Top News 3 April: Major shake-up in US military; Afghanistan conducts strike on Pakistan

Stay updated with the biggest headlines for Friday, 3 April - politics, crime, sports, and more - all summarized for quick reading. Get instant access to breaking news, major developments, and trending stories in just one click. Perfect for busy readers who want news on the go.

Post Published By: Karan Sharma
Updated : 3 April 2026 , 9:46 PM

New Delhi: Get all the day’s essential news-politics, crime, sports, and more in a quick, easy-to-read format. Stay informed with breaking updates and top stories in just one click. Perfect for busy readers who want fast, reliable news summaries anytime, anywhere.

    The liveblog has ended.

    LIVE NEWS & UPDATES

    • 03 Apr 2026 09:46 PM (IST)

      Uttar Pradesh: Pakistan-linked terror module busted, 4 arrested for plotting attacks

      The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has foiled a major terror conspiracy with the arrest of four individuals allegedly linked to a Pakistan-based network. Officials said the group was planning attacks on railway infrastructure and other key installations to spread panic.

      The arrests were made following intelligence inputs and surveillance, preventing what authorities described as a potentially serious security threat.

    • 03 Apr 2026 09:33 PM (IST)

      With little more time, US can easily open Hormuz, take oil and make fortune: Trump

      US President Donald Trump has said the United States could reopen the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz “with a little more time,” amid escalating tensions with Iran.

      In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested that Washington could take control of the key shipping route and its oil flows, stating that such a move could yield significant economic gains.

    • 03 Apr 2026 08:42 PM (IST)

      Seema Haider names newborn son ‘Bharat’, says proud of her identity in India

      Seema Haider, who moved to India in 2023, has named her newborn son “Bharat” during a ceremony held at her residence in Rabupura, Greater Noida. The child, born in February, is her sixth.

      Seema lives with her husband Sachin Meena, with whom she shares two children. She also has four children from a previous marriage.

    • 03 Apr 2026 07:38 PM (IST)

      'Aap Apni Party Banaye': Disha Patani's sister Khushboo backs Raghav Chadha amid AAP's Rajya Sabha row

      Actor Ahaan Panday has officially begun shooting for his second Bollywood project, once again backed by Yash Raj Films (YRF). The yet-untitled film is being directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, known for delivering major commercial hits.

      The announcement comes shortly after the actor’s successful debut, marking a strong continuation of his association with the banner.

    • 03 Apr 2026 04:18 PM (IST)

      Scared of PM Modi? Atishi asks Raghav Chadha as AAP corners party’s ex deputy leader

      Tensions within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) escalated on Friday as senior leaders publicly criticised Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, a day after he was removed as the party’s deputy leader in the Upper House.

      The controversy intensified after Chadha questioned his removal, prompting sharp responses from key party figures.

    • 03 Apr 2026 03:29 PM (IST)

      Dhurandhar 2 roars at box office, crosses Rs 1500 crore in just 15 days

      Ranveer Singh's film "Dhurandhar 2" had a blockbuster debut at the box office. While the first film had gained momentum slowly, its sequel was a record-breaking success from day one. The film nearly crossed the ₹100 crore mark on opening day, signaling its potential to become a blockbuster.

      Crossing ₹1500 crore mark in 15 days

      The film has collected a staggering ₹1501 crore worldwide in just 15 days. Its net collection at the Indian box office has reached ₹961 crore, while the gross collection has reached ₹1134 crore. The film has earned ₹367 crore in the overseas market so far. Significantly, the majority of the film's earnings have come from the Hindi belt.

    • 03 Apr 2026 03:29 PM (IST)

      Dzire Steers to the Top: Maruti Suzuki Dominates FY2026 Car Sales

      The Maruti Suzuki Dzire has claimed the top spot as India’s bestselling car in FY2026 (April 2025 to March 2026), with around 2.3 lakh units sold. The compact sedan’s strong performance has also helped the Maruti Suzuki dominate the sedan segment holding the 57.2% market share, while achieving its highest ever annual sales.

      Affordable Pricing Appeals to Buyers

      One of the key reasons for Dzire’s popularity is its competitive pricing range which starting at just Rs 6.25 lakh. Positioned in the compact sedan segment, the Dzire offers a smart balance of affordability and features. This makes it a preferred choice for first time buyers as well as families looking to upgrade from smaller cars. The car’s low maintenance cost ranging between Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 per year along with Maruti Suzuki’s wide service network makes owning a Dzire easy, whether in cities or rural areas.

    • 03 Apr 2026 02:13 PM (IST)

      Tamil Nadu Polls: BJP releases list of 27 candidates, Tamilisai Soundararajan to contest from Mylapore

      The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday announced its first list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Election 2026, marking an early start to its electoral campaign in the state.

    • 03 Apr 2026 01:53 PM (IST)

      Assembly Elections 2026: AIMIM releases first list of 12 candidates for West Bengal polls

      The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Friday announced its first list of 12 candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The party has fielded nominees across several key constituencies, marking its early entry into the electoral contest.

      Among the candidates, Imran Soanki will contest from Raghunathganj, while Danish Aziz has been nominated from Asansol Uttar. Misbahul Islam Khan will represent the party in Kandi, and Rejaul Karim has been fielded from Sujapur.

    • 03 Apr 2026 01:52 PM (IST)

      Governance requires new capabilities to respond to technological disruption: Dr PK Mishra

      Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, underlined that in a fast-changing world, governance must remain aligned with evolving needs and expectations, guided by the spirit of “Naagrik Devo Bhava” (Citizens are Supreme). 

      Dr Mishra was speaking at the inauguration of 'Karmayogi Sadhana Saptah' at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi.

    • 03 Apr 2026 01:14 PM (IST)

      Apple planning major iPhone launch shake-up with iPhone 18 lineup

      A new leak suggests that Apple may be planning a major shift in how it launches its iPhones. Instead of unveiling the entire iPhone 18 lineup at once the company could introduce models in phases. The Pro versions may arrive first and followed by standard models later. If true, this would mark a significant change in Apple’s long standing launch strategy, keeping excitement alive for a longer period.

      For years, the Apple has followed a predictable pattern of announcing all its iPhones together in September. However, reports now suggest that this could change with the iPhone 18 series. The premium models iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch first in September 2026. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 18 models might arrive later, possibly in early 2027. This doesn’t appear to be a delay but rather a strategic move. By spacing out launches, Apple could keep public attention focused on its products for a longer time.

    • 03 Apr 2026 01:03 PM (IST)

      Raghav Chadha breaks silence after removal as Rajya Sabha Deputy leader

      AAP MP Raghav Chadha on Friday broke his silence for the first time after being removed from the post of Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha by his party Aam Aadmi Party. He stated that whenever he had the opportunity to speak in Parliament, he always raised issues concerning the common people. He questioned whether it was a crime to speak on public issues.

    • 03 Apr 2026 12:36 PM (IST)

      J&K LG calls for fair probe into Ganderbal encounter death

      Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of a local man during an encounter in Ganderbal district. Instructions have also been issued to complete the investigation in a timely manner.

      Incident occurred on April 1st

      The incident occurred on April 1st in the Arhama area of ​​Ganderbal. Raashid Ahmed Mughal, a resident of Chountwaliwar Lar, was killed. Following the incident, tension prevailed in the area, and demands for an investigation into the matter were being raised.

    • 03 Apr 2026 11:51 AM (IST)

      LPG Crisis: Centre tightens control over fuel supply chain

      The Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas held a meeting with the Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries (Food & Civil Supplies) of all States and Union Territories to review the fuel supply situation across the country. The objective of the meeting was to ensure smooth supply of petroleum fuels in the country and to review preparedness to deal with any potential crisis.

      In the meeting, the Secretary (Petroleum) informed the states about the steps taken by the Central Government to facilitate the supply of essential petroleum fuels. He appealed to all states and Union Territories to cooperate with the Central Government in controlling the situation.

    • 03 Apr 2026 11:16 AM (IST)

      Abhishek Sharma fined despite match-winning knock in IPL 2026

      In IPL 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad's star opener Abhishek Sharma gave his team a flying start with a brilliant batting performance against Kolkata Knight Riders. His aggressive innings played a crucial role in the team's victory. However, despite this excellent performance, he suffered a financial loss as he was fined after the match.

      Code of Conduct Violation Case

      Abhishek Sharma's behavior during the match played at Eden Gardens on April 2nd sparked controversy. While batting, he used abusive language, which was recorded by the stump mic. Such behavior is taken seriously in cricket. Consequently, he was found guilty by the BCCI under Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct.

    • 03 Apr 2026 10:45 AM (IST)

      Fuel Check: Petrol & Diesel prices today

      Despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, petrol and diesel prices in India remained unchanged on April 3. Oil marketing companies (OMCs) review prices every day, but today's rates remained stable. Domestic consumers have received some relief despite the significant fluctuations in the international market.

      Global Market Volatility Continues

      International crude oil prices continue to fluctuate. Earlier this week, Brent crude prices surpassed $115 per barrel, although they have since eased slightly. Escalating tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel have kept the global oil market volatile.

    • 03 Apr 2026 10:20 AM (IST)

      Why is Good Friday called ‘Good’?

      Good Friday is a deeply significant day in the Christian calendar. It marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and honors the sacrifice He made for humanity. While it is a solemn occasion filled with prayer and reflection and it also carries a message of love, forgiveness, and hope, as believers remember His sacrifice and prepare for the celebration of Easter Sunday.

      Why Is It Called ‘Good’ Friday?

      The name “Good Friday” may seem confusing because it remembers a tragic event. However, Christians believe the day is “good” because of what Jesus sacrifice represents. His death is seen as an act of love that brought forgiveness redemption, and the hope of eternal life. Some also believe that the name may have come from older terms like “God’s Friday” or “Holy Friday,” highlighting the sacredness of the day.

    • 03 Apr 2026 10:05 AM (IST)

      CSK vs PBKS: High-voltage clash on Chepauk pitch

      The seventh match of the 19th season of IPL 2026 will be played between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). The match will be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai. The match will begin at 7:30 PM, with the toss taking place at 7:00 PM. Chennai will be captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, while Punjab Kings will be led by Shreyas Iyer. Chennai lost their previous match, while Punjab will be confident after their win.

    • 03 Apr 2026 09:09 AM (IST)

      Good Friday: NSE, BSE, MCX, Bank closed today?

      Today on April 3, is a nationwide public holiday on Good Friday. Consequently, there is no trading on the Indian stock market. Equity, derivatives, and currency segments are completely closed on both the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Previously, the market was closed on March 31st due to Mahavir Jayanti, resulting in a reduction in trading days this week.

      Impact on Commodity Markets

      Along with the stock market, the commodity market is also closed today. Trading will be suspended on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) in both the morning and evening sessions. The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) will also be completely closed. The MCX previously saw partial trading on March 31st, but there is no trading today due to the full holiday.

    • 03 Apr 2026 08:47 AM (IST)

      US Army Chief Randy George asked to retire immediately

      Amid rising tensions with Iran in West Asia, the United States has made a major change to its military structure. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Army Chief General Randy George to resign with immediate effect. The Pentagon confirmed this, although no clear reason has been provided for the decision. This move comes at a time when the US and Israel are continuously carrying out military action against Iran.

    • 03 Apr 2026 07:44 AM (IST)

      Thunderstorms, rain likely in Delhi-NCR and Haryana

      The weather in the National Capital Region (NCR) is set to change once again. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), strong thunderstorms, rain, and lightning are expected across the entire NCR, including Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad. Strong winds with speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour are expected during this period. The Meteorological Department has advised people to remain vigilant.

      On April 3rd, the maximum temperature is expected to be 33 degrees Celsius and the minimum 21 degrees Celsius. On April 4th, the temperature is expected to hover around 33/20 degrees Celsius. However, strong thunderstorms and rain will be expected in the afternoon and evening. The weather will remain similar on April 5th, with temperatures expected to drop further by April 6th.

Location :  New Delhi

Published :  3 April 2026, 7:42 AM IST