THE HEADLINES:: 

• Country’s exports grow 5.5 per cent to hit record nearly 821 billion dollars in last fiscal.

• US imposes 245 per cent retaliatory tariffs on China as trade war escalates.

• Enforcement Directorate questions Robert Vadra for second consecutive day in Haryana land deal case.

• Two Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region.

• And in IPL T20 cricket, Delhi Capitals to take on Rajasthan Royals in New Delhi this evening.

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India’s total exports of goods and services registered growth of 5.5 per cent, reaching a record 820.93 billion dollars during April-March 2024-25, compared to 778.13 billion dollars in the previous fiscal year, despite the uncertainties in the global market.

According to data compiled by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, country’s total exports during the reported period is estimated at 820.93 billion dollars while total imports is estimated at 915.19 billion dollars. As per the data, India’s trade deficit expanded to 21.54 billion dollars in March this year.

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US President Donald Trump’s administration has announced sweeping new retaliatory tariffs of up to 245 per cent on imports of Chinese goods, sharply escalating the trade conflict between the two countries. The decision, detailed in a fact sheet released by the White House last night, comes in response to Beijing’s recent export restrictions and retaliatory tariffs. The White House in a statement emphasized that the move is a part of President Trump’s ongoing “America First Trade Policy.” It said, the new measures were justified under national security grounds. The administration accused China of deliberately restricting vital high-tech materials, including gallium, germanium, and antimony – elements critical for military, aerospace, and semiconductor industries. More recently, China suspended exports of six heavy rare earth metals and rare earth magnets, tightening the grip on components essential to global supply chains.

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The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has responded to the White House’s claim that China now faces tariffs of up to 245 per cent on imports to the United States. Speaking at a press briefing, Lin asked the US side for the specific tax rate figures. He reiterated China’s position, stating the tariff war was initiated by the United States. Lin stressed that Beijing’s retaliatory actions are “completely reasonable and legal, aimed at safeguarding the country’s rights and upholding fairness in international trade.  The Spokesperson said if the US really wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop exerting extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing, and talk to China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is questioning Robert Vadra, the husband of senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for the second consecutive day today in connection with a money-laundering probe linked to a land deal in Haryana. He is being questioned at the ED office in New Delhi. The case is related to purchase of a land in Gurugram by Mr. Vadra’s company. Earlier, Mr. Vadra was also questioned yesterday by the agency.

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The BJP today accused the Congress of trying to intimidate the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following chargesheet against its senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, the ED’s action in the National Herald case is a standard legal procedure in which the Congress is trying to create hindrance through its protests today. He accused the party of being corrupt and said that it bribed officials during its rule to write off massive loans it owed in this matter. He added that the party has also acquired land illegally under the guise of the Young India organization.

Meanwhile, the Congress is holding nationwide protests over the chargesheet against its senior leaders. The party has termed the ED’s action as vendetta politics.

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The Select Committee of Lok Sabha on the new Income Tax Bill – 2025 is holding a meeting at the Parliament House in New Delhi. The 31-member panel is headed by BJP MP Baijayant Panda. The Committee will submit its report on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament.

The Income-Tax Bill 2025 aims at consolidating and amending the law relating to income tax. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha during the first-half of Budget session of Parliament. Later the draft law was refered to the Select Committee of the House.

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The Election Commission has started preparation for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections with the poll body conducting a training programme for Booth Level Agents (BLAs) from the state today. Around 280 BLAs from 10 different political parties of Bihar are attending a two-day training programme in New Delhi. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi addressed the BLAs during the programme. The commission stressed the importance of the involvement of BLAs in the election processes and asserted that the training programme will help them fulfil their responsibilities.

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The National Commission for Women (NCW) has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad. The four-member Committee, led by NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, will visit violence-affected areas in Murshidabad to interact with local victims, their families, and meet with the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police. The committee will also visit the Malda district to meet the affected women and families displaced by the violence in Murshidabad. It will investigate the circumstances that led to the incident and evaluate the response and measures taken by the concerned authorities

The Commission has taken suo-moto cognizance of reports of several women enduring molestation during communal unrest in the Mandirpara area in Murshidabad district.

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Two Maoists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. The two Maoists were carrying a collective bounty of 13 lakh rupees. Inspector General of Police of Bastar Range, Sundar Raj P said, the gunfight took place last evening in a forest of Kilam-Bargum villages along the border of Kondagaon and Narayanpur districts when a team of District Reserve Guard was out on an anti-Naxalite operation.

The search operation is underway in the area.          

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The Madhya Pradesh government has clarified that the Ladli Behana Yojana will not be stopped. The state government has now also set a time limit for the amount to be given every month under this scheme. The state’s Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said, now this amount will be released in the accounts of the beneficiaries of the Ladli Behana Yojana between 10 to 15 of every month. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has also clarified that the government will not stop any public welfare scheme.

The Chief Minister will today release the installment of 1,552 crore rupees for the month of April in the accounts of one crore 27 lakh Ladli Behana Yojana beneficiaries of the state. Under the scheme, every beneficiary is given 1250 rupees every month.

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Government e Marketplace (GeM), India’s largest e-marketplace for public procurement has facilitated insurance of more than 1 lakh 30 thousand crore individuals covering Health, Life and Personal Accident Insurance policies in Financial Year 2024-25. In a statement, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said, GeM has also hired 10 lakh manpower resources in the same financial year. Speaking about the achievement, GeM CEO Ajay Bhadoo said that the marketplace remains committed to continuously enhancing its platform to provide seamless, secure and cost-effective procurement solutions. 

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Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today commemorated the 172nd anniversary of India’s first train journey, recalling the historic moment when the inaugural train departed from Bori Bunder to Thane in Maharashtra on 16th of April in 1853. In a social media post, the Minister described it as a landmark day in the nation’s history, marking the birth of Indian Railways. He said, the day was declared a public holiday to celebrate the occasion.

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India and other G4 nations including Brazil, Germany, and Japan have opposed proposals to allocate seats based on religion in a reformed UN Security Council. India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish said, proposals to introduce new parameters in reforming the Council such as religious affiliation run counter to establish UN practice. He was speaking at a meeting of Intergovernmental Negotiations at UN Headquarter in New York on Council reforms on behalf of the G4 yesterday. India’s UN envoy stressed that regional representation, not religion is the established basis for Council membership.

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Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi has been ranked ninth among the world’s busiest airports in 2024, handling 77.8 million passengers. This marks a 7.8 per cent increase from 2023 and a 13.6 per cent rise compared to 2019, indicating strong growth. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the US claimed the top spot on the Airports Council International (ACI) World list, having served over 108 million passengers last year followed by Dubai and Dallas Fort Worth airports.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert and predicted heat wave over Rajasthan and Gujarat during the next two days. The weather agency said, in National Capital the temperature will also gradually rise. Talking to Akashvani News, Senior Scientist RK Jenamani said, Jammu Kashmir is expected to witness heavy rainfall from 18th of April onwards. He added that similar conditions are expected over Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

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In the IPL cricket, Delhi Capitals will face Rajasthan Royals in New Delhi this evening. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM.

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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:

• Country’s exports grow 5.5 per cent to hit record nearly 821 billion dollars in last fiscal.

• US imposes 245 per cent retaliatory tariffs on China as trade war escalates.

• Enforcement Directorate questions Robert Vadra for second consecutive day in Haryana land deal case.

• Two Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region.

• And in IPL T20 cricket, Delhi Capitals to take on Rajasthan Royals in New Delhi this evening.

SOURCE-NEWSONAIR

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