Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, said strict vigil is in place at the Bhabanipur strongroom and claimed Mamata Banerjee is “under surveillance” after her late-night visit. He said a BJP polling agent was present to ensure transparency. Security has been increased at Netaji Indoor Stadium ahead of May 4 counting. The Trinamool Congress alleged ballot boxes were opened without authorised representatives and staged protests. The Election Commission denied the claims, saying procedures were followed. TMC leaders Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh raised concerns, while BJP leaders rejected the allegations and accused TMC of spreading misinformation. (PC: HT)

Mohammad Salim Dola, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim, used the name “Hamza” while living in Turkey, reports said. Officials said the fake identity was linked to a Bulgarian passport. Its validity is under investigation. Dola was deported to India on April 28 and is in custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau till May 8. He was detained by Turkish agencies after an Interpol Red Notice. Officials said, “Dola had established a major transnational drug trafficking syndicate.” He is linked to multiple drug cases and had been absconding for years. (PC: HT)

A tigress and her four cubs have died within nine days in Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Officials said the deaths are under detailed investigation. Early findings suggest a possible infection from Canine Distemper Virus (CDV). The tigress, known as T-141, and her cubs were found in the Sarhi range. Three cubs were found dead between April 21 and April 26. The tigress and one cub were rescued but died later. An official said, “An in-depth probe is underway by veterinary and wildlife forensic experts.” Initial reports point to lung infection and breathing distress. Samples have been sent for testing. (PC: X)

A mother and her four-year-old son were found dead after a cruise boat capsized in the Narmada River near Bargi Dam in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday. Rescuers said the mother was holding the child close when they were found. They were tourists from Delhi. The father and daughter survived. A survivor, Syed Riyaz Hussain, said, “No one could understand what was happening. There was screaming… people were crying for help.” He added he was trapped in water for nearly two hours before rescue teams saved him. So far, nine people have died. Authorities rescued 24 people. Several others are still missing, including children. (PC: India Today)

A lawsuit filed in New York accuses JPMorgan executive Lorna Hajdini of sexual abuse and harassment of a junior male colleague. The man, identified as “John Doe”, said the abuse began in 2024. He alleged she used racial slurs like “Brown boy Indian” and threatened his career. The lawsuit says she forced him into sex and told him, “I f**king own you”. It also claims she used drugs during some encounters. Hajdini denied the claims. She said she “never engaged in any inappropriate conduct”. JPMorgan said its internal review found no evidence supporting the allegations. (PC: NDTV)

Israel intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla near the Greek island of Crete in Greece and detained about 175 activists, officials said. The Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli forces boarded vessels in international waters and called the action “piracy”. It said boats were damaged and some people were left stranded. Israel said the operation was legal and carried out “peacefully and without any casualties”. It described the flotilla as a “PR stunt”. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the detained activists would be released on a Greek beach. Greece called for restraint and said it was coordinating for safe disembarkation. (PC: BBC)

Tension rose in Kolkata after leaders of the Trinamool Congress staged a sit-in over alleged EVM tampering at a counting centre. Leaders claimed CCTV footage showed outsiders “fiddling with ballot papers”. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also visited a strongroom and raised concerns over possible malpractice. The Election Commission of India rejected the claims. Officials said staff were only segregating postal ballots as per rules. They added that strongrooms remained secure. Security was increased at key centres ahead of counting on May 4. (PC: The Hindu)

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced questions in Congress over President Donald Trump and his “mental stability” during a hearing. Democratic lawmaker Sara Jacobs asked if Trump was “mentally stable enough” to lead. Hegseth did not give a direct answer. He instead defended Trump and said he would not engage in “disparagement”. He later called Trump an “incredible commander-in-chief who puts our troops first”. The exchange comes as Trump’s recent social media posts during the Iran crisis have raised concerns and drawn criticism from some lawmakers.

The UK government has raised the national terror threat level from “substantial” to “severe” after a stabbing attack in Golders Green, London. Security minister Dan Jarvis said people should stay “alert and vigilant” but “not alarmed”. He added the move was due to wider risks, including Islamist and far-right threats. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the decision may worry many, especially the Jewish community. She urged people to report concerns. Police said the attack is being treated as terrorism. Authorities added that security agencies are “working round the clock” to keep people safe. (PC: BBC)

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has flagged as fake a viral document claiming to be an Intelligence Bureau assessment of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. The report, titled “Preliminary Assessment of West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026,” has been widely circulated on social media but has not been issued by the Intelligence Bureau, PIB clarified. The fact-check comes amid heightened political tension and competing narratives ahead of counting day. Authorities have urged the public to rely on verified sources and avoid sharing unconfirmed documents, as misinformation could influence public perception during a sensitive electoral process.