Source: THE HINDU

Pahalgam terror attack: 48 tourist sites in Kashmir shut amid security concerns

Nearly 50 public parks and gardens located in vulnerable areas of Kashmir valley have been shut as a precautionary measure in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, officials said on Tuesday (April 29, 2025). Gates have been closed at 48 of the 87 public parks and gardens in Kashmir in view of the threat perception to tourists, they said.

Forces have a free hand to respond to terror, says PM Modi

Affirming that it is India’s “national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Indian armed forces have his full confidence and “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing” of India’s response in the aftermath of last week’s terror attack at Pahalgam that left 26 people dead.

India planning military action in next 24-36 hours, will face consequences: Pakistan

Pakistan on Wednesday (April 30, 2025), citing “credible intelligence”, claimed that India was planning to carry out military action against it within the next 24 to 36 hours and warned New Delhi that consequences will follow. Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar said the Indian government was preparing to launch an attack on the basis of “baseless and concocted allegations” regarding Pakistan’s involvement in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

Centre exempts many more from repatriation to Pakistan

Amid countrywide crackdown to physically remove Pakistan citizens whose visas expired on April 29, 2025, the Union Home Ministry (MHA) expanded the list of categories exempted from deportation. The MHA issued guidelines that Pakistani Hindus who have “applied for long term visas” (LTVs) and whose applications are “under process” will be exempted from the deportation process. Exemption has also been granted to Hindu migrants who were eligible but had not yet applied for LTV, on the condition that they apply immediately.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals fall short of a majority in Parliament

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals celebrated election victory in a stunning turn of fortune but fell short on Tuesday (April 30, 2025) of winning an outright majority in Parliament, and the party will have to seek help from other another, smaller party. The vote-counting agency Elections Canada has processed nearly all ballots in what turned out to be a razor-close race that will leave the Liberals three seats short of a majority. Recounts are expected in some districts.

Axiom space mission: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to fly to International Space Station on May 29

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled to be launched on May 29 2025 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Group Captain Shukla will be the pilot of the Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4) and the launch is targeted no earlier than 1:03 p.m. EDT (Eastern Day Time) on May 29, NASA announced on Tuesday.

UN chief offers to help in ‘de-escalation’, ‘resumption of dialogue’

Expressing deep concern over the situation between India and Pakistan, UN chief Antonio Guterres stands ready to support any initiatives, acceptable to both parties, for “de-escalation” and “resumption of dialogue”, his office has said. The Secretary-General “remains deeply concerned about the situation between India and Pakistan. He strongly urges both governments to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any escalation,” a statement by the office of his spokesperson said on Monday.

Digha’s Jagannath Temple inauguration is Trinamool’s Ram temple moment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the inauguration of Jagannath Temple, built at a cost of ₹250 crore, in West Bengal’s coastal town of Digha on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) is a grand success. The town has been decked up with lights and yellow ‘Jai Jagannath’ flags, and a devotional song praising Lord Jagannath, composed by the Chief Minister, is being played at every intersection.

India at U.N.: Pakistan Defence Minister’s open confession exposes country as ‘rogue state’ fuelling global terrorism

India said that the open confession of Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitting to his country’s history of supporting and funding terrorist organisations exposes Pakistan as a “rogue state” fuelling global terrorism and destabilising the region. India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (U.N.), Ambassador Yojna Patel delivered a strong Right of Reply at the hybrid launch event for the ‘Victims of Terrorism Association Network’ (VoTAN) of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism in New York on Monday (April 28) when Pakistan’s delegate made a reference to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

Supreme Court asks what’s wrong if country using Pegasus against ‘anti-nationals’, agrees to examine if private citizens were hacked

The Supreme Court asked petitioners on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) if there was something wrong in the government using Israeli military grade Pegasus spyware for security reasons against “anti-national elements”. “What is wrong if the country used that spyware for security reasons against anti-national elements? There is nothing wrong with having spyware. Against whom it is used, is the point,” Justice Surya Kant, heading a Bench with Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, addressed petitioners, who include senior journalist N. Ram.

Delhi Cabinet approves Bill to regulate fee in government, private schools

The Delhi government, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, on Tuesday (April 29, 2025), approved a bill to regulate fee in private and government schools in the national capital. The government has taken a “bold and historic” step by approving the Delhi School Education Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees Bill, 2025, the CM said while addressing a press conference after the meeting.

J&K student thrashed in Nagpur; students association seeks Fadnavis’ intervention

A student from Jammu and Kashmir studying at a pharmacy college in Nagpur was thrashed by a group of local residents, police said on Tuesday (April 29, 2025). A motive was not yet clear, they said. The incident took place on Sunday (April 27, 2025) evening in the Kamptee area of the Maharashtra city, but no complaint has been received so far from the victim, said a senior police official.

Indian student missing in Canada for three days found dead

A 21-year-old Indian student who went missing three days ago in Canada’s Ontario province has been found dead, according to authorities. Vanshika’s death was confirmed by the Indian High Commission in Ottawa in an ‘X’ post on Monday (April 28, 2025). “We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa,” it said, adding that concerned authorities have taken up the case, which is now under investigation.

Carney wins Canadian election, while Conservative leader loses his seat in Parliament

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has won the federal election, capping a stunning turnaround in fortunes fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s annexation threats and trade war. Mr. Carney’s rival, populist Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, was voted out of his seat in Parliament, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation projected Tuesday (April 29, 2025). Mr. Poilievre, a career politician, campaigned with Trump-like bravado, taking a page from the “America First” president by adopting the slogan “Canada First.” But his similarities to Trump may have ultimately cost him and his party.

‘India would be one of first trade deals we sign’: U.S. Treasury Secretary

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that India is likely to be among the first countries to finalise a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. to avert reciprocal tariffs by President Donald Trump. Mr. Bessent made these remarks on Monday during an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box’ to discuss the latest developments on President Trump’s trade negotiations with other countries.

Nitish Kumar hails new sensation from Bihar Vaibhav Suryavanshi; announces ₹10-lakh reward

Bihar Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) lauded 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi for becoming the youngest-ever centurion in T20 cricket, and announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh for his stellar performance. Suryavanshi lit up the IPL on Monday (April 28) evening with his 38-ball 101 that was dotted with 11 sixes and seven fours. A staggering 94 runs of the young Rajasthan Royals batter came in boundaries in the match against Gujarat Titans.