India Enhances Strategic Mobility with Agni-Prime Missile Rail-Based Test
India has successfully test-fired its next-generation Agni-Prime ballistic missile from a rail-based mobile launcher for the first time. The missile, with a range of up to 2,000 km, can now be transported across the country's rail network, significantly enhancing strategic mobility and reducing reaction time. This development marks a key advancement in the country's nuclear deterrent capabilities, allowing for greater operational flexibility and survivability of its strategic assets.
White House Directs Agencies to Draft Mass Firing Plans for Shutdown
In an escalation of a potential US government shutdown, the White House Office of Management and Budget has instructed federal agencies to prepare for mass firings, not just temporary furloughs. The memo directs agencies to plan for a 'reduction in force' for programs whose funding would lapse. This aggressive tactic raises the stakes in the ongoing budget standoff in Washington, marking a significant departure from how previous shutdowns have been handled and creating deep uncertainty for the federal workforce.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to Prison
A Paris court has sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison after finding him guilty of criminal association related to illegal campaign financing by Libya for his successful 2007 presidential bid. In a surprising move, the court ordered that he be incarcerated even if he appeals the verdict. The conviction of a former head of state from a major Western power marks a significant moment in French politics and law, despite Sarkozy being cleared of several other charges.
US Sanctions Two Indians, Pharmacy for Trafficking Fentanyl Pills
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned two Indian nationals, Sadiq Abbas Habib Sayyed and Khizar Mohammad Iqbal Shaikh, along with Shaikh's India-based online pharmacy, for supplying counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl to the United States. The action freezes their U.S. assets and prohibits business dealings with them. U.S. authorities stated the network distributed hundreds of thousands of fake pills, highlighting a growing concern over India-based operations in the global illicit drug trade.
Karnataka High Court Allows Caste Survey with Conditions
The Karnataka High Court has refused to halt the state's ongoing Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as a caste survey. However, the court imposed strict conditions, ruling that participation must be entirely voluntary and that enumerators must clearly inform citizens of this. It also ordered that all data collected must be kept confidential and cannot be shared with any party, including the state government. The ruling is a key legal development in a politically sensitive and widely watched policy initiative.
Azim Premji Rejects CM's Plea to Open Wipro Campus for Traffic
Wipro founder-chairman Azim Premji has declined a request from Karnataka's Chief Minister to allow public traffic through the company's Sarjapur campus in Bengaluru to alleviate congestion on the Outer Ring Road. In a letter, Premji cited legal, governance, and security challenges, noting the campus is a private property and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with strict access norms. Instead, he proposed that Wipro would help fund a comprehensive scientific study by urban transport experts to find a sustainable solution.
Tirumala Temple Launches AI-Powered System to Manage Pilgrims
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has launched India's first AI-powered Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) to manage its vast pilgrimage ecosystem. The system uses over 6,000 AI cameras, 3D situational maps, and digital twin technology to monitor crowds in real-time, predict queue movements, and enhance safety. It aims to shorten darshan waiting times, provide timely assistance, and offer a more streamlined experience for the millions of devotees who visit the shrine, setting a new benchmark in temple governance.
CBSE to Hold Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year in Major Reform
In a landmark decision, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year, starting from the 2026 session. Students will have the option to take a second exam in May-June to improve their scores from the initial February-March session, with the better of the two results being retained. The move, affecting millions of students, aims to reduce exam-related stress and provide a second opportunity without waiting for supplementary exams.
Cabinet Approves ₹69,725 Crore Package to Revitalise Shipbuilding Sector
The Union Cabinet has approved a substantial ₹69,725 crore package to boost India's shipbuilding and maritime industry. The four-pillar plan aims to enhance domestic capacity, provide long-term financing through a new Maritime Development Fund, and implement policy reforms. The government projects the initiative will unlock significant shipbuilding capacity, create nearly 3 million jobs, attract ₹4.5 lakh crore in investment, and strengthen national security under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision.
Typhoon Ragasa Batters East Asia, Killing At Least 17
Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms in years, has wreaked havoc across East Asia, killing at least 17 people in Taiwan and the Philippines. The typhoon is now battering Hong Kong and southern China with sustained winds of 195 kph. Authorities in China's Guangdong province have relocated over a million people, while Hong Kong and Macau have shut down schools, flights, and businesses as the storm skirts the financial hub, causing widespread disruption and damage.
71 Maoist Militants Surrender in Chhattisgarh in Major Setback to Insurgency
In a significant blow to left-wing extremism, 71 Maoist cadres, including 21 women and 30 carrying large bounties, have surrendered to authorities in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district. The mass surrender is attributed to the success of the state's rehabilitation campaign, 'Lon Varratu', and disillusionment with the rebel ideology. This event follows the recent killing of two senior Maoist leaders and marks a major success for security forces in the conflict-ridden Bastar region.
Supreme Court Directs Centre to Create National Portal for Tracing Missing Children
The Supreme Court has ordered the Union government to establish a dedicated online portal under the Home Ministry to improve the tracking and investigation of missing children cases nationwide. The court highlighted a lack of coordination between state police forces and mandated a centralised system where a designated officer from each state would handle complaints and share information. The directive aims to create a more effective and coordinated national response to the issue of child trafficking and disappearances.
Man Convicted of Attempted Trump Assassination in Florida
A Florida jury has found Ryan Routh guilty on all counts for the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a golf course in September 2024. Prosecutors argued Routh had spent weeks plotting the attack before aiming a rifle at the former president. Shortly after the verdict was read, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen in the courtroom before being subdued by officers. He now faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for December.
Ladakh Protests Turn Violent; Activist Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike
Protests demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh escalated into violent clashes with police in Leh. Protestors pelted stones and burned a police vehicle, prompting police to use tear gas. Amid the violence, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 15-day hunger strike, appealing for peace and urging the government to engage in dialogue. The unrest highlights the growing political discontent in the region since it became a Union Territory in 2019.
Three Senior Maoist Commanders Killed in Jharkhand Gunfight
Security forces in Jharkhand killed three Maoists from the splinter group Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) during an encounter in Gumla district. The slain included two sub-zonal commanders, Lalu Lohra and Chhotu Oraon, each carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh. An AK-47 and other firearms were recovered from the site. This operation is part of an intensified anti-Naxal campaign that has seen 32 Maoists killed in 2025 as the state aims to be Naxal-free by 2026.