Florida State University shooting: At least 2 killed, six wounded

Florida State University Police Chief Jason Trumbower says two people were killed and at least six wounded in shooting at Florida State University. The two deaths are not students at the university, but the shooter is believed to be a student. Six people are being treated at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, and the shooter is also receiving medical attention.

U.S. Vice-President Vance's visit will further boost bilateral ties: India

India said it is "very positive" that the upcoming visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance will give "further boost" to the India-U.S. bilateral ties and "all relevant issues" will be on the table. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the comments while indicating that issues relating to trade and tariff will figure during Vance's talks with Indian leaders.

Refusal to implement the Waqf Act is unconstitutional, untenable: Rijiju

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said in New Delhi that not following or implementing an Act passed by the Parliament of India was “untenable”, while referring to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Mr. Rijiju’s statement comes in the wake of some State Assemblies, including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, urging the withdrawal of the Bill before the Act was passed. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared that the Act would not be implemented in her State.

PM Modi hails inauguration of Amravati Airport, says it’s a ‘great news for Maharashtra’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) hailed the inauguration of Amravati airport and said it is news for Maharashtra, especially the Vidarbha region. “Great news for Maharashtra, especially the Vidarbha region. An active airport in Amravati will boost commerce and connectivity,” PM Modi said in a post on X, responding to a a post by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate Vizhinjam international seaport on May 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely inaugurate the Vizhinjam international seaport on May 2. Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will attend the function with other dignitaries.

India ‘in touch’ with students facing visa issues in the U.S.

The Indian government’s missions in the United States are in contact with Indian students there who have received emails revoking their visa status, and have offered them “support”, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The comments mark a shift from a previous statement that merely advised students to “follow the law”. To Indians vulnerable to the Trump administration’s crackdown, who face action by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security, the MEA’s statement indicates it is taking their plight more seriously than in the past.

Situation under control in violence-hit Murshidabad: Bengal govt to Cal HC

The West Bengal government submitted a report before the Calcutta High Court and claimed that the law and order situation in violence-hit Murshidabad district was under control. The State government also submitted before the court that adequate steps have been taken by the police and administration to quell the violence in the district.

Indian jails plagued by overcrowding, lack of medical, mental health professionals: report

With a national average occupancy rate of more than 131%, Indian jails face extreme overcrowding and are battling multiple health challenges, according to the recently released India Justice Report 2025. The report highlights the fact that India’s prison inmate population is projected to reach 6.8 lakh by 2030, even though prison capacity is only likely to grow to 5.15 lakh. The capacity shortage is not restricted to space alone, but extends to health staff.

Evacuate PoK, India tells Islamabad, after General Munir describes Kashmir as the ‘jugular vein’ of Pakistan

India reiterated its sovereignty over the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, while dismissing Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir’s characterisation of Kashmir as the ‘jugular vein of Pakistan’. At his weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reminded Islamabad that it needs to evacuate those parts of Jammu and Kashmir that it had occupied in 1948.

Fitch cuts India growth estimates by 10 bps to 6.4% amid escalations in global trade war

Fitch Ratings cut India’s GDP growth estimate by 10 basis points to 6.4% for the current fiscal, but retained the projections for the next financial year, on concerns over a ‘severe’ escalation in global trade war.“It is hard to predict U.S. trade policy with any confidence. Massive policy uncertainty is hurting business investment prospects, equity price falls are reducing household wealth, and U.S. exporters will be hit by retaliation,” Fitch said in its special update to quarterly Global Economic Outlook (GEO).

Why no FIR in burnt cash discovery at judge's house case, questions Vice-President Dhankhar

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar questioned the lack of an FIR in the discovery of wads of burnt cash case from the residence of a High Court judge, wondering whether a "category beyond law" has secured immunity from prosecution. The Supreme Court ordered an in-house probe into the alleged discovery of half-burnt wads of cash from Justice Yashwant Varma's residence after a fire on the night of Holi on March 14. Justice Varma has now been repatriated from the Delhi High Court to his parent High Court of Allahabad.

Intensification of tariff wars, rise of protectionist policies to disrupt global supply chains says FM

The intensification of tariff wars and the rise of protectionist policies have the potential to disrupt global supply chains, increase production costs and create uncertainty in investment decisions across borders as well, Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. “This has had a ripple effect on the financial markets across the globe and including our own market,” she said while speaking at function organised by the BSE to celebrate its 150 years of existence in Mumbai.

Hindi now a mandatory third language in Maharashtra for classes 1-5 as it rolls out NEP 2020

Under the new curriculum framework for School Education aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Maharashtra school education department has now made Hindi a mandatory third language in both Marathi and English-medium schools in classes 1 to 5. Currently, only two languages — Marathi and English — are being taught as mandatory languages in classes 1 to 4

U.S. Homeland Security Department threatens to revoke Harvard’s ability to enrol foreign students

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has threatened to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enrol foreign students if it failed to provide by April 30, 2025 records on its international student visa holders’ “illegal and violent” activities. It also cancelled grants totalling more than $2.7 million to Harvard University. The latest action from the Trump administration against Harvard comes on the heels of a $2.2 billion federal funding freeze because the university rejected a list of demands. The administration also proposed the revocation of the university’s tax-exempt status over its radical ideology.

Bangladesh, Pakistan hold Foreign Office Consultation after 15 years

Bangladesh and Pakistan held a foreign secretary-level Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) in Dhaka after a gap of nearly 15 years and discussed the entire range of bilateral issues focussing on trade ties. The meeting took place days ahead of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's visit to Dhaka.

Putin thanks Hamas for release of Russian hostages

President Vladimir Putin has thanked Palestinian group Hamas for releasing three Russian hostages captured during the October 2023 attack on Israel. Mr. Putin welcomed Russian citizen Alexander Trufanov and two of his family members released from Gaza captivity at the Kremlin late on Wednesday night, Interfax agency said. Trufanov was released this February.

Scientists find strongest evidence yet of life on an alien planet

In a potential landmark discovery, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have obtained what they call the strongest signs yet of possible life beyond our solar system, detecting in an alien planet's atmosphere the chemical fingerprints of gases that on Earth are produced only by biological processes. The two gases - dimethyl sulfide, or DMS, and dimethyl disulfide, or DMDS - involved in Webb's observations of the planet named K2-18 b are generated on Earth by living organisms, primarily microbial life such as marine phytoplankton - algae.