Times of India

The DMK has criticized the AIADMK's reunion with the BJP, claiming it was driven by fear and pressure on Edappadi K Palaniswami. According to DMK, Palaniswami ultimately yielded to the BJP's influence. DMK also believes actor Vijay's new party will split opposition votes, benefiting them in the upcoming elections. Amit Shah announced the AIADMK's return to the NDA without preconditions.

Speculation is growing within Bihar's NDA alliance as the BJP may be considering a significant shift in leadership post-elections. The BJP might propose an "honourable exit" for Nitish Kumar, potentially relocating him to a central cabinet position or another constitutional role.

BJP and AIADMK have reunited for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, with Amit Shah declaring the NDA will contest under Edappadi Palaniswami's leadership. Nainar Nagendran, formerly with AIADMK, is set to become the Tamil Nadu BJP state president, succeeding K Annamalai.

The commander of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, Col. Susan Meyers, was relieved of her duties after expressing disagreement with Vice President JD Vance's remarks during his controversial visit. Meyers' email to base personnel stated that Vance's concerns did not align with the base leadership's views. 'I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly -- together,' Meyers wrote in her email.

Chennai Super Kings face a setback as Ruturaj Gaikwad's elbow injury sidelines him for the remainder of the IPL season. MS Dhoni will reclaim captaincy, confirmed by coach Stephen Fleming. Ahead of the KKR clash, Dhoni and former teammate Dwayne Bravo shared a light moment. Dhoni, who captained CSK from 2008 to 2023 and led them to five IPL titles, had handed over the reins to Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 season.

A New York Helicopter Tour tragically crashed into the Hudson River, killing all six on board, including Siemens executive Agustin Escobar's family. The pilot, en route for refuelling, reported needing fuel shortly before the crash. CEO Michael Roth expressed devastation, noting the main rotor blades detached, speculating a possible bird strike or mechanical failure.

The AIADMK and BJP have officially announced their alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections during a joint press conference. Amit Shah confirmed Edappadi K Palaniswami will lead the NDA in the state. Shah dismissed reports of AIADMK's demands, emphasizing the alliance's long-standing history and its permanent nature, highlighting PM Modi and Jayalalithaa's past collaboration.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal asserted that India will not negotiate under pressure, emphasizing the importance of mutual sensitivity in trade talks. This statement follows US President Trump's 90-day pause on tariff imposition, excluding China. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged the complexity of trade negotiations with the US, highlighting the need for urgency and ambition in achieving desired outcomes.

The Trump administration is facing backlash for its strict immigration policies. These policies target pro-Palestine voices in American universities. Visa cancellations and deportations are rising. Universities are under pressure to align with the administration's views. Federal funding is at risk for non-compliance. International students are now considering other countries for education. This situation is creating fear and silence on campuses.

Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath advises investors to pause trading during the upcoming truncated weeks due to heightened market volatility. He emphasizes the importance of mental preparedness and suggests using the break to recharge. Kamath warns against trading in unfavorable conditions, highlighting that staying out allows for future trading opportunities when both mental state and market conditions are optimal.

An ambitious proposal envisions a high-speed underwater train connecting Mumbai and Dubai, potentially slashing travel time to two hours. Spearheaded by the UAE's National Advisor Bureau Limited, the 2,000-kilometer subsea rail corridor aims to revolutionize transcontinental travel. Beyond passenger transport, it plans to facilitate goods movement, strengthening trade relations and setting a precedent for future global transportation projects.

KL Rahul's magnificent unbeaten 93 propelled Delhi Capitals to a six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday. Rahul's match-winning knock, combined with his intimate knowledge of the ground, guided his team to victory. He celebrated with a gesture inspired by the movie Kantara, declaring the stadium as his home turf.

Meta has launched Llama 4 AI model. The company aims to reduce bias in large language models. Meta claims Llama 4 shows improvements compared to Llama 3. It is comparable to Grok. Google faced criticism for bias in Gemini image generation. Sundar Pichai addressed the controversy. He stated that Google is working to resolve these issues.

President Xi Jinping has cautioned against tariff wars, emphasizing that confrontation within the international community could lead to isolation. He urged the EU to join China in opposing unilateralism and economic coercion, implicitly referencing the United States' trade policies.

Bombay Shaving Company's CEO, Shantanu Deshpande, has drawn attention to the increasing vulnerability of professionals in their 40s amidst corporate layoffs in India. He highlights their financial burdens and susceptibility to cost-cutting measures due to higher salaries. Deshpande advises upskilling in AI, saving more, and developing an entrepreneurial mindset to stay relevant in the evolving job market.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Varanasi, criticized opposition parties for prioritizing family interests over public service, emphasizing his government's commitment to inclusive development. He inaugurated multiple projects worth Rs 3,880 crore, highlighting Varanasi's transformation into a healthcare hub and a model for blending development with heritage. Modi also mentioned India's efforts to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

In Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district, a fake doctor, Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, is accused of impersonating a British cardiologist and conducting unauthorized heart surgeries at Mission Hospital, leading to seven patient deaths. CCTV footage shows Yadav in formal attire in the operation theatre. Authorities have sealed the cath lab, and Yadav faces charges of forgery and medical negligence.

Washington Sundar, a versatile all-rounder, faces the challenge of limited game time in the IPL. Despite his ability to bat anywhere and bowl anytime, he's struggled for consistent opportunities. In a candid interview with the TimesofIndia.com, the 25-year-old speaks on the Impact Player rule, the difficulties of maintaining rhythm, and the crucial support from India head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Rahul Gandhi has criticized PM Modi's commitment to tackling unemployment, alleging the abandonment of the 'Employment Linked Incentive' scheme. He accused Modi of favoring big corporations over small businesses. The BJP retaliated, citing significant job creation under Modi's government and a decrease in youth unemployment, while also defending the ELI program and attacking Congress's past record.