Author: Sushmita Jana
India’s largest conglomerate, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), reported a 12.6% year-on-year decline in consolidated net profit for Q4 FY26, posting ₹16,971 crore against ₹19,407 crore in the previous year. Despite the earnings squeeze—driven primarily by margin pressures in the Oil-to-Chemicals (O2C) segment and volatile West Asia geopolitics—the company’s revenue surged 13% to ₹2.98 lakh crore. Strength in digital services saw Jio Platforms deliver a 13% profit jump to ₹7,935 crore, while Reliance Retail added over 300 new stores to reach a count of 20,160. Chairman Mukesh Ambani signaled long-term confidence by recommending a dividend of ₹6 per share and hinting that the highly anticipated Jio IPO remains steadily on track.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge following controversial remarks made during the final leg of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. In a press conference in Chennai on April 21, 2026, Kharge allegedly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” while criticizing the AIADMK-BJP alliance. Following a formal complaint by a high-level BJP delegation including Nirmala Sitharaman, the ECI flagged the statement as a prima facie violation of the Model Code of Conduct regarding decency in political discourse. While Kharge has since clarified that he meant the Prime Minister was “terrorizing” political opponents through central agencies, the poll body has demanded a formal explanation as the state heads into a high-stakes voting phase.
In a significant de-escalation of the 2026 conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran following a formal mediation request from Pakistan. The decision, revealed just hours before the initial two-week truce was set to expire on April 22, provides a critical window for diplomatic negotiations in Islamabad. While Trump has halted active combat operations, he maintains a strict naval blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz, demanding a “unified proposal” from Tehran’s leadership before a permanent settlement is reached. Despite the temporary reprieve, the region remains on edge as high-level diplomatic visits, including a planned trip by Vice President J.D. Vance, have been paused pending Iran’s formal response to the latest peace framework.
In a significant show of opposition unity ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal joined Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on the campaign trail, addressing rallies and participating in a high-energy roadshow in Chennai. The joint appearance underscores growing cooperation among regional parties seeking to strengthen their position against the BJP in key states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a large women’s convention in Varanasi on April 28, 2026, during a two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency. The event, often referred to as a Mahila Sammelan, is expected to witness participation from thousands of women and is being seen as a significant political outreach programme ahead of upcoming elections.
Tehran/Washington, April 18: Iran has firmly rejected claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Tehran agreed to transfer its enriched uranium stockpile to the United States, deepening uncertainty over ongoing diplomatic efforts between the two countries. The controversy began after Trump, in a recent interview, suggested that the U.S. would work jointly with Iran to recover and eventually take control of its enriched uranium. He described the move as part of a broader plan to ease tensions and prevent nuclear escalation. However, Iranian officials swiftly dismissed the statement. A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry asserted that the country’s enriched…
Amid the ongoing campaign for the 2026 West Bengal
Legislative Assembly election, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the BJP would ban the beef trade in West Bengal if it comes to power in the state. He also accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “misleading people” regarding food habits.
Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched the ‘Matri Shakti Bharosa Card’, a key welfare promise aimed at women voters in the state. The initiative was unveiled in Kolkata on April 15, 2026, by senior BJP leader Smriti Irani as part of the party’s broader election campaign.
New Delhi witnessed the presence of several prominent political leaders and ministers at a memorial event marking the 40th day after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The ceremony, also known as Chehelum, was organised by the Iranian Embassy and held at the Iran Culture House in the national capital.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed senior leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan as an observer to oversee the selection of the next Chief Minister of Bihar, party sources confirmed on Monday.