At least seven people, including a child, were killed and several others injured after a compound wall at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Bengaluru collapsed during heavy rains and thunderstorms. Most victims were street vendors who had taken shelter near the wall when it gave way. Siddaramaiah visited the site, announced ₹5 lakh compensation for victims’ families, and ordered an investigation into possible negligence. The incident has sparked concerns over infrastructure safety and maintenance amid extreme weather conditions in the city. (PC: DH)

The Supreme Court of India has sharply criticised the Centre over its stance in a case involving termination of a minor’s pregnancy, stressing that a citizen’s reproductive choice must be respected. During the hearing, the court questioned arguments opposing the procedure, highlighting the physical, emotional, and long-term impact on the teenager. It reiterated that forcing a minor to continue an unwanted pregnancy could violate fundamental rights, including dignity and personal liberty. The case has intensified the legal and ethical debate around abortion laws, especially concerning late-term pregnancies and minors’ autonomy in India. (PC: NDTV)

The AIADMK has initiated discussions with actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam following exit polls indicating a strong debut for the new party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026. The move signals a potential post-poll alliance strategy as TVK emerges as a significant political force. Exit polls suggest Vijay is a leading choice for Chief Minister, drawing notable support, especially among youth and diverse voter groups. DMK still appears ahead overall, but shifting dynamics have opened possibilities for coalition politics ahead of results on May 4. (PC: India Today)

A US congressional hearing saw a sharp exchange over Donald Trump. Democratic lawmaker Sara Jacobs asked if the president is “mentally stable enough to be the commander in chief”.   She referred to recent social media posts, including a deleted AI image.   US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected the question. He asked if similar concerns were raised about Joe Biden. He said he would not engage with “disparagement” of the president.   Jacobs replied that Biden “was not our nominee” in the 2024 election. The exchange took place during a defence hearing. (PC: BBC)

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)