A political storm erupted as Arvind Kejriwal compared PM Modi to Aurangzeb over ED raids on a Punjab minister. Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu retaliated, calling Kejriwal 'Ahmad Shah Abdali' and accusing the AAP of corruption. BJP leaders dismissed Kejriwal's claims, stating the ED action targets graft, not political vendetta.

Thol Thirumavalavan's VCK party has pledged unconditional support to Vijay's TVK, aiming to ensure Tamil Nadu's political stability and avert President's rule. This move, made independently while remaining in the DMK alliance, bolsters TVK's numbers to a majority. Vijay is now expected to stake his claim to form the government.

For actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay, the days following the May 4 Tamil Nadu assembly election results were less about celebration and more about survival arithmetic. TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, placing Vijay within striking distance of the chief minister’s chair but still 10 short of the majority mark of 118.

A temporary memorial honouring the slain BJP workers was erected near the stage at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, where Suvendu Adhikari and his council of ministers took oath earlier in the day. The memorial displayed the names of the “martyrs” along with the districts they belonged to. Shah also shared a video of the memorial and said it had evoked “deep emotions” among party workers present at the oath-taking venue.

Nights are warming faster than days globally, impacting crops, ecosystems, and human health. Cities trap heat due to concrete and lack of green cover, while rising greenhouse gases act like a thicker blanket, preventing heat escape. This 'asymmetric warming' alarms scientists, indicating a fundamental shift in the planet's ability to cool itself.

Tamil Nadu sees a new government forming as TVK crosses the majority mark with VCK and IUML support. India enhances its defense with a successful Agni missile test featuring MIRV technology. West Bengal witnesses a historic shift with Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister, while Mamata Banerjee updates her social media, acknowledging the change.

The BJP has significantly expanded its political footprint across India, achieving its first chief minister in nine states since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. This expansion, marked by recent victories in West Bengal and Odisha, transforms the party from a Hindi-heartland force into a dominant pan-India political machine, reflecting its governance model and increasing public acceptance.

Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the new Chief Minister of West Bengal. The BJP secured a significant win in the 2026 assembly elections. Several prominent leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony. The new government includes ministers like Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul, Ashok Kirtania, Kshudiram Tudu, and Nisith Pramanik. The state saw record voter turnout.

Prime Minister Modi expressed profound gratitude to the people of Bengal, bowing with folded hands after the BJP's historic Assembly election victory. Alongside new chief minister Adhikari, he shared an emotional moment with 98-year-old veteran Makhanlal Sarkar, even touching his feet in a gesture of deep respect. This marks a significant shift in West Bengal's political landscape.

A fire aboard a wooden dhow near the Strait of Hormuz resulted in the death of one Indian sailor and injuries to four others. Seventeen Indian crew members were rescued by a passing vessel. The incident occurred amidst heightened regional tensions, with recent exchanges between Iran and the United States in the vital shipping lane.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister-elect Suvendu Adhikari paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary, Pochishe Boishakh. Modi hailed Tagore as a timeless voice of Indian civilization, while Adhikari described him as an «eternal star» of Bengali literature. The occasion marks the Nobel laureate's enduring contributions to literature, philosophy, education, and culture.

A rare hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship with two Indian crew members has sparked international attention. Experts assure no immediate concern for India, citing previous sporadic cases. The Andes strain, linked to limited human-to-human spread, requires close exposure, unlike COVID-19. India's healthcare is prepared for potential cases.

New AI systems are now available to combat fraud in the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. These advanced tools can identify fake hospital bills and forged medical documents. The technology aims to speed up insurance claim settlements and enhance transparency. India is leading the Global South with its health AI benchmarking platform.

Tamil Nadu's government formation remains uncertain as TVK emerges as the single largest party but falls short of a majority. Allies are scrambling for numbers, with some extending support while others withdraw, creating a volatile political landscape. Efforts are underway to secure the necessary support to stake a claim to power.

The Supreme Court emphasized its reluctance to direct arrests, prioritizing evidence collection and witness protection. While monitoring investigations, the bench declined to comment on the merits of the Anil Ambani Group (ADAG) case, citing past collateral damage to reputations. The CBI has filed nine FIRs totaling Rs 27,337 crore against ADAG entities.

The Times of India secured top honors at the INMA awards in Berlin, winning first prize for «Thirukkural With The Times» in Best Use of Print (Regional) and third prize for «I am Kolkata, Amar Para» in Best Use of Social Media (Regional). The publication also received three honorary mentions for its reader engagement, video content, and revenue diversification strategies.

The Supreme Court has ordered the release of a murder convict after 22 years, criticizing the Orissa High Court for dismissing his appeal solely on grounds of delay. The apex court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142, highlighting the convict's satisfactory jail conduct and lack of legal aid.

The Supreme Court stated that illegal infiltration by Bangladeshi nationals is not a terrorist act, even as the BJP vows to expel them from West Bengal. The court granted bail to an individual arrested for facilitating illegal immigration, noting the porous border with Bangladesh and the large number of immigrants already in India.

The Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of Madhya Pradesh minister Kunwar Vijay Shah's controversial remarks, questioning the state government's decision on prosecuting him. Despite the Solicitor General suggesting the minister intended praise, the bench noted a lack of repentance and the statement's unfortunate impact. The court also directed the SIT to investigate other instances of the minister's objectionable statements.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection against AI-generated deepfake videos depicting him praising Pakistan and discussing sensitive political matters. He argued that such content could harm India's international standing and be exploited by foreign entities.

Families and researchers are advocating for Huntington's disease to be recognized as a rare disease in India to establish a much-needed registry. This recognition is crucial for quantifying patient numbers, improving treatment accessibility, and securing coverage under national health policies, offering hope for affected individuals and families.

Indian Haj pilgrims are questioning a mandatory Rs 7,000 GPS smartwatch, part of a Rs 10,000 airfare hike. Many devices, procured by the Haj Committee and supplied by Sekyo Innovations, reportedly fail to turn on or track pilgrims, causing distress, especially for the elderly. This initiative, aimed at safety, faces criticism over cost and execution.

Congress leadership intervened as supporters of opposition leader V D Satheesan held demonstrations across Kerala, demanding his appointment as the next chief minister. Some activists allegedly tore down posters of AICC leader K C Venugopal, also a contender for the post, prompting the KPCC to direct workers to refrain from such actions.

Preparations are in full swing at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground to ensure Saturday's oath-taking ceremony for Bengal's first BJP government proceeds smoothly despite heavy rains. A massive waterproof hangar tent has been erected, and seating capacity has been significantly increased. Authorities are working round-the-clock to restore the grounds, with an indoor stadium on standby as a backup.

Kolkata's iconic Writers' Buildings and other government offices will glow orange on Saturday evening, marking the first day of the new BJP government. Illumination trials were conducted Friday. The historic Writers' facade, along with Assembly House and Kolkata Collectorate, will be lit up. Inside, preparations are underway for the new Chief Minister's symbolic visit.

Supreme Court rulings consistently state governors must invite the largest party or alliance to form government post-election, without questioning how support was gained. The apex court has warned against dismissing governments or dissolving assemblies based on 'fanciful assumptions' of horse-trading, emphasizing that majority must be proven on the floor of the House.