The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India. The new bill will raise the strength from 33 to 37 judges. The Chief Justice is not included in this count. The government said the move will help the court work faster. It aims to reduce pending cases and improve efficiency. Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said it will ensure quicker justice. The extra cost will be paid from the Consolidated Fund of India. The number of judges has been increased many times since 1956. (PC: PTI)

Russia and Ukraine have announced separate ceasefires this week. Russia said it will pause fighting on May 8 and 9. Ukraine said it will start an open-ended ceasefire from May 6. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Russia to stop attacks and move to talks. Despite this, missile and drone strikes killed five people and injured many in Ukraine. In Russia, two people died in a drone attack. Both sides accused each other of violence. The ceasefires are not agreed together. Fighting and tensions continue as both sides prepare for next steps. (PC: DSNS Ukraine)

US President Donald Trump congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the BJP’s victory in West Bengal. He called it a “historic, decisive” win. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 206 seats in the 294-member Assembly, crossing the majority mark. The results were announced by the Election Commission of India. The win ends years of rule by the Trinamool Congress. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. The results show a major political shift in the state. (PC: Reuters)

A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker issued a “7700” emergency signal while flying over the Persian Gulf near Qatar. The aircraft later went missing from radar, according to flight data. It had taken off from Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. Data showed the plane circled in the air before descending. The cause of the emergency is not clear. There is no official statement from the US military. Reports also said there is no confirmation of any attack linked to the incident so far. (PC: Fightradar and AFP)

Actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is planning talks with Congress, Left and smaller parties to form a government. TVK won 108 seats but needs 118 for a majority. Sources said the party may reach out soon. Congress leader Sasikanth Senthil said, “We will take a considered and collective decision.” He added that any move will be in Tamil Nadu’s interest. TVK shocked rivals by defeating the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The party also ended decades of dominance by major regional parties. Talks may decide the next government soon. (PC: PTI)

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said, “We did not fight the BJP, we fought the EC.” She accused the Election Commission of India of helping the Bharatiya Janata Party win. Banerjee claimed she was “kicked, pushed and manhandled” inside a counting centre. She also said vote counting was delayed to favour the BJP. The EC has not replied to these claims. The BJP won 207 seats, while TMC got 80. Banerjee said, “We were defeated not by public mandate but by conspiracy.” She added opposition parties will now work together. (PC: ANI)

An IndiGo flight was evacuated at Chandigarh International Airport on Tuesday after a passenger’s power bank reportedly caught fire, filling the cabin with smoke. Flight 6E-108 from Hyderabad had already landed when the incident occurred. “Smoke was detected from a passenger’s power bank after an apparent internal explosion,” officials said. Crew members used fire extinguishers and activated emergency protocols, evacuating 198 passengers via slides. One passenger suffered a minor ankle injury. The situation was brought under control quickly, and no major injuries were reported. (PC: India Today)

Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged she was assaulted by central forces at a counting centre in Bhabanipur, claiming she was “kicked in the belly and backside” and “thrown out”. Addressing a press conference, the Trinamool Congress chief said, “I was kicked in the belly and back… pushed out of the counting station.” She accused CRPF personnel of misconduct and called them “goons”. Mamata refused to accept the election result, alleging large-scale irregularities, and reiterated that she would not resign despite the defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections. (PC: India Today)

Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday refused to resign after her party’s defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections, alleging the outcome was the result of a “conspiracy” and not the people’s mandate. Addressing a press conference, the Trinamool Congress chief accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of “forcefully capturing” the polls with the help of central forces, and raised concerns over the role of the Election Commission of India. She said the party would challenge the results and continue its political fight, asserting, “We fought like tigers and will bounce back.” 

Actor-politician Vijay may hold talks with Congress and Left parties to form a government in Tamil Nadu after his party fell short of a majority, sources said. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won 108 seats, below the 118 mark. Sources said TVK could reach out to Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML for support. Congress leader Sasikanth Senthil said the party will take a final decision after consultations. TVK has already elected Vijay as its legislative leader following its strong debut in the state. (PC: India Today)