India is actively engaging Iran to secure the release of 16 Indian crew members detained on the MT Valiant Roar since December. New Delhi is pressing for consular access, communication with families, and legal representation, while also ensuring the vessel's provisions. The detention follows Iran's seizure of the tanker for alleged illegal fuel transport.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis wittily responded to Uddhav Thackeray's mayoral aspirations, questioning if 'Deva' referred to him or God. Fadnavis asserted that the Mahayuti alliance, led by BJP and Eknath Shinde, will collectively decide the BMC mayor's selection and tenure, following their victory in the civic body elections.

Senior US lawmakers emphasized India's central role in America's Indo-Pacific strategy, highlighting its importance for global stability and strong economic ties. They clarified that routine engagement with Pakistan does not signify a strategic shift, as India remains the primary focus for US investments and partnerships.

Modern Indian women are celebrated as independent, yet this often masks exhaustion from constant negotiation and performance. Once a thrilling discovery, independence now carries immense pressure, demanding visible strength and early responsibility. This evolution highlights a generational truth: independence is expected early, learned through observing the sacrifices of others, and often met with criticism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Malda, West Bengal, advocating for «asli poribortan» and criticizing the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. He highlighted BJP's recent poll victories in Bihar, Odisha, and Assam, stating these states have been freed from «divisive politics.» Modi expressed confidence in Bengal's «urge for real change» to achieve a developed India by 2047.

India's youth, comprising millennials and Gen Z, face distinct anxieties shaped by differing political, economic, and technological landscapes. While millennials fear instability after years of effort, Gen Z grapples with the prospect of never achieving stability. Both generations navigate concerns over job security, economic inequality, and climate change, highlighting a cautious outlook on their future.

Rahul Gandhi visited Indore to meet victims of a water contamination outbreak, offering condolences to families of the deceased and consoling the ill. He criticized the government's 'urban model,' highlighting the lack of clean drinking water and demanding accountability and compensation for affected families.

Maharashtra civic polls saw controversial wins, including two relatives of jailed gangster Suryakant Andekar elected in Pune. In Jalna, Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder, secured a victory as an independent. These results have sparked significant public debate and criticism.

A Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh, Phool Singh, has sparked controversy by seemingly justifying rape, linking it to religious scriptures. He claimed that seeing a beautiful woman could disturb a man, leading to rape. Singh also alleged that certain texts promise spiritual rewards for sexual acts with women from Dalit or tribal communities, even if they are not beautiful.

Delhi and other major cities are on high alert for Republic Day due to intelligence warnings of potential attacks by Khalistani and Bangladesh-based terror groups. These outfits are reportedly using Punjab-based gangsters as operatives, with increasing links to criminal networks across North India. Security forces are enhancing surveillance to counter these threats.

Takes Control Of BMC For 1st Time, But Needs Shinde Sena For Majority

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the 3rd International Kite Festival, urging the Delhi government and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to form a committee to make the city the national hub for kite festivities, expand the event, and encourage public participation for a grand nationwide celebration.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the Maharashtra civic elections 2026, including the BMC polls, across 27 civic bodies. Key takeaways highlight the BJP's dominance under Devendra Fadnavis, the erosion of the Thackeray legacy, and the fizzling out of Ajit Pawar's political maneuvers. The Congress showed a minor resurgence, while AIMIM made notable inroads in urban pockets.

The BJP-led Mahayuti has achieved a significant victory in Maharashtra's municipal elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis credited the win to the party's development agenda. The alliance secured a majority in numerous municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. This outcome reflects public trust in Prime Minister Modi's leadership and the alliance's focus on governance and infrastructure projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated BJP workers and thanked Maharashtra's people for the NDA and Mahayuti's sweeping victory in municipal corporation elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the success to a development-focused agenda, highlighting the alliance's strong performance, particularly in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Maharashtra's civic elections saw a significant political shift as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a dominant victory, particularly in Mumbai's BMC. Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP celebrated substantial gains, ending Shiv Sena's long-held control. Uddhav Thackeray's Sena and the Congress faced major setbacks, while Raj Thackeray's MNS and Sharad Pawar's NCP also saw diminished influence.

The Nationalist Congress Party, split into factions led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar, faced a significant setback in the Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune municipal elections. Despite campaigning together, both factions suffered losses, with the BJP leading in a majority of wards. This performance raises questions about the potential merger of the NCP factions.

India has strongly criticized Pakistan at the UN for misusing the platform and promoting a divisive agenda. Islamabad's envoy raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in the General Assembly, prompting India to accuse Pakistan of spreading baseless allegations and falsehoods detached from reality.