Rajya Sabha debates Waqf Amendment Bill—key statements and reactions

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the army successfully conducted four flight-tests of the army version of medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) from an island off the coast of Odisha. The tests were carried out against high-speed aerial targets, resulting in direct hits and validating the operational capability of the weapon system. The trials were monitored by senior officials from DRDO and the Indian Army, with flight data captured by range instruments for validation....

When a retired IAS officer facilitated a ₹14 crore farmland deal, only ₹3.5 crore was transferred through official channels, with the remaining ₹10.5 crore exchanged in cash over hours in a bank, showcasing the prevalence of black money in Indian real estate transactions. A Reddit post detailing this experience went viral, with users sharing similar stories of cash-based land deals where only a fraction of the amount was accounted for, highlighting the systemic loopholes enabling...

European NATO allies and Canada are open to increasing defense spending but are hesitant about meeting US demands for larger military budgets, especially given President Trump's warming relationship with Russian leader Putin. Despite increased defense spending by US allies after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, nearly a third still fall short of NATO's 2% GDP target. Trump's call for a 5% spending commitment is seen as unrealistic, with Canada's Foreign Minister emphasizing the need for consensus...

During the BIMSTEC 2025 Summit in Bangkok, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy through bilateral meetings with Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh and Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Modi discussed peace, stability, and democracy with Yunus, emphasizing the need to prevent illegal border crossings and ensure the safety of minorities. India aims to maintain a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, focusing on border security and minority protection, as reiterated during the meeting...

The Ministry of Defence has ruled out any proposal to reduce physical test parameters between male and female candidates for recruitment in the Indian Army, as confirmed by Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth in the Lok Sabha. He stated that no such proposal has been put forth by the Indian Army thus far in response to a query posed by DMK MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy regarding the potential changes in physical test requirements....

The Israeli army launched a new ground offensive east of Gaza City to expand the security zone within the Palestinian territory, targeting the area of Shejaiya in northern Gaza. The operation aimed to eliminate terrorists, dismantle Hamas infrastructure, and create Israeli security zones by seizing large areas. Civilians were allowed to evacuate for their safety, as Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasized the mission to clear the area of terrorist presence. Full Article