As India marks the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Emergency by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, experts continue to contemplate the reasons behind this unprecedented move that shook the foundation of the country's democracy. Economic turmoil, student uprisings, and hold on power are considered key factors in the imposition of this period of authoritarian rule that remains a pivotal moment in Indian politics.
Scripps News interviews Interior Secretary Doug Burgum about the proposed budget reconciliation bill and its potential impact on National Parks and federal lands. Burgum discusses the controversial provision that would facilitate the sale of public lands and his agnostic stance on it. The Senate Parliamentarian has deemed the provision as "extraneous" and it is unlikely to pass with only 54 Republican seats in the Senate. The interview also touches on signs with QR codes posted at national parks and Burgum's unawareness of them.
In the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav remains the top choice for Chief Minister among voters, despite a slight dip in his ratings according to the latest CVoter survey. The Election Commission's new rule requiring post-2003 voters to prove citizenship is also in the spotlight. Stay tuned for more updates on the key players and developments in the heated political race in Bihar.
As India marks the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency declared by then-prime minister Indira Gandhi, the occasion has become more of a political battleground for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress Party. While the BJP uses the event to vilify the Congress, the opposition points to the current state of affairs in India as evidence of government overreach and suppression of dissent. Yet, with the selective amnesia of politicians, the true lessons and implications of the Emergency seem to have been lost. Instances of arbitrary arrests and continued incarceration without trial or bail have raised questions about whether India has truly learned from the events of the past.
The fourth annual Inspiring Success Youth Conference brought together over 200 Grade 8 students from different school divisions in Red Deer to learn from and connect with Indigenous leaders. With a focus on fostering youth-Elder connections, the event featured sessions led by Elders and a keynote speech by Kendra Jessie, Nike N7 athlete and founder of Sport for Spirit. The event aimed to inspire students to dream big and get excited about their futures by providing opportunities to engage with their culture and explore post-secondary education options. Organizers from different school jurisdictions and the community worked together to support the event, aligning with the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Democratic Party faces a divide as Zohran Mamdani, a self-described Democratic Socialist, wins the party's primary for New York City's mayoral election. Mamdani's victory raises questions about whether the party should embrace progressive ideals or appeal to moderate voters. The outcome also highlights the push for new, younger leaders to take the reins of the Democratic Party, as evidenced by Mamdani's win over significantly older incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo. While some Democratic leaders have praised Mamdani's win, there are concerns from moderate members of Congress about his progressivism.
Former Fox News anchor and current defense secretary Pete Hegseth and Fox's chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin engaged in a heated exchange during a Pentagon news conference over Griffin's reporting on the U.S. bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities. Hegseth criticized Griffin, saying she intentionally misrepresents the president's statements, while Fox analyst Brit Hume defended Griffin's professionalism and experience. The attack on Griffin highlights the fluctuating relationship between Fox News and President Donald Trump, with Hume also criticizing other news organizations for reporting on a negative initial assessment by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency.
Punjab police have arrested a man from Tarn Taran for sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's ISI during Operation Sindoor. According to investigations, the accused was in contact with Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter, Gopal Singh Chawla, and had been receiving payments from Pakistani Intelligence Operatives via Indian channels. With the recovery of a mobile phone containing intelligence shared with over 20 ISI contacts, authorities are conducting comprehensive investigations to uncover the full extent of the espionage network and its potential threat to national security.
Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia declared that attacking RSS will make the nationalist force stronger, citing recent election results as proof. Comments from state Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, who accused RSS of creating communal tension in the state, were criticized by Saikia. He also took a dig at Gogoi for not understanding the true work of RSS and claimed that his criticism only makes BJP more active.
A UDC in the Indian Navy has been arrested for passing on classified information to a female Pakistani handler, who posed as an Indian woman on social media. The information included details of Indian retaliatory strikes in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam. The accused has confessed to receiving a total of Rs 2 lakh for the information, some of which was also paid in cryptocurrency. The case will be jointly investigated by multiple agencies.
The intelligence wing of the Rajasthan police has apprehended Vishal Yadav, an employee at the Indian Navy's headquarters, on charges of spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Yadav, a resident of Haryana, was accused of passing sensitive information about the Indian naval forces and other defence units to a female handler in Pakistan, in return for financial compensation. His arrest comes amidst heightened surveillance and investigations into espionage activities following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.