NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

Gold and silver prices reached all-time highs in today’s opening trade, April 8. Gold contracts on MCX surged to 71,080 rupees per 10 grams, up by 440 rupees.  Meanwhile, silver hits a new peak of 82,064, rupees up by 1,076 rupees. The rise in prices was due to a decline in the dollar index (DXY), which was hovering around the 104.25 mark, down by 0.05 per cent. The DXY has decreased by 0.73 per cent over the past five trading session.

A Delhi Court today denied interim bail to BRS leader K Kavitha who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case connected with the alleged liquor policy scam. Special CBI judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed the interim bail plea. Kavitha moved to the court on Thursday, urging the court to give her interim bail for her son’s examinations citing his need for her moral and emotional support. The ED opposed the submission, claiming Kavitha destroyed evidence and influenced witnesses in the case.Delhi Court Denies Interim Bail To BRS Leader K Kavitha In Connection With Liquor Policy Scam Kavitha was remanded to judicial custody till 9th April on March 26. She was arrested on March 15 by the ED from her Hyderabad residence. She is presently in judicial custody in Tihar Jail. The BRS leader is among one of the most high-profile politicians arrested by the ED in the Delhi excise policy case.

Six BJP MLAs in Delhi Assembly were marshalled out today from the house for their unruly behaviour. Earlier, when the house met this morning, it was taking up a discussion on the Delhi Jal Board issue. Leader of Opposition, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri tried to raise the issue of alleged corruption in Delhi Jal Board, which the Speaker Ram Niwas Goel didn’t allow. BJP MLAs trooped into the well, raising slogans against the AAP government. The speaker repeatedly asked for order in the house but the opposition members continued with their protest.

Congress today, April 8, hit out at BJP accusing the ruling party of trying to divide the country on religious lines. Briefing media in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Supriya Srinate alleged that the BJP is creating rift between communities in the ongoing election period instead of showing its report card of ten-year rule. She also took dig at the statement of Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi wherein he alleged that Congress’ manifesto has the imprint of Muslim League. Meanwhile, BJP President J P Nadda also criticized the Congress manifesto saying that it is not clear whether it is the manifesto of Congress or Muslim League.

As the holy month of Ramadan nears its end, Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate Eid Al Fitr next week. Following a month of fasting and spiritual reflection, this Islamic festival marks a joyous occasion for celebration and community gatherings. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Moon Sighting Committee will convene on Monday evening to scan the skies for the crescent moon, signifying Ramadan’s conclusion. If spotted, Eid will be observed on April 9th; otherwise, it will be celebrated on April 10th. The Consulate General of India in Dubai spearheaded outreach to the blue-collar workers in the UAE, conducting a Labour Awareness Programme, medical camps, and sessions on financial literacy. It also collaborated with the All Kerala College Alumni Forum to address the workers, emphasizing their well-being and safety while abroad.

In IPL Cricket, Chennai Super Kings will take on Kolkata Knight Riders, at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today, April 8. The match will start at 7.30 pm. Lucknow Super Giants defeated Gujarat Titans by 33 runs in Lucknow while Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Capitals by 29 runs in Mumbai yesterday.

In IPL Cricket, Chasing the target of 164 runs, Gujarat Giants were  45 for 0  in 5 overs against Lucknow Super Giants at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Earlier, electing to bat first, Lucknow Super Giants posted 163 for five in stipulated 20 overs. In the first match on Sunday (7th April 2024), Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals by 29 runs at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Chasing the target of 235 runs, Delhi Capitals were restricted by Mumbai Indians at 205 for 8 in the stipulated 20 overs. For Delhi, Prithvi Shaw scored 66 in 40 balls while Tristan Stubbs remained not out at 71 in 25 balls. For Mumbai, Gerald Coetzee scalped 4 wickets. Earlier, put into bat, Mumbai Indians scored 234 for 5 in stipulated 20 overs.

Foreign investors pumped in 1,215 Crore Rupees into the Indian debt market in the first week of April. This comes after a healthy investment of 35,000 crore rupees in equities in March and 1,539 crore rupees in February. In this calendar year, they have invested 10,568 crore rupees into the equity markets and 57,073 crore rupees into the debt markets, taking the total net investment into the Indian capital market to 67.641 crore rupees. Indian government securities (G-Sec) 10-year yield has jumped to 7.1 per cent and the US 10-year to 4.3 percent. This is prompting the foreign investors to shift their focus from equities to the higher yields offered by bond instruments in the US and India. Moreover, FPIs are also heavily investing into the Indian debt markets for the past few months due to the upcoming inclusion of Indian government bonds in the JP Morgan Index. Last year, JP Morgan Chas, announced that it will add Indian government bonds to its benchmark emerging market index from June 2024. FPIs invested 22,419 crore rupees in debt markets in February and 19,836 crore rupees in January.

In Jammu, ahead of the festival of Navratri, Katra and Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan is decorated with imported flowers. Though the fragrance of the imported flowers will vary slightly from Indian species but as per the reports, these flowers which include gladiolus, carnations, and Lilium and anthurium orchids will stay fresh for almost 10 days. They will double up the joy and visual delight of the Bhawan on this special occasion for the visitors. The natural cave of Mata Vaishno Devi, is all set to welcome pilgrims with a magnificent view of the gold-plated entrance of the 96 feet long traditional cave.

n the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the night-long prayers on the auspicious occasion of “Shab-e-Qadr” were observed across Kashmir with religious fervour and the congregational prayers were held in the mosques and shrines of the Valley. The largest gatherings were held at Dargah Hazratbal in the outskirts of Srinagar city, where thousands of people, assembled to offer the Namaz-e-Isha, followed by ‘Taraweeh’. Special prayers were held for the peace and prosperity of the Kashmir Valley and the betterment of the people. The devotees remained engrossed in supplications and overnight recitals of the holy Quran. The authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha and all political leaders and religious preachers wished people of the Union Territory on the occasion of Shab-e-Qad

In Tripura, a cyclothon for democracy – a ride to vote programme as a part of the voter awareness campaign was organised in Agartala on Sunday (7th April 2024) . The programme, taken up under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative of the election commission, was flagged off by the Chief Secretary, J. K. Sinha at UK Academy premises in presence of the state chief electoral officer Puneet Agarrwal, district election officer and the district magistrate Dr Vishal Kumar. About a hundred of cyclists joined the cycle ride and took part in the voter awareness drive. On the occasion, Chief Secretary Mr Sinha said the election machinery has created a good atmosphere for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He also expressed hope that this time too, the voters will come forward at large number to exercise their franchise alike the precedents of participation in voting in a festive manner, set in the previous assembly elections. The cyclists from the city based Cyclothon Foundation that collaborated with the Cyclothon for Democracy and ride to vote program, travelled important streets in Agartala with an appeal to encourage voters to cast their votes in the ensuing polls.

Parivartan Chintan, a pioneering Tri-Service Conference aimed at generating new and fresh ideas, initiatives and reforms to propel Jointness and Integration efforts will be held in New Delhi today. The day long discussions will be chaired by Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan. It will be the first ever conference of the Heads of all Tri- Services Institutions, the Department of Military Affairs, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and the three Services. Officers from varied service brackets, through their diverse understanding and experience will recommend measures to achieve the desired “Joint and Integrated” end state with celerity. Defence Ministry said, with the Indian Armed Forces having embarked on a major transformative change in their quest to be ready for the envisaged future wars, initiatives are being undertaken to promote Jointness and Integration as structures are modified to enable Tri- Service multi domain operations.