Top news of the day: April 9, 2026

Kerala crossed the voter turnout of 75% by 5 p.m., after polling continued in 140 Assembly constituencies on Thursday. Those present at the polling stations at 6 p.m. were given tokens and would be allowed to vote. Polling in all 126 Assembly constituencies of Assam ends with estimated 84.42% voter turnout. The crucial elections will decide whether the ruling LDF will get a straight third term, or if the UDF makes a comeback, or if BJP springs a surprise in an otherwise bipolar battle. According to initial estimates, the polling percentage has crossed 86% in the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Calls were mounting on Thursday (April 9, 2026) for the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran to be extended to Israel’s war with Hezbollah, after a massive wave of Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed more than 200 people. U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed victory in the West Asia war after agreeing a two-week truce to allow talks to end a conflict that has killed thousands and plunged the global economy into turmoil.