West Bengal is witnessing a dramatic political shift as the Bharatiya Janata Party surges ahead in early counting trends, crossing the crucial halfway mark in the 294-seat assembly. Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress are facing their toughest challenge in 15 years, with key strongholds like Kolkata and Howrah showing signs of slipping away. Suvendu Adhikari, once a close aide of Mamata, has emerged as a central figure in BJP’s aggressive push. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has raised concerns over alleged counting irregularities, urging party workers to stay alert until the final results are declared.

India-linked LPG carriers have successfully navigated the highly sensitive Strait of Hormuz, breaking through weeks of restricted traffic and geopolitical tension. The vessel Sarv Shakti, carrying approximately 45,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas, has entered the Gulf of Oman after passing near Iranian-controlled islands under intense surveillance. Another tanker, Desh Garima, is believed to have completed its transit using signal suppression tactics, highlighting the high-risk environment currently dominating one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. WATCH