The Economic Times

Pakistan security forces have killed almost 800 Afghan Taliban terrorists. The operation, Ghazab lil-Haq, has resulted in significant losses for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Hundreds of terrorists were killed and injured. Many posts and military equipment were destroyed. The operation began after unprovoked firing from across the border. Pakistan is also in talks with Afghanistan's Taliban government.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge made a statement in Idukki, Kerala, describing Gujarat residents as illiterate. Kharge stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan cannot deceive the people of Kerala. He asserted Keralites are intelligent and educated. Kharge alleged Modi controls Vijayan and both leaders follow similar paths.

Iran has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about a fifth of the world's total oil trade, in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli attacks that began on February 28.

A US airman survived over 24 hours in hostile Iranian territory after his F-15E was downed, evading capture through skill and terrain. A complex, high-stakes rescue operation involving hundreds of personnel, deception tactics, and airstrikes successfully extracted the injured officer, despite facing setbacks and Iranian claims.

Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Sunday that Iran was negotiating and he believed a deal could be concluded by Monday.

India faces a critical challenge with excessive groundwater extraction, contributing 25 percent to global withdrawals. A parliamentary committee has urged the Jal Shakti Ministry to act. States are urged to implement stringent measures to curb over-extraction. Recent assessments show some improvement, but sustained efforts are vital for long-term water security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly criticized the TMC government in West Bengal. He highlighted the Malda incident where judicial officers were held hostage. Modi described this as a failure of law and order under TMC rule. He alleged the party is endangering Bengal's future through appeasement and infiltration.

An Indian LPG carrier, Green Sanvi, has successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi hailed this as a diplomatic victory. This transit occurs amidst heightened tensions in West Asia, a critical region for India's energy imports. The Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai emphasized historical ties with India.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning to Iran. He stated that Israeli forces will hunt down and eliminate Iran's leaders. Strategic assets within Iran will also be targeted. This action will be taken if missile attacks on Israel persist. Revenues from Iranian steel and petrochemical facilities are being struck.

Across both major cities and smaller regions, people describe a downturn marked by layoffs, business closures, and weakening private enterprise activity, as reported by The Epoch Times.

President Donald Trump issued a provocative warning to Iran via Truth Social, threatening to target power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. This escalation comes amid an intensifying standoff over the vital shipping route, with Trump reiterating severe consequences for non-compliance.

Quote of the Day by Arnold Schwarzenegger: Arnold Schwarzenegger is a box office powerhouse, world-class bodybuilding athlete, actor, and former Governor of California. In his quote, Arnold Schwarzenegger says success requires active effort and hard work and you cannot achieve anything by being passive or lazy. If you want to taste success, you have to take initiative and put in consistent effort.

A significant terror module has been uncovered in India. Intelligence sources reveal suspected links to foreign handlers and extremist groups like ISIS. The module was reportedly involved in radicalizing Indian youth. Police have arrested suspects across several states. Investigations indicate the group shared extremist content and planned to establish an Islamic State in India.

Weather alerts are in effect across India. The India Meteorological Department forecasts significant rainfall and thunderstorms in Northeast India and parts of the South. Western disturbances will bring unstable conditions to Northwest India, including Kashmir Valley. Several North Indian states can expect rain and snow. Hailstorms and strong winds are also predicted for multiple regions.

Easter Sunday 2026 is here, and shoppers across the United States are balancing last-minute buying plans with holiday-related closures, as major retailers adopt varied approaches, ranging from staying open all day to shutting operations entirely.

Iran's Parliament Speaker MB Ghalibaf stated that three more US victories would ruin the nation. Iran's military claimed to have shot down two US Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 transport plane. US President Donald Trump confirmed the successful rescue of a second F-15 crew member, calling it a daring operation.

Fans eagerly await the home streaming of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Infinity Castle. The film's theatrical run in Japan concludes on April 9. This marks a potential turning point for its digital release. The movie adapts the Infinity Castle arc, featuring Tanjiro and the Hashira confronting powerful demons. Previous seasons are available on various platforms.

The Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) will announce the Class 10 SSLC results for 2026 on April 7 at 11 am. Students can check their scorecards on mbose.in and other official websites after the declaration. The exams were held from January 30 to February 11, 2026.

The Powerball Lottery continues to draw millions of participants due to its massive jackpots and widespread accessibility. Broadcast live on official lottery websites and local television stations, the draw remains a major event for players hoping to strike it rich.

Israel aided the United States in a daring operation to rescue a downed US airman from Iran. Israeli security officials confirmed they provided crucial intelligence and paused their own attacks in the region. This assistance facilitated the successful recovery of the F-15E pilot. US President Donald Trump hailed the mission as one of the most daring in American history.

Apoorva Makhija, aka the 'Rebel Kid' is under fire from netizens after she shared a video linking Lipton metabolism tablets to PCOS and hormonal conditions. In the video, she said that her doctor could have simply suggested Liptons metabolism boost for treating PCOS and this sparked massive outrage online with doctors and medical professionals calling out her claims. The video has now been deleted.

Recent maritime activity has unveiled the presence of the oil tanker Ocean Thunder, navigated through the Strait of Hormuz while transporting a hefty load of Basrah Heavy crude from Iraq. The timing of this journey aligns with Iran's recent declaration of Iraq's freedom from transit limitations, emphasizing the region's vital role in global energy trade.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticized the ongoing voter list revision. She claims the process intimidates voters by removing names. Banerjee also stated that administrative work might be temporarily disrupted. She announced a future separate budget for farmers. The Chief Minister will contest a key election in Bhabanipur.

Misprision is a word that reflects the fragile nature of understanding. Whether in law, literature, or everyday discourse, it reminds us that meaning is often shaped by perception and that even small misinterpretations can have significant consequences.

Chan Thao Phoumy, a national from France, has been executed in China after a lengthy 15-year sentence on death row for drug trafficking offenses. French officials had sought clemency, yet the execution in Guangzhou went ahead, leading to France's condemnation of the violation of human rights principles, as the country has abolished capital punishment.

Viral diet trends: The concept of proteinmaxxing insists that more is better when it comes to the macronutrient found in foods like meat, dairy and nuts, which is essential to a vast array of bodily functions such as repairing tissue or enhancing immune function.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway on April 14. This 210-km high-speed corridor will connect Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Travel time between Delhi and Dehradun will reduce from 6.5 hours to 2.5 hours. The expressway features six lanes and passes through Rajaji National Park with wildlife protection measures.

Pope Leo implored global leaders to cease conflicts and relinquish ambitions of power and conquest in his Easter message. He urged those with weapons to lay them down and those with the power to wage war to choose peace, emphasizing Christ's nonviolent example. The Pope also made a direct appeal to U.S.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged voters whose names were wrongly deleted to appeal by April 6, promising free legal aid. She also cautioned party workers to vigilantly monitor EVMs against tampering by central forces and warned candidates about potential nomination rejections by the BJP.

In a significant diplomatic move, Oman and Iran engaged in high-level discussions involving deputy foreign ministers to explore strategies for facilitating seamless passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. This dialogue follows recent remarks from an Iranian official about the drafting of a traffic monitoring protocol with Oman.

Easter 2026: With the US-Israeli war on Iran in its second month and Russia's ongoing campaign in Ukraine, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for a halt in hostilities.

Iran war: Missing pilot's extraction followed a frantic U.S. search-and-rescue operation after the Friday crash of the F-15E Strike Eagle, as Iran also promised a reward for anyone who turned in an enemy pilot.

Rastriya Swatantra Party Vice President Dol Prasad Aryal has been elected unopposed as the House Speaker. The announcement was made during a parliamentary meeting on Sunday. Aryal's candidacy was supported by party leaders. He becomes the 10th Speaker of the lower house and the first non-communist in 18 years. Aryal has a background in labor, tourism, and business.

Ladakh's tourism sector and civil society groups have united. They adopted a resolution expressing concern over increasing outside investors. The aim is to protect the region's fragile ecosystem and local livelihoods. Tourism will remain primarily for local stakeholders. This ensures community ownership and decision-making. Policies will protect local participation and interests. Collaboration will promote responsible tourism practices.

Delhi's Ho Chi Minh Marg honours a global leader. The road's naming in the 1970s highlights India's Cold War diplomacy. India supported Vietnam's independence and sovereignty. This connection stems from shared post-colonial experiences. High-level visits and symbolic gestures cemented ties. The street serves as a reminder of this era.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin are engaged in a political debate over the National Education Policy. Pradhan states the policy does not impose Hindi, while Stalin alleges the Union Government is withholding funds to enforce a three-language policy. Stalin emphasizes Tamil Nadu's commitment to its two-language system and preserving linguistic diversity.

Noida and Ghaziabad's daily wage earners and domestic workers face an LPG crisis, forcing a return to wood-fired chulhas and costly small cylinders. Morning routines are disrupted, and families struggle with increased expenses and physical strain. Some workers are even migrating back to their hometowns due to the severe supply crunch and financial hardship.

Hezbollah announced it struck an Israeli warship with a cruise missile. The group stated the vessel was 68 nautical miles offshore. This marks the first such claim by Hezbollah since the Middle East war began. Israeli warships have previously launched strikes on Lebanon. The Israeli military stated they were not aware of the incident.

Kerala polls: Nemom constituency prepares for a key 2026 election battle. V Sivankutty seeks to retain the seat for LDF against BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar and UDF's KS Sabarinadhan. BJP eyes a breakthrough, leveraging local gains and RSS presence. Christian votes are crucial. Election day is April 9, with counting on May 4.

US President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Iran regarding escalating regional tensions. He also made controversial remarks about immigration. Reports indicate Iran launched missiles and drones targeting Israel and Kuwait. Both nations activated air defense systems. This follows a month of conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, with ongoing exchanges across West Asia.

Pakistans claims of mediating the Iran-US conflict face a reality check as Iran rejects engagement via Islamabad. Former envoy Sunjay Sudhir calls it a messenger at best. Meanwhile, mounting debt pressure from the UAE exposes Islamabads economic vulnerability, further shrinking its diplomatic space in West Asia.

Iran announced a victory in southern Isfahan, claiming to have shot down a US aircraft during a rescue mission. This followed a US operation to retrieve a downed F-15 crew member. President Trump described the rescue as daring and successful. Iran stated the US military suffered a humiliating failure.

Three individuals have died in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, following an alleged gas leak incident in Munidih early Sunday morning. Preliminary investigations suggest the victims may have been attempting to steal iron scrap and inadvertently cut into a full gas cylinder, leading to the fatal fumes. Two were brought dead to the hospital, and a third succumbed during treatment.

Global economic growth is set for cuts. Inflationary pressures are expected to rise. Geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions are the main drivers. West Asia conflicts are impacting energy markets. This could lead to a renewed phase of global price instability. India is expected to show resilience. However, global trade and financial volatility pose risks.

Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna highlighted concerns about election neutrality. She stated that if those conducting elections depend on those contesting them, the process's neutrality is compromised. Elections are crucial for constituting political authority. Justice Nagarathna also urged the Centre to view states as co-equals, emphasizing that governance should transcend party differences.

The Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23.

The potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an alarming scenario for food security affecting millions worldwide. Sanjay Sudhir, a former Indian Ambassador, underscores the threat to 10 million Indians living in the Gulf region. Dependence on cargo flights as a workaround is not a long-term answer.

In the latest filing, Vijay disclosed FIR number 74 of 2026 registered at the K5 Peravallur Police Station in Chennai for alleged public disturbance during election campaigning on March 30. Vijay stated in the affidavit that he became aware of this case through social media on April 2.