No mention of USAID funding for ‘voter turnout’ in finance ministry report

Chhattisgarh government sources reported the successful reclamation of a section of the Koragutta Hills in Bijapur from Maoist forces after a nine-day operation, where counter-Naxal troops hoisted the national flag at 5,000 feet. Although key Maoist leaders like Hidma and Damodar were initially contained, they escaped into Telangana due to insufficient monitoring by local special forces. The CPI (Maoist) then issued a statement calling for a time-bound ceasefire and peace talks, urging civil society to...

NEW DELHI: The Indian government is considering limited punitive strikes against Pakistan using long-range weapons without crossing the Line of Control (LoC), amidst ongoing skirmishes along the international boundary in Jammu and Kashmir. A cabinet committee led by the Prime Minister is reviewing military options, including concentrated artillery fire and potential airstrikes targeting terrorist facilities, while maintaining strategic messaging to keep Pakistan on alert. This approach follows recent escalations and diplomatic measures, including the suspension...

NEW DELHI: The Indian government has announced a nationwide caste census, reversing its previous stance against such enumeration, citing political manipulation by opposition-ruled states. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, welcomed the decision as a victory and called for a timeline for implementation, while others emphasized the necessity of caste data for social justice and policymaking. The decision has been framed as a response to public demand and is seen as crucial ahead of upcoming elections,...

Apple CEO Tim Cook informed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that advanced robotics technology is crucial for relocating iPhone manufacturing to the U.S. This discussion follows Apple's temporary exemption from heightened tariffs on Chinese imports, which could have inflated iPhone prices. While Apple is diversifying production, with 20% of iPhones now assembled in India, Cook aims to develop U.S. manufacturing, emphasizing the need for skilled technicians and framing this shift as part of a broader AI...

SummaryThe Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking an investigation into the death of Uttar Pradesh gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died of a heart attack in prison last year. The court ruled that the petition, initially filed while Ansari was alive, lacked grounds for continuation posthumously and advised his son, Umar Ansari, to approach the Allahabad High Court for further legal action. Mukhtar Ansari, a controversial figure with a long criminal history, had significant political influence...

Supreme Court's Directive on Digital KYC AccessibilityOn Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India mandated changes to the digital Know Your Customer (KYC) process to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities, including those with visual impairments and facial disfigurements. The bench, led by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, emphasized that digital access is integral to the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, urging that all governmental and financial platforms be made universally...