Ahead of the arrival of Lord Buddha’s holy relics, the Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Thursday conducted a comprehensive inspection of the route — from the IAF’s Technical Airport in Leh to Jivetsal, Choglamsar — to review preparations for the upcoming exposition of the relics.

The Sacred Buddha Relics exposition is scheduled to be held from May 1 to May 15.

At the Technical Airport, the Chief Secretary interacted with the Security Officer, Krishan Kumar of 21 Wing Air Force Station, Leh, and reviewed the necessary preparations and logistical arrangements to ensure smooth coordination during the event.

Subsequently, he inspected the route from the airport to Jivetsal, focusing on beautification, cleanliness, traffic management, and overall readiness, and directed the concerned departments to ensure the timely execution of all works to facilitate a seamless experience for visiting devotees and dignitaries.

At Jivetsal, the Chief Secretary reviewed the ongoing preparations and held discussions with representatives of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), led by its President. Emphasis was laid on coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to ensure the successful organisation of the sacred exposition.

The Chief Secretary was accompanied during the visit by the Deputy Commissioner, Leh; Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Leh; Chief Engineer, Public Works (R&B) Department; Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Leh (MCL); and other concerned officials.

He stressed the importance of maintaining high standards of sanitation, security, and infrastructure readiness, given the significance of the event, which is expected to attract a large number of pilgrims and visitors from across the region and beyond.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary on Thursday asserted that prohibition will not be lifted in the state, reiterating that the existing law will be enforced strictly.

In his first media interaction after assuming the office of Deputy Chief Minister, Chaudhary dismissed demands from some NDA leaders, including JD(U) MLA Anant Singh, RLM MLA Madhav Anand and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, to repeal or review the prohibition law, describing their views as “personal opinions” with no bearing on government policy.

The senior JD(U) leader noted that all parties had supported the prohibition law when it was introduced. He added that those now criticising the policy should reflect on their stance at the time it was passed in the Assembly, advising them to think carefully before making such statements.

Emphasising the commitments made by Nitish Kumar, Chaudhary said although the government is newly formed, its vision and direction remain unchanged. He stressed that fulfilling promises made to the people of Bihar is the government’s top priority.

Responding to questions about Nitish Kumar stepping down as Chief Minister, Chaudhary described him as a leader and head of the party who enjoys unanimous acceptance within the organisation. “No one challenges his decisions. Stepping down as Chief Minister and moving to the Rajya Sabha was his personal choice. Although some party members disagreed, they did not alter his decision. After his election to the Rajya Sabha, a new government was formed,” he said.

On why the JD(U) allowed the BJP to assume the Chief Minister’s post despite having several senior leaders, Chaudhary said that NDA governments had run for two decades with BJP’s support while Nitish Kumar served as Chief Minister. “In the 2020 Assembly elections, JD(U) won only 43 seats, yet it retained the Chief Minister’s post. Considering BJP’s long-standing support, it was decided to give them an opportunity. Nitish Kumar voluntarily stepped down and extended his support to Samrat Chaudhary,” he added.

Chaudhary also expressed confidence in Nishant Kumar’s potential to play a larger role in the party in the future. He said party workers are enthusiastic about Nishant’s proposed tour, describing it as a positive initiative.

Severe heat has begun to rapidly impact Uttar Pradesh, with day and night temperatures steadily rising. At least 13 districts recorded maximum temperatures of 42 degrees Celsius or above, indicating a severe heat pattern developing in the state.

Severe heatwaves in UP have shattered power demand, surpassing 27,000 MW.

Minimum temperatures were recorded at 26.8 degrees Celsius in Moradabad, 26.4 degrees Celsius in Lakhimpur Kheri, 26.2 degrees Celsius in Hamirpur and 26 degrees Celsius in Fatehgarh.

Several cities in Uttar Pradesh featured among the country’s hottest on Wednesday. Banda ranked third with 43.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Prayagraj in fourth place at 43.7 degrees Celsius and Sultanpur in sixth place at 43.3 degrees Celsius.

Varanasi (BHU) recorded a temperature of 43.1 degrees Celsius, making it the eighth hottest city, while Agra ranked ninth with a temperature of 43 degrees Celsius.

The capital city of Lucknow recorded maximum and minimum temperatures of 41.1 and 24.5 degrees Celsius, respectively.

According to the Meteorological Department, clear skies are expected in Lucknow, and the maximum temperature is expected to hover around 42 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature around 25 degrees Celsius in the coming days.

According to meteorologists, clear skies, strong solar radiation, and low wind speeds have contributed to the heat throughout the day, keeping temperatures consistently high. There is little hope of relief in the coming days, so people have been advised to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, with the increasing heat in Uttar Pradesh, power demand has begun setting new records ahead of schedule. The state’s power demand has surpassed 27,000 MW, a mark typically seen in May-June. This indicates that this summer could be longer and more intense.

According to official data, while power demand was 21,618 MW on April 10, it increased to 27,272 MW at 10:22 pm on Tuesday (April 21). Experts believe that such high demand in April alone is unusual and indicates further pressure in the coming months.

According to officials of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL), power demand could exceed 33,000 MW in May-June. If the monsoon remains weak, demand may rebound in August and September. In 2025, the state’s peak demand was recorded at 32,068 MW, the highest in the country.

However, despite the rising demand, UPPCL claims that there is currently no shortage of power supply. According to the department, plans have been made to keep approximately 34,000 MW of power available.

About 80 percent of the total demand will be met through long-term power purchase agreements, while the remaining power will be purchased from the Indian Energy Exchange, Power Exchange India Limited, and Hindustan Power Exchange. Banking arrangements for 4,663 million units have also been established with other states.

To strengthen power supply, new thermal units have been commissioned in Ghatampur, Khurja, Panki, Obra, and Jawaharpur, while another unit in Ghatampur is expected to be operational by the end of April.

However, concerns are growing about the distribution system compared to production. Complaints of blown transformers, melted cables, and frequent power outages have surfaced in several cities, including Lucknow.

Experts say that if timely repairs are not made, local supply disruptions could occur amid rising demand.

On the other hand, the power supply issue has also become politically sensitive ahead of the assembly elections. Prolonged power outages could lead to public discontent.

Girls have again outshined boys in the High School and Intermediate Board exams conducted by Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education.

Around 90.42 per cent of the students passed in high school while 80.38 per cent of the candidates passed in intermediate Board exams, which were annoubxed on Thursday at 4 PM by UP Board Chairman Dr Mahendra Dev and Secretary Bhagwati Singh.

In high school (10th Board) the pass percentage for boys was 87.30 percent and for girls it was 93.76 percent while in Intermediate (12th Board), the pass percentage for boys was 75.04 percent and for girls it was 86.32 percent.

In both the High School and Intermediate, Girls achieved all top rankings except for a third position got by a boy in High School.

In Intermediate, Shikha Verma of Sitapur secured first place with 97.60 per cent, Nandini Gupta of Bareilly and Shriya Verma of Barabanki secured second place with 97.20 per cent, and Surabhi Yadav of Bareilly and Pooja Pal of Barabanki secured third place with 97 per cent marks .

In high school, Kashish Verma of Sitapur and Anshika Verma from Barabanki, secured first place in the state with 97.83 per cent marks, followed by Aditi of Barabanki with 97.50 per cent marks was on second spot, while Arpita of Sitapur Rishabh Sahu of Jhansi and Pari Verma of Barabanki with 97.33 per cent marks were on joint third spot.

The UP Board examinations were conducted from February 18 to March 12. In the 2026 UP Board examination, 53 lakh 37 thousand 778 candidates had appeared for the examination, including 27 lakh 61 thousand 696 in high school and 25 lakh 76 thousand 82 in intermediate.

The high school and intermediate examinations were completed in 15 working days. The 2026 UP Board examinations were held at 8033 examination centres across the state.

Last year, the results were declared on April 25, but this year the results have been declared two days earlier, because after evaluation, the UP Board has a record of declaring the results within 20 days.

Amazon India is set to invest over Rs 2,800 crore ($300 million) to expand its logistics networks and improve workers’ safety and well-being as part of its plans to invest more than $35 billion by 2030 on AI-led digitisation, exports and jobs.

The announcement builds on its Rs 2,000 crore investment in 2025 which enabled the launch of 17 new fulfilment centres, six sortation centres, and 75 last-mile delivery stations across India.

Amazon has also introduced its quick commerce offering, Amazon Now, which has expanded to more than 300 micro-fulfilment centres across key cities.

As per the announcement, Amazon India will expand and upgrade its India operations network, including fulfilment centres, sortation hubs and delivery stations, to increase capacity and improve delivery speeds, especially in Tier-II and III cities.

It will also support sellers and small businesses, while contributing to local economic activity. The company plans to expand Amazon Now, both within existing cities and into new ones, offering delivery timelines ranging from minutes to days.

Additional measures include rest areas, improved access to drinking water, spot cooling systems and enhanced accessibility features for workers with disabilities.

The company is also deploying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning tools to improve operational efficiency and safety. These include alerts for unsafe driving, prompts for rest breaks, and AI-led route planning to balance workloads.

Enhancements to the driver app will focus on navigation in complex addresses, clearer earnings visibility and simpler workflows.

Indian Railways has made a significant contribution towards environmental sustainability and passenger hygiene through large-scale deployment of bio-toilets, with over 3.66 lakh bio-toilets fitted in passenger coaches since 2014.

This initiative has effectively eliminated direct discharge of human waste onto railway tracks, ensuring cleaner stations, improved on-board sanitation and a more hygienic travel experience for millions of passengers.

According to the Ministry of Railways, the bio-toilet system uses indigenous technology based on microbial action to decompose human waste into water and gases, significantly reducing environmental pollution and foul odour while maintaining cleanliness across the network.

This initiative plays a vital role in protecting the environment by preventing soil and track contamination, reducing corrosion of railway assets and promoting eco-friendly waste management.

By ensuring zero direct discharge and supporting sustainable sanitation practices, Indian Railways is improving passenger comfort while contributing to a cleaner ecosystem and a greener future.

The Ministry further mentioned that Indian Railways has made renewable energy a cornerstone of its long-term operational strategy.

As of December 2025, approximately 909 MW of solar plants and 103 MW of wind power plants have been commissioned across the network.

Beyond what is already operational, Railways has tied up a further 3,300 MW of renewable capacity, encompassing solar, wind, and hybrid round-the-clock (RTC) arrangements with developers across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh ensuring a sustained pipeline of clean power to support long-term energy security. This reflects a deliberate shift towards long-term, price-stable green procurement.

The Ministry also stated that Indian Railways has achieved 100 per cent LED lighting across its offices, railway stations, service buildings, and residential colonies, a network-wide transformation that spans thousands of locations from remote wayside stations to the largest junctions in the country.

The shift from conventional lighting to LEDs has delivered twin dividends: significantly reduced electricity consumption and improved illumination quality. For passengers, this means better-lit waiting halls, platforms, and subways. For the environment, it means a measurable reduction in the carbon burden of simply keeping a station open round the clock.

In a significant step towards strengthening patient safety and ensuring a transparent patient-centric environment, PGIMER Chandigarh has constituted a dedicated Vigilance Team to prevent exploitation of patients and their attendants within the Institute premises.

The decision has been taken in view of the exceptionally high daily footfall of approximately 35,000-40,000 patients and attendants. Recognizing the vulnerabilities associated with such large volumes — particularly among economically weaker and less literate sections — the Institute has intensified on-ground vigilance to curb instances of duping, cheating, touting, and extortion.

Reiterating PGIMER’s firm zero-tolerance policy against any form of exploitation within the campus, Prof Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, stated, “In an institution witnessing such a massive daily footfall, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that every patient and attendant feels safe, respected, and protected. The constitution of this Vigilance Team reflects our zero-tolerance approach towards exploitation in any form. We are particularly committed to safeguarding vulnerable sections so that no one is misled or taken advantage of while seeking care at PGIMER.”

The Vigilance Team has been constituted with the approval of the Competent Authority and will function with immediate effect. It comprises one Security Officer from PGI Security as Team Head, along with five security personnel drawn from PGI Security and Ex-Servicemen Security. The team will function under the supervision of the Senior Administrative Officer (Vigilance.

Elaborating on the structure and operational framework, Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration) added, “This Vigilance mechanism has been carefully designed to function with discretion, efficiency, and accountability. Through plain-clothes deployment and surprise as well as intelligence-based inspections, the team will ensure prompt identification and action against malpractices. It reinforces our commitment to maintaining institutional integrity and delivering patient-centric services at all levels.”

Designed for proactive and discreet enforcement, the team will operate in plain clothes (civil dress) to facilitate effective surveillance. It will conduct random, surprise, and intelligence-based inspections across high-footfall and sensitive areas, including OPD complexes, Emergency and Trauma zones, registration counters, diagnostic and laboratory service points, pharmacy outlets, parking areas, entry and exit gates, waiting halls, and other public utility spaces.

The Vigilance Team is mandated to detect, prevent, and take immediate action against any form of malpractice, including unauthorized facilitation, overcharging, and misleading practices targeting patients and attendants. It is empowered to identify and apprehend suspicious individuals and hand them over to Security or Police authorities as per due procedure, while ensuring that genuine patients are not inconvenienced. The initiative also underscores accountability and continuous improvement.

This order has been issued in the larger public interest to uphold the integrity of institutional services and to protect patients and attendants from any form of exploitation within the PGIMER campus.

During surprise inspection of the Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday ordered the hospital authorities to implement administrative reforms with emphasis on discipline and accountability, mandating biometric attendance system to ensure punctuality of the staff and directing all personnel to wear nameplates during duty hours to improve transparency.

After arriving at the hospital without prior notice, Rekha Gupta took a round of the Outpatient Department, patient wards; pharmacy counters, and assessed the sanitation system, water supply, digital services. Interacting with patients and their families, the Chief Minister sought first-hand feedback from them on the hospital’s functioning, and ordered immediate corrective measures based on the complaints received from them.

According to officials, several elderly patients told the CM that they had been standing in queues since early morning without being attended to. Taking serious note of the complaints, Gupta expressed strong displeasure at the hospital administration, calling the situation ‘completely unacceptable’.

She directed officials to immediately ensure adequate seating arrangements and implement a streamlined token system so that patients, especially the elderly, are not forced to wait for hours.

Her inspection of the hospital revealed gaps in doctor availability, overcrowding in the OPD, and flaws in the online appointment and token systems.

Finding that patients continued to face long queues despite having an online booking mechanism, CM Gupta ordered better integration of online and offline systems. Noting heavy footfall in the orthopaedics department, she discussed workflow with doctors and stressed the need to maintain quality treatment amid the rush.

Several patients also complained of unavailability of medicines forcing them to buy drugs from outside. The CM immediately ordered a check of stock registers and announced a zero-tolerance policy towards shortages of medicines and vaccines. “If a medicine is needed today, it must be provided today,” she asserted, terming it a serious lapse to inconvenience citizens over basic healthcare needs.

She directed the authorities concerned to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines and vaccines as a large number of patients visit the hospital for vaccination for rabies and other ailments.

The patients and their attendants raised concerns about poor sanitation, water supply issues and lack of basic amenities, and on hearing their experiences and complaints on cleanliness and dysfunctional toilets, she sharply reprimanded officials, saying ignoring such issues despite clear feedback from patients and staff amounted to gross negligence.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, the CM said the goal of the government is to ensure that every citizen in Delhi experiences a healthcare that delivers timely treatment, modern facilities, clean surroundings and dignified service. She stressed that healthcare services must be citizen-centric, efficient and accountable, adding that no shortcomings would be tolerated.

The long-standing political friction between India and Pakistan has once again spilled over into sport, this time affecting women’s football, as Pakistan officially withdrew from the 2026 SAFF Women’s Championship.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) confirmed the decision on Thursday, citing escalating tensions between the two nations. The move reduces the tournament to a six-team competition, with the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) proceeding with a revised format for the event scheduled in Goa from May 25 to June 6 at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao.

The development is another reminder of how geopolitical strain in South Asia continues to interrupt regional sporting ties beyond cricket, limiting opportunities for athletes on both sides.

This year’s edition will mark the second time India hosts the SAFF Women’s Championship, after the 2016 tournament in Siliguri, where India lifted their fourth title. Goa, meanwhile, will stage its second SAFF event, having previously hosted the 1999 men’s championship at the same venue, where India defeated Bangladesh in the final.

Following Pakistan’s withdrawal, the draw conducted at the SAFF Secretariat in Dhaka has confirmed two groups among the remaining six teams: India (hosts), Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (defending champions), Bhutan and Maldives.

The absence is a setback for Pakistan women’s football, which has been attempting to rebuild after years of limited international exposure and internal challenges. The tournament was seen as an important platform for the side to gain competitive experience and visibility in the region.

Pakistan’s decision also follows a pattern of recent withdrawals from India-hosted events, including the men’s junior hockey World Cup and the Asia Cup, further underscoring how diplomatic tensions continue to shape sporting participation in South Asia.

India remains the most successful side in the competition’s history with five titles (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019), while Bangladesh has dominated the last two editions, winning in 2022 and 2024.

Observing that the India-Africa relationship is rooted in civilisational linkages, nurtured over centuries through trade, cultural exchanges and human interactions, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said the partnership between the two sides has assumed particular significance as the world navigates through complex geo-political and geo-economic challenges.

Launching the theme, logo, and website for the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit to be held in India, he said the India-Africa relationship is a message of stability in a turbulent world, of reliability in an uncertain one and of solidarity in difficult times.

The foreign minister said defence, security and maritime cooperation play an important role in the engagement between India and Africa.’’Driven by the Vision MAHASAGAR, we are working closely with many of you to ensure the security and stability of the Indian Ocean region, combat piracy, promote safe and open sea lanes, and collaborate in UN peacekeeping operations,’’ he said.

He said the two sides are pushing new frontiers in digital, fintech, and innovation, reshaping economies across the African continent. Both India and Africa are looking forward to stronger focus on co-creation, mutual investments and joint innovation, aligned with their respective long-term development frameworks.

He was of the view that the forthcoming India-Africa Forum Summit truly presents a unique opportunity to further deepen the India-Africa engagement. The Summit will provide a platform to shape the next phase of partnership – one that is more ambitious, one that is more inclusive, and one that is more future-oriented.

Jaishankar said Africa today occupies a central place in India’s foreign policy. India’s engagement with Africa is guided by a clear vision – a vision rooted in the principle of equality, mutual respect, and of shared progress. The ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and Africa’s ‘Agenda 2063’ are both complementary road maps which are geared towards prosperity and progress through sustainable growth and inclusive development.

He noted that India has also expanded its diplomatic footprint in recent years by opening 17 new diplomatic Missions across the African continent taking the number of Indian Missions there to 46. ‘’This clearly demonstrates our long-term commitment to engaging with every region of the continent.’’

The minister said,’’A defining feature of India-Africa relations is our shared vision for more inclusive and representative global order. India has consistently supported Africa’s rightful place in global governance.’’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spotlighted a detailed write-up by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on the ongoing modernisation of railway tracks, underscoring how infrastructure upgrades are reshaping the country’s rail network.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister described the article as “a must-read” and highlighted the government’s push to enhance speed, safety and reliability in rail operations. “Modernisation of railway tracks is powering a faster and more dependable network,” Modi said, echoing the key themes of the minister’s write-up.

Referring to the improvements outlined in the article, he noted that “track renewal, advanced testing and mechanised maintenance have improved ride quality and ensured higher speeds,” adding that these measures are helping reduce delays and deliver smoother journeys for passengers.

Modi further emphasised that the modernisation drive is enabling the railways to keep pace with rising demand. “These changes are reducing delays, supporting smoother journeys and helping railways meet growing passenger and freight demand across the country,” he said.

The remarks came amid sustained efforts by the Centre to upgrade railway infrastructure, including large-scale investments in track renewal, deployment of modern inspection technologies and mechanised maintenance systems. Indian Railways, which handles millions of passengers daily and remains central to freight movement, has been undergoing a series of reforms aimed at improving efficiency, safety and overall service quality.

Amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, leading to global supply disruption, India’s rice exports dipped 7.5 per cent to $11.53 billion in 2025-26. The dip is primarily led by the contraction in shipments to major destinations including the middle east countries

As per the commerce ministry data, the exports in March declined 15.36 per cent to $997.53 million.

Shipments to Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman have been impacted due to the war between US-Israel and Iran.

Notably, Iran is India’s top basmati rice export destination. The shipments are witnessing growing stress on order flows, payment cycles, and ship schedules due to the prevailing instability.

India is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of rice producing around 150 million tonnes of rice in 2024-25 from nearly 47 million hectares, accounting for about 28 per cent of global output.

In 2024-25, India exported 20.1 million tonnes of rice valued at $12.5 billion, reaching more than 172 countries.

Average yields have improved from 2.72 tonnes per hectare in 2014-15 to about 3.2 tonnes per hectare in 2024-25, driven by improved seed varieties, better agronomic practices, and expanded irrigation coverage.

As per reports, importers have conveyed their inability to honour existing commitments and remit payments to India, creating uncertainty for exporters.

In terms of overall exports, India exported goods worth $62.4 billion to economies linked to the Strait of Hormuz in 2024. Of this, only around $5.3 billion, or less than 10 percent, may face significant challenges in being redirected elsewhere.

Recently, India has allowed exports of basmati and non-basmati rice to some European ‌countries without ⁠an ⁠otherwise mandatory certificate of inspection by its export inspection agency for six months.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives in a tragic mishap in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district and announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased as well as those injured.

Extending his condolences to the bereaved families in a post on X, the Prime Minister said he was “deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the mishap in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh”. “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the quick recovery of the injured,” he said.

‎Announcing ex gratia relief from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), Modi said an amount of Rs. 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of each person who lost their life, while the injured would receive Rs. 50,000.

‎As details of the incident continued to emerge, local authorities in Mirzapur district initiated rescue and relief operations, with the injured being taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Officials said efforts were underway to determine the cause of the mishap and to ensure all possible assistance to those affected.

In the middle of a volatile West Asia standoff, the Trump administration has abruptly removed US Navy Secretary John C. Phelan, marking yet another high-profile exit from the defence establishment and taking the number of senior-level departures to eight since the start of the year.

The Pentagon confirmed that Phelan stepped down with immediate effect, with Undersecretary Hung Cao stepping in as Acting Navy Secretary. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the administration was “grateful for his service” and wished him well, but offered no reason for the sudden move.

The timing is critical. The leadership shake-up comes as US naval forces remain deeply engaged in enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports despite a fragile ceasefire. American warships have reportedly turned back dozens of vessels and intercepted ships attempting to breach restrictions, particularly in sensitive maritime corridors like the Strait of Hormuz.

Part of a wider Pentagon purge

Phelan’s removal is being seen as part of a broader churn within the military hierarchy overseen by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. In recent weeks, several top-ranking officers have been pushed out, including Army chief Randy George and other senior commanders.

Earlier exits of high-profile figures such as Admiral Lisa Franchetti and General Charles Q. Brown Jr. had already signalled a sweeping overhaul of America’s military leadership structure in 2025.

With tensions with Iran still simmering and maritime operations intensifying, the sudden exit from the top position of the Navy adds another layer of uncertainty to an already fragile security situation.

Iran jibes as instability grows

Tehran has been quick to seize on the turmoil. The Iranian Embassy in Thailand mocked the development on social media, calling it yet another “regime change” moment within Washington, a swipe clearly aimed at Donald Trump and his administration.

The remark follows similar taunts after the recent resignation of US Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whose exit added to the perception of instability within the cabinet. Her deputy, Keith Sonderling, has taken over in an acting capacity.

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are set to renew one of the Indian Premier League’s most iconic rivalries as they clash in match 33 of Indian Premier League 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, April 23.

Often dubbed the IPL’s “El Clasico”, this contest carries added significance this season. Both sides have endured inconsistent campaigns so far, managing just two wins in six matches, and find themselves in the bottom half of the table. A win tonight could be crucial in reviving their playoff hopes and pushing them into the top half.

Will Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni play tonight?

The spotlight isn’t just on the stakes, it’s on the uncertain availability of two modern greats: Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. According to a report by Cricbuzz, both players trained earlier this week but did not look fully match-ready.

Rohit, who has been dealing with a hamstring issue, reportedly continues to struggle with full fitness despite spending time in the nets. The decision regarding his participation may ultimately be left to the batter himself.

Meanwhile, Dhoni, recovering from a calf strain that ruled him out of the start of the season, remains a doubtful starter, with CSK management yet to receive confirmation on his availability.

Mumbai Indians head into the contest with momentum on their side after a dominant win over Gujarat Titans, powered by a blistering century from Tilak Varma. Their batting unit looks settled, and the return of Rohit, if fit, would further strengthen the lineup.

Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, are coming off a narrow defeat and will be eager to bounce back. Their middle order, led by Shivam Dube, has shown promise, but consistency remains an issue.

IPL 2026 MI vs CSK: Match Details

What time will the MI vs CSK IPL 2026 match start?
The match will begin at 7:30 PM IST.

What time will the toss take place?
The toss is scheduled for 7:00 PM IST.

Where is the match being played?
At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Where can you watch the MI vs CSK IPL 2026 match live on TV?
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India.

Where can you livestream the match?
Fans can stream the match live on the JioHotstar app and website.

MI vs CSK: Head-to-Head Record

Matches: 39
Mumbai Indians: 21 wins
Chennai Super Kings: 19 wins

Mumbai holds a slight edge historically, but the rivalry has remained fiercely competitive over the years.

MI vs CSK IPL 2026: Predicted Playing XIs

Mumbai Indians:
Rohit Sharma (or Danish Malewar), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya (c), Will Jacks (or Sherfane Rutherford), Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Krish Bhagat

Chennai Super Kings:
Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Matthew Short (or Urvil Patel), Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (or Dewald Brevis), Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh

Pitch & Conditions

The Wankhede surface has been a batting paradise this season, with every innings crossing the 190-run mark and an average first-innings score exceeding 200.

Fast bowlers may get some early swing under lights, but overall, it is a venue where batters dominate. Spinners are expected to struggle, especially in the second innings when dew makes gripping the ball difficult.

Team News & Key Updates

Mumbai Indians:
MI will closely monitor Rohit Sharma’s fitness before finalising their XI. Their batting depth and recent form make them slight favourites heading into the clash.

Chennai Super Kings:
CSK face a similar wait over MS Dhoni’s availability. The side may need to rely on their younger core if the veteran wicketkeeper remains unavailable.

Players to Watch
Tilak Varma (MI): Coming off a match-winning century and in sublime form.
Jasprit Bumrah (MI): Key with the new ball and at the death.
Shivam Dube (CSK): A powerful presence in the middle order.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK): Crucial at the top for setting the tone.

With fitness clouds hovering over two legends and both teams desperate for points, this edition of MI vs CSK promises to be a high-stakes, high-intensity showdown.

Responding to US President Donald Trump’s ‘hellhole’ remark on India, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday said that he has “seen some reports” and “that’s where I leave it.”

The response came after Trump apparently endorsed American radio host Michael Savage’s racist rant and reposted his letter, which referred to India, China, and other nations as “hellholes”.

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.

Tamil Nadu’s polling day was supposed to be all about democracy in action, but in Tirupattur, a small incident added a bit of drama to the otherwise smooth voting process. While millions of people quietly queued up to cast their votes across the state, a TVK worker ended up in police custody after allegedly trying to turn his voting moment into a social media reel.

Officials said the day remained largely peaceful and well-organised across the state, but strict surveillance and quick action ensured that election rules were not taken lightly anywhere.

Secret reel inside booth sparks trouble

In Tirupattur Assembly constituency, a worker named Shakthivel, associated with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), allegedly crossed a clear line during voting. Inside the polling compartment, he reportedly used his mobile phone to record himself casting his vote.

Follow: Tamil Nadu election 2026 LIVE

What made it more sensitive was that he was seen voting for the party’s “whistle” symbol while filming the act. The video did not stay private for long. It was later uploaded as a reel on social media, which immediately raised red flags.

Election officials monitoring polling activity quickly noticed the clip and flagged the incident.

CCTV eyes catch the slip, police move in

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been very clear for years: mobile phones are not allowed inside polling compartments. The rule exists to protect ballot secrecy and prevent any influence, pressure, or misuse of voting visuals.

In this case, CCTV surveillance played a key role. Officials tracking booth activity spotted the violation through monitoring systems and acted quickly. Police were informed immediately and reached the polling station without delay.

Shakthivel was taken into custody from the booth itself. Authorities confirmed that legal action is now being initiated under relevant election law provisions.

Massive election day in Tamil Nadu

The incident took place during a huge democratic exercise in Tamil Nadu, where voting is being held in a single phase. The scale of the election is massive; over 5.73 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 4,023 candidates.

These candidates are competing across 234 Assembly constituencies, making it one of the largest political contests in the state. To manage this, the Election Commission has set up a huge network of 75,064 polling booths across Tamil Nadu.

From early morning at 7 am, polling began smoothly. Security forces were deployed in large numbers, and officials kept a close watch on every constituency to ensure fairness and order.