Shinde Seeks Fair Treatment for Shiv Sena in Maharashtra
Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra’s Deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader, met PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to address tensions with the BJP. Shinde’s frustrated because Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis keeps overturning his ministers’ decisions and launching inquiries against them. Sources say Shinde, after two failed attempts, finally secured a one-on-one with Modi and Shah. He called it a “courtesy call” but stressed equal power-sharing in the state. Shinde warned that without respect for Shiv Sena, his party might step back and offer only outside support to the BJP-led government. He also pledged unconditional support for the NDA in the upcoming vice-presidential election, praising Shah’s leadership. The talks also covered contesting local elections together, with Shinde confident of a Mahayuti alliance victory.
Uttarkashi Cloudburst Sparks Massive Rescue Efforts
In Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi, rescue teams are racing against time after a devastating cloudburst and mudslide. On Thursday, helicopters airlifted 44 people to safety from Dharali and Harsil, with 190 rescued overall. Two bodies were recovered, but dozens, including 16 from Maharashtra’s Jalgaon, remain missing. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police and State Disaster Response Force are leading efforts, battling 50-60ft debris mounds. Advanced equipment is being airlifted to speed up searches for those trapped. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is overseeing operations, but blocked roads, like the Badrinath National Highway, are slowing progress. Stranded pilgrims at Gangotri Dham are a priority, with teams working tirelessly to evacuate them. The disaster has highlighted the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather, and authorities are urging caution as rescue operations continue.
Pune-Nagpur Vande Bharat Express Gets Green Light
Great news for Maharashtra commuters: the Pune-Nagpur-Pune Vande Bharat Express has been approved and will start within a month. The Railway Board, led by Satish Kumar, gave the go-ahead after reviewing railway projects. Central Railway’s chief PRO, Swapnil Neela, said route surveys and technical checks are nearly done, with the schedule to be finalised soon. This high-speed train will ease travel for thousands moving between Pune and north-eastern Maharashtra cities like Nagpur, Akola, and Amravati. The demand for this route has been strong for over two years, and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw pushed for its approval. Pune already enjoys Vande Bharat connections to Solapur, Kolhapur, and Hubballi, but this new route promises to boost connectivity and cut travel time significantly.
Trump Eyes Putin Meeting to Tackle Ukraine War
Donald Trump announced he may meet Vladimir Putin “very soon” to discuss ending the Ukraine war. After productive talks between his envoy and Russian leaders, Trump spoke with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders like NATO’s Mark Rutte. He’s pushing for peace, boasting he could resolve the conflict quickly. However, a senior US official warned that new sanctions on Russia’s trade partners, like China, are imminent if progress stalls. Russia’s ongoing attacks and Ukraine’s call for a ceasefire keep tensions high. Trump’s also flexing military muscle, moving nuclear submarines after online spats with Russian figures. The Kremlin called tariff threats “illegitimate,” while Trump awaits Moscow’s next moves. With thousands dead and millions displaced, the stakes are huge, and Trump’s diplomacy could reshape the conflict’s future.
United Airlines Outage Grounds Flights Nationwide
A system-wide outage at United Airlines caused chaos across US airports on Wednesday, with planes grounded and passengers stuck. Reports peaked at 8 p.m. EDT, with delays hitting hubs like Houston, Denver, and Dulles. One passenger tweeted about being stranded on the tarmac in New Orleans, citing missing flight data. Another described a five-hour wait in Houston with no departure in sight. United acknowledged the issue online, promising a fix but offering no timeline or cause. Frustrated travellers vented on social media, some left with no option but to disembark. The outage exposed vulnerabilities in airline systems, leaving thousands inconvenienced. United urged patience and offered support via direct messages, but with no clear resolution, passengers are left wondering when normal operations will resume.
US Government Gets ChatGPT Enterprise for a Dollar
In a surprising move, OpenAI is giving the US government a year of ChatGPT Enterprise for just $1. Federal workers in the executive branch will use this business-focused AI to streamline tasks, from healthcare access to cybersecurity. OpenAI assures no government data will train its models, ensuring privacy. This follows a $200 million Pentagon contract to integrate AI into military operations. OpenAI’s also pushing its “OpenAI for Countries” initiative, part of Trump’s $500 billion Stargate project, to help nations build AI infrastructure. However, competition from China’s DeepSeek, which offers cheaper AI models, is rattling Silicon Valley. This deal aims to embed OpenAI’s tech in US systems, boosting efficiency and national security while countering global rivals. It’s a bold step in the AI race, with big implications for governance.
