The Times of India

International delegates from 22 countries lauded India's recent elections in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, highlighting impressive voter turnout and meticulous planning. Witnessing firsthand the seamless execution, including EVM usage and webcasting, they described the process as a rue festival of democracy. Delegates also noted the well-organized polling stations with facilities and praised the transparency measures in place.

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh met with US Air Force leadership, including Gen Ken Wilsbach, to bolster defense ties and discuss shared strategic goals. Key topics included the procurement of MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones and enhancing Indo-Pacific cooperation.

US Vice President JD Vance and an Iranian delegation arrived at Pakistan's Nur Khan airbase for peace talks. This base, a key Pakistani military hub, was reportedly targeted by Indian missile strikes last May. The US delegation's choice of the airbase highlights its strategic importance and proximity to Islamabad, despite past damage.

The Indian-flagged LPG tanker Jag Vikram successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first Indian vessel to pass through the conflict zone since a temporary ceasefire. This vessel, carrying 20,400 tonnes of cooking gas, is expected to reach Mumbai on April 15.

India is poised to permit wheat exports to Egypt, Indonesia, and Myanmar due to surplus stocks. Rice shipments, including to war-torn Iran on humanitarian grounds, are also being considered. This move aims to free up storage space for upcoming winter crops and capitalize on increased demand amid global supply chain disruptions.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday launched a 100-day campaign to combat the drug menace, targeting supply from Pakistan and traffickers. The initiative involves revoking licenses, freezing assets, and issuing lookout circulars against drug peddlers. The campaign will proceed through awareness, community engagement, enforcement, rehabilitation, and evaluation phases.

An eight-year-old girl was tragically mauled to death by dogs in Sopore's Seloo village, marking the second such fatality in the area within a year. The child suffered severe injuries in an apple orchard attack. Local residents are shaken, with some alleging dog relocation is exacerbating the problem.

Tejashwi Yadav alleged Nitish Kumar is stepping down as Bihar CM under pressure from within JD(U), with some colleagues allegedly intimidated or allured by ally BJP. Yadav claimed a deal was struck long ago, not made public due to assembly polls. He cited visuals of Kumar being prevented from speaking to media as proof of pressure.

Enforcement Directorate officials conducted a five-hour raid at former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee's residence in connection with the school jobs scam. The action follows Chatterjee's alleged failure to respond to summons after his release on bail. The investigation, linked to a multi-crore recruitment scam, previously saw significant cash seizures.

A devastating road accident in Bihar's Katihar district claimed the lives of at least 10 people and left 25 injured. The collision, involving a bus and a pickup van on NH-31 near Gerabari, prompted immediate medical attention for the wounded. Authorities are working to provide care and investigate the tragic incident.

International observers from 22 countries lauded India's electoral process during the recent Assembly polls in Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam. Witnessing firsthand the scale, precision, and vibrant participation, delegates described the experience as a rue festival of democracy. They were impressed by the meticulous planning, seamless execution, and inclusive features at polling stations, highlighting India's commitment to transparent and accessible elections.

Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal's helicopter mistakenly landed in a Pune parking lot instead of the designated helipad. The pilot reportedly confused an open parking space for the landing site. While no accident occurred and all were safe, an inquiry is underway to determine if it was a technical or human error.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has initiated a 'Copilot code red' to enhance AI performance and user experience, aiming to boost investor confidence amidst intense competition. The company is allocating significant cloud capacity to Copilot development, with analysts suggesting Azure can still exceed expectations due to growing demand and pricing.

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Actor-turned-politician Vijay has urged his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party workers to intensify campaigning in the final ten days before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He called for a disciplined door-to-door outreach to connect with voters personally. Vijay framed the upcoming polls as a generational change and a fight for true people's rule, aiming for a victorious procession against established alliances.

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin downplayed national ambitions, stating he knows his limits, while confidently predicting a DMK-led alliance sweep of over 200 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. He highlighted welfare schemes and attacked rivals AIADMK and BJP, accusing the former of lacking ideology and being controlled by Delhi.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to invalidate her candidature from Bhabanipur through false cases with the Election Commission's help. She also alleged the BJP manipulated electoral rolls, leading to the deletion of millions of voters, and claimed they planned to tamper with EVMs to influence poll results.

Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters clashed during an election campaign in West Bengal's Hooghly district, resulting in minor injuries to four BJP workers. The incident occurred as campaigning intensifies for the 2026 Assembly elections, with both parties trading sharp political attacks and releasing manifestos.

Former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma resigned, avoiding parliamentary removal proceedings. This follows a history of judges facing removal motions, with some resigning and others escaping proceedings. The constitutional process for judge removal involves parliamentary address based on proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi shared a brief, candid conversation at a Parliament tribute ceremony for Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. The interaction drew attention given their history of sharp political exchanges and public criticisms of each other. Both leaders separately paid homage to the social reformer's legacy.

New weight-loss injections are proving effective for Indian patients, with over 40% shedding at least 10% of their body weight in a recent Delhi hospital study. While results vary, especially for those with diabetes, the therapies offer significant health benefits. Experts emphasize these are not quick fixes but valuable tools when combined with lifestyle changes for sustained weight reduction.

EAM S Jaishankar arrived in the UAE for high-level meetings to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, following his visit to Mauritius. Discussions in Mauritius focused on energy cooperation, including oil and gas supply agreements and clean energy projects, reinforcing the need for dependable strategic partnerships amidst regional crises.

A fire at Justice Yashwant Varma's Delhi residence revealed partially burnt high-denomination currency notes, sparking a high-level judicial and governmental probe. A fireman's remark about Gandhi on the notes, captured on video, highlighted the incident's gravity. The discovery led to swift action, with the Delhi Police Commissioner briefing the Chief Justice and a report sent to the Union Home Ministry.

Justice Yashwant Varma resigned from the Allahabad High Court, alleging procedural unfairness by a judges' inquiry committee. He questioned the committee's handling of charges related to unaccounted burnt cash found at his residence, stating he was forced to withdraw as his participation would legitimize an unjust process. Videos of the fire incident at his home became crucial evidence.

Women voters demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, achieving record-breaking turnout and outperforming male voters in all three regions. Kerala saw the widest gender gap, with women's participation significantly boosting overall polling. This surge highlights women's growing political engagement and their importance to electoral outcomes.

Political parties in Assam are vying for women's votes with competing cash-transfer promises, including increased monthly payouts and empowerment initiatives. This comes as women voters demonstrate consistently high participation, often surpassing male turnout in recent elections across Assam, Puducherry, and Kerala, influencing electoral dynamics.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal discussed supply chain issues, particularly food, with UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain officials. He emphasized regional peace amid tensions and thanked Gulf nations for supporting the large Indian diaspora. Discussions also covered UAE's logistics solutions to counter disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade, vital for India's global trade.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit India next month, following a productive meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The discussions focused on bilateral ties, including trade, critical minerals, defense, and the Quad. Efforts are also under way to schedule a Quad foreign ministers' meeting around Rubio's visit.

A senior government official urged industry representatives to absorb some of the rising raw material costs instead of passing them entirely to consumers. This statement comes as ministries address supply chain disruptions, particularly concerning packaging materials for essential goods like food and drugs, due to the West Asia conflict.

The Election Commission has cancelled Trinamool Congress candidate Abhinav Bhattacharya's nomination for Krishnanagar North due to a conflict of interest. Bhattacharya's business dealings with the state government violated Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. An alternative candidate, Somnath Dutta, will now contest the seat for TMC.

BJP MLA Hiraan Chattopadhyay's nomination affidavit reveals he is 'legally married; currently separated' from Anindita, who previously accused him of cruelty and a second marriage. Contesting from Shyampur, Hiraan declared significant assets, including Rs 15 lakh cash, while his wife has Rs 12 lakh. Their combined wealth stands at Rs 14.5 crore, with Hiraan facing four pending criminal cases.

Kargil war hero Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, a Maha Vir Chakra recipient, has passed away. Celebrated as a proud son of Ladakh, his gallantry during Operation Vijay exemplified resilience and service. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Army lauded his courageous leadership, stating his legacy will inspire future generations. His life embodied courage, service, and unity.

Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi revealed Operation Sindoor's strike was deliberately delayed last year. Commanders ensured the operation avoided disrupting 'namaz' prayers at a terrorist camp, choosing a time when no one was engaged in worship. This flexible timing demonstrated a unique consideration, prioritizing a specific prayer period before executing the mission.

A Trinamool worker from West Bengal alleges his name was deleted from the state's electoral roll and inexplicably added to Bihar's voter list. Krishnendu Mukherjee, a booth-level agent, discovered this discrepancy when his name, present in the draft roll, was marked 'under adjudication' and later deleted. He suspects a political conspiracy due to his active TMC membership.

AIMIM has ended its electoral alliance with Humayun Kabir's AUJP following a sting video allegedly showing Kabir discussing a Rs 1,000-crore deal with BJP and suggesting Muslim voters be misled. AIMIM stated it cannot associate with statements questioning the integrity of Bengal's Muslims and will now contest independently.

Bengal's ruling TMC has labelled the BJP's election manifesto a copycat document, questioning the saffron party's track record on fulfilling promises. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted unfulfilled pledges like Rs 15 lakh bank deposits and job creation, while a TMC spokesperson accused the BJP of adopting their successful welfare schemes.

TVK party blames Union minister L Murugan and Tamil Nadu's deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin for the online leak of actor Vijay's unreleased film 'Jananayagan'. The production house has filed a complaint seeking forensic investigation and legal action against those responsible for the unauthorized circulation.

Former state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh labelled over 90 lakh people removed from Bengal's electoral rolls as 'anti-nationals'. He challenged Trinamool Congress to win without 'fake voters'. Ghosh's remarks came after acknowledging some genuine voters were removed. His opponent criticised the statement, questioning if Hindus excluded were traitors.

The Election Commission has issued no model code of conduct notices during ongoing polls, opting instead for FIRs for serious violations. This shift, attributed to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, aims to streamline enforcement within tight campaign schedules and leverage existing legal frameworks for offenses like communal remarks and personal attacks.