A polling officer set up a polling booth ahead of the second phase of the general elections, at a village in Barmer in the desert state of Rajasthan, India, April 25, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Lok Sabha polls 2024 | 1,202 candidates in fray in phase 2

The stage is set for polling in 88 constituencies across 13 States in the second phase of the general election on April 26 (Friday). Over 15.88 crore voters would exercise their franchise in 1.67 lakh polling stations across the country.

A total of 1,202 candidates are in the fray, including 1,098 male, 102 female and two transgender contestants.

Supreme Court verdict on April 26 on whether EVM system is transparent enough for fair elections

The Supreme Court is scheduled on April 26 to pronounce its judgment on petitions seeking a more transparent system of voting to ensure free and fair elections.

The verdict coincides with the second phase of polling for the General Elections to the Lok Sabha.

Congress names candidates for 8 Haryana Lok Sabha seats

The Congress on Thursday night released its list of candidates for eight of the nine Lok Sabha seats it is contesting in Haryana. The party is yet to decide on its candidate for the Gurgaon seat. Sushil Gupta, the State president of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the INDIA bloc ally of the Congress, is contesting from the Kurukshetra seat.

Centre allows export of 2,000 tonnes of onions

In a surprise move, the Union government on Thursday partially relaxed the indefinite ban on onion exports again, paving the way for the “immediate” export of 2,000 tonnes of white onions, primarily grown in Gujarat, from three designated ports.

Bangladesh repatriates Myanmar troops after fighting on border

Bangladesh sent home nearly 300 Myanmar troops and civil servants on Thursday who fled across the border to escape attacks on their outposts near the frontier between the two countries.

Akhilesh Yadav files nomination from Kannauj constituency

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday filed his nomination from the Kannauj Lok Sabha constituency. Akhilesh Yadav, who had won the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat first in 2000 and later represented it in 2004 and 2009, assured voters that he would complete unfinished projects, and bring love and brotherhood back to Kannauj.

2021 census delayed as BJP-led government wants to end SC/ST reservation, alleges Congress

The 2021 census has been indefinitely delayed to end reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), the Congress alleged on April 25, stepping up its attack on the BJP-led government over the issue of caste enumeration.

Some campuses call in police to break up pro-Palestinian demonstrations, while others wait it out

The University of Southern California canceled its main stage graduation ceremony Thursday under new safety measures being taken as the campus is roiled by protests stemming from the Israel-Hamas war.

Pakistani Hindus in Rajasthan who missed CAA cut-off stare at uncertain future

Amid the euphoria created around the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in the ongoing general elections, a legislation which has brought respite for some, but those who came to India after December 31, 2014, have many unanswered questions. The latter now have to apply under the primary Citizenship Act, 1955, which has in the past seen the applicants waiting for years to get the same. The Pakistani Hindu families which have migrated to Barmer — bordering Pakistan — years ago feel that the CAA or citizenship law is waste until their life conditions are uplifted as many of them, even after becoming Indian citizens, continue to live in poor conditions and social stigma.

IPL-17: SRH vs RCB | All-round Royal Challengers have the measure of Sunrisers

Royal Challengers Bengaluru delivered a stunning all-round performance to upset crowd-favourite Sunrisers Hyderabad, registering a 35-run victory in their IPL league match, at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections, in Janjgir-Champa district, Chhattisgarh, Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

As PM Modi targets Congress, phase 2 campaign ends on a sour note

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s controversial speech on the Congress party’s plans to “redistribute wealth” was the highlight of the high-voltage campaign for the second phase of the Lok Sabha election which ended on Wednesday.

A total of 88 seats across 13 States are up for grabs on Friday. All 20 seats of Kerala, 14 of the 28 seats in Karnataka, 13 seats in Rajasthan, eight seats each in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, six seats in Madhya Pradesh, five seats each in Assam and Bihar, three seats each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, and one seat each in Manipur, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir would go to polls.

Pakistan and Iran say ‘Kashmir issue should be resolved through peaceful means’

Pakistan and Iran have agreed that the Kashmir issue should be resolved through “peaceful means based on the will of the people” of the region, said a joint statement issued by the two countries after Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s maiden visit on April 24.

FIR against BJP’s social media post titled ‘Congress Manifesto or Muslim League Manifesto’

An FIR was registered on April 24 over a social media post by the BJP’s official handle which allegedly sought to promote hatred and enmity between different groups and classes, Election Commission (EC) officials said.

ED counters Kejriwal’s plea against arrest in excise policy case in Supreme Court

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has countered objections raised by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Supreme Court against his arrest in the excise policy case.

The ED said he did not cooperate with the Central agency despite multiple summonses to him.

Congress releases list of candidates for 3 Lok Sabha, 11 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh

The Central Election Committee of the Congress on Wednesday released a list of candidates for three Lok Sabha and 11 Assembly constituencies in the State.

Columbia University cites progress with Gaza war protesters following encampment arrests

Columbia University said early on April 24 that it was making “important progress” with pro-Palestinian student protesters who set up a tent encampment and that it was extending a deadline to clear out, yet standoffs remained tense on the Ivy League campus in upper Manhattan.

Akhilesh to fight Lok Sabha election from Kannauj, file papers on April 25

The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Wednesday declared that its president Akhilesh Yadav will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Kannauj constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Yadav will file his nomination on April 25 (Thursday).

Indian Embassy asks J&K man to call Russian officials for info on his brother

Four months after he last heard from his brother who was pushed into the war zone on Russia-Ukraine border after being hired as a security helper by the Russian Army, the Indian Embassy in Moscow allegedly advised Jammu and Kashmir resident Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh to directly contact Russian officials seeking information on his brother.

Antony Blinken begins key China visit as tensions rise over new U.S. foreign aid bill

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has begun a critical trip to China armed with a strengthened diplomatic hand following Senate approval of a foreign aid package that will provide billions of dollars in assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan as well as force TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the social media platform -– all areas of contention between Washington and Beijing.

IPL-17, DC vs GT | Pant, Axar dazzle as Delhi Capitals beat Gujarat Titans by four runs

Rishabh Pant dazzled with an unbeaten 88 as Delhi Capitals defeated Gujarat Titans by four runs in the Indian Premier League here on Wednesday.

Invited to bat, Pant (88 not out of 43 balls) and Axar Patel (66 off 43 balls) scored contrasting fifties to power Delhi Capitals to 224 for 4.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a public meeting at Satna in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Congress accuses PM Modi of ‘hate speech’, dares him to point to Hindu-Muslim references in manifesto

The Congress on Sunday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to show one paragraph in its manifesto where it talked about redistributing wealth to the Muslim community.

Addressing a rally in Rajasthan earlier in the day, the Prime Minister had claimed the Congress manifesto stated that if the party comes to power, “they will calculate the amount of gold that mothers and sisters have, get information about it and then distribute that property”.

Delhi High Court to hear Kejriwal’s plea against ED summons in excise case on April 22

The Delhi High Court will on Monday hear Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s petition challenging the summonses issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with its probe into an excise policy-linked money laundering case.

President Muizzu’s party secures big win in Maldives parliamentary polls

The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) of the Maldives secured a big win in the parliamentary elections on Sunday, giving President Mohamed Muizzu significant control over the legislature, six months after he rose to the country’s top office. The leader, who wanted Indian military out of the island nation, has pledged to elevate strategic ties with China.

Hemant Soren was arrested for refusing to leave INDIA bloc, says Congress chief at Opposition rally

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was arrested for refusing to leave the INDIA bloc, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge alleged at a joint Opposition rally in Ranchi on Sunday, warning Prime Minister Narendra Modi that if he tried to “terrorise” tribals, he himself would be destroyed.

Vizianagaram train accident | Report faults crew, station staff and safety lapses on train for A.P. accident

An investigation into a major train accident that left 17 people dead and 34 others injured in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh last year has concluded that the accident was caused due to “error in train working”, adding that the collision could have been averted had the crew and operating staff followed the rules.

Iran President to visit Pakistan to boost ties

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi will travel to Islamabad on April 22 to meet his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said, as the two countries seek to mend ties following deadly cross-border attacks this year.

Karnataka Muslim outfits to observe bandh on April 22 condemning Neha Hiremath murder

Muslim organisations here have given a call for a ‘bandh’ (strike) on Monday, condemning the murder of 23-year-old college student Neha Hiremath in Hubballi recently.

PhD can be pursued directly after a 4-year bachelor’s degrees and 75% marks: UGC

Students with four-year undergraduate degrees can now directly appear for NET and pursue PhD, according to University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Jagadesh Kumar.

Candidates Chess: Gukesh beats Alireza, on the cusp of becoming youngest ever world championship contender

D. Gukesh took the sole lead after beating Alireza Firouzja of France in the penultimate round of the FIDE Candidates chess tournament at Toronto on Saturday. The 17-year-old from Chennai had 8.5 points going into the final round.

IPL-17: PBKS vs GT | After the Sai Kishore show, Tewatia takes Titans home

In the battle of shaky top orders, Rahul Tewatia’s rearguard action took Gujarat Titans over the line by three wickets against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

A view of a polling station that was damaged by a crowd during the first phase of the general election, in Khurai in Imphal East, Manipur, India, April 19, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Election Commission orders re-polling in 11 Manipur booths on April 22

The Election Commission of India has declared void the polling conducted at 11 booths across five Assembly segments in Inner Manipur on Friday, with presiding officers reporting mob violence, gunfire and destroyed Electronic Voting Machines in some booths.

The ECI has announced that a re-poll will be conducted at these booths between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on April 22, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Manipur said in a statement on Saturday night.

BJP’s Moradabad candidate Kunwar Sarvesh Kumar dies a day after polling

BJP’s Moradabad candidate Kunwar Sarvesh Singh died on Saturday a day after his constituency went to the polls in phase one of the Lok Sabha election.

Dharmapuri records Tamil Nadu’s highest poll percentage

The Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency registered a voter turnout of 81.48%, the highest in Tamil Nadu in the 2024 general election, according to data provided by the Election Commission.

Pakistan govt to deploy army to maintain peace during key by-elections on April 21

Pakistan on Saturday decided to deploy army troops to maintain peace during key by-elections that are to be held in the country on Sunday to fill the seats vacated by various candidates or where elections were postponed due to the death of candidates.

Ahead of U.N. meet, India chooses to ‘regulate’, not ban, single-use plastic

Ahead of week-long negotiations involving 192 countries that are expected to begin in Toronto, Canada, next week on getting the globe to progress on eliminating plastic pollution, India is in favour of “regulating” and not outright eliminating single-use plastic, according to an analysis of various countries’ public negotiating positions by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a not-for-profit based in New Delhi.

Delhi BJP to hold mega gathering of Hindu saints and seers at IGI stadium in Delhi on April 21

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in the national capital, the Delhi BJP will host a mega conclave of Hindu priests, saints and seers to celebrate the Hindu new year and construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, at the IGI stadium on Sunday, party leaders said.

Prison report says Kejriwal does not need insulin, AAP calls it ‘slow death’

Raj Niwas on Saturday released a medical status report submitted by the Director General (Prisons) to Lieutenant-Governor V.K Saxena which states that according to the doctors who examined him, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s blood sugar levels were “not alarming” and “administration of insulin is not required as of now”.

More than Naxal conflict, expansion of railways, connectivity issues drive campaign in Kanker

In the backdrop of an ongoing Lok Sabha campaign in Kanker constituency, that votes on April 26, the deadliest anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh’s history was carried out in the fringes of the district, with as many as 29 Naxalites killed on April 16.

U.S. House passes billions in aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle

The House swiftly approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare Saturday session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russia’s invasion.

IPL-17: DC vs SRH | Sunrisers batters turn on the heat as Capitals wilt

Jake Fraser-McGurk, the young Australian sensation, played a blinder to give Delhi Capitals a slim chance to pull off a miraculous chase. But the right-handed power-hitter proved to be an exception on a night dominated by left-handers.

IMF delegates participate in a news conference on the IMF release of the World Economic Outlook Update, at IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Names of 5 crore MGNREGS workers deleted in 2022-23, Minister informs Lok Sabha

Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, on July 25 informed that names of over five crore workers have been deleted under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the financial year 2022-23. There has been a hike of 247% in deletions during 2022-23 as compared to 2021-22.

IMF projects Indian economy to grow at 6.1% in 2023

The IMF on July 25 projected a growth rate of 6.1% for India in 2023, which is a 0.2 percentage point upward revision compared with the April projection.

Manipur government partially eases Internet curbs; no access on mobiles

After an 83-day Internet shutdown in Manipur, the State government marginally eased the restrictions on July 25, albeit under strict conditions.

INDIA alliance likely to submit no-confidence motion notice against government in Lok Sabha on Wednesday 

The alliance has already drawn up a draft of the notice and is in the process of getting the necessary 50 signatures of MPs. The group has to submit the notice before 10 am for it to be read out by the speaker in the House on Wednesday.

Gyanvapi mosque management moves Allahabad HC over ASI survey, hearing begins

The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday heard a plea against a district court order directing the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey to determine if the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi was built upon a temple. After hearing arguments in the matter, Chief Justice Pritinker Diwaker posted it for further hearing on Wednesday.

President Murmu reaches Odisha on three-day tour

The President will travel to Cuttack on Wednesday, during which she will offer prayers at the Chandi Temple and visit the residence of ‘Utkal Gourab’ Madhusudan Das and pay floral tribute to his statue.

NHRC to host national conference on mental healthcare in Vigyan Bhawan, release a new book

The conference by the National Human Rights Commission on ‘Moving Mental Health Beyond Institutions’ will be held at Vigyan Bhawan, and Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Praveen Pawar will be the chief guest, officials said on Tuesday.

ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 successfully performs fifth orbit-raising manoeuvre

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Tuesday (July 25) successfully completed the fifth and final orbit-raising manoeuvre (Earth-bound perigee firing) of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. It was performed successfully from ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru.

Taliban bans beauty salons in Afghanistan despite U.N. concern and rare public protest

The Taliban announced on July 25 that all beauty salons in Afghanistan must now close as a one-month deadline ended, despite rare public opposition to the edict.

Peace-themed torch unveiled for Paris 2024 Olympics

The design of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic torch was unveiled on Tuesday, imitating the reflection of the Eiffel Tower on the ruffled surface of the Seine river and conveying a peaceful energy, its designer said.