The Times of India

The Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for shootings targeting Indians in Portugal. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc is set to meet amid internal rifts, while the Cockroach Janta Party vows nationwide protests over exam irregularities. In sports, India dominates Afghanistan in a Test match, and a Russian drone struck a Chornobyl fuel storage site.

INDIA bloc leaders convene in Delhi today amidst recent election defeats and internal friction. Twenty-three parties confirmed participation, aiming to present a united front against the BJP. However, key allies like DMK and AAP are reportedly skipping the meeting due to ongoing disputes, testing the coalition's resolve.

Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam project has ignited a major interstate dispute with Tamil Nadu, creating a political dilemma for the Congress party. Both states, now under Congress rule, are at odds over water sharing, exposing deep regional tensions and challenging the party's unity.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government, demanding the removal or resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This follows a large protest at Jantar Mantar, where thousands voiced anger over alleged examination and recruitment irregularities. CJP vows nationwide protests if their demands aren't met.

Domestic LPG cylinder prices have risen by Rs 29, with a 14.2-kg cylinder now costing Rs 942 in Delhi. This marks the second increase in three months, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties who accuse the government of exacerbating inflation and burdening households. The hikes are linked to rising global energy prices amid Middle East conflict.

Hundreds gathered at Jantar Mantar demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over examination and recruitment irregularities. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called the protest a 'trailer' for a larger movement, vowing fresh demonstrations if Pradhan isn't sacked within seven days. Participants wore cockroach masks, highlighting concerns over NEET, CUET, and SSC processes.

India's fertility rate has slipped beneath the 2.1 children per woman threshold, with a majority of states now reflecting this trend. Elon Musk pointed out that educated women have long surpassed this level, indicating a significant demographic transition. This evolving landscape hints at a slower population increase and the looming concerns of an aging society.

India and Nepal are poised to significantly enhance their very special relationship, with discussions focusing on expanding cooperation in energy, digital technology, and new sectors. Both nations emphasized their civilizational ties and a shared resolve for a transformative partnership, aiming to unlock its full potential amidst ongoing collaboration and mutual support.

Senior BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda amid speculation about his future. Singh had publicly criticized the appointment of Kewal Singh Dhillon as Punjab BJP chief, questioning his capability and expressing a lack of consultation. Rumors of a potential return to Congress persist, though BJP leaders dismiss them.

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), an online movement, held its first major real-world protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Supporters, including students and young professionals, gathered to demand accountability in examinations and oppose communal politics. The event marked a significant shift from online activism to on-ground mobilization.

Sourav Ganguly has refuted claims of mediating between Mamata Banerjee and Yusuf Pathan regarding resignation. Suryakumar Yadav backs the Indian team after losing T20 captaincy. Iran's missile and drone attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain were intercepted. A protest at Jantar Mantar concluded, demanding action on exam irregularities. Meanwhile, Rosneft CEO noted US firms benefit from Hormuz disruptions.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran urged party workers to stay put following K. Annamalai's exit and new movement launch. He asserted the BJP's strength, citing PM Modi, and dismissed concerns about a dent in the party's support base. Despite several resignations, Nagendran maintained the BJP's robust future, emphasizing its ideology-driven nature.

Sourav Ganguly has vehemently denied reports claiming he acted as an intermediary for Mamata Banerjee, conveying a message to Yusuf Pathan to resign from his elected post. Ganguly stated these allegations are untrue and made in reckless disregard of the truth, emphasizing his non-involvement in political matters.

The statement came after clips circulated on social media showing a participant seeking to question the Chief Justice while he was delivering a lecture on artificial intelligence and international law. Organisers intervened and prevented the interaction from continuing, asking attendees to remain focused on the subject of the event. The Chief Justice noted that AI is already influencing a broad range of sectors, including governance, commerce, communication, defence and the justice system itself

The Russian president said Kremlin's cooperation with India is not subject to the political environment and that Moscow would stand rue to commitments given to our partners, especially partners like India. Our cooperation with India, just like with all other partners of ours, is not subject to the political environment. We can't be dictated to not deliver that to India. Nobody can dictate to us and nobody would even try to do that... We will always stand true to commitments given to our partner

In a recent address, Chief Justice Surya Kant urged the formation of an international legal framework to manage the transnational implications of AI technology. He warned that AI disrupts traditional notions of jurisdiction and accountability, giving rise to a troubling accountability deficit, particularly for self-governing systems.

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk will begin a 42-day hunger strike if members of the Cockroach Janta Party are arrested ahead of their Jantar Mantar protest. Wangchuk, traveling from Ladakh, urged supporters to maintain a peaceful demonstration, warning against provocations that could tarnish the youth-led movement. The protest seeks the education minister's resignation over examination irregularities.

At the UNGA, India took a bold stand against Pakistan, critiquing its manipulation of UN discussions for political leverage. The Indian envoy reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is a core component of India, calling out Pakistan's attempts to distort facts as flimsy and ineffective.

Newly formed online group Cockroach Janta Party sought coordination with the Indian Youth Congress for its upcoming NEET protest, but the overture was rejected. The IYC stated it will not share platforms and is conducting its own nationwide protests, focusing on government accountability. Congress strategists remain skeptical of CJP's sudden emergence.

State-run Oil India Limited (OIL) has announced the discovery of natural gas in its third exploratory well, Vijayapuram-3, located off the Andaman Islands. This finding further strengthens the hydrocarbon potential of the region, with gas confirmed through continuous flaring and pressure build-up. OIL has now established hydrocarbon presence in two of its three wells in the Andaman offshore block.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi released a video of his Nicobar visit, calling the Great Nicobar Project a lie and alleging it benefits a businessman for hotels and casinos. He initiated an online petition, we choose green over greed, urging Indians to protect the island's ecosystem and tribal communities from destruction.

JEE (Advanced) authorities have clarified that a cloud storage misconfiguration identified by an ethical hacker did not lead to any mass extraction of candidate data. IIT-Roorkee stated the issue, which occurred during technical interventions, was immediately rectified and access was restricted, with no impact on examination records or results.

Scientists found blood markers that can predict lung cancer more than five years in advance. This breakthrough could help detect the disease early in India, where most cases are found late. A 14-protein signature in blood identified individuals at higher risk. This finding may lead to earlier monitoring and preventive measures for lung cancer.

Border Guard Bangladesh accused India's BSF of attempting to push over 70 individuals into Bangladesh near Lalmonirhat, Naogaon, and Chapainawabganj. Meanwhile, BSF reported thwarting a BGB attempt to help 10 Bangladeshis enter India. Both forces disowned stranded individuals, leading to heightened border patrols.

The Supreme Court has ruled that an accused's right to a fair trial includes access to prosecution documents, even if classified under the Official Secrets Act. The court ordered the government to provide highly confidential documents to retired Major General V.K. Singh, facing charges for revealing secrets in his book, emphasizing fair trial rights.

Flashfloods from a cloudburst in Reasi's Bathoi village on Thursday caused significant damage to homes and blocked roads with mudslides. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. This marks the fifth such event in the Jammu region recently. Authorities are providing immediate assistance to affected families, while adverse weather also led to the suspension of pilgrimages in Kishtwar.

Ladakh's Buddhist women's wing is strongly opposing the Union Territory's new excise policy allowing liquor sales, fearing it will worsen social issues like drug abuse and domestic violence. They advocate for stricter drug control and warn of protests if the policy isn't reconsidered, emphasizing women's role in preserving the region's social fabric.

A tree-based farming model by Save SoilCauvery Calling is transforming agriculture, boosting incomes from Rs 30,000 to Rs 2.53 lakh per acre. This ecological solution, accredited by UN bodies, has empowered farmers like Valluvan, enhancing soil health and crop yields. The movement aims to plant 242 crore trees, supporting hundreds of thousands of farmers with extensive training and resources.

NTPC is setting up flexible coal-fired thermal power units to balance intermittent renewable energy generation and ensure grid stability. These sub-critical units, designed for two-shift operation and lower minimum loads, will provide crucial balancing support as renewable energy's share grows, reinforcing India's energy transition.