The Election Commission will announce the schedule for Assembly elections in five states and one Union Territory at 4 pm on Sunday. Polls are due in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry. The terms of these assemblies end between May and June. Under election rules, voting must take place before the terms expire. The poll panel held a key meeting in New Delhi earlier this week to finalise the election timetable and polling phases. Officials also reviewed security deployment and preparedness in the poll-bound regions. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi led the review process ahead of the announcement. (PC: HT)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reportedly offered actor-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), around 80 assembly seats and the post of Deputy Chief Minister as part of a potential alliance for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. According to sources, talks between the BJP and TVK have entered the final stage, with the offer aimed at strengthening the NDA’s prospects in the state. However, negotiations are not yet concluded, as Vijay is reportedly seeking the Chief Minister’s post, which remains a key sticking point. If the alliance materialises, it could significantly reshape Tamil Nadu’s electoral landscape, where small vote shifts often decide closely contested constituencies. (PC: India Today)

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said Tehran has allowed some ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz despite heightened tensions from the ongoing Iran–U.S.–Israel conflict. Speaking in New Delhi, the envoy indicated that certain vessels, including some linked to India, had been permitted safe transit, reflecting the close ties between the two countries. Several ships had earlier been stranded due to security concerns and restrictions in the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments, has seen major disruptions during the conflict, with many vessels avoiding the area due to safety risks. (PC: ANI)

India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has announced that households with piped natural gas (PNG) connections will no longer be allowed to keep or refill LPG cylinders. The rule aims to prevent duplication of domestic gas connections and reduce pressure on LPG supplies during global energy disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict. Oil marketing companies have been instructed not to provide new LPG connections or refills to consumers who already receive piped gas. The government said the move will help ensure sufficient LPG availability for households that depend entirely on cylinders for cooking fuel across the country. (PC: HT)

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged the UK and other global powers to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz after rising attacks and threats linked to the Iran conflict. The strategic waterway, through which a major share of the world’s oil supply passes, has faced disruption following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump said multiple countries could join a naval effort to keep shipping lanes open and deter Iranian actions. Britain said it is discussing maritime security with allies, while experts warn that escalating military deployments in the region could increase the risk of wider confrontation and instability. (PC: Getty Images)

At least 12 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, were killed after an Israeli airstrike hit a primary health centre in Burj Qalaouiyah, a village in southern Lebanon. Lebanese health officials said the medics were on duty when the strike occurred during escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah along the border. The World Health Organization condemned the attack, stressing that medical facilities and personnel are protected under international humanitarian law. Lebanese authorities accused Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure, while Israel alleged Hezbollah operates from within civilian areas. The ongoing conflict has intensified in recent weeks, causing heavy casualties and displacement across southern Lebanon. (PC: AFP)

Viral social media posts claiming that Benjamin Netanyahu had died or gone missing have been dismissed as false by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The rumours spread widely online during heightened tensions in the Middle East, with some posts alleging the Israeli leader was killed in an attack or replaced by an AI-generated video. The speculation intensified after a viral clip appeared to show Netanyahu with “six fingers,” prompting claims the footage was digitally manipulated. Fact-checks found the unusual image was caused by camera angle and lighting distortion, not artificial intelligence. Officials confirmed Netanyahu is alive and continuing his duties, calling the viral claims misinformation spreading on social media. (PC: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could launch additional strikes on Kharg Island, a critical Iranian oil export terminal, as tensions in the ongoing US-Iran conflict intensify. Trump claimed recent US attacks had already destroyed most military targets on the island and suggested further strikes could occur, even remarking they might hit it “just for fun.” The island handles a major share of Iran’s crude exports and is strategically important in the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, Washington has urged allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has vowed retaliation and continued attacks across the region. (PC: X)

More than 70 Indian students stranded in Iran are expected to reach New Delhi on Sunday morning, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said. Most of the students are from Jammu and Kashmir and study at universities in Iran. They are travelling on Flydubai flight FZ8124 from Armenia through Dubai. The students first travelled by bus from different cities in Iran to Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport. The Indian Embassy in Tehran helped move them to safer locations earlier. Officials coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and other authorities to arrange transit permits and flights. The evacuation follows rising tensions and security concerns due to the ongoing war. (PC: Reuters)

The Indian Embassy in Doha has issued an advisory for Indians travelling from Qatar to India through the Saudi Arabia border. The embassy asked travellers to carry a valid passport and an approved Saudi transit visa. It also advised people to keep a confirmed flight ticket from Riyadh or Dammam to India. Travellers were told to complete immigration procedures at the Abu Samra border. The embassy recommended using authorised travel agencies and vehicles with proper permits and insurance. The advisory comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Qatar earlier said it intercepted two missiles near Doha. (PC: Reuters)