Sat Apr 12 13:02:10 UTC 2025: ## ED to Seize ₹661 Crore in AJL Money Laundering Case

**New Delhi, April 12, 2025** – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced today it will seize ₹661 crore worth of immovable assets in its ongoing money laundering investigation against the Congress-controlled Associated Journals Limited (AJL). Notices have been issued to facilitate the seizure of these previously attached assets.

**Other National News:**

* **Supreme Court Sets Deadline for Presidential Assent:** The Supreme Court has given the President a three-month deadline to decide on State Bills referred to her by Governors.
* **West Bengal Rejects Waqf Amendment Act:** West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the state will not implement the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act, following violent protests. She urged calm and condemned the incitement of religious violence.
* **Badal Re-elected as Shiromani Akali Dal President:** Sukhbir Singh Badal has been re-elected as president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, amidst efforts to revive the party’s political standing.

**International News:**

* **Israel Encircles Rafah in Gaza:** Israeli forces have completed the encirclement of Rafah, Gaza, as part of a larger military operation involving widespread evacuations of Palestinians.
* **Iran, US Begin Nuclear Talks:** Iran and the United States have initiated negotiations in Oman regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

**Other Developments:**

* **Proposed US Budget Cuts Climate Research:** A draft White House budget proposes eliminating the NOAA’s climate research arm and refocusing the U.S. fisheries service on energy development.
* **Film “Phule” Delayed:** The release of the film “Phule,” based on the lives of Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, has been delayed due to objections from the Brahmin community, not censorship.
* **UPI Services Disrupted:** A widespread outage affected UPI payment services across India, with the NPCI acknowledging the issue and working on a resolution.

This news bulletin summarizes key events reported by The Hindu on April 12, 2025. Further details are available in the original publication.

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