Times of India

A political clash erupted within the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance as Shiv Sena (UBT) threatened Rahul Gandhi over his remarks about Savarkar, with one leader vowing to blacken his face. Congress defended Gandhi, citing historical references and asserting their ability to handle such threats. The incident highlights tensions within the opposition coalition.

India will conduct civil defence mock drills in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. These drills aim to evaluate emergency response coordination and civilian evacuation plans in the event of cross-border conflicts or terror attacks. This exercise follows Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory strike on terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK after the Pahalgam attack.

Seattle Orcas CEO Hemant Dua believes cricket will carve out a space for itself in the USA. He says if Major League Cricket (MLC) along with the other stakeholders can work hand in hand, then sky is the limit for cricket's expansion in the US. In a free-wheeling interview with TimesofIndia.com, Dua spoke at length about the various issues, the challenges, the ambition, and how MLC is taking its baby steps in the USA.

Chandigarh reported its first COVID-19 fatality with a 40-year-old patient from Uttar Pradesh, referred from Ludhiana, succumbing to the infection. The patient, who had no comorbidities, was admitted with severe respiratory problems and tested positive before passing away. Health authorities are on high alert, urging citizens to adhere to preventive measures and COVID-appropriate behavior to contain the spread.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi has refuted Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's allegations of his wife's ISI connection, dismissing it as a fabricated story. Sarma claims Gogoi has ties with the Pakistani establishment and promises to reveal evidence after an investigation. Gogoi questions the timing of the accusations, while Sarma welcomes Gogoi's admission of visiting Pakistan.

The Union Cabinet has approved increased Minimum Support Prices for 14 Kharif crops for the 2025-26 season, with the highest hike for nigerseed. Paddy MSP rises to Rs 2,369 per quintal. Simultaneously, the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme continues, offering farmers affordable credit via Kisan Credit Cards with subsidized interest rates and incentives for timely repayment.

Operation Sindoor severely damaged Pakistan's air force. Indian strikes targeted radar systems and command centers. Pakistan's air defenses were overwhelmed. Key air bases faced significant damage. Communication networks were disrupted. Pakistan sought a ceasefire after the strikes. The operation demonstrated India's ability to respond decisively. The strikes caused a five-year setback for Pakistan's air capabilities.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran is actively collaborating with Iranian authorities to locate three Indian citizens reported missing after traveling to Iran. Prompted by concerns raised by the families, the embassy has urged the Iranian government for an immediate and thorough investigation to ensure the safety of the missing individuals.

Following Operation Sindoor, Abhishek Banerjee's strong stance against Pakistan resonated with the Indian diaspora in Tokyo. Shashi Tharoor criticised Trump's India-Pakistan hyphenation, but Congress missed leveraging his expertise. TMC's calibrated nationalism contrasts with Congress's approach, marked by attacks on Jaishankar. While TMC aligns with the national mood, Congress faces criticism for its messaging, potentially impacting its political narrative.

IndiGo will be the first airline to operate from the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), starting with 18 daily departures and expanding to 79 by November 2025, including international flights. The airport, owned by the Adani Group, aims to handle 20 million passengers annually in its initial phase, with future expansions planned.

Haider Ali's journey from a small Pakistani village to the UAE national cricket team is a testament to his unwavering resilience. Overcoming obstacles like working as a waiter, selling fruits during the pandemic, and surviving a near-fatal accident, he persevered to chase his cricketing dream.

In August 2024, Sheikh Hasina's premiership reached a dramatic climax as protests engulfed Dhaka. Refusing to resign despite immense pressure from military officials and even her own sister, Hasina initially resisted. Ultimately, it was her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who convinced her to step down, leading to her exile in India as the military took control.

Following a meeting with the governor, BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh claimed that 44 Manipur MLAs are prepared to form a new government, citing public sentiment. The move comes amidst ongoing ethnic tensions and President's Rule, implemented after the previous chief minister stepped down due to criticism over handling the Meitei-Kuki conflict, which has caused significant unrest and displacement.

Delta Flight 2348, en route to Madison, Wisconsin, experienced an unusual delay at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport when two pigeons infiltrated the cabin. The flight was twice delayed due to the avian intruders, requiring ground crew intervention to remove them. Passengers and crew cooperated to safely resolve the situation, resulting in a 56-minute delay.

Following Huthi's missile launches towards Israel, Israeli fighter jets struck Huthi targets at Sanaa airport in Yemen, destroying aircraft. Israel's defense minister declared this a clear message that such actions would face severe consequences. The Israeli military stated the targeted aircraft were used for terrorist activities against Israel, similar to previous strikes on Hodeida and Salif ports.

An Air India Express flight carrying 180 passengers from Singapore narrowly avoided disaster at Chennai airport on Wednesday. The Airbus aborted its landing just before touchdown due to a high descent rate and sudden crosswinds. The pilots executed a go-around, and the flight landed safely on its second attempt 30 minutes later.

The CBSE has directed all affiliated schools to implement the mother-tongue-first policy from 2025–26, aligning with NCF-2023. While this aims to enhance early learning and equity through regional language instruction, critics warn of practical hurdles in India’s linguistically diverse classrooms. The success of this reform hinges on careful execution, not just ideological appeal.

India and the US are aiming to finalize an interim trade agreement by June 25, potentially leading to a broader bilateral trade agreement before autumn. Discussions are progressing, with Indian officials recently engaging in trade talks in Washington. India seeks relief from the 26% reciprocal duty, while the US wants tariff reductions on various products.

Jairam Ramesh, a Congress leader, has targeted the Modi government. This follows claims by US Commerce Secretary Howard Luttnick. Luttnick stated that President Trump used tariffs to broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Ramesh is urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the issue. He highlights Trump's previous assertions and similar statements from US officials.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised actor Kamal Haasan for his remarks suggesting Kannada originated from Tamil, citing Haasan's ignorance of Kannada's history. BJP President BY Vijayendra also condemned Haasan, demanding an apology for disrespecting the language.