A four-storey building collapsed in Delhi’s Mustafabad on Friday, resulting in four fatalities and leaving many feared trapped. The incident occurred around 1:30 PM, prompting immediate response from the Delhi Fire Services, which deployed seven fire tenders to the site. Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency teams working diligently to locate and assist those still beneath the debris. The cause of the collapse is currently under investigation. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and assured that the administration is actively involved in the rescue efforts. Authorities are urging residents to avoid the area to facilitate unhindered rescue operations.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly declined an invitation from protesting teachers affected by the WBSSC recruitment scam to join their march to the West Bengal secretariat. The teachers, whose appointments were recently cancelled by the Supreme Court due to recruitment irregularities, approached Ganguly at his Kolkata residence. Ganguly reportedly responded, “Please don't involve me in politics.” The Supreme Court allowed ‘untainted’ teachers of Classes 9 to 12 to continue teaching until fresh recruitment concludes by December 31, with advertisements mandated by May 31. The ruling provides temporary relief while ensuring a transparent hiring process. (PC: NDTV)

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose visited relief camps in Malda on Friday to meet victims displaced by the recent Murshidabad violence sparked by protests over the Waqf law. Ignoring CM Mamata Banerjee’s appeal to postpone the visit, Bose interacted with affected families at Parlalpur High School and assured them of “proactive action.” The riots on April 11–12 forced many to flee to Malda. While the situation is now under control, central forces remain deployed. Mamata has ordered a SIT probe and promised to rebuild homes. Bose is expected to visit riot-hit Murshidabad on Saturday. (PC: ANI)

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a test pilot from the Indian Air Force, is set to make history as the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Axiom Mission 4 in May 2025. Selected by ISRO and trained in Russia and India, Shukla will join the mission as a pilot alongside veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson. This joint initiative between NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space, and ISRO signifies a major step for India's human spaceflight program and its growing role in global space missions. (PC: PTI)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached shares worth ₹27.5 crore belonging to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in connection with a long-running money laundering case from 2011. The shares are linked to companies including Carmel Asia Holdings, Saraswati Power, and Harsha Firm. The case alleges that Dalmia Cements (Bharat) Ltd made quid pro quo investments in Reddy’s firms in exchange for mining lease favors. Additionally, the ED has also attached Dalmia-owned land valued at ₹377.2 crore. This move follows a CBI chargesheet filed in 2011 implicating Reddy and DCBL. (PC: PTI)

Cricketer-turned-TMC MP Yusuf Pathan is facing criticism from Opposition parties and locals in Murshidabad over his absence during recent violence in the district. Although the unrest occurred outside his Baharampur constituency, residents and political opponents are questioning his lack of visible engagement. Adding to the backlash, even some TMC leaders, including a local MLA and MP, have joined in the criticism. However, the TMC has come to Pathan’s defense, emphasizing that the violence-hit areas do not fall under his jurisdiction, and dismissing the criticism as politically motivated. ( PC : Indian Express)  

The Indian government is considering a proposal to impose an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000. This potential move is aimed at boosting tax compliance and formalizing more digital payments. The proposed tax could apply to both peer-to-peer and merchant transactions. While discussions are ongoing, no official decision or implementation date has been announced yet. The proposal comes at a time when GST collections have been rising steadily, with February 2025 recording ₹1.84 lakh crore, reflecting a 9.1% year-on-year increase in revenue. (PC: Mint)

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose proceeded to Malda and Murshidabad on April 18, 2025, to meet victims of the April 11 riots linked to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's appeal to postpone the visit. Banerjee announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each deceased's family and pledged to rebuild damaged homes and shops. The National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, also commenced a two-day visit to assess the situation and interact with affected women. The NCW has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the violence, which resulted in three deaths and significant property damage. (PC: Mint, Deccan Chronicle, The Hindu & News Click)

Violence erupted in Murshidabad, West Bengal, amid protests over the Waqf Act, leading to attacks on Hindu and Muslim homes. Reports suggest women were forced to flee, and many families are living in fear. The National Commission for Women (NCW) raised concerns about the situation and planned visits to affected areas. The BJP blamed Mamata Banerjee’s government, while the TMC dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. (PC: ANI)

On April 17, 2025, the Supreme Court paused the implementation of key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, after multiple petitions questioned its constitutional validity. The Centre assured it would make no fresh appointments to the Central Waqf Council or state Waqf Boards until the next hearing on May 5. It also agreed not to denotify or alter waqf properties, including those under the controversial 'waqf-by-user' clause. The Court took this on record and granted the Centre and states seven days to submit formal responses. (PC: Hindustan Times)(