Ladakh's Buddhist women's wing is strongly opposing the Union Territory's new excise policy allowing liquor sales, fearing it will worsen social issues like drug abuse and domestic violence. They advocate for stricter drug control and warn of protests if the policy isn't reconsidered, emphasizing women's role in preserving the region's social fabric.

Flashfloods from a cloudburst in Reasi's Bathoi village on Thursday caused significant damage to homes and blocked roads with mudslides. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. This marks the fifth such event in the Jammu region recently. Authorities are providing immediate assistance to affected families, while adverse weather also led to the suspension of pilgrimages in Kishtwar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Larsen & Toubro's Armed Systems Complex in Surat, reviewing advanced defence equipment and indigenous armoured vehicles. He was briefed on 'Zorawar', India's first indigenous light battle tank designed for mountainous terrains and rapid deployment along the LAC.

NTPC is setting up flexible coal-fired thermal power units to balance intermittent renewable energy generation and ensure grid stability. These sub-critical units, designed for two-shift operation and lower minimum loads, will provide crucial balancing support as renewable energy's share grows, reinforcing India's energy transition.

A tree-based farming model by Save Soil–Cauvery Calling is transforming agriculture, boosting incomes from Rs 30,000 to Rs 2.5–3 lakh per acre. This ecological solution, accredited by UN bodies, has empowered farmers like Valluvan, enhancing soil health and crop yields. The movement aims to plant 242 crore trees, supporting hundreds of thousands of farmers with extensive training and resources.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran dismissed any loss following K. Annamalai's exit, who has launched a new political movement, the APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Ethics and Politics. Annamalai aims to foster systemic change, ending cult and dynastic politics, and encouraging technocrats. His departure follows speculation after the BJP's performance in recent elections.

Announcing his decision in Bengaluru, Reddy said he could not continue in the ministry after chief minister DK Shivakumar allegedly failed to honour an assurance made to him regarding the key portfolio. «The resignation comes at a time when Rahul Gandhi is in town. I cannot work against my conscience, so I am resigning as minister,» said Reddy.

Expelled TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee expressed confidence that support for his rebel faction will grow, claiming a significant number of MLAs are backing him. He also appealed to CM Suvendu Adhikari to take action against BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal for protesting outside a fellow rebel's residence.

Blackstone-backed AirTrunk plans a massive Rs 3 lakh crore investment in India by 2030 to boost digital infrastructure, including data centres and AI capacity. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the move, highlighting its potential to strengthen India's global position in cloud computing and AI, create jobs, and drive innovation-led growth.

Explaining the category that has been withdrawn, an official said, “The Z-plus security comprises a dedicated team of trained personnel equipped with advanced arms.” Despite the downgrade, Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi will continue to receive security support. Their present arrangements include between two and eight BSAP house guards, two bodyguards from the Patna District Force, along with a pilot vehicle and a bulletproof car.

Rahul Gandhi criticized the Great Nicobar development project, alleging it prioritizes commercial interests over the island's ecology and local communities. He highlighted concerns about tribal land rights violations, inadequate compensation for settlers, and the potential felling of 1.5 crore trees. Gandhi proposed expanding INS Baaz as a strategic alternative and advocated for sustainable tourism and conservation.

Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar has assured that there is «nothing to worry» regarding the resignation of minister Ramalinga Reddy. Reddy, a close friend and senior leader, expressed dissatisfaction with his allocated portfolio and sought a different ministerial post. Shivakumar stated he would discuss the matter with Reddy to resolve the issue.

Throughout his tenure, Annamalai distinguished himself through relentless attacks on Dravidian politics and the leaders who shaped it. His criticism was not restricted to political opponents. Even while the BJP was aligned with the AIADMK, he repeatedly targeted figures from the ally's camp, creating friction within the alliance and widening differences between the two parties.

Addressing the troubling trends in examination management, Congress MP Digvijaya Singh has requested Prime Minister Modi to issue a comprehensive white paper on the National Testing Agency's irregularities spanning eight years. Highlighting the recent NEET-UG 2026 cancellation, Singh expressed the growing anxiety among students stemming from unresolved leak issues.

The DMK has declared its departure from the INDIA bloc, citing Congress's alleged betrayal after the assembly elections. Despite this, DMK MPs will continue to support other alliance members on matters of public interest. This decision follows Congress's alliance with the TVK-led government in Tamil Nadu, which DMK officials condemned as 'backstabbing'.

India's drug regulator has mandated pharmaceutical companies to establish robust systems for tracking and reporting adverse drug reactions. This directive, stemming from Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, reinforces the critical need for post-marketing surveillance to ensure patient safety. The move aligns with a global push for real-world safety data to identify rare or delayed side effects.

Momentum towards a deal has strengthened in recent weeks. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the negotiations were nearing completion, with only a limited number of issues still unresolved. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has similarly indicated that most matters have been settled, with discussions now centred on finalising the remaining details before the first phase of the agreement is unveiled.

Responding to criticism from the BJP regarding the lack of women ministers, Shivakumar said, “Let them (BJP) wait; there are a lot of vacancies. Last time, too, there were no women in the first round. We are all there,” he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Emphasising his party’s record on women’s welfare, he added, “We have set a model in the country.”

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke is en route to India for a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Dipke cites alleged irregularities in national examinations like NEET and CUET, impacting millions of students. He plans a peaceful, lawful demonstration after arriving on June 6.

India is set to significantly expand its ethanol dispensing stations, with 500 planned by December and 5,000 by 2027, to boost flex-fuel vehicle adoption. This initiative, marked by the launch of Maruti Suzuki's WagonR flex-fuel car, aims to reduce fuel imports. The government is implementing supportive measures including pricing incentives and infrastructure development.

Cancer patients in India are facing a critical shortage of life-saving chemotherapy drugs, Cisplatin and Carboplatin, disrupting treatment schedules. Hospitals report dwindling stocks, forcing patients to scramble for supplies. Doctors warn that prolonged unavailability of these essential medicines, with limited alternatives, could negatively impact patient outcomes and survival rates.

A 42-year-old Delhi University assistant professor, Debosmita Paul, was discovered murdered in her Vasundhara Enclave apartment. Her sister found her with severe head injuries, suggesting an attack with a blunt object and possibly a sharp weapon. While robbery isn't the primary suspect, investigators are exploring her personal and professional life, including ongoing separation proceedings.

The Supreme Court has strongly criticized Gujarat police for a 20-year-old investigation delay, ordering its completion within six weeks. Justices Karol and Masih emphasized constitutional courts cannot ignore such prolonged probes, especially when a complainant faces immense difficulty. The court highlighted the seriousness of lost case records, impacting the justice system and demanding swift action.

Renowned constitutional law and parliamentary affairs expert Subhash C Kashyap passed away at 97. Kashyap, a former Lok Sabha secretary general and Padma Bhushan recipient, was a widely consulted authority on parliamentary procedures. His extensive writings on Parliament made him a significant figure in political science and law.

India and the UK have launched a Critical Minerals Global Supply Chain Observatory and signed an MoU for a Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence during UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper's visit. The two nations also reviewed progress in trade, technology, and defense, aiming to strengthen their future-oriented partnership.

The Congress party has announced seven candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge will contest from Karnataka, alongside Mansoor Ali Khan and Pawan Khera. Other nominations include Pranav Jha from Jharkhand, Praveen Chakravarty from Tamil Nadu, Meenakshi Natarajan from MP, and Neeraj Dangi from Rajasthan.

IRCTC has taken significant steps to combat ticket booking fraud by deactivating over three crore suspicious user IDs and placing another six crore under verification. To enhance food safety, the railway's catering arm has expanded its AI-based kitchen monitoring system, utilizing over 2,300 cameras to detect hygiene violations.