Times of India

The Centre defended the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 in the Supreme Court, asserting its secular nature and dismissing claims of religious interference. The government highlighted that mandatory registration of waqf properties, a key point of contention, has existed for a century.

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.

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.

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.

Jammu and Kashmir administration demolished the houses of three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. The houses belonged to Adil Hussain Thoker, Asif Sheikh, and Ahsan Sheikh. Authorities ensured no family members were inside during the demolitions. This action aims to deter local terrorism and support for terror. The administration warns of further consequences for those who join terror ranks.

A Delhi court has deferred issuing notices to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald money-laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought the court's directive to hear the accused before cognizance of the chargesheet, citing new legal provisions. However, the court has directed the ED to rectify missing documents in the chargesheet before proceeding further.

India is intensifying diplomatic pressure on Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, seeking international support to address cross-border terrorism. Numerous nations, including the US, Denmark, and the Netherlands, have expressed solidarity with India. External affairs minister Jaishankar briefed his Saudi Arabian counterpart on the attack's links to Pakistan, a crucial diplomatic move.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed state Chief Ministers to enforce the immediate revocation of various visa categories for Pakistani citizens, excluding long-term, diplomatic, and official visas. CMs are tasked with identifying and ensuring the departure of affected individuals by specific deadlines in late April. Stricter actions are to be taken against those who overstay, including detention and deportation.

India is set to implement its decision regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. Amit Shah chaired a meeting to finalize the implementation roadmap. The plan includes desilting rivers and dams as an immediate step. India aims to create additional water storage and speed up hydro-power projects. The goal is to maximize the use of western rivers' water within India.

India has suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately, and revoked most existing visas following the Pahalgam attack. Exceptions include diplomatic, official, and long-term visas. Pakistani citizens holding other visa types must leave India by specific deadlines in late April, or face legal action under the new Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025.

Following the Pahalgam attack, a grim discovery was made: the trousers of approximately 20 male victims were unzipped or pulled down. Officials believe this indicates terrorists attempted to ascertain the victims' faith before their execution.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, US President Trump acknowledged the long-standing India-Pakistan tensions, expressing hope for resolution. India responded with diplomatic measures, including suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme and halting Indus Waters Treaty participation. These actions followed the deadly strike where 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen were killed, escalating already strained relations between the two nations.

The Trump administration has seemingly reversed its controversial SEVIS termination policy, reactivating records for numerous international students across the U.S., even those not involved in lawsuits. This shift follows widespread criticism and legal challenges to the abrupt terminations, which were often based on questionable NCIC data.

Usha Vance, an Indian-American, is gaining prominence alongside her husband, US Vice President JD Vance. While Usha navigates political life, her sister, Shreya Chilukuri, excels in engineering. A Duke University graduate, Shreya contributed to missile development at Raytheon and now works at ASML, a leading semiconductor company.

Sourav Ganguly has firmly advocated for severing relations with Pakistan following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in 26 fatalities. He emphasised that terrorism should not be tolerated and strict measures are essential. The BCCI has condemned the attack, observing a minute's silence and wearing black armbands during an IPL match as a mark of respect.

A senior Russian general, Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed in a car bombing in Balashikha, a Moscow suburb. The incident occurred on the same day a US envoy met with Vladimir Putin, raising suspicions of Ukrainian involvement. Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation, with a foreign ministry spokeswoman accusing Kyiv of escalating attacks and attempting to disrupt ceasefire talks.

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.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's dominant bowling performance against Chennai Super Kings was overshadowed by co-owner Kavya Maran's expressive reaction to a dropped catch. Harshal Patel's dropped catch of Ravindra Jadeja sparked Maran's visible frustration, quickly going viral. Despite the let-off, Patel rebounded with a four-wicket haul, showcasing the emotional highs and lows of the game.

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.