New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 9 PM NATION DEL64 PB-LDALL BLAST (6.47 PM)

Twin blasts near security establishments in Punjab, police suspect ISI hand; political blame game erupts Chandigarh: Two back-to-back explosions near security establishments rocked Punjab Tuesday night, triggering panic and a political blame game with police suspecting a plot by Pakistan's ISI to cause disruptions ahead of Operation Sindoor anniversary.

CAL48 LDALL-WB NEW GOVT (8.15 PM)

Bengal's first BJP govt to take oath on May 9; Modi, Shah likely to attend Kolkata: The first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal will be sworn in at the Brigade Parade Ground here on May 9, heralding a saffron era in the eastern state that had long eluded the pan-Indian powerhouse.

MDS36 TN-TVK-4THLD CONG (7.17 PM)

Congress declares support to TVK, says it will be part of Vijay-led Cabinet Chennai: The Congress party, a long-time ally of the DMK, on Wednesday announced its support to actor-politician Vijay's TVK to form a government in Tamil Nadu and severed ties with the Dravidian major.

DEL74 NCRB-CRIME (8.08 PM) Crimes dipped by 6% across country: NCRB

New Delhi: India recorded 58.85 lakh crimes in 2024, a six per cent dip from 2023 when 62.41 lakh cases were reported, according to the latest figures released by the National Crime Records Bureau on Wednesday.

DEL76 ADR-WEST BENGAL (8.17 PM)

65% of newly elected Bengal MLAs face criminal cases; 61% are 'crorepatis': ADR New Delhi: As many as 65 per cent of newly elected legislators in the West Bengal Assembly have declared criminal cases against themselves, marking a sharp rise from the previous election, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

CAL49 WB-MAMATA-LD CANDIDATES (8.44 PM)

Mamata digs in after poll defeat; TMC calls refusal to resign 'symbolic protest' Kolkata: A day after refusing to resign as the West Bengal chief minister despite the BJP's sweeping electoral victory, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hardened her political stance, with party leaders describing her decision as a "symbolic protest" against alleged manipulation of the assembly poll results and signalled a prolonged political and legal battle ahead.

DEL38 PM-INDIA-LD VIETNAM (3.56 PM)

India, Vietnam elevate ties to enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership; set USD 25 bn trade target New Delhi: India and Vietnam on Wednesday elevated their ties to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership and set a USD 25 billion annual trade target by 2030 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam held talks focusing on expanding bilateral ties in areas of trade, defence, and critical minerals in the face of increasing geopolitical upheavals.

CAL44 WB-SECRETARIAT-SHIFT (7.51 PM)

Iconic Writers Buildings to get glory back as BJP to shift secretariat from Mamata-era Nabanna Kolkata: The nearly 250-year-old Writers Buildings in the heart of the city looks all set to get back its status as West Bengal's state secretariat, following the BJP's decision that its chief minister will not function from 'Nabanna', the seat of power of the Mamata Banerjee administration in Howrah on the other side of the river Hooghly.

BOM11 MP-GIRL-RAPE-ARREST (5.43 PM)

Septuagenarian held for raping his granddaughter's 5-year-old friend in Bhopal Bhopal: Police have arrested an elderly man for allegedly raping a five-year-girl, who is a friend of his granddaughter, in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, officials said on Wednesday.

LEGAL LGD20 SC-EC-LAW-HEARING (7.27 PM)

SC asks can it direct Parliament to make law to regulate appointment of CEC, ECs New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked whether it can direct Parliament to make a law for regulating appointment procedures of the chief election commissioner and the deputies.

LGD15 SC-BUILDINGS-MYSURU (6.36 PM)

Mysuru's historic Devaraja Market, Lansdowne Building should be protected: SC New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said that the over a century-old Devaraja Market and the Lansdowne Building in Mysuru should be protected, with necessary renovation and restoration work carried out.

BUSINESS DEL36 BIZ-EXPORTS-DATA (3.42 PM)

Goods, services exports up 4.59 pc to USD 863.11 bn in FY26 New Delhi: The country's goods and services exports rose 4.6 per cent to an all-time high of USD 863.11 billion during 2025-26, up from USD 825.26 billion in 2024-25, despite global economic uncertainties, according to revised commerce ministry data.

FOREIGN FGN47 US-TRUMP-THREAT-LD IRAN (6.52 PM)

Trump’s fresh threat to bomb Iran amid reports of deal to end war Washington: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened Iran with more bombing if it doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz, amid a report that the warring sides were nearing an agreement to end the war. By Sagar Kulkarni

FGN36 BANGLA-INDIA (4.59 PM)

Bangladesh hopes no 'pushback' after BJP's win in elections Dhaka: Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday expressed hope that people will not be pushed in his country after the BJP's victory in the recent assembly polls in bordering states.

PTI APL APL

Election commissioner appointments and heritage protection drew attention as the court examined lawmaking directions and restoration needs. Regulation of the appointment process for the chief election commissioner and election commissioners came under consideration as the Supreme Court examined whether it can direct Parliament to enact a law governing the procedure for such appointments. The issue centred on the institutional question of whether judicial directions can be issued to require legislative action in an area touching the constitutional framework for election administration. Protection and restoration of heritage structures also figured prominently, with the Supreme Court stating that Mysuru's Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building, both over a century old, should be protected and that necessary renovation and restoration work should be carried out.