A select list of stories to read before you start your day.
51 Lok Sabha seats in 7 States go to polls
In the fifth phase of polling on Monday, voters in 51 Lok Sabha constituencies across seven States will cast their vote. This phase will see one of the key contests, between Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Smriti Irani, in Amethi. Also in the fray are Home Minister Rajnath Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
It’s a crucial phase for the BJP, which in 2014 had won 39 out of these 51 seats and together with its allies notched up a tally of 41 for the NDA.
Easter blasts mastermind likely transited Tamil Nadu: Sri Lankan authorities
Zahran Hashim, alleged mastermind of the Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka, likely transited Tamil Nadu when he travelled to other Indian cities, according to Sri Lankan authorities.
However, officials have not, so far, found any air travel records or immigration entries confirming that Hashim flew to India. “It’s possible that he went from Mannar to Tamil Nadu by sea,” Sri Lankan Army chief Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake told The Hindu on Sunday. Collaborating with intelligence agencies in the region, including India, Sri Lanka would probe the extent of such regional networks, he added.
Assam minority body alleges false NRC objections
The All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU) has claimed that certain organisations used “false” objections against many people from religious and linguistic minority communities included in the draft National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The complete draft published in July, 2018 had excluded 40.07 lakh of the 3.29 crore applicants. A window ending December 31, 2018 was provided for those left to file claims for re-inclusion. Citizens who suspected foreigners got into the list were also allowed to file objections within the same period.
At least 40 dead in Russian plane's fiery emergency landing
At least 40 people were killed when a Russian airliner burst into flames while making an emergency landing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday evening, officials said.
The Sukhoi SSJ100 operated by national airline Aeroflot had 73 passengers and five crew members on board when it touched down and sped down a runway spewing huge flames and black smoke.
Cyclone Fani: Jagannath temple in Puri damaged, death toll now at 34
Parts of the 12th century Shree Jagannath temple in Puri were damaged as Cyclone Fani ripped through the holy town on Friday, officials said on Sunday.
“The main structure remains unaffected. We will request the ASI to inspect the shrine,” P.K. Mohapatra, the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), said.
EC’s clean chit to PM came amid dissent
Senior Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa has given dissenting opinions regarding four of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches and one of BJP national president Amit Shah. The full Commission did not find any violation of the Model Code of Conduct in the speeches by a majority of 2:1.
Newly crowned Thai King carried by soldiers in elaborate royal procession
Thailand’s newly-crowned King Maha Vajiralongkorn was carried by soldiers on a gilded palanquin through the streets of Bangkok on Sunday, in front of crowds who craned to witness the historic event.
The King, Rama X of the Chakri dynasty, wore a bejewelled robe and broad-brimmed hat with a feather on the second of three days of pageantry and royal splendour.
SEBI’s ‘capital’ punishment to NSE, an unprecedented move
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) does not have a history of acting tough against stock exchanges, which are also the first level regulators for listed companies. There have been instances in the past when processes and procedures of exchanges have been a subject of regulatory probe, but more often than not, the bourses managed to get away with a censure or warning.