Morning Digest: Nominations to close for Tamil Nadu and phase-1 West Bengal polls, Donald Trump extends Iran deadline by 24 hours; and more

Donald Trump appears to extend Iran deadline in cryptic post

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday appeared to extend by 24 hours his deadline for Iran to make a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating infrastructure attacks. “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” he simply said on his Truth Social platform.

The new deadline, 0000 GMT Wednesday (April 8, 2026), would mean another day for Tehran to attempt to placate the mercurial U.S. leader or risk him following through on a threat to destroy the country’s power plants and bridges.

Nominations to close for Tamil Nadu and phase-1 West Bengal polls

The last day for filing nominations for the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls and the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls closes on Monday (April 6, 2026). Single-phase polling for all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and the first phase of voting for 152 constituencies in West Bengal will be held on the April 23.

OMCs to pay discounted rates to refiners amid fuel price freeze

In a first since fuel price deregulation, state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) will pay refineries a discounted price for petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and kerosene to limit mounting losses from a self-imposed freeze on retail fuel prices, sources said.

India-flagged LPG tanker Green Asha crosses Strait of Hormuz

Liquefied petroleum gas tanker Green Asha crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday (April 5, 2026). The India-flagged vessel is carrying 15,400 tonnes of LPG. Green Asha is the eighth LPG carrier under the India flag that has exited the strait, which has been virtually shut by Iran ever since the U.S. and Israel attacked the country on February 28, triggering a global oil crisis. Before the war, India imported almost 90% of its LPG through the strait.

BJP opposed to infiltrators, not against Muslims; bright prospects in Assam, Bengal: Gadkari

Asserting that the BJP is opposed to infiltrators and is not against Muslims, senior party leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday (April 5, 2026) exuded confidence in the party’s electoral prospects in Assam and West Bengal. Assembly polls in Assam are scheduled for April 9, while West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting scheduled on May 4.

A debate on the tenure of Election Commission-appointed police chief

A debate is under way in police circles on the tenure of Sandeep Rai Rathore, appointed Tamil Nadu’s Director-General of Police and Head of Police Force on the directions of the Election Commission of India, in place of G. Venkatraman, the in-charge DGP/HoPF. The posting comes with a promotion, as Mr. Rathore will be entitled to the Apex Scale (Level-17 of the pay matrix), equivalent to that of Chief Secretary. However, the EC order did not specify a tenure for him.

Iran hangs two convicted of links with Israel in pre-war protests: judiciary

Iran executed two men on Sunday (April 5, 2026) convicted of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States during a wave of anti-government protests earlier this year, the judiciary said. “Mohammad-Amin Biglari and Shahin Vahedparast… were hanged after the case was reviewed and the final verdict was confirmed by the Supreme Court,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website said.

Delimitation: Modi’s remark is more like election-driven, says Siddaramaiah

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised hat southern States which have stabilised their population would not lose Lok Sabha seats during a campaign in Kerala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the remark appeared less like statesmanship and more like election-driven messaging. He said the Prime Minister’s statement seemed conveniently timed with political considerations in States such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Tejashwi challenges Bihar CM, deputy CMs for a public debate over State’s progress

Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Assembly Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday (April 5, 2026) slammed the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, claiming that it has failed in every sector. BJP and JD- (U) hit back, saying Bihar has flourished under the leadership of Mr. Kumar.

ED to investigate into assets of Ashok Kharat and call record leaks will be probed: Fadnavis

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will investigate into the assets of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat who is accused in multiple cases of rape and property-related fraud, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Sunday (April 5, 2026). He also said that the leak of call detail records (CDR), which allegedly exposes exchange of calls between Kharat and some political leaders in the State, will be probed.

Bangladesh launches emergency vaccination campaign as measles outbreak spreads

Bangladesh on Sunday (April 5, 2026) launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting more ​than a million children as a fast-spreading measles ‌outbreak sweeps across the country. Health Ministry figures ​show there have been ⁠17 confirmed deaths from measles so far, with 113 suspected deaths and more than 7,500 suspected infections ‌nationwide.

IPL 2026: Red-hot RCB buries CSK under an avalanche of runs

Chennai Super Kings’ cup of woes overflowed at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday as Royal Challengers Bengaluru handed the five-time IPL champion a 43-run defeat. After a Tim David-inspired RCB set a daunting 251-run target, the visitors folded for 207 to lose three out of three this season.