A World Bank report reveals India's significant progress in poverty reduction, with extreme poverty plummeting from 16.2% in 2011-12 to 2.3% in 2022-23, lifting 171 million people out of extreme poverty. The rural-urban gap has narrowed, and India has transitioned into the lower-middle-income category.

Following the murder of restaurant worker Gulfam Ali in Agra, Manoj Chaudhary, claiming affiliation with 'Kshatriya Gau Raksha Dal,' asserted responsibility, citing it as retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. He threatened further violence in a widely circulated video. However, Agra police dismissed the claims, labeling it a publicity stunt, and attributed the crime to a prior dispute over food quality.

Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Iran has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister also engaged with both nations amid fears of military escalation. India has vowed strong action against the perpetrators, while Pakistan has warned against further escalatory steps, raising concerns about regional stability.

The Supreme Court has mandated a fresh investigation into the 2022 death of Ziaul Rahman, overturning previous court orders that applied a lesser charge. Citing the autopsy report detailing 14 injuries, the SC has directed that murder charges be framed. The court has given Uttar Pradesh six weeks to complete the trial and appoint a special prosecutor.

The Union government informed the Supreme Court that a 2013 amendment to the Waqf Act, which removed the bar on enforcing rights over unregistered waqfs, led to a significant increase in Waqf Board properties nationwide. Properties surged from 2,07,394 to 8,72,870, and the area expanded from 18.

Ahead of Mamata Banerjee's visit to Murshidabad and Jangipur, the West Bengal government has transferred the police superintendents of both districts. Ananda Roy, involved in the Murshidabad violence SIT, is moved to West Midnapore, while Surya Kumar Yadav, part of the probe team, is transferred to Cooch Behar.

A National Commission for Women committee found that communal violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad had a devastating impact on women and girls, highlighting a complete breakdown of governance. The state government failed to act despite prior intelligence, appearing as a mute spectator. Hindus have lost faith in the state police, demanding BSF or CRPF camps for safety.

Sudeep Neupane, a 27-year-old Nepali citizen, was tragically killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. Mistaken for an Indian Hindu, he was shot before he could clarify his nationality. His body was repatriated to his hometown in Butwal, Nepal, after a journey across India.

Jharkhand minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu faced criticism for demanding Himachal Pradesh CM's resignation following the Pahalgam terror attack. Sonu claimed his remark was sarcastic, intended to highlight the Centre's silence on security issues. BJP leaders condemned his statement as irresponsible, with Babulal Marandi accusing him of bringing shame to the state.

A tragic incident occurred in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. A rice mill's dryer exploded, resulting in five fatalities. Three workers sustained serious injuries. The explosion happened around 7 am in Gulam Alipura area. Local residents assisted in evacuating the injured. The deceased include individuals from UP and Bihar. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the unfortunate event.

India is set to finalize a significant Rs 63,887 crore deal with France on Monday for 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets, primarily for the INS Vikrant. The agreement, encompassing 22 single-seat and four twin-seat Rafale-M jets, includes weapons, training, and maintenance support.

Jharkhand's minister Sudivya Kumar stirred controversy by demanding Himachal CM's resignation following the Pahalgam terror attack. Later when he tried to clarify his remarks, he ended up taking the name of PDP chief Mahbooba Mufti instead of Omar Abdullah who is the chief minister of J&K.

Following the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Hindus, the US has strongly supported India in hunting down the Islamist terrorists responsible. US officials, including Intelligence czar Tulsi Gabbard and President Trump, have pledged full support to India, signaling a departure from previous administrations' cautious approach.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone by conducting a scramjet combustor ground test for over 1,000 seconds at its Hyderabad facility. This successful test validates the design for long-duration scramjet combustors, paving the way for full-scale flight testing. This advancement is crucial for India's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme, enabling high-speed, long-duration flight capabilities.

Uttarakhand's Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, initiated the Rishikesh Ganga Corridor Project's first phase, including an Iconic City Rishikesh Rafting Base Station, backed by a Rs 100 crore grant. He also laid the foundation for a ₹136 crore multi-story parking and office complex to ease traffic.

«Like India has suspended the Indus water treaty, Pakistan has also threatened to suspend the Simla Agreement. I will say that this is a good thing because it also ends the existence of the Line of Control (LoC). This means that India is not obligated to respect the LoC. Ye karke Pakistan apne gale main rassa dalega (This is suicide for Pakistan). This also makes India free to cross the LoC,» Dhillon told ANI.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar asserted that terrorism is a global menace demanding unified action, emphasizing the paramount importance of national interest. He highlighted that national interests should supersede partisan, political, or personal agendas, echoing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's sentiment.

Following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Rahul Gandhi met with Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah and visited victims in Srinagar, emphasizing the need for national unity against divisive forces. He assured full support from the Congress party to both state and central governments. Gandhi also attended an all-party meeting, condemning the attack and backing government measures against terrorism.

When 26 people were methodically executed in Kashmir’s Pahalgam valley — identified by name, religion, and in some cases, their inability to recite Islamic prayers — the global media did what it does best: looked away, chose its words carefully, and reached for the comforting vocabulary of denial. Not terrorism. Not jihad. Just “gunmen,” “militants,” and the ever-useful “tensions.” Because in the moral economy of modern newsrooms, the value of a life — and the weight of a headline — depends on who the victims are, and who the killers pray to.

Gauhati High Court received a bomb threat via email from an unknown organization named 'Madras Tigers,' prompting Assam Police to launch a search operation. Experts are thoroughly checking the premises, though officials suspect it may be a hoax. Despite the threat, the court's functioning has not been disrupted, and judges are proceeding with scheduled cases.

In a rare display of camaraderie, Saudi fighter jets escorted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aircraft as it entered Saudi airspace en route to Jeddah, underscoring the robust ties between India and Saudi Arabia.

As PM Modi visits Saudi Arabia, Congress recalls Nehru's 1956 trip, highlighting evolving India-Saudi ties. Modi's visit, his third to the kingdom, underscores the strategic depth and momentum in bilateral relations, focusing on defense, trade, and energy. He will also address regional issues and engage with the Indian diaspora, emphasizing their role as a bridge between the two nations.

In Uttarakhand's remote regions, Pragya Dixit is spearheading a transformative movement through the Pragya Foundation, established in January 2024. Beginning with sanitary pad distribution in 2020, her initiative has expanded to empower women and promote sustainable menstrual waste disposal.

On the occasion of World Heritage day, manuscripts of Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni's Natyashastra have been inscribed in Unesco’s Memory of the World Register. This is a global honour as India now lists 14 inscriptions on this internationally acknowleged list.

The Allahabad High Court granted bail to Arun Kumar Mishra, accused of rape, raising concerns about failed relationships leading to criminal charges. Justice Krishan Pahal noted the consensual nature of the relationship and the delayed FIR filing. The court highlighted a societal trend of transient relationships and cautioned against misusing penal laws amid emotional fallout.

BJP leader Amit Malviya has challenged Mamata Banerjee's claims regarding the Murshidabad communal violence, citing police reports that contradict her narrative of «outsiders» being responsible. Malviya alleges that the violence, which resulted in three deaths and numerous arrests, was instigated by local youths, as indicated by intelligence inputs and police findings.