18-Year-Old Held for Flaunting Weapons Online

An 18-year-old youth was arrested from Uttam Nagar in southwest Delhi for flaunting illegal weapons on social media, police said on Monday.

1 min

Saxena Orders Magisterial Probe Into Building Collapse

LIEUTENANT Governor VK Saxena has ordered a comprehensive magisterial inquiry into the collapse of a four-storey residential building in the Mustafabad area's Dayalpur locality that claimed 11 lives and left as many injured.

1 min

MP's aide duped of ₹30,000 over 'medical need'

Amid the ongoing cyber crime spree across the capital, a parliamentarian's personal assistant became the latest victim to nefarious schemes, after he was duped of ₹30,000 under the pretext of some medical emergency.

1 min

26/11 Accused Tahawwur Seeks Court Permission to Speak With Family

TAHAWWUR Hussain Rana, one of the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, has asked a court for permission to speak to his family.

1 min

HC to hear 52 cases again after Justice Varma's transfer over cash row

THE Delhi High Court on Monday announced that 52 pending cases, earlier assigned to the Division Bench of Justice Yashwant Varma and Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, will now be heard again from the beginning.

1 min

PM10 Levels in Cities Beyond Safety Limits Over Past Four Years: CPCB

ACCORDING to the air quality data recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the annual particulate matter (PM10) levels have consistently exceeded national safety standards over the past four years.

1 min

10 Cyclists Killed, 21 Hurt in 3 Months

Police data shows city recorded 28 accidents till March 31 this year; 149 cases in 2024

1 min

L-G Presents Medals, Cash Prizes to Traffic Volunteers

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Monday presented medals and cash prizes worth ₹6 lakh to Traffic Prahari volunteers who earned the highest reward points between September 2024 and February 2025 for reporting traffic violations, an official statement said.

1 min

Court Extends Stay on Probe Against Kapil Mishra in 2020 Riots Case

A Delhi court on Monday extended the stay on further investigation into Law Minister Kapil Mishra's alleged involvement in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, pushing the next hearing date to May 7.

1 min

Vijayanagara ruler's tomb now a mutton market

THE tomb of erstwhile ruler of Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya at Anegundi has been turned into a mutton market.

1 min

People of Odisha Devoting More Time to Work, Less to Self-Care

PEOPLE of Odisha are devoting more time to work and less time towards self-care, which includes eating, exercising, and sleeping.

1 min

Kerala drug menace: 16 women on radar

WITH increasing reports of women's involvement in drug peddling across Kerala, the excise department has intensified surveillance on 16 women who are included in the list of repeat offenders in narcotics cases.

1 min

Rising Telangana makes state safest bet, Revanth tells investors in Japan

POINTING out that Telangana offers policy stability, ease of doing business and world-class infrastructure, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy invited Japanese investors, industrialists and companies to invest in the state.

1 min

An identity crisis four decades in the making

IN Karimnagar's 8th division, where time moves forward but paperwork does not, a colony of about 2,000 residents has spent the last four decades politely — and repeatedly — asking the authorities for something truly outlandish: an official name for the place they live in.

1 min

Killing of ex-K'taka DG Om Prakash

A planned murder using chilli powder and cooking oil; wife and daughter named in FIR

2 mins

Death of rare star tortoises at Andhra temple sparks widespread outrage

The deaths of around 24 rare Indian star tortoises at the Sri Kurmanatha Swamy Temple in Srikurmam have sparked widespread outrage, with allegations of negligence and a cover-up attempt by temple staff.

1 min

SIT Takes Rajasekhar Reddy Into Custody in AP Liquorgate

THE Special Investigation Team (SIT) took Raj Kesi Reddy (Rajasekhar Reddy Kesi) into custody on Monday evening.

1 min

WHAT'S MISSING IN LOAN ALGORITHMS

Last year, the rate of defaults on loans intermediated by financial technology platforms rose.

3 mins

Why Trump's Best Card Against Iran Is Diplomacy, Not War

Despite their sharp rhetoric, Trump and Netanyahu realize that a third war in the region isn't in anyone's interest. A strike on Iran's N-facilities would be counterproductive

4 mins

Seek A-G nod to file contempt plea against Dubey

THE Supreme Court on Monday told a lawyer, appearing for a petitioner, that he has to take the prior permission of the Attorney General (AG) to file a contempt petition against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey over his criticism of the apex court and the Chief Justice of India (CJI), clarifying that he need not seek the court's consent.

1 min

Pope Francis held India, PM close to his heart

S PM Narendra Modi rightly observed, His Holiness Pope Francis was a \"beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage\" in a world fraught with conflicts, violence and despair.

2 mins

Alleged of intruding on House functions: SC

\"AS it is, we are alleged of encroaching upon parliamentary and executive functions,\" a Supreme Court bench led by Justice B R Gavai said on Monday, in an apparent reference to recent adverse remarks on the function of judiciary.

2 mins

EC Compromised, Says Rahul on Maha Poll in US; BJP Livid

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the Election Commission is \"compromised\" and claimed that there is something very wrong with the electoral system, citing the surge in the number of voters in the Maharashtra election.

1 min

Army on buying spree, inks ₹85K cr deals for arms procurement in '24-'25

THE Indian Army has worked out major procurement deals with an expenditure of ₹85,000 crore for 2024-2025, with a thrust on self-reliance.

1 min

Author Threatens to Sue 'Emergency' Producer Over Breach of Contract

COOMI Kapoor, a noted journalist and author of the book — The Emergency — has decided to take legal action against the producer of movie 'Emergency' (Manikarnika Films Pvt Ltd, a company owned by the family of actress turned politician Kangana Ranaut) and over-the-top (OTT) streaming service provider Netflix for alleged breach of contract, causing damage to her reputation.

1 min

Need for relook at K'taka caste survey

Former CM says the report, if accepted in the current form, will lead to polarisation & create tension in society

3 mins

Chirag ready to accept new role in Bihar, says MP

UNION Minister of Food Processing Industries and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has created a flutter in Bihar political circles by suggesting that he wants to return to state politics.

1 min

Uncle meets nephew in Pune, sparks speculation about Pawar reunion

AMID rumours of a potential reunion between the Thackeray cousins, speculation is growing about the Pawar family reconciling.

1 min

Flash floods leave behind trail of destruction in J&K

THE flash floods and landslides that killed three people left a trail of destruction in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district, with affected people picking up the pieces and men and machinery deployed for restoration work on Monday.

1 min

Plot to attack Shah in pro-Amritpal WA group busted, 2 held

AFTER alleged screenshots of a WhatsApp group conversation in support of jailed pro-Khalistan leader and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh was leaked on social media, the Punjab Police on Monday registered a case and arrested two persons in the matter.

1 min

CM meets PM amid buzz over Gujarat cabinet rejig, change of state BJP chief

THE recent buzz surrounding the Gujarat Cabinet expansion and the new BJP state chief gained traction after Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday.

1 min

In joint op, Meghalaya & Mumbai police bust criminal network; B'deshis nabbed

THE Meghalaya police, in coordination with Mumbai police, have busted a criminal network that not only facilitated the illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals but also used their bank accounts — opened with forged documents — to carry out banking and cyber frauds.

1 min

8 Maoists gunned down in J'khand

Central committee member carrying ₹1 cr reward among those killed in Bokaro encounter

2 mins

Israel Security Head Says PM Asked Him to Spy on Anti-Govt Protesters

ISRAEL'S internal security chief, whom the government is trying to sack, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday of demanding personal loyalty and ordering him to spy on anti-government protesters, drawing a sharp rebuke from the long-time leader.

1 min

Hegseth shared sensitive intel in 2nd Signal chat: NYT

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shared information on forthcoming US air strikes on Yemen in a private Signal chat group that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, the New York Times and CNN reported on Sunday.

1 min

Church prepares for the last rites

WITH the death of Pope Francis on Monday, the Catholic Church enters a period known as \"Sede Vacante\" (Vacant See) during which a senior cardinal takes over day-to-day affairs until a new pope is elected.

2 mins

Russia resumes attacks on Ukraine after Easter truce

RUSSIA launched a wave of aerial attacks at Ukraine on Monday in an abrupt end to a fragile Easter truce, while Vladimir Putin pushed back against the idea of a month-long halt to strikes on civilian targets, as proposed by Kyiv.

1 min

Mkts gain for 5th session on trade talks, corp earnings

DOMESTIC equity markets continued their upward momentum for the fifth straight session on Monday, driven by robust Q4FY25 earnings from major private lenders like ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank.

1 min

PFC to declare Gensol account as fraudulent

POWER Finance Corporation is exploring various options, including declaring Gensol's account as fraudulent, due to alleged financial irregularities.

1 min

Gold Set To Cross ₹1L Mark On Weak Dollar

Surge in yellow metal is on the back of weakening dollar and global uncertainties over Trump's imposition of tariffs

2 mins

Vivo Takes Top Spot in Indian Phone Market in Q1

CHINESE smartphone maker Vivo grabbed the top spot in the Indian smartphone market with a 22% market share, shipping 7 million units in the first quarter of 2025.

1 min

Gensol crisis may dent India's image temporarily

THE ongoing crisis at Gensol Engineering (GEL) and BluSmart could temporarily hurt India's appeal among investors.

2 mins

Airtel Adds 1.65 Million Users in Jan; Vi, BSNL Lose Subscribers

BHARTI AIRTEL, country's second-largest telecom service provider, gained the maximum number of 1.65 million customers in January 2025, followed by Reliance Jio, which added 0.68 million.

1 min

Cash burn to drop 80% in 2025: Unacademy CEO

EDTECH firm Unacademy, which aims to make the core business profitable soon, has seen major improvement in cash burn in its business.

1 min

Banks get breather on LCR until next financial yr

IN a big relief to banks, which have been facing liquidity issues, the Reserve Bank on Monday put off implementation of new tighter liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) to April 1, 2026.

1 min

Tariff impact: Retail, mfg verticals worst hit for IT cos

FOR IT services companies, verticals such as retail, manufacturing and logistics will be worst hit due to US tariffs.

1 min

Google Settles Smart TV Case, Paying ₹20 Crore; Bundle Service Not Mandatory

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given a nod to the ₹20.24 crore settlement proposal of Google in the Android smart TV case.

1 min

Iyer and Kishan Back in BCCI's Central Contract

Duo's return to cricket body's list the main talking point; Pant promoted to Grade A

2 mins

Sudirman Cup: SatChi Withdraw

INDIA's top men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty on Monday withdrew from the BWF Sudirman Cup Finals due to illness in a big blow to the country's prospects at the prestigious mixed team championship to be held in Xiamen, China from April 27 to May 4.

1 min

Batters should convert starts into big scores: Ex-India pro Raju

FORMER India spinner and national selector, Venkatapathy Raju, echoed Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting's thoughts and insisted that adaptation is the key for the success in T20s. Punjab Kings lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru after managing to post a sub-par total on Sunday afternoon.

1 min

Valverde stunner keeps Real in Liga title hunt

FEDE Valverde's superb 93rd minute strike kept Real Madrid on Barcelona's tail in the Spanish title race, earning the champions a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

1 min

Fed Cup Athletics: Sachin, Pranav shine

THE 28th National Federation Senior Athletic Championship kicked off in Kochi with two meet records and a handful of personal best performances.

2 mins

GT's Top Three Show Up Once Again

GUJARAT Titans' top-three once again paved the way for the franchise to enjoy a win in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

1 min

NC Classic shifted to B'luru, Arshad yet to confirm

TWO-TIME Olympic and world championships medallist Neeraj Chopra on Monday confirmed that the maiden edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic Javelin Throw will take place in Bengaluru instead of Panchkula in Haryana.

2 mins

Fruit of Life

Delhi artist Shweta Mansingka's 'Parched Earth' exhibition presents her sculptures, that explores life's bareness and the endless cycle of creation, while revealing her preference for expressive sculpture over functional ceramics

1 min

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