Fresh rainfall in Shimla on Tuesday brought welcome relief from the rising heat, improving the overall atmosphere for both residents and tourists. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued an orange alert for rain and hailstorms in Himachal Pradesh over the next 48 hours.

The sudden shift in weather has made Shimla especially appealing to visitors from the plains, where temperatures have been ranging between 40°C and 45°C. Tourists arriving from Punjab, Haryana, and other parts of northern India, as well as from southern states, were seen enjoying the cool and refreshing climate after the rain.

Visitors shared their experiences of the pleasant change. Taranjeet Singh from Punjab said he felt immediate relief from the heat after reaching Shimla, noting that it was raining as soon as they arrived and the weather felt much colder and enjoyable compared to Mohali’s extreme temperatures. Another tourist, Anmol from Punjab, described the hill station as peaceful and refreshing, while Gagandeep Singh highlighted how the post-rain chill made the trip more enjoyable compared to the harsh heat back home.

Tourists from southern India also appreciated the weather shift. Ritika from Bangalore said the cool climate felt like a huge relief after travelling through extremely hot cities like Delhi and Ambala, adding that Shimla’s natural weather made air conditioning unnecessary. Another visitor, Isheen, also from Bangalore, said the pleasant environment was a refreshing break after experiencing high temperatures in other cities.

Kuldeep Singh from Haryana added that the weather improved his travel experience significantly, noting that even without warm clothing, the post-rain chill felt enjoyable. With forecasts indicating more rain and possible hailstorms in the coming days, officials expect tourist numbers to remain strong as people continue to escape the heat and head towards the cooler Himalayan region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking on Monday, said that “Vande Mataram” played a central role in India’s freedom struggle and should now become a guiding principle for the reconstruction and development of Bengal in the 21st century. He assured people in West Bengal of development, employment opportunities, and improved security, stating that his government aims to transform the state into one of prosperity, peace, and happiness. Addressing a public gathering in Barrackpore, he said that “Vande Mataram” once inspired the fight against colonial rule and should now inspire Bengal’s revival and growth.

He added that his vision for the state includes turning “sujalam sufalam” into a policy direction, making “shasyashyamala” a foundation for employment generation, using “malayaja sheetala” as a symbol of peace and prosperity, and channeling the strength of Goddess Durga as a guarantee of justice and security for all citizens.

PM Modi also stated that under a BJP-led government, no citizen would face discrimination on the basis of caste or community. He promised strict action against illegal infiltrators while assuring that people from the Matua community would be granted citizenship benefits. He also criticized the TMC, alleging that it had failed to respect the mandate of voters, and urged people to support the BJP for establishing a “double-engine” government in the state.

Referring to the ongoing election process, he noted that the first phase of polling on April 23 witnessed a very high turnout of 92.35%, indicating strong voter participation despite tight security arrangements. He also mentioned that the second phase of voting is scheduled for April 29, while results are expected to be announced on May 4 along with other states.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Narendra Modi/Youtube.

After seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MPs joined the BJP, political tensions have escalated across a wide region, including Punjab, Delhi, Goa, and Gujarat. Senior BJP leaders claim the party achieved multiple strategic gains simultaneously. Attention is now focused on whether this split in AAP’s Rajya Sabha wing could trigger similar defections among its Lok Sabha MPs and MLAs in Punjab and Delhi. This concern has long troubled the AAP, which has repeatedly accused the BJP of attempting to weaken it through “Operation Lotus.”

The impact of these developments is expected to be significant, especially as the BJP aims to strengthen its position not only in Punjab but also ahead of upcoming elections in Gujarat and Goa. While much political focus was on West Bengal, the BJP is believed to have quietly executed its strategy in Delhi, which could have long-term consequences.

Sources suggest the BJP had been preparing this move within the AAP for some time. Leaders such as Swati Maliwal were reportedly in contact with BJP figures, while Raghav Chadha was also being closely observed due to signs of dissatisfaction with AAP leadership. However, internal dynamics, including rivalries within the party, influenced coordination among the MPs involved in the split.

Among those who switched sides, several were already under pressure or had shown ideological or political differences with the AAP leadership. Others maintained limited political engagement or expressed views closer to the BJP on certain issues. One key strategic advantage for the BJP is believed to be access to influential figures within AAP’s organisational structure, particularly in Punjab.

The BJP’s reported plan is to leverage these connections to weaken AAP’s base in Punjab ahead of the 2027 state elections. Although a formal legislative split would require a large number of MLAs, analysts do not rule out the possibility of defections closer to the elections. A similar situation is being monitored in Delhi as well.

In Punjab, where the BJP currently has a limited presence, the party aims to expand its footprint independently, having ruled out an alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal. It plans to strengthen its outreach in both urban and rural regions while targeting AAP legislators for potential support.

The recent developments are also seen as a setback for AAP ahead of local body elections in Gujarat, where the party is attempting to expand its influence in key regions such as South Gujarat and Saurashtra. In Goa, too, AAP has been trying to consolidate its base in coastal and minority-dominated areas. The BJP’s gain in Rajya Sabha numbers is expected to strengthen its legislative position in the upper house, making it easier for the government to pass key bills. The move is being described by party leaders as a significant political advantage ahead of the next election cycle.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

In a major development, the Inter-State Cell (ISC) of the Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested a wanted accused in a blackmail and extortion case registered in Gurugram, Haryana. The accused, Rakesh Sharma, had been on the run for allegedly blackmailing a woman and extorting money using objectionable videos. He was arrested near the Patiala House Courts in New Delhi following specific intelligence inputs.

According to police, FIR No. 133/26 dated 21.03.2026 was registered at Police Station Palam Vihar, Gurugram, under Sections 308(2), 308(7), 351(3), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint filed by a woman from Palam Vihar. The complainant stated that she had attended yoga classes during the COVID period conducted by the accused, during which he developed close relations with her and later allegedly established physical relations. She further alleged that he also took financial help from her.

Police said the accused secretly recorded intimate videos and used them to blackmail her, initially extorting ₹3 lakh by promising to delete the content. Later, in March 2026, he again contacted her, shared the videos with her husband, and demanded an additional ₹15 lakh. On 21 March 2026, his wife, Nitu Sharma, was allegedly caught while collecting the money by Gurugram Police, though the main accused escaped at that time.

During interrogation, Sharma admitted that he still possessed copies of the videos and resumed extortion due to financial difficulties. Police also revealed that he has a criminal history, including involvement in a murder case in Sahibabad, Uttar Pradesh, and had spent around 8–9 years in judicial custody before being granted bail in 2018. The accused has been produced before the court of Ld. CJM, New Delhi, and further proceedings are ongoing.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Crime branch.

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.

In “Made in SG,” Melanie Oliveiro interviews author K. C. Vijayan about his biography The Benjamin Sheares Story: From Pioneering Gynaecologist to Singapore President. The book offers a vivid and humanising account of Benjamin Sheares, Singapore’s second President and a prominent figure in the Eurasian community, tracing his journey from working in busy maternity wards during the baby boom era to serving as President of Singapore from 1971 to 1981 at the Istana.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

A new AI system developed by NTU can forecast the rate at which food spoils, enabling supermarkets to reduce waste, enhance safety, and manage inventory more efficiently. The technology works by predicting bacterial growth in food. Could this signal the future of food retail? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss with Natalie Ong, CNA journalist, and Professor William Chen, Executive Director of FRESH@NTU, to explore the possibilities.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

This week, as the repercussions of the US-Israel conflict with Iran continue, Australians are feeling the pinch from a worsening fuel crisis. At the same time, the Liberal Party faces a critical moment as voters increasingly shift toward One Nation. In this edition of the Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, political editor Tom McIlroy talks with Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability, about Australia’s approach to the global fuel shock, the need for reindustrialisation, and his perspective on how the Liberal Party should respond to the rise of One Nation.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.