Authorities have completed preparations for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, with polling scheduled for April 29 across 142 constituencies in South Bengal. The Election Commission said the phase will cover more than 3.21 crore voters and is expected to be closely contested. Key Announcements / Highlights Special arrangements have been made for elderly voters above 85 years, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups to ensure accessible voting. Official Statement Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agrawal said authorities have strengthened monitoring and security arrangements to ensure…

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Kerala is set to implement regulated power cuts as rising temperatures drive electricity demand to unprecedented levels. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) said on April 27 that it will introduce temporary load restrictions to maintain grid stability and prevent large-scale outages. Key Announcements / Highlights Officials warned that without intervention, the current demand surge could risk system instability or widespread power failures. Official Statement KSEB officials said the decision is part of a “peak load management” strategy aimed at balancing electricity supply and demand during high-consumption periods. They noted that the current…

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BJP spokesperson Gaurav Gupta met Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu on April 27, raising concerns over increasing traffic congestion and lack of organised parking facilities in the city. Key Announcements / Highlights Official Statement During the meeting, Gupta outlined concerns about unplanned roadside parking contributing to traffic congestion, particularly in busy commercial areas. He proposed that unused spaces beneath flyovers could be converted into structured parking zones. The Lieutenant Governor, according to officials, acknowledged the concerns and said the proposals would be reviewed in the interest of improving urban infrastructure.…

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India and New Zealand have signed a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in New Delhi on April 27, marking a significant step in strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The agreement was formalised by Piyush Goyaland Todd McClay, with both sides aiming to expand trade and investment cooperation. Key Announcements / Highlights Duty-Free Access for Indian Exports Under the agreement, Indian exports across all sectors will gain duty-free access to the New Zealand market. Key industries expected to benefit include textiles, garments, leather, footwear, jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods. Earlier,…

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Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the creation of five new districts in the Union Territory, increasing the total number from two to seven. The decision, announced on April 27, is intended to strengthen administrative reach in one of India’s most sparsely populated and geographically challenging regions. Key Announcements / Highlights Official Statement Announcing the decision, Saxena said the move addresses a long-standing demand from residents and marks a significant administrative step for the region. He stated that creating new districts would bring governance closer to people, particularly in remote…

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on April 27 condemned a shooting incident in Washington involving former US President Donald Trump, stating that violence has no place in politics. He also urged sustained dialogue to promote long-term peace in West Asia. Key Announcements / Highlights Official Statement Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Jammu, Abdullah said such attacks are unacceptable and should not occur against any political leader. He noted that disagreements in politics should be addressed through democratic means rather than violence. Abdullah also highlighted the importance of…

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Indian equity benchmarks, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, extended losses for a third consecutive session on April 24, tracking weak global signals and rising crude oil prices. Both indices opened lower and slipped further after a brief recovery during early trading. Key Announcements / Highlights Market Performance Overview The BSE Sensex opened lower and briefly moved into positive territory before reversing course. By around 10:15 a.m., it was trading over 700 points down after touching an early low near 76,800 levels. Similarly, the Nifty 50 opened in the red, rose marginally in initial trades, and then…

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 24 extended greetings to elected representatives across the country on National Panchayati Raj Day, emphasising their role in strengthening grassroots democracy and public service. Key Announcements / Highlights Official Statement In a message shared on social media, Modi quoted a Sanskrit subhashita that translates to the idea that the well-being of leaders lies in the well-being of the people. He explained that public representatives should place citizens’ interests above personal considerations. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the efforts of elected representatives at various levels, stating that their…

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Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal made a symbolic return to the court during the Madrid Open, participating in a friendly exhibition match held at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The event took place on April 24 as part of promotional activities around the tournament. Key Announcements / Highlights Event Highlights The exhibition featured Nadal teaming up with Thibaut Courtois, goalkeeper for Real Madrid. They faced a pairing of world number one Jannik Sinner and midfielder Jude Bellingham. The event brought together figures from tennis and football, drawing attention to the crossover appeal of the tournament and the stadium’s versatility…

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on April 24 said the high voter turnout in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 indicates a desire for political change, expressing confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will secure a majority of the seats contested in this phase. Key Announcements / Highlights Official Statement Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Shah said the high turnout reflects strong public participation and support for the BJP. He thanked voters for turning out in large numbers and described the polling percentage as a sign of shifting political…

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