Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in an extended private discussion on Monday, taking place within Putin's Aurus limousine following the SCO summit. According to PTI reports, Putin offered Modi a ride, using the opportunity to continue their one-on-one talks for nearly an hour before their scheduled formal bilateral meeting.
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Agra's famed petha industry faces an uncertain future as a Supreme Court directive orders relocation of manufacturing units within the Taj Trapezium Zone to protect the Taj Mahal from pollution. This move threatens the livelihoods of nearly 5,000 people involved in the trade, who fear the financial burden of restarting elsewhere.
In response to the US tariff hike, the government is preparing measures to protect industries and workers, focusing on employment-heavy sectors. Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur expressed confidence in achieving the fiscal deficit target, citing strong macroeconomic fundamentals, robust capex, and broad-based economic expansion reflected in the 7.8% growth in the April-June quarter.
White House trade counselor Peter Navarro ignited controversy by accusing "Brahmins" of profiting from refined Russian oil sales to the West, escalating US-India trade tensions. His remarks, following accusations of India being a "laundromat for Kremlin," sparked outrage and were deemed inflammatory.
Punjab is grappling with severe floods, the worst since 1988, impacting over 1,000 villages and damaging crops across 3 lakh acres. Rescue operations have evacuated thousands as the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers overflow due to heavy rains. Three deaths have been reported, and relief efforts are underway with multiple agencies involved in rescue and aid distribution.
Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has triggered landslides and caused the Chandigarh-Manali Highway to close, leaving cargo vehicles stranded. The Beas River's surge washed away portions of the highway, prompting evacuations in Kullu district.
Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian off-spinner, has retired from the IPL after a 16-year career, announcing his decision shortly after retiring from international cricket. His final IPL appearance was with CSK in 2025, marking a return after a decade. Ashwin's last wicket was notably that of 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whom he praised for his impressive batting skills.
Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari recounted Operation Sindoor, revealing that fewer than 50 weapons strikes by the IAF on Pakistani military targets compelled Islamabad to request a ceasefire by May 10. These precision strikes, some hitting targets untouched even in the 1971 war, demonstrated India's air dominance and strategic planning, effectively conveying a strong message while minimizing collateral damage.
Rising Yamuna floodwaters have submerged luxury farmhouses along the Noida floodplain, reviving memories of last year's devastating inundation. Caretakers are evacuating properties as the river approaches record levels, impacting over 1,000 farmhouses with lavish amenities.
Israeli forces recovered the remains of Ilan Weiss and Idan Shtivi, who were killed during the October 7th Hamas attack. Weiss was killed in Be'eri, while Shtivi was murdered near the Nova music festival after helping others. Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to continue efforts to bring all hostages, living and dead, home as Israel intensifies its Gaza offensive.
Kota continues to dominate IIT-JEE coaching in 2025, with one in four IIT entrants preparing in the Rajasthan hub, and half of the top-100 ranks linked to its institutes. An IIT Kanpur report highlights Delhi zone’s best IIT admission conversion rate at 36.78%, while Hyderabad leads in total admissions. The findings underscore Kota’s unmatched role in shaping India’s engineering toppers.