The Waqf Amendment Bill, which was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha, sparked a heated debate in the Rajya Sabha today. While BJP MP JP Nadda defended PM Modi's welfare for all principle, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay attacked the BJP for ignoring the interests of Muslims. Union Minister Giriraj Singh also joined in, accusing the Congress of crossing the limits of appeasement by giving away 123 properties to Waqf in Lutyens' Delhi overnight in 2013. The debate highlights the deep division and polarizing views over the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act in Uttar Pradesh, the state with the highest number of Waqf properties in the country.
GB News journalist Nana Akua and royal fans are calling for King Charles to follow in Prince Andrew's footsteps and strip Prince Harry and Meghan Markle of their royal titles. This comes after the Duke of York voluntarily gave up his titles in light of the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Nana Akua ridiculed Meghan Markle's business ventures and urged the King to take away her Duchess of Sussex title in order to prevent her from setting foot in the UK again.
During a speech for Deepotsav 2025 celebrations in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticized the opposition for denying Lord Ram's existence and obstructing the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple movement. He specifically called out the Congress for submitting an affidavit to the Supreme Court calling Lord Ram a myth and accused the Samajwadi Party of firing bullets at Ram devotees. Adityanath also emphasized the determination and resilience of the movement, which began in 1949 with the resolution "Ram Lalla Hum aayenge, Mandir wahin banayenge" and continues to this day.
Activists and advocacy groups staged massive demonstrations across the country in response to what they see as President Trump's abuse of power. With signs protesting policies such as mass deportations and the federal government shutdown, protestors showed a fierce love for their country. Though there were no reports of violence or arrests, Republicans labeled the demonstrations as "hate America" rallies. Organizers estimate that nearly 7 million people participated in over 2,700 cities and towns throughout the U.S., making it one of the largest reported one-day protests in American history.
With the 2025 Assembly Elections in Bihar on the horizon, the state's Araria constituency is gearing up for an intense revision of its electoral roll. This decision by the Election Commission aims to ensure that all eligible citizens are registered to vote in the upcoming elections. In the last election, the Congress emerged victorious in the constituency, but with no candidates declared yet, all eyes are on the official schedule for the 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Andhra Pradesh marked Dhanvantari Jayanti with a colorful rally and speeches highlighting social inclusion, cultural heritage, and development. Leading state and district leaders, including BJP State president PVN Madhav, addressed the gathering and emphasized the party's commitment to equal respect for all religions and welfare initiatives for marginalized groups. At another event, Telangana BJP president Ramachandra Rao endorsed a proposed reservation for backward classes in Telangana and criticized the Congress and other parties for corruption while touting BJP's claim of clean governance.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while flagging off the first batch of BrahMos missiles in Lucknow, warned Pakistan that their entire territory is now within range of India's powerful missiles. Singh also highlighted the success of Operation Sindoor, stating that it was just a glimpse of India's growing capabilities. The minister emphasized that BrahMos serves as a symbol of India's strategic confidence and is a key pillar of the country's defence forces.
Crowds gathered in various cities across the US and overseas today for the No Kings rallies, organized to protest against President Trump's administration and to defend First Amendment rights. From Los Angeles and New York to Chicago, Washington D.C, and Austin, Texas, protesters marched and chanted, carrying homemade signs with messages such as "We want all of the government to work" and "Make America Good Again." Despite the festive atmosphere, the message was serious as speakers called for the protection of Constitutional rights, which they feel are being threatened by the current administration.
After issuing directions earlier this year to expedite the disposal of execution petitions, the Supreme Court has expressed disappointment over the fact that more than 8.8 lakh such petitions are still pending across the country. Despite disposing of 3.38 lakh petitions since March, the Court notes that the backlog is still concerning. It warns that delay in executing decrees could result in travesty of justice and directs the Karnataka High Court to provide an explanation for not submitting data on pending cases.
With election results just around the corner, the Union Home Minister has reiterated the BJP's respect for its alliance partners. The decision on forming a government in light of the election outcome will be based on the results and mutually agreed upon by all parties involved. Stay updated with News24 for the latest developments in the political sphere.
In a surprise move, President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of former U.S. Representative George Santos, who was serving a seven-year prison term for fraud and identity theft. Santos, a New York Republican, admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people, including family members, to fund his campaign. The decision was announced by Trump on social media, spurring strong reactions from both supporters and critics.