Top news of the day | April 24, 2026 (original) (raw)

Raghav Chadha, six AAP MPs join BJP

Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha and six other Aam Aadmi Party’s MPs on Friday (April 24, 2026) quit the party and joined the BJP. Addressing a press conference with Sandeep Pathak and Ashok Mittal, Mr. Chadha, who was recently demoted by AAP, said, “We have decided that we, the 2/3rd members belonging to the AAP in Rajya Sabha, exercise the provisions of the Constitution of India and merge ourselves with the BJP. 3 of them are here before you. Besides us, there are Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikram Sahney and Swati Maliwal.”

Netanyahu treated for early-stage prostate cancer, says he is in ‘excellent’ physical condition

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he underwent successful treatment for early-stage prostate cancer and is “in excellent physical condition” now. Providing details of his annual medical report on Friday (April 24, 2026), he said: “I had a minor medical issue with my prostate that was completely treated. Thank God, it’s behind me.”

Iran’s FM Araghchi likely to reach Pakistan tonight for talks with U.S., report says

Iran’s delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, is could arrive in Islamabad as soon as Friday (April 24, 2026) for ceasefire talks with U.S., two Pakistani officials told AP. Pakistan’s capital city continues to remain closed for heavy traffic as authorities await the possible visit of top leaders for talks which were stalled due to differences on key issues.

Opposition parties submit fresh notice seeking motion for removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The Opposition parties on Friday (April 24, 2026) submitted a fresh notice seeking motion for removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. This is the second time the Opposition members have moved such a notice. The notice, which levelled nine charges, was signed by 73 Rajya Sabha members from 11 Opposition parties, including Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and TMC’s Sagarika Ghosh.

Supreme Court asks West Bengal poll officers to pursue appeals on voter roll exclusion

The Supreme Court on Friday (April 24, 2026) told a group of over 65 West Bengal poll duty officers, excluded from the electoral roll on the ground of logical discrepancies in their personal details during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, to pursue their appeals before the Appellate Tribunals.

Gauhati High Court rejects Pawan Khera’s anticipatory bail plea

The Gauhati High Court on Friday (April 24, 2026) rejected Congress leader Pawan Khera’s anticipatory bail plea in connection with a first information report lodged by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, against allegations that she possesses multiple passports and has amassed substantial assets abroad.

NDA government wins Bihar trust vote in Assembly

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar won the trust vote in the State Assembly on Friday (April 24, 2026) by voice vote. Earlier, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had moved the motion for a trust vote on the floor of the House.

Telangana RTC workers’ strike enters third day; negotiations underway

Inconvenience for commuters in Telangana continued on Friday (April 24, 2026), with public buses off the roads on the third day of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) workers’ strike, even as the employee union leaders and Ministers of the Telangana government were engaged in talks to reach a consensus that could lead to the calling off of the stir.

India, U.S. conclude ‘constructive’ in-person talks on trade deal, but no word on deadline

The negotiating teams of India and the U.S. held “constructive” and “forward-looking” talks on a trade deal, the government said following the conclusion of the talks which took place in Washington on April 20-23, 2026. The statement however fell short of stating a deadline by which the Interim Agreement would be finalised, or when the next round of talks would be.

Around 240 Indians claiming descent from biblical tribe arrive at Israel’s Tel Aviv

Around 240 Indians claiming descent from a biblical tribe landed at Tel Aviv airport on Thursday (April 23, 2026), as part of a government operation to relocate them to Israel. They were the first “Bnei Menashe” (”Sons of Manasseh”) to arrive in Israel since the government decided in November to fund the immigration of around 6,000 members of the community from the States of Manipur and Mizoram in northeast India.

Test matches should be played on pitches which last five days: Harbhajan

Harbhajan Singh has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ensure that Test cricket is played on pitches that last the full five days. Referring to India being whitewashed on home soil by New Zealand and South Africa in the last couple of seasons, he blamed the pitches rather than skill for the series losses.