The Supreme Court criticized the Enforcement Directorate regarding Tasmac raids. The court stated that the ED is exceeding its boundaries. It stayed proceedings after the ED raid on the state-run liquor retailer. The court questioned the ED's authority to raid Tasmac, citing federal principles. The ED has been given two weeks to respond. The case involves alleged financial misconduct.
Prime Minister Modi, addressing a rally in Rajasthan, asserted India's firm stance on national security and counterterrorism, highlighting the recent Operation Sindoor where armed forces destroyed terrorist bases within 22 minutes. He ruled out dialogue and trade with Pakistan, focusing solely on reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Modi warned against continued terror exports, threatening to block water flow and dismissing nuclear threats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first public address since Operation Sindoor in Bikaner, articulated a robust three-point doctrine guiding India's counter-terrorism strategy. He asserted that any terrorist attack would be met with a decisive response, determined by Indian forces. Modi dismissed nuclear threats and emphasised holding states accountable for supporting terrorism, ending the distinction between state and non-state actors.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to promptly carry out relief work in districts affected by storms and hailstorms, ensuring immediate aid for victims and assessing crop damage. While reviewing the Covid-19 situation, he emphasized vigilance due to the JN.1 subvariant's global spread, ordering heightened alert levels in medical facilities and preparations for seasonal diseases.
Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India-Pakistan relations have deteriorated significantly. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, leading Pakistan to put the Simla Agreement on hold. Operation Sindoor, a decisive military response, targeted terror infrastructure inside Pakistan, followed by Indian airstrikes on Pakistani airbases.
Congress leader Pawan Khera has criticized Prime Minister Modi's silence regarding President Trump's repeated claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan. Trump asserted he used trade negotiations to halt 'Operation Sindoor,' a claim India refutes.
Mumbai experienced over 60 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, causing significant disruption. A viral video showed garbage-filled, waterlogged streets in areas like SakiNaka, sparking outrage over waste management. Social media users criticized authorities for inadequate drainage. The IMD forecasts continued rains, with high and low tides expected. Moderate rainfall was recorded across the city and suburbs.
India's UN mission hosted an International Tea Day event, emphasising tea's role in economic empowerment and sustainable development. Ambassador Harish highlighted the industry's support for millions of livelihoods, particularly for women in rural India. Discussions addressed challenges like climate change impacting small-scale farmers, with calls for innovation and climate-smart practices to ensure the industry's future.
Banu Mushtaq, a longtime women’s rights advocate and Kannada writer, won the 2025 International Booker Prize for Heartlamp, a collection of short stories drawn from decades of listening to the silences and struggles of Indian women. In this conversation with TOI’s Jaya Bhattacharji Rose, she shares why she writes, how pain becomes protest, and what her win means for voices from the margins
The Delhi high court has dismissed an order to prosecute a husband under Section 377 for «unnatural» sex with his wife, citing the marital rape exception and contradictions in the wife's statements. The court emphasized that Section 377 doesn't apply to non-penile-vaginal intercourse within marriage, especially without explicit lack of consent.
The Madras high court has temporarily halted a provision allowing the Tamil Nadu government to appoint vice chancellors in state universities, despite the government's opposition. This stay stems from a petition arguing the amendments conflict with UGC regulations and the constitutional distribution of powers.
Delhi-NCR experienced a sudden weather change on Wednesday evening. A severe hailstorm with heavy rainfall hit the region. Strong winds and dust affected visibility in the capital. The weather department reported wind speeds of 60-70 kmph. A cyclonic circulation over Haryana is influencing the weather. This followed intense heat, with the heat index reaching 50.
Delhi experienced a powerful thunderstorm with wind speeds reaching 60–70 km/h, causing traffic disruptions and flight delays. The storm, triggered by a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and nearby areas, followed a day of extreme heat where the heat index soared to 50.2°C.
Pakistan and China agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan. India consistently opposed this move due to construction in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This trilateral meeting occurred after Operation Sindoor. New Delhi raised concerns over terror infrastructure funded by Pakistan. Afghanistan's inclusion raises concerns for India, given existing border issues with China and Pakistan.
India has vehemently denied Pakistan's accusations of involvement in the deadly suicide bombing that targeted a school bus in Balochistan's Khuzdar district. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack, expressing condolences while dismissing Pakistan's claims as a diversion from its own internal issues and reputation as a hub of terrorism.
Alka Lamba, All India Mahila Congress chief, pledged Rs 2,500 monthly for deprived women in Bihar if the Mahagathbandhan wins, backing Tejashwi Yadav's 'Mai Behan Maan' scheme. Lamba criticized the NDA for neglecting women's welfare, promising immediate implementation post-election, similar to Congress initiatives in other states. BJP countered, accusing the alliance of misleading voters.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh accused BJP of exploiting the Murshidabad violence for political gain, contrasting it with BJP's alleged failure to prevent the Pahalgam terror attack. He praised Mamata Banerjee's government for its swift response to the Murshidabad unrest, including arrests and compensation.
India achieved a significant victory against left-wing extremism with the killing of top Maoist leader Basavaraju in Chhattisgarh. Simultaneously, tensions escalated between India and Pakistan following a school bus bombing in Balochistan, while the ED's money laundering case against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi gained momentum with daily court hearings scheduled.
The Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking an FIR against Justice Yashwant Varma after the discovery of burnt cash at his residence. The court noted that the CJI had already forwarded the in-house inquiry report and the judge's response to the President and Prime Minister. The petitioners were directed to seek redressal from appropriate authorities before approaching the court again.
India's Asiatic lion population has seen a significant increase, rising to 891, according to the latest census. This growth, from 674 in 2020, highlights the success of conservation efforts in Gujarat's Gir wildlife sanctuary. Despite the positive trend, experts caution about the genetic risks associated with a single isolated population.
Kolkata police are investigating the appearance of at least ten drone-like objects in the city's night sky. The objects were sighted over areas including Hastings, Vidyasagar Setu, and Maidan on Monday night, raising concerns about potential espionage. The central government has requested a report from the West Bengal government regarding the incident.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar affirmed that terrorists themselves validated 'Operation Sindoor,' highlighting India's decisive military action against terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba following the Pahalgam killings. The operation targeted terror facilities across Pakistan, sending a strong message that terrorism would be punished, as confirmed by the terrorists' own acknowledgment of losses.
India addressed the UNSC, emphasising maritime security and counterterrorism as vital to its interests. Parvathaneni Harish highlighted India's proactive role in safeguarding maritime interests, combating piracy by deploying naval ships, conducting operations, and saving lives. India is actively enhancing maritime capabilities and strategic planning amid threats like piracy and China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean.
A suicide car bombing in Pakistan's Balochistan province tragically killed at least four children and injured 38 others as it targeted a school bus. The attack, occurring in the Khuzdar district, is suspected to be the work of Baloch separatists, with the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) being a primary suspect.