QUICKREADS

Joshimath bypass work resumes after state nod
Construction of the Helang-Marwari bypass road restarted in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, on Monday, according to officials. The work on the five-kilometre road was halted after cracks appeared in numerous buildings in the gateway town to the Badrinath shrine, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate. The project is part of a government plan to build roads to four Hindu shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas. However, local residents have objected to the construction, saying it will affect the town's economy, which is heavily dependent on the Char Dham pilgrimage.

Maharashtra social justice dept reviews schemes to expand reach and boost funding
The Maharashtra Social Justice Department is reviewing its welfare schemes and scholarships to enhance financial support and relevance. Many current initiatives are outdated, with insufficient funding, such as a pre-matric scholarship of just Rs 150 for Scheduled Caste students. The budget for 2025-26 has increased significantly, allowing for improved assistance and expanded beneficiaries.

IOS SAGAR returns home after month-long deployment in south-west Indian Ocean Region
The Indian Navy's IOS SAGAR mission concluded its month-long deployment in the south-west Indian Ocean, marking a significant step in maritime cooperation. The initiative involved joint exercises with nine partner nations, enhancing regional ties and security. Vice Admiral V Srinivas highlighted India's commitment to collective maritime interests and building partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region.

JeM's Pakistan bases: Fidayeen hub with Hamas links, NATO arms cache
Indian Air Force missile strikes targeted two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) centers in Pakistan, linked to suicide attacks and arms smuggling. The Bahawalpur and Narowal facilities were involved in training terrorists and had connections with Hamas. The strikes were retaliation for a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 25 tourists and a guide.
World Bank chief Ajay Banga to visit Uttar Pradesh on Friday
World Bank President Ajay Banga will visit Uttar Pradesh on Friday to observe the state's development under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. His itinerary includes meetings with stakeholders, discussions with the chief minister, and visits to a THR plant and a beekeeping center. The visit underscores global interest in Uttar Pradesh's goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.

Police bust cross-border militant recruitment network in Arunachal
Arunachal Pradesh Police have dismantled a militant recruitment and arms trafficking network linked to the National Socialist Council for Taniland and its armed wing, the United Tani Army. The investigation began after threatening social media posts. Several arrests were made, revealing attempts to traffic youth to militant camps in Myanmar, and connections to narcotics trafficking were also uncovered.

IndiGo suspends flights to Almaty, Tashkent till June 14 due to rerouting issues
IndiGo has suspended its direct flights to Almaty and Tashkent until June 14 due to operational range issues with its aircraft. The airline, which operates narrow-body planes, initially halted services until May 7 following the closure of Pakistan's airspace, requiring longer flight routes. The situation is influenced by escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

Delhi's Yamuna-cleaning plan needs reset, not just money: Report
A new analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment urges Delhi authorities to rethink their strategy for cleaning the polluted Yamuna River. Key recommendations include preventing the mixing of treated and untreated water, using GPS trackers on sludge tankers, and treating wastewater from unsewered areas. The report highlights the need for better data and a fresh plan for managing pollution sources.

'He tried to kill me': Catering staff brutally beats up man for complaining about food price; Railway Ministry files FIR
Catering staff brutally beat a passenger on a train after he complained about food prices. The Railways filed an FIR, imposed a ₹5 lakh fine, and promised strict action following the viral video of the violent assault.

IAF calls back Gaganyaan astronaut Ajit Krishnan to his unit after Operation Sindoor
IAF recalls Gaganyaan astronaut Ajit Krishnan to his unit amid rising tensions with Pakistan. A seasoned test pilot with extensive flying experience, Krishnan was in Delhi for a space conference before being summoned back to duty early Thursday.

Maulana Iqbal not a terrorist: Police slam ‘baseless, misleading’ media reports on man killed in Pakistani shelling
Jammu and Kashmir Police clarified that Maulana Iqbal, a respected religious figure killed in recent Pakistani shelling in Poonch, was not a terrorist, contrary to misleading reports. The shelling claimed 13 lives, including children and a soldier. Authorities warned against spreading fake news, emphasizing the importance of verifying facts to avoid panic and disrespect to victims' families.

Delhi to host global Ayurveda summit, support start-ups: CM Rekha Gupta
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced plans for a global Ayurveda summit to promote the traditional medicinal system. Highlighting the increasing global interest in Ayurveda, she emphasized government support for start-ups and initiatives to digitize Ayurvedic knowledge. The Delhi government has allocated Rs 275 crore for alternative medicine development, including Rs 100 crore for Ayush in the 2025-26 budget.

Pakistani military attempted attacks on these 15 Indian locations on May 7 | Full list
Pakistani military attempted attacks on multiple Indian locations on May 7, including Srinagar, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, following India's Operation Sindoor strikes. Indian defense systems thwarted the attacks, and the military is investigating the debris.

Karachi Bakery defends name as protesters storm outlet amid rising India-Pak tensions: ‘Not a Pakistani brand'
Karachi Bakery owners defend their name after protesters stormed outlets, explaining the brand was founded by a Sindhi migrant in 1953. They emphasize it's an Indian brand with no connection to Pakistan, seeking support from local authorities amid rising tensions.
Supreme Court panel report on Justice Varma's cash allegations sent to president, PM
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna has submitted a report to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding allegations of cash discovery involving Allahabad High Court's Justice Yashwant Varma. The report, from a Supreme Court-appointed panel, includes Justice Varma's response and findings after interviewing over 50 individuals, including key officials related to a fire incident at Varma's residence.

SC flags vacancies in high courts, prods Centre to clear names for judges appointment
The Supreme Court of India urged the Centre to expedite judicial appointments to address the backlog of over 724,000 criminal appeals in high courts. With significant vacancies, courts like Allahabad and Bombay are functioning well below their sanctioned judge strength. The court emphasized the need for digital solutions and a model action plan to tackle the rising pendency of cases.