Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 state-run Tasmac liquor shops located near schools, colleges, places of worship and bus stands. The shops are within 500 metres of these sensitive areas and must be shut within two weeks. The decision is Vijay’s first major policy move after taking oath as Chief Minister. The state has 4,765 Tasmac outlets in total. The government said the step aims to improve public safety and reduce easy access to alcohol. Political leaders, including Kamal Haasan, welcomed the decision and called it an important social reform measure. (PC: PTI)

2 suspected Bangladeshi smugglers were killed in firing by the Border Security Force (BSF) near the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura’s Sepahijala district. The incident took place during a routine night patrol. BSF said a group of suspected smugglers was trying to take goods into Bangladesh. The jawans warned them to stop, but the group allegedly threw stones and bricks. The BSF then fired a few rounds in self-defence. Two men were injured and later died in hospital. They were identified as Nabir Hussain, 40, and Md Mursalin, 22. Their bodies were handed over to Bangladesh authorities after post-mortem examination. (PC: ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday renewed his appeal for austerity measures amid rising economic uncertainty linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis. Addressing an event in Vadodara, Gujarat, Modi urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, use public transport, adopt work-from-home practices and prioritise virtual meetings. He also asked people to postpone gold purchases and avoid unnecessary foreign travel and overseas weddings to reduce foreign exchange outflows. Highlighting disruptions in global supply chains and rising import costs, Modi called for stronger support to the “Vocal for Local” campaign and encouraged citizens to choose Indian-made products. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his appeal for fuel conservation amid the ongoing West Asia crisis and rising global energy concerns, urging citizens to adopt work-from-home practices, online classes and reduced non-essential consumption. A day after first calling for lower fuel usage, Modi again advised people to avoid unnecessary gold purchases and support “vocal for local” initiatives to reduce economic pressure and conserve foreign exchange reserves. His remarks come as fears grow over potential fuel price hikes and global supply disruptions linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The Prime Minister’s renewed appeal highlights the government’s push for energy conservation, economic resilience and reduced import dependence during the evolving international crisis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced criticism after urging Indians to save fuel, avoid foreign travel and delay gold purchases amid rising West Asia tensions and high crude oil prices. Hours after the appeal, videos of Modi holding roadshows with large convoys in Gujarat went viral, triggering social media mockery. “We have to save foreign exchange by any means,” Modi said during a BJP rally in Hyderabad. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the remarks “proofs of failure”. The controversy also unsettled markets, with the Sensex plunging over 1,300 points on Monday. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced six major decisions after chairing his first Cabinet meeting at Nabanna following the BJP’s historic election victory. Adhikari said his government would transfer 600 acres to the BSF for Bangladesh border fencing within 45 days, begin pending census operations, implement Ayushman Bharat and enforce the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in the state. He also announced age relaxation for job aspirants and restored inter-state training for IAS and IPS officers. “We will work for all,” Adhikari said, adding that the government’s priority would be “safety, peace and transparent governance” in West Bengal. (PC: X)

Amid a global oil shock caused by the Middle East conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to conserve fuel, revive work-from-home practices, avoid foreign travel and pause gold purchases for weddings for one year to save foreign exchange. He also appealed for reduced edible oil use and lower dependence on imported chemical fertilisers through natural farming. Crude prices have surged from nearly USD 70 to USD 126 per barrel, raising fears of fuel price hikes in India before May 15. Oil companies reportedly face monthly losses of Rs 30,000 crore while India increases LPG production and diversifies crude imports amid mounting economic pressure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to conserve fuel, avoid unnecessary foreign travel, and reduce imports amid rising global energy prices linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict. Speaking in Hyderabad, Modi advised people to use petrol, diesel, and cooking gas “with great restraint” and encouraged greater use of public transport, carpooling, electric vehicles, and work-from-home practices. He also appealed to citizens to postpone overseas vacations and reduce non-essential gold purchases to help protect India’s foreign exchange reserves. Modi said collective public participation and responsible consumption are crucial to reducing the economic impact of global instability on India’s economy. (PC: The Hindu)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption and avoid buying gold for weddings for one year as India faces pressure from the global oil crisis triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict. Speaking in Secunderabad, Modi suggested reviving work-from-home practices, online meetings and virtual conferences to save petrol and diesel. He said excessive gold imports also strain India’s foreign exchange reserves during economic uncertainty. The Prime Minister described fuel conservation as a national responsibility and warned that global supply disruptions and rising crude prices could impact India’s economy if the crisis continues. (PC: India Today)

Several Naga civil society organisations in Manipur have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for direct intervention against alleged armed Kuki groups, accusing them of aiding “external aggression” and destabilising hill districts. The bodies claimed militant activities near the India-Myanmar border were threatening indigenous Naga communities and worsening ethnic tensions in the conflict-hit state. They demanded stricter enforcement against armed groups, better border security, and protection for civilians. The appeal also raised concerns over alleged bias and operational gaps in security measures. The developments highlight continuing unrest in Manipur, where ethnic violence and political instability have persisted since 2023. (PC: ANI)