India, US to begin discussions on a Bilateral Trade Agreement this week as tariff war takes 90-day pause

India and the United States are commencing discussions this week for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, starting virtually before an in-person meeting in May. This follows Prime Minister Modi and President Trump's agreement to strengthen ties, aiming to finalize the trade deal by fall. Both nations seek to expand bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.

A 26-year-old migrant worker from Bihar, Rohit, is bedridden with multiple fractures after bravely rescuing colleagues from a Delhi building fire. He has received no compensation from the government, leaving his family struggling financially. With Rohit unable to work and his wife and sister caring for him, their children's education has been halted.

A disturbing sex racket in Bhind, Madhya Pradesh, has taken a grim turn with police discovering one of the two arrested women has been HIV-positive for three years. The operation, which involved blackmail and false rape threats, saw four individuals apprehended.

The Bombay High Court ruled that a divorced wife cannot seek increased maintenance after her husband's death, but can still claim decreed amounts and arrears from his estate. The court clarified that the right to maintenance is personal and lasts a lifetime, but seeking enhancement requires both parties to be alive.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has searched 17 locations linked to Suraksha Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (SARCL) promoter Sudhir Valia and senior executives. The searches are part of a money laundering probe into alleged collusion between SARCL and Yes Bank's former co-promoter Rana Kapoor, involving circular transactions and undervaluation of assets.

Cough syrups will now require a doctor's prescription as the Centre has removed them from a decades-old exemption. This move, following concerns over contaminated syrups, brings all formulations under regular regulatory oversight. The change aims to enhance accountability and public health safety in the distribution of these commonly used medicines.

El Niño poses a risk to India's farming this year, with a predicted 'below normal' monsoon and a 35% deficit already impacting sowing. However, the country has learned from past droughts, implementing measures like expanded irrigation and drought-resistant crops to mitigate the impact. Vulnerable states are preparing contingency plans.

Ignou is investigating allegations of question papers being sold on Telegram for its June-July 2026 term-end exams, with touts reportedly charging Rs 199 per subject. Despite complaints and screenshots shared, the university claims no evidence of a leak and has not cancelled any papers.

'Lack Of Trust, Respect For Int'l Law In World'

'Lack Of Trust, Respect For Int'l Law In World'

Authorities returned the body of Rashid Mughal to his family over two months after his death in an alleged encounter, a rare occurrence in J&K. The Army had initially claimed he was an unidentified terrorist, a statement his family disputes, leading to a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

Panic spread in Rajouri's Kotli Kalaban village as land subsidence created large cracks. Agricultural fields, roads, and homes suffered damage. District officials evacuated residents from two severely damaged houses. The Geological Survey of India has been called to assess the situation. This follows similar incidents in Doda, Ramban, Reasi, and Poonch districts in recent years.

Four Army personnel, including a JCO and three jawans, were injured in an accidental landmine blast during a patrol near the LoC in Rajouri district. The explosion occurred during an area domination exercise in a forward area, with displaced mines due to rain cited as a potential cause.

Houslisting operations for Census 2027 are progressing, with 23 states and Union Territories completing this initial phase. Himachal Pradesh recently began its field operations, while Kerala and Nagaland launched self-enumeration. This digital-first census aims for comprehensive coverage, collecting data on housing and household details through a structured questionnaire.

A UN report reveals 92% of Indian children face extreme heat, with 89 million exposed to heatwaves. While India has Heat Action Plans, they lack child-specific measures. India's high hazard exposure score, especially for extreme heat and air pollution, highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect young lives.

In the wake of Prime Minister Modi's encounter with Donald Trump at the G7, opposition factions have come out strongly against him, highlighting the heartbreaking deaths of three Indians due to a US military strike. The Congress party circulated a video purportedly showing Trump dismissing Modi, and the AAP denounced the cordiality of their interaction as 'embarrassing.

The Calcutta High Court has stepped into a political quagmire, examining the West Bengal Assembly Speaker's role in appointing the Leader of Opposition amidst a contentious dispute. Rebel MLA Ritabrata Banerjee's unexpected rise over candidate Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, endorsed by Mamata Banerjee, has raised eyebrows.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had a brief interaction at the G7 Summit in France, their first in 16 months. The leaders were seen shaking hands and engaging in conversation, with Trump also patting Modi's arm. They were seated next to each other during a summit session.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the Centre's move to block Telegram before the NEET re-test, calling it a cover-up for exam failures and paper leaks. He urged PM Modi to seek Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, highlighting the distress of millions of students due to repeated irregularities and alleged suicides.

US President Trump indicated progress on an Iran deal, suggesting a swift second phase, while PM Modi attended a G7 summit where leaders agreed on tougher Russia sanctions. In India, Mamata Banerjee is challenging her election defeat, and the Shiv Sena UBT faces potential defections. Meanwhile, a Delhi software engineer's death in Dhanaulti is under police investigation.

Uttar Pradesh is setting the stage for a green revolution in 2022 with its innovative electric mobility policy. By rolling out attractive incentives for the purchase and production of electric vehicles, along with extensive tax reductions and the development of charging stations, the state is striving to become a leading hub for EVs.

In a decisive effort to safeguard students from potential scams, the National Testing Agency has put a temporary hold on Telegram. This action comes as a response to rampant misuse of the platform by fraudsters distributing counterfeit NEET exam papers.

Shiv Sena leader Krupal Tumane claims seven Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs are in final stages of joining Eknath Shinde's faction under 'Operation Tiger'. This move, expected before the Monsoon Session, would bolster the NDA's Lok Sabha numbers. Thackeray's party, however, dismisses these claims, asserting unity.

Former BJP leader K Annamalai voiced concerns over alleged increased involvement of North Indian individuals in crimes across Tamil Nadu, following a child's death. He questioned the state government's mechanisms for tracking migrant workers and urged for a comprehensive database to enhance oversight and prevent future incidents.

The world's most expensive Japanese Miyazaki mango, known as the "Egg of the Sun," was offered to Lord Ram at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir. Cultivated locally by farmer Omprakash Singh, this rare fruit, valued at up to Rs 3 lakh per kilogram, was presented as the season's first ripe offering to the deity.

Mithun Chakraborty's filmy avatars ranged from arthouse cult to Disco Dancer and drama outings. His political arc, too, has seen a shift from Red to Green and finally Saffron. Is his political reinvention one driven by ideology, instinct or the simple need to stay relevant in a fast-changing world?

Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee asserted he wouldn't be intimidated, even after an 11-hour ED questioning regarding West Bengal's teacher recruitment scam. He stated his full cooperation and commitment to appear if summoned again, alleging attempts to weaken opposition parties. The ED probe investigates alleged money laundering linked to the scam.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, attacked during a Jaipur protest, remains undeterred, alleging RSS links to the assault.He vows to continue peaceful protests demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak, asserting that such attacks won't deter their 'satyagraha' for student justice.

In response to rising worries about contamination, India's Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has issued an urgent directive for all eateries and culinary establishments to cease the use of any rusted, chipped, or worn-out knives and cutting instruments. Highlighting the importance of utilizing food-grade, corrosion-resistant materials, the FSSAI advocates for stringent hygiene measures to avert any forms of contamination.