The Times of India

Calling Rahul Gandhi a raitor, a protesting BJP Yuva Morcha leader, who was being bundled into a van, said, This shows their ideology against the country. If you want to protest, protest the policies. They have protested against their own country. In a statement, the Indian Youth Congress said its workers were protesting against a compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the Al Summit.

As Kerala gears up for the 2026 elections, the future of the Left beyond chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is a pressing concern. Despite his strong leadership, the absence of a clear successor and the need to connect with a new generation of voters pose significant challenges for the LDF's continued relevance and its status as India's sole communist-governed state.

Union home minister Amit Shah accused the Congress of leaving Assam's borders open to infiltrators, aiming to alter the state's demographics. He contrasted this with the BJP government's efforts under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who he stated cleared vast lands occupied by infiltrators. Shah also highlighted the BJP's infrastructure development achievements in Assam.

Youth Congress workers staged a shirtless protest against a trade deal at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, leading to their detention. This occurred hours after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised the summit's organization and global stature, and also supported a defense deal with France.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor hinted at an upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, emphasizing growing AI and semiconductor cooperation. India's signing of the Pax Silica Declaration, alongside US officials, signifies a pivotal moment for bilateral ties, fostering collaboration in advanced technologies among trusted nations.

Rahul Gandhi appeared in a Sultanpur court on Friday for a 2018 criminal defamation case concerning remarks allegedly made about Amit Shah during the Karnataka Assembly elections. The case, filed by a BJP leader, accuses Gandhi of calling Shah an accused in a murder case, a statement Gandhi denies as politically motivated.

UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy lauded former PM Rishi Sunak as a great son of India during a New Delhi event, also highlighting his own Indian heritage. Lammy emphasized their ability to collaborate across political divides, particularly on prostate cancer initiatives.

Prime Minister Modi advocated for democratizing AI, emphasizing its role in global good and inclusion, particularly for the Global South. He urged for open sharing of AI codes, likening sunlight to a disinfectant for safety. Modi stressed a human-centric approach, cautioning against reducing individuals to data points and promoting India's MANAV framework for responsible AI development.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged global cooperation to tackle evolving maritime risks at the opening of India's largest naval exercise, MILAN-2026. He highlighted the growing participation from 74 nations, emphasizing that no single navy can address challenges like surging commerce, resource competition, and climate change alone. Singh also invited ASEAN countries to leverage India's growing defence-industrial capabilities.

Manipur's Chief Minister virtually addressed displaced Meitei and Kuki-Zo families, offering cash relief and urging trust rebuilding. This marks the first joint outreach since ethnic violence erupted. While resettlement efforts are underway, mistrust persists, with displaced individuals sharing concerns about jobs, education, and healthcare access. The CM pledged support for students and security for patients.

Two widely used medications, doxycycline and carbimazole, are set to receive stronger safety warnings. Regulators have identified potential mental health side effects for doxycycline and a rare but serious blood disorder linked to carbimazole. This proactive step aims to enhance patient safety by ensuring clearer information for both doctors and patients regarding these important, albeit uncommon, adverse reactions.

Bill Gates has withdrawn from his scheduled keynote at the AI Impact Summit 2026, with the Gates Foundation citing a desire to keep focus on the summit's priorities. The decision follows renewed scrutiny of Gates' past association with Jeffrey Epstein, which had led to questions in India about his attendance. Ankur Vora will deliver the keynote in his stead.

At the AI Impact Summit, a moment of tension arose when AI rivals Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic stood with arms crossed during a group photo, eschewing hand-holding. This visual cue highlighted their intensifying competition and recent public disagreements over advertising strategies.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei voiced concerns over autonomous weapons and mass surveillance, emphasizing AI's compatibility with democracy. He also highlighted India's potential for significant economic growth, projecting 20-25% driven by AI productivity gains, and noted Anthropic's efforts to enhance its models for Indic languages.

India championed AI for multilingualism and societal benefit, securing tech giants' adoption of the 'New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments'. This voluntary framework aims to extend AI's advantages to developing nations and the Global South, emphasizing real-world applications and inclusive, culturally sensitive development.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted India's pivotal role in AI, revealing over 100 million weekly ChatGPT users, with a third being students. He emphasized India's potential to lead AI development and deployment.

Strict enforcement, not just awareness, is crucial for curbing road accidents and rule violations, stated Union road transport secretary V Umashankar. He highlighted that certainty of enforcement, coupled with organized district-level action and strong institutions, will foster compliance and accountability.

India's sea-based nuclear deterrent is set to be significantly bolstered with the upcoming commissioning of INS Aridhaman, the third indigenous Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. This larger vessel, capable of carrying long-range K-4 missiles, will enhance India's second-strike capability and move it closer to achieving continuous at-sea deterrence.

French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that Rafale jets will bolster India's military might and expressed commitment to increasing indigenous content in 'made-in-India Rafale' aircraft. He highlighted the expansion of defense cooperation, including potential joint production of fighter jets and helicopters, and expressed hope for further submarine tie-ups, underscoring the unique strategic partnership between the two nations.

Operations at the Baglihar hydropower project's stage 1 in Jammu and Kashmir were halted due to flooding in the machine room. While stage 1 remains suspended for scheduled maintenance, stage 2, unaffected by the flooding, will continue to generate power. This allows for stage 2 to operate during the lean period when it would typically be closed.

Home Minister Amit Shah will launch Phase 2 of the Vibrant Villages Programme in Assam, a Rs 6,839 crore initiative to develop 1,954 villages along international borders. This project aims to foster inclusive development, curb outmigration, and integrate border populations with national security efforts.

In Maharashtra, Shivaji Maharaj occupies an almost sacred position across ideological lines, but particularly within the political vocabulary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena. The Maratha ruler is frequently invoked as a symbol of indigenous sovereignty, martial pride and cultural assertion. References to Hindavi Swarajya resonate strongly with narratives centred on civilisational identity and self-determination.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation will release a preliminary report on the Baramati Learjet crash within 30 days. The investigation is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Flight recorders are being examined. The ministry assures a thorough, evidence-based probe. Special audits of aircraft operators are also underway. This follows demands for a CBI inquiry into the accident.

Israel has condemned a absolutely unacceptable attack on two Indian workers in Ashkelon, with police apprehending the perpetrators. The incident, described as racially motivated, has drawn criticism from Indian politicians who are urging the government to ensure the victims' well-being and address concerns about the safety of Indian laborers in Israel ahead of Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya clarified that the party opposes only the open sale of beef, not all non-vegetarian food. He asserted that people in Bengal are free to consume what they choose, refuting claims of a ban on fish and meat sales.

India is set to fully restore its visa services in Bangladesh. This comes after a recent change in Bangladesh's political leadership. Aniruddha Das, a senior Indian consular official, confirmed the steps to fully restore services. Medical and double-entry visas are already being issued. Other categories, including travel visas, will also resume soon. This move signals a strengthening of India-Bangladesh relations.

French President Emmanuel Macron defended the Rafale deal, stating it strengthens India's defense capabilities and strategic coordination. He emphasized France's commitment to increasing Indian components and manufacturing critical devices in India, including co-production of combat aircraft and maintenance. This comes as India's Defence Acquisition Council cleared the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets.

The petitioners challenging the CAA Act will be heard on May 5 and for half a day on May 6. The respondent Union Government, supporting the legislation, will present its arguments during the remaining half of May 6 and continue on May 7.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra released a 20-point chargesheet against the BJP-led Assam government, accusing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of corruption and using state machinery to create fear among minorities. The Congress highlighted unfulfilled promises, including ST status for indigenous communities and increased wages for tea garden workers, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

The Supreme Court expressed serious concerns over the growing culture of freebies in states, warning it could hamper economic development and strain finances. Justices questioned whether indiscriminate distribution of benefits, without distinguishing between the needy and others, amounts to an appeasing policy that could weaken work culture and development efforts.

Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar has accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of hypocrisy and distraction tactics over his opposition to 'The Kerala Story' sequel. Chandrasekhar asserted filmmakers' rights and citizens' freedom to watch, urging Vijayan to use legal channels instead of creating fear. Vijayan had earlier condemned the sequel as a bid to spread communal discord.