Stories from India

High temperatures in Rajasthan have significantly impacted visitor experiences and local wildlife at an elephant village sanctuary in Jaipur. Staff members are using water hoses to cool elephants and providing watermelon to mitigate heat stress. According to the India Meteorological Department, temperatures in several Indian cities have risen more than 5 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms for April. A heatwave warning is issued when temperatures are 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius above normal, while a severe heatwave warning is triggered at 6.5 degrees Celsius or higher. Temperatures in several Indian cities are reportedly more than 5 degrees Celsius higher than the same period last year. High temperatures have significantly reduced tourist numbers at the Taj Mahal. In Tamil Nadu, keepers at the Mayiladuthurai and Rameshwaram temples are cooling elephants in ponds.

The Andhra Pradesh government announced a budget outlay of Rs 3.32 lakh crore for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The plan said fiscal discipline and capital growth.

The Melinda Music Foundation has been established in Mumbai to support young classical music talent. The initiative aims to honor the legacy of a local figure through musical education.

Listed companies in India reported a 14.7 percent increase in net profit for Q3 FY26. This increase occurs despite a blockade on the Gulf that continues to disrupt global supply chains. India remains heavily dependent on imported fertilizers. The rise is a knock-on effect of the recent war on Iran. The government aims to reduce the price farmers pay for key nutrients for soil and crops to keep farming viable and food prices stable. Annual fertilizer subsidies in India have risen by nearly 20 percent. Analysts noted that while the 20% subsidy increase is, benefits to farmers depend on price controls and availability, as companies currently fix prices. The commentator suggested companies might capture the subsidies instead of the intended recipients. The second leg of the subsidy implementation is scheduled for next Wednesday.

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition from a private school in Lucknow. The school had reportedly refused admission to a student under the Right to Education Act.

An Indian aviation federation has warned that the country's aviation industry is on the verge of halting operations. The warning follows a 6% increase in food prices and rising crude oil costs.

The State Election Commission in Gujarat has announced that voting for local body elections will take place on April 26, 2026. The announcement follows discussions regarding the integrity of election results and the need for readable formats.

The Sensex index dropped over 100 points during trading, while the Nifty 50 fell below the 25,800 level. Indian stock markets and brokerage shares declined following the central bank's decision to tighten lending regulations. The market reaction followed new rules implemented by the central bank.

The vessel Mubarak turned off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) in late March. The ship began transmitting signals again on April 28 while off the coast of India. Experts suggest the vessel may have passed Ebiens Homus on April 18 and 19.

India's fourth S400 missile defense system is scheduled to arrive in mid-May via Russian shipping. The unit is expected to be deployed in the Rajasthan region.