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Bihar Catch-22 Congress and RJD are hesitant to take action against MLAs who did not participate in Rajya Sabha elections
Both parties are currently in a difficult situation after the Opposition Mahagathbandhan lost to the NDA in the pivotal Rajya Sabha elections earlier this week due to the absence of four of its MLAs, three from the Congress and one from the RJD. They are unsure of how to deal with them. Surendra Mehta (Valmiki Nagar), Manoj Vishwas (Forbesganj), and Manohar Prasad Singh (Manihari) have all received show-cause notices from the Congress, and the RJD has not yet made a decision regarding their Dhaka lawmaker Faisal Rahman.Asit Nath Tiwari, a spokesperson for the Bihar Congress, told The Indian Express that the notifications were sent out despite the fact that Rajya Sabha elections are exempt from the anti-defection law. "Top party leaders will meet and decide on the appropriate course of action after we receive their responses," he stated.Another Congress leader, however, pointed out that the MLAs make up almost half of the party's strength in the Assembly and suggested that disciplinary action was improbable. What happens if the Speaker acknowledges them as a distinct group? Regardless, the rebels weren't actually members of Congress. Singh is known to be close to JD(U) leaders, whereas Mehta received a ticket because of the influence of (Independent Purnea MP) Pappu Yadav," the politician stated.Rahman, the son of former MP Motiur Rahman, presents a similar problem for the RJD. "Faisal narrowly secured his seat in the Assembly elections last year. Additionally, we have verified that his mother was quite ill on March 16, the day of the election. The party is likely to call the MLA once our leader Tejashwi Yadav comes to Patna. An RJD senior stated that the party will not be provoked by NDA leaders "who want to further weaken it," although no official show-cause notice has yet been issued.
Published 21 Mar 2026 05:57 PM
What is the reason behind Punjab Governor Kataria's abrupt praise of the Bhagwant Mann government in contrast to cooperation
The Punjab Assembly's budget session began earlier this week when Governor Gulab Chand Kataria gave a speech that mainly commended the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's performance, despite opposition protests interfering with Assembly business and the governor's own anti-drug march weeks prior continuing to garner political attention.In sharp contrast to his predecessor, Banwarilal Purohit, who had multiple run-ins with the Punjab government, Kataria praises the initiatives of the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government. The government drafts the governor's address, which summarizes their accomplishments.Governors Thaawar Chand Gehlot and R N Ravi, who has since been named governor of West Bengal, have recently omitted portions of their speeches that commended the state governments in states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, where the governors are perceived to have a tumultuous relationship with the state government.Mann's AAP government and Purohit had a number of issues between 2022 and 2024. One such disagreement occurred in early 2023 when the Governor first refused to approve the Budget session, which forced the state government to petition the Supreme Court.However, Kataria's 51-page speech on March 6 detailed the state government's efforts in a number of areas, including welfare programs, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and anti-drug campaigns.The extension of Aam Aadmi Clinics throughout the state was one of the efforts that were emphasized. According to the governor, hundreds of clinics are currently in operation and have given locals crores of free consultations and medications. The speech also mentioned the government's "Yudh Nashean Virudh" anti-drug program, which includes outpatient opioid-assisted treatment clinics and de-addiction centers for drug addicts' rehabilitation.In order to improve government education, Kataria mentioned hiring thousands of instructors and creating Schools of Eminence. The address also mentioned road infrastructure upgrades, irrigation facilities, 300 units of free power for the majority of homes, and farmer welfare programs including increased sugarcane prices.Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and other Congress lawmakers frequently interrupted the speech by shouting slogans about things like law and order. Assuring the lawmakers that they could voice their objections during the discussion later, Kataria pleaded with them to let him finish the constitutional address first. Congress MLAs eventually organized a walkout as the protests persisted. Following the speech, the Governor spoke at a joint press conference with Mann, praising the Punjab government's efforts to combat drug misuse and enhance education. According to him, the Opposition ought to have let the speech end before voicing its opinions in the House so that their complaints could be legally documented.
Published 09 Mar 2026 05:58 PM
Unauthorized reviews, dubious log-ins, and fuzzy documents: TMC MP to Supreme Court on SIR
TMC MP Dola Sen told the Supreme Court that Election Commission-appointed micro-observers were allegedly overriding decisions made by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), the statutory authority for including and deleting electors, raising concerns that eligible voters could be removed from the final electoral roll during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.In two applications filed on February 16 and 18, Sen, a petitioner before the Supreme Court contesting the SIR, also claimed that documents uploaded to the system were becoming "blurry" after submission and that officials were allegedly logging into the ECINET portal from locations other than where they were deputed. On February 28, West Bengal's final electoral roll is expected to be released. The Indian Express asked the EC for comment on Sen's claims, but the EC did not reply.The EC only deployed micro-observers in West Bengal, which was a first, despite announcing the SIR in nine states and three Union Territories on October 27 of last year. The EC informed the Supreme Court on February 4 that the purpose of the 8,100 micro-observers, who work for the Central Government, was to support EROs and Assistant EROs (AEROs). The EC had stated, "It is false to suggest that statutory powers have been vested in the micro-observers."
Published 25 Feb 2026 05:54 PM
A new system is implemented by Priyanka Gandhi to choose Congress candidates for the Assam elections.
Senior state leaders are typically summoned to the nation's capital for the screening committee's meeting with the state election committee (SEC) in Delhi. The three committee members have been given five districts each by Priyanka ji, who has instructed them to visit these areas in order to get input from stakeholders and local leaders. The three leaders are currently visiting local media, civil society activists, and cadres in the three areas. All of these sessions are private, and the results will be presented to the screening committee at its next meeting," the source stated. If Vadra's trial is successful and the system functions effectively, the AICC may think about adopting it for next state elections, a senior AICC leader told The Indian Express. According to the leader, "this system could be emulated in other upcoming elections, regardless of how we do in the Assam polls in terms of winning seats."The rest of the state would be discussed later, but the exercise is currently taking on in Upper Assam. Additionally, the split was made using the districts' social engineering. Since Ulaka is a tribal leader himself, he has been allocated several districts with a sizable population of tribal communities, whereas Masood has been allotted districts with a sizable Muslim population, the source said.
Published 18 Feb 2026 05:52 PM
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Today marks the start of the Karnataka caste survey, despite BJP and Congress concerns.
The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government will begin the Socio-economic and Educational Survey, also known as the caste survey, on Monday, despite fierce opposition party protests and internal dissent. The survey will cover two crore homes throughout Karnataka.In order to suggest welfare measures, the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) will gather detailed information on the social, economic, and educational circumstances of different caste groups. In Bengaluru, where government representatives will help instructors gather the data, the survey, which is scheduled to run throughout the state until October 9, is probably going to be postponed by a week.On Monday, September 22, 2025, Karnataka will conduct its second socio-economic survey. The initial survey's report from 2015 and the recommendations that were made based on it and submitted in 2024 were thrown aside by the Congress government. The second survey, which will be carried out by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes over the course of two weeks, is being held in the midst of several protests from the BJP and some land-owning, politically powerful, and numerically dominating populations.A preliminary list of 1,400 castes has been created by the Commission. A Pandora's Box has been unlocked by this. The Siddaramaiah government has been under fire from the BJP for trying to "divide Hindus." Some caste groups and the BJP have objected to the inclusion of Christian sub-castes, which were initially recognized in the last survey based on self-names. These sub-castes included Vokkaliga-Christian, Brahmana-Christian, and Lingayat Christian.
The idea that Andhra Pradesh will benefit from Karnataka's defeat is the driving force behind Nara Lokesh's invitation to become CEO of BlackBuck.
Andhra Pradesh Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh is not opposed to adopting non-traditional methods to attract business to his state, as seen by his response on X to a post by a Bengaluru start-up CEO when he was on investment roadshows in London."ORR Bellandur has been our office + home for the last nine years," said Rajesh Yabaji, co-founder and CEO of logistics start-up BlackBuck, in a post on X on Tuesday, expressing his annoyance at Bengaluru's pothole-filled roadways. But it's really difficult to go on from here now. We've made the decision to leave.With Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka snarling at each other following a tech CEO's widely shared grievance about the city's potholes and traffic jams, Bengaluru's deteriorating infrastructure crisis has taken on a political dimension. Citing intolerable commutes and bad driving conditions, BlackBuck co-founder and CEO Rajesh Yabaji revealed plans to move his company's office away from Bengaluru's Outer Ring driving, sparking the debate. Politicians took notice of the message right once, and Andhra Pradesh intervened to court the logistics company.Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh made another attempt to get Yabaji to think about moving to Visakhapatnam on Thursday evening. Lokesh criticized DK Shivakumar, the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, for his recent statement that "governments can't be blackmailed" by business concerns. "Andhra Pradesh is unique in that we don't call legitimate complaints 'blackmail,'" Lokesh stated. We react with respect and gravity.
OpIndia Investigates: Rahul Gandhi’s EC Accusations
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has once again raised red flags over the integrity of India’s voter lists, accusing the Election Commission of overlooking serious discrepancies. In his recent statements, Gandhi claimed that thousands of genuine voters were being left out — particularly in opposition strongholds — hinting at possible bias in favor of the ruling BJP. To separate rhetoric from reality, OpIndia went on the ground to investigate. What we found paints a more balanced picture. Yes, there are instances where names have been missed or mismatched — a recurring issue in India’s vast electoral database. But there's no strong evidence pointing to systematic manipulation or politically motivated deletion of voters on a large scale. Officials, including booth officers and local staff, confirmed corrections are ongoing. The Election Commission addressed many claims, urging citizens to use verification tools and grievance mechanisms. Rahul Gandhi’s concerns tap into a broader anxiety many voters feel — that their voices may be silenced without notice. While vigilance is essential in any democracy, the facts on the ground suggest that the problem may be less about conspiracy and more about administrative lapses in a massive and complex system.
Trump lists Afghanistan, India, China, and Pakistan as key nations for the transit and production of illegal drugs.
India, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan are among the 23 countries that US President Donald Trump has designated as "major drug transit or major illicit drug producing countries." He has warned that the production and trafficking of drugs and precursor chemicals from these countries poses a threat to the safety of the US and its citizens.The list, referred to as the "Major's List" in Washington, names nations that are either major transit points or significant sources of illegal drugs entering the United States, according to a "Presidential Determination" that Trump filed to Congress on Monday.Afghanistan, the Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela are among the countries mentioned. According to the White House, "even if a government has engaged in robust and diligent narcotics control and law enforcement measures," the designations were made based on a combination of geographic, commercial, and economic variables that enable drug manufacture or transit. According to the State Department, being on the list does not always indicate a lack of collaboration with the US.Trump cited five countries as having "failed demonstrably" to fulfill their international counternarcotics commitments during the previous 12 months: Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, and Venezuela.Regarding Afghanistan, Trump rejected the Taliban's widely reported narcotics ban, claiming that methamphetamine manufacturing and stockpiles continued to support global markets and finance terrorists. "I am once again designating Afghanistan as having failed demonstrably to uphold its drug control obligations, and some Taliban members continue to profit from this trade," he stated.
On his 75th birthday, PM Modi's photographs illuminate the Burj Khalifa.
In honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday, pictures of him illuminated Dubai's famous Burj Khalifa on Wednesday night. Signifying the growing friendship between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the tallest structure in the world lighted the city's skyline with birthday wishes and photographs of the Indian leader.Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, posted a heartfelt greeting on social media earlier in the day. Sincere congrats on your birthday, Narendra Modi. "I hope you stay healthy and happy, and that you continue to make progress for India and its people's prosperity," he wrote on X.People from all around the world flooded PM Modi with birthday greetings. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), wished Modi well and commended his leadership. "To Prime Minister @narendramodi, happy 75th birthday! Your leadership in action is impressive. You are starting a significant project to advance and safeguard women's health in India, even on your special day," he wrote.King Charles of the United Kingdom also commemorated the event in a symbolic manner. Inspired by the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, he gave the Indian Prime Minister a Kadamb tree. "His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to send a Kadamb tree to India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthday," the British High Commission said on X. Their shared commitment to environmental preservation is demonstrated by the gesture.Other world leaders that sent their best wishes included US President Donald Trump, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.In response to the greetings, Prime Minister Modi said he was blown away by the kind words that people and leaders from all over the world were sending him.
As regional tensions rise, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sign a mutual defense treaty.
In the face of increased regional tensions, Saudi Arabia and nuclear-armed Pakistan have formally inked a mutual defense pact, a step that greatly fortifies a decades-long security cooperation. The improved defense relations coincide with Gulf Arab nations' growing skepticism about the US's capacity to uphold their long-standing security guarantee, which was exacerbated by Israel's attack in Qatar last week.When questioned about the timing of the deal, a senior Saudi official stated, "This agreement is the result of years of discussions." "This is an institutionalization of long-standing and profound cooperation between our two countries, not a reaction to particular nations or events." Arab nations were incensed when Israel attempted to murder Hamas leadership officials in Doha with airstrikes while they were debating a ceasefire proposal that Qatar is mediating.In a complicated region, the agreement on Wednesday may change the strategic equation. In an effort to address long-standing security concerns, Washington's allies, the Gulf monarchs, have worked to stabilize their relations with Israel and Iran. However, the war in Gaza has completely upended the area, and twice in a single year, Israel and Iran have directly attacked the Gulf state of Qatar. Speaking under anonymity, the top Saudi official agreed that relations with India, Pakistan's competitor and another nuclear-armed state, must be balanced."We have a stronger relationship with India than we have ever had. We shall keep strengthening our bond and do everything in our power to promote regional harmony. The official responded, "This is a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means," when asked if Pakistan would be required to give Saudi Arabia a nuclear umbrella under the accord. After signing the deal, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the kingdom, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif were seen embracing on public television. Field Marshal Asim Munir, the head of Pakistan's army and considered the most powerful individual in the nation, was present."This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression," read a statement from the office of the prime minister of Pakistan. "Any aggression against one of the countries will be deemed an aggression against both, according to the agreement."
Ahead of PM Modi's birthday, the CPI (Maoist) offers a "temporary" ceasefire; the government claims that the statement is "being verified."
The CPI (Maoist) has proposed a "temporary" ceasefire, a significant boost to the Center's peace efforts the day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday. However, the government responded cautiously, stating that the veracity of the statement is being checked.The government's campaign to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026, as pledged by Union Home Minister Amit Shah last year, is expected to make headway, according to a letter released by Maoist spokeswoman Abhay."We have decided to unconditionally lay down arms," read the August 15 statement, which was distributed to Chhattisgarh's local media. "Appeals made by the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and senior police officers" prompted this action, according to the statement."We have decided to unconditionally lay down arms," read the August 15 statement, which was distributed to Chhattisgarh's local media. "Appeals made by the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and senior police officers" prompted this action, according to the statement.The press release further discussed the shifting national and worldwide landscape while showcasing the most recent image of Mallujola Venugopal, also known as Abhay. "We will continue to engage with political parties and organizations and raise issues of public importance despite our to declare a temporary ceasefire," the statement stated.
Is it possible for the EU and NATO to impose tariffs on China and India as Trump desires?
In an effort to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has urged NATO and EU members to impose tariffs of up to 100% on China and India.Trump, who previously pledged to end the conflict on “day one” of becoming president, made his demand during a meeting between United States and European Union officials last Tuesday. The move is seen as a way to try to expedite a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.In a letter posted on his Truth Social account on September 13, Trump said he was “ready to do major sanctions on Russia” once NATO had “agreed … to do the same thing”. He also claimed that elevated tariffs on China would weaken Beijing’s “control” over Russia.China and India buy Russia’s oil, which is helping to keep the Russian economy afloat. As the largest buyer of Russian energy, China imported 109 million tonnes of crude oil last year, representing roughly 20 percent of its total energy imports, according to Chinese customs data. India, by contrast, imported 88 million tonnes of Russian oil in 2024, or about 35 percent of its imports.To sidestep the issue, Trump on Saturday asked NATO to impose 50-100 percent tariffs on China to weaken Beijing’s economic grip over Russia. In the letter Trump posted on Saturday, he claimed the halt on Russian energy purchases, combined with heavy tariffs on China, would be of “great help” in ending the conflict.Europe’s reliance on Russian energy has fallen since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At the time, the EU imported 45 percent of its natural gas from Russia. That is expected to fall to just 13 percent this year. But Trump wants Europe to do more.
India coming to the table is Navarro's most recent comment as trade talks with the US resume.
"India is coming to the table. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out a very conciliatory, nice, constructive tweet, and President Trump responded to that. We will see how this works," Peter Navarro told CNBC in an interview on Sunday (local time)."India will be joining the table.They have extremely high tariffs on the trading side. Their non-tariff obstacles are extremely high. As with any other nation that engages in such behavior, we had to deal with that," Navarro added."There's also this issue of India buying Russian oil, which it never did," he continued. You know this. It didn't do that prior to 2022.Trump's advisor asserted, "They exploit us through unfair trade, and many workers suffer." "The Russians use that money to purchase weapons, and they use that money to purchase Russian oil."Trump's advisor asserted, "They exploit us through unfair trade, and many workers suffer." "The Russians use that money to purchase weapons, and they use that money to purchase Russian oil."The comments are made as US lead negotiator Brendan Lynch prepares to travel to India late Monday evening for a full day of talks on Tuesday, September 16, to talk about the proposed bilateral trade agreement between the US and India.Navarro had previously stated that trade talks with the US "won't end well" for Delhi until India "comes around" at some time.Howard Lutnick, the secretary of commerce, claimed on Sunday that despite boasting of 1.4 billion people, India will not purchase a single grain of American corn. Additionally, Lutnick cautioned that New Delhi will have a "tough time" doing business with the US until it lowers its tariffs.
We Don't Take Part In Wars : China Responds to Trump's Threat of 100% Tariffs
The comments were made soon after US President Donald Trump suggested on Saturday that NATO apply 50–100% tariffs on China.In response to President Donald Trump's suggestion that NATO put 50–100% tariffs on Beijing for its purchases of Russian energy, China has retaliated. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has emphasized that sanctions would only make matters worse and reiterated Beijing's commitment to advancing peace negotiations to address hot-spot concerns.According to China Daily, he made the comments at a press conference in Ljubljana on Saturday following a meeting with Tanja Fajon, Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs."China does not participate in or plan wars, and what China does is to encourage peace talks and promote political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue," Wang Yi stated.Additionally, he called for the strengthening of multilateral structures, the promotion of multilateralism, and the cooperative defense of the UN Charter's goals and tenets. He emphasized that the current state of international affairs is marked by ongoing wars and entangled disarray."China and Europe ought to work together rather than against one another, and they ought to be allies rather than adversaries. According to Global Times, Wang Yi stated, "Making the correct decisions in the midst of the biggest changes in a century demonstrates the responsibilities that both sides should fulfill towards history and the people."His subliminal allusion follows US President Donald Trump's suggestion on Saturday that NATO apply tariffs on China ranging from 50% to 100%.
India condemns Israeli action for the first time, calling on Qatar to strike for violating its sovereignty.
Delhi, New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi denounced yesterday's Israeli missile assault as an invasion of Qatar's sovereignty during a call to the Emir of Qatar. Modi did not specifically name Israel in his public statement, but it was the first time India had used the phrase "condemn" in relation to any Israeli conduct during the Gaza war.A day later, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, had a conversation with the Indian leader himself. The readout from Qatar stated that Modi had made the call."India condemns the violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly State of Qatar," Modi wrote on X after voicing his concerns to the emir. Modi added that he had conveyed to the emir of Qatar his "deep concern" and emphasized that India was "firmly in support of peace and stability in the region" and that it supported settling disputes "through dialogue and diplomacy. "Modi conveyed India's "strong condemnation of a cowardly Israeli attack" that targeted home premises used by Hamas officials, while also expressing sympathy with Qatar, according to the Qatari readout. India emphasized that the strike was "a blatant violation of international law and norms and a serious threat to the security of Qatar and the region," according to the statement released by the emir's office. Modi vehemently denounced "any aggression" that jeopardized Qatar's security and stability, according to the readout.The emir thanked Modi for his words and India's backing, and he stated that Qatar would take all necessary steps to protect its security and sovereignty. Modi added in his X post that India was "against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations." This statement is thought to be an attempt to strike a balance between the infrequent censure and India's customary stance, which supports Israel's counterterrorism strategy over its operations in Gaza. The Qatari readout contained no mention of terrorism.
Poland is the first NATO member to fire during the conflict in Ukraine after taking down drones in its airspace.
According to sources, from Tuesday night until the next morning, Polish F-16 fighter jets, Dutch F-35s, Italian AWACS observation planes, and NATO mid-air refueling aircraft scurried to shoot down drones that were invading Polish airspace. At 6:30 in the morning, while pensioner Tomasz Wesolowski was downstairs watching news about the incursion, a drone crashed into his two-story brick home in the eastern Polish village of Wyryki-Wola. Debris was scattered around the bedroom, and the roof was completely ruined. Reuters was informed by Wesolowski that the house "needs to be demolished." Other drones had fallen in a field in southeast Poland, as indicated by a burnt area.According to a senior Polish ambassador, the drones originated in Ukraine, and Moscow denied any involvement in the event. Russia's defense ministry claimed that although their drones had not intended to strike any targets in Poland, they had launched a significant attack on military installations in western Ukraine. Polish President Karol Nawrocki, a hardline nationalist and political friend whom Trump received at the White House last week, spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump. In a post on X, Nawrocki stated, "This conversation is part of a series of consultations I've been conducting with our allies." "Today's talks reaffirmed our unity. "Trump said on social media prior to the call: "Why is Russia using drones to invade Poland's airspace? "Here we go!" He didn't go into detail. NATO leaders, including those from France, Britain, Germany, and Canada, denounced the alleged Russian incursion.It justifies a coordinated reaction, according to European leaders who have been attempting to convince Trump to join them in strengthening sanctions on Russia and bolstering support for Kyiv. According to diplomats, Slovenia, Denmark, Greece, France, and Britain have requested a meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday to discuss what they consider Russian violations of Polish airspace. Poland said that during a massive Russian air strike on Ukraine, 19 objects had crossed its territory and that it had shot down the dangerous ones. The incident was described as a "large-scale provocation" by Tusk, who also claimed to have used Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows alliance members to request talks with their partners.NATO and Poland have not yet provided a detailed explanation of what they believe the drones were doing. At least five of the drones' flight routes pointed toward Rzeszow airport, NATO's primary base for armament supply to Ukraine, according to a senior military source.
India's fifteenth vice president will be C P Radhakrishnan.
C P Radhakrishnan, the governor of Maharashtra and an NDA candidate, will take over as India's next vice president. By a margin of 152 votes, he defeated former Supreme Court Judge B Sudershan Reddy, a candidate for the I.N.D.I.A. group. Following the vote count for the vice presidential election, Rajya Sabha Secretary General and returning officer P C Mody briefed reporters, stating that 767 Members of Parliament cast ballots out of 781 total electors. According to Mr. Mody, 752 of the 767 ballots were deemed valid, while 15 were deemed invalid.The vice presidential election was conducted in a free, fair, and orderly way, according to the secretary general of the Rajya Sabha. Following former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation due to health concerns, an election was held.The vice presidential election voting took place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The first member to cast a ballot was Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In addition, a number of Union Ministers cast ballots, including Ashwini Vaishnaw, J.P. Nadda, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, JD (U) leader Sanjay Jha, JDS MP H.D. Deve Gowda, MP Shrikant Shinde of the Shiv Sena, NCP MP Praful Patel, and Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustani Awam Morcha also voted. DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, NCP (SCP) leader Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav, and Congress MPs Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi all cast ballots on behalf of the opposition.Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, who was born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, started his political career as a student leader. He actively participated in groups like Jan Sangh and the RSS. Since then, he has served the people through politics. He was elected twice from Coimbatore to the Lok Sabha. In addition, Mr. Radhakrishnan has held the positions of governor of Maharashtra, Telangana, Jharkhand, and Puducherry. He works as an industrialist and farmer and is respected for his honesty, foresight, and pure public life.
Why Nepal Banned Social Media, And Why That's Not Only Trigger For Protests
Thousands of young Nepalese citizens took to the streets to protest the KP Sharma Oli government's decision to ban 26 social media services, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, resulting in 19 fatalities and over 300 injuries. The demonstrations began in Kathmandu, the nation's capital, and quickly expanded throughout the Himalayan nation. A number of locations, including important government areas, Baneshwor, Singhadurbar, and Narayanhiti, were placed under curfew.Police used tear gas shells and rubber bullets on protesters earlier in the day. Then, a young protester urged the others to disperse, claiming that special interests had infiltrated the gathering to incite it. The leader of the rally declared, "We have already won today," Following the violent protests, the Army was sent to the New Baneshwor region. The government of Prime Minister Oli declared that it has decided to repeal the ban as the protests erupted. Following a cabinet meeting, Nepal's Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, stated that the government has directed the relevant agencies to begin the process of resuming the use of social media sites in response to the demands of "Gen Z," which led a large-scale demonstration in front of the Parliament in the center of Kathmandu.Facebook and Instagram were among the social media platforms that Nepal banned on Thursday for failing to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. According to a notice, social media behemoths have one week, beginning on August 28, to register with the government. However, none of the following companies had applied by the deadline: LinkedIn, Reddit, X (previously Twitter), Alphabet (YouTube), Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), and others.Last year, the Supreme Court issued an order that prompted the government's actions. The social media behemoths were requested to designate a resident grievance handling officer and compliance officer, as well as to provide a point of contact. Since TikTok, Viber, Witk, Nimbuzz, and Popo Live are government-registered, they were not prohibited. It has been learned that applications from Global Diary and Telegram are being investigated.
Radhakrishnan is leading the vice presidential race as the numbers favor the NDA.
The BJD and BRS's decision to abstain from voting may help Radhakrishnan's chances even though the odds appear to be in favor of the ruling BJP-led NDA in Tuesday's vice presidential election, which pits the NDA's candidate C P Radhakrishnan against Justice (retired) B Sudershan Reddy, the nominee of the opposition INDIA alliance.Nearly two months after Jagdeep Dhankhar abruptly resigned, citing health concerns, CP Radhakrishnan and Sudershan Reddy are running for the high-stakes vice-president of India position. The poll is scheduled for today.The opposition group INDIA has nominated former Supreme Court judge Sudershan Reddy for vice president, while Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan is the ruling National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) candidate. Get real-time information on the vice presidential election. Time of the vice presidential election: All Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha members will cast ballots in the electoral college starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. Vote counting will start that same day at 6 p.m. Twelve Rajya Sabha nominated members, 543 elected Lok Sabha members (one seat is presently vacant), and 233 elected Rajya Sabha members (five seats are currently vacant) make up the electoral college.The ruling NDA, which has a resounding majority in both chambers of Parliament, has the numbers on its side. The BJP-led NDA is supported by 293 members of the 542-member Lok Sabha. 129 Rajya Sabha members support the ruling alliance, giving it an effective strength of 240. For the vice-presidential vote, the combined effective strength of the two Houses is 781.
An Overview of the UPSC Issue | SCO Summit 2025 and India: Four Crucial Questions for Prelims and Mains
By scheduling two significant events in one week—the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in the northeastern city of Tianjin and a Victory Day parade in Beijing's Tiananmen Square commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II—Beijing has entered diplomatic high season as summer draws to a close. It's difficult to overlook the symbolism. The events convey a clear message: in contrast to the Western narrative of a free international order led by the United States, China is positioning itself as the standard-bearer of a multipolar world dominated by the Global South.Both occasions are expertly produced political plays that combine military prowess, diplomatic posture, and historical narrative. Additionally, China has two audiences in mind: it wants to project power and influence in its neighborhood and beyond while simultaneously boosting domestic public morale. For a long time, Chinese strategists have emphasized that the goal of foreign policy is to establish an external environment that supports economic growth at home. Originating with previous Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, this core idea has evolved into the current leadership's catchphrase for negotiating a turbulent global landscape.The two events' participating nations attest to China's continued strategic emphasis on Asia. The majority of major Asian nations are represented among the more than 30 heads of state and international organizations taking part, with the notable exception of Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and the Philippines—all of whom are strong security partners of the United States.
Trump posts a photo of Xi, Putin, and the PM together: China has taken Russia and India away from us.
Days after the leaders of the three nations were spotted together at the Shangai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, Donald Trump gave a strong indication on Friday that Washington-New Delhi relations had reached a low point when he claimed that the US had "lost" India and Russia to the "darkest" China.Donald Trump's statement that the US has "lost" India and Russia to the "darkest" China on Friday, just days after the leaders of the three nations were spotted together at the Shangai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, was a clear indication that relations between Washington and New Delhi had reached a low point.India and Russia appear to have been lost to the darkest, most sinister China. I hope their future together is filled with success and longevity! "President Donald J. Trump," Trump wrote as the description for his Truth Social post, which included a photo of PM Modi at the Tianjin meeting with Putin and Jinping. During a press briefing on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment on Trump's post. "We don't have anything to comment on Trump's post as of now" ."Trump and Modi had a great personal relationship. In an interview with the British broadcaster LBC, Bolton stated, "I think that's gone now, and it's a lesson to everybody." "For example, (UK Prime Minister) Keir Starmer -- a good personal relationship may help at times, but it won’t protect you from the worst" . Bolton's warning implied that Modi's much-discussed "bromance" with Trump, which previously made headlines for everything from state visits to Houston's "Howdy Modi" rally, might have come to a standstill.
Who is Punjab AAP MLA Harmeet Pathanmajra, who is evading the police of his own government?
Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, a first-time MLA from a long line of political heavyweights, has always been the target of controversy. Police from his own government chased the Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Sanaur in the Patiala district on Tuesday.Earlier in the day, Pathanmajra was arrested on rape charges, but he escaped the Punjab Police with the assistance of accomplices who fired at the officers to keep them at bay. At least one police officer was hurt in the altercation after being struck by a car.In recent days, Pathanmajra has publicly criticized the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP administration for its handling of the floods that have devastated the state, despite the fact that the rape charges appear to be from an old case.Pathanmajra, who came to the AAP after briefly joining several other organizations, comes from a family whose members were among the founders of the Akali Dal. Hardev Singh, Pathanmajra's father, was a member of the zila parishad and a Congress sarpanch. It is said that his ancestors paid Rs 10,000 towards the establishment of the Akali Dal in 1920, which was a princely amount at the time.According to Pathanmajra's 2022 election paperwork, the family reportedly has 250–300 acres of agricultural land spread over several states, with assets totaling Rs 2.4 crore.In 1992, the 50-year-old joined the Akali Dal's Badal group as a youth leader, marking the beginning of his political career. He quit in 2011, but he returned to the Akali Dal after a year of experimenting with Manpreet Badal's People's Party of Punjab, an Akali Dal dissident.Following an altercation at a district development panchayat office in 2015, Pathanmajra was dismissed from the Akali Dal for lack of discipline. According to reports, he then looked for a position in Congress and, after the party refused to provide him a ticket, ran as an Independent in the 2017 Assembly elections. Only 11,840 votes were cast for him, and he even forfeited his security deposit.
