Amid ongoing ruckus over the ED filing a prosecution complaint against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday asserted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) must be “abolished” since departments including Income Tax already exist to tackle economic offences.
“In my understanding, a department like ED must be abolished. I will ask Congress to ask for the same thing. There are several institutions that look into economic offences. Having ED means that you are not even trusting your own organisations like the Income Tax department or GST,” Yadav, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, said in a press conference.
He stated that many parties had opposed the establishment of ED during the Congress’ tenure, telling them that it might cause them trouble in the future. He added that leaders who spoke against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra had to face investigative agencies.
“The Congress itself made this ED law. At that time, many parties opposed it, telling Congress that you were bringing such a law that could ultimately cause trouble to you. Any leader who was against the BJP in Maharashtra faced ED, CBI, and the income tax department,” Yadav added.
Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday criticised the BJP-led government, accusing it of targeting the Congress party to cover up its failures. This follows the Enforcement Directorate’s prosecution complaint against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and others in the alleged National Herald money laundering case.
Kharge claimed that the BJP-led government’s economic mismanagement was spiralling out of control and said there was no vision or solutions, only attempts to divert attention from its mistakes.
Taking to social media, X, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote, “Your despotic Sarkar is hell-bent on targeting the Congress to whitewash its own sins. BJP’s economic mismanagement is spiralling out of control. Desperation is gathering steam. No vision, no solution, only diversion!”
On Tuesday, the ED filed a prosecution complaint (chargesheet) in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey and others, including several firms. The matter has been listed for arguments on cognisance in the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on April 25. (ANI)
Reacting to the White House’s statement claiming China now faces up to 245 per cent tariffs on imports to the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said they should ask the US side for the “specific tax rate figures.”
While addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, Lin said that China has repeatedly stated its solemn position on the tariff issue. He said that the tariff war was initiated by the US and that Beijing has taken countermeasures to protect its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, terming it completely “reasonable and legal.”
He noted that tariff and trade wars have no winner. However, he said that China does not want to fight these wars but is not scared of them. He expressed China’s commitment to joining hands and removing barriers.
Earlier in a statement shared on X, Lin Jian stated, “In a world full of uncertainties, China remains committed to joining hands, not throwing punches; removing barriers, not erecting walls; promoting connectivity, not pursuing decoupling.”
While sharing the statement on X, Lin wrote, “China is the world’s market and a source of opportunities for every country.”
Lin Jian’s statement came after the White House fact sheet stated that China’s retaliatory actions have resulted in up to a 245 per cent tariff on imports to the United States. Prior to the latest revision, a 145 per cent tariff was being levied on Chinese exports to the United States.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries with which the country has a trade deficit. Later, Trump decided to pause the tariffs for 90 days after many countries initiated talks with the US administration for a trade deal.”
More than 75 countries have already reached out to discuss new trade deals,” the White House fact sheet said.
“As a result, the individualised higher tariffs are currently paused amid these discussions, except for China, which retaliated,” the fact sheet added.
For the time being, a baseline tariff of 10 per cent would be applicable on US imports. Trump imposed a 10 per cent tariff on all countries and individualised reciprocal higher tariffs on nations with which the US has the largest trade deficits to level the playing field and protect America’s national security.
On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions on China during the press briefing. When asked if Trump would reduce tariffs on China to complete the TikTok deal, Leavitt said that Trump’s position on China is “quite clear.”
In her remarks, Leavitt said, “The President has made his position on China quite clear, although I do have an additional statement that he just shared with me in the Oval Office. The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don’t have to make a deal with them.”
She elaborated, “There’s no difference between China and any other country, except they are much larger. And China wants what we have, what every country wants, what we have — the American consumer, or to put it another way, they need our money.”
She further added, “So the President again has made it quite clear that he’s open to a deal with China, but China needs to make a deal with the United States of America.”
Trump unveiled the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” on trade to restore fairness in US trade relationships and counter non-reciprocal trade agreements. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs have led to a broad-based fall in global financial markets, with markets plunging in Asia and Europe.
The reciprocal tariffs have set off a sell-off in equities globally, and the US itself is no exception. Investors fear that the moves concerning global trade may raise inflation, risking economic growth. Since assuming office for his second term, Donald Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasising that the US will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to ensure fair trade. (ANI)
Aayushi Rana, a post-grad in History from Aligarh Muslim Univsersity, says the Gen Z feel their online identity is more important than who they are in real life. Her views
Even though Adolescence, a widely seen Netflix series,is set in a UK school, the emotions it captures—feeling lost, pressured, judged, or unseen—are so familiar that they have struck a chord here in India too, especially in the cities.
Whether it’s a teenager in London, or in Delhi, the desire to fit in with a virtual society, often unknown, the anxiety of being left out of a group chat, or the pressure to look pretty, perfect, and attractive, online, feels eerily similar. The world might look different on the outside, but the struggles and dangers of growing up in the age of an obsessive social media, with all kinds of stuff floating on it relentlessly, are more or less universal.
Young people, including schoolkids, are navigating a world where their online identity can often feel more important than who they are in real life, and that’s something that crosses borders. We are living in a time where screens are no longer just tools—they are an extension of our daily lives.
The Gen Z wakes up with notifications and go to bed scrolling through social media. This constant exposure is reshaping how they think and feel. It’s not just about being online—it’s about ‘always being seen’. And that can be psychologically and emotionally exhausting.
The pressure to present a perfect version of themselves can lead to insecurity, anxiety, loneliness, and even emotional burn-out. It also makes them more vulnerable to harmful trends, cyber-bullying, and misinformation. They can be trapped by frauds pretending to share the same wavelength, and professional predators, looking for vulnerable prey. Indeed, when you are still figuring out who you are, it’s easy to get caught up in toxic cycles without even realizing it.
Girls carry a heavier emotional burden in the digital world; they are judged more often and harshly, be their looks, outfits or behavior online. A lot of them are constantly comparing themselves to filtered images and celebrity standards, which can seriously damage their self-confidence. I have spoken to girls who avoid posting anything at all because they are scared of being trolled or shamed.
Rana feels traditional India family structure helps make children feel secure
This kind of pressure doesn’t just stay online—it creeps into their everyday life, making them doubt their worth, or choose to stay silent when they should be heard. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s something we need to talk about more openly.
There is strength in India’s family structure. When it works well, it gives kids a real sense of belonging and safety. Having grandparents around or close family connections can mean there are more people to notice when something feels off, or, to simply listen when a teenager needs to vent.
But that’s not always the case, especially in urban nuclear families, and impersonal gated societies, where parents are busy, or working couples, and kids are often left to figure things out on their own. Sometimes, the emotional distance between generations makes it hard for teenagers to open up—especially when the adults don’t really understand, or try to understand, the digital world their kids are growing up in.
Banning mobiles might sound like a quick fix, in fact, it can backfire. It can only push kids to hide things or feel like they are being being punished, instead of being supported. What really helps is having open, honest conversations—without judgment. When young people feel safe to talk about what’s going on in their online lives, they are far more likely to come to you when something goes wrong.
We also need to help them build digital awareness—teaching them how to think critically about what they see online and how to protect their emotional health. And, yes, setting some healthy boundaries together, like screen-free dinners, or time to unwind without devices, can really help.
However, at the end of the day, it’s about building trust, not control. Teens need to know we are on their side. Adolescence is not just a phase—it’s a turbulent storm of ‘being and becoming’.
In a world of glowing screens and suppressed angst, our children are growing up in shadows we often fail to see. They don’t need judgments from us—they need a trusted presence. Friendship. Understanding. They need our silence so that we can listen to them; our questions have to be kind and intelligent, and our love should be unwavering.
If we can meet them where they are, with open hearts and steady hands, maybe—just maybe—we can help them find their way through the chaos and noise, the dangers and traps, towards a world where they feel safe and happy to be fully, unapologetically, themselves; what they really are — innocent, pure, eclectic hearts and minds, full of wonder, dreams and aspirations.
(The narrator is a Senior Researcher at Digitial Forensics Research Analytics Centre. She is also a Digital Forensics trainer, having conducted training sessions for journalists from across the world on misinformation, fake news, digital safety and skilled verification techniques.)
Malayalam actress Vincy Sony Aloshious has accused a co-star of misbehaviour while allegedly under the influence of drugs on the sets during the movie’s production.
Actress Aloshious, who recently attended an anti-drug awareness campaign, faced criticism after she stated that she would not work in movies which cast actors who use drugs.
After the divided opinion of netizens on her statement, the actress shared an Instagram video clarifying that her decision to not work with actors abusing drugs stemmed from an unpleasant experience she had with her co-actor in her previous film.
“Some days back at an anti-drug campaign programme, I made a statement that I will not do movies again with people I know who use drugs. After this statement, there have been several comments. When I read those comments, I felt that I should clear certain things as to why I made such a statement. I am doing this video because I wanted to make my stand clear,” said Aloshious.
The ‘Rekha’ actress said that her co-star, a male actor, allegedly misbehaved with her and her colleague under the influence of drugs during the making of the movie.
Without naming the co-star, Aloshious recalled her co-actor’s misbehaviour and said that when she had a problem with her dress in the film, he publicly offered to come with her to fix it.
The lead actor’s misbehaviour made it difficult for her to work in the film, she added.
“When I was part of a movie, an artist, a main artist who hold that movie, this was the experience I had from that artist. The artist used drugs and misbehaved to me and my colleague.”
She continued, ” For example, when I had a problem with my dress, I went to correct it. He said,” I will also come and correct it for you. “He said this in front of everyone. It was very difficult to go ahead with the shoot.”
Recalling another incident of alleged drug abuse by the actor, Aloshious said,
“When we were practising a scene, he was spitting some kind of white powder onto the table. It was very evident that he was using drug on the film set.”
Aloshious also shared that despite the discomfort and making it clear to the producers, she continued with the project because the actor was the lead artist in the movie.
“Everyone knew about this , the director went and spoke . This is one person they took as main artist , so they had to somehow finish that movie.” concluded Vincy Sony Aloshious in her statement clarification video on Instagram.
Vincy Aloshious is known for films like Rekha, Vikruthi and Jana Gana Mana. (ANI)
A day after being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a Gurugram land deal case, Businessman Robert Vadra said on Wednesday that he is “too strong for all this.”
He further posted a political cartoon, taking a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party as he alleged that there is a ‘witch hunt’ and ‘political vendetta’ being carried out against him and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
However, according to sources, Vadra has been summoned for questioning again today (April 16).
Vadra has maintained that he is innocent and that ‘truth will prevail.’
“I’m here for any kind of unjust pressure. I believe in the truth, and truth will prevail,” Vadra posted on Facebook.
His remarks come after he claimed that restrictions were put on his “birthday week seva.” Taking a veiled dig at the government, Vadra said that he would continue to fulfil the basic needs of people until he was stopped from speaking against “injustice” towards minorities.
“My Birthday Week Seva has been paused for a few days. Plans I have made for feeding the elderly and gifts for all the children in different areas will be continued as soon as I get over the ‘Government’s ways of stopping Me’, from doing good and speaking about their unjust behaviour towards minorities, or if there are wishes and talks of me being in politics,” Vadra added.
After hours of Enforcement Directorate questioning in connection to the Gurugram land case, Vadra alleged that federal agencies were being misused. He asserted that he had nothing to hide.
After hours of grilling, Robert Vadra left the ED office after interrogation in the Gurugram land case.”All the questions which I have answered before are being answered again. There is no issue. I have nothing to hide. Everything is answered; everything will be answered again,” he said.
He said that he submitted more than 20,000 documents to the agency in 2019, too, calling the summons “politically motivated.”
Vadra said, “23,000 documents were submitted in 2019. The case that they are asking me about is a 20-year-old case. This is politically motivated. We abide by all the rules and regulations when we do any transaction. The ruling government always misuses the agency. They can ask me as many questions. I have nothing to hide. All is good.” (ANI)
In one of the most astonishing feats in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, Punjab Kings (PBKS) pulled off a remarkable 16-run victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a low-scoring thriller at Mullanpur in the IPL 2025 season. The match will be remembered for PBKS successfully defending the lowest total ever in the league’s history — 111 runs.
After being bundled out for just 111 in 15.3 overs, the odds were heavily stacked against Punjab. However, their bowlers, led by Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen, turned the game as KKR were skittled out for just 95 in 15.1 overs. The previous lowest total defended in IPL was 116/9 by Chennai Super Kings against Punjab Kings back in 2009 at Durban.
KKR’s chase started on a disastrous note, losing both openers with just 7 runs on the board. Quinton de Kock managed 2, while Sunil Narine fell for 5. Captain Ajinkya Rahane and youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi tried to steady the ship with a 55-run partnership, but Chahal broke through by dismissing Rahane for 17.
Raghuvanshi looked promising with his knock of 37 off 28 deliveries, but once he fell to Chahal, the collapse began. Glenn Maxwell removed Venkatesh Iyer for 7, while Chahal returned to get Rinku Singh stumped for 2. On the very next ball, Chahal dismissed Ramandeep Singh for a golden duck, tilting the game in Punjab’s favour.
KKR’s lower order offered little resistance. Harshit Rana, who had earlier impressed with the ball, was bowled with the team reeling at 79/8. Vaibhav Arora was set up brilliantly by Arshdeep Singh and dismissed for a duck. Andre Russell tried to counter-attack, smashing 17 off 11, but was the last man to fall, bowled by Jansen.
Every Punjab bowler contributed to the remarkable win. Chahal starred with figures of 4/28, while Jansen bagged 3/17. Xavier Bartlett, Arshdeep Singh, and Maxwell chipped in with one wicket each.
This stunning result not only handed Punjab Kings a morale-boosting win but also etched their name in IPL folklore. .
Earlier, PBKS won the toss and opted to bat first. Priyansh Arya (22 in 12 balls, with three fours and a six) and Prabhsimran Singh (30 in 15 balls, with two fours and three sixes) delivered a fiery start to PBKS with a 39-run stand. However, a powerplay spell by Harshit Rana (3/25) and some fantastic fielding from Ramandeep Singh pushed them to 54/4 at the end of the powerplay. Narine (2/14) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/21) dominated the later stages of the innings, not letting PBKS batters settle, bundling them out for 111 in 15.3 overs.
PBKS are at the fourth spot, with four wins and two losses, with eight points. KKR are at the sixth spot, with three wins and four losses, giving them six points.
Brief score: Punjab Kings 111 in 15.3 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 30, Priyansh Arya 22; Harshit Rana 3/25) vs. Kolkata Knight Riders 95 in 15.1 (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 37, Andre Russell 17; Yuzvendra Chahal 4/28)(ANI)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions on China during the White House Press Briefing on Tuesday (US Local time) and shared with members of media, Donald Trump’s additional statement on China.
Answering a question about extension on the TikTok ban to June 19, if China doesn’t come to the table, Leavitt said that two months is a long time.
She said that she doesn’t want to get ahead. The Vice President continues to lead these negotiations and talks. The President is involved, and they are ongoing.”
When asked if Trump would reduce tariffs on China in order to get the TikTok deal done, Leavitt said that Trump’s position on China is “quite clear.”
In her remarks, Leavitt said, “The President has made his position on China quite clear, although I do have an additional statement that he just shared with me in the Oval Office. The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don’t have to make a deal with them.”
She elaborated, “There’s no difference between China and any other country, except they are much larger. And China wants what we have, what every country wants, what we have — the American consumer, or to put it another way, they need our money.”
She further added, “So the President again has made it quite clear that he’s open to a deal with China, but China needs to make a deal with the United States of America.”
Responding to a question on tariffs as to which deals are in hand, Leavitt praised the work being done by the American officials such as the US Trade Ambassador, Secretary of Commerce, and Secretary of Treasury, “who are working incredibly hard to cut these good trade deals.”
She added, “The President is deeply involved in this (trade deal) and he has made it clear to his trade team that he wants to personally sign off on all these deals too.”
Leavitt further noted, “You’ve obviously heard from numerous administration officials that there have been many talks with countries. We’ve had more than 15 deals, pieces of paper put on the table, proposals that are actively being considered, and as we have said consistently, more than 75 countries have reached out, so there is a lot of work to do.”
Leavitt also said, “We do believe that we can announce some deals very soon.”
Trump had enacted a 90-day pause on “reciprocal” tariffs that briefly took effect last week, impacting dozens of nations, as reported by CNN.
Citing administrative officials, CNN also noted that the pause was put in place to buy more time to work on nailing down more trade deals.
As reported by CNN, the pause, however, did not impact China, whose products are subject to a minimum 145 per cent, with the exception of certain electronics.
CNN noted that on Friday, China also significantly ramped up its own duties on US imports into the country. (ANI)
In a shocking incident in East Delhi’s Shahdara district, a 20-year-old woman identified as Saira was allegedly shot dead by a male friend late Monday night in GTB Enclave. The accused reportedly fired two rounds at her following an argument and fled the scene.
According to Delhi Police officials, the incident was captured in CCTV footage, which showed the duo walking calmly moments before the situation escalated. “An altercation suddenly broke out, after which the man pulled out a pistol and shot Saira twice,” police said.
A PCR call was received at the GTB Enclave police station around the time of the incident, reporting a woman lying with bullet injuries. Upon reaching the service road near MIG Flats Opposite Sunder Nagri, the police found Saira lying dead with two bullet wounds. A forensic examination confirmed she had been shot at close range.
Saira’s family revealed that she had been staying with her sister Sayyeda and her brother-in-law since the recent death of her mother. The family had been preparing for the 40-day mourning ritual (chaliswa) for her mother, scheduled for Thursday, when they were struck by this second tragedy.
Police have identified the accused and are conducting raids to apprehend him. A case under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered at GTB Enclave Police Station.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials are also verifying the motive behind the murder. (ANI)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution complaint (chargesheet) against top Congress Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in connection with the National Herald money laundering case.
The said chargesheet also names Congress leader Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey and others including several firms.
The matter has been listed for arguments on cognisance in the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on April 25.
The prosecution complaint has been filed under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, for the offence of money laundering, as defined under Section 3, read with Section 70, and punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA, 2002.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne stated that as per the submission of the counsel representing the ED, the predicate offence–recorded under complaint case No. 18/2019–includes charges under Sections 403, 406, and 420, read with Section 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and is currently under trial at the Rouse Avenue Courts in New Delhi.
The court observed that under Section 44(1)(c) of the PMLA, the predicate offence must be tried in the same court that has taken cognisance of the money laundering offence under Section 3 of the PMLA. The court further noted that both offences–the predicate offence and the PMLA offence–must be adjudicated in the same jurisdiction.
The National Herald case is being heard in a Delhi court. The compliant was filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, their associated companies, and other individuals. (ANI)
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt is a proud mom as her two-year-old daughter, Raha, prepared a “seven-course meal” for her. Don’t be surprised; the toddler cooked for her with a toy kitchen set and clay.
On Tuesday, Alia took to Instagram and shared a cute image of a mock lavish meal prepared by Raha during her playtime.
Adding a humorous touch to her post, she captioned it, “My 7 course meal…with love from my favourite chef.”
Alia and Ranbir tied the knot in April 2022, after several years of dating. Their daughter, Raha, was born in November 2022.On Christmas 2023, Ranbir and Alia surprised their fans by making their first public appearance with Raha.
In March, Alia and Ranbir met with paps in Mumbai and requested them to stop using Raha’s pictures without their consent.
Ranbir said, “Mein Mumbai mein pala bada hua hu. Hum industry mein born hue hai. All of you guys are family. Aose koi legal route lene ki humko jarurat nahi hai. Hum aap log ko bulaate hai aap se vinti karte hai aap log sunte ho. We all give words to each other aisa nahi ki hum ispe case kar denge, hum uspe case kar denge. (I have been born and bought up in Mumbai and all of you are like family. So, it’s not like we will take the legal route. We call all of you here and request you’ll as you’ll listen and respect our decision)”
He added, “Aap logo ko bula kar hum bas vinti kar rahe for the betterment of our child. It might sound like a privileged problem, I understand that.”
While Ranbir and Alia did not specify, this appeal seemed to come in light of the recent robbery incident that occurred at Ranbir’s actor cousin Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Bandra house. Alia has also removed all the pictures of Raha from her Instagram account. (ANI)
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