India News Updates: 'Palaniswami to lead BJP-AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu,' says Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the BJP-AIADMK alliance and said "Stronger together, united towards Tamil Nadu’s progress".

He stated on X, "Glad that AIADMK joins the NDA family. Together, with our other NDA partners, we will take Tamil Nadu to new heights of progress and serve the state diligently. We will ensure a government that fulfils the vision of the great MGR and Jayalalithaa Ji. For the sake of Tamil Nadu’s progress and to preserve the uniqueness of Tamil culture, it is important the corrupt and divisive DMK is uprooted at the earliest, which our alliance will do."

Following the incidents of violence in Murshidabad, security tightened at Jharkhand-West Bengal border.

A group of around 5000 people obstructed train movement near Dhulian Ganga station today at 2.46 pm on the non-railway in the Azimganj-New Farakka section of Eastern Railway, obstructing the movement of 15644 DN Kamakhya - Puri Express, according to a statement by the Eastern Railway.

On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray says, "... That terrorist should be hung where 26/11 took place, as soon as possible... There can be no negotiation on this. I am sure all parties are of the same opinion... He should be hanged publicly so that the world will see that India will not negotiate on terrorism..."

On NDA alliance for Tamil Nadu Vidhan Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "These elections will be contested under the leadership of PM Modi on a national level and under the leadership of AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami on the state level..."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a press conference with BJP's K Annamalai and AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami in Chennai on Friday and confirmed that BJP-AIADMK will jointly contest the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Guruji Maharaj Temple in Isagarh Tehsil, Madhya Pradesh.

India News Live: Students from Aliah University stage protest against Waqf (Amendment) Act in Kolkata

A terrorist has been killed in an encounter with security forces in the Chhatru forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district.

"Based on specific intelligence, a joint search and destroy operation along with Jammu and Kashmir police was launched on April 9 in Chhatru forest in Kishtwar. Contact was established late evening on the same day. The terrorists were effectively engaged and firefight ensued. One terrorist has thus far been neutralised," the Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X.

"In the last 10 years, the development in Varanasi has picked up a new speed... Kashi is now at the centre of Purvanchal's economic map... Many infrastructure projects to boost connectivity, providing 'nal see jal' to every household, education, healthcare, and expansion of sports facilities, and the resolve to provide better facilities for every region, every family, and every youngster will be eased and facilitated with these projects inaugurated today, and will prove to be a milestone towards a 'Viksit Purvanchal'" -- PM Modi in Varanasi

PM Modi in Varanasi Live: PM Narendra Modi greets the people of Varanasi in Bhojpuri | Watch

Immediately upon landing in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a detailed briefing from the Police Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, and District Magistrate of Varanasi regarding the recent criminal rape incident in the city. He instructed them to take the strictest possible action against the culprits and to implement appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a public meeting and will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Breaking News Live: 4.1 magnitude earthquake jolts Myanmar

Senior Congress leader and member of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Political Affairs Committee, Dr Sooranad Rajasekharan passed away. He was admitted to a private hospital in Kochi. His cremation will be held at Chathannoor in Kollam district today evening: KPCC

Asian shares sank Friday after US stocks reversed much of their historic gains from the day before.

The deepening worries over President Donald Trump’s trade war initially helped pull Japan’s Nikkei 225 share index down 5.6%.

By mid-morning in Tokyo, it was down 4.7% at 32,969.95.

The yen surged against the US dollar, which also lost value against the euro.

One dollar bought 143.48 Japanese yen, down from about 146 yen a day earlier. The euro rose to $1.1305 from $1.1195.

South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.6% to 2,400.34, while in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 shed 2.1% to 7,552.10.

On Thursday, the S&P 500 tumbled 3.5%, slicing into Wednesday’s surge of 9.5% following Trump’s decision to pause many of his tariffs worldwide. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1,014 points, or 2.5%, and the Nasdaq composite tumbled 4.3%. (AP)

Wall Street stocks tumbled on Thursday, with all three major US stock indexes suffering significant losses due to mounting worries over the economic impact of Donald Trump’s tariff policies. The S&P 500 lost 3.45%, closing at 5,267.11 points, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 4.31% to 16,387.31.

The Dow Jones industrial average also fell 2.54% to 39,578.94. This sharp decline comes after a surge the previous day, fueled by relief over Trump’s temporary pause on new tariffs announced last week.