Girls cover their face to protect themselves from the scorching heat on a hot summer day, in Jaipur. Image for representation
| Photo Credit: PTI

Marathon Lok Sabha polling exercise ends with seventh phase on June 1

The world’s largest polling exercise to elect the 18th Lok Sabha ends on June 1 after one and a half months, with 57 parliamentary constituencies going to the polls in the seventh and final phase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the 906 candidates in the fray in this phase, during which 10.06 crore electors are eligible to cast their votes.

Heatwave claims 61 lives across India in a day

With a heatwave roiling several parts of the country, at least 61 deaths from suspected heatstroke have been confirmed from multiple States on May 31 with 23 of the fatalities being poll personnel involved in the final phase of the Lok Sabha election that is set to culminate on Saturday.

At least 25 poll staff among 40 heat-related deaths as north India boils

India on Friday reported at least 40 suspected heat-related deaths, 25 of them of staff deployed on Lok Sabha poll duty in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, as heatwave conditions gripped a large swathe of the country.

17 more dead in landslips, floods in the Northeast

Floods and landslips killed 13 people in Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya during the last 48 hours, taking the rainfall-related death toll in the Northeast to 17 since Wednesday.

NDA members will queue up to join INDIA bloc: Congress

A day before the final phase of voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Congress expressed confidence that “a clear and decisive” mandate for the INDIA bloc will prompt many NDA constituents to join the Opposition alliance.

Lok Sabha on full swing to welcome new members

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has taken a host of measures to welcome the newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha, including setting up guideposts at all three domestic terminals at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and railway stations from June 4 to June 9.

Biden says Israel has offered to Hamas a three-step road map to an enduring ceasefire

President Joe Biden on Friday detailed a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the grinding, nearly 8-month-old Mideast war.

Congress not to participate in Lok Sabha exit poll debates

The Congress has decided not to participate in any Lok Sabha exit poll debates on the television channels and said it does not want to indulge in speculation and slugfest for TRP.

Donald Trump blasts ‘rigged trial’, says will appeal guilty verdict

Donald Trump launched into attacks on the judge in his criminal trial and continued to undermine New York’s criminal justice system on May 31 as he tried to repackage his conviction on 34 felony charges as fuel, not an impediment, to his latest White House bid.

Bomb scare on Vistara flight halts air traffic for two hours at Srinagar airport

Srinagar International Airport was put on high alert on Friday following a bomb threat call received about an aircraft heading from Delhi to Srinagar. However, the call turned out to be a hoax, officials said.

ISL’s Golden Boot winner Diamantakos to leave Kerala Blasters

Dimitrios Diamantakos, the Indian Super League’s Golden Boot award winner this season, will leave Kerala Blasters FC after two years with the club.

Former U.S. President Trump speaks to members of the media after a jury found him guilty of all 34 felony counts in his criminal trial at New York State Supreme Court in New York.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Donald Trump becomes first former U.S. President convicted of felony crimes

Donald Trump became the first former President to be convicted of felony crimes on May 30 as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.

SIT arrests Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna at Bengaluru airport after his return from Germany

Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of sexually abusing several women, was arrested by the SIT probing the case, minutes after he landed in Bengaluru from Germany around 12.30 a.m. on May 31..

High voltage campaign ends; final phase of polling on June 1

Curtains came down on Thursday on the high-octane campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which saw political parties try and weave narratives, often acrimonious, over issues ranging from caste, religion, reservation and citizenship.

V.K. Pandian is not my successor, says Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

In the backdrop of the Bharatiya Janata Party going all guns blazing by converting Odia asmita (pride) into a major poll plank targeting Tamil Nadu-born former bureaucrat V. K. Pandian, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said his close confidante would not be his successor.

Narendra Modi begins meditation at Vivekananda Rock Memorial

After offering special prayers at Sri Bhagavathi Amman Temple on the seashore in Kanniyakumari district, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his 45-hour-long ‘dyan’ (meditation) at Vivekananda Rock Memorial on May 30 evening.

Hamas says it is ready for a ‘complete agreement’ if Israel stops war

Hamas said on Thursday it had told mediators it would not take part in more negotiations during ongoing aggression but was ready for a “complete agreement” including an exchange of hostages and prisoners if Israel stopped the war.

Loss of lives in Rafah heartbreaking, says India

The loss of Palestinian lives in the recent Israeli bombing of Rafah is “heartbreaking”, India said on Thursday. Nearly 45 Palestinians, including children, were killed when Israeli bombs hit tents housing displaced persons in Rafah on May 26.

Biden partially lifts ban on Ukraine using U.S. arms in strikes on Russian territory, U.S. officials say

President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the go-ahead to use American weaponry to strike inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

Strong westerlies to trigger widespread rain in Kerala

Setting the stage for the four-month rainy season, southwest monsoon set in over Kerala on Thursday. All the criteria required for the declaration of the monsoon were met in the morning.

PM spoke on divisive issues over 400 times, but never mentioned unemployment, price rise, says Kharge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about “mandir-masjid” and other “divisive issues” 421 times but did not mention unemployment and inflation even once in his election speeches of the past 15 days, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Thursday.

Prajwal Revanna, grandson of JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda, is accused in an alleged rape and sexual harassment case involving a 47-year-old woman. File.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

‘Mahatma became popular only after Gandhi movie’: Congress attacks PM Modi over his comment

The world view taught in the shakhas (branches) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) doesn’t allow one to understand Mahatma Gandhi as the RSS follows the path of his assassin Nathuram Godse, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday.

SIT team camping at Bengaluru airport to arrest Prajwal Revanna

One month after fleeing the country, Janata Dal (Secular) leader and Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, charged with rape and sexual harassment of several women, is set to return to Bengaluru in the wee hours of Friday to face a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.

Remal effect: Disaster death toll rises to 38 in northeast

The death toll in cyclone Remal-induced disasters across four northeastern States rose to 38 on May 29. Rescue workers have so far retrieved 29 bodies from several landslide-hit locations in and around Mizoram’s capital Aizawl. An unspecified number of people continue to be missing or buried under stones, earth, and 127 damaged houses, 53 of them severely.

Heavy rain brings misery in Kerala ahead of the onset of monsoon

The heavy rain that pounded the southern and central districts in Kerala ahead of the onset of the monsoon aggravated the miseries of the people living in low-lying areas and adjacent to waterbodies in various places.

Centre’s policy to deny government jobs to kin of militants, stone-throwers casts a shadow on 50,000 families in Kashmir

An expansion of the “deep-vetting” process for government job aspirants in Jammu and Kashmir by security agencies is likely to impact over 50,000 families.

Citizenship granted under CAA to people in West Bengal, Haryana, Uttarakhand: MHA

Citizenship certificates under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) were granted to some people in West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Haryana, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on May 29, 2024.

Modi’s meditation plan violates model code, Congress tells Election Commission

The two-day meditation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu from May 30 violates the model code of conduct (MCC) and restrictions imposed on a candidate during the silent period, the Congress told the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday.

IndiGo pilot, crew violate safety norms during evacuation

IndiGo will review why its pilot and cabin crew were seen flouting safety protocol alongside passengers during the May 28 emergency evacuation and carrying luggage while streaming down emergency slides following a bomb alert.

2024 Lok Sabha election: Rahul Gandhi’s big promises for farmers include loan waivers, MSP law

Even as a group of farmers continue to camp at the Punjab-Haryana boundaries in support of their demands, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday that once the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) government is formed at the Centre, it will waive off the loans of farmers and will provide a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

Israel sends tanks into Rafah on raids, defying World Court order amid Gaza-wide offensive

Israeli tanks mounted raids across Rafah in defiance of the World Court for a second day on May 29, after Washington said the assault did not amount to a major ground operation in the southern Gazan city that U.S. officials have warned Israel to avoid.

Jurors in Trump hush money trial end first day of deliberations after asking to rehear testimony

The jury in Donald Trump’s hush money trial ended its first day of deliberations without a verdict Wednesday but asked to rehear potentially crucial testimony about the alleged hush money scheme at the heart of the history-making case.T he 12-person jury was sent home around 4 p.m. after about 4 1/2 hours of deliberations. The process is to resume Thursday.

Kolkata Knight Riders players celebrate with the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 trophy after winning the final match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Cyclone Remal makes landfall; one lakh evacuated in Bengal

The severe cyclonic storm Remal started its landfall process between Sagar Island in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh around 9.15 p.m. on Sunday, as it intensified and moved northwards. By 11.30 p.m., the eye of the cyclone touched the land.

IPL 2024 Final: KKR vs SRH: Kolkata Knight Riders thrash Sunrisers Hyderabad to lift third title

Chasing a meager target of 114, Kolkata Knight Riders batsmen smashed the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers and won the match with 57 balls to spare and lifted their third title in the Indian Premier League 2024 final in Chennai on May 26.

Palestinian medics say Israeli airstrike kills at least 35 in Rafah and displaced people are hit

Palestinian medics said at least 35 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike Sunday on the southern Gaza city of Rafah that hit tents for displaced people.

Jihadis across border supporting SP, Congress: PM Modi in U.P.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Deoria claimed that ‘jihadis’ across the border in Pakistan were doing prayers in support of the INDIA bloc parties the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress in the ongoing parliamentary elections, while both SP and Congress were appealing for “vote jihad” here (India).

Neta vs abhineta: the Karakat battle pits a veteran politician against a Bhojpuri actor

Bhojpuri singer and actor Pawan Singh, who had earlier refused to contest the Lok Sabha election from the Asansol seat offered by the BJP, has now made it a tough fight for BJP ally and former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha in Karakat Lok Sabha seat.

Rajkot inferno toll climbs to 33, many still missing in ‘man-made disaster’

At least 33 people have died in the fire that broke out on Saturday evening at Rajkot’s TRP Gaming Zone. More than 15 people are still missing in what the Gujarat High Court called a “man-made disaster”, taking suo motu cognisance of the matter and posting it for a hearing on Monday.

Cyclone hits Bangladesh as nearly a million flee inland for shelter

An intense cyclone smashed into the low-lying coast of Bangladesh on Sunday, with nearly a million people fleeing inland for concrete storm shelters away from howling gales and crashing waves.

We are yet to receive Centre’s official response on cancellation of Prajwal’s diplomatic passport: Parameshwara

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Sunday said the State had not received any official response from the Centre on its request seeking cancellation of the diplomatic passport of Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, who is facing multiple allegations of sexual abuse and who fled the country on April 27.

Amit Shah and Nadda lash out at INDIA bloc leaders at Bihar rally

Union Home Amit Shah and BJP president J.P. Nadda addressed five election rallies in Bihar in support of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates. Mr. Shah addressed meetings in Karakat and Sasaram Lok Sabha seats whereas Mr. Nadda campaigned in Ara, Jehanabad and Nalanda parliamentary constituencies.

Govt. directs telcos to block incoming international spoofed calls

The government has directed telecom operators to block all incoming international spoofed calls that display Indian mobile numbers, an official statement said on Sunday.

Dipa Karmakar becomes first Indian gymnast to win gold in Asian Senior Championships

Dipa Karmakar landed a gold medal in vault to become the first Indian gymnast to win the continental title in the Asian women’s artistic gymnastics championships in Tashkent on May 26.

At least 27 people were killed in a fire at a sprawling children’s game zone built in a temporary structure in Rajkot on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

27 killed in blaze at Rajkot gaming zone

At least 27 people were killed in a fire at a sprawling children’s game zone built in a temporary structure in Rajkot on Saturday. The toll is likely to rise once the debris is cleared from the area. 

61.2% turnout in sixth phase amid stray incidents of violence in Bengal

The sixth and penultimate phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha election saw a voter turnout of 61.20% till 11.45 p.m. on Saturday. Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from West Bengal which reported the highest polling percentage at 79.47.

Cyclonic storm Remal to cross West Bengal, Bangladesh coast on Sunday midnight

The deep depression over east-central Bay of Bengal on Saturday evening intensified into a cyclonic storm “Remal” and is likely to cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts by Sunday midnight.

Cyclone Remal: Kolkata airport to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from May 25 noon

The authorities of Kolkata airport have decided to suspend flight operations for 21 hours from May 25 noon in view of the possible impact of cyclone Remal, an official said in Kolkata.

Approximate voter turnout trend of 54.37% recorded in Delhi

An approximate voter turnout trend of 54.37% was recorded in Delhi, according to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), who added that this was not the final voting percentage as approximate trends from some polling booths would take time, and the figures did not include postal ballot data.

UAPA tribunal upholds MHA ban against seven Meitei extremist organisations

A tribunal under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has upheld the Centre’s decision to declare seven valley based Meitei extremist organisations as “unlawful associations” for the next five years.

Cannes 2024: Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine as Light’ scripts history for India, wins Grand Prix

In a historic win for India, Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light bagged the Grand Prix, the second-highest award at the Cannes Film Festival, on Saturday night.

PM Modi’s remarks belie his anxiety over elections, says Kharge

With just four days left before campaigning for the 2024 Lok Sabha election draws to a close, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks, made at election rallies in Bihar, where he accused the Opposition of performing mujra (a dance form associated with courtesans) for the Muslim vote bank, has come under sharp criticism from the Opposition, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claiming that Mr. Modi’s comments belied his anxiety over the election results. 

Israel strikes Rafah after top UN court orders it to halt offensive

Israeli air strikes and artillery pounded Rafah, despite the UN’s top court ordering an immediate halt to its military offensive in the southern Gazan city.

FA Cup final: Garnacho, Mainoo seal stunning Cup win for Manchester United

Manchester United saved their best performance of a mediocre season to the very end as they upset Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final on May 25 to deprive their rivals of the double.

U.S. rapper Nicki Minaj held by police at Amsterdam airport

American rapper Nicki Minaj said on social media on Saturday that she was held at Amsterdam Schiphol airport on allegations of possession of soft drugs.