The Economic Times

U.S. Stock Market: S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Futures are set for eventful Monday at the Wall Street as several factors will drive the stock markets.

Siliguri Election Results 2026 News: Siliguri, a vital commercial hub in West Bengal's Darjeeling district, held its Assembly elections on April 23, 2026. The constituency, encompassing Siliguri city and its suburbs, saw a voter turnout of 77% in 2021, with Sankar Ghosh of the BJP defeating Omprakash Mishra. In 2016, Asok Bhattacharya of the CPI(M) won with an 81% turnout.

Assembly Election Results 2026 Live Telecast: Today, May 4, 2026, marks the counting of election results for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry. Over 824 assembly seats are decided. Exit polls predicted NDA's win in Assam, DMK's return in Tamil Nadu, a close fight in Kerala, a tight contest in Puducherry, and a close race in West Bengal.

Thrissur, a key battleground in Kerala's political landscape, is poised for another intense contest in the upcoming 2026 elections. The constituency, known for its close three-cornered fights between UDF, LDF, and BJP, saw a narrow CPI victory in 2021. Shifting loyalties, development, and minority consolidation are expected to be key factors.

Counting for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections begins May 4, with a key battle in Tollygunge. AITC's Aroop Biswas, the incumbent, faces challenges from BJP and Congress candidates. Exit polls predict a close contest between AITC and BJP, potentially leading to a hung Assembly in West Bengal.

Vattiyoorkavu, a prominent Thiruvananthapuram constituency, is set for a high-stakes election. Known for its educated voters and urban issues, the seat has historically seen tight competition. This year, a triangular contest features sitting MLA V.K. Prasanth, veteran leader K. Muraleedharan, and former DGP R. Sreelekha. The outcome will reflect urban voter sentiment.

Ernakulam, Kerala's financial hub, presents a dynamic electoral landscape. An educated, urban voter base prioritizes governance and development. The constituency is set for a multi-cornered contest. Sitting MLA T. J. Vinod seeks re-election for the UDF. The BJP fields P.R. Sivasankar, while the AAP adds Moses H. M. to the race.

Jalukbari constituency in Guwahati is a key battleground for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeks re-election from his stronghold. The Congress fields Bidisha Neog, banking on voter sentiment. Businesswoman Dipika Das is also contesting. Urban expansion and employment are major issues. The seat remains a focus for political observers.

Kottayam, a UDF stronghold in central Kerala, boasts high literacy and a significant Christian population. The constituency, represented by MLA P.K. Jayalakshmi since 2016, faces challenges like rubber farmer distress and youth unemployment. Voters are seeking improved infrastructure and IT investment, shaping its politically competitive landscape.

In West Bengal's Domkal, a close electoral battle is underway between former IPS officer Humayun Kabir and CPI(M)'s Mostafijur Rahaman. While the TMC aims for a fourth consecutive term, the CPI(M) shows signs of regaining ground after a strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, indicating a competitive contest in the historically CPM stronghold.

Dum Dum Uttar holds its breath as counting for the Assembly seat begins. The constituency, a key part of North 24 Parganas, saw a fierce contest between TMC's Chandrima Bhattacharya, BJP's Sourav Sikdar, and CPI-M's Dipsita Dhar. Voters considered issues like urban infrastructure, women's safety, and employment. The outcome will reveal the political mood of urban Bengal.

Silchar Election Result 2026: Silchar, an urban constituency in Assams Cachar district, is a key economic hub in the Barak Valley and part of the Silchar Lok Sabha seat. It is a general category Assembly constituency with a largely urban population.

Kolkata Port constituency faces a close contest as Firhad Hakim seeks a third term amid a significant voter decline. A sharp drop in electorate numbers has sparked concerns over revised voter rolls, with opposition parties alleging deletions. Civic issues and the integrity of the electoral process are key campaign themes.

Baranagar awaits a crucial verdict on May 4, 2026. The constituency sees a tight contest between TMC's Sayantika Banerjee, BJP's Sajal Ghosh, and Left's Sayandeep Mitra. Campaigning focused on industrial revival, infrastructure, and job creation. Voters' choices will shape local leadership for the next five years. Counting begins tomorrow.

Vote counting for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections begins tomorrow in Kharagpur. The industrial hub's fate hangs in the balance as the BJP incumbent faces a tough contest. The Trinamool Congress aims to regain the seat, while a Left-Congress alliance targets young voters. Local issues like industrial stagnation and civic infrastructure are key.

Lakhimpur Assembly constituency in Assam is under close observation as vote counting begins. Incumbent BJP MLA Manab Deka faces Congress challenger Ghana Buragohain. The contest is shaped by electoral history and ongoing development challenges. Recurring floods, poor connectivity, and limited employment opportunities are key issues. The constituency's diverse population influences political discourse.

The Barpeta constituency in Assam has emerged as a closely watched electoral contest in the 2026 Assembly elections, with candidates from major parties and independents in the fray after recent delimitation changes. Voting in the constituency took place on April 9.

Kanniyakumari constituency, located at the southern tip of mainland India, is a key political seat in Tamil Nadu known for its coastal economy and cultural landmarks such as the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue.

Jorhat's Assembly seat is a key focus for the 2026 Assam elections. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi faces BJP MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami. Goswami has a long history with the constituency. Gogoi has declared higher assets and an annual income. Voting is on April 9, 2026, with results on May 4. Exit polls predict a BJP win across Assam.

Coimbatore South Election Results 2026 News: Coimbatore South's election results are being released today, May 4, 2026, with a tight contest expected between DMK's V Senthil Balaji and AIADMK's Amman K Arjunan. Balaji, making a comeback after legal troubles, faces a challenging race in this key urban swing seat. Most exit polls have predicted that DMK is on its course to come back to power again in Tamil Nadu.

Kazhakoottam Election Results 2026: Kazhakoottam's election features a tight race between CPI (M)'s Kadakampally Surendran and BJP candidate V Muraleedharan. A controversy linked to the Sabarimala gold theft has emerged and it could dent Left's performance in Kazhakoottam. Exit polls suggest a shift in Kerala's political landscape, with the majority predicting a setback for the LDF government.

Election 2026 Votes Counting Process: The Election Commission of India will announce the results for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry on May 4. Counting begins at 8:00 AM with postal ballots, followed by EVM votes. VVPAT verification adds transparency, with final results expected by Monday evening after round-wise updates.

Quote of the day by Whitney Wolfe Herd: The Bumble CEO emphasizes that meaningful relationships stem from self-understanding and confidence, urging individuals to discover their values and boundaries before seeking a partner. She warns against sacrificing one's identity for a relationship, advocating for two whole individuals to build a stable and fulfilling connection.

Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the northwest region which hosts the port, said more than 60 drones were downed overnight. He said the fire at Primorsk, a major oil-exporting outlet, was quickly extinguished and there had been no oil spill following the attack.

China's commerce ministry said the sanctions unlawfully restrict normal trade with third countries and violate international norms. In a rare move, it issued an order prohibiting recognition, enforcement or compliance with the penalties targeting the five firms.

Three top-notch hospitals in Mumbai and a famous international spiritual organisation-all functioning as charitable trusts-have been denied Income tax (I-T) exemption on the grounds that they were carrying out commercial activities.

West Bengal awaits election results. Both Trinamool Congress and BJP are confident of victory. Parties have briefed their counting agents to stay vigilant. Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth term as Chief Minister. A minor incident occurred at a counting centre. Leaders have urged agents to remain fearless.

A key figure in Indias fast breeder nuclear programme has highlighted the significance of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) achieving criticality, calling it a major indigenous milestone that strengthens the countrys second-stage nuclear energy ambitions.

Authorities in Doda have imposed a two-month ban on unauthorized gatherings and protests. This measure aims to prevent public disturbance and maintain peace. The decision follows large public events organized by recently released MLA Mehraj Malik. Malik addressed a rally after his release from detention. The ban covers specific areas within Doda town.

Vote counting is happening today for the Puducherry assembly elections. The NDA faces the INDIA bloc in a close contest. Bypolls results are also expected for eight seats in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. These results will shape the political landscape in these regions. All eyes are on the final outcomes.

An explosion rocked the area near Imphal Airport on Sunday, marking the third anniversary of a significant ethnic conflict. Fortunately, no one was harmed in the blast. The Kangleipak Communist Party claimed the act was a demonstration against the recurrent bandhs and blockades affecting the region.

Russia backs India's BRICS leadership and its proposed agenda. This support is crucial as India navigates disagreements within BRICS regarding the West Asia conflict. India's recent efforts to foster dialogue among parties are seen as a significant step. Discussions on the West Asia issue will continue at the upcoming BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi.

Extinct animals coming back: Scientists are pursuing de-extinction, aiming to bring back species like the woolly mammoth and bluebuck. The long-term goal includes rewilding these creatures into their natural habitats. This ambitious project also involves developing artificial wombs for species that cannot be carried by living relatives.

India has firmly rejected Nepal's territorial claims over Lipulekh Pass. Nepal objected to the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route passing through the disputed region. India stated its position is consistent and clear, emphasizing the historical use of the route. India remains open to dialogue to resolve boundary issues.

Meteor showers happen when space rocks hit Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speeds and burn up, gaining fiery tails.

Nepal has raised objections to India and China's plan for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra using the Lipulekh Pass. Kathmandu asserts that Lipulekh is its territory and was not consulted on the route. India maintains ownership of Lipulekh. Nepal has communicated its stance to both India and China, emphasizing diplomatic resolution of border disputes based on historical agreements.

Jairam Ramesh, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge communications, made the remarks at a function at the Indira Bhawan here that was attended by the party's Legal and Media Department office-bearers to welcome Khera back.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that the United States was suffocating Iran's leadership through an economic blockade launched alongside the US military offensive. Bessent said his department was imposing economic measures on anyone trying to remit money into Iran to help the IRGC, Iran's elite military force.

Quote of the day by Jessica Chastain: The Oscar-winning actress emphasizes that breaking down long-standing barriers for women requires persistence and collective action. She calls on women to step forward and claim their rightful place, even in unwelcoming environments.

A bulk carrier near the Strait of Hormuz reported an attack by small craft. Iran has presented a new proposal to the United States. This plan seeks to resolve bilateral issues within 30 days and end the ongoing war. President Trump is reviewing the proposal. Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz.

West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala & Puducherry assembly poll results: Counting day arrives for five Indian states after a heated election. Voters cast ballots in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. The Day of Reckoning will reveal if the Double Engine momentum grows or if regional parties hold their ground. High turnouts marked this intense electoral contest.

Delhi experienced a warm Sunday with a high of 36.6 degrees Celsius. Light rain was recorded in some areas. The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and rain starting Monday. No heatwave conditions are expected. Cloudy skies with rain are forecast until May 6. The city's air quality is moderate.