The Times of India

The CPI(M) has fiercely criticized Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge for targeting the Left in Kerala, accusing the Congress of aiding the BJP for electoral gains. The party stated that Congress leaders are abandoning their fight against communal forces by focusing on the CPI(M) instead of the BJP, questioning the Congress's own defections to the BJP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the G7 summit in France from June 15-17. This confirmation came during high-level talks where India's crucial role in addressing global economic issues and fostering solidarity was highlighted. Discussions also centered on the Middle East, with both nations agreeing to coordinate on securing the vital Strai of Hormuz.

A 28-year-old woman was brutally murdered by her husband, Akshay, who slit her throat on a road in Kalaburagi district, Karnataka, after a domestic dispute. Bystanders captured the horrific incident on video, which has since circulated on social media. The accused fled the scene, and a manhunt is underway.

Security forces are intensifying operations nationwide to neutralize remaining Maoist cadres by the March 31 deadline. Efforts include tracking approximately 130-150 armed Naxals and encouraging surrenders, with significant troop movements and cross-border operations underway. The Centre is also planning a post-operation development blueprint.

A Karnataka MLA sparked a controversy by alleging that legislators are denied entitled IPL passes, forced into queues, and face inflated ticket prices due to alleged black marketing by KSCA. The Assembly Speaker has now directed the government to ensure MLAs receive VIP tickets, addressing concerns of disrespect and indignity.

The BJP received over 91% of declared donations above Rs 20,000 by national parties in FY25, totaling Rs 6,074 crore. Overall political funding surged 161% to Rs 6,648 crore, with corporate donations dominating. The BJP's collections alone jumped 171% from the previous fiscal year.

A simple stool test could soon revolutionize chronic diarrhoea diagnosis in India. Researchers found measuring bile acids in one sample accurately identifies bile acid malabsorption, a commonly missed condition. This accessible test, with high accuracy, could help millions suffering from undiagnosed BAM, offering targeted treatment and improved quality of life.

India and Serbia held the 9th Round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Belgrade, Serbia on Wednesday.

India's UDAN 2.0 scheme, with a Rs 28,000 crore outlay, aims to significantly boost regional air travel over 10 years. The revamped initiative will develop 100 airports, support aerodrome operations, build helipads, and provide financial aid to airlines, enhancing connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Prior to the conflict, analysts had projected global LNG supply to increase by up to 10% this year, reaching between 460 million and 484 million metric tonnes, supported by new capacity additions.

Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan labelled Rahul Gandhi and the Congress as the BJP's 'B-team', questioning Gandhi's understanding of Keralam politics. This exchange follows Gandhi's accusation of a hidden understanding between the LDF and BJP, and his criticism of the state government's job promises. Both parties accuse each other of not being accountable to the people.

The Middle East war has intensified an oil crisis as Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global energy supplies. While the Red Sea's Bab el-Mandeb Strait is considered an alternative, it also faces threats. Reopening Hormuz is complicated by its geography and requires significant security measures, including a multinational coalition, to overcome the risks of attacks and minefields.

Gold and silver price prediction today: Gold and silver prices may sustain their up move in the coming sessions, says Abhilash Koikkara, Head - Forex & Commodities, Nuvama Professional Clients Group.

Iran has opened the Strait of Hormuz for friendly nations like India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan. This comes as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an end to the conflict and the reopening of the vital waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial oil route, and its volatility impacts global energy flows amid regional tensions.

The LPG shipment will be distributed among three state-run fuel retailers: Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.

Oil prices rebounded past $100 as markets reassess Middle East conflict developments. Iran's mixed signals on US peace proposals, coupled with Trump's tougher stance, create market uncertainty. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict severely impacts global supply chains, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to significant oil disruptions.

Hotels and restaurants face strict action for levying additional charges like LPG charges or fuel cost recovery on food bills. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) stated these are unfair trade practices, as operational costs should be included in menu prices. Consumers can dispute such charges and file complaints.

Home Minister Amit Shah is leading an informal Group of Ministers to address strategic issues arising from the West Asia conflict, including impacts on cooking gas and LNG supplies. Another GoM, headed by Manohar Lal, is focusing on energy supply matters, particularly piped gas for homes, as the government prioritizes PNG adoption.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will develop infrastructure along the 1,600 km Indo-Myanmar border to bolster management capabilities. The BRO is also ensuring all-weather connectivity in remote regions and adopting modern construction techniques to enhance operational mobility and defence preparedness.

Indian space company Agnikul Cosmos has successfully tested its 3D-printed booster engine, 'Agnite'. This single-piece Inconel engine, a meter long, can be fully printed within a week, significantly reducing production complexity and turnaround time. The successful in-house testing marks a crucial end-to-end cycle completion for their larger engines.

India's Navy has launched Operation Urja Suraksha. More than five frontline warships are ensuring safe passage for India-bound cargo ships. These vessels carry vital supplies like LPG and crude oil. The operation escorts ships out of the troubled Strait of Hormuz. This protects critical maritime routes and Indian crew. Key successes have already been achieved.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again been recognized as the world's most popular democratic leader, achieving a 68% approval rating in a recent Morning Consult survey. This significant endorsement highlights his strong public support, even as it shows a slight decrease from last year's figures. Modi continues to lead global leaders by a considerable margin.

Raza Academy president Muhammed Sayed Noori has challenged the Centre's order for schools to begin the day with the national song 'Vande Mataram' in the Supreme Court. He argued that compelling students to sing the song, which invokes Hindu deities, infringes upon religious freedom and secularism.

The government introduced the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Lok Sabha, facing opposition from Congress and TMC who voiced concerns over executive overreach. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai countered, stating the bill targets misuse of foreign funds for conversions and personal gain, aiming to enhance transparency in NGO funding for public welfare.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant revealed a petitioner contacted his brother, allegedly to influence recusal from a case involving a brother-sister duo converting to Buddhism for minority quota PG medical admissions. The CJI stated he would not recuse and warned of severe contempt of court action for such attempts.

India has bolstered its digital security by mandating stricter compliance for telecom equipment, CCTV systems, and data protection. This move addresses concerns over surveillance infrastructure vulnerabilities and espionage risks, particularly with imported equipment. New rules require disclosure of hardware origins and testing against unauthorized remote access for CCTV systems.

The Railway Board has fined IRCTC and its catering contractor for poor food quality on a Vande Bharat train. A passenger's complaint led to a Rs 10 lakh penalty for IRCTC and Rs 50 lakh for the contractor. IRCTC's contract with Krishna Enterprises will be terminated. This action sends a strong message about accountability for service quality.

The Supreme Court ruled that financial burden cannot deny fair compensation for land acquisition, upholding the principle that fiscal implications don't override landowners' entitlements. However, the court limited this liberal compensation regime to claims pending since March 28, 2008, preventing delayed appeals for enhanced payouts.

Households with access to piped natural gas but still using LPG cylinders will face a supply cut in three months. This government move aims to reduce LPG imports, with exceptions for technically infeasible PNG connections. City gas firms will notify eligible consumers, while authorities must now grant pipeline permissions within set deadlines.

Indian Institutes of Technology are solidifying their global standing in engineering, with multiple disciplines ranking in the world's top 50. Management education is also advancing, as seen with IIM Ahmedabad's rise. Overall, India's higher education system shows significant quality improvement and global competitiveness.

The Union cabinet has approved the continuation of the immigration and visa tracking scheme for five more years until March 2031 with a Rs 1,800 crore outlay. This initiative aims to enhance national security and streamline the visa and immigration process for foreign visitors by inter-linking multiple databases for informed decision-making.

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is expanding in Asia. Kiran Mani, former JioStar CEO, will lead the company's operations in the Asia-Pacific region. He joins in June. This move signals OpenAI's focus on growing its user base in key markets like India. Mani will oversee regional strategy and operations.

Sammaan Capital shares surged 6% following the RBI's approval for a controlling stake acquisition by UAE's International Holding Company (IHC). IHC will invest approximately Rs 8,850 crore through its entity, Avenir Investment, marking a significant development for the company.

Indian stock markets surged today, with Sensex crossing 75,000 points. This rally, driven by hopes of a West Asia conflict resolution and easing crude oil prices, saw global markets also perform strongly. Foreign fund selling slowed, while domestic investors bought heavily, adding significant wealth to investors.

Lok Sabha approved the Finance Bill with key amendments. Promoters' capital gains from share buybacks will now face a 12% surcharge. Startup tax holidays have been extended, with the turnover threshold raised to Rs 300 crore. Taxpayers will now receive a minimum of 30 days to respond to reassessment notices, fostering a trust-based tax administration.

An empowered group of officials has begun assessing demand and supply chains to mitigate the impact of the West Asia conflict. The government is prioritizing food and fuel availability, exploring alternative import sources and potential duty cuts to stabilize prices. Efforts are underway to secure LPG supplies, with a focus on diversifying from West Asian sources.

Oil prices dropped significantly on Wednesday. This followed a US proposal to Iran and a slowdown in regional hostilities. Brent crude fell 3%. Gold and silver prices saw a substantial increase. This rally in precious metals reflects reduced fears of energy supply disruptions and potential inflation.