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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Samajwadi Party Claims Akhilesh Yadav's Facebook Account Suspended
The Samajwadi Party (SP) has claimed that the official Facebook account of its president, Akhilesh Yadav, has been suspended. The party condemned the move, which affects a page with over 8 million followers, as an "attack on democracy" and an attempt by the BJP government to suppress opposition voices. The account was a primary platform for the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to communicate with supporters and critique government policies. Meta, Facebook's parent company, has not yet issued a statement.
Diane Keaton, Oscar-Winning Star of 'Annie Hall', Dies at 79
Diane Keaton, the beloved Oscar-winning actress whose quirky charm and versatile talent defined a generation of cinema, has died at 79. Known for iconic roles in films like "Annie Hall," "The Godfather," and "Something's Gotta Give," Keaton was a singular force in Hollywood, celebrated for her distinctive acting and androgynous fashion sense. Her death was met with an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and admirers, who remembered her as a brilliant, original, and deeply influential artist.
India Deepens Taliban Engagement Amid Outrage Over Exclusion of Women Journalists
India announced it will upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy following talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and visiting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. However, the diplomatic engagement was overshadowed by widespread outrage after women journalists were barred from attending Muttaqi's press conference at the Afghan embassy in Delhi. Opposition leaders and media figures condemned the move, while the Ministry of External Affairs denied any involvement in organizing the press event.
India Issues First Legally Binding Emission Targets for Heavy Industries
The Indian government has notified its first legally binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 282 industrial units in carbon-intensive sectors like aluminium, cement, and paper. Under the new rules, these facilities must lower their emission intensity from a 2023-24 baseline over a compliance period starting in 2025-26. The move operationalizes a domestic carbon market where compliant companies can earn tradable credits, while non-compliant ones face penalties, aligning India with its Paris Agreement goals.
Venezuelan Opposition Leader Wins Nobel Peace Prize, Drawing US Rebuke
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado for her long struggle for democracy against the country's authoritarian government. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised her as a unifying figure who has inspired millions despite facing threats and being forced into hiding. The decision drew sharp criticism from the White House, which had advocated for US President Donald Trump, with a spokesperson stating the committee "proved they place politics over peace."