News Menu, May 26: Bharat Forecasting System unveiling, PM's Gujarat blitz today
Global Platter: India's Anti-Terror PushIndia's Operation Sindoor diplomacy goes global, with all-party delegations, including one led by Tharoor in Guyana, briefing world leaders on India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. In Bahrain, Owaisi calls Pakistan an aggressor, not a victim, while BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda reports positive responses. Incidentally, On May 26, 1966, Guyana gained independence from British colonial rule, marking a bold new chapter in its history.Geopolitical Ghee: Turkiye-Pakistan TalksHigh-level military talks between Turkiye and Pakistan's army chief in Istanbul raise eyebrows. India Today uncovers discussions on expanding military ties, potentially stirring regional tensions. Is this a strategic pivot or a simmering flashpoint? The ghee's getting hot.Political Spice: RJD's Family FeudRJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav expels his son Tej Pratap for six years over 'irresponsible behaviour' and deviation from family values after Tej's public relationship declaration with Anushka Yadav. Tejashwi and Rohini back Lalu, while JDU and BJP question the move, citing past family controversies. India Today dives into this spicy Bihar drama—family or politics, what's the real issue here?advertisementGDP Buffet: India's $4 Trillion TriumphIndia surpasses Japan to become the world's 4th largest economy at $4 trillion, says NITI Aayog CEO. BJP leaders celebrate, while Congress' Pawan Khera andBhupesh Baghel questions if the growth reaches the masses. India Today dissects this economic milestone—is it a feast or just crumbs for India's poor millions?Monsoon Mix: Record-Breaking RainsThe southwest monsoon hits Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, and the Northeast, marking its earliest onset in 35 years. Heavy rain alerts grip Konkan and western Maharashtra, with Kerala's 11 districts under red alert. Pune's Baramati and Indapur face flood-like conditions, with NDRF deployed. India Today reports Delhi's drizzle, Mumbai's orange alert, and 27 storm deaths across northern India. This monsoon's a relentless force, no umbrella big enough.Tech Tikka: Bharat Forecasting System UnveiledThe government launches the Bharat Forecasting System today, promising hyper-local weather predictions. India Today explores how this tech could reshape agriculture and disaster prep—served with a side of precision.Southern Sizzlers: Political StormsIn Tamil Nadu, TVK chief Vijay claims CM Stalin's Delhi visit for the NITI Aayog meet was a cover to dodge a 1,000 crore TASMAC scam probe. Karnataka revokes the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs, while Manipur sees protests over identity insults, with tear gas fired at marchers heading to Raj Bhavan. The south's cooking with intrigue and unrest.advertisementBitter Bite: Covid's Sneaky VariantsTwo new Covid variants, under WHO watch, emerge in India. Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi report surges, with Karnataka ramping up testing. India Today urges masks and vigilance as the virus creeps back.Evening Cuppa: Shah's Maharashtra MissionUnion Home Minister Amit Shah's three-day Maharashtra visit kicks off with a public meeting in Nagpur and a BJP office inauguration in Nanded. India Today follows his trail as he pushes governance and party momentum.Mughlai Special: Taj Mahal ThreatAn email threatening to blow up the Taj Mahal with RDX prompts an FIR and plans for an anti-drone system. India Today probes this high-stakes scare—history's treasures under siege.The Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, took 22 years (1632–1653) to complete. Over 20,000 artisans and 1,000 elephants contributed to its construction.Parting Bite: On May 26, 2014, during his swearing-in as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi emphasized unity and development, stating, 'India is one. Our dreams and aspirations are one. We have to take India forward together.' With the GDP galloping, the march continues.
advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
‘3,000 bighas? Is this a joke': Gauhati HC baulks at land allotment to cement firm in tribal district
GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court, in a hearing last week, expressed shock over the allotment of 3,000 bighas (around 4 square kilometers) of land to a private cement company in Assam's Dima Hasao district. '3,000 bighas? What is going on? 3,000 bighas allotted to a private company?' Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi said during a recent hearing, a video of which has gone viral on social media. When G Goswami, counsel for Mahabal Cements, argued, 'It's a barren land,' Justice Medhi retorted, 'We know how barren is NC Hills. 3,000 bighas? What kind of a decision is this? Is this some kind of a joke or what?' At this, the counsel said, 'We need it,' but the judge responded, 'Your need is not the issue. Public interest is the issue.' A batch of petitions has been filed by local villagers resisting eviction. The company has also filed one seeking protection, alleging that miscreants were interfering with its operations. Dima Hasao, a hill district, is administered by the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The BJP-ruled council approved the land allotment. In its order of August 12, the court said that a cursory glance at the case revealed the land sought to be allotted was about 3,000 bighas, which 'itself appeared to be extraordinary.' It directed the council to produce relevant records, including the policy under which such a large tract of land could be allotted to a factory. 'The aforesaid direction has been given by taking into account that the district is a Sixth Schedule district under the Constitution of India where the priority has to be given to the rights and interest of the tribal people residing there,' the order said. The court noted that the area in question, Umrangso, is recognised as an environmental hotspot with hot springs, migratory bird stopovers and wildlife.
The Hindu
22 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Country will ask for affidavit from Election Commission of India: Rahul Gandhi
A day after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar gave an ultimatum to Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to file an affidavit regarding his allegations of voter roll manipulations in Karnataka within a week, the Congress leader hit back at the CEC saying that 'the entire country will ask for an affidavit from the Election Commission of India'. 'A day will come when the INDIA bloc will have a government in Bihar as well in the Centre. Then action would be taken. Election Commissioner, you understand it very well, that if you will not do your job properly, then strict action is going to be taken against you,' Mr. Gandhi, who is on his 'Voter Adhikar Yatra', said at a rally in Gaya district on Monday (August 18, 2025). 'Election Commission has said that if I do not give an affidavit in one week then what I said is baseless. Wait for some time, the entire country will ask for an affidavit from it. We will reveal vote theft in every State. SIR is a new way to steal votes,' he alleged. The Congress leader urged the crowd to prevent 'vote theft' in the upcoming Bihar Assembly election. Mr. Gandhi said 'the people of Bihar will teach a lesson' to the poll body and Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'if they attempt vote theft' in the State. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, while addressing the rally, said the CEC has taken 'membership of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'. 'We have to throw out the BJP who are cunning people... CEC Gyanesh Kumar should tell whether he has taken a membership of BJP. Whatever instructions come from the PMO and Narendra Modi, Gyanesh Kumar speaks,' he said. Mr. Yadav urged the people to support the Grand Alliance in Bihar to form the government. He credited Mr. Gandhi with 'destroying' the alleged 'design of the BJP' to remove the names of the voters from the draft rolls. Earlier in the day, Mr. Gandhi, along with INDIA bloc leaders, resumed their march from Kutuma in Aurangabad district after visiting the Sun Temple in Deo. They took out a roadshow in Aurangabad where a large number of party workers and supporters joined in raising slogans against SIR, the poll body, Mr. Modi and the BJP. Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Yadav, CPI (ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya and Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani interacted with people who had voted in the last few elections but whose names have been struck off the draft rolls. In a message on X, Mr. Gandhi said, 'Those who voted in the last 4-5 elections, their votes were also stolen in Bihar. And, when the reason was asked, only one answer was given - orders came from above. This is a fight for the rights of the poor - we will not stop. We will put an end to vote theft.'
Mint
22 minutes ago
- Mint
Modi meets key ministers, economists to discuss 100-day reform agenda
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday huddled with senior ministers, top bureaucrats and economists to draw up a 100-day roadmap for 'next-generation reforms' aimed at sustaining India's growth momentum and insulating the economy from fresh US tariffs on exports, three persons familiar with the development said on condition of not being named. The meeting was attended by home minister Amit Shah, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal, Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, secretaries of key departments, and select economists. 'Chaired a meeting to discuss the roadmap for next-generation reforms. We are committed to speedy reforms across all sectors, which will boost ease of living, ease of doing business and prosperity,' the Prime Minister said in a social media post. Individual ministries have been urged to come up with tailored measures towards the 100-day agenda to accelerate India's economic growth, one of the persons quoted above said. Another issue that was deliberated was the impact of tariffs that the US has imposed on Indian exports, said the second person. Notably, the 25% reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports that US President Donald Trump imposed came into effect on 7 August. This may double to 50% on 27 August after additional tariffs imposed for New Delhi's oil trade with Russia kick in. Given that such high tariffs could impact Indian exporters' competitiveness in their largest export market, policy makers are keen to step up domestic consumption demand and, thus, capacity utilisation in factories, which will ensure jobs are protected. Modi had highlighted the need for faster economic growth in his Independence Day speech on Friday. 'We want to grow fast,' Modi said in his speech while announcing that a task force will give recommendations in this regard. Current law, practices, procedures, etc, should be aligned to the 21st century and the global environment, and should aid India in becoming a developed country by 2047, Modi had said in his address. The theme of stimulating the economy through reforms was already in motion early this financial year as Sitharaman presented a reform-focused budget in February with big cuts in income tax, welfare targets for inclusive growth, and across-the-board reforms especially in regulatory framework, taxation and the financial sector. Policy makers believe cutting red tape and making it easier to do business can unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of people, which can help to achieve much more than what the government and state-run firms can do directly, the people cited above said. While agriculture and services are performing well, the government wants to increase the share of manufacturing in the economy, which can fetch more and better paid jobs to people. The Centre has also launched several schemes to address the skill gap among the youth that affect their employability. India's GDP is projected by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to grow at 6.5% this financial year. Above normal monsoons, the income tax relief announced in the budget, and a 100-basis points reduction in RBI's repo rate are also expected to support growth this year. On 14 August, Mint reported that the government has asked 37 ministries to submit a detailed report on the key compliance requirements that are creating roadblocks for manufacturers, exporters, investors and small enterprises, and hurting their ability to conduct their businesses smoothly. Subhash Narayan contributed to this story
