Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Dr S Jaishankar assured that India is committed to its own national interest while negotiating a trade deal with the United States. He also emphasized that India has always raised issues with the US, leading to positive outcomes in the past. However, he did not directly address US President Donald Trump's statement about India potentially facing high tariffs in the trade agreement.
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has made a strong case for awarding President Donald Trump with the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in ending several conflicts around the world, including the one between India and Pakistan. Trump has repeatedly claimed that he helped settle tensions between the two countries and has brokered an average of one peace deal or ceasefire per month during his six months in office. However, Indian leaders have denied that there was any third-party intervention in the recent ceasefire with Pakistan and that it was not linked to trade, as claimed by Trump. The debate over awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump continues to stir controversy.
After years of strained relations, President Trump and Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, have reportedly mended fences. The two have met twice in the past two months, with Dimon even visiting the White House last week to discuss important economic and trade issues with the President and top officials. Dimon is said to have congratulated Trump on his recent trade deal with Japan during the meeting, signaling a potential thaw in their previously contentious relationship.
NCP leader and Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde has stepped down from his position following opposition pressure in the wake of his close aide being named as an accused in the brutal murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The news came after Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar met with CM Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the situation, and Munde cited both health reasons and his demand for justice for the victim as reasons for his resignation. The opposition had threatened to obstruct the functioning of the House if Munde did not step down, and the incident has sparked outrage and demands for justice from political leaders and the public alike.
In a recent decision, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has rejected a suspended sentence for Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's 2017 rape case. The self-styled godman had previously been convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 20 years for committing offenses on two female followers. Despite several attempts at delay, the High Court is now hearing the main appeal against his conviction.
The chaos and cancellations surrounding the recent Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams in India have taken a new turn with allegations of corporate interference. A formal complaint filed by the head of a major exam centre has accused Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the former technology partner for the exams, of pressuring staff to create hurdles on the exam day. This has raised concerns about the impartiality of the new decentralised exam system, which was implemented to bring transparency and faster processing, but now faces accusations of sabotage from actors who stood to lose from the reforms. TCS has denied these allegations as false and baseless.
Mukesh Ambani's youngest son, Anant Ambani, has been officially appointed as the whole-time director of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). He will serve in this role for five years, starting from May 1, 2025. His appointment was approved by the company's shareholders on July 29, 2025. Along with a yearly salary of Rs. 10-20 crore, Anant will also receive benefits such as a furnished house, paid communication services, and more.
PETA India has filed an objection in the Delhi High Court against the proposed appointment of Dr. Ramachandra S.G. from the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) as a court-appointed commissioner to inspect Palamur Biosciences. PETA has alleged a conflict of interest, citing previous accusations of animal cruelty against IISC and its core committee member status in CCSEA. PETA has also requested the release of beagles held in captivity at Palamur Biosciences to reputable NGOs. This dispute highlights a pattern of misconduct and inaction by CCSEA in addressing animal cruelty allegations at research facilities, causing outrage among animal rights activists.
The special court in Mumbai acquitted all seven persons accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts case, including former BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur. A member of the Sangh Parivar, Thakur has been known for her controversial statements and actions that have often made headlines. From her remarks about keeping weapons at home to comparing the late ATS chief Hemant Karkare to Ravan and Kans, Thakur has continually sparked outrage and backlash, even from her own party. In the midst of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Thakur's statement calling Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse a "desh bhakt" caused another political storm, ultimately leading to her apologizing for her words.
In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi agreed with US President Donald Trump's statement labeling India's economy "dead". Gandhi attributed the economic downfall to the Adani-Modi partnership, demonetization, a flawed GST system, and the failure of "Assemble in India". He also accused Modi of prioritizing billionaire Gautam Adani's interests over the well-being of small businesses and the youth of India.