Top News / The Times of India
Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest all 243 seats in Bihar, aiming to offer its governance model as an alternative to existing alliances. This move introduces a new dynamic alongside Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj, both vying for space created by voter fatigue with traditional politics.
Indian elections on June 4, 2024, brought back coalition politics. The BJP did not secure a majority. This has made seat-sharing talks in Bihar challenging. Allies like Nitish Kumar's JD(U) now hold significant power. Smaller allies are testing the alliance's strength. The BJP must balance keeping allies happy with its own interests.
India and the UK have inked a $468 million missile deal, bolstering the Indian Army's defense and creating over 700 jobs in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Hungarian author Lszl Krasznahorkai secured the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature. In Indian politics, Tejashwi Yadav pledged government jobs for every household, while CJI BR Gavai termed the shoe attack a 'forgotten chapter'.
Punjab's youth are set to benefit from 3,100 new sports grounds, a project inaugurated by CM Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal. The initiative aims to equip villages with modern facilities and sports gear.
US President Donald Trump again claimed he brokered a peace deal between India and Pakistan within 24 hours, attributing it to trade leverage and tariffs. This assertion follows India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor in May, which targeted Pakistani terror infrastructure after a deadly attack. India has consistently rejected third-party mediation on the Kashmir issue.
Punjab Police's Counter-Intelligence unit has busted a Babbar Khalsa International terror module, apprehending two operatives and recovering 2.5 kg of IED. This operation, linked to UK-based handlers and a BKI mastermind, aimed to disrupt targeted attacks. Separately, Amritsar police dismantled a cross-border arms and narcotics smuggling ring, seizing heroin and sophisticated pistols intended for local criminals.
The Supreme Court has ruled that age restrictions in surrogacy law do not apply retrospectively. Couples who had frozen embryos before the law's enactment can now proceed with surrogacy, offering relief to three families. The court questioned the rationale behind age limits for surrogacy, especially when none exist for natural procreation.
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in India for a significant visit, the first by a top Taliban leader since 2021. This marks a deepening of engagement between India and the Taliban government, with discussions planned on bilateral relations and regional issues. India, a long-time provider of humanitarian aid, is set to explore further cooperation during Muttaqi's stay.
Former Home Minister P Chidambaram has strongly refuted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claims that the UPA government halted a military strike on Pakistan after the 26/11 attacks due to foreign pressure. Chidambaram stated that the Prime Minister's reported words were erribly wrong and imagined, accusing Modi of twisting facts for political gain.
Ahead of Bihar polls, the Election Commission has issued a stern advisory to political parties, warning against the misuse of AI and deepfakes to target rivals. Campaigners must clearly label any synthetic content used, focusing criticism on policies, not personal lives. The ECI will strictly monitor social media to ensure a fair electoral process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed the initial phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, expressing optimism for enduring peace. Modi lauded the agreement, which follows prolonged conflict, and highlighted the release of hostages and increased humanitarian aid as crucial steps. He also acknowledged the leadership of PM Netanyahu in this development.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed mid-air refuelling of an F-35 fighter jet aboard an Australian RAAF tanker aircraft. This event highlights India-Australia defence cooperation, with both nations signing an agreement for air-to-air refuelling. Singh's visit to Canberra further strengthens bilateral defence ties and strategic coordination.
The government has unveiled a draft labour policy aiming to boost women's workforce participation to 35% by 2030 and establish universal, portable social security. The initiative will integrate various welfare schemes into a single account for easier worker access. Additionally, it plans to streamline skill development and employment services through a unified digital platform.
Sunshine hours across most of India have declined over the past three decades, with the north Indian plains experiencing the steepest drop. This trend is linked to increased cloud cover and rising aerosol pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions. The reduction in sunlight has significant implications for solar energy generation and agriculture.
The Congress party is questioning the Special Summary Revision (SSR) process in Bihar, demanding clarity on 30 lakh voters removed from electoral rolls and their voting status in the Lok Sabha polls. They highlight discrepancies in voter addition forms, raising concerns about due process and the integrity of the final voter list.
Bihar's election is now under a strict model code of conduct, with the Election Commission deploying 824 flying squads to swiftly address violations reported via its C-Vigil app. These teams, including magistrates and police, will respond to complaints within 100 minutes. Authorities are also enforcing rules against property defacement and misuse of official resources.
The Election Commission informed the Supreme Court that Aadhaar was accepted as identity proof during Bihar's electoral roll revision, as per court directives, but explicitly not as proof of Indian citizenship. The EC emphasized its commitment to maintaining the integrity of voter lists, ensuring only eligible citizens are enrolled. This clarification addresses concerns about illegal migrants registering to vote.
The Supreme Court acquitted 21 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment in a 1988 Bihar double murder case, 35 years later. The court emphasized that mere presence at a crime scene doesn't prove membership in an unlawful assembly, cautioning against convicting passive onlookers. The prosecution failed to prove its case, with witness testimonies lacking corroboration and alignment with medical records.
The Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of a man convicted of rape and murder, stating the police made him a scapegoat. The court found the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, highlighting a lack of credible evidence and questioning the authenticity of CCTV footage.
Wife of deceased IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, IAS officer Amneet P Kumar, has lodged a complaint seeking FIR against Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Singh Kapur and Rohtak SP Narendra Bijarnia for abetment to suicide and SC/ST Act violations. She alleges her husband faced systematic persecution and humiliation due to his caste, pushing him to suicide.
The Army is introducing a new Combined Physical Test (CPT) from April, requiring all ranks, including senior officers, to undergo fitness assessments twice annually. This unified test extends the age limit to 60, incorporating a 3.2-km run with a load, push-ups, sit-ups, and rope climbing. Failing to achieve a minimum grade will impact promotions.
Prime Minister Modi criticized the Congress government for allegedly caving to foreign pressure and preventing a military response to the 26/11 terror attacks. He inaugurated Navi Mumbai International Airport and the final stretch of Mumbai's Metro 3 line, highlighting national security and development achievements.
Children's deaths in MP due to renal failure were initially reported in September, with authorities taking action after Nagpur hospitals alerted them. Biopsy reports confirmed acute tubular injury, leading to the identification of substandard cough syrups, including Coldrif, containing toxic diethylene glycol, prompting a state-wide ban.
Two soldiers have gone missing in a forested area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district after encountering a severe snowstorm. An intense search and rescue operation, supported by choppers, is underway but hampered by adverse weather conditions. Officials believe the soldiers may be unable to communicate due to the inclement weather.
Tragedy strikes as cough syrup deaths climb to 21 across Madhya Pradesh, with new fatalities in Betul and Pandhurna. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav admitted to systemic lapses, vowing to improve coordination. The poisonous diethylene glycol in Coldrif syrup is blamed for renal failure. Meanwhile, a one-year-old boy recovered, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing investigation into the manufacturer.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has slammed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for inaction on land lease rules, risking eviction for hotels and institutions. She announced her party's 'Anti-bulldozer Bill' to regularize land holdings of those in possession for over 30 years. Meanwhile, BJP leader Sunil Sharma questioned the CM's focus on statehood.
IndiGo is launching daily flights between New Delhi and Manchester, adding to its existing Mumbai route. This expansion, announced during a UK trade mission, will result in nine direct flights weekly between Manchester and India. The new services are projected to boost exports, tourism, and job creation.
Samba district police apprehended Manjit Singh, a Sikh man, for allegedly desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib at a local gurdwara. The incident, involving the setting ablaze of the holy text with inflammable oil, has ignited widespread protests from the Sikh community. Authorities have registered an FIR and are urging cooperation to quell rumors.
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh highlighted the old and precise attacks during Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of air power's effectiveness in shaping military outcomes. The deep precision strikes, conducted from May 7 to 10, restored offensive air action's importance and showcased the force's ability to strike deep inside enemy territory with precision.
Security forces launched extensive search operations in Rajouri and Udhampur districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday following a brief firefight with terrorists in Rajouri's Kandi area. Troops are combing remote, forested regions and checking vehicles to track down the militants. A separate operation is underway in Udhampur after locals reported suspicious movements.
India is establishing its first apex federal agency, GTPRO, within the cabinet secretariat to plan and monitor the entire transport sector. This move aims to break down silos in infrastructure planning and improve coordination among ministries and states, drawing inspiration from international models. A Group of Transport Experts will provide technical support for long-term planning.
Bihar's ruling NDA faces seat-sharing hurdles as smaller allies, including LJP (RV) and HAM, escalate their demands. The BJP and JD(U) are reportedly set to contest fewer seats than in 2020 to accommodate these requests. The alliance is working towards finalizing strategies and candidates ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Tejashwi Yadav criticized PM Modi for agreeing to a ceasefire with Pakistan after a single tweet from US President Trump, shattering hopes of reclaiming PoK. This follows PM Modi's demand for Congress to clarify who prevented military retaliation after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, a decision influenced by international pressure, including from the US.
Medical associations are demanding the immediate release of a doctor arrested in connection with child deaths linked to contaminated cough syrup. They urge a thorough investigation to ensure justice for victims and protect medical professionals from wrongful blame. The group also proposed measures to the health ministry to prevent future incidents, including central oversight and nationwide drug testing.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of acting like a Prime Minister and cautioned PM Modi. She criticized the central government's flood relief efforts and alleged a lack of support. Banerjee also highlighted ongoing relief and rehabilitation work in flood-affected North Bengal, promising further oversight.
Bihar's upcoming assembly elections are marked by poetic negotiations and power plays within alliances. Jitan Ram Manjhi invokes poetry for fair seat-sharing in NDA, while Left allies in Mahagathbandhan reject 'insulting' proposals. The absence of a clear chief ministerial face and leadership confusion are key issues.
Chirag Paswan has denied reports of discontent with the NDA over Bihar seat sharing, stating discussions are progressing positively. He emphasized his sole focus is on Bihar's welfare, not personal gains or disputes. Meanwhile, smaller NDA allies like HAM are also pressing for a significant number of seats, adding to the ongoing negotiations.