Himanta Biswa Sarma Begins Second Term as Assam Chief Minister Election Victory in Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma has been sworn in again as chief minister of Assam after a strong win for the ruling party. Bharatiya Janata Party won 82 out of 126 seats in the state assembly election. Its partners secured 20 more seats, giving the alliance a clear majority. The party has stayed in power since 2016 and continues to strengthen its position in the region. Political Journey and Rise Sarma represents the Jalukbari constituency near Guwahati, Assam’s largest city. He has held this seat since 2001. He began his political career in the Congress party and worked as a minister under former chief minister Tarun Gogoi. Later, he switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2015. His move brought several supporters with him and weakened the Congress party in Assam. His shift also helped the BJP expand quickly in the region. Role in BJP Expansion in Northeast India Sarma played a major role in building the BJP’s presence across northeast India. The party once had limited support in Assam, with a low vote share for many years. Over time, its support grew significantly and now stands much higher than before. He worked closely with local groups and helped the party form alliances in nearby states. His organizational skills made him an important figure in the party’s regional strategy. Governance and Welfare Programs During his leadership, the state government focused on infrastructure development such as roads and bridges. One of the key welfare schemes is Orunodoi, which provides financial support to women from low income families. Supporters say this program has helped many households across Assam. His administration has also focused on public services and development projects. Criticism and Political Debate Sarma’s leadership has also faced criticism. Opposition parties and rights groups accuse the government of targeting minority communities, especially Bengali speaking Muslims. Issues such as migration, identity, and citizenship remain sensitive in Assam politics. Some policies linked to religious schools and child marriage have sparked public debate. A recent AI generated video shared by the state party unit also triggered controversy before being removed.
ElectionPolitics

Himanta Biswa Sarma Begins Second Term as Assam Chief Minister

Election Victory in Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma has been sworn in again…

A Philippine senator linked to former president Duterte’s anti drug campaign seeks refuge in the Senate as an ICC arrest warrant is unsealed
News

Philippines Senator Takes Shelter in Senate as ICC Arrest Warrant Unfolds

A Philippine senator linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti drug campaign…

No sign of larger hantavirus outbreak, says UN health agency
Health

Smuggling Network Linked to Channel Crossings Exposed in Major Investigation

A recent investigation has uncovered details about a suspected smuggling network linked…

Mayor of Californian city resigns over Chinese agent charge
PoliticsUnited States

Arcadia Mayor Steps Down After Foreign Influence Allegations

Arcadia mayor Eileen Wang has resigned after US authorities charged her in…

The Yindjibarndi people in north western Australia have secured a record A$150.1 million payout after a Federal Court ruling confirmed that mining took place on their traditional land without their proper consent. The decision ends a long legal dispute with billionaire Andrew Forrest, founder of Fortescue, one of Australia’s largest mining companies. Background of the Mining Dispute Fortescue developed major iron ore mining operations in the Pilbara region. These operations began producing revenue worth tens of billions of dollars after 2013. The company operated on Yindjibarndi land with approval from government authorities and a local Aboriginal group. However, the Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation did not give consent for the mining activities. This disagreement led to a prolonged legal battle that started formally in 2017, although mining had already been underway for several years. Court Findings and Compensation Decision Federal Court Justice Stephen Burley ruled that Fortescue must pay compensation for both economic and cultural loss. The court assessed economic loss at A$150,000. It also set cultural loss compensation at A$150 million. The judgment recognised the strong spiritual and cultural connection the Yindjibarndi people maintain with their land. The court also noted the loss of access to around 250 cultural sites. The judge described cultural loss as the loss of traditional attachment to country and the loss of spiritual connection to the land. Native Title Rights and Legal Background In 2017, the court confirmed exclusive native title rights for the Yindjibarndi people over a 2,700 square kilometre area in the Pilbara region. Despite this recognition, mining activities had already expanded across the land. The absence of an agreement between the Yindjibarndi group and Fortescue became the central issue in the case. Community Reaction to the Verdict Some Yindjibarndi elders welcomed the ruling, but others expressed disappointment with the final amount. Elder Wendy Hubert said the compensation felt small compared to the enormous profits generated from the land over many years. The mining operations are expected to continue for more than a decade, with closure projected in the mid 2040s.
Marketing

Yindjibarndi People Win Record A$150 Million Native Title Compensation After Landmark Court Ruling

The Yindjibarndi people in north western Australia have secured a record A$150.1…

NEET UG Exam Cancellation Sparks Protests in India Massive exam controversy shakes medical aspirants India’s medical entrance exam, NEET UG, has been cancelled after allegations of a question paper leak surfaced soon after the test. The exam, held on 3 May, was the key entry route for medical college admissions across the country. Around 2.28 million students appeared for the test at more than 5000 centres. The sudden cancellation has triggered strong reactions from students and parents who spent months preparing for it. Allegations of paper leak and investigation Authorities began investigating reports that exam material may have been leaked before the test. Police officials in Rajasthan reported concerns over a so called guess paper that reportedly circulated before the exam. According to officials, the guess paper contained around 410 questions. Nearly 120 of those questions are believed to match the chemistry section of the actual exam. The exam had multiple sets, each containing 180 compulsory questions from physics, chemistry, and biology. The case has now been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for deeper inquiry. National Testing Agency decision The National Testing Agency stated that it cancelled the exam after reviewing evidence from the ongoing investigation. It said the decision was taken to protect the credibility of the national testing system and maintain student trust. However, the agency has not announced new exam dates yet. This has increased stress among students who are now uncertain about the admission timeline. Student and political reaction Student groups and political youth organisations began protests in Delhi following the announcement. They demanded transparency, accountability, and a clear timeline for a new exam. Many students expressed frustration after years of preparation. A student from Delhi shared that her last two years were fully focused on preparing for this exam, and the sudden cancellation has left her uncertain about her future. Growing concern among aspirants The delay has raised fears of a disrupted admission cycle for medical colleges across India. Parents and students are urging authorities to act quickly and restore confidence in the exam system.
Education

NEET UG Exam Cancellation Sparks Protests in India

Massive exam controversy shakes medical aspirants India’s medical entrance exam, NEET UG,…

Snack giant switches to black and white packaging as Iran war hits ink supplies
BusinessWar

Calbee Changes Snack Packaging Due to Middle East Supply Crisis

Japanese snack company Calbee has announced a temporary shift to black and…

A deadly Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul drug rehabilitation centre killed at least 269 Afghans. Families demand answers as calls grow for a war crime investigation.
News

Pakistan Airstrike on Kabul Rehab Centre Leaves Hundreds Dead

Pakistan Airstrike on Kabul Families in Afghanistan are demanding justice after a…

US in closely guarded talks to open new bases in Greenland
Politics

US Holds Talks to Expand Military Bases in Greenland Amid Arctic Security Concerns

The United States is holding closely guarded discussions with Denmark to expand…

US inflation jumps to 3.8% as energy costs surge from Iran war
EconomicsUnited States

US Inflation Rises to 3.8% as Iran War Pushes Energy Prices Higher

Rising Fuel and Food Costs Inflation in the United States climbed sharply…

Register Lost your password?