"FALSE, MALICIOUS": CENTRE BLASTS REPORT ON TARGETTED PAK ASSASSINATIONS

The foreign ministry has denied allegations in a report by the UK daily The Guardian that accuses India of conducting targeted killings in Pakistan to eliminate terrorists. The ministry has called it "false and malicious anti-India propaganda" and quoted foreign minister S Jaishankar, who had said targeted killings in other countries were "not the govt of India's policy".

The ministry's denial was mentioned in the report by The Guardian, which claims that Delhi "has implemented a policy of targeting those it considers hostile to India".

Claiming that upto 20 such assassinations were carried out by the Indian intelligence agency RAW since the Pulwama attack of 2019, the report mentions that it is based on evidence supplied by Pakistan and interviews with intelligence officials from both sides of the border.

Quoting an un-named Indian official, The Guardian reported that India had drawn inspiration from Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and Russia's KGB -- which have been linked to extrajudicial killings on foreign soil -- and the killing of Saudi journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

The report said Pakistani authorities have produced documents about some of the killings, which could not be independently verified. It said Pakistani officials also claimed that the killings were orchestrated by sleeper cells of Indian intelligence established in the UAE.

Earlier, US and Canada had accused India of being involved in assassinations and such attempts on foreign soil.

STICK TO PRICE CAP: US TO INDIA ON RUSSIAN CRUDE

A visiting American team to tighten sanctions on Moscow said all Indian imports of crude from Russia must adhere to the price cap announced by the US, the EU and Australia.

“Permitting unrestricted Russian oil trade was and remains unacceptable. It would allow Putin to profit from a price spike he created,” said US Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Eric Van Nostrand at an interactive session here on Thursday.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We buy oil from the international market, wherever it is available, at the cheapest rate. We have to ensure our energy security.” The team from the US is here to discuss the second phase of the price cap on Russian oil.

OPP IS SPREADING LIES ON CAA… GIVING CITIZENSHIP IS MODI’S GUARANTEE: PM

In a bid to dispel apprehensions among the Matua and Rajbanshi communities over the recently notified Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused the Opposition of “misleading people with misinformation” and said it was “Modi’s guarantee to provide citizenship to those who have faith in Maa Bharati”.

Addressing a rally at Cooch Behar town’s Rash Mela Ground, Modi said: “The INDI alliance of TMC, Left, and Congress never cared for Rajbanshi, Namasudra, and Matua communities. Their only intention is to mislead people. Now that we have brought CAA, they are spreading rumours and lies. It is Modi ki guarantee (Modi’s guarantee) to provide citizenship to those who have faith in Maa Bharati… You can put your faith in my govt,” Modi said, alluding to the opposition to the CAA by the TMC, Left Front and the Congress.

After the rules for the CAA, were notified just before the dates for the Lok Sabha elections were announced last month, TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had urged the Matua community and others not to apply for citizenship under the Act, saying they would be “marked as refugees and infiltrators” and “deprived of govt schemes” if they did. She also claimed that the CAA was a ploy to take up a National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in the future.

Matua Mahasangha, the largest organisation of the Matua community in West Bengal, also urged community members to wait until the new Central govt is formed in Delhi, saying the CAA rules lacked clarity.

Prime Minister Modi, who spoke soon after TMC chief Mamata Banerjee addressed a rally in the same town, also targeted her party on corruption and said that he has resolved to put an end to it in West Bengal.

RAHUL GANDHI’S ‘NO-FLAG’ WAYANAD RALLY BRINGS LEFT, RIGHT TOGETHER

Two extremes of the political spectrum, the Left and the Right, on Thursday found themselves on the same page as they attacked Rahul Gandhi over “missing” Congress party and its ally Indian Union Muslim League flags during the MP’s road show in Wayanad on Wednesday.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and BJP star campaigner Smriti Irani came down heavily on Rahul for “hiding” IUML as well as Congress flags.

“The Congress has fallen to such an extent that it is now scared of communal forces. It did not have its own or IUML flags in the rally of Rahul Gandhi because they are afraid of the BJP. They want the votes of IUML but do not have the courage to publicly display either their own or IUML flags,” said Vijayan, who leads the LDF govt in Kerala and has been taking swipes at Rahul for fighting ally CPI’s Annie Raja in Wayanad, rather than “fight the BJP elsewhere”.

Irani, who was in Wayanad on Thursday to accompany BJP candidate from the segment, K Surendran, for the filing of nomination papers, also questioned Rahul for “failing to display IUML flags.”

Irani said if Rahul was afraid of showing IUML flags, why did he want their support. “He should decline to take IUML support,” she said.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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US POLICY ON GAZA TO DEPEND ON ISRAELI ACTION, BIDEN WARNS BIBI

The US issued its strongest public rebuke toward Israel on Thursday since the start of its war with Hamas, warning that American policy on Gaza will be determined by whether Israel takes steps to address the safety of Palestinian civilians and aid workers.

President Joe Biden told Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Israel must take immediate action to reduce civilian harm and suffering, the White House said after the two leaders spoke by phone. Biden also told Netanyahu, in a call lasting less then 30 minutes, that an immediate ceasefire in the region was essential and called on Israel “to conclude a deal without delay” with Hamas to bring Israeli hostages home, nearly six months after the Palestinian militant group’s Oct. 7 attack.

The White House statement reflected a sharp change in Biden’s tone and, for what appears to be the first time, a set of strings attached to continued US support. By suggesting a shift in US policy toward Gaza was possible if Israel did not address the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave, Biden channelled his own frustration along with mounting pressure from his left-leaning political base to stop the killings and alleviate hunger among innocent civilians.

Biden “made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers,” the White House said in its statement.

MACRON: NO DOUBT RUSSIA WILL TARGET PARIS OLYMPICS

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that he had no doubt Russia would malevolently target the Paris Olympics this summer, in comments that underline the fraught geopolitical backdrop to the games. “I have no doubt whatsoever, including in terms of information,” he said in response to a reporter’s question about whether he thought that Russia would try to target the Olympics.

Moscow is yet to comment. Macron’s remarks represent his most explicit acknowledgment to date of foreign threats to the security or smooth running of the games.

Relations between Russia and the International Olympic Committee, too, have worsened in the run-up to the Paris Olympics, where Russian athletes will compete as neutrals, without their flags and anthems, and be excluded from opening parade.

THE REST

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ARMY PROBES POINT TO TORTURE, DEATH OF 3 MEN FROM POONCH DURING QUESTIONING

The Army’s internal inquiries into the killing of three civilians, allegedly during interrogation by Army personnel following a terror attack in J&K’s Poonch in December 2023 that left four soldiers dead, and into the operational gaps have found serious lapses in the conduct of 7-8 personnel, including officers, at various levels.

The inquiries indicate that the three civilians died of torture, allegedly during interrogation.

The terror attack took place on December 21 on the Mughal Road between Dehra Ki Gali and Bufliaz. The next morning, eight civilians were picked up from Topa Pir in Poonch district’s Bufliaz area, and five from Rajouri district’s Thanamandi area. Of the eight taken away from Topa Pir, three died of injuries sustained during the alleged torture.

The inquiries are learnt to have found lapses in the overall conduct of the operation as well as individual conduct of certain personnel. Administrative and disciplinary action have been recommended against two officers and others ranks who were either directly or indirectly responsible for the interrogation.

ABSOLUTELY SHAMEFUL IF 1% OF SANDESHKHALI CLAIMS TRUE: CALCUTTA HC

Seeking accountability on the alleged sexual harassment of women in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali by men linked to suspended Trinamool Congress strongman Shahjahan Sheikh, the Calcutta High Court Thursday said even if 1% of the allegations are true, it is “absolutely shameful” and claims of the state being safe for women fall apart.

Hearing public interest litigations filed in connection with the case, including some on behalf of the alleged victims, the bench presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam said, “The entire district administration and ruling dispensation must owe a moral responsibility. Even if 1% (of the affidavit) is true, it is absolutely shameful. And West Bengal says it is safest for women? If one affidavit is proved to be right all of this falls.”

The division bench of Chief Justice Sivajyanam and Justice Hiranmoy Bhattacharya, which heard a total of five PILs filed in connection with the incident on Thursday, reserved its verdict.

SUNITA KEJRIWAL READS OUT JAILED HUSBAND'S STATEMENT, BACKGROUND RAISES EYEBROWS

When Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita, delivered another message from the jailed chief minister to the people of Delhi on Thursday, what stood out was the background in her video statement. In all her addresses so far, the backdrop had portraits of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and the Father of the Indian Constitution, BR Ambedkar, but there was a new addition between them in the latest video - a picture of Arvind Kejriwal with bars in front of him to signify his imprisonment.

"Mr Kejriwal has sent a message to all of you from jail: 'I am in prison but no person in Delhi should have to suffer because of that. Every MLA should visit their constituencies every day and ask people if they are facing any problems. They should sort those problems out. I am not just talking about solving problems related to the govt, we should attempt to solve their other problems too. The 2 crore people of Delhi are my family. No one should be unhappy. God bless them all. Jai Hind,'" Ms Kejriwal said in Hindi.

The photo of the AAP chief in the message was also noted by the BJP, which accused Mr Kejriwal of attempting to mislead the people of Delhi.

"It is very regrettable that the portrait of a corrupt person, Arvind Kejriwal, was hanging between those of Bhagat Singh ji and Babasaheb Ambedkar ji. Earlier, the husband used to lie in front of the camera. Now that he is in jail, he is making his wife lie. The public is not going to be misled by the AAP," BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva posted in Hindi on X.

RANDEEP SURJEWALA'S SEXIST REMARK AGAINST HEMA MALINI STIRS ROW

The BJP launched a scathing attack on Congress MP Randeep Surjewala for making "vile, sexist" remarks against Mathura MP Hema Malini, saying it showed that the Congress was misogynistic and abhors women. Surjewala, however, said only selective parts of his speech were shared by the BJP IT cell, stressing that it had a habit of "distorting facts and spreading lies".

Surjewala came under heavy fire from the BJP after the party's IT department head Amit Malviya shared an undated video on X in which the Congress MP was heard making some objectionable remarks about Hema Malini.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the only identity of the Congress was disrespecting "nari shakti", referring to the recent row over derogatory remarks against BJP leader Kanagana Ranaut purportedly posted by Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate.

Under fire for his remarks, Surjewala accused the BJP of "twisting facts and spreading lies". The Congress MP shared another clipping from the same video in which he is heard saying that he "respects" Hema Malini because she is "married to Dharmendra ji, she is our bahu".

DD SHOULD WITHDRAW PLAN TO AIR KERALA STORY, DEMANDS PINARAYI VIJAYAN

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday demanded that Doordarshan immediately withdraw its decision to broadcast the controversial film The Kerala Story, saying it was made with the purpose of fomenting hostility towards the state.

In a statement, the Chief Minister said the move to broadcast the film on April 5 amounted to insulting Kerala. “Secular Kerala will stand united in resisting such subversive attempts aimed at fostering communal discord,” he said.

Congress leader and Kerala Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan also demanded that the Union govt desist from the decision to telecast the film. “DD should not be used for the political gains of the BJP. By telecasting the movie, the Modi Govt wants to create cracks in Kerala’s secular society,” he said.

AIR DEFENCE CONTROL GETS BOOST AS ARMY LAUNCHES 'PROJECT AKASHTEER'

The Indian Army has started the induction of control and reporting systems under 'Project Akashteer' that aims to ensure the safety of friendly aircraft and engage hostile aerial objects in "contested airspace", sources said on Thursday.

'Project Akashteer' is a cutting-edge initiative designed to automate air defence control and reporting processes by digitising the entire process, the Army sources said.

The deployment of 'Akashteer' began with the flagging off of the first batch of control centres from BEL-Ghaziabad on Thursday.

Developed by the Bharat Electronics Limited as part of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, this project is poised to significantly enhance the operational efficiency and integration of the Army's air defence mechanisms, the sources said.

By integrating radar and communication systems "at all levels" into a unified network, 'Akashteer' aims to deliver "an unprecedented level of situational awareness and control", they said. This will enable swift engagement of hostile targets, significantly reduce the risk of fratricide, and ensure the safety of friendly aircraft in contested airspace.

A noteworthy aspect of 'Akashteer' is its emphasis on mobility and resilience.

NEW MAP OF UNIVERSE MAY OPEN A WINDOW TO DARK ENERGY

An international team of researchers has just released the most comprehensive “three-dimensional” map of the universe, which, scientists hope, could reveal some clues about dark energy, the mysterious force that is believed to be causing the universe to expand uncontrollably.

The researchers, including an Indian team led by Shadab Alam at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, has published its findings from the first year of observations by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, or DESI, a unique piece of equipment that, once fitted over a telescope, can capture light from 5,000 galaxies at the same time.

Universe DESI is a collaboration of more than 900 researchers in institutions across the world. (DESI)

Using DESI, which is mounted over the Mayall 4-Meter Telescope in Arizona, United States, researchers have been able to measure light from six million galaxies — some of which existed as far back as 11 billion years ago — to prepare the most detailed map of the universe as yet with very precise information about the distances between these galaxies.

“The key thing is that we have been able to measure the distances between these galaxies with a very high degree of accuracy. That is why we call it a three-dimensional map. Otherwise, we have a catalogue of tens of billions of objects in the universe. We have identified these objects, but for most of them we don’t know how far they are from us. Knowing the precise distances of the galaxies is crucial because that allows us to calculate the expansion rate of the universe,” Alam told The Indian Express.

And that, scientists hope, could offer them their first clues into the mystery of dark energy that is supposed to make up almost 70 per cent of the universe but about which nothing is known.

IPL MATCH 17: SHASHANK TAKES PUNJAB HOME IN THRILLING WIN OVER GT

Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill's unblemished unbeaten knock was overshadowed by uncapped Shashank Singh's fiery knock as Punjab Kings registered a thrilling three-wicket win in an Indian Premier League match in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Gill made 89 off 48 balls, the highest individual score this season so far, and in the process hit six fours and four maximums to guide GT to an imposing 199/4.

But there was a heartbreak in store for GT as Shashank played the knock of his life, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 29 balls during which he hit six boundaries and four sixes to guide PBKS home with a ball to spare.

He was ably supported by Ashutosh Sharma (31 off 17) as the duo shared 43 runs off just 22 balls to raise PBKS' hopes, which eventually came true.

Wins So Far: PBKS 2 out of 4; GT 2 out of 4

INDICATORS

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Bitcoin - USD 68,638, Dollar Index 103.92, Brent Crude 91.05, BDI 1,669

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 2,281 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 7,048 / 6,461, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 85,300

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Beauty is excrescence, superabundance, random ebullience, and sheer delightful waste to be enjoyed in its own right. Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies, for example.

OFF TRACK

The priest was preparing a man for his long day's journey into night.

Whispering firmly, the priest said, "Denounce the Devil! Let him know how little you think of his evil!"

The dying man said nothing.

The priest repeated his order. Still the dying man said nothing.

The priest asked, "Why do you refuse to denounce the Devil and his evil?"

The dying man said, "Until I know where I'm heading, I don't think I ought to aggravate anybody!"