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)

A tigress and her four cubs have died within nine days at Kanha Tiger Reserve, officials said. The deaths began on April 21 when one cub was found dead. Two more cubs were found on April 24 and April 25. All were around one year old. Forest staff first suspected starvation. Later, they said a lung infection was likely the cause. The tigress, known as T-141, and her last cub were found sick. Both were moved to a quarantine centre for treatment. Officials said they died due to “severe respiratory distress.” Further checks are underway. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Axis My India exit poll suggests major shifts in key states. In Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay and his party TVK may win 98–120 seats, close to the majority mark. The ruling DMK may get 92–110 seats. In Assam, the NDA is projected to win 88–100 seats, giving Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma another term. The poll also shows NDA leading in Puducherry. Exit polls are only estimates and may differ from final results. (PC: X)

The US Central Command has prepared a plan for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, according to reports. The plan aims to break the deadlock in talks and push Iran towards a deal. Donald Trump said he will continue a naval blockade instead of immediate strikes. He called the blockade more effective, saying Iran is “choking like a stuffed pig.” Reports say possible strikes may target key infrastructure. Iran has warned of “unprecedented action” if pressure continues. Talks remain stalled with no clear progress. (PC: HT)

Police in London have declared a terrorist incident after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green. The victims, aged 34 and 76, are in stable condition. The Metropolitan Police arrested a 45-year-old British man born in Somalia on suspicion of attempted murder. Officers used a Taser after he tried to attack them. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it an “antisemitic attack” and said such acts target the whole country. Police said the suspect had a history of violence. Counter-terrorism officials are leading the investigation. (PC: BBC)

Exit polls have given the BJP a slight edge in West Bengal, but ground mood points to a tighter contest. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s personal appeal and the “Bangla Asmita” factor remain strong. “Bangla Asmita” means pride in Bengali identity, culture, and language. Many voters still see her as a key Bengali voice. This may limit the BJP’s gains despite anti-incumbency. The BJP has pushed hard on issues like governance and corruption. However, local feedback shows mixed views. Some voters support change, while others remain cautious. Final results on May 4 will decide the outcome. (PC: India Today)

Exit polls for Puducherry show the NDA leading but not by a large margin. Most surveys suggest the alliance may cross the majority mark of 16 seats in the 30-member Assembly. Axis My India has projected 16–20 seats for the NDA, while others also give it an edge. The SPA alliance is expected to follow behind, with a smaller seat share. Several constituencies are seen as closely fought. These tight races could decide the final result. Exit polls give early trends, but the actual outcome will be clear only after counting day. (PC: X)

The Axis My India exit poll has projected a strong win for the NDA in Assam. It suggests the alliance may get 88 to 100 seats in the 126-member Assembly. The BJP alone is likely to win 70 to 80 seats. Allies AGP and BPF are expected to add more seats. The Congress-led alliance may be limited to 24 to 36 seats. The poll indicates that key campaign issues helped the ruling side. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led the campaign. Final results on May 4 will confirm if the NDA secures another term. (PC: NDTV)