Category: News

Chennai, May 5 (BNP): Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his party’s impressive performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

In a statement issued after early trends and results indicated a strong debut for TVK, Vijay reiterated that the party’s core mission is the welfare and upliftment of the people. “The well-being of people remains our only goal. This mandate reflects the trust and aspirations of the public, and we are committed to serving them with sincerity and transparency,” he said.

Vijay also acknowledged the Prime Minister’s message of support and goodwill, thanking him for recognising the democratic spirit and the people’s verdict. He emphasised that TVK would work constructively to address key issues, including employment, education, healthcare, and social justice.

Highlighting the significance of the party’s performance, Vijay said the results mark the beginning of a new political chapter in Tamil Nadu. He assured that TVK would uphold democratic values and strive for inclusive development across the state.

The actor-turned-politician also extended his gratitude to party workers, supporters, and voters for their unwavering faith and dedication, stating that their efforts have laid the foundation for a people-centric governance model.

Bhubaneswar, May 5 (BNP): The Indian Railways has issued an official notification announcing the formation of a new railway division at Rayagada, marking a significant step towards strengthening rail infrastructure in the region.

The newly created division will function under the East Coast Railway and is scheduled to become operational from June 1. The move is aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency, improving passenger and freight services, and boosting connectivity across southern Odisha and adjoining areas.

Officials stated that the establishment of the Rayagada division is expected to streamline operations, support regional economic growth, and facilitate better management of key rail routes in the mineral-rich belt.

New Delhi, May 05 (BNP): India on Tuesday strongly condemned the reported Iranian drone and missile attacks on an oil facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which left three Indian nationals injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure as “unacceptable” and called for restraint.

The attack targeted the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone in Fujairah, a key energy and shipping hub, amid heightened tensions in West Asia. The incident occurred shortly after the United States launched “Project Freedom” to escort stranded merchant vessels through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, which has remained disrupted since the escalation of the regional conflict earlier this year.

 “Strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE that resulted in injuries to three Indian nationals. Targeting civilians and infrastructure is unacceptable,” the Prime Minister said. He further reaffirmed that India stands in firm solidarity with the UAE and emphasised the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.

Highlighting the importance of maritime security, Modi underscored that ensuring safe and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is critical for regional stability and global trade.

The Government of India is closely monitoring the situation and remains in contact with UAE authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of Indian citizens in the region.

New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): The Class 8 Social Science textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, earlier barred by the Supreme Court of India, has been revised and is likely to be released within a week, according to sources in the Ministry of Education.

Titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond (Part II)”, the textbook had been withdrawn in March following the Court’s directive imposing a blanket ban on its publication, reprinting, and digital circulation over concerns regarding a chapter referencing corruption in the judiciary.

Officials stated that the revised edition has undergone scrutiny by an expert committee constituted by NCERT, which reviewed and modified the contentious content. The updated version has reportedly received approval from the expert panel, and is now awaiting final clearance from the NCERT syllabus committee.

“The revised book has been approved by the expert panel. A syllabus committee meeting will grant final clearance, following which printing is expected to begin later this week,” a source said.

The development comes amid growing concerns over delays in the availability of NCERT textbooks, which have begun impacting students since the academic session commenced on April 1. Once approved, printing of the revised edition will be initiated immediately, and the textbook is expected to be available in the market within a week, ensuring minimal disruption to academic activities.

New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): In the wake of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) landmark electoral performance, senior leaders Amit Shah and J. P. Nadda have been appointed as central observers for key states to oversee the formation of legislative leadership.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been designated as the BJP’s central observer for West Bengal, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi serving as co-observer. Meanwhile, JP Nadda has been appointed as the central observer for Assam, assisted by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini as co-observer.

The appointments follow the BJP’s historic victory in the recently concluded Assembly elections. In West Bengal, the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to form its first-ever government after securing 207 out of 294 seats, while the All India Trinamool Congress won 80 seats. In Assam, the BJP secured 82 seats, comfortably surpassing the majority mark of 64, with its allies — Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front — winning 10 seats each. The Indian National Congress, despite alliances, managed only 19 seats.

In contrast, the Congress-led United Democratic Front registered a strong victory in Kerala, with the Congress alone winning 63 seats in the 140-member Assembly. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) secured 26 seats, while the Communist Party of India won 8 seats.

Tamil Nadu witnessed a significant political shift, with Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerging as the single largest party, winning 107 seats in the 234-member Assembly, just short of the majority mark. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam secured 59 seats, marking a notable setback for the incumbent government.

Following the results, Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi accepted the resignation of outgoing Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and his Council of Ministers, paving the way for the formation of a new government.

These developments underscore a transformative electoral cycle across multiple states, with shifting political dynamics and the emergence of new power centres in India’s regional landscape.

Dubai, May 5 (BNP): India have retained their position in the latest ICC T20 International rankings, followed by England in second place and Australia in third, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The updated rankings are based on a weighted system that gives full value to matches played since May 2025, while performances from the previous two years carry reduced weightage.

India’s strong and consistent performances in recent international tournaments, including their successful T20 World Cup campaign, have helped them maintain their standing in the global rankings.

New Delhi, May 5 (BNP): India’s electric mobility sector continues to register steady growth, with electric two-wheeler penetration reaching 6.5% in FY 2025–26, according to the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

The government said this growth reflects increasing consumer acceptance of electric vehicles, supported by improving availability of models, expanding charging infrastructure, and rising awareness about cleaner mobility options. It also indicates strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities within the EV ecosystem.

Officials highlighted that the steady rise in adoption demonstrates India’s ongoing transition towards sustainable transport solutions. The growth in the electric two-wheeler segment, which remains the largest contributor to EV sales in the country, is seen as a key indicator of broader e-mobility progress.

The Ministry noted that policy support and industry participation have played a crucial role in accelerating adoption, while continued investments in technology and manufacturing are expected to further strengthen the sector in the coming years.

New York, May 5, 2026: Indian journalists Anand RK and Suparna Sharma, along with Natalie Obiko Pearson, have been awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in the Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category for their work on a cybercrime investigation published by Bloomberg.

The award-winning project highlighted the growing threat of digital scams, telling the story of a Lucknow-based neurologist who was deceived by cybercriminals impersonating officials and subjected to a prolonged ordeal that led to significant financial loss. The report brought attention to the human impact of increasingly sophisticated cyber fraud.

In addition, journalist Devjyot Ghoshal was named a finalist in the same category for his investigation into cybercrime and trafficking networks in Southeast Asia, where victims are reportedly forced into carrying out scams.

Another Indian journalist, Aniruddha Ghosal, was part of a team that won in the International Reporting category for an investigation into the use of advanced surveillance technologies by authorities across countries.

The Pulitzer Prizes, administered by Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, are among the highest honours in global journalism. The recognition highlights the growing role of Indian journalists in uncovering complex global issues and bringing critical stories to light.