Tata Sons Extends Chairman N Chandrasekaran's Tenure
The Tata Trusts have approved an extension of N. Chandrasekaran's tenure as Chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company for the sprawling Tata Group. The decision signals the board's confidence in his leadership and provides strategic continuity for one of India's largest and most influential conglomerates. Chandrasekaran has been at the helm since 2017, overseeing key initiatives including the acquisition of Air India and a push into digital and electronics manufacturing.
Over 200 Killed as Fierce Clashes Erupt on Pakistan-Afghanistan Border
Intense overnight clashes between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban have resulted in at least 23 Pakistani soldiers and over 200 Taliban and affiliated TTP militants being killed. The Pakistani Army stated its troops repelled an "unprovoked attack" and conducted precision strikes on militant camps inside Afghanistan. The Taliban government in Kabul confirmed the operations, claiming its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliation for violations of its territorial integrity, marking a severe escalation in tensions between the neighbouring countries.
NDA Finalises Bihar Election Pact; BJP and JD(U) to Contest 101 Seats Each
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has finalised its seat-sharing formula for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. In a significant shift, both the BJP and the Janata Dal (United) will contest 101 seats each, marking the first time the JD(U) will not be the senior partner in the alliance. The deal allocates 29 seats to Chirag Paswan's LJP, with the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) receiving six seats each in the 243-member assembly.
India-Afghanistan Statement Angers Pakistan, Triggering Border Clashes
Tensions in the region have escalated sharply after Pakistan summoned Afghanistan's ambassador to protest a joint India-Afghanistan statement that referred to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India. The diplomatic fallout was followed by military action, with heavy gunfights erupting between Afghan Taliban and Pakistani forces at multiple locations along the border. The clashes occurred during a high-profile visit to India by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister, which aimed to strengthen ties between Kabul and New Delhi.
Canadian Foreign Minister Visits India to Reset Strained Diplomatic Ties
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand has arrived in New Delhi for high-level talks aimed at mending bilateral relations that soured dramatically over the past two years. Anand is scheduled to meet with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The visit is focused on establishing a framework for strategic cooperation on trade, energy, and security, representing a significant step towards normalizing ties after a period of deep diplomatic friction between the two nations.
China Warns US Against Tariff War Amid Dispute Over Rare Earth Minerals
China has stated it is "not afraid" of a trade war with the United States, responding to a threat by President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports. The escalating rhetoric follows China's new restrictions on the export of rare earth metals, critical components for consumer electronics and military hardware. This development threatens to end a recent truce in the trade dispute between the world's two largest economies, with significant implications for global markets and supply chains.
Stalemate Continues in Haryana IPS Officer Suicide Case as Family Demands DGP's Removal
Six days after Haryana IPS officer Y. Puran Kumar allegedly died by suicide, his family continues to refuse consent for an autopsy, creating a standoff with the government. They demand action against senior officers named in his suicide note, including Haryana DGP Shatrujeet Kapur, for alleged harassment and caste discrimination. A 31-member committee supporting the family has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the DGP's removal, intensifying pressure on the state administration to address the serious allegations.
Three Arrested in Gang Rape of Medical Student in West Bengal
Police in West Bengal's Paschim Bardhaman district have arrested three people for the alleged gang rape of a second-year medical student from Odisha. The incident occurred in Durgapur on Friday night when the student went outside her private college campus. The case has sparked outrage and drawn inter-state attention, with Odisha's Chief Minister contacting his West Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee, to demand swift and stringent action against the perpetrators.
Dalit Teenager Gang-Raped by Five Men in Lucknow
A 16-year-old Dalit student was allegedly gang-raped by five unidentified men in an orchard in Lucknow. According to police, the Class 11 student had stopped in the orchard with a male acquaintance when they were approached by the group. The men beat her acquaintance, who fled, before assaulting the girl. They then threatened her against reporting the incident. Police have formed several teams to identify and arrest the accused, who are suspected to be locals.
Gaza Ceasefire Takes Effect as Palestinians Return to Ruined Homes
A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has taken effect, allowing tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians to begin returning to heavily damaged areas in the northern Gaza Strip. The deal includes the release of remaining hostages in exchange for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. While bringing a halt to the two-year conflict, questions remain over the long-term governance of Gaza and whether Hamas will disarm as stipulated in the US plan. Scaled-up humanitarian aid is set to enter Gaza Sunday.
Senior IPS Officer's Suicide Sparks Crisis in Haryana Over Caste Harassment Allegations
Haryana is facing a crisis following the suicide of senior IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, who left a note alleging caste-based discrimination and harassment by top officials, including the state's Director General of Police. In response to growing pressure, the government has transferred the Rohtak Superintendent of Police, who was also named. Kumar's family has refused consent for a post-mortem, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused officers, escalating the standoff with the state government.
Government Launches ₹35,440 Crore Schemes to Boost Pulse Production and Agriculture
The central government has launched two major agricultural initiatives with a combined outlay of ₹35,440 crore. The 'Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission' aims to make India self-reliant in pulse production, while the 'PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana' will focus on improving farm sector growth in 100 underperforming districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launching the schemes, urged farmers to target global markets, stating the investment reflects a commitment to enhancing food security and doubling farmer incomes.
Reliance Power CFO Arrested by ED in Money Laundering Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Ashok Kumar Pal, the Chief Financial Officer of Anil Ambani's Reliance Power, in a money laundering case linked to an alleged ₹3,000 crore bank loan fraud. The arrest follows an investigation into the issuance of a fake ₹68 crore bank guarantee to a government entity. Pal is accused of playing a crucial role in the scheme, which allegedly involved diverting funds from the publicly listed company through fraudulent means.
New US Ambassador-Designate Meets Indian Leadership to Strengthen Ties
The US Ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, arrived in New Delhi for a series of high-level meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The discussions focused on bolstering the strategic partnership in key areas including defence, trade, technology, and critical minerals. The visit is seen as a significant diplomatic effort to repair recent strains in the bilateral relationship and fast-track a pending trade agreement.
North Korea Unveils New Long-Range Missile Flanked by Russian and Chinese Officials
North Korea showcased a new, powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-20, during a large military parade in Pyongyang. The event, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the ruling party, was attended by high-level delegations from China and Russia, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The public display of advanced weaponry alongside key allies signals a strengthening anti-US coalition and raises concerns about regional and global security.