Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Police in Shamli returned Rs 4 lakh in cash after it was found scattered on the Meerut-Karnal highway. The owner, Shubham, said the money fell from his motorcycle while he was riding home from Haryana. Authorities verified his claim and ownership before handing the recovered cash back to him.
DRDO and the Indian Navy have achieved a major milestone by successfully completing hydrodynamic testing of a frontline warship design. The work showcases advanced ship hydrodynamics and simulation expertise, validating performance claims earlier than traditional timelines. The result strengthens India’s naval development capabilities and adds momentum to the country’s push for competitive, modern warship technology on the global stage.
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In Jalandhar, AAP workers tried to paint “Gaddar” on Harbhajan Singh’s home after he exited the party. But in a visible goof-up, they wrote “Gadar,” with the message landing as “rebel” rather than “traitor.” The mishap sparked immediate mockery online, turning a planned political protest into a spelling-driven meme.
US President Donald Trump has scrapped a planned meeting with Iranian representatives in Islamabad, Pakistan. He blamed what he called confusion and infighting within Iran’s leadership, arguing that any further talks would be a waste of time. The move lands during a tense moment for West Asia, as diplomatic channels face mounting pressure.
West Bengal’s voter lists have reportedly removed many names, sparking outrage, allegations of conspiracy, and fears of deliberate disenfranchisement. While some residents suspect political sabotage ahead of the upcoming Kolkata vote, the commentary argues the damage may stem from administrative errors. The fallout echoes across India, with millions potentially impacted before voters head to the polls.
US President Donald Trump told Fox News he ordered his envoys not to travel to Pakistan to continue talks with Iranian officials on ending the war. He criticized the process as ineffective, saying they should call anytime but there would be no more 18-hour flights to “sit around talking about nothing,” signaling a tougher stance toward diplomacy.
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Mehbooba Mufti said she regretfully tightened the Public Safety Act on youth during her tenure, while taking credit for revoking 12,000 FIRs against young people. She criticized the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government for its handling of similar issues, urging PDP workers to stay united and gear up for upcoming elections.
Rahul Gandhi alleged the Modi government has filed multiple cases against him while leaving Mamata Banerjee untouched. He argued Banerjee does not directly confront the BJP, unlike him. Gandhi pointed to his own legal troubles, saying he faces 36 cases, and also recalled losing his Lok Sabha membership—turning the claim into a larger political protest.
Odisha is grappling with severe heatwave conditions, with 17 locations recording temperatures above 40°C on Saturday. Jharsuguda topped the state at 44.1°C. Hot and humid weather is expected to persist in multiple districts, while thunderstorms may bring brief relief to some areas on Sunday.
Trinamool Congress has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to try a Rs 5 meal at a Bengal government-run Maa Canteen. The party says Modi’s remarks on infiltration appear at odds with statements from his own Home Minister, turning a simple meal invite into a political showdown ahead of elections.
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Bitcoin is inching toward $80,000 in April 2026, powered by steady ETF inflows and large purchases from Strategy Inc. That consistent demand is helping build momentum, while short sellers reportedly rush to cover positions. Analysts say the broader tone is shifting gradually bullish as BTC holds key levels, setting up potential for further upside if the flow continues.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged citizens to cut electricity use, warning that while power supply is currently adequate, future problems could emerge. He blamed external efforts by the US and Israel for public dissatisfaction and called for simple conservation measures. The push comes as Iran struggles with aging power infrastructure and sanctions that affect its electricity grid.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh says the party will write to the Rajya Sabha chairman seeking disqualification of seven AAP MPs who have joined the BJP. Singh argues the anti defection law does not recognise splits or factions, calling the move unconstitutional and illegal. The party wants the MPs removed from the upper house, raising a fresh challenge to party switching rules.
Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa says he received a threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi group after he opposed the ZEE5 docu-series “Lawrence of Punjab”. The threat message also cited other prominent figures. The Union ministry reportedly advised ZEE5 not to air it citing public order risks, while Punjab Police urged the Centre to intervene.
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AAP’s breakaway MPs have started shifting Rajya Sabha seat arithmetic, eroding the Opposition’s ability to sustain a “veto wall” in the Upper House. While the BJP-led NDA already holds the Lok Sabha, this development narrows the legislative bottleneck in Rajya Sabha by making key bills easier to schedule and pass, depending on how alignments firm up.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman promised support for farmers hit by rising input costs, while urging India Inc to expand capacity and share what it needs to invest more. She acknowledged concerns around capital outflows and reiterated India’s readiness for reforms. She also flagged ongoing engagement with the US and Anthropic on AI model risks, and said the strategic sale of IDBI Bank will proceed.
Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, just 15, smashed the fastest hundred of IPL 2026, reaching 100 off 36 balls against SunRisers Hyderabad. The feat also ranks as the third-fastest century in IPL history, underlining a startling speed and composure for a teenager on a major stage.
Independent MP Kapil Sibal has accused the BJP of acting unconstitutionally, alleging that AAP MPs were merged with the party before a formal merger process. He also questioned whether the Rajya Sabha chairman can effectively act on disqualification petitions. Sibal further criticized the Prime Minister’s silence over derogatory remarks about India, escalating political tensions.
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TMC minister Sujit Bose’s election affidavit shows a striking rise in declared income, with annual earnings increasing by more than 90 percent over the past five years. His movable assets are reported at Rs 1.92 crore, and he lists Madhyamik as his highest education. Bose also states there are no criminal cases pending against him.
DRDO unveiled two Advanced Armoured Platforms at its Ahilyanagar lab: a tracked and a wheeled variant designed for higher combat mobility. Built with industry partners TATA and Bharat Forge, the platforms feature a 30mm crewless turret with ATGM capability, STANAG 4/5 protection, and amphibious mobility. Officials say the designs include about 65% indigenous content.
Axis Finance has raised Rs 750 crore from Kedaara Capital through a preferential issuance, adding to a recent Rs 1,500 crore infusion from Axis Bank. The company says the capital will strengthen its financial base and support expansion across retail, MSME and wholesale lending. Axis Finance’s business also grew 22% to Rs 47,692 crore.
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi wrapped up a Pakistan visit after meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, with regional tensions easing and support for US-Iran talks. US envoys were expected in Islamabad for ceasefire negotiations, but Pakistan officials say Araghchi left without meeting them. Iran also resumed commercial flights.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says the company will hire 1,000 graduates and interns to support its growing AI product push, directly addressing worries that automation will wipe out entry-level roles. The move comes after February reports of under 1,000 job cuts that affected areas including marketing and product management.
Delhi baked on Friday with 42.8°C at Safdarjung—the highest for the capital in 2026—nearly 5°C above normal. IMD issued a heatwave warning for coming days as Palam reached 44.1°C. The city’s administration urged residents to take precautions, with hospitals on alert and power demand rising sharply under the sweltering conditions.
Palestinians in the West Bank and central Gaza voted in municipal elections, the first ballot since the Gaza war began. Turnout remained low as only a limited number of candidates stepped forward. President Mahmud Abbas said he was pleased Palestinians could exercise democracy despite severe challenges, while voters cast their ballots hoping local councils could deliver real change.
Kalvakuntla Kavitha has launched a new political party, Telangana Rashtra Sena, in Hyderabad, aiming to deliver what she calls the unfulfilled dreams of Telangana statehood. In her pitch, she promised “Amma’s Rule” and laid out five core initiatives spanning education, health, agriculture, livelihood, and social justice, positioning the party as a driver of major governance change.
Punjab Kings kept their unbeaten IPL 2026 run rolling, chasing 265 against Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The chase broke PBKS’s own T20 record, driven by Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer’s half-centuries. KL Rahul’s blazing 152* added momentum, but the complete team performance sealed a historic victory for PBKS in a high-scoring thriller.
Telangana Police announced that 47 Maoist cadres surrendered on Saturday, calling it the end of the movement in the state. Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy said the surrender involved members tied to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army, and specific South Bastar regional platoons, signaling a major blow to the armed groups.
Punjab Kings scripted history with the highest T20 chase, winning their sixth straight match by knocking down Delhi Capitals’ 264/2 to reach 265. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya gave them a fierce start, turning Delhi’s KL Rahul 152 and Nitish Rana 91 into a near-miss. With the win, Punjab Kings stayed unbeaten and topped the points table.
Gujarat is set for local and civic body elections with nearly 10,000 candidates in the fray. While the BJP seeks to defend its stronghold, it faces tough challenges from the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. Adding to the contest, AIMIM has entered the race, potentially shifting vote dynamics across key wards.
The Aam Aadmi Party’s youth wing has launched protests across Punjab targeting seven Rajya Sabha MPs who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Protesters allegedly defaced residences, burned effigies, and called the MPs “traitors.” While AAP leaders condemned the defections and said disqualification proceedings will follow, BJP has welcomed the new members.
Trump plans to send American envoys to Islamabad for ceasefire talks with Iran, aiming to reduce tensions and limit economic fallout from disrupted global energy shipments. Iran’s top diplomat is already in Pakistan, signaling negotiations will be indirect. Pakistan is acting as a facilitator to bring Washington and Tehran back to the table without direct dialogue.
India is preparing a bid to host the 2038 Asian Games in Ahmedabad. The Indian Olympic Association has submitted an expression of interest to the Olympic Council of Asia, and officials are reportedly satisfied with the proposal. An evaluation committee is expected to visit soon to assess plans, facilities, and readiness for hosting the multi-sport event.
South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi was stretchered off in an ambulance after a head injury during the IPL clash between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings. While back-pedalling to complete a catch, he lost balance and fell backward, striking his head. Play was halted for 15 minutes, and a concussion substitute was brought in as the match resumed.
In its latest RBI Bulletin, the central bank said India’s financial system and external sector remain resilient despite global volatility and capital outflows. It reported that key external vulnerability indicators stayed contained, while foreign exchange reserves continued to look comfortable, even as global uncertainty remained elevated.
The Himachal Pradesh government has directed the immediate release of the remaining 30% gratuity and leave encashment arrears for Class IV employees who retired or died between January 1, 2016 and January 31, 2022. The order clears pending dues, following earlier disbursal of interim relief and dearness allowance installments.
Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced a Rs 2,500 crore defence manufacturing plant for the Adani group in Kolaras, Guna district, Madhya Pradesh. The facility, planned near major highways, is expected to create around 2,000 jobs and produce defence equipment. Officials say it will strengthen border security while turning Kolaras into a key defence manufacturing hub.
President Donald Trump says the US Navy is clearing Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global oil shipments. With disruption growing more threatening to the world economy, the operation could still take months due to the complexity of hunting underwater explosives, even as diplomatic and military tensions remain high.
Flipkart’s quick commerce unit Minutes has promoted Kunal Gupta from Vice President to Senior Vice President, according to an internal note seen by ET. The change comes as Flipkart intensifies its push to win faster delivery habits, potentially aligning leadership focus with execution ahead of its IPO plans. The move underscores how quickly competition is shaping internal structure.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh’s Jalandhar home was allegedly vandalised by angry AAP workers a day after he resigned from AAP and joined the BJP. A video reportedly shows black paint being sprayed and the word “gaddar” written on the walls outside his residence, escalating political tensions around the switch.
The US Navy says it is actively clearing explosive mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a lifeline for global oil shipments. Officials warn the operation could take months, and even suspected mine threats are already disrupting routes. Shipping firms and insurers are reworking risk assessments and policies as Washington moves to restore safe passage for vessels.
DPIIT has issued operational guidelines for the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, a Rs 10,000 crore initiative under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The move lays out how the fund will function, aiming to improve support for startups and streamline the investment route through fund-of-funds structures. Details in the guidelines are expected to influence future startup funding flows.
DRDO unveiled two new armoured platforms, one tracked and one wheeled, aimed at emerging operational needs. Both are built around an advanced 30 mm crewless turret, delivering high mobility, firepower and protection. The vehicles also highlight strong indigenous design and manufacturing, with plans to further increase local content as development progresses.
A new trial explored whether type 2 diabetes patients could get both improved blood sugar control and weight benefits from a single endoscopic procedure called duodenal mucosal resurfacing. Participants either received the procedure or underwent a sham version, letting researchers compare outcomes while minimizing bias. Results could reshape how doctors approach metabolic control in the future.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying India can rise to the top tier of nations under his leadership. Naidu also pitched a “population management policy,” encouraging citizens to plan for two or more children, positioning it as a forward-looking step aimed at shaping the country’s future growth and competitiveness.
The Aam Aadmi Party held protests outside the residences of Rajya Sabha MPs Rajinder Gupta, Harbhajan Singh and Ashok Mittal after they switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party. AAP workers in Ludhiana and Jalandhar branded the defectors as traitors, while party leaders alleged the BJP is trying to destabilise them. AAP insists it remains united to serve Punjab and says those who left will face public accountability.
KL Rahul blasted an unbeaten 152 to become the first Indian to reach 150-plus in IPL history, smashing a Delhi Capitals record. Partnering with Nitish Rana, he powered a 220-run stand—one of the tournament’s biggest—to help Delhi post 264/2 against Punjab Kings. The innings adds fresh milestones to IPL’s record chase.
Donald Trump is hosting a highly promoted “most exclusive” crypto event for the 297 largest $TRUMP token holders who entered his contest, with winners expected to gather at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. The move comes as the $TRUMP cryptocurrency has fallen sharply, plunging about 96% from its peak, highlighting the gap between hype and market reality.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says she will file a legal case against Union Home Minister Amit Shah over remarks she calls violent and unacceptable towards TMC workers. The dispute comes ahead of the second phase of polling on April 29, after high voter turnout in the first phase. Banerjee argues a Home Minister’s language must remain responsible.
Iran warned the United States that it will deliver a decisive response if Washington continues what Tehran calls “blockade, piracy, and maritime robbery” in the Gulf, especially near the Strait of Hormuz. The warning, reported by Iranian state media Press TV, escalates rhetoric around maritime security and signals potential retaliation if tensions rise.
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