Highlights: Mock drill in J-K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Chandigarh on May 31

Highlights: Catch all the latest news developments from around the world here

10:46 PM

Assam approves arms licences for indigenous people near Bangladesh border

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday (May 29) clarified that Assam’s new arms licence policy will not apply to areas bordering Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. These regions, though historically involved in border disputes with Assam, are not considered vulnerable in terms of national security, he said.

10:21 PM

NGT asks environment ministry to frame guidelines for plywood industry

The National Green Tribunal has asked the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to frame guidelines for plywood industries in the country.

8:54 PM

Indian govt announces OperationShield new date for Mock drill exercise

In states around Western Borders of India -- Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and as well as Gujarat, Haryana and Chandigarh -- the mock drill will be conducted on May 31.

8:35 PM

Well on track in our bilateral trade agreement talks with US: Goyal

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said negotiations with the US for a bilateral trade agreement are well on track.

7:30 PM

India has opportunity to become net exporter of sustainable aviation fuel: Boeing executive

India has the opportunity to become a net exporter of sustainable aviation fuel as efforts continue to decarbonise aviation globally, a top Boeing executive said on Thursday and highlighted the ample availability of feedstock, including agricultural waste, for producing the fuel.

6:44 PM

Most Indian startups replicas of Western biz models; lack genuine innovation: Suhel Seth

Most Indian startups are merely imitating Western business models and lack genuine innovation, Counselage India Managing Partner Suhel Seth said on Thursday.

6:30 PM

We are clear that talks and terror don't go together: MEA says on Pakistan

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday has reiterated India's stance on bilateral discussions with Pakistan, stating that the only area left for discussion between the two countries is Pakistan's handing over of terrorists and vacating the illegally occupied area of Jammu and Kashmir.

3:52 PM

'Operation Sindoor' not over yet, we have hit Pakistan thrice inside its home: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said 'Operation Sindoor' was far from over and warned that India would continue to exact a heavy price on those who sponsor terrorism, asserting that Pakistan has already been hit 'three times inside its home'. "Now that I am standing on the sacred land of 'Sindoor Khela', it is only right that we speak about a new resolve against terrorism 'Operation Sindoor'," PM Modi said to loud cheers.

3:05 PM

Shivakumar asks chief secretary not to transfer water resource dept engineers without informing him

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said that he has written to the Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh not to transfer any engineer from water resource department, a portfolio that he holds, without informing him. Shivakumar said, "We don't have many engineers in the Water Resources Department. We urgently need engineers. Hence, I have written a letter to the Chief Secretary asking not to relieve or send any engineer elsewhere from our department”.

2:24 PM

2 former Sri Lankan ministers jailed in 2015 corruption case

A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday sentenced two former ministers to rigorous imprisonment in connection with a corruption case linked to the 2015 presidential election. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who served as sports minister from 2010 to 2015, was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, while Nalin Fernando, trade minister from 2022 to 2024, was handed a 25-year sentence by the Colombo High Court.

1:34 PM

Bengal's development is foundation of India's future: PM Modi in Alipurduar

India on way to becoming developed nation, Bengal's participation in this process essential, says PM Modi in Alipurduar.

1:02 PM

CBI busts 2 illegal call centres, arrests 6 for scamming Japanese citizens

The CBI arrested six people and dismantled two illegal call centres for allegedly cheating Japanese citizens using tech support scams, officials said Thursday. After registering the case as part of its crackdown on cybercriminals in Operation Chakra V, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) worked closely with the Japan National Police Agency and Microsoft to identify the syndicate members and their locations.

12:46 PM

Congress claims special Parliament session being considered on Emergency anniversary

The Congress on Thursday claimed that a special session of Parliament is being considered next month to mark the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, and said this will be yet another classic exercise in "diversion and distraction" from real and more urgent issues by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that at a time when the BJP should be targeting Pakistan and terrorists, it is only interested in attacking the Congress.

12:39 PM

Sikkim has potential to become hub of adventure sports: PM Modi at statehood event

NDA govt dedicated to making India a sports superpower, we want Northeast to move in this direction, says PM Modi

11:16 AM

I wanted to be part of Sikkim's statehood event in Gangtok but weather played spoilsport: PM Modi

I congratulate people of Sikkim on 50th statehood anniversary, says PM Modi. 

11:05 AM

News update: PM Modi inaugurates multiple development projects in Sikkim

10:59 AM

Shashi Tharoor hits back at critics after 'super BJP spokesperson' jabs

This comes after Congress leader Udit Raj criticised his party colleague Tharoor over his statement in Panama as part of the multi-party delegation and called him a “spokesperson for the publicity stunts of the BJP”.

 

10:49 AM

US administration tells NY court India-Pak reached ‘tenuous ceasefire' after Trump 'interceded'

The Trump administration has told a New York court that India and Pakistan reached a “tenuous ceasefire” only after President Donald Trump "interceded and offered both nations trading access with the US to avert a full-scale war.” Indian government sources have maintained that the two countries reached an understanding without any third-party involvement.

10:22 AM

PM cancels Sikkim visit due to inclement weather, to address statehood event virtually

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Gangtok to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of Sikkim's statehood on Thursday has been cancelled because of inclement weather conditions, officials said. He will, however, attend the programme virtually, they added.

9:55 AM

PM to embark on 2-day visit to Bihar on Thursday; roadshow, rally on cards

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Bihar on Thursday for a two-day visit to the state, where assembly polls are due later this year. During the trip, the PM will launch several projects, hold a roadshow and address a rally in Karakat in the Shahabad region of the stat