The Times of India
Elections 2026National / The Times of India
The BJP, which emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats in the 227-member House, still falls short of electing a mayor on its own and depends on the Shinde-led Shiv Sena to cross the halfway mark of 114. Together, the allies command 118 seats, but the question of who controls the mayors chair, and for how long, remains unresolved.
Societal conditioning often diminishes women's worth as they age, clashing with the biological realities of perimenopause and menopause. This transition brings profound physical, cognitive, and emotional shifts, yet women are frequently dismissed and unprepared for these changes. Understanding and addressing these symptoms with medical and lifestyle support is crucial for navigating this life stage with dignity and reclaiming autonomy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the BJP's continuous rise, highlighting recent electoral successes in Bihar and Mumbai's BMC elections, where the party secured a historic mandate. He also laid the foundation stone for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in Assam, aimed at enhancing wildlife safety and boosting ecotourism. PM Modi's remark comes days after BJP pulled off a massive victory in Mumbai's BMC elections, wresting power from the ally-turned-rival Uddhav Thackeray.
The directive came at a meeting at the party headquarters in the national Capital on chalking out a strategy for the upcoming assembly polls in Tamil Nadu where they unanimously entrusted Congress President and leader of opposition on taking decisions. Meanwhile, it is learnt from sources that Rahul Gandhi focused on listening more at the meeting, and left it to Kharge to articulate the directions issued to TN leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugrating five new Amrit Bharat Express trains, expanding India's long-distance rail network. These new services aim to enhance travel experience and connectivity for the common man, with key routes connecting various regions including the North-East, North India, and South India.
European leaders strongly condemned President Trump's proposed tariffs on goods from several European nations, warning of severe damage to transatlantic relations. They emphasized that Greenland's future is not subject to economic coercion and stressed that Arctic security cooperation should not become a trade dispute. European officials vowed a united response to uphold sovereignty.
Visibility Was Just 40 Metres At Bathinda Accident Site
South American and European Union officials on Saturday signed a major trade deal, which they hailed as sending a powerful message at a time of tariff threats, global uncertainty and protectionism. The deal will favor European exports of cars, wine and cheese, while making it easier for South American beef, poultry, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans to enter Europe.
'Purely A South African Initiative, Not All Members Took Part'
A GTRI report urges India to overhaul its import tariff structure and customs administration to boost trade costs, manufacturing competitiveness, and export growth. Recommendations include a gradual move to zero duty on raw materials and a 5% duty on finished goods, alongside simplifying procedures and eliminating inverted duty structures.
Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju urged LIC to intensify digital marketing and a mobile-first approach to achieve 'insurance for all'. He stressed LIC's crucial role in financial stability and its responsibility as a Domestic Systemically Important Insurer.
The European Union and Mercosur have formally signed a landmark free trade agreement, concluding over 25 years of negotiations and establishing one of the world's largest integrated trading zones. This pact, signed in Asuncin, signifies a major geopolitical win for the EU amidst global trade tensions and reinforces South America's commitment to diversified economic ties.
Sergio Gor, US Ambassador to India paid tributes at the 26/11 memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai and highlighted how under US President Trump, the alleged mastermind behind the Mumbai 2008 terror attacks- Tahawwur Rana was extradited to India.
President Trump announced a 10% tariff on goods from several European nations, escalating to 25% if Denmark does not agree to sell Greenland by June 1, 2026. He cited security concerns and inadequate emuneration from allies for decades of US protection, demanding Denmark give back for past subsidies.
Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray alleged intimidation and coercion by the ruling alliance in the BMC elections, calling it a strange contest for political survival. Despite the Mahayuti alliance's majority, Thackeray asserted the resilience of his party, thanking voters for their support amidst alleged pressure.
Union Budgets are often treated as routine fiscal announcements, yet in recent four decades they have quietly reshaped taxation, regulation and economic policy. Why did finance ministers repeatedly use the Budget to dismantle the licence raj, build market institutions and enforce fiscal rulesand why does that legacy still shape Indias political economy today? The answers lie in how the Budget became a tool of structural reform.
Delhi-NCR's air quality has plunged into the 'severe' category, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management to reimpose GRAP-IV restrictions. This escalation follows the earlier enforcement of GRAP-III. Under Stage IV, older vehicles like BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel models are banned from plying, with exceptions for essential services. Existing GRAP measures remain in effect.
Following a significant win in the BMC elections, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena has housed newly elected corporators in a luxury hotel, fueling speculation about their mayoral ambitions. The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance emerged victorious, and discussions regarding the Mayor's post are underway, with a collective decision expected soon.
China has reduced its US Treasury holdings to a nearly two-decade low, signaling a strategic diversification of its foreign exchange reserves. This move away from dollar assets towards gold and other overseas investments reflects concerns over geopolitical risks and the sustainability of American public debt.
Mumbai Congress faces internal turmoil after a dismal BMC election performance, its worst ever. Senior leaders are demanding city president Varsha Gaikwad's resignation, citing moral grounds. Despite the setback, party spokespersons defend the outcome, attributing it to adverse circumstances and alleged misuse of power by rivals. The party plans organizational strengthening amidst simmering dissent.
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.
US President Trump's aggressive tariff strategy is prompting global trade realignments, with Canada notably cutting import taxes on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for reduced Chinese tariffs on canola. This shift signals a growing perception in Canada that the US poses a greater economic threat than China, leading allies to seek alternatives beyond the US market.

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