Politics / The Times of India
PM Modi and President Trump aimed to improve India-US relations after recent tensions, with Trump calling to wish Modi a happy birthday and discuss bilateral cooperation, including trade agreement negotiations. Modi expressed gratitude and supported Trump's efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This conversation marks a potential turning point after the US imposed tariffs on India for Russian oil purchases.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday conducted an on-site inspection of Maldevta and Kesarwala areas in Dehradun district, which have been severely affected by heavy rainfall.
India has voiced strong concerns over Israel's recent attack in Doha, denouncing it as a violation of Qatar's sovereignty. At the UN, Arindam Bagchi emphasized peaceful resolution through dialogue, upholding the UN Charter. PM Modi also spoke with Qatar's Emir, condemning the attacks and reaffirming India's support for regional peace and stability, opposing terrorism.
Actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has strongly condemned Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks promoting Hindi, viewing it as an imposition that undermines federalism. The party argues that prioritizing Hindi in government administration disregards the nation's linguistic diversity and goes against the spirit of inclusivity. TVK urges Shah to retract his statement emphasizing Hindi's role in a self-reliant India.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressing the Combined Commanders Conference 2025, urged the Armed Forces to prepare for modern warfare, including information and biological threats. He emphasized technology adoption and self-reliance, calling for a 'Sudarshan Chakra' strategy. Singh highlighted the 'JAI' mantra (Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, Innovation) for military modernization and cited Operation Sindoor as an example of India's growing indigenous capabilities.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar acknowledged India's refusal of third-party mediation for the ceasefire established on May 10. Dar stated that India insists on bilateral talks, a stance reiterated during a meeting in Washington. He emphasized Pakistan's openness to dialogue, while noting India's reluctance.
India's political and sports scenes were buzzing, highlighted by a Rahul Gandhi-Shahid Afridi controversy after the Asia Cup clash, drawing BJP's ire and Congress's defense. Operation Sindoor's impact on Maulana Masood Azhar's family was revealed by a JeM commander. In other news, the Puja Khedkar case took a turn, and Apollo Tyres became Team India's jersey sponsor until 2027.
The Asia Cup handshake controversy escalated after India skipped the customary exchange with Pakistan, drawing political reactions. Shahid Afridi criticised PM Modi, praising Rahul Gandhi, while BJP's Amit Malviya questioned Gandhi's loyalties. The PCB filed a complaint with the ICC, alleging misconduct by the match referee, and threatened withdrawal from the Asia Cup 2025.
The Supreme Court has mandated the Maharashtra government and State Election Commission to conduct local body elections by January 31, 2026. The court has instructed authorities to complete the delimitation exercise by October 10 this year.
Tejashwi Yadav, amidst his 'Bihar Adhikar Yatra,' asserted the Mahagathbandhan alliance faces no confusion regarding its chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar assembly election. He emphasized that the people of Bihar desire change and will ultimately decide who leads the state.
In Kerala's Kasaragod, a disturbing case has emerged involving the sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy. Nine individuals, including two government employees, have been arrested. The victim was allegedly abused over two years by 14 men he met on a gay dating app, with incidents occurring at his home and in Kannur and Kozhikode.
Smartphones and social media, while offering opportunities, contribute to mental health issues in young people. Increased screen time leads to addiction, anxiety, and aggression. Experts recommend parental monitoring, setting limits, and focusing on content to promote mindful usage and mitigate potential harm, ensuring children engage in diverse activities.
With the Bihar Assembly elections approaching, the Congress has formed its Pradesh Election Committee, featuring key figures like Rajesh Ram, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, and Madan Mohan Jha. Approved by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, the 39-member committee aims to prepare the party for the upcoming polls expected around November. MPs, MLAs, and other key leaders will be permanent invitees.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced interest-free education loans for all Class 12 graduates under the Student Credit Card Scheme, aiming to boost higher education accessibility ahead of state elections. Loan repayment periods have also been extended; borrowers of loans up to Rs 2 lakh now get seven years, while those with larger loans get up to ten years.
Heavy rain, cloudbursts, and landslides have caused widespread destruction in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In Himachal Pradesh, three people died in Mandi district due to a landslide. Uttarakhand was hit by a cloudburst in Dehradun, damaging properties and infrastructure. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities are providing assistance to those affected, with the Chief Ministers monitoring the situation.
In a significant victory against Left-wing extremism, Sahdev Soren, a top CPI(Maoist) leader, was killed in a joint operation by CRPF and Jharkhand police. Soren, wanted in over 80 Naxal violence cases, including the Chilkhari massacre, carried a 1.4 crore reward. Two of his aides were also neutralized in the operation.
From October 1, 2025, Indian Railways will require Aadhaar authentication for booking reserved general tickets online via IRCTC during the first 15 minutes of reservation opening. This measure aims to prevent misuse by unauthorized individuals, ensuring genuine passengers benefit. After this initial period, authorized agents can book online. The rule doesn't affect ticket bookings at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
The Supreme Court is considering using artificial intelligence to monitor CCTV cameras in police stations nationwide, aiming to curb custodial deaths and torture. The AI system would automatically alert authorities if a camera malfunctions or is switched off. The court suggested involving IITs to develop the necessary software for centralized, AI-driven monitoring.
Prime Minister Modi raised concerns about demographic changes in Bihar's Seemanchal region, criticizing the opposition for supporting infiltrators for vote-bank politics. He promised to address the issue through the demography mission. Modi inaugurated projects worth 40,541 crore, including Purnia airport's terminal, and flagged off new trains.
Delhi's sex ratio at birth has declined for the fourth consecutive year, reaching 920 females per 1,000 males in 2024, raising concerns about illegal prenatal sex determination. The city also experienced a decrease in registered births alongside an increase in deaths.
The Supreme Court has provided an interim order regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The court refused to stay the Act but suspended the 'five-year practice of Islam' provision. A section allowing derecognition of waqf property during inquiry is also stayed. The court upheld inquiry into government land declared as waqf property. It also restricted non-Muslim representation in waqf bodies.