Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticised Air India after encountering a broken seat during his flight. He expressed disappointment over poor service and questioned the management for charging full fare for defective seats, urging immediate corrective actions to prevent future passenger discomfort.
Kamal Haasan stressed the importance of linguistic pride among Tamilians and warned against underestimating their language preferences. He made these remarks amid the ongoing conflict between the state and Centre over the National Education Policy. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clarified that NEP 2020 does not mandate any language.
Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend Mauritius's 57th National Day celebrations as the guest of honor. Modi's visit highlights the strong ties between Mauritius and India, coming soon after his trips to Paris and the United States.
Congress legislators in Rajasthan staged an overnight sit-in protest in the state assembly following the suspension of six MLAs, including Govind Singh Dotsara. The suspension resulted from a protest over remarks made by Minister Avinash Gehlot about former PM Indira Gandhi. Despite talks with ministers, the issue remained unresolved, with the assembly adjourned until Monday.
US President Donald Trump criticized $21 million funding for voter turnout in India and $29 million to strengthen Bangladesh's political landscape. He questioned the allocation of such substantial amounts abroad while similar efforts could be prioritized in the US. The issue has sparked political debates in India, drawing reactions from various leaders and the Ministry of External Affairs.
The AICC accused the BJP and RSS of taking American funds since the 60s to destabilize Congress governments. They claimed the $21 million in USAID funds mentioned by BJP were intended for Bangladesh, and questioned the lack of government oversight on such international finances impacting regional stability.
Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that MSRTC is facing significant financial losses due to concessions provided to women and senior citizens, amounting to Rs 3 crore daily. However, DCM Ekanth Shinde assured that these discounts will continue despite the financial strain.
A Jharkhand Public Service Commission exam topper, Shalini Vijay, was found dead along with her IRS officer brother Manish and their mother in Kochi, Kerala. Investigators suspect a suicide pact following a long legal battle over the 2003 recruitment exam's fairness. Charges against Shalini and others include cheating and corruption. Autopsies are pending.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his pride in the connection between the RSS and Marathi language at the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan. He praised the recognition of Marathi as a classical language and highlighted Maharashtra's rich cultural heritage and contributions to India's freedom struggle.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a TOI interview, emphasized the need for year-round efforts to combat pollution with a 365-day plan. The BJP government intends to address water, dust, vehicular, and stubble pollution continuously and ensure the availability of resources for social welfare schemes amid concerns about Delhi's treasury.
The external affairs ministry of India expressed deep concerns over US President Trump's claim that USAID allocated $21 million to increase voter turnout in India, labelling the matter as 'deeply troubling'. Indian agencies are now investigating the potential foreign interference in India's internal affairs.
Indian businessman Vijay Mallya's bankruptcy appeal in the UK concluded, with a judge’s decision pending. Mallya argues that the banks’ realized assets exceed his debt. However, banks claim potential recoveries are contingent on legal outcomes in India, where Mallya owes £1.05 billion.
Delhi Police’s metro unit recovered and returned over 450 stolen mobile phones worth more than Rs 1 crore in just 20 days under ‘Mission Reconnect – Your Phone’s Journey Back Home.’ Specialized teams tracked stolen phones across 16 states, apprehended culprits, and reunited devices with owners. At a function in Utsav Sadan, 201 phones were handed back to complainants.
A joint security review meeting was convened in Kashmir on Friday to improve coordination between Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF. Focus was on enhancing counter-insurgency operations, intelligence sharing, and responding to emerging security challenges.
Congress MLAs in Rajasthan assembly have decided to camp inside the House with blankets and mattresses in protest over the suspension of six of its members. The assembly had earlier witnessed chaos after a minister's remark sparked outrage among Congress legislators, leading to repeated adjournments.
OYO faced backlash for an ad tagline suggesting 'Bhagwan har jagah hain, or OYO bhi', deemed offensive. This led to '#BoycottOYO' trending on social media. The company clarified the ad aimed to promote religious tourism in India. OYO emphasized its respect for all faiths and announced plans to expand its presence at pilgrimage destinations.
Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde reiterates his political strength, referencing his pivotal role in the 2022 rebellion that ousted Uddhav Thackeray’s government. Shinde, claiming loyalty to Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, warns opponents against underestimating him amid ongoing threats and a continuing police probe.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal calls the proposed India-US bilateral trade pact the 'mother of all deals.' At the Invest Kerala Global Summit, he emphasized strong economic ties, mentioned the India-UAE CEPA, and ongoing talks with Bahrain and other nations. Prime Minister Modi aims to double commerce to USD 500 billion by 2030. Recent bilateral trade figures underscore the significant partnership benefits.
S Jaishankar met with Wang Yi during the G20 meeting in Johannesburg. They discussed bilateral ties, focusing on direct flight resumption and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. They reviewed border peace management and the impact of the pandemic on flights, reflecting on multiple past agreements. Renewed initiatives aim to rebuild trust and stability.
A fresh dispute has arisen between BJP and Congress after US President Trump questioned $21 million USAID funds for voter turnout in India, calling it a “kickback scheme.” BJP accused Congress of using foreign support to influence elections while Congress highlighted BJP’s past USAID links and accused hypocrisy. Trump reasserted that the funds aimed to influence 2024 elections.
Protests erupted in Manipur's Imphal valley after the arrest of village volunteers, leading to roadblocks and market closures. The unrest followed Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's warning for residents to surrender looted weapons. Security forces have intensified crackdowns, detaining multiple militants and recovering weaponry.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responded to PM Modi's remark regarding the Adani Group issue, emphasizing it as a matter of national importance. During PM Modi's recent US visit, he stated that such individual cases are not discussed between leaders of nations, underscoring India's democratic values.
US President Donald Trump has accused the allocation of $21 million for voter turnout in India as a 'kickback scheme.' The BJP echoed these claims, alleging the funds were used to support 'deep-state assets' in India. GOP leaders are calling for an investigation to determine if the Congress party benefited from these kickbacks.