National / The Times of India
RSS will allow volunteers to work on the Kashi Vishwanath and Srikrishna Janmabhoomi temples but warns against uncovering temples beneath mosques. Hosabale highlights that focusing on these past issues could detract from urgent social reforms such as eradicating untouchability and managing contemporary societal concerns.
The BJP government plans to present the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, which the INDIA bloc and other opposition parties unanimously oppose. The bill is criticized for violating constitutional provisions and targeting specific communities. Delhi Police has increased security measures to maintain order.
Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has been named as an accused in a new FIR by the CBI in the Mahadev betting app case. Baghel had earlier accused PM Modi and Amit Shah of protecting the app. Recently, the CBI conducted raids at 60 locations related to the investigation.
Nepal's Ambassador to India, Shankar Sharma, met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to discuss bilateral relations amidst growing unrest in Nepal over demands to reinstate the monarchy. The meeting comes after violent pro-monarchy protests in Kathmandu, reflecting increased pressure on the Nepalese government.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended VV Vijeesh after he sought a ban on the film 'L2: Empuraan' citing scenes alluding to the 2002 Gujarat riots. The Kerala high court refused interim relief on his plea, noting the film's clearance by the Central Board of Film Certification.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the strategic role of Chile as a gateway to Antarctica and announced November 4 as National Yoga Day in Santiago. The leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in areas like critical minerals, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and student exchange, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations and investment opportunities.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has accused the BJP of misusing Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's face while controlling the state government. He asserts that Lalan Singh belongs to the BJP and criticizes the ruling NDA, claiming that the people of Bihar are ready to vote out the two-decade-old government.
Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, an NDA ally, declared support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, addressing management issues of Waqf properties via reforms. The Bill, set to be tabled in Lok Sabha, faces opposition allegations of being unconstitutional. TDP's backing boosts BJP's effort to pass it, promising benefits for poor Muslims. A detailed eight-hour discussion is planned.
Rao's lawyer BS Girish submitted the petition, which the high court will take up next week.
China and India celebrated the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with mutual congratulatory messages from their leaders. They emphasized strengthening cooperation, strategic trust, and maintaining border peace, guided by the direction from their previous summit meeting in Kazan, Russia.
Former Manipur CM N Biren Singh condemns remarks by Bangladesh's interim chief advisor Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of using Northeast India as a strategic pawn for geopolitical gains, calling such statements 'unwise' and cautioning against potential consequences. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Debbarma also criticize Yunus' comments.
Asaduddin Owaisi criticized Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's justification for banning Eid prayers on roads. Earlier, Adityanath highlighted the peaceful Maha Kumbh, urging discipline and asserting that roads are meant for walking, not for religious or festival gatherings.
The Supreme Court refused to release YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia's passport following a complaint regarding his controversial remarks during an 'India's Got Latent' episode. Despite apologizing, he faces multiple FIRs. The court extended his protection from arrest while allowing him to resume his podcasting with certain conditions.
A Delhi court found a cognizable offence against Delhi law minister Kapil Mishra in connection with the 2020 North East Delhi riots, ordering further investigation. The order came following an application by Mohammad Ilyas, leading to an FIR registration. Mishra's presence in Kardam Puri was highlighted.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath addressed speculation about his prime ministerial ambitions, emphasizing his commitment to serving Uttar Pradesh and rejecting any discord with BJP's central leadership. He defended the government's bulldozer action and the ban on offering namaz on public roads, calling for discipline during public events and religious gatherings.
The Supreme Court condemned Uttar Pradesh and Prayagraj authorities for illegally demolishing houses without due process, violating residents' Article 21 rights. It ordered Rs 10 lakh compensation for affected owners. The demolitions were reportedly based on mistaken assumptions about the land's ownership.
Isha Foundation's Sadhguru Gurukulam completed a 15-day Classical Hatha Yoga training for the Indian Navy, enhancing their physical and mental resilience. The program equipped 72 personnel to teach Hatha Yoga practices, promoting strength and clarity, with plans to extend the initiative annually.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said that the 'bulldozer model' used by his government is a necessity rather than an achievement. He justified its use for both infrastructure development and removing illegal structures. Earlier, Adityanath emphasised that law and order are upheld through these actions, and opponents must be dealt with in a language they understand to maintain justice.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned Bangladesh advisor Muhammad Yunus's claim of Bangladesh being the 'guardian' of the Indian Ocean for India's northeastern states. Yunus suggested Bangladesh as a key gateway for the region, inviting China to expand its presence.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, received praise for sharing AI-generated Ghibli-style images of PM Modi's key moments. These images, posted by the Indian government and India Post, include Modi holding the Indian flag and diplomatic meetings with Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron. OpenAI noted ChatGPT's rapid growth, reaching one million users in five days amidst competition from Chinese and Meta rivals.
Astronaut Sunita Williams described her view of India from space during her nine-month stay on the International Space Station. She highlighted the Himalayas' ripple effect, the fishing fleets near Mumbai and Gujarat, and the network of lights visible across the country. Williams expressed excitement about visiting her ancestral home in Gujarat.
Starting April 1, 2025, various regulatory and financial changes, including revised income tax slabs, updated UPI regulations, and the introduction of the Unified Pension Scheme, will impact taxpayers, digital payment users, and pensioners. These changes aim to lower tax burdens, offer TDS relief, and adjust tolls, medicine, and gas prices.
Ghibli style art has become a viral trend as people use Google Gemini's AI to transform their photos into Miyazaki-inspired visuals. With simple steps, users can reimagine themselves, their pets, and landscapes in the whimsical, dreamlike aesthetic of Studio Ghibli films.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has urged PM Narendra Modi to cancel offshore mining tenders off the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, citing threats to marine life and fisherfolk livelihoods. He pointed out the lack of rigorous environmental assessments and noted strong protests from coastal communities against the mining licenses.
Three family members were arrested for murdering SN Mishra at the IAF's Bamrauli base. Saurabh Kumar, along with his parents, tried to burgle Mishra's house to fund a legal case for Saurabh's jailed brother. Saurabh shot Mishra to prevent him from raising an alarm. The suspects had previously worked at the IAF base.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis dismissed claims of his potential PM candidacy in 2029, reaffirming Narendra Modi as BJP's leader. He countered remarks by Sanjay Raut regarding Modi's retirement and defended the National Education Policy amid criticisms by Sonia Gandhi, emphasizing the need for Indianizing the education system.
Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi stated that the issue of Aurangzeb's tomb in Maharashtra was raised unnecessarily and highlighted the inclusiveness of Bharat by referencing Shivaji's respect for even Afzal Khan. Meanwhile, CM Devendra Fadnavis opposed the tomb's glorification but noted it is an ASI-protected site. Tensions continue with recent violence following VHP's actions against the tomb.
India and the US are set to begin their major tri-service exercise 'Tiger Triumph' in the Bay of Bengal, focusing on military interoperability for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The exercise includes operations at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, with India deploying warships, aircraft, and troops, while the US contributes amphibious warships and marines.
Qari Abdul Rehman, a member of the banned anti-Shia outfit ASWJ, was killed in a targeted attack by masked assailants in Karachi's Qaid Abad. The incident, believed to be sectarian in nature, has heightened concerns over Pakistan's sectarian violence. The ASWJ condemned the act as terrorism.
The Indian government has dismissed a New York Times report alleging Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's involvement in transferring sensitive British technology to Russia as inaccurate and misleading. Officials emphasize that the Indian entity adhered to all international trade obligations and laws, highlighting the need for reputable media to ensure accuracy before publication.
Reimbursements to private hospitals under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) have surged from 24% in 2019-20 to 60% in 2023-24. A significant rise in the number of beneficiaries has driven this increase. Instances of fraudulent billing and overcharging by empanelled hospitals have raised concerns about proper oversight and cost-effectiveness in the scheme.
A historic colonial-era structure, Mahafezkhana, has been demolished by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority to facilitate the Brahmaputra riverfront expansion. The heritage building, which withstood major earthquakes in 1897 and 1950, was demolished despite public outcry and suggestions for its preservation.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the renaming of 13 areas and two roads in four districts to reflect Indian culture and heritage. The changes include new names in Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar, inspired by prominent Indian figures.
E-commerce ads claiming instant skin whitening by lotions have been proven unsubstantiated, as companies admitted to exaggerating unique selling points to stand out online. The Central Consumer Protection Authority has fined these companies and warned of harsher penalties for future offences, emphasizing the illegality of misleading advertisements.
The Delhi High Court ruled that individuals with HIV cannot be denied employment or promotion, emphasizing the obligation for 'reasonable accommodation.' It ordered the CAPF to review the cases of three personnel denied promotions or appointments due to their HIV status, stating such denials violate the HIV Act and are discriminatory.
The 170-year-old Nakhasa Bazaar in Kashipur, known for trading rare horse breeds, has been canceled due to land unavailability. The fair, established in 1855, has drawn traders from across India. This abrupt closure marks the end of an era for the regions cultural and commercial heritage.
Khar police visited comedian Kunal Kamra's Mahim home to investigate his remarks about Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde in a recent show. Kamra criticized this action as a waste of resources, and he currently resides in Puducherry. Police have begun recording statements from audience members.
An investigation into the death of IIT Delhi researcher Surabhi Verma revealed the excavation at Lothal was unauthorized and the same team had conducted similar illegal digs across Gujarat. The assistant professor accused of negligence claimed the victims family was compensated by IIT-D. Police are investigating other sites where the team might have dug without permissions.