Everything You Know About the Nilambur Bye Election 2025

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The biggest Kerala political story of 2025 is the local elections, but currently, everyone is fixated on the Nilambur bye-election, which is scheduled to take place in a few days. After the resignation of P V Anvar MLA earlier this year, the Election Commission had called for a bye-election to the seat vacated by the MLA. The speciality this time is that the bye-election is held less than a year before the general election and the winner of this match will be an MLA for less than a year only. This is one of the reasons why experts regard it as a semi-final to the general elections next year.  Let us understand Nilambur Constituency better by understanding its Geography. Geography of Nilambur  Most of us would know about a place called Nilambur. However, understanding a lot about it and the constituency concerned would be seldom known. Nilambur is a semi-rural constituency located on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. It is predominantly a forest area lying close to the Nilgiris. It...

News Capsule For The Month of April 2025

Following are the top news for the month.  If you wish to follow and get notifications of future articles, you can sign up using the email on the left sidebar. 

Article of the month

Kerala 

  • Kinfra to open a new water plant in Aluva.
  • HC rejects to stay BJP leaders plea to stop screening L2Empuraan movie. 
  • Vellapally Nadesan makes a controversial statement on Malappuram.
  • Maharaja's students gatecrash Ernakulam Bar Association lawyers' gathering; 20 injured in scuffle.
  • Woman held with ganja worth Rs 35.7 lakh at Kochi Airport.
  • Private players knock on KMRL's door for feeder buses to Tripunithura. 
  • Munambam people on protesters celebrate the Waqf Amendment Bill. They join BJP soon after that. 
  • BJP central leaders visit Munambam promised action. 
  • After Kiren Rijiju's remarks on the Waqf dispute in Kerala, have put it on the back foot. 
  • Kerala orders feasibility study on reopening Old Aluva-Munnar Road through Pooyamkutty forest.
  • Actor Shine Tom Chacko flees the hotel during a drug test and later surrenders in the Police station.
  • Police arrest two people on a film scam. 
  • CPM selects S Satheesh as Ernakulam district secretary. 
  • BJP Kerala chief calls LDF rule 'lost decade', Pinarayi Vijayan's record abysmal. 
  • Buses from Goshree islands failed to 'connect', so KSRTC had to alter services.
  • New AKG Centre inaugurated in Trivandrum. 

India 
  • Waqf Amendment Bill: Catholic bishops seek 'permanent resolution' for land disputes amid Munambam row.
  • Waqf Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
  • Pak Army Crosses Line of Control, Opens Fire, India Retaliates: Army Sources
  • Not BJP, History Will Blame Nitish Kumar: Prashant Kishor On WAQF Bil. 
  • China-India partners for mutual achievements during 75th anniversary of India-China ties.
  • Parliament passes the Immigration and Foreigners Bill.
  • TN assembly passed a resolution to take back Kachteevu from Sri Lanka. 
  • New Karnataka Bhavan inaugurated by Karnataka CM in New Delhi. 
  • BJP leader protesting on petrol and diesel prices was arrested in Bangalore. 
  • Karnataka to now charge people for garbage disposal.
  • RSS calls for ending WTO alliegience after Trump's tariffs.
  • Immigration and Foreigners Bill gets president's assent, becomes law.
  • BookMyShow removes Kunal Kamra's all content after Shiv Sena leader's letter amid 'traitor' joke row.
  • Waqf Bill, Cleared By Parliament After Heated Debates, Gets President's Nod. 
  • Andhra Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan ordered an investigation over students missing JEE due to his convoy.
  • Kumaraswamy rejects talk of rift between BJP-JD(S), says 'no threat to alliance'.
  • Police stations for SC/ST cases in Karnataka to begin operations from April 14.
  • NIA takes 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana into 18-day custody after his extradition from the USA.
  • 3 Pakistani Terrorists Killed During Ongoing Encounter in Kishtwar.
  • Won't implement Waqf law, don't incite riots for politics: Mamata Banerjee.
  • 5.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Pakistan; tremors felt in parts of North India.
  • Parents burn children with incense sticks to treat fever in Karnataka's Koppal.
  • ED chargesheets Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi.
  • Karnataka releases its caste census.
  • Karnataka Governor Sends Bill For 4% Muslim Reservation To President.
  • BJP hits back at Congress' vendetta claims as protests erupt over ED chargesheet against Gandhis. 
  • 'When we sit on the bench, we lose our religion': CJI to Centre during Waqf Act hearing.
  • NEET PG 2025: Registration begins on April 17, the exam is scheduled for June. 
  • 'Nuclear missile against democratic forces': VP Dhankar slams SC deadline for President to decide on bills
  • Stalin urges PM Modi to intervene on his Saudi Visit on the Hajj quota. 
  • Amit Shah Shares His 3-Step; Daily Routine That Helped Him Lose Weight And Quit Medicines.
  • If Raj and Uddhav Thackeray are reuniting, it should be welcomed: Supriya Sule.
  • Chhattisgarh High Court Acquits Man of Rape Charges After 6 Years in Jail, Says Survivor 'Habituated to Sex'.
  • J D Vance arrived in Delhi to meet PM Modi.  
  • Rahul Gandhi a traitor, always defames India on foreign soil: BJP.
  • 26 killed in the worst terror attack since Pulwama; Pak's TRF claims role amid outrage. 
  • Pahalgam terror attack: PM Modi cuts short Saudi Arabia visit, to return to India early Wednesday morning
  • Sketches of terrorists released by the security forces.
  • Both India and Pakistan chaired their National Security Committees chiefs. 
  • Nepali youth killed in Kashmir's body brought home.
  • Sikkim Landslides: 1,000 Tourists Stranded in Lachen and Lachung, 1,500 Rescued.
  • 48 tourist destinations closed in Kashmir after intel on more terror attacks. 
  • PM Modi Chairs Crucial Meet With Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS Anil Chauhan.
  • A demolition drive was launched in Ahmedabad following the detention of 6500 suspected Bangladeshi immigrants, mostly Muslims. 
  • PM's Big "Mode, Targets, Timing" Message To Forces At Key Meet: Sources.
  • Karnataka Weather Alert: Rain Returns to Bengaluru, IMD Predicts More Summer Showers. 
  • BJP has entered into an alliance with AIADMK in Tamil Nadu for next year's assembly elections. 
World

  • Japan faces looming 'Megaquake' as up to 3 Lakh Deaths Feared, $2 Trillion in Damages Expected. 
  • Pakistan witnessed 84 attacks on Ramadan spread across several states.
  • Massive earthquake occurred in Myanmar and Thailand killing 10,000 people. 
  • China launched surprise military drills around Taiwan. 
  • The US pledged $2M for Myanmar.
  • Singapore inks carbon trading agreement with Peru. 
  • Taliban rejects Western laws and democracy.
  • China tells Russia that it is friends forever.
  • Moldova expels three Russian Diplomats and Russia vows to retaliate. 
  • Jordan Bardella was the leader of the far-right in France.
  • Panama opens for a talk with Canada on Copper Mines. 
  • Sri Lanka recovers from economic crisis. 
  • Finland exits a Land mines treaty with Russia. 
  • Putin meets Brazilian PM Lula. 
  • India-Chile held trade pact talks. 
  • Kazhakstan-EU discuss cooperation. 
  • India and Nepal sign 10 MOUs for health and cultural development. 
  • Bhutanese refugees expelled from the USA. 
  • Xi visited Southeast Asia on a grand trip.
  • Norovirus infects 200 people on a cruise ship.
  • Earthquake Of Magnitude 6 Hits Japan's Kyushu.
  • Myanmar hit by 5.6 magnitude earthquake just days after devastating tremors killed 3,000
  • Canada and Australia to collaborate on GCAP future fighters programme. 
  • 6th BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand. 
  • Myanmar military declares ceasefire in earthquake. 
  • EU to prepare countermeasures to US reciprocal tariffs, says EU chief. 
  • India undertakes Operation Brahma to provide aid to Myanmar.
  • PM Modi, Bangladesh's Yunus seen seated together at BIMSTEC dinner in Thailand.
  • UN aid chief visits Myanmar. 
  • India and Thailand upgraded to Strategic Partnership.
  • Hungary says it will leave ICC over bias against Israel; as Netanyahu arrived there.
  • Colombia to buy Swedish fighter jets.
  • US-China-Military officials met.
  • PM Modi was conferred the prestigious 'Mithra Vibhushana' medal by Sri Lanka.
  • Senate Republicans pass the budget Bill. Democrats warned the blueprint could lead to cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.
  • India-Sri lanka ink 10 MoUs.
  • Saudi Ambassador of Maldives visits Maldivian minister.
  • India-Nepal to seek resolution through dialogue. 
  • Marco Rubio speaks to Pakistani FM.
  • SC of India and Nepal sign an MoU of collaboration. 
  • 3 lakh Indian students in trouble as US plans to end work visa route.
  • Children and teens make up the majority of measles cases, according to DSHS data.
  • UK royal family visits Italy.
  • NATO summit held in Brussels. 
  • Bangladesh appoints new ambassador for India. 
  • Pak Army says he will provide security for companies working on the military sector.
  • Singer Rubby PĆ©rez, MLB star among 124 dead in Dominican nightclub roof collapse.
  • New German govt. takes charge under Friedrich Merz. 
  • American Youtuber arrested in Andaman and Nicobar's prohibited island. 
  • India Ends Trans-Shipment Facility For Bangladesh To Export Goods To Other Countries.
  • Turkiye targets PKK groups in Syria and Iraq.
  • India- Nepal sign MoU to boost agriculture.
  • Ukraine says Chinese troops are fighting on behalf of Russia. Ukraine parades them. 
  • Measles cases have been confirmed in at least 24 states of the USA. 
  • Bangladesh requests for the extraction of Sheikh Hasina.
  • Ukraine to receive $580M of UK Military support.
  • Russian Missile Strikes Indian Pharma Firm's Warehouse In Ukraine: Kyiv.
  • Biden speaks after 3 months in an address in Chicago. 
  • UK Supreme Court says the legal definition of ‘woman’ excludes trans women, in a landmark ruling.
  • China imposes VISA restrictions on US personnel over the Tibet issue.
  • Iran FM heads to Moscow.
  • Police are responding to the scene, which is near the Student Union on Florida University shooting.
  • Elon Musk Wants To Build "Legion" Of Children, Sent Sperm To Japanese Woman: Report.
  • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence attacked by arsons and put on fire by attackers in Harrisburg. 
  • Schumer calls for hate crime investigation into Shapiro arson attack. 
  • Senate Democratic leader Schumer asked Attorney General Bondi to start a federal hate crime probe of the Pennsylvania governor's mansion arson.
  • Australian universities ban six states from states. 
  • Sri Lanka drops Naval drill with Pakistan.
  • China and Cambodia signed a $1.2B deal on Funan Canal.
  • Scotland passed a bill to combat anti-Hindu prejudice. 
  • FAT and Bhutan ink MoU for collaboration.
  • US VP JD Vance arrived in Italy and the Vatican for his official visit. 
  • The world celebrated Easter Sunday.
  • Pope Francis passed away due to ill health. 
  • The Pope's death comes fewer than 24 hours after he made an appearance at the Vatican's St Peter's Square for Easter Sunday.
  • Pakistani PM visits Turkey. 
  • US-India to finalise trade deal soon.
  • India- Saudi to ink six pacts.
  • Massive wildfire breaks out in New Jersey. 
  • Worldwide condemnation was received for the Pahalgam attack.
  • Pakistan-China-Khunjerab border opened. 
  • Council of Europe discusses Kazhakstan's commitment to the rule of law reforms.
  • Myanmar extends ceasefire to support relief.
  • Trump envoy heads to Moscow for peace talks. 
  • EU will never recognise Crimea as Russia says Chief Kaja Kallas. 
  • China and Gulf states strengthen nuclear cooperation. 
  • Pope Francis was laid to rest in the Vatican. 
  • Musk's role at the White House set off worldwide protests at Tesla dealerships.
  • Thailand proposed six countries and one destination tourism campaign.
  • Thai king visits Bhutan. 
  • Zelensky visits South Africa. 
  • BSF jawan detained by Pak Rangers after accidentally crossing the border; talks for release go on. 
  • EU will not recognise Crimea.
  • India paused the Indus Water Treaty as retaliation. 
  • Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif ready for 'neutral investigation'.
  • "No country has 100 per cent foolproof intelligence": Shashi Tharoor on Pahalgam terror attack.
  • Pakistan troops killed 54 migrants from Pakistan. 
  • Qatar and Saudi outstanding debt to the World Bank. 
  • Central Asia-China strengthen ties at the FM meeting in Almaty. 
  • Russia announces 3-day surprise ceasefire in Ukraine, from May 8-10. 
  • India signs a deal for 26 Rafale aircraft from Dassault for $7.4B. 
  • China claims a reef in the South China Sea from the Philippines.
  • Russia has regained control of the Kursk border region from Ukraine, Putin says. 
  • Muslim man was killed inside a Mosque in France. 
  • Brazil official for EU-Mercosur deal amid US tariff war.
  • Sweden shooting: Three dead in mass firing incident at hair salon.
  • 'Chances Of Conflict With India Increasing With Passage Of Time': Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
  • India issues NOTAM: Pakistan aircraft barred from Indian airspace till May 23. 
  • Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir addressed the Overseas Pakistani Convention in Islamabad. 
Trump Administration 
  • Trump threatens to impose tariffs on Russian crude if a peace deal is not signed. 
  • US VP J D Vance visits the Military base on Greenland Island along with the second lady.
  • Democrat-backed Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court race. 
  • Cory Booker ends 25-hour record-breaking anti-Trump speech non-stop.
  • FBI raids Scientist Wang Xiaofeng's home.
  • Layoffs for healthcare workers begin.
  • The president transferred his ownership to the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust.
  • Trump extends TikTok's legality in the US before the deadline for the app to be sold or banned.
  • China imposes 34% reciprocal tariffs on imports of US goods in retaliation for Trump’s trade war
  • NSA's Gen. Timothy Haugh was among those Trump removed.
  • Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia was deported despite having protected legal status.
  • A judge has ruled that Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia must be returned to the U.S.
  • Jaishankar, Rubio discussed importance of early conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement: India's MEA
  • Peter Hegseth visits Panama and talks about US bases and canal.
  • Trump threatens to return to higher tariffs without deals.
  • Iran and US hold high-stakes nuke talks in Oman amid Trump threats.
  • Indian Orgin diversity chief Neela Rajendra sacked. 
  • On "This Week," Warren rejects Trump's use of a 1977 emergency law.
  •  'Good chance' of US-UK trade deal, Vance reportedly says.
  • Trump says Chips and pharma will have separate tariffs. 
  • Trump Escalates Harvard Row, Threatens To Tax It As A "Political Entity".
  • Sen. Chris Van Hollen said he seeks to speak with Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
  • Trump's tariffs "highly likely" to reignite inflation, Fed chair Powell says.
  • Island-wide blackout hits Puerto Rico as residents prepare for Easter weekend. 
  • Trump blasts Fed Chair Powell, saying his ‘termination cannot come fast enough’.
  • The Justice Department is appealing the judge's decision.
  • Immigrant under detention dies. 
  • Indian and Chinese students join to sue the Trump admin over F1 issue.
  • Pete Hegseth posts war plans in a family signal chat group. 
  • "Just a waste of time. He is doing a great job," Trump said of Hegseth.
  • Harvard sues Trump for more than Rs 2B in grants.
  • Norway's PM met Trump. 
  • Iranian FM visits China. 
  • The "baby bonus" is one of a number of proposals being considered by Trump. 
  • Most Americans now express opposition to Trump's tariffs and little confidence in his economic leadership, a shift since the election.
  • Musk exits from Trump's cabinet.
  • Trump admin weighing exceptions for some Chinese parts.
  • President Trump completes his first 100 days in office. He will be the first one in 80 years to have the lowest approval rating of 39%.

Israel-Palestine and the Middle East
  • Israel-Turkey tensions rise in Syria over airbases. Both resolve their conflicts. 
  • Israel looks to fire Shinbet chief.
  • Israel Katz said Israel would "crush and cleanse" enemy forces in the strip.
  • Netanyahu rocked by a new Qatar scandal.
  • Netanyahu meets Trump at the White House. 
  • US and Iran start talks on the Nuclear Programme in Oman. 
  • Turkey arrests 38 customs officers on graft charges. 
  • South Korea establishes diplomatic relations with Syria. 
  • Israel proposed a 45-day ceasefire deal along with a hostage deal.
  • Israeli probe into the killings of Palestinian medics finds ‘professional failures’.
  • Turkish Intel Chief meets Hamas Delegation to discuss delivering aid ceasefire in Gaza.
  • PM Modi arrived in Jeddah and entered the Mecca-Medinah.
  • Jordan bans the Muslim Brotherhood. 
  • Massive blast at Southern Iran port injures 1000 people and killed 15.
  • UK begins military campaign in Yemen. 
  • Ukraine and the US signed a new Minerals Deal.
Technology
  • SpaceX launches Fram2 astronauts on a mission to fly in polar orbit.
  • Lockheed Martin clinches $494B US military contract.
  • OpenAI released Ghbli features on Chat GPT.
  • South Korea imposes sanctions on Hong Kong.
  • UPI payments were down multiple times in several days this month.
  • Journalist Rahul Kanwal quits India Today and heads to NDTV.
  • AI meet happens in Kazakhstan.
  • Caspian Green Energy Corridor moves ahead with one more multilateral MoU.
  • Cambodia completes expansion of China-backed Ream Naval Base.
  • OpenAI Explores $500M Acquisition of Jony Ive and Sam Altman's AI Hardware Startup.
  • Atal Incubation Centre opened in Bhutan. 
  • Dutch tightened controls on military and dual-use exports to Israel. 
  • NASA offers $3M in competition to recycle human poop in space.
  • Samsung paused one UI7 rollout due to a bug report.
  • Google increases RAM and storage requirements for smartphones (android).
  • China's chip exports keep rising amidst sanctions.
  • Japan gives India two high-speed railway Shinkansen.
  • Govt Says No Satellite-Based System Replacing, ANPR Model Still on Trial.
  • China launches world's first 10G cloud broadband, downloads 90GB file in few seconds.
  • Drones can deliver supplies to Mount Everest this year, and it may change climbing forever.
  • China tests non-nuclear hydrogen bomb. 
  • Nitin Gadkari Mulls Law For Sound Of Indian Musical Instrument As Vehicle Horns. 
  • African Space Agency inaugurated in Cairo.
  • Pakistan aims to expand Space cooperation with China. 
  • Germany promotes Green hydrogen in Kazakhstan.
  • India halts rail projects in Bangladesh. 
  • OpenAI takes another swing at Google Search and brings shopping to ChatGPT.

Business and Finance

  • Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on April 2nd on the "Liberation Day".
  • Stock market plunges on opening over Trump's April 2 tariff concerns.
  • OpenAI raised up to $40B in deal with SoftBank.
  • HAL revenue reaches Rs 30400 crore.
  • Japan, South Korea, and Japan agree to strengthen free trade. 
  • US tariffs strengthen rationale for India-European Union FTA: EU ambassador.
  • Bhutan transfers $32M worth of bitcoin.
  • India notifies exports to Maldives.
  • Karnataka govt hikes petrol prices. 
  • China and EU to negotiate on EV tariffs.
  • China imposes 34% reciprocal tariffs on imports of US goods in retaliation for Trump’s trade war. 
  • BookMyShow removes Kunal Kamra's all content after Shiv Sena leader's letter amid 'traitor' joke row.
  • Universal 10% tariffs take effect.
  • Swiggy Receives Dual Tax Demands Worth Over Rs 165 Crore.
  • Investors lose Rs 19 lakh crore within minutes as Sensex sinks 3,000 pts, Nifty below 22,000.
  • World markets melted down in response to Trump's tariff policies.
  • Taiwan pledges for more investments in the US amidst Tariffs.
  • India hikes Rs 2 as excise duty on Petrol and diesel.
  • US stocks enter bear market territory as tariff misery continues on Wall Street. 
  • Crude oil prices fall below Rs 60 a barrel.
  • Trump says EU must by $350B of energy resources.
  • Donald Trump's tariff tantrums tank Tesla stock, Elon Musk's wealth falls below $300 billion for the first time.
  • Gold Prices slide amidst tariff concerns. 
  • UAE hosts World Crisis and Emergency Management Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
  • Tariffs on China reach a record 400%.
  • India's mobile phone exports reach Rs 2 lakh crore mark.
  • IMF reaches a deal with Javier Milei.
  • EU slaps retaliatory tariffs on USA.
  • Trump pasues tariffs for 90 days, but retains 10%. 
  • Trump lowers reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, except China
  • Minerals summit held in Islamabad.
  • QUAD announced aid to Myanmar.
  • Anti-Israel protests attacks business outlets in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  • Musk takes aim at Peter Navarro, the senior adviser on trade and manufacturing.
  • China targets US soybeans.
  • Vizhinjam port welcomes MSC Turkiye.
  • Apple stocks lead the recovery in the US markets.
  • China halts Boeing orders due to US tariffs.
  • Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are on the queue to join RCEP says Singapore FM. 
  • Bhutan bets on Bitcoin to Battle economic woes.
  • India-Nepal takes steps to curb gold, narcotics and fake currency notes smuggling.
  • Trump's tariffs "highly likely" to reignite inflation, Fed chair Powell says.
  • China talks to Australia for Beef imports. 
  • Infosys results show 12%YOY- Rs 7033 crore.
  • Maharastra exports pomegranates for the first time by Sea. 
  • Nirmala Sitharaman in San Francisco for five day US visit. 
  • IMF slashed GDP growth estimates for the world. 
  • EU fines Apple, Meta. 
  • Roughly 47% of Republicans think tariffs will negatively impact inflation.
  • E-commerce, crops, data storage top India-US trade deal negotiations: Report. 
  • Refrain from live coverage of defence operations, and security force movement: Govt to media channels.
  • Treasury secretary says ‘good behaviour’ by partners will keep tariffs lower.
  • Mother Dairy raises milk prices by up to Rs 2/litre
  • Amul raises milk prices by up to Rs 2/litre
Sports 

  • Ashwani Kumar's 1st Reaction After Dream IPL Debut For MI vs KKR In IPL 2025.
  • Afghanistan team gets funding from ICC. 
  • PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirms Pakistan team won't travel to India for ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025.

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