Pradeep Gupta said Axis My India will not release exit poll results for West Bengal as voters did not respond to surveys. He said, “About 60–70 per cent of the people had their lips sealed.” He added that the sample was not strong enough to make a prediction. Other pollsters have released mixed projections. Some give an edge to the Bharatiya Janata Party, while others back the ruling All India Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee. West Bengal voted in two phases. Results will be announced on May 4. (PC: HT)

Rajnath Singh said India stopped Operation Sindoor on its own terms and was ready for a long war if needed. He spoke at a security summit while recalling the operation after the Pahalgam terror attack. He said, “We stopped it voluntarily… we were fully prepared for a long war.” He also said India did not fall for the “bluff” of a nuclear threat. Singh called Pakistan the “epicentre of international terrorism”. He said terrorism must be tackled at operational, ideological, and political levels. Operation Sindoor in 2025 targeted terror bases in Pakistan and PoJK. A ceasefire was agreed after four days of conflict. (PC: NDTV)

A poll of exit polls shows mixed trends across states. In Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is likely to return to power. In Kerala, the Congress-led United Democratic Front may come back after 10 years.   In Assam, the National Democratic Alliance is set to retain power. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is expected to return.   West Bengal remains the closest contest. Some polls give an edge to the BJP, while others back the ruling All India Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee.   Final results will be declared on May 4. (PC: India Today)

The United States has returned 657 stolen artefacts worth about $14 million to India after a long probe into smuggling networks. The handover was announced by Alvin L Bragg Jr in New York. He said, “The scale of the trafficking networks… is massive.” The items were linked to networks run by Subhash Kapoor and Nancy Wiener. The artefacts were stolen from temples and sites, then sold abroad using fake records. Key items include a bronze Avalokiteshvara and a sandstone Buddha statue. Officials said more efforts are ongoing to recover and return stolen cultural objects. (PC: NDTV)

An African student at Aligarh Muslim University impressed the audience with a Hindi speech inspired by the film 3 Idiots. Ayyubi, a second-year B.Tech student, performed at a cultural event at Nadeem Tareen Hall. His act followed the style of Chatur Ramalingam, played by Omi Vaidya. He spoke about hostel life and summer heat. “Aajkal bohat garmi hai… main sabko AC dunga,” he said, drawing laughter. The speech was prepared with help from friends. The video of the performance has since gone viral online and received wide praise.

Jonathan Hall, the UK government’s terrorism adviser, said attacks on Jewish people are “the biggest national security emergency” in almost a decade. He spoke after a stabbing in Golders Green, north London, which police have called a terrorist incident. Two Jewish men, Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were injured. Both are in stable condition. Ephraim Mirvis said the attack shows that “if you are visibly Jewish, you're not safe”. Police arrested a 45-year-old British man on suspicion of attempted murder. Officers are also probing another incident linked to the same suspect. (PC: BBC)

Nagaland equestrian athlete Kekhriesilie Rio won the Grand Prix at Haras de Liverdy in France while riding Presley OL. The win came in an international showjumping event and marks a key moment for Indian equestrian sport. Abu Metha called it a “remarkable moment” for Indian showjumping. He said Rio’s success shows how young athletes can reach top levels with the right support. Rio has shown steady progress over the years. He won a junior national title in 2018 and finished second in an Asian event in 2019. He has also ranked No. 1 in Asia in a global competition. (PC: X)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he may raise the issue of the Koh-i-Noor diamond with King Charles III during his visit to the city.   Speaking before a 9/11 memorial event, Mamdani said, “If I were to speak to the king separately… I’d probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond.”   The diamond, kept in the Tower of London, has long been disputed. India has sought its return, citing colonial history. (PC: X)

Exit polls show a weak outlook for the Left in Kerala and West Bengal. In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front may lose power after two terms. Polls suggest the Congress-led UDF could return with a clear lead. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan still remains a popular face, but anti-incumbency is seen as a key factor. In West Bengal, the Left Front may win very few seats. The contest is mainly between the TMC and BJP. Analysts say voters are choosing between the two main parties, leaving little space for the Left. Exit polls may change. (PC: X)

Iran has said it will soon unveil a new weapon as talks with the United States remain stalled. Navy commander Shahram Irani said the weapon is “right next to them” and warned, “I hope they won’t have a heart attack.” The remarks came after Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposal. Iranian officials claimed their forces carried out multiple strikes on US and Israeli targets. They said expectations of a quick victory had become “a joke.” Iran also accused the US of increasing its military presence. (PC: India Today)