A bus transporting polling officials and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) caught fire in Betul, Madhya Pradesh, after the third phase of voting. No injuries were reported. EVMs from six polling stations were damaged, possibly leading to re-polling pending Election Commission assessment. The Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh saw a provisional 66.05% voter turnout across nine seats, including Betul, with notable candidates like Jyotiraditya Scindia, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Digvijaya Singh. The incident occurred amidst a substantial 72.65% voter turnout in Betul.

The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU) has voiced concerns to Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran regarding rising discontent among staff post the airline's acquisition by Tata Sons. In a letter, AIXEU highlighted departures from promises on job security, salaries, and seniority respect, citing layoffs contradicting assurances by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of no terminations for two years after the takeover. AIXEU emphasized the dismissal of employees with outstanding records, signaling a breach of commitments. The communication underscores growing unrest within Air India Express ranks following the transition to private ownership.

Rabindra Jayanti is a festival celebrated on May 9 to honor the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned poet and cultural icon. The day is marked with cultural programs, musical performances, and literary events that showcase Bengal's rich heritage. Tagore's works, including poems, short stories, and novels, are celebrated and read widely on this day. His birthplace in Kolkata is also visited by many to pay tribute to his legacy. The festival is a celebration of Tagore's contributions to literature and culture, and a reminder of his enduring impact on Bengali society.

A 34-year-old cameraman, AV Mukesh, working with Mathrubhumi News, was fatally attacked by a wild elephant while reporting in Kerala's Palakkad district on Wednesday. Mukesh was capturing visuals of a stray elephant herd when the tragedy occurred. Despite his colleagues escaping to safety, Mukesh was seriously injured and later succumbed to his wounds at a nearby hospital. Hailing from Malappuram district, Mukesh had been working with Mathrubhumi News for several years, including a stint in their New Delhi bureau. His death is a tragic loss to the journalism community.

Around 300 senior cabin crew members of Air India Express called in sick at the last minute, causing over 70 flights to be canceled. The crew is protesting new employment terms and has switched off their phones. The airline has apologized for the disruption and is trying to resolve the issue. Both international and domestic flights were affected, leaving passengers stranded. The airline is working to minimize the inconvenience and restore normal operations as soon as possible.

Several Aam Aadmi Party's student wing workers were detained by Delhi Police during an IPL match at Arun Jaitley Stadium for raising slogans. Clad in 'Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se' T-shirts, they protested during a Delhi Capitals vs. Rajasthan Royals game. Delhi's Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for May 25. Police stated that the detainees caused public nuisance and will be released after legal procedures. AAP criticized the arrests, labeling them as "illegal." Authorities urged spectators to refrain from such disruptions and enjoy the game peacefully.

The Supreme Court intervened to stay the Calcutta High Court's decision canceling 25,000 teaching and non-teaching positions in West Bengal's state-run and state-aided schools. Describing the alleged recruitment fraud as "systemic," the court emphasized the importance of maintaining digitized records. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, questioned the state government's lack of data supervision. The bench criticized the arbitrary cancellation and emphasized the importance of public faith in government appointments. The West Bengal government challenged the order, citing potential adverse impacts on the state's education system.

Three terrorists, including Basit Dar, a top commander of the Resistance Front, a Lashkar-backed outfit, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Dar, a wanted militant with a bounty of Rs 10 lakh, was involved in multiple killings of police personnel and civilians. Security agencies launched a cordon and search operation based on intelligence inputs. Dar's elimination marks a significant blow to terrorist activities in the region. Meanwhile, security forces intensify operations in neighboring districts following an attack on an IAF convoy that resulted in the death of a corporal.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's custody extended to May 20 in a money laundering case tied to scrapped excise policy. Co-accused Chanpreet Singh's custody also prolonged. Supreme Court weighs Kejriwal's challenge to his ED arrest in liquor policy case; justices hint at interim bail consideration. Court notes Kejriwal's CM status amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections, deeming situation extraordinary. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta questions special treatment for CM, asking, "Are other people less important?"

The Supreme Court questioned the West Bengal government over its appeal against a Calcutta High Court order to cancel 25,000 teacher appointments. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud asked why the government created supernumerary posts and hired waitlisted candidates despite a pending court challenge. The court also expressed concern over the destruction of OMR sheets and answer sheets, and the outsourcing of sensitive data without proper security protocols. The government's counsel argued that the high court order was unsustainable, but the Supreme Court bench remained unsatisfied with the responses, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in the appointment process.