A tragic helicopter crash in New York’s Hudson River killed six people, including a Spanish family of five and their pilot. The Bell 206 chopper, operated by New York Helicopters, crashed minutes after takeoff from Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Victims included Siemens executives Agustín Escobar and Mercè Camprubí Montal and their children, aged 4, 5, and 11. The aircraft flipped upside down near the George Washington Bridge before plunging into the river. Four were found dead at the scene; two died in hospital. U.S. and Spanish leaders expressed condolences. The FAA and NTSB are investigating. Over 30,000 tourist flights take off yearly. (PC: Getty Images)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that BJP and AIADMK will jointly contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls under Edappadi K Palaniswami’s (EPS) leadership. Speaking in Chennai, Shah stated the alliance would be led nationally by PM Narendra Modi and regionally by EPS. The announcement followed the appointment of Nainar Nagendran as Tamil Nadu BJP chief, replacing K Annamalai. Shah emphasized AIADMK’s longstanding NDA ties and hinted at EPS as the alliance’s Chief Ministerial face. He also accused the ruling DMK of corruption and promised a strong campaign on law and order, women's safety, and anti-Dalit violence. (PC: PTI)

Six US Senate Democrats, led by Elizabeth Warren, have called for an insider trading probe into President Donald Trump after his Truth Social post urged the public to buy stocks hours before he announced a 90-day pause on global tariffs. The move triggered a major stock rally, including a 21.67% rise in shares of Trump’s own media company. Senators want the SEC to investigate if Trump, his family, or associates had prior knowledge for personal gain. Trump also recently launched a "memecoin", sparking criticism. The White House said his post was meant to “reassure” markets, not manipulate them. (PC: AFP)

India’s MS Dhoni returned as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain in IPL 2025 after two years, taking charge in tough times with the team having lost 4 out of 5 matches. Speaking at the toss against Kolkata Knight Riders, Dhoni said, “We have lost too many matches… every game is important now.” He highlighted the need for CSK to focus on basics and expressed disappointment over Ruturaj Gaikwad’s injury, calling him an “authentic batter.” Dhoni added, “We will miss him.” The Chepauk crowd erupted in joy as the iconic captain resumed leadership, aiming to steer CSK back on track. (PC: Hindustan Times)

A powerful dust storm swept through Delhi, India, on Friday evening, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert until 9 PM. With winds expected to reach up to 80 km/h, at least 15 flights were diverted, and tree branches fell in multiple areas including Mandi House and Delhi Gate. Visuals showed low visibility and damage to vehicles. Thunderstorms, hail, and lightning are forecast across Delhi, NCR, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. Residents are advised to avoid open spaces due to risk of injury and damage to crops and property. This follows a similar storm on Thursday. (PC: PTI)

Street performances will be banned in Leicester Square, United Kingdom, from April 17 after a judge described amplified busking as "psychological torture" for office workers. The decision follows complaints from Global Radio, whose UK staff reported extreme noise disruptions. Westminster Council said it had “no choice” but to suspend street entertainment pitches. Performers who defy the ban could face fines and equipment confiscation. While Leicester Square has long been a hub for street performers, officials clarified this is not a borough-wide ban. The move aims to balance cultural tradition with the need to protect UK businesses and residents from noise pollution. (PC: Getty Images)

Starting April 2025, Karnataka residents are grappling with a surge in prices across essential services. Diesel prices rose by ₹2 per litre due to increased sales tax, while Nandini milk and curd rates climbed ₹4 per litre/kg. Electricity tariffs dropped slightly per unit but saw a ₹25 rise in fixed charges. Bengaluru introduced a solid waste management fee (₹10–₹400/month), and water bills, vehicle prices, stamp duties, and toll charges also increased. These widespread hikes have sparked public concern over affordability and the growing burden on household expenses across the state. (The News Minute)  

During the Budget Session that ended on April 4, 2025, the Indian Parliament passed 16 crucial bills, showcasing an impressive legislative output. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha recorded over 118% productivity, with extended sittings and focused debates. Among the bills passed were the Finance Bill, Appropriation Bill, and the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which drew significant opposition criticism over its impact on religious trusts. The Rajya Sabha notably held a marathon 17-hour session to push through pending legislation, reflecting the government’s urgency in advancing its legislative agenda before the session concluded. (PC: ANI)

On April 8, 2025, British Airways Flight 252, en route from Nassau, Bahamas to London Heathrow, experienced two unexpected diversions resulting in a significant delay. Roughly four hours into the flight, a medical emergency forced the Boeing 777 to divert to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada, to offload the ill passenger. Following this delay, the crew neared their legal working hour limits, prompting a second diversion to Keflavik Airport in Reykjavík, Iceland, for a mandatory crew change. The flight ultimately landed in London nearly 11 hours behind schedule, on April 9 at 10:30 p.m. (PC: AFP)

China has raised tariffs on US goods to 125%, retaliating against President Donald Trump's steep tariff hike on Chinese imports to 145%. Despite the escalation, Beijing announced it will not retaliate further if the US continues imposing duties. The Chinese finance ministry accused Washington of "unilateral bullying" and violating global trade norms. President Xi Jinping called on the European Union to resist Trump's moves, calling them a threat to global trade stability. China also added 18 US firms to control lists and filed a WTO complaint, underscoring growing trade tensions between the world’s top two economies. (PC: India Today)