More than 100 passengers and crew members fell ill after a norovirus outbreak struck the Caribbean cruise ship Caribbean Princess during a voyage from Florida. According to reports, those infected suffered symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps. Health experts said cruise ships remain highly vulnerable to norovirus because of crowded spaces and shared facilities. The virus spreads rapidly through contaminated food, water, surfaces and close contact. Authorities said most patients recovered within a few days, but the outbreak has renewed concerns over sanitation and disease control on cruise liners. Officials stressed strict hygiene and isolation measures to contain further spread. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said the BJP government would continue welfare schemes introduced by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including the flagship Lakshmir Bhandar programme for women. Addressing reporters after his first cabinet meeting, Adhikari said all ongoing beneficiary schemes in the state would remain unchanged. The BJP government also approved steps to hand over land to the BSF for border fencing along Bangladesh and announced implementation of Ayushman Bharat and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in Bengal. The BJP formed its first government in the state after winning 207 Assembly seats in the recent election. (PC: NDTV)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday met his predecessor and DMK president M. K. Stalin, a day after taking oath as chief minister following TVK’s landmark Assembly election victory. The meeting, described as a courtesy call, marked Vijay’s first interaction with Stalin after the fiercely contested polls. Stalin and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, welcomed Vijay warmly at the residence. Udhayanidhi greeted the new chief minister with a hug and handshake, while Stalin later embraced him. The leaders also exchanged silk shawls and bouquets during the meeting, signalling a cordial political gesture despite recent electoral rivalry.

Iran has formalised a new transit approval system for vessels crossing the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with the US over the Middle East conflict. According to shipping journal Lloyd’s List, ships must now submit detailed ownership, cargo and crew information to Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority and pay tolls before transit. Iranian official Mohammad Akraminia said, “Any vessel wishing to pass through it must coordinate with us.” Tehran has also warned countries supporting US sanctions could face difficulties crossing the waterway. India and Pakistan are among nations that have reportedly negotiated with Iran to secure passage for their flagged vessels. (PC: X)

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced six major decisions after chairing his first Cabinet meeting at Nabanna following the BJP’s historic election victory. Adhikari said his government would transfer 600 acres to the BSF for Bangladesh border fencing within 45 days, begin pending census operations, implement Ayushman Bharat and enforce the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in the state. He also announced age relaxation for job aspirants and restored inter-state training for IAS and IPS officers. “We will work for all,” Adhikari said, adding that the government’s priority would be “safety, peace and transparent governance” in West Bengal. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attacked the Opposition over what he called “appeasement politics” during the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district. Referring to the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple after Independence, Modi said, “Politics continues to be played even over matters concerning national self-respect. Somnath itself stands as the prime example of this.” He praised Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Rajendra Prasad for rebuilding the temple despite opposition during Jawaharlal Nehru’s tenure. Drawing a parallel with Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, Modi said, “We have seen how even the construction of the Ram Temple faced opposition.” He also released a commemorative stamp and coin marking 75 years of the temple’s reconstruction. (PC: HT)

A US national evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius has tested positive for hantavirus, while another passenger showed mild symptoms during a repatriation flight from Spain, US health officials said. The passengers are travelling in biocontainment units as a precaution and will undergo medical screening upon arrival in Nebraska. The outbreak aboard the ship has already claimed three lives, including a Dutch couple and a German woman. Health authorities say the risk of widespread transmission remains low, although concerns persist over the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can spread between humans in rare cases. Several countries are now monitoring evacuated passengers. (PC: BBC)

Benchmark indices plunged sharply on Monday, with the BSE Sensex falling over 1,000 points in early trade as investors reacted to surging crude oil prices and fresh uncertainty in West Asia. Concerns deepened after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce consumption of imported goods such as petrol, diesel and gold. Analysts said the remarks reflected worries over India’s rising import bill and widening current account deficit amid crude prices crossing $105 per barrel. Banking, aviation, auto and jewellery stocks witnessed heavy selling, while defensive sectors like pharmaceuticals and FMCG showed relative resilience during the market turmoil. (PC: Time Today)

Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat arrived in Gonda for the National Open Ranking Tournament despite receiving a show-cause notice from the Wrestling Federation of India over alleged anti-doping and disciplinary violations. The tournament is being held in the home district of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Vinesh, returning to competition after nearly 20 months and following the birth of her son, had registered before the deadline. However, winners of the event will not qualify for Asian Games selection trials under WFI policy. She is awaiting clearance from the federation to compete in the women’s freestyle category.

Opposition parties criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he urged citizens to adopt austerity measures amid the escalating Middle East crisis and rising oil prices. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the appeal “proof of failure”, while leaders from Congress, Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) accused the Centre of poor economic planning. Modi had asked people to reduce fuel use, avoid unnecessary foreign travel, postpone gold purchases and revive work-from-home practices to help ease pressure on India’s economy. Meanwhile, an Informal Group of Ministers meeting will review the crisis impact on fuel supplies, inflation and shipping routes. (PC: NDTV)