The Times of India

Senior DMK leader I Periyasamy has firmly ruled out any coalition government in Tamil Nadu, stating chief minister M K Stalin is resolute against sharing power with allies, including the Congress. This assertion comes as the Tamil Nadu Congress renews its demand for a share in governance ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

The Election Commission of India has approved the use of tea garden and cinchona plantation employment records as valid identity and residence documents for electoral roll revision in seven North Bengal districts.

Union minister Chirag Paswan accused the Congress and RJD of spreading a misleading narrative around government schemes like VB-G RAM G, claiming their protests would electorally benefit the NDA. Paswan defended the new scheme, emphasizing collective responsibility and improved focus on infrastructure projects, while criticizing the Congress for alleged corruption in MGNREGA.

Union home minister Amit Shah expressed confidence in the BJP's growing support in Kerala, predicting a victory in the upcoming Assembly elections. He highlighted the party's increasing vote share and recent local body successes, attributing them to dedicated workers.

India faces escalating disaster risks due to geography, climate change, and development patterns, as starkly illustrated in 2025 by devastating floods and heatwaves. While response capacity has improved, a persistent imbalance favors reactive relief over proactive preparedness, a gap highlighted by contrasting events like Cyclone Phailin and Bihar's recurring floods.

Addressing a gathering during the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, PM Modi said: Those present here, your ancestors, our ancestors, bet their lives for their faith, for their belief, for Mahadev - they sacrificed everything they had. Without taking names, PM Modi attacked the Congress-led government for whitewashing the history that encapsulates the multiple attacks by Mughal invaders on the Somnath temple.

Amidst calls for Nitish Kumar to receive the Bharat Ratna, RJD MP Sudhakar Singh acknowledged his long service as Bihar CM, even while unwell, as a testament to his worthiness. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and JD(U) leader KC Tyagi also championed the Bihar chief minister for the nation's highest civilian honour, citing his 'exemplary governance' and socialist credentials.

Visuals from the event showed the Prime Minister standing in an open, flower-adorned vehicle as the procession moved through the town. He was joined by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel and deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi. During the yatra, the Prime Minister was seen blowing a conch shell and greeting crowds that had gathered along the route.

The Election Commission has appointed four additional special roll observers for West Bengal's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to enhance oversight. This move aims to ensure transparency and accuracy, though the revision has faced criticism from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged deaths and undue pressure on citizens.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Saturday reacted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and matters involving West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, stating that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader is not troubled by the ED but by a purported CD that could potentially end her political career.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had raised concerns over obscene and harmful content allegedly generated by Elon Musks chatbot Grok. The ministry sent a letter to X (formerly Twitter), the social media website owned by Elon Musk, pointing out failures in moderating AI-generated content on its platform.

Uttarakhand Tourism has launched its inaugural nationwide roadshow campaign, commencing in New Delhi, to promote the state as a year-round destination. The initiative aims to showcase diverse offerings, including adventure, culture, and wellness, across all seasons to foster a 365-day tourism economy.

The Indian Army recently conducted 'Exercise Sanjha Shakti,' a joint military-civil fusion drill at Dighi Hills Range. Over 350 personnel from the Army and 16 civilian agencies, including police and fire departments, participated. The exercise aimed to bolster coordination for complex security challenges and emergency response, enhancing civil-military synergy for public safety and disaster management.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a three-day visit to Gujarat, beginning in Somnath to participate in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. His itinerary includes attending the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference and holding talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The visit also features a drone show, a ceremonial procession, and the inauguration of several development projects.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken action against 27 restaurants nationwide for mandatorily levying service charges, deeming it a violation of consumer law. Fines up to Rs 50,000 were imposed, with directions to refund collected charges and modify billing systems to prevent default additions.

Police apprehended three individuals suspected of drug peddling in Udhampur and Jammu districts on Saturday. Authorities recovered a total of 7.53 grams of heroin from two separate car searches. The arrested individuals have been booked under the NDPS Act, and investigations are ongoing.