The Times of India

CPM's MA Baby defended Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, stating the party's defeat is a collective responsibility, not an individual's. He emphasized self-criticism and corrective measures for the entire leadership. Baby also expressed concern over the rise of right-wing forces and the BJP's gains in Kerala.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended the region's liquor policy, stating shops are for those whose religion permits consumption. His comments come amid a 100-day anti-drug campaign, with calls to extend it to liquor. Abdullah highlighted his government's efforts to prevent youth from consuming alcohol, including not opening new shops.

India recorded a 16.4% decline in environment and pollution-related crimes in 2024, with 57,670 cases reported. The majority of these offenses, over 80%, were violations of the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). Noise pollution and forest-related acts followed as the next most reported offenses.

The Times Internet Half Marathon 2026 celebrated diversity and passion, with young runners like winner Rohit Singh Chauhan, Jigmet Stobdan from Ladakh, and Narottam Gaud from Uttar Pradesh showcasing remarkable speed and dedication. The event highlighted running's power to unite individuals from across India, fostering a shared love for the sport and celebrating diverse journeys and aspirations.

The Times Internet Half Marathon 2026 celebrated diverse journeys, with Aishani Saxena winning the 10K Under 29 Female category. Lakshmi Kumari from Bihar, a novice runner, secured first runner-up, while Armenia's Jebid Jouharian, who fosters a running community, took second. The event highlighted running's power to unite people across borders.

Manoj Kumar Agarwal

West Bengal's new BJP government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has launched the Annapurna Bhandaar scheme. Eligible women will receive 3,000 monthly, replacing the previous Lakshmir Bhandar. The cabinet also approved integrating the state with central schemes like Ayushman Bharat and addressing illegal immigration.

In a separate direction, the state government also asked departments to discontinue the re-employment and service extensions granted to officers and officials who continued beyond the usual retirement age of 60 years. The government has issued an order to take necessary action to immediately terminate the tenures of the nominated members, directors, or chairpersons of different boards, organisations, non-statutory bodies and public sector undertakings of the state government, a senior bureaucrat

Rahul Gandhi criticizes PM Modi's economic appeals as a sign of failure, while a security scare involving explosives near the PM's convoy route prompts an NIA investigation. Meanwhile, Iran defends its peace proposal against US unreasonable demands, and a US passenger from a Hantavirus-hit cruise tests positive but shows no symptoms.

AIADMK faces internal turmoil following a significant electoral defeat in Tamil Nadu, with divisions surfacing over leadership and potential support for the new TVK government. MLAs arrived in separate groups for the assembly, highlighting a visible rift and raising questions about the party's future cohesion and relevance.

West Bengal's new Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari chaired his first cabinet meeting, approving six key decisions to end state-Centre deadlock. These include facilitating land for BSF border fencing, rolling out central schemes like Ayushman Bharat, and aligning IAS/IPS officers with central training.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce fuel and edible oil consumption, citing the West Asia crisis and global supply chain disruptions. Opposition parties criticized the appeal, calling it an admission of failure and a shift of responsibility onto the public after elections. The BJP defended the PM's call as responsible leadership and national interest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav, commemorating 75 years since the restored temple's inauguration. He offered prayers, performed rituals, and paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The event also featured aerial displays by the IAF's Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team.

Tamil Nadu's chief minister's swearing-in ceremony sparked controversy as the state song 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu' was placed third, after the national song and anthem. This deviation from tradition, where the state song usually begins government events, drew strong objections from CPI and the ruling TVK party, which vowed to revert to the established practice.

Daily wage earners constituted 31% of all suicide deaths in 2024, the highest in a decade, with 52,910 such fatalities. This marks a significant increase from previous years, as the total number of suicides nationwide rose to 1.7 lakh. Family problems and illness remain the primary reported causes for these tragic deaths.

Two Indian crew members aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship are healthy and asymptomatic following a hantavirus scare. The vessel anchored off Spain's Canary Islands, and the two Indians have since been evacuated to the Netherlands for quarantine and health monitoring.

Two Indian crew members aboard the hantavirus-hit MV Hondius have been evacuated to the Netherlands for quarantine, confirmed healthy and asymptomatic by the Indian Embassy in Spain. The Dutch-flagged vessel experienced an outbreak after anchoring off the Canary Islands. The WHO advised a risk-based approach for managing contacts, noting limited human-to-human transmission of the Andes virus.

Amid global energy disruptions, PM Modi urged Indians to conserve foreign exchange by reducing reliance on imported fuel. He advocated for public transport, work-from-home, avoiding overseas trips and non-essential gold purchases for a year. The Prime Minister also encouraged farmers to halve chemical fertilizer use and shift towards natural farming.

India and UAE are finalizing an agreement to facilitate the evacuation of Indian workers via Fujairah port, a move likely to be signed during PM Modi's upcoming stopover. This pact addresses potential disruptions from the West Asia conflict, offering a crucial maritime route for over 4 million Indian workers in the UAE.

'Govt change sans violence best proof'

BJP's strong performance in Kolkata's assembly elections, leading in 102 of 144 KMC wards, has sparked speculation about advancing municipal polls. This surge contrasts with Trinamool's previous dominance, as evidenced by the 2024 Lok Sabha results showing BJP gaining significant ground in the city's wards.

I'll be the only power centre, says Vijay after taking oath as TN CM

Bengal's new Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, is considering relocating his Kolkata residence to the underutilized Soujanya complex in Alipore. Police have assessed the security at the palatial building, constructed for VVIPs. Adhikari, who has emphasized accessibility at his ancestral home, may opt for the more centralized Soujanya due to security needs.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph stated that AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will soon announce Kerala's next chief minister after interviewing three contenders. Joseph indicated no further state-level discussions are needed, with the Congress leadership holding the final decision. Camps backing K.C. Venugopal, V.D. Satheesan, and Ramesh Chennithala remain hopeful, each presenting their case to the high command.

Slams Cong for Kerala & Karnataka power struggles

Staff and teachers at Raksha Anusandhan School (RAV) in Dehradun are opposing its management transfer from DRES to DAV College Trust & Management Society. This change, affecting a school partially funded by DRDO, raises concerns about potential negative changes to employee salary structures. DRDO clarified its financial support did not imply ownership or control.

India's space commercial arm, NSIL, is poised for a significant shift as a private sector leader, reportedly from Boeing, is the front-runner for its CMD post. This marks a departure from its history of being led by Isro insiders. The selection process is in its final stages, aiming to bring external expertise to the burgeoning space PSU.

Bhuri Tori, a forgotten scientific outpost near Sironj, once served as the geodetic heart of undivided India. British surveyors used this ridge for the Great Trigonometrical Survey, fixing coordinates and calculating distances that helped measure Mount Everest. Today, this historically significant site lies neglected, with its structures vandalized and stones stolen.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to adopt lifestyle changes to conserve foreign exchange and mitigate the economic impact of global energy crises. Key suggestions include reducing fuel consumption by using public transport, carpooling, and opting for electric vehicles, alongside reviving work-from-home policies and limiting discretionary spending on gold and foreign travel.

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala criticized Prime Minister Modi for his remarks on the Kerala CM selection delay, pointing out the BJP's own 50-day wait in Delhi. He emphasized the Congress's democratic process versus the BJP's 'authoritarian' approach. Consultations are ongoing, with a decision expected soon after discussions with leaders and MLAs.