Stories from earlier this week and beyond.
Salesforce India CEO Arundhati Bhattacharya says AI will unavoidably disrupt jobs in India’s IT sector, but that the bigger story is rapid upskilling. She argues new roles will replace displaced ones and points to India’s young, adaptable workforce as the advantage needed to remain relevant in global tech markets—if companies and workers move fast.
K Kavitha has launched a new political party called TRS, reclaiming the original name of her father K Chandrasekhar Rao’s BRS. The earlier shift from TRS to BRS had been linked to electoral setbacks. Analysts warn her move could consolidate BRS dissenters and potentially complicate the party’s prospects, with knock-on effects for the BJP.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Census 2027 a key citizen duty, stressing that the information provided will be kept secure and confidential. He said the upcoming exercise is now digital, giving people the option to self-enumerate for 15 days before officials visit them, making participation faster and more convenient.
Assam apprehended and pushed back 20 foreign nationals to Bangladesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. He added that such actions will continue as Assam shares a long border with Bangladesh and uses multiple integrated check posts for monitoring. Assam Police and the BSF say they are committed to stopping illegal entry through coordinated border management.
In Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi credited wildlife conservation for blackbucks returning to Chhattisgarh, and also stressed efforts to protect the Great Indian Bustard. He further celebrated India’s dairy progress by highlighting awards won by Indian cheesemakers at an international competition in Brazil, pointing to growing global demand for Indian flavors.
A Secret Service agent was shot at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton, where President Donald Trump and other top officials were present. The alleged gunman was apprehended, reigniting concerns over security vulnerabilities for political leaders. The incident comes amid a wider pattern of threats and prior assassination attempts involving Trump.
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In West Bengal’s Dum Dum Uttar, the TMC is no longer assured of victory. Senior minister Chandrima Bhattacharya faces a tougher-than-usual fight as BJP’s growing presence meets public frustration over waterlogging and poor roads. New challengers from the BJP and CPI(M) are further tightening the contest, with polling scheduled for April 29.
The Supreme Court clarified that courts may reject anticipatory bail, but cannot direct an accused to surrender before the trial court. The observation came after the Jharkhand High Court, despite denying anticipatory bail, ordered the accused to surrender. The apex court held that such a direction is outside the court’s jurisdiction while dealing with anticipatory bail pleas.
After a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, President Donald Trump commended media for their “responsible” coverage. The event was evacuated amid suspected gunshots and is set to be rescheduled within 30 days. Trump also used the moment to stress free speech and unity, pointing to people from different political sides coming together despite the chaos.
On Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the poet’s multifaceted legacy, saying he helped shape institutions and push sustainable industries. Modi also referenced an organization in Chile spreading Buddha’s teachings and stressed compassion and peace as essential for the future. He further pointed to initiatives in India aimed at reconnecting people with nature.
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TMC leader Kunal Ghosh sparked a new political row by accusing Rahul Gandhi of working for the BJP. The charge came after Rahul criticized Mamata Banerjee and raised corruption and electoral malpractice allegations, while also targeting the BJP. Ghosh said Gandhi failed to stop the BJP in other states and is now aiding it in West Bengal.
Jules Neale has accused the Brisbane Lions of mishandling a personal moment after the club shared a now-deleted Instagram video of her 4-year-old daughter Piper looking distressed ahead of Lachie Neale’s 300th game. The caption called Piper “our shy queen,” but Jules said her daughter wasn’t shy—she appeared frightened, amid ongoing family fallout.
TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna says party chief Vijay instructed candidates to inspect EVM strong rooms on a rotation basis after the April 23 polls. Arjuna has called for transparent counting and sufficient security for the May 4 process, adding that TVK expects a democratic mandate and a change in government based on voters’ verdict.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin signaled confidence of a West Bengal win ahead of the Assembly elections, targeting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and alleging her government has normalized “hooliganism” through the ruling Trinamool Congress. His remarks follow earlier attacks by BJP leader Manoj Tiwari, who suggested Banerjee’s tenure was nearing its end.
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Union Minister Piyush Goyal reacted after two-thirds of AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha, joined the BJP. He alleged AAP has abandoned its core values and has become linked with corruption and misgovernance. The move marks a major reshuffle in the party’s upper house presence and intensifies the political fight ahead of upcoming battles.
President Trump and First Lady Melania were hurriedly evacuated from the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on April 25, 2026, after a man armed with a shotgun attempted to breach security. Guests ducked for cover as Secret Service agents drew weapons and moved key officials, including Mike Johnson and RFK Jr. Suspect Cole Tomas Allen was detained.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will abide by Congress high command’s decision on leadership. His remark comes amid ongoing speculation over a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle, with party clarity expected after election results are announced. For now, Shivakumar insists the state’s next steps will follow the party line.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to actively participate in Census 2027, calling it a “shared responsibility of all.” In Mann Ki Baat, he framed the exercise as the world’s largest population survey and pointed to a digital framework, greater ease of access, and higher public involvement through self-enumeration to strengthen governance and policy decisions.
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Arvind Kejriwal urged voters in Gujarat to turn out in large numbers for ongoing local body elections, highlighting that development and resolution of local problems hinge on participation. He was joined by other top leaders including Amit Shah and Bhupendra Patel. The polls cover municipal corporations, district panchayats, and taluka panchayats.
In Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi highlighted a major clean-energy milestone: India’s wind generation capacity has crossed 56 gigawatts. The government says this lifts the country to the fourth-highest wind power capacity globally, reflecting sustained effort from engineers and rapid momentum in India’s renewable energy push toward a stronger, cleaner future.
With CSK taking on Gujarat in IPL 2026, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury status has sparked heavy speculation over the playing XI. Reports suggest Gaikwad may miss today’s match, raising the question of who will lead the side. If he is ruled out, Sanju Samson is emerging as the likely captain option for CSK against GT.
A severe heatwave in Ayodhya has sharply reduced the number of devotees visiting the Ram temple, as temperatures rise past 40°C. To curb the discomfort, officials have introduced relief measures such as air-cooled halls and water spraying. Even with these steps, fewer people are making the trip during the hottest hours of the day.
In Bhabanipur ahead of West Bengal’s April 29 Assembly poll, tensions turned violent after Mamata Banerjee accused BJP of disrupting her rally with loudspeakers near Suvendu Adhikari’s meeting. TMC and BJP workers clashed as RAF and police moved in to restore order, underscoring the high-stakes rivalry in a constituency now marked by street-level confrontation.
Kolkata customs officials seized marijuana worth about Rs 36 lakh from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. The drugs were concealed in vacuum-sealed packets hidden inside edible item pouches placed in checked-in baggage. Officials say the find underscores ongoing anti-trafficking efforts, with a similar case reported recently from Ahmedabad.
Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee’s stronghold, hosts a high-stakes contest against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Widely viewed as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, the battle is less about one seat and more about political authority in Bengal and what it means for 2026. For BJP, it is a test of ambition; for Mamata, a fight to retain control.
Punjab Police has reportedly withdrawn security cover of Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, who recently joined the BJP along with six other AAP lawmakers. The decision follows protests by AAP workers outside the residences of Singh and other defectors, where they were accused and called “traitors,” escalating political tension in the state.
The Charminar Express was briefly halted at Aler Railway Station in Telangana on April 25 after smoke and sparks were spotted from a coach’s wheel. Railway staff traced the cause to brake binding, acted quickly to extinguish the issue, and the train resumed to Tambaram soon after. No damage or injuries were reported.
A Rs 7.31 crore gold loan fraud has surfaced at a Canara Bank branch in Jalna, Maharashtra. Police say ornaments linked to gold loan accounts were stolen and replaced with counterfeit jewellery. Two people have been arrested so far, while the probe continues to check whether a wider network was involved beyond the suspects already taken into custody.
Kerala’s KSRTC has been ordered to pay Rs 30,000 after the Malappuram District Consumer Commission found “deficiency in service” when a conductor refused an ailing passenger a seat and did not drop him at his designated stop. The passenger told staff about his medical condition, but was made to stand and alight elsewhere.
The Finance Ministry has asked public sector banks to kick off wage revision discussions for employees and officers, setting a tight timeline. Negotiations for the 13th Bipartite settlement are expected to be finalised within 12 months, ahead of the revision becoming effective from November 1, 2027. The government wants an early closure to protect industrial harmony.
A White House dinner turned into terror after gunfire broke out and the President was evacuated by the Secret Service. As the situation stabilized, a new scandal surfaced online: reporters allegedly were spotted stealing luxury bottles of wine, quickly trending as “Wine-Gate.” The incident has raised fresh questions about media conduct even as the nation processes the original security scare.
IPL 2026 delivered an unforgettable Saturday as KL Rahul smashed 152* and Punjab Kings completed a record 265 chase, setting a new world mark. Sunrisers Hyderabad pulled off a historic pursuit in Jaipur too, while a 15-year-old’s century turned heads. With the Orange Cap changing hands repeatedly, the day proved the bowlers barely had a chance.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel voted as Gujarat’s local body elections began across municipal corporations, municipalities, district panchayats, and taluka panchayats. Party leaders urged voters to exercise their democratic right, saying the polls will shape local governance and development. Vote counting is scheduled for April 28.
A 50-year-old man died in Ballia after an ambulance allegedly ran out of fuel and was denied refuelling by a petrol pump, even as officials claim stock was available. District Magistrate Mangala Prasad Singh said strict action would be taken if the allegations are verified. The case is now under scrutiny to determine liability.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister reviewed the district-wise fuel shortage after officials reported temporary shutdowns of about 421 petrol outlets out of 4,510 statewide. Even as supplies improved by nearly 10 percent versus earlier levels, panic buying triggered sudden rushes at several stations, according to the CMO. Authorities are monitoring outlet status and demand to restore normal operations.
Andhra Pradesh is reeling from a severe diesel shortage, with long queues forming outside fuel stations for two days. Limited supply from oil companies is worsening the situation, and some bunks have posted “No Stock” boards. Dealers say the disruption could escalate into shutdowns if deliveries don’t normalize, leaving commuters facing major daily inconvenience.
Seven of the top-10 most-valued Indian companies collectively lost Rs 2 lakh crore in market capitalisation over the past week. Tata Consultancy Services and Reliance Industries were the biggest laggards as their shares slid, echoing a broader bearish pullback across equities that weighed on overall market sentiment.
The Election Commission will hold a coordination meeting in Kolkata on Sunday to review preparations for the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections. Election officials, police, and central forces are expected to attend, with the meeting taking place three days before polling on April 29, focused on ensuring smooth inter-agency coordination.
Rahul Gandhi and the West Bengal Congress strongly condemned the alleged murder of Congress worker Debdeep Chatterjee, accusing TMC-affiliated individuals of involvement. Gandhi called for immediate action and strict punishment for the accused, while the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee said law and order has collapsed. The party urged justice for the victim’s family and accountability from authorities.
Adani Green Energy plans to invest Rs 15,000 crore in FY27 to add over 10 gigawatt-hours of battery storage. Built alongside its renewable energy park in Khavda, Gujarat, the storage is designed to supply power during peak demand and smooth the intermittency of renewables—effectively helping clean energy run closer to round-the-clock.
In a Madhya Pradesh village, a leopard and a young calf fell into a deep well, triggering an urgent rescue by forest officials. Despite being natural enemies, the calf showed no fear and the leopard showed no aggression. The team extracted them using a careful plan, and the leopard even climbed out via a makeshift ladder before heading back to the forest.
The Indian Air Force has invited domestic industry, academia and startups to develop a collaborative, indigenous drone-swarm surveillance radar system under the Mehar Baba Competition. The goal is a mobile, flexible radar network that can detect and track aerial targets in contested environments, with greater survivability than conventional fixed radar setups.
FlixBus, the global intercity travel brand, says India will become its largest market by passenger volume by 2030. After entering in February 2024, it’s now pushing an ambitious growth target, aiming for about 30% network expansion this summer. The company cites India’s huge demand base and improving highway connectivity as key drivers.
COAI has asked the government to cut spectrum auction prices, arguing telecom operators haven’t yet recovered heavy 5G infrastructure investments. The industry body says policymakers should factor in the capital already infused by service providers and set lower auction costs so operators can sustain and expand networks without crippling business returns.
New Zealand has reached its national goal for international student preference almost a decade ahead of schedule, with 22% of prospective applicants ranking the country among their top choices. The growth, seen across 11 global markets, suggests a move beyond awareness toward genuine selection, positioning New Zealand as an increasingly active study destination for international students.
China launched Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 satellite late Saturday, adding another Pakistani craft to orbit and highlighting expanding space cooperation. It also comes as two Pakistani astronauts arrived in Beijing for training, with one expected to become the first foreign astronaut on China’s Tiangong space station—an elevated milestone for both countries’ space ambitions.
Ukraine marks the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, the deadliest civilian nuclear accident in history. On April 26, 1986, at 01:23, a human error during a routine safety test triggered an explosion in reactor number four at the plant in what was then Soviet Ukraine. The tragedy reshaped nuclear safety worldwide.
Delhi is set for another brutal stretch as the minimum temperature stayed at 26.2°C, below average, while an orange alert signals heatwave-like conditions by evening. Maximums may climb to 44°C. Air quality remains in the “poor” category, with heatwave conditions likely to continue until April 27 and easing possible from April 28 as winds shift.
Israel launched fresh strikes in Lebanon’s Khiam and Yohmor al-Shaqif even after a ceasefire extension was announced. The renewed attacks come following exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters, with Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon reported to have killed at least six people. Hezbollah retaliated by targeting an Israeli armoured personnel carrier, raising fears of further escalation.
Legendary photojournalist Raghu Rai has died at 83 on April 26, 2026. Leaders and public figures remembered him for photojournalism that, in their words, captured the “soul of India.” Over decades, Rai built an unmatched archive documenting the country’s social, political, and cultural evolution, leaving a lasting visual record.
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