Top 5 news of the day: AIADMK-BJP alliance; gold prices surge and more

AIADMK, BJP seal 2026 Tamil Nadu poll alliance

AIADMK and BJP have officially announced their alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. At a joint press conference on Friday, Union home minister Amit Shah confirmed that the NDA will contest under PM Modi nationally and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami in the state. Shah also dismissed reports of AIADMK placing conditions and called the alliance “permanent.” The announcement follows BJP leader K Annamalai’s decision to step down as the party’s Tamil Nadu chief. Read full story

India does not ‘negotiate at gunpoint', says Goyal amid US Tariff pause

Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said that India will not negotiate trade deals under pressure, following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries except China. Goyal emphasised that trade talks must be mutual and that India prioritises its interests in the journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047. Meanwhile, external affairs minister S Jaishankar acknowledged the complexity and urgency of current negotiations, highlighting shifting global dynamics and past challenges with both the US and EU. Read full story

'Indians deserved it': Tahawwur Rana allegedly said after 26/11 terror attack

Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the 64-year-old Canadian of Pakistani origin, has been extradited to India from the US to face trial for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people. The former Pakistan Army medical officer turned immigration consultant, Rana is accused of aiding co-conspirator David Headley by providing logistical support. He allegedly praised the attackers and suggested they receive Pakistan's highest military honour. The extradition has been hailed by Indian authorities as a significant diplomatic achievement. Read full story

Bullion rally: Gold prices surge to Rs 96,450 to all time high amid US-China trade war

Gold prices in India soared by Rs 6,250 on Friday, hitting a record high of Rs 96,450 per 10 grams in Delhi. The sharp jump was driven by strong demand from local jewellers and rising global rates amid escalating US-China trade tensions, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Reversing a four-day losing streak, gold of 99.5% purity surged to Rs 96,000 from Rs 89,750 — its highest level ever. Silver also rallied, jumping Rs 2,300 to Rs 95,500 per kg from the previous close of Rs 93,200, tracking the upbeat trend in the international market. Read full story

MS Dhoni calls his longtime teammate a 'traitor,' as he returns to capitancy

Chennai Super Kings suffered a major setback on Thursday as skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out of the IPL due to an elbow injury. The unexpected blow has brought Mahendra Singh Dhoni back at the helm, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed. Dhoni, who led CSK from 2008 to 2023 and guided the team to five IPL titles, had handed over the captaincy to Gaikwad at the start of the 2024 season. Ahead of the CSK vs KKR clash, Dhoni was spotted at the Chepauk nets, where he shared a light-hearted moment with former teammate Dwayne Bravo, now the mentor of KKR. “The traitor is here,” Dhoni quipped as Bravo approached. “Life is so unfair,” Bravo replied with a smile, before exchanging hugs and handshakes with Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja. Read full story