Times of India

The government has transferred Justice Yashwant Varma from Delhi High Court to Allahabad High Court amid allegations of cash discovery at his residence following a fire. Justice Varma denied the claims, and a Supreme Court in-house committee is investigating the matter. A PIL for an FIR was dismissed, as the inquiry is still ongoing.

The Union Cabinet, led by PM Narendra Modi, approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for Central Government employees and pensioners, effective January 1, 2025. The rate rise from 53% to 55% aims to combat inflation, impacting over 115 lakh individuals, with costs estimated at Rs 6,614.04 crore annually.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan humorously criticised the IPL for a seemingly unnecessary strategic timeout during a match where Lucknow Super Giants needed just two runs off 24 balls. The decision raised eyebrows and was a moment of amusement amidst LSG's comfortable victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, causing extensive damage and panic in Thailand and China. The tremor, followed by a significant aftershock, destroyed buildings, collapsed a bridge, and damaged infrastructure. Rescue operations are underway as people fled to safety, and emergency teams assess the situation amid warnings of possible aftershocks and further collapses.

Ex-Bengal cricketer Shreevats Goswami claimed Eden Gardens curator consistently ignores home team requests. The current curator refuted accusations, emphasising adherence to BCCI guidelines and maintaining good relations with KKR. Simon Doull called for prioritising home team needs. KKR captain Rahane desired spin-friendly pitches, but Mukherjee defended his pitch preparations and questioned KKR’s spinners’ performance.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha that India is closely monitoring minority attacks in Pakistan and Bangladesh. He highlighted recent incidents targeting Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmadis, and Christians. Jaishankar stressed India's inability to change Pakistan's mindset but affirmed proactive measures to address the issue. The Human Rights Focus Pakistan report noted a rise in minority attacks in 2025.

Each day of Chaitra Navratri is associated with a specific colour, which holds significant meaning and symbolism for the nine forms of Goddess Durga.

Rakesh Rajendra Khedekar confessed to killing his wife, Gouri Anil Sambrekar, after a fight over her job on March 26. Following the murder, he talked to her body all night. He later attempted suicide but survived. Police detained him near Pune and are awaiting medical clearance to present him in court for further investigation.

Protests erupted in Istanbul following the detention of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption allegations, leading to widespread unrest and nearly 1,900 detentions. Demonstrators, including one in a Pikachu costume, were seen clashing with the police, as international concerns over Turkey's democratic decline grow.

Stock market today: Indian equity benchmark indices, BSE Sensex and Nifty50, opened flat in trade on Friday. While BSE Sensex was near 77,550, Nifty50 was around 23,580 levels.

Intel's board ended Pat Gelsinger's turnaround plan, leading to his premature retirement. Gelsinger's tenure at Intel was marked by revenue decline and strategic missteps, particularly in AI and manufacturing. New CEO Lip-Bu Tan aims to restructure and focus on aggressive AI chip production to revitalize Intel.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee spoke at Oxford University on women's empowerment in Bengal, but was interrupted by students protesting post-poll violence and a controversial case. She emphasized the importance of unity and inclusive development while addressing accusations and challenges raised during her speech.

Elon Musk outlines the requirements for building a self-sustaining Martian city, emphasizing independence from Earth. Key milestones include creating a thriving civilization capable of producing its own resources. Musk anticipates a 20-year timeline and a population of about a million individuals, with SpaceX's Starship playing a crucial role in achieving this vision.

Chennai Super Kings face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a high-stakes match at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. The rivalry is fueled by past encounters and regional proximity. CSK's dominance since 2008 is threatened by RCB's determination led by Virat Kohli and captain Rajat Patidar. CSK's concern is Pathirana's injury, impacting their bowling strength.

US President Donald Trump hosted the annual Iftar dinner at the White House, expressing gratitude to Muslim-Americans for their support in the November 2024 elections. He highlighted the importance of Ramadan and emphasized his administration's efforts for peace in the Middle East amid ongoing conflicts.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board urges Muslims to wear black armbands during Ramzan's final Friday to protest the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which they claim aims to seize Muslim properties. While Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister Stalin denounces the bill as discriminatory, the controversy has sparked significant protests, with further demonstrations planned in Vijayawada.

Suspected US airstrikes targeted multiple Houthi-held locations in Yemen, including urban and residential areas in Sanaa, leading to undetermined casualties and destruction. The strikes appear to have intensified since March 15, hitting strategic sites like Sanaa International Airport and key regions in Hodeida, Saada, and al-Jawf.

Stock market recommendations: Bajaj Broking Research recommends Larsen and Toubro and Indian Energy Exchange as top stock picks. Nifty is consolidating between 23,800 and 23,200, while Bank Nifty is expected to consolidate between 52,000-50,500.

Over 500 Indians have been pardoned in the UAE ahead of Ramzan. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum have ordered the release of numerous inmates, aiming to alleviate their burdens and foster family stability.