The State Lorry Owners’ Association started an indefinite strike on Monday because they are unhappy with the rising prices of diesel fuel, increased tolls, and charges from the Road Transport Office (RTO). They also complained about unfair treatment from transport officials. GR Shanmugappa, the president of the association, said, “The lorry industry is suffering a lot because of high costs. RTO officers are bothering our drivers for bribes. With rising costs for fuel and taxes, it’s hard for us to keep our vehicles running. We won’t stop this strike until the government listens to us.”
Diesel prices have gone up twice in the last six months. The latest increase happened on April 1, which made diesel nearly ₹2 more expensive per liter. The association said they need the government to respond by April 14, especially about reducing fuel prices and high RTO fees.
In a letter to its members, the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association (FOKSLOAA) called for a complete halt in transport operations in Karnataka. This was to address important long-standing problems faced by the transport industry. They pointed out that a steep increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel led to a ₹5 rise per liter over the last nine months, driving up costs for transporters.
Shanmugappa mentioned that all kinds of freight activities—like transporting construction materials (gravel and sand), fuel, agricultural products, and essential goods—have stopped. The federation is also protesting against strict no-entry rules in Bengaluru, which makes it hard to deliver goods on time, and the trouble caused by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) and microfinance groups, like illegal vehicle seizures and stress for vehicle owners.
In support of the strike, the Airport Taxi Drivers’ Union said they will stop working on April 15 and might keep protesting longer. So far, the government has not officially responded to the lorry owners’ strike.
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Lorry Owners in Karnataka Begin Indefinite Strike Over Fuel Costs and Fee
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Six Arrested for Assaulting Woman Over Affair Rumor in Davanagere
In Davanagere district, six people were arrested because they attacked a 38-year-old woman who was rumored to be having an affair. The incident happened on April 9 in Tavarekere village when the woman was visiting relatives. She was seen with a man named Fayyaz, and this caught the attention of someone related to her. They thought she was doing something wrong.
A group of about eight to ten people showed up with ropes, sticks, and iron pipes and started attacking the woman and Fayyaz. One person even tried to throw a stone at them. The police found out about the attack after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
When the police contacted the woman, she decided to file a complaint against the six attackers she recognized. These men — Mohammad Nayyaz (32), Mohammad Ghaus Peer (45), Chand Peer (35), Inayit Ullah (51), Dastagir (24), and Rasool TR (42) — were arrested. They are facing serious charges, including intimidating the woman and disrespecting her.
The six men were taken to court and will spend 14 days in jail. The police are still looking into whether more people were involved or if the attack was planned beforehand.
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Gold Prices Rise Amid Tariffs: What’s Next
Gold prices went up slightly on Tuesday as people remained worried about U.S. President Donald Trump’s plans for tariffs and how they could affect the global economy.
Here are the key points:
Current Gold Price: The price of spot gold increased by 0.1%, reaching $3,211.49 per ounce. It had a record high of $3,245.42 in the previous session.
Futures Prices: U.S. gold futures also rose by 0.1% to $3,227.90.
Tariff News: The Trump administration is looking into imposing tariffs on pharmaceuticals (medicines) and semiconductors (computer chips) because they believe relying on foreign products could be a national security risk. Trump plans to announce the tariff rates for semiconductors within a week, which is keeping investors anxious.
Gold’s Role: Gold is often seen as a safe investment during uncertain times, and it does well when interest rates are low.
Inflation Expectations: Many Americans expect rising prices in the near future, with inflation expectations reaching the highest level since Fall 2023.
Interest Rates: Traders predict that interest rates may decrease by about 86 basis points by the end of 2025.
Investment in Gold: Investment in gold exchange-traded funds in China has been higher this month compared to the whole first quarter of the year and has outpaced inflows into U.S. funds, according to the World Gold Council.
Other Precious Metals: The prices for other metals fell slightly as well. Spot silver decreased by 0.3% to $32.26 per ounce, platinum dropped by 0.3% to $948.60, and palladium eased by 0.6% to $950.25.
Upcoming Data Releases:
– 0600 GMT: UK unemployment changes
– 0645 GMT: France’s consumer price index
– 0900 GMT: Germany’s economic sentiment and current conditions
– 1230 GMT: U.S. import price data -
Did Trump Really Raise the Minimum Wage to $25? Find Out
Recently, a claim went viral online saying that former President Donald Trump signed a new rule to raise the minimum wage to $25 an hour. This rumor spread quickly on platforms like TikTok and Facebook, with videos mimicking news reports showing Trump in the Oval Office, making it seem real. The videos claimed, “As of April 8, 2025, no American worker will earn less than $25 per hour.”
It sounds dramatic, but it’s completely false!
On April 8, 2025, Trump did sign four executive orders, but none of them had to do with raising the minimum wage. In fact, a month earlier, he signed something that actually rolled back a rule set during President Biden’s time, which was meant to increase the pay for federal workers to $15 an hour.
This step was meant to help workers feel better and stay in their jobs.
The videos made it look like Trump made an important change, but they were misleading and created using real footage mixed with pretend news voices. The same accounts posted other false claims, such as Trump saying he would create a 32-hour work week, which is also not true.
Members of Trump’s team have made it clear they do not plan on raising the minimum wage right now, which has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009. During his confirmation hearing in January 2025, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he does not support any increase. Vice President JD Vance even avoided talking about it clearly in a speech.
On the same day that Trump signed his orders, two lawmakers, Bernie Sanders and Bobby Scott, proposed a new bill to raise the minimum wage to $17 gradually. However, since the Senate is controlled by Republicans, it seems unlikely to pass.
In conclusion, there is no new law for a $25 minimum wage. This claim is simply a well-designed hoax.
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Choksi Arrested: Unpaid Maintenance Fees of ₹63 Lakh in Mumbai
Mehul Choksi, a businessman wanted in India for allegedly stealing over ₹13,500 crores from Punjab National Bank, has been arrested in Belgium. He hasn’t paid the maintenance fees for his three apartments in Gokul Apartments, located in the wealthy Malabar Hills area of Mumbai. A member of the building society reported that he owes about ₹63 lakh in unpaid fees, which have built up over seven years without any interest.
Choksi owns three apartments on the 9th, 10th, and 11th floors of the building. The member also revealed that Choksi has illegally occupied part of the building’s terrace on the 11th floor. They mentioned that in 2020, the building underwent renovations, costing around ₹30-35 lakh per unit. So, if you add the costs for all three units, it totals about ₹95 lakh.
Furthermore, the member expressed that the lack of maintenance from Choksi might endanger the building. They noted that big trees are growing in his flat, which could damage the structure. “We’ve done nothing wrong, yet we’re facing this problem. We trust India’s legal system and hope that the Enforcement Directorate will help us recover the dues,” the member stated.
Mehul Choksi was caught in Belgium after trying to escape to Switzerland, saying he needed medical help. His arrest is a big step forward for Indian authorities who have been searching for him for the past seven years.
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SBI Reduces Fixed Deposit Rates: Latest Updates You Need to Know
The State Bank of India (SBI) recently announced a drop in interest rates for its special fixed deposit plans that last 444 days. This change comes just five days after the central bank cut interest rates to help the economy. Now, SBI is offering 7.05% on these 444-day deposits, down from the previous rate of 7.25%.
These special deposits were introduced in July 2024 to attract customers for a limited time. For regular fixed deposits, SBI’s highest rate is 6.90%. Starting Tuesday, April 15, seniors can earn more: 7.55% for seniors and 7.65% for super seniors over 80 years old.
Earlier, in April 2023, SBI had launched a different special deposit plan for 400 days at 7.10%. Banks, including SBI, started these special plans to attract more deposits as there was a slowdown in deposit growth.
Additionally, SBI has lowered interest rates on loans linked to external benchmarks by 0.25%, starting April 15. However, they haven’t changed their main lending rates, which stay between 8.20% and 9.10%.
The bank’s External Benchmark Lending Rate (EBLR) will drop from 8.90% to 8.65%, and the repo-linked lending rate will decrease from 8.50% to 8.25%.
Experts say this move shows that banks, especially state-owned ones, are still trying hard to attract customer deposits. Other banks are likely to follow SBI’s lead on reducing rates as well. For example, Indian Bank has already extended its special deposit scheme until the end of June.
SBI has also made some small changes to rates on deposits below ₹3 crore, reducing them by 0.10%. Fixed deposits that mature in one to less than two years will now earn 6.70%, down from 6.80%. Deposits maturing in two to less than three years have gone down to 6.90%.
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Van Dijk Anticipates Busy Summer and Title Triumph for Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, believes that this summer will be very important for the team’s future. After a 2-1 win against West Ham, where he scored the winning goal, Liverpool is close to winning their 20th English league title. They are 13 points ahead of Arsenal with only six games left to play and could secure the title next weekend if everything goes well.
Van Dijk is also expected to sign a new two-year contract this week, just like Mohamed Salah did earlier. Last summer, the only player Liverpool brought in was forward Federico Chiesa, who hasn’t played much. The team’s manager, Arne Slot, is looking to make more signings to strengthen the squad.
“I believe Liverpool can win more titles in the future,” said Van Dijk. He mentioned that fans should trust the board to make the right decisions for the team. He believes all teams in the Premier League are strong this season, with anyone able to win against anyone else.
Van Dijk, who is 33 years old, also thinks that having a good training camp this year will help the team get better. There are no big international tournaments, so they will have time to improve their skills. “A proper pre-season will help us be more consistent,” he said.
He is excited about the chance of lifting the Premier League trophy and wants to continue being successful with Liverpool. “I love this club, and it shows in how I speak and play for Liverpool,” he added, emphasizing his commitment to the team.
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MI Breaks Losing Streak: Dramatic Collapse of DC in IPL 2025
On Sunday, the Mumbai Indians (MI) broke their losing streak in a thrilling match against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. MI scored 205 runs for 5 wickets in their 20 overs, thanks to a powerful 59 runs off 33 balls by Tilak Varma.
While chasing 206 runs, DC started strong with Karun Nair scoring an impressive 89 runs. However, after he got out in the 12th over, DC’s hopes faded quickly. The game took a wild turn when Jasprit Bumrah took charge in the 19th over, causing three run-outs in a row. As a result, DC ended their innings with just 193 runs.
The match was not just exciting on the field; there was also a big fight between fans in the stands. A video of a female fan hitting another person went viral, but it’s unclear what started the fight.
Karun Nair, who was bought for ₹50 lakhs during the mega auction, had an outstanding domestic season. He scored the most runs in the 2024 Vijay Hazare Trophy and had great performances in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
After the match, Nair shared his feelings: “I felt confident and well-prepared to play in the IPL. It was about waiting for my chance and working hard. I respect the team’s choices, and I stay ready to help my team succeed.”
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Robert Vadra Open to Politics if Congress Wants Him
Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, said he might enter politics if the Congress party wants him. He believes more people are needed to fight against division in parliament. Vadra mentioned, “With the support of my family and if Congress thinks I should be in politics, I will take that step. I understand what change is needed on the ground.”
He also shared that he often gets pulled into political talks because he’s part of the Gandhi family. “Many parties have used my name during elections or when they want to distract from something else,” he explained
However, Vadra noted that he has learned a lot about politics from Priyanka and her brother, Rahul Gandhi. “I always wanted Priyanka in Parliament, and now she is working very hard there. I’ve gained a lot from my family,” he added
Vadra also spoke about diamond dealer Mehul Choksi, who was recently arrested in Belgium for cheating Punjab National Bank out of ₹13,850 crores. He called the arrest a positive step and hoped the stolen money would be recovered to help those affected by the fraud. Vadra stated, “It’s important for the government to recover the money for the victims and bring back other fraudsters like Nirav Modi.”
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Jose Daniel Ferrer: Feeding the Hungry and Fighting for Change in Cuba
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba – Jose Daniel Ferrer stood on his porch in Santiago de Cuba one morning, warmly greeting a small group of elderly and sick people who had come for help. Inside his home, Ferrer, his wife Nelva Ismarays Ortega, and their small team were serving hot meals of boiled potatoes, yucca, pumpkin, chicken, rice, and spaghetti, all cooked on an open fire.
Ferrer, 54, is not just a kind-hearted neighbor; he is a leading voice against the Cuban government. He founded a group called the National Patriotic Union (Unpacu) in 2011 to push for democratic change in Cuba. He believes that the only way to solve the hunger problem in Cuba is through democracy. “Political activism is my reason for being,” Ferrer shared confidently.
Since starting his kitchen at the beginning of the year, he has been serving over 1,000 meals a day. However, the government has made it hard for him. They threatened people who came to his kitchen, warning them of detention or losing government benefits. Ferrer claims that state security has made it difficult for him and his team to get food ingredients. The Cuban government has not commented on these claims.
One volunteer, Josefina Reyes, said she started helping Ferrer a couple of months ago but was recently threatened by the authorities for doing so. She maintained, “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Ferrer regularly shares updates about the challenges they face through videos and social media. The U.S. State Department has publicly supported him, stating, “We stand with Jose Daniel as he provides life-saving aid to the people of Santiago de Cuba.”
Cuba’s government argues that a long-standing U.S. trade embargo is the reason for the island’s economic struggles. They run nearly 1,500 state soup kitchens, providing meals at low prices. However, many consider Ferrer’s kitchen to provide better food.
Ferrer sees his aid program as a way to inspire a bigger movement for change, but that’s a tough goal in a country where many dissidents have been jailed or forced to flee. Ferrer was released from prison this year as part of an agreement between the U.S. and Cuba.
Despite government criticism, Ferrer insists he receives no funding from the U.S. government. Most of his support comes from independent Cuban donors in the U.S. He hopes for financial assistance to continue his work. “To help here, we need policies that let us ease shortages and suffering,” he stated.