BJP and AIADMK have reunited for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, with Amit Shah declaring the NDA will contest under Edappadi Palaniswami's leadership. Nainar Nagendran, formerly with AIADMK, is set to become the Tamil Nadu BJP state president, succeeding K Annamalai.

AIADMK and BJP have solidified their alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, with Amit Shah confirming the NDA will contest under PM Modi nationally and Edappadi K Palaniswami in the state. Meanwhile, gold prices surged to a record high amid US-China trade tensions, and MS Dhoni has returned to captain Chennai Super Kings after Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury.

Speculation is growing within Bihar's NDA alliance as the BJP may be considering a significant shift in leadership post-elections. The BJP might propose an «honourable exit» for Nitish Kumar, potentially relocating him to a central cabinet position or another constitutional role.

India and the US are working towards finalizing a portion of their Bilateral Trade Agreement during the 90-day tariff pause initiated by the US. Negotiations have commenced, with both nations aiming for a mutually beneficial outcome. India is actively engaged, seeking to finalize initial phases by September-October, targeting a significant increase in bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

This emergency vehicle found itself in a sticky situation after its wheels got stuck in mud in Tengah estate, according to a TikTok video by user Kerwin Wan on Wednesday (April 9). In the video, which has since garnered over 7,000 likes and more than 670 comments as at Friday (April 11), deep tyre marks can be seen carved into a grass patch, tracking mud onto the vinyl flooring leading to a second patch of grass. The video then cuts to the emergency vehicle — a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) fire engine — with more than half of its front wheels buried in the dirt. Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the SCDF said that the vehicle had just completed routine hydrant testing in Swiss Club Road in the Bukit Timah area at around 5.45pm. The fire engine then made its way over to Plantation Grove area in Tengah on a scheduled trip for the firefighters to familiarise themselves with the area. But as the vehicle drove about 300m on a fire engine accessway near Block 120A Tengah Drive, its front wheels «sunk into the ground» before Block 121C Tengah Drive.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded K. Annamalai for his exceptional contributions as the Tamil Nadu BJP unit chief, highlighting his efforts in promoting party policies and programs. Shah announced that the BJP would utilize Annamalai's organizational skills at the national level.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the AIADMK's return to the NDA for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly election, stating that the AIADMK had no preconditions for re-joining. Shah emphasized that the BJP would not interfere in AIADMK's internal affairs and that the election would be contested under Edapaddi K Palaniswami's leadership.

The Indian Consulate General in Melbourne was vandalized with graffiti at its St Kilda Road location. The incident, occurring around 1:00 am on April 10, prompted a response from Victoria Police.

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union elections for 2024-25 are scheduled for April 25, with results on April 28, following student protests over delays. The election process includes nomination filings on April 15, a presidential debate on April 23, and a no-campaign day on April 24. Last year's elections saw the United Left alliance winning three central panel posts.

Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited to India from the US to face charges for his involvement in the deadly attacks that killed 166 people. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed satisfaction that Rana will finally face justice.

People are being caught in the streets “like animals” by Kiev’s enlistment officers, Anatoliy Kinakh has said Read Full Article at RT.com

FM Lavrov stressed that nobody “would even hypothetically consider handing over those people” to the Ukrainian leader Zelensky  Read Full Article at RT.com

The former US vice president has kept a lower public profile since her defeat to Donald Trump in the 2024 election   Read Full Article at RT.com

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that talks between the Russian president and Steve Witkoff could stretch to several hours Read Full Article at RT.com

There are no winners in a tariff war, the Chinese president has said Read Full Article at RT.com

[RFI] In Gabon, the electoral campaign is in full swing ahead of the presidential election on 12 April, with eight candidates in the running. Who are these seven men and one woman?

[The Conversation] The Fulani people are Africa's largest pastoralist group . There are between 25 million and 40 million Fulani people across 17 African countries , from the Atlantic shores of Senegal and Mauritania to Sudan.

TEHRAN – Iranian universities are exploring the potentials for developing scientific and research collaborations with Chinese and Russian institutions under the strategic partnership with the two countries.

«There is an opportunity to form payment platforms independent of external influence, one example being the financial messaging system of the Bank of Russia,» the Russian foreign minister said

At the heart of the system are microalgae, which produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and purify water, forming the base of a self-sustaining ecosystem, project lead Alexander Shaenko explained

According to the head of the General Staff, the establishment of fortified areas indicates that Belarus is preparing for defense and has no intentions of launching an attack

According to Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, the implementation of this plan needs to be accelerated

According to the report, the rearmament will give Berlin «newfound independence,» and a beefed up German army could upset the fragile balance of power in the EU

During his visit, PM Modi performed aarti at the Guruji Maharaj Temple. He also toured the temple complex at Anandpur Dham.

The Karnataka government will form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the 40% commission allegations against the previous BJP administration. This decision follows a report by the Nagamohan Das commission, which endorsed claims of irregularities.

TEHRAN – Some 2.36 million Iranians donated blood over the past Iranian calendar year (March 2024-March 2025), indicating an increase of 1.5 percent compared to the year earlier.

TEHRAN – The first international award of women’s environmental activities in the BRICS countries, titled ‘Green Future, will be judged by 16 juries from ten countries including two female scholars from Iran.

TEHRAN – According to a study by researchers at National Institute of Oceanography, mangrove ecosystems in the northern Persian Gulf are facing a range of environmental and anthropogenic pressures.

Kapil Sibal credited the Congress-led UPA government for the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused, highlighting the establishment of the NIA during their tenure. The NIA, formed shortly after the attacks, played a crucial role in registering the case and expressing displeasure to the US regarding Rana's initial release.

Cybercrime officials rescued 60 Indian nationals from Myanmar, victims of forced cyber slavery under false job promises. Maharashtra Police arrested five agents, including a foreign national, involved in trafficking victims from Thailand to Myanmar. The victims were coerced into carrying out digital arrest and investment scams in guarded compounds controlled by armed groups.

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key figure in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has been extradited from the US to India. This followed a long legal battle. An NIA team brought Rana to Delhi. He was presented in court. The court granted NIA 18-day custody for interrogation. Rana's questioning is crucial to uncover the full conspiracy. He is linked to David Headley.

Nainar Nagendran, a BJP legislator, has filed his nomination for the party's Tamil Nadu state president election, potentially succeeding K Annamalai. His nomination is backed by key BJP figures. Nagendran's past ties with AIADMK fuel speculation about a possible BJP-AIADMK alliance, especially after Edappadi K Palaniswami's meeting with Amit Shah.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal asserted that India will not negotiate under pressure, emphasizing the importance of mutual sensitivity in trade talks. This statement follows US President Trump's 90-day pause on tariff imposition, excluding China. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged the complexity of trade negotiations with the US, highlighting the need for urgency and ambition in achieving desired outcomes.