Times of India

Bengaluru experienced severe disruption as heavy rains flooded streets, metro stations, and even the Vidhana Soudha. Thousands of books were destroyed at the iconic Bookworm store, with a significant financial loss. Uprooted trees caused internet outages and traffic snarls, with over 170 trees falling across the city. One woman was injured by a falling tree.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday flagged off the 20-coach Vande Bharat Express connecting Jammu and Srinagar, marking the first direct rail link between the two capitals of Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has been fined 25% of his match fee and received a demerit point for breaching IPL conduct rules. The incident, captured on live broadcast, involved Parag vaping in the dressing room during a match.

In a remarkable cinematic journey, Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar 2' is swiftly approaching the monumental box office figures of 'Baahubali 2,' securing its spot as the top-grossing film of the year. After spending six weeks captivating audiences worldwide, it has amassed a staggering Rs 1,782.15 crore, now ranking as the third highest-grossing Indian film of all time. Read on to know more in detail.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge downplayed the Karnataka chief ministerial tussle between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, stating the party will resolve the "confusion soon." This comes amid speculation fueled by a reported power-sharing agreement and a statement from Home Minister G Parameshwara suggesting Kharge could be a suitable CM.

Iran's Navy commander warns of a new, feared weapon soon to be unveiled, amid escalating US-Israel tensions. He claims Iranian forces conducted missile strikes on a US aircraft carrier and launched numerous reprisal attacks, while tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz. The commander also accused US forces of piracy and hostage-taking.

A food delivery agent tragically died after falling from the Dabri flyover in Delhi. His scooter was reportedly struck by a car, whose driver fled the scene. The victim, identified as Rajkumar, sustained severe injuries and was declared dead at a hospital. Police are investigating the incident and searching for the absconding driver.

Based on current estimates, the largest strategic crude reserves at the end of December 2025 were held by China, which significantly expanded its holdings during 2025.

Mumbai Indians' IPL 2026 playoff hopes are in dire straits after a six-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite a stellar 123* from Ryan Rickelton, MI's bowling woes persist, leaving them with a daunting task of winning nearly all remaining matches. Their poor net run rate further complicates qualification, demanding dominant victories. With 2 wins in 8 games (4 points) and a NRR of -0.784, they are far from the pack.

The Press Information Bureau's Fact Check unit has debunked viral claims of a significant hike in petrol and diesel prices, stating no such order has been issued. A senior government official confirmed there's no current proposal to increase retail fuel prices, reassuring consumers amidst global oil market volatility. Fuel prices in major cities remain unchanged.

India's Navy and DRDO successfully tested the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range from a Sea King helicopter off Odisha. The salvo firing demonstrated the missile's ability to strike a ship's vulnerable waterline, with two missiles launched in quick succession. This advanced 'fire-and-forget' weapon, featuring a 100 kg warhead and 55 km range, promises enhanced naval defense capabilities.

US President Donald Trump shared a modified map renaming the Strait of Hormuz as the "Strait of Trump," following claims that a naval blockade against Iran could last for months. This development occurs as Iran rejects US claims about economic damage and criticizes the blockade strategy, with its parliament speaker calling the advice "junk."

The Supreme Court urged the Centre to consider amending laws to allow rape survivors to terminate pregnancies beyond 20 weeks, emphasizing no time limit in such cases. The bench highlighted the lifelong trauma for a child survivor and the need for the decision to rest with the survivor and her parents, with AIIMS offering counsel.

SpiceJet flights from Mumbai experienced significant disruptions, with multiple flights to Bangalore, Delhi, and Ahmedabad facing lengthy delays and cancellations. Passengers endured sleepless nights at the airport due to these issues. This follows a trend of poor on-time performance for SpiceJet, which recorded the lowest OTP among Indian carriers in March.

The sell-off was widespread, extending beyond large-cap stocks to the broader market. The Nifty Smallcap 100 index was down 0.5%, while the Nifty Midcap 100 index fell more than 1%.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh stated India voluntarily halted Operation Sindoor on its own terms, asserting readiness for a prolonged conflict with Pakistan, which he labeled the "epicentre of International Terrorism." He emphasised India's "zero tolerance" for terrorism and its sponsors, highlighting the nation's robust military capabilities and resolve against nuclear threats.

A poultry farm owner in Sultanpur district claims 140 chickens died after a wedding procession played loud DJ music. The incident occurred on April 25, 2026, near his farm in Dariyapur village. The owner alleges the intense noise caused panic and death among the birds. Police have filed an FIR against the DJ operator.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will meet President Murmu on May 5 to "safeguard the mandate of the people" following the defection of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs to the BJP. Mann, accompanied by party MLAs, will press for the "recall" of the MPs, though legal provisions for such a recall are absent.