Saturday, April 18, 2026
39.1 C
New Delhi

Evening news wrap: Arvind Kejriwal challenges PM Modi to hold fresh Delhi polls; HC gives nod to ‘The Kerala Story 2’ release; & more

Evening news wrap: Arvind Kejriwal challenges PM Modi to hold fresh Delhi polls; HC gives nod to 'The Kerala Story 2' release; & more

Evening news wrap

  • Arvind Kejriwal challenged PM Narendra Modi to hold fresh Delhi polls, claiming a court found “no evidence” in the alleged liquor scam case.
  • Kerala High Court stayed its single-judge order halting the release of The Kerala Story 2, allowing temporary relief to the filmmakers.
  • Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghan cities including Kabul and Kandahar, escalating tensions as the Taliban government sought dialogue.
  • India’s GDP grew 7.8% in Q3 FY26 under the revised base year series, with manufacturing and services driving momentum.
  • BSE Sensex and Nifty50 fell over 1% amid FII selling, weak global cues and rising geopolitical tensions.

Here are the top news of the day:

Kejriwal dares PM Modi to call fresh Delhi polls after court relief

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold fresh elections in Delhi, saying he would quit politics if the BJP wins more than 10 seats. Citing a court order in the alleged liquor scam case, Kejriwal claimed the 600-page ruling found “not even an iota of evidence” to proceed with trial, and accused PM Modi and Amit Shah of hatching a political conspiracy. Follow live updates

Kerala high court stays order halting release of ‘The Kerala Story 2’

The Kerala high court stayed for two weeks a single judge’s order that had paused the release of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond. The earlier ruling had cited concerns over communal disharmony and questioned the CBFC’s scrutiny. A detailed division bench order is awaited. Read full story

Afghanistan seeks dialogue as Pakistan launches airstrikes

Afghanistan’s Taliban government called for dialogue to resolve escalating tensions with Pakistan after Islamabad carried out overnight airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar and other areas, reportedly killing 133 people. Pakistan described the strikes as retaliation for cross-border firing that allegedly killed 55 of its troops. Follow live updates

India’s GDP grows 7.8% in Q3 FY26 under revised base year series

India’s real GDP expanded 7.8% in the October–December quarter of FY 2025-26, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) under the new 2022-23 base year series. Full-year growth is projected at 7.6%, with nominal GDP rising 8.6%. Read full story

Sensex, Nifty slide over 1% amid FII selling and global jitters

Benchmark indices Nifty50 and BSE Sensex tumbled over 1%, marking a second straight day of losses as foreign fund outflows, weak global cues and geopolitical tensions dented sentiment. FIIs offloaded Rs 3,466 crore in equities, while Wall Street weakness—led by a sharp fall in Nvidia—added pressure. Read full story

Go to Source

Hot this week

Kash Patel’s late-night drinking delays meetings, frustrates FBI agents : Report

Concerns are growing inside the FBI over Director Kash Patel’s conduct, with colleagues alleging that the Indian-origin agency head has engaged in heavy drinking and unexplained absences that they say have affected his leadership. Read More

UK man pleads guilty in US hacking case involving over $8m in virtual currency theft

Tyler Buchanan admitted targeting 12 companies using SMS phishing to steal over $8m in virtual currency. Read More

Iran gunboats force India-flagged vessels to turn back after Hormuz firing: Reports

Iranian gunboats reportedly fired near India-linked vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Read More

French Soldier Killed In Lebanon, Macron Blames Hezbollah

Macron says a French UNIFIL peacekeeper was killed and three wounded in south Lebanon, blames Hezbollah, urges Lebanese action amid rising regional tensions. Read More

Delhi CM Gupta reviews Phase 4 construction work at RK Ashram Marg

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta inspected the ongoing construction work at RK Ashram Marg Metro Station on Saturday, being developed under Phase 4 of the Delhi Metro project. Read More

Topics

Kash Patel’s late-night drinking delays meetings, frustrates FBI agents : Report

Concerns are growing inside the FBI over Director Kash Patel’s conduct, with colleagues alleging that the Indian-origin agency head has engaged in heavy drinking and unexplained absences that they say have affected his leadership. Read More

UK man pleads guilty in US hacking case involving over $8m in virtual currency theft

Tyler Buchanan admitted targeting 12 companies using SMS phishing to steal over $8m in virtual currency. Read More

Iran gunboats force India-flagged vessels to turn back after Hormuz firing: Reports

Iranian gunboats reportedly fired near India-linked vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Read More

French Soldier Killed In Lebanon, Macron Blames Hezbollah

Macron says a French UNIFIL peacekeeper was killed and three wounded in south Lebanon, blames Hezbollah, urges Lebanese action amid rising regional tensions. Read More

Delhi CM Gupta reviews Phase 4 construction work at RK Ashram Marg

NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta inspected the ongoing construction work at RK Ashram Marg Metro Station on Saturday, being developed under Phase 4 of the Delhi Metro project. Read More

India Summons Iran Envoy After Gunfire Near Indian Vessels In Strait Of Hormuz

The reports have heightened concerns among shipping companies and insurers, many of whom remain cautious about resuming normal operations in the region. Read More

Indian Rupee Vs UK Pound: See How Far Rs 100 Can Take You In London

Indian Rupee vs UK Pound, how Rs 100 compares to 1 pound in real life, exploring purchasing power and cost of living in India versus expensive London Go to Source Read More

Aquarius Horoscope Tomorrow, April 19, 2026: A Day Of Success, Financial Growth, And Rekindled Connections

Aquarius Horoscope: Welcome to the future, Aquarius! Your sign is all about innovation, individuality, and humanitarian pursuits. Read More

Related Articles