The Times of India

International observers from 22 countries lauded India's electoral process during the recent Assembly polls in Kerala, Puducherry, and Assam. Witnessing firsthand the scale, precision, and vibrant participation, delegates described the experience as a rue festival of democracy. They were impressed by the meticulous planning, seamless execution, and inclusive features at polling stations, highlighting India's commitment to transparent and accessible elections.

Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal's helicopter mistakenly landed in a Pune parking lot instead of the designated helipad. The pilot reportedly confused an open parking space for the landing site. While no accident occurred and all were safe, an inquiry is underway to determine if it was a technical or human error.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has initiated a 'Copilot code red' to enhance AI performance and user experience, aiming to boost investor confidence amidst intense competition. The company is allocating significant cloud capacity to Copilot development, with analysts suggesting Azure can still exceed expectations due to growing demand and pricing.

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Actor-turned-politician Vijay has urged his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party workers to intensify campaigning in the final ten days before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He called for a disciplined door-to-door outreach to connect with voters personally. Vijay framed the upcoming polls as a generational change and a fight for true people's rule, aiming for a victorious procession against established alliances.

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin downplayed national ambitions, stating he knows his limits, while confidently predicting a DMK-led alliance sweep of over 200 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. He highlighted welfare schemes and attacked rivals AIADMK and BJP, accusing the former of lacking ideology and being controlled by Delhi.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to invalidate her candidature from Bhabanipur through false cases with the Election Commission's help. She also alleged the BJP manipulated electoral rolls, leading to the deletion of millions of voters, and claimed they planned to tamper with EVMs to influence poll results.

Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters clashed during an election campaign in West Bengal's Hooghly district, resulting in minor injuries to four BJP workers. The incident occurred as campaigning intensifies for the 2026 Assembly elections, with both parties trading sharp political attacks and releasing manifestos.

Former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma resigned, avoiding parliamentary removal proceedings. This follows a history of judges facing removal motions, with some resigning and others escaping proceedings. The constitutional process for judge removal involves parliamentary address based on proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi shared a brief, candid conversation at a Parliament tribute ceremony for Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. The interaction drew attention given their history of sharp political exchanges and public criticisms of each other. Both leaders separately paid homage to the social reformer's legacy.

New weight-loss injections are proving effective for Indian patients, with over 40% shedding at least 10% of their body weight in a recent Delhi hospital study. While results vary, especially for those with diabetes, the therapies offer significant health benefits. Experts emphasize these are not quick fixes but valuable tools when combined with lifestyle changes for sustained weight reduction.

EAM S Jaishankar arrived in the UAE for high-level meetings to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, following his visit to Mauritius. Discussions in Mauritius focused on energy cooperation, including oil and gas supply agreements and clean energy projects, reinforcing the need for dependable strategic partnerships amidst regional crises.

A fire at Justice Yashwant Varma's Delhi residence revealed partially burnt high-denomination currency notes, sparking a high-level judicial and governmental probe. A fireman's remark about Gandhi on the notes, captured on video, highlighted the incident's gravity. The discovery led to swift action, with the Delhi Police Commissioner briefing the Chief Justice and a report sent to the Union Home Ministry.

Justice Yashwant Varma resigned from the Allahabad High Court, alleging procedural unfairness by a judges' inquiry committee. He questioned the committee's handling of charges related to unaccounted burnt cash found at his residence, stating he was forced to withdraw as his participation would legitimize an unjust process. Videos of the fire incident at his home became crucial evidence.

Women voters demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, achieving record-breaking turnout and outperforming male voters in all three regions. Kerala saw the widest gender gap, with women's participation significantly boosting overall polling. This surge highlights women's growing political engagement and their importance to electoral outcomes.

Political parties in Assam are vying for women's votes with competing cash-transfer promises, including increased monthly payouts and empowerment initiatives. This comes as women voters demonstrate consistently high participation, often surpassing male turnout in recent elections across Assam, Puducherry, and Kerala, influencing electoral dynamics.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal discussed supply chain issues, particularly food, with UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain officials. He emphasized regional peace amid tensions and thanked Gulf nations for supporting the large Indian diaspora. Discussions also covered UAE's logistics solutions to counter disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz blockade, vital for India's global trade.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit India next month, following a productive meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The discussions focused on bilateral ties, including trade, critical minerals, defense, and the Quad. Efforts are also under way to schedule a Quad foreign ministers' meeting around Rubio's visit.

A senior government official urged industry representatives to absorb some of the rising raw material costs instead of passing them entirely to consumers. This statement comes as ministries address supply chain disruptions, particularly concerning packaging materials for essential goods like food and drugs, due to the West Asia conflict.

The Election Commission has cancelled Trinamool Congress candidate Abhinav Bhattacharya's nomination for Krishnanagar North due to a conflict of interest. Bhattacharya's business dealings with the state government violated Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. An alternative candidate, Somnath Dutta, will now contest the seat for TMC.

BJP MLA Hiraan Chattopadhyay's nomination affidavit reveals he is 'legally married; currently separated' from Anindita, who previously accused him of cruelty and a second marriage. Contesting from Shyampur, Hiraan declared significant assets, including Rs 15 lakh cash, while his wife has Rs 12 lakh. Their combined wealth stands at Rs 14.5 crore, with Hiraan facing four pending criminal cases.

Kargil war hero Colonel Sonam Wangchuk, a Maha Vir Chakra recipient, has passed away. Celebrated as a proud son of Ladakh, his gallantry during Operation Vijay exemplified resilience and service. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Army lauded his courageous leadership, stating his legacy will inspire future generations. His life embodied courage, service, and unity.

Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi revealed Operation Sindoor's strike was deliberately delayed last year. Commanders ensured the operation avoided disrupting 'namaz' prayers at a terrorist camp, choosing a time when no one was engaged in worship. This flexible timing demonstrated a unique consideration, prioritizing a specific prayer period before executing the mission.

A Trinamool worker from West Bengal alleges his name was deleted from the state's electoral roll and inexplicably added to Bihar's voter list. Krishnendu Mukherjee, a booth-level agent, discovered this discrepancy when his name, present in the draft roll, was marked 'under adjudication' and later deleted. He suspects a political conspiracy due to his active TMC membership.

AIMIM has ended its electoral alliance with Humayun Kabir's AUJP following a sting video allegedly showing Kabir discussing a Rs 1,000-crore deal with BJP and suggesting Muslim voters be misled. AIMIM stated it cannot associate with statements questioning the integrity of Bengal's Muslims and will now contest independently.

Bengal's ruling TMC has labelled the BJP's election manifesto a copycat document, questioning the saffron party's track record on fulfilling promises. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted unfulfilled pledges like Rs 15 lakh bank deposits and job creation, while a TMC spokesperson accused the BJP of adopting their successful welfare schemes.

TVK party blames Union minister L Murugan and Tamil Nadu's deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin for the online leak of actor Vijay's unreleased film 'Jananayagan'. The production house has filed a complaint seeking forensic investigation and legal action against those responsible for the unauthorized circulation.

Former state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh labelled over 90 lakh people removed from Bengal's electoral rolls as 'anti-nationals'. He challenged Trinamool Congress to win without 'fake voters'. Ghosh's remarks came after acknowledging some genuine voters were removed. His opponent criticised the statement, questioning if Hindus excluded were traitors.

The Election Commission has issued no model code of conduct notices during ongoing polls, opting instead for FIRs for serious violations. This shift, attributed to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, aims to streamline enforcement within tight campaign schedules and leverage existing legal frameworks for offenses like communal remarks and personal attacks.

Veerappan's daughter Vidhyarani and widow Muthulakshmi are entering electoral politics. They aim to portray the late forest brigand as a protector of Tamil rights. Vidhyarani is contesting from Mettur and Muthulakshmi from Krishnagiri. Both candidates are backed by parties supporting Tamil nationalism. Their campaigns focus on their father's legacy and local issues.

BJP's Bengal manifesto champions Hindutva and national security, promising a crackdown on infiltrators and implementing Uniform Civil Code. It also targets women and youth with welfare schemes, aiming to consolidate Hindu votes against TMC's alleged appeasement. The party stresses border security and curbing corruption, seeking to replicate its Assam success.

India expressed deep concern over significant civilian casualties in recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon, following a US-Iran ceasefire. As a UNIFIL contributor, India finds the events disturbing, emphasizing civilian protection and respect for international law. The ceasefire's fragility is highlighted by confusion over Lebanon's inclusion.

Security forces discovered a suspected IED-type box with two grenades in Rajouri's Sunderbani belt. This incident followed the detention of a school van driver in Jammu, who had multiple Pakistani contacts on his phone. Investigations are ongoing into the driver's suspected terror links.

India expresses deep concern over civilian deaths in Lebanon amid ongoing Israeli strikes, calling the situation very disturbing. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah pledged to implement the Uniform Civil Code in Bengal within six months if the BJP wins. Delhi Police have busted an ISI-backed spy network, arresting ten operatives. Justice Yashwant Varma resigned amid a cash recovery row.

Tragedy struck Mathura's Yamuna River as a boat carrying devotees capsized near Kesi Ghat. At least six lives were lost in the unfortunate incident that occurred Friday afternoon. Around 30 individuals were on two boats when one suddenly sank. Rescue efforts are actively ongoing to locate those still missing, with several already brought to safety.