The Times of India

The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Sunday expanded its cabinet ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, inducting several new ministers and strengthening its administrative team at Jan Bhavan in Lucknow.

Singapore's cultural festival saw Indian mangoes as the star attraction, with performers receiving boxes of the prized fruit. Organized by the Indian High Commission, the event aimed to boost mango exports and offered a taste of Incredible India. This initiative, part of a broader strategy to promote premium varieties globally, has generated significant enthusiasm and curiosity among residents.

CPI state secretary M Veerapandiyan has objected to the order of songs played at Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's swearing-in ceremony, where 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu' was placed third after 'Vande Mataram' and the national anthem. He stated this violates long-standing convention and demanded a public explanation for the lapse, urging the government to restore the state song's primacy.

A young man caused a stir at Ajmer Sharif Dargah on Sunday by allegedly jumping into the 'Badi Deg' cauldron, which contained cash and jewellery. Shrine staff intervened and pulled him out, with preliminary reports suggesting he may be mentally unstable. Authorities are investigating the incident captured on CCTV, with no major injuries reported.

Runa Laila, celebrating 50 years in Hindi films, continues to bridge India and Bangladesh through her music. Her powerful voice, first heard in 'Ek Se Badhkar Ek,' has been a constant amidst political shifts. Receiving the Minar-e-Dilli award, she emphasized music's healing power, a sentiment echoed by fans who find solace in her melodies.

Tamil Nadu's new Chief Minister Vijay claimed the previous government left a Rs 10 lakh crore debt and an empty treasury. However, former CM M.K. Stalin refuted this, stating the state's debt is within limits and urging Vijay not to start his tenure with such claims. Vijay vowed transparency and prioritizing public welfare.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has vehemently denied a fabricated social media quote attributed to him, calling the act vile, brazen and mischievous. The CJI stated that manufacturing and attributing such a quote to the highest judicial office is an act of dishonesty and social incitement.

Decades of groundwork by the RSS and its expanding social and organizational networks in West Bengal have reshaped the state's political landscape, culminating in the BJP's electoral breakthrough. This patient, years-long outreach, rooted in identity and community, gradually converted scattered support into a cohesive political force, leading to a decisive electoral victory.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief C Joseph Vijay assumed office as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, promising a new era of secular and social justice governance. He highlighted the inherited financial strain, pledging transparency, strict action against corruption and drug abuse, and prioritizing education, roads, and water facilities for the people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large gathering in Bengaluru, inaugurating and laying the foundation for projects worth Rs 9,500 crore. He highlighted recent electoral victories in Puducherry, Assam, and Bengal, alongside Gujarat's local election success, as historic milestones. The visit also includes dedicating Sindhu Hospital to the nation.

C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, marking a significant political shift. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Vijay and assured continued central government support for the state's welfare. Vijay's party, TVK, secured victory in the 2026 elections, ending the dominance of Dravidian parties.

C Joseph Vijay has become the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He took the oath of office along with his cabinet members. This marks the formal assumption of power by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party. The party achieved a significant electoral victory on May 4. This win ended the long-standing dominance of traditional Dravidian parties.

C Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after his party, TVK, emerged as the single largest in the assembly. Vijay secured the required majority with support from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League, unseating traditional Dravidian parties. He will seek a vote of confidence by May 13.

Congress is deliberating on its Kerala chief minister choice, with V.D. Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala, and K.C. Venugopal as top contenders. Meetings with the high command are ongoing, with a decision expected imminently. The party is also addressing internal indiscipline following public demonstrations supporting individual leaders.

Kashmir's adventure tourism sector faces a significant downturn. Trekking routes across the Valley are closed, halting a once-thriving industry. This has impacted local entrepreneurs and staff who relied on adventure activities. While some have relocated, many face an uncertain future. The reopening of key routes like the Great Lakes Trek is crucial for the industry's survival.

Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of political vendetta after repeated ED actions in Punjab, including the arrest of AAP MP Ashok Tanwar. The agency's probe targets alleged financial irregularities, with searches extending to real estate firms. Punjab's CM condemned the ED's use as a political tool, while the opposition highlighted corruption concerns.

Crime rates in Indian cities are set to show a decline in 2027 due to a mathematical glitch in National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) calculations. NCRB uses outdated Census population figures as denominators, causing crime rates to appear inflated until the next Census updates these numbers, leading to dramatic drops.

The BJP's first government in West Bengal was sworn in with a display of potent symbolism, including PM Modi's gestures of respect and the inclusion of diverse community representatives. The event acknowledged the party's historical struggle and its growing support base across various social and regional groups in the state.

Bengal witnesses a historic shift as Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as the state's first BJP Chief Minister, alongside five cabinet ministers. Prime Minister Modi graced the occasion at Brigade Parade Ground, marking a significant political turn. The new government's formation emphasizes regional balance and organizational strength, with a cabinet expansion anticipated soon.

DMK mouthpiece Murasoli criticized Congress and Rahul Gandhi for alleged lack of gratitude after the party left the DMK-led alliance. The editorial highlighted DMK chief M K Stalin's role in forming the INDIA bloc and supporting Congress's inclusion, despite opposition from other leaders. Murasoli also accused Congress members close to Gandhi of targeting the DMK government.

The Vijay-led TVK party's tally surged to 120 after securing support from VCK and IUML, following earlier backing from Congress, CPI, and CPM. IUML cited the public's expectation for a democratic government and the need to prevent political instability and President's Rule in Tamil Nadu.

Questions arise if Congress could have achieved greater success in Tamil Nadu had actor Vijay's past interaction with Rahul Gandhi materialized into a political alliance. Now, 17 years later, a partnership is forming as Rahul Gandhi is set to attend Vijay's oath-taking ceremony, marking a significant political shift.

VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan has pledged unconditional support to actor-politician Vijay's government, aiming to ensure political stability and prevent President's rule in Tamil Nadu. This move, communicated to DMK chief MK Stalin, allows TVK to navigate the state's new coalition landscape. VCK will remain in the DMK-led alliance but will not join the cabinet, prioritizing political credibility over ministerial berths.

The Delhi High Court granted interim relief to Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, ordering the removal of AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media across digital platforms. The court recognized Tharoor's enforceable personality and publicity rights, barring the misappropriation of his name, image, voice, and speaking style for any commercial, political, or malicious purpose.

Seeks urgent evacuation steps by govt

Mumbai's Koli women are transforming their traditional fish trade into a corporate venture with Daryavardi Producer Company Limited. This community-owned enterprise, inspired by the Amul model, focuses on streamlined operations, product development, and modern marketing. Learning about improved packaging, they aim to elevate their business from a cottage industry to a significant player in the Blue Economy.

Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (retd) has been appointed the new Chief of Defence Staff, tasked with implementing the theaterisation model. Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan will take over as the next chief of the Indian Navy, focusing on modernization. Both appointments are effective from May 30 and May 31 respectively.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

For actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay, the days following the May 4 Tamil Nadu assembly election results were less about celebration and more about survival arithmetic. TVK emerged as the single-largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member assembly, placing Vijay within striking distance of the chief ministers chair but still 10 short of the majority mark of 118.

Thol Thirumavalavan's VCK party has pledged unconditional support to Vijay's TVK, aiming to ensure Tamil Nadu's political stability and avert President's rule. This move, made independently while remaining in the DMK alliance, bolsters TVK's numbers to a majority. Vijay is now expected to stake his claim to form the government.

Tamil Nadu sees a new government forming as TVK crosses the majority mark with VCK and IUML support. India enhances its defense with a successful Agni missile test featuring MIRV technology. West Bengal witnesses a historic shift with Suvendu Adhikari sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister, while Mamata Banerjee updates her social media, acknowledging the change.

Nights are warming faster than days globally, impacting crops, ecosystems, and human health. Cities trap heat due to concrete and lack of green cover, while rising greenhouse gases act like a thicker blanket, preventing heat escape. This 'asymmetric warming' alarms scientists, indicating a fundamental shift in the planet's ability to cool itself.

The BJP has significantly expanded its political footprint across India, achieving its first chief minister in nine states since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014. This expansion, marked by recent victories in West Bengal and Odisha, transforms the party from a Hindi-heartland force into a dominant pan-India political machine, reflecting its governance model and increasing public acceptance.

A fire aboard a wooden dhow near the Strait of Hormuz resulted in the death of one Indian sailor and injuries to four others. Seventeen Indian crew members were rescued by a passing vessel. The incident occurred amidst heightened regional tensions, with recent exchanges between Iran and the United States in the vital shipping lane.

Prime Minister Modi expressed profound gratitude to the people of Bengal, bowing with folded hands after the BJP's historic Assembly election victory. Alongside new chief minister Adhikari, he shared an emotional moment with 98-year-old veteran Makhanlal Sarkar, even touching his feet in a gesture of deep respect. This marks a significant shift in West Bengal's political landscape.

Suvendu Adhikari has been sworn in as West Bengal's first BJP chief minister at a grand ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This historic win, securing 207 seats, ends the Trinamool Congress' 15-year reign. Adhikari's transition from Mamata Banerjee's aide to BJP leader marks a significant political upheaval in the state, mirroring recent changes in Bihar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored 98-year-old BJP veteran Makhanlal Sarkar at the party's first West Bengal government swearing-in. Sarkar, a key grassroots leader since the BJP's inception, was recognized for his decades of service and association with the nationalist movement. His arrest in Kashmir in 1952 while with Syama Prasad Mukherjee highlights his early commitment.