Stories from India

India's economic activity saw an acceleration in April despite supply constraints for crude oil and gas caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A flash survey conducted by HSBC Holdings Plc confirmed this trend on Thursday. The growth suggests resilience in the Indian market despite regional geopolitical volatility. Gross-central Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in April exceeded 52,000 crore rupees. State GST collection amounted to more than 61,300 crore rupees. The gross-integrated GST (iGST) collection reached 1,29,232 crore rupees. Additionally, prices for 19 kg commercial LPG cylinders have increased, according to the report.

A legal case has been filed against TVK leader Vijay regarding alleged election code violations in Tamil Nadu. This follows demands from the KPCC to ban pre-poll surveys for the Kerala 2026 elections.

A legal case regarding election code violations has been filed against Vijay, the leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party. This development follows recent political tensions and scrutiny over electoral processes. The filing follows discussions regarding early voting procedures and electoral regulations. The incident occurred during political activities in Tamil Nadu. The action follows demands from the KPCC to ban pre-poll surveys for the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections.

The Rajasthan High Court has issued a contempt notice regarding delays in Panchayat and Municipality elections. The court has mandated a response within four weeks to address the scheduling issues.

A judge at the Delhi High Court has recused himself from hearing a contempt petition filed against Arvind Kejriwal. The case involves the circulation of court videos and legal proceedings regarding the former Delhi Chief Minister. This development adds a new layer of legal complexity to the ongoing political scrutiny in India. The hearing will address a lower court's order to acquit Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and three others.

The High Court has issued a contempt notice regarding delays in Panchayat and Municipality elections in Rajasthan. The court has demanded a response within four weeks to address the scheduling issues.

A returning officer in Tirupattur replaced the election flying squad team after they were discovered sleeping while on duty. This incident highlights potential lapses in election security and oversight during the local process. The incident occurred during active election monitoring operations.

Voting for the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and the first phase of polling in West Bengal concluded this evening. The electoral process covers multiple regions across both states, including northern, eastern, southern, and western districts. This marks a significant step in the regional political cycle for these Indian states. This phase covers 109 seats across seven districts. Polling is scheduled to start at 7:00 AM, according to local reports. All preparations for the voting process have been completed.

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a heatwave forecast for several northern states, including Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab. The extreme weather conditions are expected to impact the quality of life for millions of residents in the region. Authorities are monitoring the situation as temperatures are projected to rise significantly. The weather forecast for the waters of DKI Jakarta and North West Java, valid from April 26, 2006, predicts calm sea conditions with wave heights of 0.1 to 0.5 meters in Jakarta Bay, Subang, and Indramayu. Low wave conditions of 0.5 to 1.25 meters are expected in the Thousand Islands and Cirebon. Coastal tide information for Jakarta is also provided. India's meteorological department has issued a yellow high-temperature warning to surrounding areas, advising tourists to avoid outdoor activities during peak heat.

The High Court has issued a contempt notice regarding delays in Panchayat and Municipality elections in Rajasthan. The court has demanded a response within four weeks regarding the regulatory procedures for early voting and result determination. This follows legal scrutiny over the scheduling of local government polls.