India

ED scrutiny of I-PAC over alleged money laundering sparks political controversy in West Bengal. Trinamool Congress defends its role in campaigns, while critics call it a “shadow setup”. The probe intensifies ahead of Assembly elections, raising questions on influence and funding

An explosion at a Virudhunagar fireworks unit killed 25 workers, mostly women, injuring several others. A second blast hit rescuers. The owner is absconding, illegal safety violations suspected. Tamil Nadu government announced Rs 5.5 lakh ex gratia and probe ordered

The Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force arrested four suspects linked to foreign-based gangsters in Patiala, recovering illegal pistols and ammunition, and foiling planned crimes as part of an ongoing crackdown on organised criminal networks

The Supreme Court of India dismissed review petitions by Umar Khalid challenging denial of bail in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, holding no error in its earlier judgment and refusing an oral hearing

Omar Abdullah announced ex-gratia relief from the CM’s fund after a bus accident in Udhampur killed 21 people and injured 29, offering compensation to victims’ families and reaffirming government support

National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar urged media to report crimes against women responsibly, avoid media trials, protect victim identity, ensure fact-checking, and promote gender-sensitive, accurate, and ethical journalism during a workshop in Mumbai

West Bengal heads into a closely fought Assembly election amid intense campaigning and voter roll revisions. The contest between Trinamool Congress and BJP is expected to tighten, with SIR changes and voter dynamics likely to influence outcomes across several key constituencies

Marlboro did not falter or look back, galloping to the finish line without me—leaving a lasting lesson: preparation matters, but so does accepting the unexpected with grace

Survivors of the Udhampur bus tragedy recounted panic and chaos after a bus plunged down a hillside, killing 21. They praised the Army’s swift rescue operation, which saved several lives. Police have launched an investigation into the accident

The CBI has arrested two senior Reliance Communications executives in connection with a Rs 19,694 crore bank fraud case. Investigations revealed alleged fund diversion and fraudulent transactions, causing major losses to public sector banks and financial institutions

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu campaigned in Coimbatore, highlighting women’s reservation as a key issue. He accused DMK and Congress of opposing reforms and urged voters to support the AIADMK-led NDA in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections

Authorities have found no discrepancies so far in the ongoing inventory of valuables in the Ratna Bhandar of Puri’s Jagannath temple. The process, which began on March 25, has been paused briefly for rituals and will resume soon

A judge of the Allahabad High Court recused himself from hearing a plea seeking FIR against Rahul Gandhi over alleged dual citizenship, after controversy over social media posts and prior legal observations on issuing notice to the accused

A Congress-led United Democratic Front alleged strongroom tampering at Vellimadukunnu in Kozhikode, but election officials clarified that only a separate materials room was opened during routine inspection, confirming that Electronic Voting Machine strongrooms remained secure

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel before the Iran conflict on directions from US President Donald Trump. He also linked the visit to issues involving Epstein files and Adani during an election rally

The CPI has projected a decline in its Kerala Assembly tally based on an internal review, indicating possible shifts within the ruling LDF. The assessment has also brought internal dissent to light ahead of the election results

Arvind Kejriwal praised M K Stalin and said they share a common vision for education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment, appreciating Tamil Nadu’s governance while campaigning for the DMK-led alliance in Chennai ahead of the April 23 elections

The Women’s Reservation Bill failed to secure a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, stalling key electoral reforms. Opposition parties opposed its linkage with delimitation, delaying the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures

The Election Commission has ordered a 48-hour dry day in poll-bound areas of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to ensure free and fair voting. Liquor sale and distribution will also be banned on counting day, May 4

Rahul Gandhi accused AIADMK of aligning with the BJP due to corruption, calling it a gateway for expansion in Tamil Nadu, while defending federalism and backing the DMK-Congress alliance ahead of the April 23 polls

The Indian Navy commissioned DSC A23, an indigenously built diving support craft at Kolkata, enhancing underwater operations, salvage, and coastal capabilities under the Ministry of Defence’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative

The Delhi High Court will pronounce its verdict on Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking recusal of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in the Delhi Excise Policy case, amid arguments from the Central Bureau of Investigation over alleged bias claims

POSCO and JSW Steel signed a $7.3 billion joint venture to build a 6-million-ton steel plant in Odisha, strengthening industrial cooperation and global supply chains between South Korea and India

The Swarana Kanta Sharma recused from hearing bail plea of former Naresh Balyan in an Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act case involving alleged extortion and gang links, with the matter now scheduled before another bench