Congress MLAs Rajesh Kumar and P Viswanathan are set to take ministerial oaths in the Vijay government on Thursday, marking the party’s return to the Tamil Nadu Cabinet after a 59-year absence. The development follows months of quiet negotiations between the Congress high command and the Dravidian outfit, culminating in a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming assembly session. The move signals a significant shift in state coalition politics and ends decades of Congress operating as an outside supporter rather than a governing partner. Analysts say the realignment could reshape the opposition’s strategy ahead of the 2026 national elections.
A Bhopal court on Wednesday denied a plea for a second autopsy in the Twisha Sharma death case, despite forensic experts warning that the body had begun decomposing in the mortuary where it has remained since May 13. Twisha was found dead at her matrimonial home in Katara Hills on May 12. The court’s decision drew sharp criticism from the victim’s family, who allege foul play and have demanded an independent investigation. Police maintain the initial post-mortem was conducted lawfully and that no evidence of external injury was found. The case has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for reforms in how custodial death cases are handled in the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a midterm review meeting of the NDA government on Thursday, with all Union ministers instructed to present performance assessments of their respective ministries and departments. The high-stakes session comes at a time when the ruling coalition is seeking to consolidate gains ahead of key state elections later this year. Officials say the review will focus on infrastructure spending, economic reform rollout, and welfare scheme delivery metrics. Sources indicate several ministries have been asked to justify budget allocations against measurable outcomes — a departure from previous formats that relied primarily on narrative progress reports.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a blunt warning to Iran, saying negotiations over its nuclear programme were in their “final stages” and that Tehran should accept a deal or face consequences. “Agree to a deal or face some nasty things,” Trump told reporters at the White House, without elaborating on what specific actions he would authorize. Iranian officials responded by saying they would not negotiate under pressure and reiterated that their nuclear programme was entirely peaceful. European mediators have urged both sides to return to the table, warning that a breakdown could destabilize the wider Gulf region and derail global oil markets.
Television actor Karan Kundrra reportedly proposed marriage to fellow actress Tejasswi Prakash in a private ceremony that left her emotional, according to sources close to the couple. The proposal, described as elaborate and intimate, is said to have taken place during a private dinner celebrating their second anniversary. Prakash, visibly moved, accepted the proposal, the sources said. The couple, who first met on a celebrity reality show, have been together for two years and are among the most-followed television pairs on social media. The news triggered an outpouring of fan reactions, with congratulatory messages flooding both their Instagram accounts within hours of the story breaking.