Seat sharing talks in Bihar's Mahagathbandhan are ongoing. Allies are negotiating for maximum seats. RJD and Congress leaders have exchanged poetic messages hinting at unease. Final seat distribution is being worked out. Candidates' lists and a joint manifesto are expected soon. Preparations for the first phase of polling are underway.
India has accused Pakistan of violating the UN's Children and Armed Conflict agenda through attacks in Afghanistan and India. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey highlighted Pakistan's alleged abuses against children within its borders and ongoing cross-border terrorism. He condemned Pakistan's actions, calling its international statements hypocritical and urging it to protect its own children.
Bihar’s story is one of contrasts — a state burdened by poverty and low urbanisation, yet brimming with young energy that could redefine its destiny if opportunity meets ambition.
Despite the approaching nomination deadline for Bihar assembly elections, the Mahagathbandhan has not yet finalized its seat-sharing deal. RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav has begun distributing party tickets to favored candidates, including prominent leaders who switched parties. This move follows a similar pattern from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where RJD also announced candidates before a formal agreement.
Javed Akhtar expressed shame over India's reception of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, particularly at Darul Uloom Deoband, criticizing the welcome for a representative of a group that bans girls' education. Muttaqi's visit, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, included meetings with Indian officials and a tour of the seminary, though a press conference barred women journalists.
Seat sharing talks in Bihar's Mahagathbandhan are ongoing. Allies are negotiating for maximum seats. RJD and Congress leaders have exchanged poetic messages hinting at unease. Final seat distribution is being worked out. Candidates' lists and a joint manifesto are expected soon. Preparations for the first phase of polling are underway.
Afghan Hindus and Sikhs in India met the Taliban's foreign minister, seeking safe passage for Indian nationals to visit their homeland and urging the regime to restore minority rights. They requested joint delegations for temple and gurdwara upkeep and proposed appointing Hindus and Sikhs to high government positions to strengthen bilateral ties.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan stated India cannot tolerate even the threat of a nuclear attack, citing Operation Sindoor's success in proving Pakistan's nuclear assumptions wrong. He emphasised that nation-building is a collective effort, with the entire country fighting wars, not just the armed forces.
US President Donald Trump praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a «very good friend» at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit, expressing optimism for improved India-Pakistan relations. The remarks followed a historic peace agreement for Gaza, with both leaders discussing trade progress and Trump inviting Pakistan's PM to speak.
Congress pulls out, NC fields candidates in all seats
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Gaza peace deal and the release of hostages held for over two years. He lauded the families' courage and the peace efforts of President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. This development follows a devastating conflict initiated by Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and Israel's subsequent military response.
While North Bengal grappled with devastating floods and landslides, Kolkata hosted its dazzling Durga Puja carnival. This juxtaposition highlights Bengal's unique economic reality, where faith and commerce are intertwined, making the festival an essential annual stimulus for its creative industries and workforce.
Punjab's AAP government launched a major flood relief operation, distributing compensation to farmers and affected families within 30 days of a special crop loss survey. The state is providing Rs 20,000 per acre for crop damage and increased compensation for damaged homes, with online management ensuring transparency and efficiency.
The Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the Karur stampede, supervised by a retired judge. Meanwhile, Donald Trump received a nomination for Israel's highest civilian honor amid ongoing hostage exchanges. In India, Tejashwi Yadav decried the IRCTC scam charges as political vendetta, while Mamata Banerjee faced criticism for her remarks on a gangrape incident.
The BJP has criticised West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks on a recent gangrape incident, accusing her of justifying rape and victim-blaming. Mamata suggested women should not go out late at night, a statement BJP leaders argue shifts responsibility from perpetrators to victims and highlights a regressive mindset.
Karnataka aims to become a $20 billion quantum economy by 2035, with Bengaluru as a global hub. The state is investing heavily in research infrastructure and talent, including a Quantum Research Park at IISc. Plans for a dedicated 'Q-City' are underway to foster innovation from lab to market, inviting global collaboration.
A Delhi court ordered charges to be framed against RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, his mother Rabri Devi, and father Lalu Prasad Yadav in the IRCTC scam. Tejashwi Yadav decried the move as political vendetta ahead of Bihar polls, vowing to fight the case. The charges stem from alleged irregularities in leasing railway hotels.
An Indian woman, Chabi Gupta, narrowly escaped a chain snatching attempt in downtown Chicago, sustaining bruises but saving her locket. She shared her harrowing experience on Instagram, highlighting a recent rise in street robberies in the city and urging others to stay vigilant and protect their valuables.
The BJP has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misrepresenting facts regarding a medical student's gang-rape in Durgapur. While the college states the victim left at 8 p.m. for food, Banerjee claimed 12:30 a.m., a discrepancy the BJP uses to highlight alleged police negligence and a breakdown in law and order. Three arrests have been made.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's remarks on a Durgapur gangrape, calling out an «illiberal gang» for their silence. Banerjee questioned why a student was allowed to leave a campus in a «forested area» late at night, drawing parallels to a past incident. Three suspects have been arrested in the Durgapur case.
The Supreme Court has ordered the CBI to investigate the stampede at a rally in Tamil Nadu, appointing a retired judge to supervise the probe. The court emphasized that a fair investigation is a citizen's right, despite claims from the state government about the petition's origin. An NDA fact-finding team deemed the tragedy preventable due to negligence.
A US vlogger, @jaystreazy, gifted a new bicycle to an Indian boy named Samarth, a gesture made possible by his viewers. The heartwarming video shows Samarth choosing a bike worth Rs 24,000 after the vlogger explained it was a collective gift from fans who saw his old, broken bicycle. The vlogger also ensured to get parental consent before the purchase.
