The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Keralam issued instructions to all DEOs and ROs on counting protocols, stressing that strong rooms must not be opened for any data work. Officials are barred from using unsealed rooms for Index Cards or ENCORE verification, ensuring transparency, security, and integrity in the electoral process.
FSSAI has instructed food manufacturers to use only Ashwagandha roots and their extracts, banning the use of leaves in any form. The regulator said some companies were wrongly using leaves in health products. The move aligns with safety concerns and existing regulations, and authorities have been asked to ensure strict compliance and monitoring.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced ten new welfare measures, raising the party’s total election promises to 307 for the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. The party also pledged 24/7 district-level “war rooms” to curb crimes against women. Voting for 234 seats will be held on April 23, with results scheduled for May 4.
A software engineer in Hyderabad was arrested after excise officials found 17 marijuana plants grown on his house terrace in Nacharam. The plants could yield around 10 kg of ganja. Police said he quit his job and began cultivation for personal use due to addiction and financial issues. The accused has been taken into custody.
Tovino Thomas’ “Pallichattambi” is struggling at the Kerala box office, earning around ₹9 crore in five days with mixed responses. Despite a decent start, the film saw fluctuations and weak traction, largely due to the strong wave of “Vaazha 2,” which continues to dominate collections and audience attention, leaving limited scope for recovery.
Redmi has launched the Pad 2 SE 4G featuring a 9.7-inch 2K LCD display, Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 processor, and HyperOS 3. It offers up to 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, and a 7,600mAh battery with fast charging. The tablet targets budget users with strong battery life, media features, and everyday performance balance.
Ram Charan’s “Peddi,” directed by Buchi Babu Sana, has been postponed to June 2026 after multiple delays, missing key summer slots. Despite setbacks, the sports drama enjoys strong buzz due to limited big releases and industry slowdown. With AR Rahman’s music and a star cast including Janhvi Kapoor, the film is expected to open big.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at a rally in Salboni, accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of protecting infiltrators and promoting corruption. He also alleged her associate Humayun Kabir wants to build a Babri Masjid in the state. Shah said the upcoming Bengal elections are about freeing the state from infiltration and corruption.
Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 after suffering a left hamstring injury during CSK’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The young top-order batter, in strong form this season, will undergo rehabilitation for several weeks. His absence is a big setback for Chennai Super Kings’ batting lineup and campaign.
Maharashtra witnessed a firecracker unit explosion in Palghar district, killing at least two people and injuring four others. The blast triggered panic in the area, with the injured rushed to the hospital and rescue operations launched. The incident comes days after a major firecracker factory explosion in TN’s Virudhunagar that killed 25 people.
India has handed over a 2-tonne consignment of life-saving medical supplies to Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The aid includes oxygen concentrators, microscopes, and essential consumables to boost healthcare services. The Indian High Commission highlighted the move as a reflection of strong bilateral ties and humanitarian cooperation.
Bajaj has launched the updated Pulsar NS400Z with a new 349cc liquid-cooled engine producing around 40hp and improved performance tuning. The bike retains its aggressive styling, features like ride modes, traction control, and ABS, while keeping pricing competitive. The update aims to balance efficiency, smoother power delivery, and segment compliance.
Samrat Choudhary revoked Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha’s order and reinstated 224 revenue staff suspended for over 2.5 months during a strike in the Land and Revenue Department in his first move as Bihar CM. The decision overturns disciplinary action taken earlier and marks another reversal of a previous Nitish Kumar government order in the […]
The Delhi Capitals get a boost as Axar Patel is fit after cramps in the previous match. Sameer Rizvi, despite match-winning knocks this season, has struggled against left-arm orthodox spin. SRH may deploy Abhishek Sharma or Harsh Dubey to target him. DC will rely on KL Rahul, Stubbs, Miller, and Kuldeep Yadav for balance.
Balakrishna has collaborated again with director Gopichand Malineni for an action drama tentatively titled “NBK111,” after “Veera Simha Reddy.” Reports suggest Nayanthara and Kajal Aggarwal may play key roles, though official confirmation is awaited. Balakrishna has previously delivered hits with both actresses, adding curiosity to the upcoming project.