International

India-Bound Ships Turn Back At Hormuz

By BPN News Desk April 19, 2026

Eight India-bound ships returned after attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz on April 18 as tensions in the waterway escalated sharply. The disruption followed reported firing near vessels trying to pass through the strait, forcing several ships carrying cargo meant for India to abort the crossing. A number of India-bound vessels were said to […]

National

Modi Targets Opposition Over Women’s Bill

By BPN News Desk April 19, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the nation after the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, and accused Opposition parties of blocking the implementation of women’s reservation in legislatures. Speaking a day after the bill failed in the Lok Sabha, he said the government remained committed to the larger goal of increasing […]

Government Policies National

DA Hike Raised To 60% For Central Staff

By BPN News Desk April 18, 2026

The Union Cabinet has approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance for central government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners, raising the rate from 58% to 60%. The revised rate will take effect from January 1, 2026, which means eligible employees and pensioners are also expected to receive arrears for the previous months. Dearness Allowance […]

South India State News

Chandrababu Naidu Targets Opposition Over Bill Defeat

By BPN News Desk April 18, 2026

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday launched a national-level campaign against Opposition parties after the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. The bill was linked to the implementation of 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies from the 2029 elections, but it failed to […]

Cricket Sports

Sarfaraz Khan Named Pakistan Test Coach

By BPN News Desk April 18, 2026

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been appointed head coach of Pakistan’s Test team for the upcoming Bangladesh series, marking a major change in the side’s red-ball setup. The Pakistan Cricket Board has also added former cricketers Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul to the support staff ahead of the two-match tour. Pakistan Test Coaching Staff […]

International

Iran Reimposes Hormuz Restrictions Amid Row

By BPN News Desk April 18, 2026

Iran Reimposes Hormuz Restrictions Amid Ceasefire Row Iran has reimposed restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the United States of violating the understanding under which the key maritime route had briefly reopened. The move came a day after hopes rose that commercial navigation might normalise, but renewed tensions have again thrown one of the […]

National Politics

Priyanka Gandhi Calls Bill Defeat a Democracy Win

By BPN News Desk April 18, 2026

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has called the defeat of the Delimitation Bill in the Lok Sabha a major win for democracy, accusing the Centre of trying to alter India’s federal structure through the proposed legislation. Her reaction came a day after the government failed to secure the required two-thirds majority for the constitutional amendment. […]

Op-Eds Opinion

TCS Says Nida Khan Was Not HR. Then How Did She Operate Like HR?

By BPN News Desk April 18, 2026

The controversy surrounding TCS’s Nashik unit has quickly moved beyond a routine corporate clarification into a serious question of internal accountability. What began as a police-led sting operation has now exposed a deeper contradiction that the company’s official statement has not resolved. Investigation officers, backed by undercover findings, have reportedly

Cricket Sports

SRH Sign Gerald Coetzee for David Payne

By BPN News Desk April 18, 2026

Sunrisers Hyderabad have signed South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee as an injury replacement for David Payne for the rest of IPL 2026. The move gives SRH another pace option as the franchise adjusts its squad midway through the season. Gerald Coetzee Joins Sunrisers Hyderabad SRH confirmed that Coetzee has been brought in for the […]

International

Albanese Backs Hormuz Reopening

By BPN News Desk April 18, 2026

Albanese Backs Hormuz Reopening Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and urged that stability be maintained, warning that a prolonged regional conflict could hurt global energy markets and the wider economy. His remarks came as international leaders stepped up diplomatic engagement around one of the world’s most […]