Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday asserted that the Bankipur and Datia bypolls were conducted fairly, arguing that the BJP's defeat reflected public sentiment because, according to him, the ruling party did not resort to any "foul play." Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Yadav claimed the BJP had used the elections to gauge the level of public dissatisfaction. He also congratulated the Congress on its victory in Datia, saying Samajwadi Party workers in Madhya Pradesh had backed their INDIA bloc ally during the contest.
Calling the results a "return gift" to the BJP after 12 years, Yadav alleged that the party often relied on unfair tactics in elections. He claimed that if the BJP had contested these bypolls in the same manner it allegedly did in states like Uttar Pradesh or West Bengal, the outcome could have been different.
According to Yadav, the BJP deliberately allowed the elections to be conducted without using police influence or manipulating electronic voting machines (EVMs) in order to understand the extent of public anger. He argued that the verdict should not be viewed as a simple electoral defeat but as an indication of the support the BJP could secure in a contest free from alleged irregularities.
The SP chief said he was pleased that voters in Datia had supported the INDIA bloc. He added that he had spoken with Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari and claimed that Samajwadi Party workers in the state had actively extended support to the Congress campaign.
In the Bankipur Assembly bypoll, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor secured a significant victory over Neeraj Kumar, winning a constituency widely regarded as a BJP bastion. Meanwhile, in Datia, Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh defeated BJP nominee Ashutosh Tiwari by a margin of 6,016 votes.
The BJP, however, registered a comfortable victory in Majalpur, Gujarat, where its candidate Satendrabhai Patel defeated Congress rival Bhikhabhai Rabari by 30,630 votes. Reacting to his victory, Prashant Kishor described the Bankipur bypoll result as a clear signal from the people of Bihar to the BJP-led NDA. He alleged that voters had expressed their dissatisfaction with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, claiming the electorate had rejected his leadership, conduct, and public image.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior Union Ministers paid heartfelt tributes to Dr. D.Y. Patil, the former Governor of Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal, following his passing. Remembered as a distinguished educationist, philanthropist, and founder of the D.Y. Patil Group, Dr. Patil was widely praised for his lasting contributions to education, healthcare, and public service.
In a message shared on X, Prime Minister Modi described Dr. Patil as a visionary who dedicated his life to serving society through philanthropy and education. He noted that Dr. Patil consistently worked to uplift the lives of people, especially those from economically weaker sections, and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and all those who admired him.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also mourned the loss, calling Dr. Patil a respected educationist whose lifelong commitment to learning and social welfare left a lasting impact. He said Dr. Patil's distinguished public service and valuable role in nation-building would always be remembered, while extending his sympathies to the family and admirers.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described Dr. Patil's death as a major loss, recalling his tenure as Governor of Bihar, Tripura, and West Bengal, along with his remarkable efforts in strengthening education and governance. Chouhan said his dedication to public life and nation-building would continue to inspire future generations.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted Dr. Patil's inspiring journey from humble beginnings to holding some of the country's highest constitutional positions. He said the Padma Shri awardee's exceptional work in expanding educational and healthcare institutions had transformed countless lives across India. Goyal offered prayers for the departed soul and conveyed his deepest condolences to Dr. Patil's family, friends, and well-wishers.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @narendramodi.
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) remains on edge as widespread protests and a heavy security response continue to fuel unrest across the region, with families of those killed insisting that many of the victims were ordinary civilians, including teenagers, and not militants. The demonstrations, which intensified during the ongoing legislative elections, have spread across several parts of the region, particularly Rawalakot and Mirpur. Protesters accuse the authorities of suppressing dissent, while Pakistan maintains that security measures are necessary to preserve law and order.
According to local residents, doctors and media reports, several of those killed or injured during the clashes were young people, some reportedly as young as 15 years old. Grieving families have rejected suggestions that the victims posed a security threat, saying they had joined demonstrations to demand political rights and better governance. "We are not terrorists," relatives of victims have reportedly said, arguing that those participating in the protests were exercising their right to peaceful assembly rather than engaging in violence.
The unrest is rooted in long-standing political and economic grievances. Protesters have raised concerns over governance, unemployment, local representation and the structure of the regional assembly, particularly seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. Critics argue that the arrangement gives Islamabad greater influence over local politics, a claim Pakistani authorities reject.
The latest violence erupted during the phased assembly elections, with reports of clashes between demonstrators and security personnel. While authorities have acknowledged casualties, protest groups claim the death toll is significantly higher and accuse security forces of using excessive force against civilians. Independent verification of all casualty figures remains difficult due to restrictions on communications and media access in parts of the region.
International attention has grown as human rights organisations and civil society groups have called for an impartial investigation into the reported killings. They have also urged authorities to ensure transparency, protect civilians and restore access to communication services to allow independent reporting from the region.
The situation has also sparked controversy over media coverage. Pakistan has reportedly restricted access to some international news platforms following their reporting on the crackdown, accusing them of biased or selective coverage. Critics argue that such restrictions make it harder to independently assess developments on the ground.
Political analysts say the protests reflect more than election-related tensions. They point to years of public dissatisfaction over governance, economic conditions and political representation, suggesting the current crisis is the result of deeper structural issues rather than a single triggering event. As the political uncertainty continues, there is little indication that tensions will ease soon. Protest leaders continue to demand accountability for those killed, while authorities remain focused on restoring order. With competing narratives emerging from both sides, independent investigations are expected to play a key role in determining the full extent of the violence and its implications for the future of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
A US foreign policy expert has questioned the credibility of Pakistan and Qatar as intermediaries in efforts to facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran, claiming that both countries can no longer be viewed as neutral mediators. The remarks come shortly after US President Donald Trump suggested that negotiations with Tehran could still take place despite heightened tensions between the two countries. The comments have added a new dimension to ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, where several regional nations have been attempting to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran amid continuing disagreements over security and regional stability.
Speaking on the issue, the US expert argued that mediators involved in sensitive international negotiations must enjoy the trust of all parties. He alleged that Pakistan and Qatar have become "compromised" because of their close political and strategic relationships in the region, making it difficult for them to act as impartial facilitators. The remarks have not been endorsed as official US policy, and neither Pakistan nor Qatar has publicly responded to the allegations.
The criticism surfaced as President Donald Trump indicated that his administration remains open to engaging with Iran if conditions are favourable. While speaking about the possibility of diplomacy, Trump suggested that negotiations remain an option, signalling that Washington has not completely ruled out dialogue despite months of strained relations.
Tehran has presented a different picture. Iranian officials have denied reports that direct negotiations with the United States are currently underway, maintaining that no formal talks have begun. The conflicting statements from both sides have created uncertainty over the actual status of diplomatic contacts. Pakistan and Qatar have played important diplomatic roles in recent years, often acting as communication channels between countries that lack direct engagement. Qatar has previously hosted indirect talks involving the United States on several regional issues, while Pakistan has increasingly positioned itself as a facilitator of dialogue in South Asia and the broader Middle East.
Diplomatic experts note that mediation in international conflicts rarely involves completely neutral actors. Instead, countries are often selected because they maintain working relationships with all sides and are capable of conveying messages during periods of crisis. Nations such as Oman, Switzerland and Qatar have frequently served this role in past US-Iran engagements.
The latest allegations, however, could complicate perceptions surrounding any future diplomatic initiatives involving Islamabad and Doha. Even if governments continue to rely on their assistance, public questions over neutrality may affect confidence in the mediation process. For now, there has been no indication that Washington intends to replace existing intermediaries. At the same time, Iran has shown little sign of confirming Trump's suggestion that talks may resume in the near future. With tensions in the Middle East remaining high, the success of any future negotiations is expected to depend not only on the willingness of the United States and Iran to return to the table but also on whether both sides can agree on mediators they consider credible and effective.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from India Today.
A cargo ship was struck by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred about 37 kilometres northeast of Al Khasab, Oman, though officials did not disclose the vessel's identity, cargo, or the extent of the damage. The attack comes amid conflicting statements from the United States and Iran over diplomatic contacts. US President Donald Trump claimed talks with Tehran had resumed to ease tensions, while Iran denied holding negotiations with Washington. Iranian officials said discussions were only taking place with Oman and were focused on ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Gaza is set to hold a mass funeral for 112 Palestinians whose bodies were recently recovered from the rubble of a residential building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023. Rescue teams said many victims remain missing beneath the debris.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg
Two years after taking office as Australia's Governor-General and representative of King Charles, Sam Mostyn has expressed concern over what she describes as a widespread lack of understanding among adults about the foundations of the country's democracy, particularly its Constitution. In an interview with Guardian Australia political editor Tom McIlroy at Admiralty House in Sydney, Mostyn said improving civic education has become one of her key priorities. She argued that strengthening public knowledge of Australia's democratic institutions is essential to tackling what she called a "growing catastrophe" that threatens informed civic participation and the health of the nation's democracy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In this edition of Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro spotlights W Optics, a Singapore-based vision care specialist and optical retail chain. W Optics CEO Jonathan Wong shares the company's journey, explaining how his father, Francis Wong, founded the business and eventually entrusted him with leading its next phase of growth. Joining the discussion is senior optometrist and manager Oh Shwu Ji, who offers insights into common eye health concerns while highlighting the latest trends in eyewear design and prescription glasses.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Rescue teams in Japan have continued their search operations overnight as they race to find survivors following a powerful earthquake that struck Kyushu Island. Several people remain unaccounted for after the 7.1-magnitude quake caused buildings to collapse, with many feared trapped beneath the debris of a shopping centre. CNA Senior Correspondent Michiyo Ishida joins Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman to provide the latest updates on the rescue efforts and situation on the ground.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Andy Burnham is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as his first international guest, underscoring the UK's continued commitment to Ukraine. As Burnham unveils his agenda to address long-standing issues such as social care, Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot examine whether his proposals can deliver meaningful change.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
