Chandranath Rath, a former Indian Air Force veteran who later worked as a close aide to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was killed after being attacked by unidentified assailants in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, police confirmed on Wednesday. According to preliminary information, Rath was travelling when he was allegedly targeted. The attackers struck suddenly, leaving him critically injured. He was immediately rushed for medical treatment, but doctors declared him dead on arrival or shortly after, officials said. The exact sequence of events is still being verified as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police have launched a detailed probe into the incident and are examining multiple angles, including personal enmity and possible political links. No arrests have been made so far, and investigators are working to identify the assailants using local intelligence inputs and CCTV footage from nearby areas.

Chandranath Rath had a background in the Indian Air Force, where he served for several years before retiring. Known among acquaintances for his disciplined and structured approach, he later transitioned into political work in West Bengal. Over time, he became associated with Suvendu Adhikari’s political team and was considered part of his inner circle of aides.

While Rath was not a frontline political leader or public spokesperson, he was reportedly engaged in behind-the-scenes coordination work, including organisational support and logistical assistance. His military background was often cited as a reason for his disciplined handling of responsibilities within the team. The killing has triggered concern in political circles across the state, with leaders expressing worry over the deteriorating law and order situation. Opposition and ruling party voices are expected to intensify debate over the incident in the coming days.

Security has been increased in the area as police continue their investigation. Officials have assured that all possible leads are being followed and that those responsible will be brought to justice. As the probe continues, Rath’s death has left a void within his political circle and raised fresh questions about safety and targeted violence in the region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.

Tamil Nadu Congress President K. Selvaperunthagai and state in-charge Girish Chodankar met TVK chief Vijay at the TVK headquarters in Chennai on Wednesday, officially confirming their support for the newly formed party in its bid to form the next government in Tamil Nadu. With Congress holding five seats and TVK securing 108 seats, the combined strength of the alliance has reached 113 seats, still falling short of the 118-seat majority by five seats. To overcome this gap, TVK has reportedly reached out to AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, whose party has won 47 seats in the assembly election. If AIADMK joins the arrangement, it would comfortably push the alliance beyond the halfway mark.

The Congress party had formally announced its full backing for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and its leader Vijay, marking a significant political shift as it distanced itself from its long-standing ally DMK in the state’s power contest. In its debut electoral performance, TVK, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, delivered a strong showing, outperforming expectations and challenging the dominance of established Dravidian parties like DMK and AIADMK. The result has been widely seen as a major disruption in Tamil Nadu politics.

A formal letter signed by Tamil Nadu Congress in-charge Girish Chodankar stated that the electorate had delivered a “clear, strong and overwhelming” mandate in favour of TVK under Vijay’s leadership. It further noted that both the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party had resolved to extend complete support to TVK in forming the government.

The decision has sparked criticism from DMK leaders. Senior DMK figure Saravanan Annadurai described Congress’s move as “short-sighted and myopic,” accusing the party of betraying INDIA alliance partners. He warned that such a shift could damage Congress’s credibility nationally, arguing that it sends a message of instability and unreliability in coalition politics. He also suggested that Congress may regret the decision in the long run, especially ahead of future national elections. The evolving political realignment has added fresh uncertainty to Tamil Nadu’s post-election scenario, with negotiations still ongoing and alliance equations yet to be fully settled.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from TVK.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India’s strong and longstanding partnership with the United Arab Emirates, extending full support to the Gulf nation following an attack on civilian infrastructure in Fujairah, where three Indian nationals were injured. The strikes hit Fujairah, a key global energy and shipping hub on the UAE’s eastern coast that serves as an alternative route for oil exports bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. In a message on X, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the incident, stating that he strongly condemns the attack that injured three Indians and emphasized that targeting civilians and infrastructure is unacceptable.

He further stressed that India stands in complete solidarity with the UAE and continues to support resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. Highlighting the importance of regional stability, he noted that safe and uninterrupted maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz is essential for global energy security and peace.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs also condemned the attack, calling for an immediate end to violence against civilians and reaffirming India’s commitment to peaceful diplomatic solutions in West Asia. It urged protection of free and lawful maritime trade in line with international law and said India is ready to assist efforts toward restoring peace and stability in the region.

The Indian Embassy in the UAE confirmed that three Indian nationals were injured in the incident in Fujairah and said it is coordinating with local authorities to ensure they receive proper medical care and support. Reports indicate the injuries occurred during a fire triggered in the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone following the strikes.

The UAE strongly condemned what it described as renewed unprovoked attacks, blaming Iranian missile and drone activity and calling it a serious violation of international law and a threat to its sovereignty and security. The UAE affirmed its right to respond under international law and demanded an immediate halt to hostilities.

The UAE defence authorities reported intercepting multiple missiles launched toward the country, with air defence systems successfully neutralising the threats. Emergency authorities also urged residents to follow safety instructions and avoid approaching any debris from intercepted projectiles.
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.

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.