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Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and FM Ishaq Dar will visit China tomorrow to discuss bilateral ties, trade cooperation, and regional developments. Invited by Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, the trip aims to enable in-depth talks on regional issues, as well as bilateral and global matters of mutual interest, the Foreign Office said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleged that Rahul Gandhi shared the stage with Naxal sympathizers and supported pro-Hidma chants. Speaking during a discussion on combating Naxalism, Shah targeted the Opposition, criticizing its stance on the issue and accusing it of indirectly endorsing extremist elements in affected regions.
Mizoram CM Lalduhoma said a “divine transformation” is underway, with many unmet aspirations from the previous government being fulfilled. Speaking at a party function in Aizawl, he highlighted major progress in pension settlements, central funding, and grassroots development since the Zoram People’s Movement came to power.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann presented a four-year report on ‘Shiksha Kranti,’ highlighting reforms in government schools and national-level academic achievements. He said investments in education and transparency measures have transformed schools into competitive institutions, ensuring better outcomes and strengthening Punjab’s growth.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused the Samajwadi Party of insulting constitutional institutions, including the Election Commission, judiciary, and prime minister. He also alleged the party renamed colleges linked to B R Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram. Addressing an event, he said such actions reflect deep animosity and disrespect towards society.
The BJP urged the Election Commission of India to initiate legal proceedings and bar West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from election campaigning for alleged Model Code of Conduct violations. A delegation of Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Kiren Rijiju, Sukanta Majumdar, Arun Singh, Anil Baluni, and Om Pathak submitted the complaint.
A group of residents staged a road roko at ATC Junction, Udhagamandalam, TN, in front of an LPG distribution agency. They alleged the agency neither delivered cylinders nor accepted bookings. Protesters blocked the road with empty cylinders, disrupting traffic for over 30 minutes. Police intervened and held talks to end the protest.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern that the Centre’s proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act have raised apprehensions among minority communities and religious institutions. He urged the prime minister to reconsider the government’s stance and withdraw the proposed changes.
Maharashtra’s key highways, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, faced severe congestion as summer holiday travel surged. Long queues of 3-7 km were reported, worsened by ghat gradients and ongoing flyover construction. Authorities urged commuters to avoid peak hours, use alternate routes, and carry essentials, with heavy vehicle restrictions.
Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said the government does not oppose private members’ bills without careful review. Responding to a bill by Congress MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat on equitable civil service employment, he emphasized all proposals are examined in detail, rejecting the notion that bills are routinely opposed without consideration.
Red Sea cables, crucial for global internet, finance, and AI services, face renewed threats amid West Asia tensions. Iran-backed Houthis have warned of attacks, raising fears after the September 2025 cut. India, hosting 17 cables across 14 landing stations, could see outages, latency, and economic impact due to concentrated traffic through Mumbai and Chennai.
Kanimozhi Santhosh, TVK’s Coimbatore-Goundampalayam candidate, faces backlash after past posts claiming medical astrology can cure cancer resurfaced. A lawyer, entrepreneur, and “celebrity astrologer,” her videos went viral, drawing criticism from rival parties and netizens. Her selection raises questions about TVK’s vetting process.
A strong earthquake hit near Vanuatu in the South Pacific today, officials reported. The US Geological Survey said the epicenter was about 115 km deep, 35 km northeast of Luganville. No immediate damage or tsunami waves were reported. The US Tsunami Warning Center confirmed there were no warnings, advisories, watches, or threats from the quake.
Hundreds of Haryana residents protested in Barotiwala, Solan, today against Himachal Pradesh’s entry tax hike, demanding a toll waiver within 5 km of the border. Led by local panchayat leaders, they briefly made the toll free. Citing social and religious ties, protesters warned of intensified action and submitted a memorandum via Baddi Tehsildar.
Bengaluru Lokayukta officials caught Commercial Tax Deputy Commissioner Bharath Kumar Hegde allegedly accepting a Rs 6 lakh bribe from businessman Vishwajit Nayak. Nayak had claimed Rs 34 lakh of an eligible Rs 60 lakh input tax credit for tipper truck purchases, prompting an inquiry and repeated summons, triggering a high-profile corruption probe.