Suvendu aide among 3 killed as post-poll violence rocks Bengal

Amid a rise in post-poll violence in West Bengal, unidentified assailants shot dead a close aide of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday (May 6, 2026). Chandranath Rath, the personal assistant of Mr. Adhikari, was reportedly shot three times at point-blank range in the Madhyamgram area. Rath was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead. Earlier in the day, Mr. Adhikari, who is the front runner for the post of Chief Minister, had appealed for calm.

Rajya Sabha Opposition benches set to see many changes after Assembly poll results

The sweeping changes in the Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal State Assemblies as a result of the recent elections are also set to alter the composition of the Opposition benches in the Rajya Sabha, with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam likely to debut in the Upper House in the next round of polls expected in mid-June.

T.N. Governor asks TVK chief Vijay to produce proof of support of majority MLAs; Congress says ‘yes’ but AIADMK ‘no’

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is learnt to have asked Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president C. Joseph Vijay, who on Wednesday evening (May 6, 2026) staked a claim to form the next government, to produce letters demonstrating support of 118 MLAs, the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly. Earlier, the Congress, which won five seats as part of the DMK alliance, snapped its over 20-year ties with the Dravidian major and extended support to the TVK. It is learned the party could be offered two Cabinet berths if the TVK forms a coalition government.

CJI was only meant to have a say in CEC/EC appointments till Parliament brought a law: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) interpreted that the Chief Justice of India’s (CJI) involvement in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) was only meant to last until Parliament came up with a law. The court’s observation was in response to multiple petitions challenging the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act of 2023.

Sabarimala hearing: Supreme Court questions maintainability of PILs on Dawoodi Bohra excommunication

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) questioned the maintainability of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) or writ petitions challenging the authority of Dawoodi Bohra community leaders to excommunicate their members. In 2023, the court had referred to a nine-judge Bench for an authoritative pronouncement on whether the practice of excommunication in the Dawoodi Bohra community could continue as a “protected practice” despite the coming into force of the Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2016.

India and Vietnam review defence ties; push for deeper maritime and industrial cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Phan Van Giang, in New Delhi on Wednesday (May 6, 2026), reaffirming the strong momentum in India-Vietnam defence relations. As per sources in the Defence Ministry, Mr. Singh is likely to visit Vietnam in the second half of May to strengthen defence cooperation. The Ministry said the meeting reflected the growing strategic trust under the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides reviewing ongoing defence cooperation.

India to host first Big Cat Summit in June

The inaugural International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, to be held here from June 1 to 3, is expected to adopt the first-ever global declaration on big cat conservation, titled the ‘Delhi Declaration’, which will articulate shared priorities, strengthen transboundary cooperation, and promote a landscape-based approach for conserving big cats and their habitats. Representatives from 95 countries are expected to participate, the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change said on Wednesday (May 6, 2026).

Rubio to visit India for bilateral talks; Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting at end of May

In a visit expected to shore up India-U.S. ties, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to travel to India for bilateral talks and to attend the Australia-India-Japan-U.S. Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM). Looking forward to the visit on Wednesday (May 6, 2026), U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said he hoped to welcome Mr. Rubio to India “soon”. Sources told The Hindu that Mr. Rubio is expected to be in Delhi for a three-day visit from May 24 to 26, his first since taking over as U.S. Secretary of State last January.

U.S. fires on Iranian oil tanker as Trump pressures Tehran for deal to end war

The U.S. military fired on an Iranian oil tanker Wednesday (May 6, 2026) as U.S. President Donald Trump sought to pressure Tehran into reaching a deal to end the war. The Islamic Republic said it was reviewing the latest American proposals. A fighter jet shot out the rudder of the tanker in the Gulf of Oman as it tried to breach the American blockade of Iran’s ports, U.S. Central Command said in a social media post.

Israeli court rejects Gaza flotilla activists’ appeal challenging detention

An Israeli court on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) rejected an appeal contesting the detention of two foreign activists seized by Israeli forces from a Gaza-bound flotilla, with the rights group representing them denouncing the ruling as “unlawful.” Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian Thiago Avila were among dozens of activists aboard a flotilla intercepted in international waters off the coast of Greece on Thursday (May 7, 2026).

CNN founder Ted Turner, a brash and outspoken television pioneer, has died at age 87

Ted Turner, a brash and outspoken television pioneer who raced yachts, owned huge chunks of the American West and transformed the news business by launching CNN in 1980, has died at age 87. CNN reported that he died on Wednesday (May 6, 2026), citing a Turner Enterprises news release. Mr. Turner owned professional sports teams in Atlanta, defended the America’s Cup in yachting in 1977 and donated a stunning $1 billion to United Nations charities.

Delhi to host 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship

Delhi will host the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship 2026 at the Thyagraj Stadium, with players from more than 35 countries expected to participate, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Wednesday (May 6, 2026). The championship is being organised from July 27 to August 2, jointly by the Delhi government and the Table Tennis Federation of India.

IPL 2026 final moved from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad

The IPL 2026 final has been moved from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad “owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities”, it was announced on Wednesday (May 6, 2026). Dharamshala will host Qualifier 1, and New Chandigarh will host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, leaving Bengaluru completely out of the mix in the playoff schedule.

Electric passenger vehicle sales increased by 75.14% at 23,506 units in April, affirms FADA

Electric passenger vehicle sales in India grew by 75.14% at 23,506 units in April 2026 as compared to 13,421 units in the same month last year, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said on Wednesday (May 6, 2026). Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. led the market with 8,543 units in April as compared to 4,822 units in the same month last year, at a growth of 77.17% , as per FADA data.

Hantavirus strain capable of human transmission found in 2 cruise ship passengers

South African health authorities have identified the Andes strain of hantavirus, which can be transmitted from person to person, in two passengers who were on a cruise ship at the centre of an outbreak of the rare infection, officials said Wednesday (May 6, 2026). Three passengers have died in the outbreak of the rodent-borne virus on a cruise ship that is now sitting off the coast of Cape Verde in West Africa.