Union Minister Ramdas Athawale extended an invitation to Abhijeet Dipke to join his Republican Party of India-Athawale.
Opposition parties in Thane, including Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and MNS, have announced a protest march to the Police Commissionerate on October 9. This demonstration is in response to the deteriorating law and order situation following the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar. Police have made arrests in the case, and the victim's son has accused a rival Shiv Sena leader of involvement.
There are only bad and worse options before him, points out Aakar Patel.
Navigating this geopolitical minefield requires a cold-blooded blend of immediate tactical pleading, structural domestic diversification, and aggressive collective resistance, suggests Ambassador Rajasekhar.
Former President Donald Trump's recent deal with Russia to supply diesel to the US and global markets has ignited a political firestorm, drawing sharp criticism from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Democratic leaders, and a segment of Republicans, despite the US Treasury lifting sanctions on Russian diesel supplies.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare has called for a CBI probe into the murder of party leader Pradeep Purnekar in Thane, alleging it was a contract killing and citing potential political pressure on local police. Opposition parties have also announced a protest march to the Thane police commissioner's office, while Shiv Sena MP Jyoti Waghmare accused opposition leaders of politicising the tragedy. Police have made arrests in connection with the murder.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is stepping down from her role at the end of the month to prioritise her young children and family.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale has indicated a potential Union cabinet reshuffle soon and extended an invitation to eight NCP (SP) MPs to join the NDA, even if Sharad Pawar declines. He urged the opposition faction to set aside ideological differences for development. However, NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto dismissed Athawale's offer, calling him a "floater." Athawale also addressed the issue of reservation, stating it's a constitutional right.
US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran is attempting to remove him from office, believing a Democratic administration would permit them to develop nuclear weapons. Trump vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities and stated he has no regrets about his confrontational approach, claiming he would act the same way again. He also linked the ongoing conflict to rising stock markets and oil prices, and controversially suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump has announced a promise to issue a USD 5,000 dividend to every adult US citizen if Republicans secure victory in both the House and the Senate in the upcoming midterm elections, citing the nation's economic success under his administration.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that opposing reservation is unconstitutional and that the policy would be given up if casteism is eliminated. He highlighted the historical context of reservations for SC/ST and OBCs, and the Modi government's EWS quota. Athawale also criticised the opposition, praised government achievements, and discussed various welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in Chhattisgarh.
Nationalist Citizens Party of India leader Abu Taher attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for NDA allies but asserted that his party is not part of the ruling alliance. He stated his attendance was solely to raise public issues directly with the Prime Minister.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that autorickshaw and taxi drivers will be given an opportunity to learn Marathi before any action is taken against them for non-compliance with the language requirement. This move softens the state's earlier stance, which had evoked mixed reactions and concerns about livelihoods.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon citizens to celebrate Independence Day with honour and pride, urging them to take a pledge for a developed India. This appeal comes amidst parliamentary sessions marked by protests from both ruling and opposition alliances.
The government is considering sending 'The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026' to a joint committee of both houses of Parliament for further examination, even as the Congress and some other opposition parties have demanded that it be withdrawn, sources said on Tuesday.
US Vice-President J D Vance's unexpected phone call to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 8 has ignited speculation about a potential diplomatic overture, possibly seeking India's support amidst the escalating US-Iran conflict and a shifting global power landscape, suggests Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
A bipartisan group of US Senators has agreed to fast-track a bill allowing the President to impose sanctions on major purchasers of oil from Russia and Iran. This legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aims to restrict funding for Russia's war efforts and Iran's energy and weapons sectors, potentially impacting countries like China and India through tariffs and other restrictions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern over the repeated disruptions of parliamentary proceedings, stating that due to the turmoil in the House, the country has been unable to listen to the talented MPs elected in recent times.
US Vice President JD Vance has accused 'certain elements' within the Israeli government of attempting to manipulate American public opinion to prolong the conflict with Iran 'indefinitely', according to a Wall Street Journal report.
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump and an influential voice on American foreign policy, has passed away at 71 following a 'brief and sudden illness', leaving a significant void in Washington's political landscape.
Republican Party of India activists protested in Thane, Maharashtra, demanding the arrest of those involved in the attack on a party worker who died from his injuries.
Trump's comment marks a shift in his repeated statements that Iran hand over its enriched uranium to the US as a sticking point of any potential deal.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran's missile capabilities have been severely degraded, saying Tehran now possesses only a fraction of the arsenal it had before recent hostilities.
Frankly, was it really necessary in the middle of a fratricidal war for External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to travel to Abu Dhabi for a one-on-one with the sheikh on April 12?Or, for National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to follow up on April 26? Or, for PM Narendra Modi to follow through today? There are no easy answers, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
The BJP withdrew Pooja More-Jadhav's candidature in the Pune civic polls after old videos surfaced showing her making remarks against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his wife.
The absence of NCP-SP leaders from a key Maha Vikas Aghadi meeting in Maharashtra has ignited concerns about opposition unity ahead of the crucial budget session and upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra is facing internal conflict over the allocation of a winnable Rajya Sabha seat, with the Congress staking its claim against the Shiv Sena (UBT). Discussions are ongoing to reach a consensus before the nomination deadline.
A new poll indicates that President Donald Trump's approval rating is suffering as economic anxieties and the rising cost of living weigh heavily on US voters, revealing deep political divides and widespread dissatisfaction with the government.
Trump said the Department of Justice had already released "tens of thousands" of pages linked to Epstein and argued that Democrats were trying to target Republican leaders while ignoring figures such as Bill Clinton and others he named.
'The entire US ecosystem built over decades at the bases in the Gulf region, especially the UAE, costing trillions of dollars have been decimated, dealing a mortal blow to the US Central Command's war capability,' points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
The question is no longer whether the war will expand. It has. The next few days will tell us whether the war stabilises around Hormuz or whether the Strait itself becomes the trigger for a far larger rupture. What to watch for over the next 48 hours is simple: Any move by the US toward direct naval control of the Strait; any credible Iranian attempt to disrupt or mine shipping lanes and, critically, whether energy infrastructure in the Gulf continues to be targeted.If those lines are crossed in tandem, the war will no longer be containable within the region.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced that his party, the NCP, is in discussions with the Shiv Sena regarding seat sharing for the upcoming Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls. This comes as alliances blur in the state-level elections.
The Congress party experienced a significant decline in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, winning a mere 15 seats out of 227. Analysts attribute the poor performance to strategic missteps, infighting, and a failure to connect with voters amidst linguistic and religious polarization.
The new US national security strategy signals a retreat from global dominance while reaffirming continuity in India's role in Indo-Pacific security and Quad cooperation, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
Texas Republican leader Alexander Duncan claimed that the US is a Christian nation.
The Union minister said such calls were tantamount to "inviting violence".
United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) reiterated his opposition to electric vehicle (EV) mandates, criticising government subsidies for Tesla CEO Elon Musk and questioning the broader push for EV adoption in the United States.
Republican Party leaders have denied extending an invitation to Narendra Modi to address Congressional leaders and Indian-Americans via video link next week.
The 58-page Republican manifesto released by the party after its formal approval said that Indian ancestry had made notable contributions to the US.
The fact that Gor has President Trump's ear makes him an extremely valuable commodity for India -- he represents both a challenge and an opportunity, points out Aditi Phadnis.
