US President Donald Trump on Thursday issued a clarification over his “hellhole” remark on India. In a statement issued by the US Embassy in New Delhi, Trump said that India is a “great country” and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “very good friend”

“The President has said, ‘India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top’,” a US Embassy spokesperson said.

The clarification came shortly after a reaction from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. The MEA spokesperson said that he has “seen some reports” about Trump’s remarks and “that’s where I leave it.”

Trump’s clarification and the MEA response came after the US President apparently endorsed American radio host Michael Savage’s racist rant and reposted his letter on Truth Social, which referred to India, China, and other nations as “hellholes”.

What the letter Trump reposted said about India?

In the letter calling for amendments to the United States’ Birthright Citizenship law, Savage alleged that people from India, China, and other “helllholes” come to the US in the ninth month of their pregnancy and give birth to a child who becomes an instant citizen.

“A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring the entire family in from China or India or some other hellhole on the planet. You don’t have to go too far to see that. English is not spoken here anymore. That there’s almost no loyalty to this country amongst the immigrant class coming in today, which was not always the case,” Savage wrote in the letter reposted by the US President.

Referring to a Supreme Court hearing where a Chinese-American attorney was arguing in favour of what he called “flooding America with illegal aliens,” Savage alleged that the US is being overrun with Chinese and Indians coming here just to “drop a baby on our shores” and then bring in the entire family.

He said that these immigrants are “destroying our national identity” and want to turn America into a colony of China and India.

Voter turnout in the Baramati assembly by-election reached 40.36% by 3 pm on Thursday, April 23, according to official data released by the Maharashtra State Election Commission.

Significantly, Sharad Pawar, the founder of the undivided NCP, could not cast his vote due to ill health.

Baramati’s voter turnout data was officially certified by Assistant Returning Officer Swapnil Rawade. Earlier reports were signed by Returning Officer Uttam Dighe. Authorities continue to monitor polling across booths in the constituency.

Officials expect voter turnout to rise significantly as the evening progresses, with the contest being seen as a politically important test in one of Maharashtra’s most closely watched constituencies, especially since the byelection is widely expected to send Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar to the Legislative Assembly.

The by-election to the Baramati assembly seat in the Pune district was necessitated by the death of late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar in an air crash on January 28. His wife, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar, and 22 other candidates are in the fray.

There is no candidate in the fray from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) against Sunetra Pawar, who cast her vote early in the morning on Thursday. Initially, the Congress had fielded Akash More against Sunetra Pawar but withdrew his candidature at the last moment.

Election authorities said polling remained peaceful, with security arrangements tightened across sensitive booths to ensure smooth conduct of the Baramati byelection.

According to official data, out of a total of 3,84,579 registered voters, as many as 1,55,199 people had cast their votes by mid-afternoon.

This includes 1,93,871 male voters, 1,90,684 female voters, as well as 24 third-gender voters on the electoral rolls.

The steady rise in turnout reflects consistent voter participation throughout the day.

In the early hours, only 8.01% turnout was recorded between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, with 30,798 votes cast, according to official data.

This increased to 20.59% by 11:00 AM with 79,178 voters and further climbed to 31.91% by 1:00 PM, when 1,22,737 people had voted.

Officials said the polling trend shows gradual momentum as the day progresses, with more voters stepping out in the later hours.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he will not cast his vote for the first time in a Baramati election.

“Since the first election I contested in 1967, I have continuously exercised my right to vote in the Baramati constituency. Now, in 2026, this by-election in the Baramati Assembly constituency is being held against the tragic backdrop of the unfortunate and accidental demise of Maharashtra’s beloved and popular leader, the late Ajit Pawar.

Earlier, Sharad Pawar told media persons, “In keeping with my long-standing tradition, I had decided to come to Baramati to cast my vote in this byelection. Unfortunately, due to a sudden deterioration in my health, I had to be admitted to a hospital in Mumbai. Doctors have prohibited me from travelling outside Mumbai for treatment and mandatory rest. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart and deep regret that I must inform you that, under unavoidable circumstances, I am being deprived of exercising my right to vote. I am certain that the citizens, voters, and workers of Baramati, who have shown me relentless love and trust, will understand my situation”.

“I also explored and inquired about various alternative voting options provided by the Election Commission since I could not be physically present. However, the State Election Officials informed me that those options were not available. Finally, with a very painful and heavy heart, I had to make the decision to stay away from voting,” Sharad Pawar said.

Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu accused Chief Minister Hemant Soren of misleading voters over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise is being politicised to protect “ineligible voters”.

Sahu claimed that the Chief Minister was creating confusion among voters by suggesting that the revision process could deprive tribals, backward communities and other beneficiaries of their voting rights and welfare entitlements. He described such assertions as “misleading and baseless”.

The BJP leader said the Special Intensive Revision is a routine exercise carried out by the Election Commission of India to ensure that all eligible citizens are included in the electoral rolls while removing ineligible entries. He added that the process involves standard procedures such as Form 6 for inclusion of new voters, Form 7 for deletion of names and Form 8 for corrections.

Sahu further claimed that similar revisions have been conducted multiple times in the past as part of electoral reforms, and questioned why objections were being raised now. He emphasised that the exercise is conducted independently by the Election Commission and does not involve political interference.

Alleging irregularities, the BJP leader said the ruling dispensation was concerned about the identification of what he described as “fake voters”. He cited figures to claim that the growth in the number of voters in Jharkhand between 2019 and 2024 was higher than the national average, suggesting that this warranted scrutiny.

Sahu also cited instances from East Singhbhum district to support his allegations, claiming discrepancies in beneficiary data and voter records.

The state government has earlier expressed concerns that the revision process could adversely impact genuine voters, particularly from tribal and marginalised communities.

The exchange marks a fresh escalation in the political tussle between the BJP and the ruling coalition in Jharkhand, with electoral roll revision emerging as a key point of contention ahead of upcoming political developments.

Senior Congress leader Ajay Tharayil has also entered into the public debate taking place in Kerala over the Chief Ministerial post.

Ajith Tharayil, in a Facebook post titled “The Congress Chief Minister of My Dreams” on Thursday, outlined specific criteria the future Congress chief minister he believes should meet, emphasizing a background in grassroots struggle and activism.

According to him, a truly deserving CM should have a history of active participation in student and youth movements. No name was specifically mentioned for the post of Chief Minister in the post.

His specific requirements include that the Congress CM should have spent at least a day in jail as part of political struggle. The leader must have been hit by water from a water cannon at least once during a protest. “The leader must be a person who has come through youth struggles. He must have faced police harassment and oppression during the protests. He must have spent at least one day in jail, and he must have had at least one drop of water from a water cannon fall on his clothes during the protests,” Tharayil wrote in his post.

The Chief Minister of his dreams should show respect to grassroots-level party workers and maintain consistent political stances and should speak to the hearts of the people rather than just being a “voice on social media”. “He should not be a voice on social media, but one who speaks to the hearts of the people. He should be someone who treats the grassroots workers with respect. He should be consistent in his stances. My dream is to have such a Congress Chief Minister,” Tharayil wrote on Facebook.

Though no name was specifically mentioned for the post of Chief Minister in the post, Tharayil is considered a leader on the side of K C Venugopal.

Discussions about who would become the Chief Minister were active in the Congress from the day after the voting. The CM discussions were initiated by the Ernakulam district Congress President Muhammed Shias, a confidant of Opposition Leader VD. Satheesan. Shias’s remark that a Chief Minister should be from Ernakulam raised suspicions among other factions in Congress.

Following this,former KPCC President K Sudhakaran MP has openly stated that he wants Ramesh Chennithala to become the Chief Minister, if the UDF comes to power. Earlier, senior Congress leader P J Kurien also publicly stated that Ramesh Chennithala will become the Chief Minister, if the UDF gets the majority in the Assembly.

Meanwhile, taking a ‘U-turn’ on his earlier stance, K Sudhakaran later publicly backed AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal for the Kerala Chief Minister’s post.

As public discussions over the post of Chief Minister in the Congress went beyond the limits, the high command had issued orders banning such discussions.

Nuwan Thushara has withdrawn his lawsuit against Sri Lanka Cricket, just a few weeks after filing it over being denied a no-objection certificate (NOC) to feature in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Thushara is part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who are yet to name a replacement for the 31-year-old fast bowler.

According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Thushara informed the Colombo District Court that he wanted to withdraw the case since a large part of the IPL season had already passed. It is also understood that he sent a written apology to SLC last week, indicating his intention to step back from the legal dispute.

In his original petition, Thushara had expressed a desire to retire from international cricket. It is not yet clear whether that decision still stands. In any case, under SLC’s current fitness rules, he would not be eligible for selection unless he meets the required standards.

SLC had refused to grant him the NOC because he did not meet their fitness criteria. Thushara had argued that his fitness levels were similar to previous years, during which he had not faced such restrictions.

During this standoff, Thushara had signalled his intention to retire and soon after filed the lawsuit. He claimed that enforcing fitness-based NOC requirements in this manner was unreasonable and affected his livelihood.

The timing of the case, filed on April 2, also drew attention as it coincided with the Easter court holidays, making a quick resolution unlikely. The matter was taken up again on April 9, when SLC said it would file its objections. It was finally heard on Thursday, when the case was dismissed following Thushara’s withdrawal.

Thushara has played 30 international matches for Sri Lanka, all in T20Is. He was part of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 before moving to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025.

A new chapter for cricket in the United States began on Wednesday, as the groundbreaking ceremony for the Knight Riders Cricket Ground was held in Pomona, California, with ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta describing the venue as “cricket’s home for LA28.” The venue is expected to play a key role in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where cricket will return after 128 years.

The event took place just over a month after it was confirmed that the Los Angeles Knight Riders will use the ground as their home venue for the 2026 Major League Cricket (MLC) season. According to a statement from the Knight Riders, the development represents “a landmark moment for cricket in the United States” and highlights Los Angeles as an emerging hub for the sport.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah described the occasion as an important milestone in cricket’s global journey.

“These are very exciting times for the game of cricket as it makes giant strides in establishing itself as a global sport. Our focus has been on expanding the footprint of cricket and being part of the Olympic movement is something that brings both pride and dreams with it,” Shah said in a statement.

“The groundbreaking marks an important milestone in cricket’s return to the Olympics and is a proud moment for all ICC members and stakeholders worldwide. We’re confident this venue will take centre stage during the Games and leave a legacy for cricket in the USA,” he added.

Initially, the venue at Fairplex will host matches for LAKR in the upcoming MLC season, with a total of seven games scheduled, including the team’s first three home fixtures between July 1 and July 5.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is a co-owner of Knight Riders Sports, said the project goes beyond just building a stadium.

“Today isn’t just about breaking ground, but about beginning a dream – bringing cricket, the second most-watched sport in the world, into the heart of Los Angeles’ sporting identity,” he said.

“Through our long-term partnership with Fairplex, we aim to create not just a cricket ground, but a space of energy, community, and belonging.”

Knight Riders Sports CEO Venky Mysore called it a defining moment for the franchise and the sport in the country.

“This is a defining moment, not just for the Knight Riders, but for cricket in America. We see strong potential to grow the game and connect with the community in Southern California to lead this next phase of cricket’s growth in the US,” Mysore said.

Sanjog Gupta, who was also present at the ceremony, highlighted the broader significance of the project in the context of the Olympics.

“The journey over the next two years will see many such milestones which enhance the sense of occasion, culture and community, as cricket’s home for LA28 is built in Pomona. With the inclusion in the Olympic Games and other regional multi-sport events, cricket has already stepped into a new era of global growth powered by improved accessibility, elevated visibility and stronger institutional support.”

Pomona mayor Tim Sandoval and LA28 vice-president of sports Niccolo Campriani were also present at the ceremony.

Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag admitted that he is going through a difficult phase in the first half of IPL 2026, but made it clear that he will not change his natural style of play just to score safer runs.

Parag has managed 81 runs in seven innings so far, averaging 13.50, and scored 20 in the match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Wednesday.

“Everyone has been very supportive. I’ve been going through a phase as well. Right before the IPL, I had gone through something, and even now I’m going through something, and everyone understands that. Everyone respects that, and I thank them for that,” Parag said after Wednesday’s match against Lucknow Super Giants.

“I feel the way I’m batting, (a big) innings is not too far away. But, as I’ve been saying, if I go in tomorrow and I play another game, it’s going to be what the team needs. It’s not me not scoring runs and taking my time, getting 40 off 30, that’s not going to happen. I go out there, assess conditions; if they want me to go to 200 from ball one, I do that,” he added.

At the time of Parag’s dismissal, Rajasthan Royals were struggling at 62 for 4. They slipped further to 110 for 6 before Ravindra Jadeja steadied the innings and took them to 159 with support from the lower middle order. Despite the eventual win, Parag felt the team fell short with the bat.

“Firstly, I feel we were really short with the bat. The way the wicket was playing when me and Hetty (Shimron Hetmyer) were batting, I think we’ve got to be better,” he said.

“I thought, honestly, even with the situation we had, we were close to getting 180, and that would have been a really good score because I knew it was going to be slowing down later. But yeah, the bowlers, they did pretty well,” he added.

The bowlers then stepped up to defend the total, with Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger leading the effort in the powerplay. Both bowled three overs each early on and returned identical figures of 1 for 15. A crucial run-out of Ayush Badoni by substitute fielder Ravi Singh also helped shift momentum, resulting in what Parag described as an “impressive” fielding display.

“For two bowlers to bowl three in the powerplay at this stage of the game or how T20 cricket is evolving, I think it’s just commendable,” Parag said.

“The wicket was helping a little more to the seamers in the first innings, but then the second innings we knew it would swing, but the lengths they bowled, the lines they bowled, and the way we fielded… impressive,” he added.

In the end, Rajasthan Royals registered a 40-run win over Lucknow Super Giants, marking their fifth victory in seven matches and moving them up to second place in the points table. They will now return to Jaipur to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 25.

Burger penalised for conduct breach

Rajasthan Royals pacer Nandre Burger has been fined 10 per cent of his match fees and handed one demerit point for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. Burger was found guilty of using a send-off gesture after dismissing LSG captain Rishabh Pant. The act was deemed to be in violation of Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which relates to using language or gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction from an opponent.

The left-arm pacer admitted to the Level 1 offence and accepted the sanction imposed by the match referee. As per IPL regulations, decisions for Level 1 breaches are final and binding, leaving no room for appeal.

An elderly person died due to a heart attack in Birbhum while going to cast his vote as polling concluded in the politically sensitive district of West Bengal on Thursday. Birbhum has been a troublesome district on the polling day in the past, and this time was no different, as several incidents of violence were reported throughout the day.

An election agent of the BJP candidate, Debashish Ojha, in booth number 288 in the Bhramarkol gram panchayat area in Labhpur assembly seat, Biswajit Mondal, suffered a serious head injury during clashes.

Later, police rescued him, and a report was sought by the ECI later in the day. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. “The TMC supporters have beaten me with rods and lathis,” he alleged. His car was also vandalized.

In the Khoirasole Block of Dubrajpur assembly in booth number 65 in Budhpur village, locals alleged that the EVM machine was defunct for a long time, and agitated TMC supporters beat the police and central forces on duty by hurling stones and bricks. Two to four state police and CAPF jawans were injured.

The incident prompted police personnel to bring out their weapons and threaten to open fire at the mob if they came forward. Voting was stopped in this booth for a brief period. Later, more central forces arrived, and polling was resumed.

Forty-three TMC leaders of Birbhum district were under observation of police today, though the name of Anubrata Mondal was not in this list. Kesto Mondal went to cast his vote with daughter, Sukanya Mondal, in Bolpur and remained inside the Bolpur TMC party office throughout the day.

In Veramari village in Illambazar booth number 145, a man tried to enter the polling booth and snatch the EVM machine, but was denied by the forces there. Central forces overpowered him and handed him over to the Illambazar Police.

Local TMC leader Hafizul Sheikh has alleged that the central forces threatened the ordinary voters and complained about the excessive strictness applied at the booth. In Labhpur, there were also some reports of clashes between the TMC and the BJP in a few booths.

Jaganath Chattopadhaya, the BJP candidate of Siuri, has thanked the people for casting their votes and said that central forces had done their duty in this election.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be eyeing a batting resurgence when they take on an equally inconsistent Gujarat Titans in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, in what has been an evenly matched contest between the two sides over the years.

RCB and GT have faced each other six times in the IPL so far, with both teams winning three matches each. The contests have also been closely fought in terms of scoring, with RCB’s highest total against GT being 206 and their lowest 169, while GT’s best is 200 and lowest 147, underlining how little separates the two sides.

A slightly tacky Chinnaswamy pitch took away the usual firepower from the RCB batting unit in their previous match against Delhi Capitals, which they lost by six wickets. But more than just the defeat, their second of the season and first at home in IPL 2026, it was the missed opportunity to strengthen their place in the top four that would have disappointed the team management.

Now placed third on the table with eight points, RCB have Sunrisers Hyderabad (eight points), Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans (six points each) close behind them. Another slip-up against GT could push them into a tight spot, especially with a string of away matches coming up, including two at their ‘home away from home’ in Raipur.

As a result, RCB will be keen to give their home fans something to cheer about with a strong performance against Gujarat. However, that will depend largely on their batting unit rediscovering form and finding ways to post competitive totals even when conditions are not entirely favourable.

That has been a concern in their last two matches. Although they secured a comfortable win over Lucknow Super Giants, they lost five wickets in the process. Against Delhi Capitals, the batters struggled from the outset despite opener Phil Salt scoring a well-made 63.

Even big hitters like Rajat Patidar and Tim David were forced to look for alternative scoring options but could not make a significant impact. Going forward, RCB’s batters may need to adopt a Plan B, as their aggressive approach may not always work.

On the bowling front, RCB showed some fight. Led by the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar, they managed to take the game against Delhi Capitals deep into the penultimate over. However, the lack of runs on the board meant they didn’t have enough to defend. They will be hoping for a better overall performance this time.

Gujarat Titans, meanwhile, are also coming into this game looking to bounce back. Their last outing was a heavy defeat to Mumbai Indians, where they were bowled out for just 100 and lost by 99 runs. That result also hurt their net run rate significantly.

In terms of batting, skipper Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler have shown some consistency, but they have not received enough support from the rest of the lineup. Players like Sai Sudharsan, Glenn Phillips and Rahul Tewatia have not been able to make meaningful contributions or play impactful cameos. As a result, Gujarat have not produced a standout batting performance this season, something their opponents RCB have managed on multiple occasions.

However, Gujarat’s strength lies in their bowling attack, which includes Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Rashid Khan. Despite having such a strong bowling unit, their efforts have often been undermined by the inconsistency of the batting lineup.

Squads:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar (captain), Virat Kohli, Tim David, Jacob Bethell, Romario Shepherd, Josh Hazlewood, Nuwan Thushara, Devdutt Padikkal, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jordan Cox, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Swapnil Singh, Jacob Duffy, Kanishk Chouhan, Abhinandan Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Phil Salt, Satvik Deswal, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra.

Gujarat Titans: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Shahrukh Khan, Anuj Rawat, Jos Buttler, Kumar Kushagra, Tom Banton, Glenn Phillips, Jason Holder, Nishant Sindhu, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Arshad Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Manav Suthar, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna.

The Char Dham Yatra 2026 gained full momentum on Thursday with the opening of the portals of Badrinath Temple, a day after Kedarnath Temple. The shrine was opened to devotees at 6.15 am as scheduled, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami performing the first Puja in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following traditional rituals and Vedic chants.

According to officials, the opening ceremony of the portals of the Badrinath Temple was witnessed by more than 15,000 devotees from across the country and abroad, who later visited inside the sanctum sanctorum to seek the blessings of Lord Badri Vishal and the akhand jyoti (eternal flame).

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami performed the first mahabhishek puja in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praying for peace, prosperity and happiness for the nation and the Himalayan state.

After the puja at the shrine, Dhami also offered prayers at the Lakshmi Temple, Ganesh Temple, and the seat of Adi Shankaracharya within the temple premises.

Later, addressing the gathering and welcoming the pilgrims, the Chief Minister said that his government is committed to ensuring a safe, smooth, and well-organised Char Dham Yatra. He, however, appealed to devotees to support a “green and clean Char Dham Yatra,” making it an environmentally friendly pilgrimage.

Dhami inaugurated a bhandara (community kitchen) run by the NGO Manav Seva, Ishwar Seva Utthan Samiti. Following this, he took prasad with other devotees present there. The Chief Minister also interacted with the organisers and lauded the large-scale community kitchen being operated by the members of the Samiti.

Notably, the Char Dham Yatra to the four shrines — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri — formally commenced on Thursday with the opening of the portals of Badrinath, the last in the sequence that began on April 19 with the opening of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines. The portals of the Kedarnath Temple were opened on April 22.

The occasion was marked by the performance of the traditional Jhumailo dance by women folk artists from Mana and Bamni villages, accompanied by the tunes of jagar, in the temple courtyard.

Ahead of the monsoon season, Delhi’s Irrigation and Flood Control Department has accelerated its de-silting operations across the national capital’s major drains, achieving over 57 per cent of its target so far in a bid to minimise water logging and urban flooding.

According to official figures, desilting work across 76 drains has reached 57.68 per cent completion, with more than 16.48 lakh cubic meters of silt already removed against a total target of 28.57 lakh cubic meters. The progress is particularly significant in critical stretches. Work on 21 priority drains has already crossed 76 per cent completion, indicating near-readiness ahead of the rains.

The Najafgarh drain system, one of Delhi’s most flood-prone zones, has achieved nearly 48 per cent progress, while the remaining 55 drains have also shown steady momentum, touching over 63 per cent completion.

Officials on ground say the vulnerable points identified from previous monsoon seasons are being prioritised to ensure smoother water flow.
Alongside desilting, the department is strengthening its mechanical capacity, with a comprehensive procurement plan worth over Rs 94 crore underway to deploy advanced equipment for drain cleaning and maintenance. This includes 38 specialised machines such as draglines, long-boom hydraulic excavators, amphibious excavators and dredgers, designed specifically for deep and wide drains.

So far, 12 machines have already been procured, while orders for additional equipment have been placed and tenders for the remaining are in process.

Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, who reviewed the preparedness, said the focus this year is on execution and accountability rather than paperwork. “Our priority is clear, before the monsoon arrives, every critical drain must be cleaned and functional. We are not leaving things for the last moment. Work is being monitored closely at every level,” he added.
Verma further said, “We have strengthened both manpower and machinery. The idea is to ensure that during heavy rainfall, water does not accumulate and disrupt daily life. This is about preparedness, not reaction.”

Boosting India’s ambitions on the global badminton stage, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has stepped in with Rs 1.45 crore in support for the upcoming BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, scheduled in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24 to May 3.

A 34-member Indian contingent, comprising 20 players, five coaches, and nine support staff, will travel for the prestigious team championships. The squad features top shuttlers including PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, along with several emerging players from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core and Development groups.

India’s men have been placed in Group C alongside Canada, Australia, and China in the Thomas Cup, while the women’s team will compete against Denmark, Ukraine, and China in the Uber Cup.

The financial assistance, approved under the TOPS programme, covers airfare, accommodation, visa charges, accreditation, daily allowances, insurance, food, and other logistical expenses for the entire contingent. SAI has also ensured a comprehensive support setup, with specialised coaches, physiotherapists, trainers, and masseurs accompanying the teams.

India enters the competition with strong momentum, having created history in 2022 by winning the Thomas Cup for the first time after defeating Indonesia in the final, marking a breakthrough moment for Indian badminton on the global stage.

The 2026 edition carries added significance as badminton will not feature in the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Looking ahead, India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, where the sport is expected to play a key role.

India squads:

Thomas Cup: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, Kiran George, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan, MR Arjun, Dhruv Kapila

Uber Cup: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Isharani Baruah, Devika Sihag, Gayatri Gopichand, Treesa Jolly, S Kavipriya, Simran Singhi, Tanisha Crasto

Intensifying efforts towards improving road safety, reducing accidents and curbing traffic violations, such as drunken driving, through awareness drives and strengthened enforcement, the Delhi government has spearheaded the ‘Road Safety and Sustainable Mobility Initiative 2026’ under the theme “Aware Today, Responsible Always for a Safer, Greener Tomorrow.”

The initiative, featuring a series of activities including awareness drives for school children, free Pollution Under Control (PUC) check-ups, and engaging nukkad nataks on road safety, brought together key stakeholders, including Transport Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, Ashok Goel Devraha, MLA, Model Town, and the Delhi Traffic Police.

These events, which saw encouraging public participation, were well-received for community-level impact. The Transport Minister felicitated schoolchildren, Delhi Traffic Personnel, teachers and citizens for their contributions to road safety.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Singh highlighted the government’s focused approach towards safer roads and cleaner air. “Road safety is not a one-day campaign—it is a continuous commitment. Through initiatives like these, we are working to ensure that people not only understand traffic rules but follow them responsibly,” he said.

Emphasizing the importance of awareness at a young age, the Minister added: “Students are the future of our nation. Educating them about road safety today will shape a more responsible generation tomorrow. It is equally important to discourage underage driving and instil discipline at an early stage.”
On tackling drunken driving, the minister said that government has adopted a combination of enforcement and behavioural interventions.
The sustained efforts of the Delhi government have already led to a noticeable reduction in such incidents.

“We remain confident that with the measures and continued public cooperation instances of drunk driving will decline further in the coming years,” the minister added.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini-led Haryana government is moving rapidly towards establishing the state as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM), IT, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics sectors.

The government is formulating an industrial policy that will not only be highly attractive to investors in these emerging sectors but will also accelerate large-scale employment generation, innovation, and cutting-edge technological development.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, while interacting with industry leaders in New Delhi on Thursday regarding the upcoming Industrial Policy, said that the IT, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and ESDM sectors are emerging as key pillars of the national economy.

Haryana, with its robust infrastructure, strong connectivity, and industry-friendly environment, holds immense potential to attract global investments in these sectors. Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh was also present during the meeting.

He stated that the government aims to position Haryana as a preferred destination for global companies, where leading domestic and international firms can invest. The new Industrial Policy will offer special incentives to ESDM companies, including capital subsidies, tax benefits, skill development support, and ease-of-doing-business provisions to ensure the smooth establishment and expansion of industries.

Industry representatives suggested identifying futuristic products and selecting companies to support them in becoming global players, which would also benefit associated MSMEs. They further emphasised promoting research and development for startups and establishing Centres of Excellence to boost innovation.

To address export-related challenges, representatives recommended setting up global warehouses abroad to facilitate product storage for companies. Several firms also expressed interest in adopting ITIs to ensure the availability of a skilled workforce tailored to industry needs.

Sandeep Arora from Microsoft discussed promoting Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based education in schools, ITIs, and other educational institutions to equip youth with future-ready skills. Under this initiative, students will be trained in AI, machine learning, and data analytics from an early stage, enabling them to compete globally. The state government will also provide policy support and incentives to promote research and development activities and foster innovation.

The state government is also working on a dedicated policy for the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics (AVGC-XR) sector to provide a structured growth platform for this emerging, creative, and technology-driven industry.

During the meeting, Chairman of FICCI AVGC-XR Forum, Ashish Kulkarni; Director (Public Policy), E-Gaming Federation, Devbhuti Bakshi; and CEO of Media and Entertainment Skills Council, Mohit Soni, suggested strengthening the e-sports ecosystem to create new opportunities for youth and enhance the state’s competitive edge. They also recommended promoting incubators and Centres of Excellence to nurture innovation, startups, and talent in the AVGC-XR sector.

The Chief Minister highlighted the immense potential of developing a wedding city at the historic Yadavindra Gardens in Pinjore, positioning it as a premier destination wedding hub. Puneet Makkar, a representative of IHCL, informed that detailed discussions are underway with the Taj Group to give the project a world-class shape.

In furtherance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and centre’s policy of “Zero Tolerance” towards drugs, the Delhi Police are organizing a week-long anti-drug awareness campaign ‘Nasha – Not Cool’ across the national capital, beginning Friday.

Home Minister Amit Shah has consistently emphasised the need for stringent action against drug trafficking and the eradication of drug abuse from society. In alignment with the national mission of “Nasha Mukt Bharat”, the Delhi Police continued to undertake proactive measures under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor and leadership of the Commissioner of Police.

As part of the campaign, a theme song in the form of a Rap — highlighting the harmful effects of drug abuse and encouraging youth to stay away from narcotics — was formally launched on Thursday Delhi Police chief Satish Golchha. The song will be disseminated through social media platforms and screened in cinema halls across Delhi during the campaign period to maximise outreach.

The campaign will adopt a comprehensive approach, including social media engagement, radio broadcasts, on-ground awareness activities involving community stakeholders, expert-led podcasts, and sports activities at de-addiction centres.
Starting April 24, the campaign will have active participation from school children, who will play a vital role in spreading awareness in society.

Sharad Pawar-led NCP’s National Working President and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule criticized the Fadnavis government for failing to register an FIR and investigate the Ajit Pawar air crash.

After casting her vote in Baramati on Thursday, Sule called it unfortunate that no FIR was filed in a case involving the death of a deputy chief minister. “An FIR was registered in neighbouring Karnataka state by the Congress government due to the efforts of Rohit Pawar, but an FIR should have been registered in Maharashtra much before. This Baramati byelection is taking place, in less than three months of Ajit Pawar’s death,” she said.

Rohit Pawar had lodged the “Zero” FIR in March under Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita. The complaint was later sent to the Baramati Taluka police station in Pune district, which has since forwarded it to the CID.

A Zero FIR is a first information report (FIR) registered at any police station, regardless of whether the crime was committed within its jurisdiction. Rohit Pawar had claimed that he had to lodge the ‘Zero FIR’ in Karnataka as the police in Maharashtra did not register a case on his complaint regarding the Baramati air crash.

A Pune Rural Police officer confirmed that the Baramati Taluka police station had received the Zero FIR from the Bengaluru Police and referred it to the CID.

Significantly, Supriya Sule’s statement came a couple of days after Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar said while campaigning, “Like many people, I also have doubts about the circumstances surrounding Ajit Pawar’s death. All these questions must be answered. For this, I took the lead and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who gave clear instructions for a thorough and impartial probe into the crash.”

“Fadnavis had given assurance in the legislative assembly of an impartial investigation. Accordingly, the probe is being carried out by high-level Central agencies. It is clear that the truth must come out in public, and if any wrongdoing is found, the strictest action should be taken against those responsible,” Sunetra Pawar said.

“I have met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah and discussed the matter. Prime Minister Modi and Shah have given clear instructions for a thorough investigation. The truth should come out in this. The guilty should be severely punished. The Chief Minister has also given instructions to take action in this. There will be no compromise on this. The Centre and the state are helping, there should be no worries in this, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said.

Since the formation of the new government in Bihar, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has been aggressively targeting the ruling side through a series of social media posts.

In his latest tweet, Tejashwi wrote, “When the crown is on the head… criminals have become Samrat.”

In another tweet on Wednesday, the RJD leader said, “Corruption in the NDA government has become so enormous that the corrupt themselves have become the ‘samrat’ (emperor).”

These remarks are being seen as a direct attack on Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, triggering sharp political reactions.

Continuing his attack on Thursday, Tejashwi posted a video clip on X, claiming that “there is jungle raj in Bihar and women are not safe anywhere in the state.”

He further wrote, “At Sitaram Chowk in Sitamarhi, two miscreants snatched a gold chain from a woman in broad daylight and fled, exposing the tall claims of law and order made by NDA leaders.”

Sharing another video clip, the RJD leader said, “This is not a scene from a film, but an incident from the Mahnar police station area of Vaishali district in Bihar, where around 30 criminals entered a village, firing shots and hurling bombs. They assaulted people and looted a gold trader’s house, escaping with jewellery and cash worth lakhs.”

“During the incident, the police were informed, but they reached the spot an hour later. By then, the criminals had fled. There is fear among the people in the area. Incidents of murder, loot and crime are occurring in Bihar every day,” he added.

“Sometimes, criminals enter shops and hold guns to people’s temples; at other times, they publicly slit someone’s throat. For 21 years, criminals have received such protection from those in power that today they have become ‘samrat’ in Bihar. Their morale is so high that people now feel afraid even within the state,” he wrote on X.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary hit back at Tejashwi Yadav, reminding him of the Lalu-era rule.

Vijay Chaudhary said, “He has never found Bihar’s law and order satisfactory. Did he think things were fine during his own rule?”