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- Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan has withdrawn from the Falta re-poll after the Election Commission scrapped the original vote over alleged large-scale electoral irregularities, intensifying the political battle in West Bengal.
- The Supreme Court has refused to alter its stray dog management order and directed states to strengthen sterilisation and public safety measures amid rising dog bite incidents.
- The investigation into model-actor Twisha Sharma’s death has deepened after a court rejected her husband’s anticipatory bail plea and police announced a reward for information leading to his arrest.
- The foreign ministry has defended the country’s democratic and media institutions after questions on press freedom were raised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway.
- The World Health Organization has warned of a worsening Ebola outbreak after deaths crossed 130, with health authorities racing to contain the spread of infections.
Here are top 5 stories of the day
Jahangir Khan exits Falta re-poll race as BJP-TMC clash intensifies
Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan withdrew from the Falta re-election just days before polling, after the Election Commission cancelled the earlier vote over alleged electoral malpractice. The BJP and TMC traded accusations over intimidation, arrests and democratic violations as the political confrontation in the constituency escalated ahead of the May 21 re-poll. Read full story
Supreme Court refuses to dilute stray dog management order
The Supreme Court has declined to reconsider its earlier order on stray dog relocation and sterilisation while directing states and civic authorities to improve infrastructure and enforcement. The court also permitted euthanasia of rabid or dangerously ill stray dogs under legal and veterinary supervision, citing growing threats to public safety. Read full story
Twisha Sharma death probe intensifies after bail plea rejected
A court in Bhopal has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of lawyer Samarth Singh, husband of model-actor Twisha Sharma, who died under suspicious circumstances earlier this month. Police have launched a wider investigation into allegations of dowry harassment, forensic lapses and abetment to suicide as conflicting claims emerge from both families. Read full story
MEA pushes back after Norway press freedom questions
India’s ministry of external affairs has strongly defended the country’s democratic and media institutions after questions were raised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Norway visit. Officials criticised international assessments of press freedom record, arguing that many observers fail to understand the scale and complexity of the country’s media landscape. Read full story
WHO raises alarm over growing Ebola outbreak
The World Health Organization has reported more than 130 deaths linked to the latest Ebola outbreak, with hundreds of suspected infections under investigation. Health officials say the outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain and have urged affected countries to strengthen emergency response systems and community outreach. Read full story
