Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi on Monday evening, as early election trends indicate strong gains for the party in West Bengal and Assam. According to BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni, the Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive at the party office at 6 PM, as shared in a post on X.
In West Bengal, the BJP has crossed the majority mark, marking a major setback for Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee, who was aiming for a fourth consecutive term in power. Election Commission trends show the BJP leading with 156 seats, while the TMC is trailing with 86 seats. The BJP’s ally BGPM is ahead in one seat, indicating a significant political shift in the state’s landscape.
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, expressed confidence that the party would secure more than 180 seats. He criticized the TMC’s performance and claimed strong consolidation of Hindu votes in favor of Prime Minister Modi. He also highlighted BJP’s strong performance in Hindu-majority regions, while noting that the TMC maintained influence in districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, and North Dinajpur, where Congress has also shown presence.
In Assam, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is leading decisively, ahead in 87 constituencies, with the BJP itself leading in 71 seats. The Congress remains far behind with 21 seats. NDA allies Bodoland People’s Front and Asom Gana Parishad are ahead in 9 and 7 seats respectively, strengthening the coalition’s position in the state. In Puducherry, Chief Minister N Rangasamy is leading from the Thattanchavady constituency by over 4,300 votes. Early trends from the Election Commission suggest that the NDA is on course to form the government, leading in 11 out of 30 assembly seats.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
A delegation of the Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Joint Front, headed by its president Atma Ram, met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday to present their various demands and submitted a formal charter during the meeting. Responding to them, the Chief Minister said that despite financial challenges and the discontinuation of RDG, the state government has implemented several welfare measures for employees and pensioners over the past three and a half years. He pointed out that the government reinstated the Old Pension Scheme for 1.36 lakh employees in its first Cabinet meeting, although the Union Government has withheld ₹1,600 crore in financial support meant for its implementation.
Sukhu also mentioned that arrears resulting from pay revision have been fully released for pensioners above 70 years of age. In addition, he said all pending gratuity and leave encashment payments for Class-IV employees who retired between January 1, 2016, and January 31, 2022, have been cleared. The meeting was attended by Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, and representatives of the Pensioners Front.
In a separate development, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Vinay Kumar said on May 1 that the party will conduct training programmes for office-bearers at different levels across the state to strengthen organisational capabilities and improve workers’ understanding of party ideology and policies. He added that the initiative will also focus on modern communication methods, including social media outreach, and will implement suggestions made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a recent training session for district presidents.
Describing the programme as a significant step, he said it aims to strengthen the party at the grassroots level and energise workers with renewed commitment. He also thanked party leaders and workers from Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir for the successful organisation of the large-scale training event, calling it a reflection of the party’s discipline and dedication.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Godrej Properties Ltd announced on Monday a series of board decisions taken at its meeting held earlier in the day, including a dividend recommendation and key changes in its board composition. The Board has recommended a dividend of Rs 10 per equity share, representing 200 percent on the face value of Rs 5 each, for the financial year ended March 31, 2026. The proposal is subject to shareholder approval at the 41st Annual General Meeting scheduled for August 4, 2026. The company has fixed July 28, 2026 as the record date to determine eligible shareholders. If approved, the dividend will be paid before September 3, 2026.
In a significant board update, the company noted the retirement of Nadir Godrej from the Board. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the Board acknowledged his resignation letter confirming his decision to step down as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director effective at the conclusion of the AGM. He stated he would turn 75 in August 2026 and expressed confidence in the company’s leadership to continue creating long term value.
The Board placed on record its appreciation for his guidance, strategic direction, and contribution during his tenure. The Board approved an enabling resolution to raise up to Rs 3000 crore through non convertible debentures, bonds, or other debt securities on a private placement basis in multiple tranches. A committee has been authorized to decide the timing, amount, and terms of the issuance.
These decisions reflect the company’s continued focus on rewarding shareholders while strengthening its financial flexibility for future growth opportunities. The management reiterated its commitment to sustainable expansion and disciplined capital allocation across its real estate portfolio aiming to enhance long term shareholder value creation.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
A trial beginning Monday in New Mexico will examine allegations that Meta’s platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—have negatively affected the mental health of young users. The case also seeks a court order that could require significant changes to how the company operates its services.
The hearing, taking place in Santa Fe, follows a lawsuit brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez. The complaint argues that Meta intentionally designed its platforms to keep young people engaged in an addictive way and failed to adequately protect minors from risks such as sexual exploitation online.
This trial represents the second stage of the legal action. Earlier in March, a jury ruled that Meta violated the state’s consumer protection laws by misleading users about the safety of Facebook and Instagram for children and teenagers. That ruling also resulted in $375 million in damages against the company.
Now, the court will consider whether Meta’s platforms qualify as a “public nuisance” under state law. If the judge agrees, it could open the door to sweeping remedies aimed at reducing potential harm to young users. State officials are reportedly seeking additional damages in the billions, along with platform-level reforms. Proposed changes include stronger age verification systems, adjustments to recommendation algorithms to reduce harmful content exposure for minors, and disabling features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling for younger users.
Meta, however, maintains that it has already implemented strong safeguards for teens. The company disputes the claims and argues there is no conclusive scientific proof linking social media use directly to mental health disorders. It also suggests that some of the proposed restrictions may be impractical and could even lead to service disruptions in the state. The case is part of a broader wave of lawsuits across the United States accusing Meta and other tech companies of intentionally designing platforms that encourage excessive use among teenagers, contributing to concerns about youth mental health.
Meta has also cautioned investors that increasing legal pressure in both the U.S. and Europe could have a significant impact on its business performance and financial outlook. Attorney General Torrez has stated that the goal of the case is not only to hold the company accountable in New Mexico but also to establish broader standards for how social media platforms should protect young users in the future. Meta argues that focusing on a single platform overlooks the wider ecosystem of apps used by teenagers today and has warned that the requested changes could be difficult to implement at scale.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
India’s $1.2 billion deal to buy 300 Russian R-37M missiles will boost its Su-30MKI fighter fleet, strengthening air combat capability against China and Pakistan. The R-37M is a long-range air-to-air missile that can strike targets up to 300–400 km away at speeds over Mach 6, mainly aimed at high-value aircraft like AWACS and refuelling tankers. The move is part of India’s wider military modernisation effort and is seen as a counter to advanced Chinese and Pakistani air weapons systems, while also supporting ongoing upgrades to India’s fighter fleet.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Today.
A 31-year-old man has been accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump following a foiled plot linked to Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Soon after the incident, false claims began circulating online suggesting the attempt was staged. This week, Jonathan Freedland discusses the rise of such conspiracy theories surrounding the US president with journalist Rachel Leingang.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In Destination Anywhere Melanie Oliveiro talks with Kimberly Lynn a travel content creator known as wholistictraveler on Instagram and TikTok. Lynn shares her experiences traveling through Egypt including visits to its oases sand dunes and salt lakes.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Justin McCurry reports on Japan’s prime minister known for her interest in heavy metal music and her proposal to revise the nation’s pacifist constitution. His coverage highlights political and cultural dimensions of her leadership and the broader debate over Japan’s defense policies and constitutional reform efforts in modern times and its implications for regional security and international relations today globally.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Donald Trump and the White House administration responded strongly, accusing the media and the Democratic Party of contributing to rising political violence. Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy explore the origins of the deep political divide between Democrats and Republicans in the United States. At the same time, Usha Vance has started a new podcast, raising questions about her motives, while King Charles’s upcoming visit to the White House is expected to shed light on Donald Trump’s relationship with the British monarchy.
Disclaimer: This video is taken from The Guardian.
