32 airports reopened as tensions ease with Pakistan
India on Monday reopened 32 airports that were closed amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, signalling a de-escalation following a ceasefire over the weekend.
The Airports Authority of India confirmed that civil operations have resumed “with immediate effect” at the affected airports.
IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, announced that it would progressively restart services on previously suspended routes. The move follows a tense standoff that had forced widespread airspace restrictions.
Life sentence for nine in Pollachi sex scandal
A Coimbatore court in Tamil Nadu has sentenced nine men to life imprisonment till death in the infamous 2019 Pollachi sex assault case.
The men were convicted of gang rape, blackmail and conspiracy against multiple women over a span of three years.
In addition to the sentence, the court ordered Rs 85 lakh ($129,000) in compensation for the survivors.
The verdict marks a landmark moment in one of Tamil Nadu’s most disturbing criminal cases in recent memory.
India mulls tariffs on United States goods
India is weighing retaliatory tariffs on select United States imports following Washington’s duties on steel and aluminium.
In a formal document submitted to the World Trade Organisation, India said it may suspend concessions by raising tariffs on American products, though specifics were not disclosed.
The Trump administration had previously imposed 25 per cent duties on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium – measures that continue to strain bilateral trade relations.
India, the world’s second-largest steel producer, has been vocal about the need for reciprocal action.
India’s inflation falls to six-year low in April
Retail inflation in India eased to 3.16 per cent in April 2025 – the lowest since July 2019 – offering some relief to households.
Lower food prices, particularly of vegetables, pulses and protein-rich items were credited for the dip from March’s 3.34 per cent.
The continued softening of inflation, as per the Consumer Price Index, reflects a more stable cost of living and may give the central bank room to adjust monetary policy in the coming months.
17 newborn girls in UP named ‘Sindoor’
Seventeen baby girls born at Kushinagar Medical College in Uttar Pradesh have been named “Sindoor” in tribute to India’s recent military operation against Pakistan.
The name, inspired by “Operation Sindoor,” comes just weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists.
“This is our way of remembering the sacrifice and courage of our forces,” said the hospital’s principal, Dr R.K. Shahi.
Scientist Subbanna found dead in Karnataka river
Renowned aquaculture scientist and former Indian Council of Agricultural Research director-general, Subbanna Ayyappan, 70, was found dead in the Cauvery river, near Srirangapatna in Karnataka, on May 10.
Police said his two-wheeler was found abandoned on the riverbank, and suicide is suspected.
They added that Mr Subbana’s body was discovered decomposed and did not bear any external injuries.
Toxic liquor claims 17 lives in Amritsar
Seventeen people have died after allegedly consuming toxic liquor in Amritsar, Punjab, prompting a major investigation.
Police confirmed six others have been hospitalised and traced the source to methanol-based bootleg alcohol prepared using ingredients ordered online.
The incident, reported from four villages, has sparked public outrage and a crackdown on illegal liquor operations.
Tamil seminar on Pahalgam cancelled by Kerala University VC
A planned seminar at Kerala University discussing the political ramifications of the Pahalgam terror attack was abruptly cancelled following intervention from university authorities.
The Tamil department’s event had drawn criticism for potentially anti-national content, with the Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal halting proceedings citing national security concerns.
The seminar was reportedly set to question how the Bharatiya Janata Party used the terror incident for political mileage.
Bengaluru airport customs seize venomous snakes
In a dramatic wildlife bust, Bengaluru customs officers at Kempegowda International Airport seized nine venomous snakes, two exotic animals and arrested two suspects.
The haul, smuggled in from Bangkok, included Wagler’s pit vipers, a common spotted cuscus and a live opossum, all concealed in cloth bags.
The accused are under interrogation, and authorities are probing links to a larger exotic animal smuggling ring.
Manned deep ocean mission by end-2026
India’s first manned deep-sea exploration, Samudrayaan, will plunge to depths of 6,000 metres by the end of 2026, officials announced on Tuesday.
The submersible vehicle Matsya, built with advanced indigenous technology, will carry three scientists into the deep sea to study marine biodiversity and resources.
Led by the National Institute of Ocean Technology under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the titanium-hulled craft is built to withstand extreme underwater conditions.
The mission marks a significant milestone in India’s ocean research capabilities.
