Times of India

Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly elections are poised for a significant youth impact, with over 1.22 crore voters aged 18-29 forming a crucial bloc. First-time voters cite empowerment and safety as key drivers. The emergence of actor Vijay's party, TVK, adds a new dynamic, potentially influencing results in closely contested seats and reshaping the state's political future.

Mobile users in Delhi-NCR may receive test alert messages. The government is trialing a new disaster alert system across India. This system uses advanced technology to send emergency warnings quickly. Users might get repeated messages in different languages. These are only test notifications, and no action is needed. The system is undergoing evaluation before its official launch.

West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has voiced strong concerns regarding the deployment of contractual workers for vote counting in two constituencies, deeming it a threat to democratic integrity.

President Trump described US naval actions enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports as "like pirates," highlighting the profitable seizure of ships and cargo. He also cited military action against Iran's nuclear program to protect the region and noted internal divisions within Iran's leadership complicating negotiations.

The Supreme Court of India dismissed TMC's plea against deployment of Central staff for West Bengal vote counting, recording the Election Commission of India’s assurance that its April 13 circular will be followed. It said rules were not violated and noted TMC agents would be present. The Calcutta High Court had earlier rejected the plea.

Ravichandran Ashwin has voiced concerns over Ravindra Jadeja's cautious batting against spin in T20s, noting a persistent struggle to accelerate. Jadeja's strike rate against spin has been low since 2020, leading to a more passive role, even when promoted ahead of others. Ashwin suggests Jadeja's mindset mirrors MS Dhoni's, preferring to take the game deep and target pacers.

Two First Information Reports have been lodged against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak in Punjab, following his recent switch from the Aam Aadmi Party to the BJP. While official details of the charges remain undisclosed, the registrations occurred shortly after his defection, amidst escalating political realignments in the state. Further information is anticipated.

Israel has reportedly sent its advanced 'Iron Beam' laser defence system and surveillance tech to the UAE to counter Iranian threats, marking a significant defence cooperation step. This deployment, alongside US military sales to regional allies, underscores escalating tensions and a bolstered regional security posture amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

Construction workers near Bargi Dam bravely plunged into choppy waters, risking their lives to rescue over a dozen tourists when a cruise vessel capsized. Without safety gear, these unheralded heroes formed human chains and used ropes, saving many before professional rescuers arrived. Their selfless courage earned them state government recognition and rewards.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's 'missing link,' a significant infrastructure upgrade costing Rs 7,000 crore. He drove a G-Wagen during the event, which he hailed as an 'economic multiplier.' While the project promises enhanced connectivity, the inauguration on Maharashtra Day led to considerable traffic congestion, for which Fadnavis later apologized.

Delhi Capitals bowler Kyle Jamieson received a demerit point and an official warning for a Level 1 IPL Code of Conduct breach. The incident occurred after dismissing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with Jamieson's aggressive send-off deemed provocative. This occurred during Delhi's successful seven-wicket chase against Rajasthan Royals.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon cautioned that the booming private credit market faces significant challenges when the next credit cycle hits, citing the sector's size and uneven standards. He also highlighted cybersecurity risks, geopolitical instability, and potential inflationary pressures as key concerns for the global economy.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed his morning habits. He wakes early, reads news, and enjoys a vegetarian breakfast. Pichai is particular about his tea, describing it as very English. He exercises later in the day. Pichai also shared his favorite Indian dishes from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. He enjoys Dosa, Chola Bhatura, and Pav Bhaji respectively.

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is impressed by AI's rapid advancement, noting tools like Anthropic's Claude are transforming software development. He predicts companies will reallocate resources from engineering to distribution as AI automates coding, with over two-thirds of new code at Snap now written by AI systems.

Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' continues its steady box office run, grossing over Rs 1785 crore globally after 44 days. Despite facing new competition, including Riteish Deshmukh's 'Raja Shivaji' which took the lead on Friday, 'Dhurandhar 2' added Rs 1.05 crore on its 7th Friday, bringing its India net collection to Rs 1,136.14 crore.

Candace Owens is facing a potential lawsuit threat from Laura Loomer after refusing to retract claims involving Erika Kirk and the 2025 killing of Charlie Kirk. Owens insists she stands by her statements, while Loomer warned legal action is imminent. The dispute has intensified with a separate lawsuit filed by Brian Harpole, escalating tensions.

MS Dhoni's return to IPL 2026 is imminent as he makes steady progress from a calf injury, according to CSK batting coach Michael Hussey. Dhoni is focusing on regaining full running fitness, with the final decision on his availability resting with him. He has deliberately stayed away from the dugout to avoid distracting the team.

KL Rahul downplayed his personal milestone of surpassing MS Dhoni on the IPL all-time run-scorers list, emphasizing team success and trophies as his ultimate goal. Despite individual achievements, Rahul stated his primary focus remains on winning the IPL, aiming to match Dhoni's five championship titles.

A Bangladeshi MP warns of a potential Muslim refugee influx from India, citing regional conspiracies possibly linked to recent elections in Assam and West Bengal. He drew parallels to Rohingya arrivals and cited remarks about expelling illegal Bangladeshis. Concerns were also raised about ongoing border killings and potential "push-in" situations, suggesting an emerging crisis.