Telangana Government Orders CBI Probe into Kaleshwaram Project Irregularities
The Telangana government has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, a flagship initiative of the previous BRS government. The decision followed a heated Assembly debate on the findings of the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission report, which indicted former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and other officials. The BRS has condemned the report as politically motivated, while the government moves forward with a central investigation into the multi-crore project.
Indian NGO 'Educate Girls' Wins Prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award
Indian non-profit organization 'Educate Girls' has been awarded the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award, often called Asia's Nobel Prize. The foundation is the first Indian NGO to receive this honour. It was recognized for its extensive work in mobilizing communities and government resources to advance girls' education in India's rural and educationally underserved areas. Founded by Safeena Husain in 2007, the organization has reached over two million girls across 30,000 villages, significantly improving enrollment and retention rates.
Air India Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Delhi After Engine Fire Alert
An Indore-bound Air India flight returned to Delhi for an emergency landing on Sunday morning after a fire indication in its right engine. The A320 neo aircraft, with over 90 people on board, was airborne for more than 30 minutes before the crew shut down the engine and landed safely. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed, and the aircraft has been grounded for a thorough inspection. Passengers were transferred to an alternative flight to continue their journey.
Unseeded Indian Duo Wins Girls' Doubles Title at Junior Badminton Grand Prix
In a spirited performance, unseeded Indian teenagers Aanya Bisht and Angel Punera won the girls' doubles title at the Yonex Sunrise India Junior International Grand Prix in Pune. The duo staged an impressive comeback to defeat the fifth-seeded Japanese pair of Aoi Banno and Yuzu Ueno in a thrilling three-game final with a score of 21-23, 21-12, 21-17. Their victory marks a significant achievement for the young Indian players on the international junior circuit.
Actor Chiranjeevi Facilitates Late Mother-in-Law's Eye Donation
In a compassionate gesture, actor Chiranjeevi facilitated the eye donation of his mother-in-law, Smt. Allu Kanakaratnam, who recently passed away. During a time of personal grief for his family, the decision was made to ensure her vision could bring light to others in need. The noble act has been praised as an inspiring example of turning sorrow into service and reflects the veteran actor's long-standing commitment to humanitarian causes, particularly his advocacy for blood and eye donation.
Indian PM and Chinese President Meet Amid Trade Tensions with US
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in Tianjin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The meeting, Modi's first visit to China in seven years, is seen as crucial for stabilising economic ties and normalizing relations strained by border disputes. The discussions are set against a backdrop of new US trade tariffs affecting both nations, with leaders expected to explore ways to bolster regional economic stability in response to global volatility.
US Appeals Court Rules Trump's Global Tariffs Illegal
A US federal appeals court has ruled that most of President Donald Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" are illegal, finding he overstepped his authority by using emergency economic powers. The court affirmed that only Congress holds the power for such sweeping duties. The decision impacts numerous trading partners, including India. However, the tariffs will remain in place temporarily to allow the Trump administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court, marking a significant setback for its aggressive trade policies.
IAF Reveals Details of 'Operation Sindoor', Says Under 50 Weapons Forced Ceasefire
The Indian Air Force used fewer than 50 precision weapons to achieve "complete domination" over Pakistani military targets, compelling Islamabad to request a ceasefire by May 10, according to Vice Chief of Air Staff Narmdeshwar Tiwari. Speaking at a defence summit, he revealed that the strikes during 'Operation Sindoor' targeted key military infrastructure, including some not hit even in the 1971 war. The operation was a calibrated response to the Pahalgam terror attack, demonstrating high precision with no collateral damage.
India and Japan Deepen Strategic Ties with 10 Trillion Yen Investment Pledge
During a summit in Tokyo, India and Japan solidified their "Special Strategic and Global Partnership," with Japan pledging a 10 trillion yen (approx. ₹60,000 crores) investment in India over the next decade. The two nations signed 13 agreements, establishing a 10-year economic roadmap and frameworks for defence cooperation, supply chain resilience in sectors like semiconductors and clean energy, and a joint lunar exploration mission, Chandrayaan-5. The collaboration aims to bolster economic security and regional stability.
Rupee Breaches 88 Mark, Closes at All-Time Low Against US Dollar
The Indian rupee fell to a historic low, breaching the 88 mark for the first time to close at 88.09 against the US dollar. The sharp 51-paise decline is attributed to heightened trade tensions following the imposition of steep US tariffs on Indian goods, significant foreign fund outflows, and strong dollar demand from importers. The depreciation puts pressure on India's import-dependent sectors and could fuel inflation, impacting the broader economy and household costs.
Commerce Ministry Drafts Plan to Counter 50% US Tariffs on Indian Goods
India's Commerce Ministry is developing a multi-tiered strategy to protect exporters from new 50% US tariffs, which could affect nearly $49 billion worth of shipments. The plan includes short-term measures for liquidity relief, medium-term actions to leverage existing free trade agreements (FTAs) with partners like the EU and UAE, and a long-term goal of diversifying export markets to Latin America and Africa. The strategy aims to build supply chain resilience and reduce compliance burdens for businesses, particularly MSMEs.
Indian Economy Grows 7.8% in Q1, Fastest Pace in Five Quarters
India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.8% in the April-June quarter of the 2025-26 financial year, marking its fastest pace in five quarters. The growth, which surpassed the RBI's projections, was primarily driven by a strong performance in the agriculture sector. With this result, India maintains its position as the world's fastest-growing major economy, significantly outpacing China's 5.2% growth during the same period, according to data from the National Statistical Office.
US President Trump No Longer Plans to Visit India for Quad Summit, NYT Reports
US President Donald Trump has reportedly cancelled his plans to visit India for the upcoming Quad Summit, according to a New York Times report. The article claims the decision follows a souring of the relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The alleged friction stems from disagreements over US tariffs, differing accounts of America’s role in de-escalating the recent India-Pakistan military conflict, and Trump's reported suggestions that India should nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Opposition-Ruled States Demand 5-Year Compensation for Proposed GST Reforms
Finance ministers from eight opposition-ruled states have collectively demanded a five-year compensation package from the central government over proposed GST reforms. They estimate that consolidating the current four-tier structure into a two-tier system could cause an annual revenue loss of up to ₹2 lakh crore. The group plans to formally present its proposal, which also suggests an additional levy on sin and luxury goods to protect state finances, at the upcoming GST Council meeting.
Supreme Court Bar Association Flags 'Disproportionately Low' Number of Women Judges
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has passed a resolution expressing grave concern over the poor representation of women in the higher judiciary. The lawyers' body noted that no woman has been appointed to the Supreme Court since 2021 and that several High Courts, including Uttarakhand and Meghalaya, have no women judges. Of approximately 1,100 sanctioned High Court posts, only 103 are held by women. The SCBA has urged the Chief Justice of India and the Collegium to prioritise women's elevation.