Air connectivity to West Asia is gradually resuming after an elusive ceasefire. Kuwait's Jazeera Airways relaunched direct flights to India and other countries, with plans to expand its network. Gulf Air also resumed services to India, while Saudi Arabia's airspace is nearly fully open. Preparations for Indian Haj pilgrims are underway.

Seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs have officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, bolstering the NDA's numbers in the Upper House. This move, facilitated by the anti-defection law's provision for two-thirds party mergers, sees the BJP's strength increase significantly. The party anticipates further gains by year-end, nearing a crucial two-thirds majority.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit the streets of Kolkata, visiting a local market to connect with vendors and shoppers. She discussed prices of essentials and assured continued state support. This move comes amid a political battle over cultural identity, with Banerjee also criticizing Prime Minister Modi's recent outreach events.

Police have registered an FIR against an unidentified person for allegedly vandalizing a mazaar in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. A sacred cloth was burnt, and the shrine's iron mesh was damaged, causing tension in the locality. Authorities are investigating the incident, scanning CCTV footage to identify the accused.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju welcomed seven Rajya Sabha MPs who defected from AAP to BJP, praising their parliamentary conduct. The move significantly boosts BJP's strength in the Rajya Sabha, while AAP has petitioned for the disqualification of the defecting members.

The air quality crisis in Delhi is an ongoing battle, often leading to emergency protocols like the GRAP being activated as pollution levels soar. While these short-term fixes bring momentary relief, they overlook the fundamental problems. To forge a path toward long-lasting improvements, we must commit to a year-round strategy to curb emissions from vehicles, factories, and farming activities.

A Delhi court has also intervened, asking local police to explain why no FIR has been registered so far. The next hearing is scheduled for April 29. Activists warn that any confirmed acts of cruelty could invite strict penalties under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled major BJP promises for West Bengal, including implementing Uniform Civil Code, banning triple talaq, and ending polygamy. He also pledged financial aid for women and unemployed youth, and a crackdown on cattle smuggling. Shah highlighted national security achievements and vowed to expel illegal infiltrators if the BJP wins.

The Gauhati high court had on April 24 rejected Khera's plea for anticipatory bail in the case registered against him by the Crime Branch of Assam Police in Guwahati. The case against Khera was registered after he claimed at a press brief that ​​Assam CM's wife Riniki Bhuyan «holds multiple foreign passports and undisclosed assets abroad».

Names doing the rounds include senior faculty such as Dr Nikhil Tandon, professor and head of endocrinology, Dr Radhika Tandon, Chief, Professor of Ophthalmology and Prof Sandeep Chauhan head of cardiac anaesthesia department, though sources cautioned that no decision has been taken yet. “There are established conventions, but nothing is final yet. Typically, the senior-most person is asked to hold charge,” a senior doctor said.

The WHO prequalification clears the way for countries and global agencies to procure the medicine for public health programmes, expanding access to a quality-assured treatment for one of the most vulnerable groups. While the immediate impact is expected in high-burden regions such as Africa, the approval also opens the door for countries like India to adopt the formulation through national programmes if needed.

Published in Geriatrics & Gerontology International, the study led by Sudeep Mathew George and Prasun Chatterjee examined 30 adults above the age of 60 and found that those with sarcopenia—a condition marked by gradual muscle loss—had significantly less diverse gut bacteria, a marker of poorer overall health. The findings support the emerging concept of a “gut–muscle axis,” where disruptions in gut microbes may affect muscle strength through immune, metabolic and nutritional pathways.

Donald Trump was evacuated unharmed after gunfire at a White House dinner. The AAP is seeking the termination of seven rebel MPs. Rahul Gandhi condemned the killing of a Congress worker in West Bengal. Ishan Kishan shared a light-hearted moment with a young cricketer. Chernobyl has become a wildlife sanctuary 40 years after the nuclear accident.

Neighbourhood photo studios, once bustling hubs, are now struggling as digital cameras and smartphones have made photography an everyday habit. Photographers lament the loss of business, with many now relying on outdoor events and regional film projects to survive. This shift reflects a societal change in how memories are captured and consumed.

The Aam Aadmi Party has urged the Rajya Sabha Chairman to disqualify seven MPs who defected to the BJP, citing constitutional experts who believe they are liable for disqualification. This move follows the MPs' departure, sparking a legal and political dispute over anti-defection rules.

Grok, the AI chatbot, has sparked renewed debate by hypothetically stating it would vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi if it were an Indian citizen. The chatbot cited economic growth, infrastructure, and digital transformation as reasons for its preference, contrasting this with Rahul Gandhi's focus on welfare critiques.

PM Modi also offered prayers at Thakurbari, the main temple of the Matua Mahasangha at Thakurnagar in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district before his poll rally in the area. His visit to the headquarters of the community, housing the shrines of the sect's founders Hari Chand and Guru Chand Thakur, is seen as an outreach to Matua voters who influence at least 34 assembly seats directly and another two dozen along the Bangladesh border.

Legendary photographer Raghu Rai, who shaped India's visual memory for over five decades, passed away on Sunday. His iconic images, from the Bhopal Gas tragedy to portraits of national figures, gave permanence to history. Rai believed visual history was more important than fine art, emphasizing closeness to truth in his immersive photographic practice.

Ahead of West Bengal's second phase of assembly elections on April 29, a high-level coordination meeting will be held in Kolkata to assess poll preparedness. Senior officials will discuss force deployment, vulnerability mapping, and readiness for smooth, free, and fair polling in key districts.

Six passengers were hospitalized after a SWISS flight from Delhi to Zurich was evacuated on the runway due to an engine fire during takeoff. The Airbus A330's engine number one failed at 104 knots, prompting the crew to abort the takeoff and evacuate all 232 passengers and crew using emergency slides.

Prime Minister Modi expressed relief after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. President Trump, the First Lady, and Vice President Vance were unharmed. The assailant, armed with a shotgun, was apprehended by the Secret Service after injuring an agent, who was protected by a vest. Panic ensued as guests sought cover.

Rahul Gandhi has strongly condemned the murder of Congress worker Debdeep Chatterjee in West Bengal, attributing the killing to «TMC thugs» following phase-1 polling. He accused the ruling party of replacing democracy with «thuggery» and demanded immediate arrests, harsh punishment, and compensation for the victim's family, vowing to uphold non-violence.

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu advocated for women's reservation and growth-led welfare, emphasizing wealth generation through reforms and investment. He also suggested encouraging a higher birth rate to maintain India's demographic advantage, urging a collective approach to structural challenges.

India's electricity demand hit a record 252 GW on April 24. Soaring temperatures across the nation drove this surge. Air conditioner usage increased significantly in homes and businesses. This peak demand surpassed previous records. The power ministry anticipates further increases as heatwaves continue. Officials expect demand to rise even higher in the coming days.

Former Arvind Kejriwal aide Swati Maliwal has accused the former Delhi chief minister. She claims Kejriwal began his political journey in torn pants and with limited resources. Maliwal alleges that after coming to power, he constructed a house valued at one hundred crore rupees. She also criticized the AAP's governance in Punjab. The remarks follow a significant party exodus.