In what is expected to be a close four-way battle, over 5. 73 crore voters who are eligible to vote in the high-stakes Tamil Nadu Assembly elections will determine the destiny of 4,023 candidates in all 234 constituencies starting on Thursday.

This is one of the most fiercely contested elections in recent history, with the main candidates being the Secular Progressive Alliance led by the DMK, the National Democratic Alliance led by the AIADMK, the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

The Election Commission claims that extensive plans have been made to guarantee fair and orderly voting throughout the state.

Reflecting widespread public excitement for participating in the democratic process, voters were seen lining up in large numbers at polling places as voting started early in the morning.

Early voters included well-known individuals. At a voting facility in Mandaveli, Chennai, Sundar C, a candidate for Madurai Central and an actor, cast his ballot. He was joined by their daughter and Khushbu Sundar, an actor-politician. The trio joined other voters in line before casting their ballots.

After casting her vote, Khushbu addressed the media and encouraged people to carry out their democratic duty. “Everyone should vote. ” In a democracy, it is our responsibility, she stated. At the same time, Seeman, the Naam Tamilar Katchi’s coordinator, and his wife went to a voting place in Neelankarai to cast their ballots. As the vote went on without incident in the district, he also joined the line.

From the early hours of the morning, there was a consistent turnout at polling places throughout Tamil Nadu as voters from different segments of society came out to cast their ballots.

To prevent breaches of the Model Code of Conduct, election officials said that the majority of booths were well-organized and had strong security and thorough surveillance. To guarantee free and fair elections, the government has put in place stringent surveillance measures, such as webcasting and flying squads, as well as a sizable contingent of security forces.

Additionally, specific arrangements have been made for voters who are elderly or have disabilities.

Political parties are keeping a close eye on polling trends across constituencies because voter turnout is predicted to be a key factor.

The next administration in Tamil Nadu will be decided by the electoral verdict on May 4, when votes will be counted.

The Rajasthan Royals were able to successfully defend a meager score and beat the Lucknow Super Giants by 40 runs in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday thanks in part to Ravindra Jadeja‘s unbroken 43 off 29 balls and Jofra Archer’s outstanding haul of 3-20.

Jadeja led the way in a low-scoring game, helping RR reach a respectable 159/6 in their 20 overs. After the LSG speed trio of Mohammed Shami, Mohsin Khan, and Prince Yadav each took two wickets, his undefeated 49-run partnership with impact player Shubham Dubey, who scored 19 not out off 11 balls, gave RR bowlers a chance to compete in the match.

The RR bowlers were flawless from the start in defending 159, which was the lowest score ever defended this season, and with the help of excellent fielding, they handed LSG their fourth straight defeat in the league.

With Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi each taking one wicket as LSG was bowled out for only 119 in 18 overs, RR has now moved into second place in the points standings. Archer was backed by Nandre Burger and Brijesh Sharma, who each selected two scalps.

LSG chose to bat first but got off to a poor start as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi combined for six boundaries in the first three overs. However, Shami’s two consecutive strikes in the third over stopped RR’s blazing start.

Jaiswal attempted to hook, but he was dismissed by a sharp bouncer from him, and Rishabh Pant, who was in the air, stretched out his right hand to make the catch. As Pant dove to his right to dismiss him for a duck, one gave Shami two to bite away and take Dhruv Jurel’s outside edge.

As Mohsin finally forced Sooryavanshi into mistiming a loft to cover, while having Shimron Hetmyer to give a leading edge to mid-off, the pressure increased as he nailed his lengths and became the first bowler in IPL history to bowl a maiden over to the teenage sensation.

Prince then made sure there was no middle-order recovery by dismissing Riyan Parag, who holed out to long-on, and later removing Donovan Ferreira by having him caught at third man, leaving RR in a state of disarray at 110/6.

Prior to Jadeja taking control, the RR were looking at an average total. Jadeja started by waiting patiently, but in the last over, he tore off 20 runs from Mayank Yadav (0-56), who was making his season debut, to finish things off. Jadeja, backed by Dubey, made sure RR ended their innings on a high note, which seemed impossible at the 15-over mark.

The pursuit of 160 by LSG got off to a shaky start when Ayush Badoni was run out for a duck on the last ball of the first over after a huge mix-up. The second over saw Captain Rishabh Pant’s erratic streak persist as he top-edged off Burger to the keeper Dhruv Jurel and scored a three-ball duck.

When Archer came back from the dugout to dismiss Aiden Markram for a duck with a sharp bouncer, leaving them reeling at 16/3, the nightmare got worse for LSG as head coach Justin Langer headed from the dugout to the locker room. At the end of the Powerplay, LSG were out of breath at 31/3, despite Marsh’s six.

Mitchell Marsh achieved a 39-ball fifty in a single struggle but received no help. As the middle order gave way under the strain of a growing required run rate, Nicholas Pooran, 22, holed out to long-on off Ravindra Jadeja.

With a faster delivery, Ravi Bishnoi entered the fray to clean up Himmat Singh (15), before Burger returned in the 16th over to claim the big scalp of Marsh, who made 55 off 42 balls laced with six fours and two sixes. By dismissing Mukul Choudhary and Mohammed Shami in rapid succession in the 17th over, Brijesh brought the match to a decisive conclusion.

Archer then came back to add the final touches: Jurel made an amazing catch, which resulted in the dismissal of Mayank Yadav. Then, with a fast delivery that destroyed Mohsin Khan’s middle stump, he brought an end to LSG’s suffering and gave RR their first road victory of the current campaign.

Brief scores:
Rajasthan Royals 159/6 in 20 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 43 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 22; Mohsin Khan 2-17, Prince Yadav 2-29)
Lucknow Super Giants 119 in 18 overs (Mitchell Marsh 55, Nicholas Pooran 22; Jofra Archer 3-20, Brijesh Sharma 2-18)

In order to reduce reliance on imported oil, which made the nation vulnerable to disruptions in its energy supplies in the face of geopolitical unpredictability like the Iran war, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari stated on Tuesday that India should strive to achieve 100 percent ethanol blending for usage as an automobile fuel in the near future.

India depends on imports to cover 87% of its oil needs, the minister said.

Gadkari said in his remarks at the Indian Federation of Green Energy’s Green Transportation Conclave that we import fossil fuels worth Rs 22 lakh crore, which is also a source of pollution, we must focus on boosting the production of biofuels and alternative fuels.

India should strive for 100% ethanol blending in the near future. We must become independent in the energy sector since the conflict in West Asia has brought us to an energy crisis today, he stated.

In 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled gasoline that contained 20% ethanol. With only a few modifications to the engine to prevent corrosion and other problems, Indian cars are now able to operate on E20 gasoline. Brazil and other nations have 100 percent ethanol blending.

However, Gadkari emphasized the necessity of discouraging the use of petrol and diesel vehicles, saying, “But we cannot force people to stop buying petrol and diesel vehicles. ”

Gadkari stated that the petroleum industry is lobbying against this action in response to increasing social media worries about E20.

He urged automakers to prioritize quality over price, arguing that it would help them break into new markets.

Gadkari also emphasized that green hydrogen is the fuel of the future, but that in order for a hydrogen fuel station to be economically viable, the cost of operating it must be reduced.

The transfer of hydrogen fuel is an issue. The minister emphasized that, in order for India to become an energy exporter, we must also be able to manufacture 1 kg of hydrogen at $1.

He claimed that waste must be used to generate hydrogen.

Additionally, he emphasized that India might generate more jobs by concentrating on the circular economy.

In addition, the minister said that the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency III regulations, which will take effect on April 1 of the following year, will have little effect on flex-fuel and electric vehicles.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published comprehensive guidelines for e-mandates in digital payments on Tuesday, requiring an extra layer of authentication (AFA) to increase the security of recurring transactions.

The new standards apply to all payment system providers and users that process auto-debit payments via cards, prepaid payment devices, and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), regardless of whether the transactions are domestic or international. The instructions are now in effect.

Customers who choose the e-mandate option will be required to go through a one-time registration procedure under the updated system.

The RBI stated that the mandate will only become operative after the successful validation of an extra authentication component, in addition to the regular verification procedure conducted by issuers.

Additionally, the central bank made it clear that every e-mandate transaction must first pass via this extra authentication layer.

The RBI announced that recurring transactions over Rs 15,000 would need extra authentication in order to improve security.

This additional layer of verification will also be necessary before processing high-value payments such as credit card bill payments, insurance premiums, and mutual fund subscriptions that exceed Rs 1 lakh.

Within the confines established by the central bank, the framework grants users the freedom to establish e-mandates for either a fixed or variable sum.

Issuers are required to allow customers to set a maximum transaction amount in the event of fluctuating mandates.

A new verification is necessary for any change to an existing mandate.

Customers will have the option to change or terminate each e-mandate at any moment during its specified validity duration.

To ensure transparency, the RBI has mandated that issuers explicitly disclose these characteristics to customers throughout the registration procedure.

The central bank made it clear that there would be no fees for customers to use the e-mandate facility for recurring payments.

Furthermore, it was stated that payments made under e-mandates will not be subject to any independent restrictions or controls imposed by customers outside the framework.

As part of initiatives to improve bilateral economic relations during President Lee Jae Myung‘s trip to India, India and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote collaboration in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises sector.

According to an official statement released on Tuesday, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of India and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of South Korea.

The Memorandum of Understanding creates a well-organized framework for cooperation between the two Ministries, allowing for ongoing discussion on important issues pertaining to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and fostering the investigation of opportunities that are advantageous to both parties.

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry’s statement said that its goal is to foster a greater understanding of each other’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises ecosystems and improve interaction between stakeholders.

By facilitating cooperation through the exchange of information and experts, sharing of best practices, business matchmaking, and technical and economic collaboration, the agreement seeks to promote trade and investment. ​

It seeks to promote a deeper understanding of each other’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ecosystems and enhance engagement between stakeholders, the statement issued by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry said.​

The agreement aims to boost trade and investment by fostering cooperation through the exchange of information and experts, sharing of best practices, business matchmaking, and technical and economic collaboration.​

Additionally, it promotes collaborative programs aimed at improving ties between the Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Businesses of both nations. The statement said that this alliance represents a major advancement in strengthening economic ties between India and Korea and highlights the shared dedication to empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises as essential facilitators of inclusive growth, innovation, and job creation.

In order to resume discussions on improving the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Framework for the India-Korea Digital Bridge, India and South Korea have issued a joint statement.

Following the discussion between Prime Minister Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in this location on Monday, these were signed and exchanged.

PM Modi stated in his press statement that India and Korea together send a message of peace and stability during this time of global conflict. ​

These were signed and exchanged after talks between PM Modi and South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung here on Monday.​

In his press statement, PM Modi said that in this era of global tension, India and Korea together convey a message of peace and stability.​

He predicted that India and Korea will keep working together to promote an Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, inclusive, and progressive. The Prime Minister stated that both countries are building the groundwork for the success stories of the next decade.

He said that the India-Korea Digital Bridge is being established as the two nations shift their reliable collaboration toward a more futuristic one to foster stronger ties in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and information technology. ​

He said that, to further deepen partnerships in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and information technology, the India-Korea Digital Bridge is being launched as the two countries transform their trusted partnership into a futuristic one.

In the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday, Sunrisers Hyderabad reached 242 for 2 and defeated Delhi Capitals by 47 runs in the 31st match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, thanks to opener Abhishek Sharma, an outstanding, undefeated 135 off 68 balls.

The left-hand batter’s innings were a lesson in how to manage aggression. Before unleashing a deadly assault, he timed his innings well, scoring his ninth T20 century in 47 balls and his fifty in only 25 deliveries. He demonstrated his dominance this year by passing Heinrich Klaasen in the Orange Cap competition by the 15-over mark.

The SRH innings began steadily, but soon picked up pace. With Nitish Rana’s offspin during the Power-play, Delhi momentarily recovered some control, limiting SRH to 15 runs for no loss after two overs.

But after the hitters discovered their rhythm, the plan failed. Rana was destroyed in a 20-run over that featured three sixes, bringing the score to 56 without a loss, after SRH had scored 36 for no loss in four overs.

Abhishek led the way, scoring 21 off 12 and leading the attack alongside Travis Head. In the Power-play, the two formed another seamless alliance, bringing SRH to 67 without any casualties. The team’s 70th six of the year, which broke Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s total of 69, came on the last ball of this period.

Beginning cautiously, Head increased his pace to 37 off 26 before retiring at 97 for 1 in 8. 5 overs. After smashing two sixes in the over, he mishit a long hop from Axar Patel to deep midwicket. Nevertheless, this breakthrough failed to halt SRH.

Klaasen was brought to the crease at a crucial point when Ishan Kishan was soon run out at the non-striker’s end after scoring a lightning-fast 25 off 13 balls. With a strong 37 off only 13 deliveries, the South African helped SRH cruise past the 240-run barrier at the conclusion of the innings.

As Abhishek and Kishan attacked ferociously, Kuldeep Yadav had difficulty in the middle overs as SRH sped to 126 for 1 in 11 overs. Despite the ideal circumstances for reverse swing on a dry surface, Delhi’s seamers, including Mukesh Kumar, were unable to generate any movement, giving SRH the upper hand.

Despite Delhi’s valiant pursuit, the goal was enormous. They put up a good fight and showed signs of defiance, but early errors in the field, such as dropped catches, a missed run-out, and bad bowling substitutions, proved to be expensive.

DC struggled to seize control of the game because Rana allowed 55 runs in his four overs, while Axar and Kuldeep, the spinners, only bowled two overs each. Nitish Rana, who was included in the playing XI for this game, led the way with 57 runs, followed by Sameer Rizvi with 41, but ultimately it was not enough.

Delhi is left lamenting missed opportunities as SRH, boosted by Abhishek’s amazing century, rejoiced their third consecutive victory, moving up to third in the standings and passing the Rajasthan Royals.

Brief scores:
Sunrisers Hyderabad 242/2 in 20 overs (Abhishel Sharma 135, Travis Head 37; Axar Patel 1-23)
Delhi Capitals 195/9 in 20 overs (Nitish Rana 57, Sameer Rizvi 41; Eshan Malinga 4-32, Harsh Dubey 3-12)

The internet behemoth Naver announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tata Group’s information technology (IT) division to investigate potential business prospects in India.

According to Naver, the deal with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was signed at a business forum between South Korea and India organized by the Federation of Korean Industries in New Delhi, which was attended by South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and TCS President Ujjwal Mathur.

The MoU states that Naver and TCS will combine their expertise in cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and business-to-consumer (B2C) services in order to seize opportunities in AI and digital transformation, with an emphasis on the Indian market.

The cooperation makes use of TCS’s data assets and ecosystem services, and Naver hopes that it will help establish new income prospects in India.

We anticipate generating new commercial prospects through this partnership with TCS by utilizing cooperation in AI, cloud, and B2C services, Naver CEO Choi stated, as India is actively growing its AI ecosystem in order to become an AI powerhouse.

In the interim, Hyundai Motor stated that it has reached an agreement with TVS Motor Company Ltd. to work together on creating an electric three-wheeler for the Indian market. Read More

South Korea’s largest shipbuilder, HD Hyundai, announced on Tuesday that it has partnered with Indian government-backed companies to build a joint shipyard in India.

According to Yonhap News Agency, HD Hyundai announced that on Monday (local time) in New Delhi, it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd. (SMFCL) and NSHIP TN of India to collaborate on the establishment of a joint venture shipbuilding business.

The Sagarmala port infrastructure development project in India is supported by the special-purpose organization NSHIP TN (National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park) Tamil Nadu, which was founded by the port authorities of the nation.

As the largest shareholder, HD Hyundai will take the helm in the joint venture shipbuilding business it will create with the two organizations under the MoU. Ultimately, it will oversee all operations and construct a digital-focused shipyard in India.

The agreement was signed during a bilateral summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in New Delhi.

Additionally, HD Hyundai wants to encourage domestic talent by funding a shipbuilding training facility and assisting South Korean equipment companies in breaking into the Indian market.

The Indian government intends to initially place shipbuilding orders with HD Hyundai’s South Korean shipyards before the joint shipyard begins operations and send local workers to gain practical expertise, according to HD Hyundai.

An HD Hyundai official stated that the newest agreement signals the shift of bilateral shipbuilding cooperation into the commercial execution stage and that the collaboration is anticipated to aid in securing new orders and opening up prospects for Korean partners to grow internationally.

In other news, Hyundai Motor announced Tuesday that it has struck a deal with TVS Motor Company Ltd. of India to work together on creating an electric three-wheeler for the Indian market.

Leveraging its research and development (R&D) skills and human-centric design methodology, Hyundai Motor will head the design and joint development of the electric three-wheeler under the joint development agreement signed in New Delhi on Monday (local time).

TVS Motor will use its electric vehicle (EV) platform, three-wheeler engineering experience, and understanding of the local market to co-develop the product.

According to a US-based expert, nuclear power and natural gas may serve as the foundation for the next stage of India-US energy collaboration as both nations seek to reduce costs, diversify supply chains, and improve long-term energy security.

Dinsha Mistree of the renowned Stanford University’s Hoover Institution stated, “There are plenty of opportunities right now,” emphasizing that nuclear energy is “very critical” for future cooperation between the United States and India.

He pointed out that, despite the groundbreaking 2008 civil nuclear treaty establishing the groundwork for collaboration, it was “never fully realized because of various liability laws that were passed in India shortly after. ” “There’s now a lot of opportunity for US and India to work very closely together on nuclear,” he said, citing recent legislative developments.

According to Mistree, the US calculus has changed. The fact that the US also has to develop its own energy initiative is another key factor, he said, noting that nuclear energy has widespread bipartisan backing in Washington. India could play a key role, he said, since cost was the greatest obstacle. “India manufactures nuclear component parts… The expenses may be significantly lower than what we could produce in the US or even what we could purchase in other nations.

He also warned that momentum is still fragile. “It’s still very early days… Indian companies have not yet “make the case fully enough that the US will be a promising market for them to supply to,” he said, adding, “I see a lot of industry players waiting and watching to see what will emerge. ”

Mistree stated that bilateral trade in natural gas is expected to increase in the future. “I believe it’s going to be more than that. The US is “one of the world’s biggest producers,” he said, adding that he would hope it would be “even more. ”

He cited structural bottlenecks in India, such as “taxation and distribution,” but said that these may be overcome by changing regulations. According to him, modifications to the tax system, such as possible GST changes, might “make gas more affordable,” making India “a much more attractive market” for American providers.

He emphasized that diversification is now crucial. “Clearly, India should diversify its supply chain if it is depending on just one or two countries… and including the US is not just a nice to have… it’s a necessity,” he said.

Additionally, Mistree emphasized the environmental benefits of gas. “Gas is one of the reasons we have clean air in the United States,” he stated, alluding to the transition from coal. He also said that renewable energy is complemented by gas. “Gas is a switch. ” You can turn it on, you can turn it off… In fact, the renewable energy infrastructure that India has been constructing complements it quite well.

He said that India is at a turning point right now, considering recent geopolitical turmoil. “This is India’s first major real energy crisis,” he stated, calling for a more organized policy response. “Think more seriously about energy security, develop an energy security strategy, diversify alliances, and seek for new resources. ”

He said that the US experience might be helpful. “For decades, American politicians have considered energy security… We have more energy than ever before, and there is a “natural fit” for collaboration between the two nations, he observed.

Beyond energy, Mistree stated that US academic and political organizations are starting to give more attention to India’s rise, but that there are still gaps in understanding. India, he said, “hasn’t gotten the same level of attention” as China, which he described as “a real tragedy” at Stanford. But he said that “farsighted leaders… are very bullish towards India” and want India-US relations to be “at the center” of America’s long-term strategy.

Mistree stated that the Indian American community is “very positive,” adding that Indians are “the richest national origin group in the United States. ” This, he said, was due to integration and common principles. “It’s one of us, not one of them,” he stated.

However, he cautioned that success entails new difficulties. “With success… comes some level of jealousy,” he said, noting that how Indian Americans are seen may have an impact on how India itself is seen in certain areas of the United States.

He highlighted growing worries across the political spectrum. “This is becoming an increasingly and worryingly bipartisan issue,” he said, citing examples of policy resistance and negative sentiment.

The significance of Indian talent to the American innovation environment was emphasized by Mistree. “When you consider our America’s STEM and innovation pipeline, we want the best brains to continue to come here,” he said, cautioning that any feeling of exclusion might have lasting effects.

Additionally, he emphasized a rising reverse connection. “There are approximately a million Americans living in India, many of whom are the children of people who hold H-1B visas,” he stated, noting that this demographic has the potential to influence the relationship between the two nations in the future.

He stated that Indian Americans are growing more outspoken when it comes to politics. “Indians are more assertive…” Connecting this to increasing representation in elections and US public life, he said, “Indians are not going to be wallflowers in a debate. ”

As the third-largest energy consumer in the world, India has been diversifying its energy sources in an effort to strike a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.

The United States has established itself as a significant exporter of liquefied natural gas and continues to invest in nuclear technology of the future.

Bloomberg reports that if a deal is not struck before the conclusion of a two-week ceasefire with Iran this week, US President Donald Trump said it is doubtful that he would prolong it.

In a phone conversation, Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until a peace deal is signed.

They want me to unlock it. The Iranians are desperate for it to be opened. He said, “I’m not opening it until an agreement is signed. ”

According to the Xinhua news agency, oil prices rose as a result of the US Navy capturing an Iranian-flagged vessel over the weekend and Washington keeping up its blockade.

I’m not going to be pressured into making a lousy transaction. Trump stated that we have plenty of time.

The truce, which he proclaimed on April 7, would end on Wednesday night at US Eastern Time, he said.

When questioned if he anticipates that strikes will begin right away if no agreement is reached, Trump responded with the following: I would definitely anticipate if there were no agreement.

Trump told PBS News over the phone Monday morning that if the ceasefire with Iran ends, there will be a lot of explosions.

When asked if Iranian negotiators will be involved in new discussions in Islamabad, Trump responded: I have no idea. They are meant to be there, after all. Even though they claim we weren’t, we decided to be there. However, it was staged. And we’ll find out if it exists. That’s alright if they’re not there.

On Monday morning, he told the New York Post that U. S. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to travel to Pakistan for the second round of discussions with Iranian authorities. Citing two US officials, The New York Times reports that Vance is anticipated to go from Washington to Pakistan on Tuesday.

Trump stated in the Post that he would be open to meeting with high-ranking Iranian authorities if a breakthrough occurs. However, he told Bloomberg on Monday morning as well that he did not believe he would need to be there in person for the discussion.

The US Central Command announced on X that as of Monday morning, American forces had turned away 27 ships heading to or from Iranian ports.