India

The return of power cuts and a proposed Milma milk price hike in Kerala have sparked political debate days after polling. The developments contrast with the LDF’s campaign claims of uninterrupted power supply and stable prices ahead of the results announcement

The Rajasthan High Court extended self-styled godman Asaram’s interim medical bail till May 25 or until judgment in his pending appeal. The order came as hearings in his criminal appeal concluded and legal proceedings over Gujarat ashram land continue separately

The Supreme Court declined to frame fresh guidelines on hate speech, saying existing criminal laws are adequate to address such offences. The court observed that lawmaking falls within Parliament’s domain and stressed that the key issue lies in effective enforcement of existing provisions

The Centre has proposed amendments to motor vehicle rules to allow higher ethanol and biodiesel blends, including E100 and B100 fuels. The move aims to promote cleaner energy use, reduce fossil fuel imports and support India’s long-term energy self-reliance and sustainability goals

YSRCP leader Pudi Srihari was arrested again by Kuppam police in Bengaluru over alleged objectionable social media posts targeting Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The arrest came after the Supreme Court declined to intervene in the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Great Nicobar project is among the biggest threats to India’s natural and tribal heritage. During his visit to Campbell Bay, he criticised the project’s environmental impact and promised to raise concerns of tribal communities in Parliament

BJP candidate Ratna Debnath, mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, alleged that TMC workers prevented her from leaving a polling booth in Panihati during West Bengal Assembly elections. The Election Commission has sought a report into the alleged incident

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve recorded 3.76 lakh online safari bookings in 2025-26, reflecting rising tourist interest. Officials said new visitor-friendly reforms, improved online services, cashless systems and enhanced safari facilities have helped strengthen the reserve’s appeal as a leading wildlife tourism destination

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 594-km Ganga Expressway connecting Meerut and Prayagraj. The project is expected to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, attract industrial investment and create employment opportunities while strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s transport and logistics network

Security forces destroyed 12 illegal bunkers in Manipur’s Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts during coordinated operations. In a separate operation, weapons including an AK-47 rifle, grenades and a mortar were seized from Churachandpur amid continuing ethnic tensions in the state

CBSE has denied reports of glitches and delays in the evaluation of Class 12 answer sheets under the On-Screen Marking system. The board said the process is running smoothly and students can expect their results in the third week of May

A Nashik court remanded self-styled astrologer Ashok Kharat in judicial custody till May 12 in the seventh sexual exploitation case against him. The SIT is investigating multiple allegations of sexual abuse and financial fraud linked to the accused across Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will flag off the 20-coach Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express on Thursday, with public services beginning May 2. The train is expected to reduce travel time, improve connectivity and provide a major boost to tourism and the local economy

West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal said repolling may be ordered in booths where EVM tampering is confirmed. The remarks came after BJP alleged that party symbols on EVMs were covered with tape or ink during the second and final phase of polling

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the India-New Zealand free trade agreement as a major economic opportunity that will boost jobs and exports. The landmark pact is expected to reduce tariffs, strengthen bilateral trade ties and expand investment and strategic cooperation

Adani Power reported a 64 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,271 crore in Q4 FY26, supported by better operational efficiency and lower tax outgo. The company also maintained strong generation growth and continued expanding its long-term power supply agreements

West Bengal recorded 78.68 per cent polling till 3 p.m. in the second phase of Assembly elections across 142 constituencies. East Burdwan registered the highest turnout, while Bhabanipur also saw strong voting amid the high-profile contest involving Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari

The makers of ‘Tumbbad 2’ have announced that the film will release on December 3, 2027. Producer-actor Sohum Shah and director Adesh Prasad said the sequel will expand the mythology and visual world of the original cult horror film

The PIB Fact Check unit dismissed as fake a viral social media message claiming a sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices. The government clarified that no such order had been issued and assured adequate fuel availability despite global energy market volatility

Indian benchmark indices ended higher on Wednesday, although gains narrowed due to a sharp rise in global crude oil prices. Investors remained cautious amid geopolitical tensions, stalled US-Iran talks and volatility in energy markets, while select heavyweight stocks supported market sentiment

The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections recorded a 61.11 per cent voter turnout till 1 p.m. Allegations of threats, violence and EVM irregularities surfaced in some areas, while central forces maintained strict vigil across polling booths in the state

Allegations of violence and EVM tampering surfaced during the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. BJP leaders accused Trinamool Congress workers of attacking polling agents, while security forces maintained strict vigil amid rising political tensions across the state

The Supreme Court questioned whether non-believers can claim entry rights to the Sabarimala temple, emphasizing that the court must distinguish between devotees and non-devotees. A nine-judge bench is currently reviewing the scope of religious freedom and gender discrimination in religious places

Actor-politician Joseph Vijay, founder of TVK, embarked on a spiritual tour to Shirdi following the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. After visiting Thiruchendur, Vijay's pilgrimage serves as a brief hiatus before the May 4 vote counting and his formal political debut