The Times of India

A devastating blast at a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar on Sunday claimed 16 lives and injured six. Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep sorrow, extended condolences to the bereaved families, and dispatched ministers to oversee rescue efforts and provide immediate assistance.

A top Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, Umer Harris alias Khargosh, has reportedly fled India to Saudi Arabia using a forged passport. The operative, originally from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, married under an assumed identity in Jaipur, which aided his passport application. This revelation highlights significant loopholes in India's verification systems.

As the campaign sharpens, the familiar charge of bohiragoto has returned to the centre of the political stage, with the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) reviving a narrative that helped it decisively blunt the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) five years ago. The immediate trigger this time, as seen in the reaction to Leander Paes joining the BJP, shows how quickly the labels are deployed as outsider, parachuted, not one of us.

The Supreme Court has mandated nationwide road safety improvements, banning heavy vehicle parking on national highways and restricting new roadside structures. Authorities must ensure compliance within 60 days, with district magistrates overseeing inspections. Task forces will be formed to address accident-prone 'blackspots' and enhance surveillance, aiming to prevent avoidable fatalities.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) will back an independent candidate in Edappadi after their nominee's disqualification. Vijay urged voters to support K Premakumar, calling it a fitting lesson against alleged suppression of their symbol. This strategic shift occurs as TVK, launched in February, contests its first Assembly elections against established Dravidian parties.

Opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, and D.K. Shivakumar have strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of misrepresenting facts regarding the women's reservation bill. They contend the government used the bill as a political shield for delimitation, not genuine empowerment, and that the bill's passage was deliberately stalled. Leaders emphasized Congress's long-standing support for women's representation.

West Bengal's electoral rolls have seen an addition of nearly seven lakh voters ahead of assembly elections. While the Election Commission has not yet released detailed demographic data, including first-time voters or gender-wise breaks, the total electorate now stands at over 6.82 crore. This comes after a Special Intensive Revision report indicated significant net deletions of voters in the state.

Iran's top representative in India, Dr. Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, addressed a shooting incident involving India-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing strong bilateral ties. He stated he had no information about the event but expressed hope for its peaceful resolution, advocating for peace in the region.

Tourists Can Scan QR Codes Of Pony-Wallahs & Cabbies

Iran's Supreme Leader representative in India, Abdul Majeed Hakeem Ilahi, stated that recent Iran-US peace talks failed after Washington allegedly deviated from an agreed-upon 10-point plan. Ilahi claimed the US initially accepted the proposal but shifted its demands during negotiations in Pakistan, leading to the breakdown.

.

The Allahabad high court has temporarily halted its order for an FIR against Rahul Gandhi concerning alleged dual citizenship. The court emphasized the need to hear the accused before any decision. This follows an earlier directive to register a case based on claims of concealed British citizenship during company incorporation. The probe's transfer to a central agency was also permitted.

On the occasion, he flagged off buses carrying pilgrims to the Char Dham shrines and also inspected a free medical camp set up for devotees.