A tragic stampede occurred during the Shree Devi Lairai Jatra at the Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao, Goa, resulting in at least six fatalities and over 60 injuries. The incident unfolded amid a large gathering of devotees. Emergency services promptly responded, deploying ambulances and transferring the injured to nearby hospitals. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane are overseeing the situation. Despite the deployment of approximately 1,000 police personnel and drone surveillance for crowd management, the cause of the stampede remains under investigation. The annual jatra, known for its fire-walking ritual, had attracted thousands of participants. Authorities continue to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. (PC: Times Content & It’s Goa)

Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the targeting of Kashmiris following the Pahalgam terror attack, warning that such actions deepen the divide between the people and the State. He highlighted that despite widespread condemnation of the attack, Kashmiris face collective punishment, including mass detentions and demolitions. Mirwaiz cited the deaths of Altaf Lali and Ghulam Rasool Magrey, allegedly in custody, and called for investigations. He also criticized the deportation of residents like Abdul Waheed Bhat, whose death during deportation underscored the human cost of such measures. Mirwaiz urged the government to seek genuine peace by engaging with the people rather than resorting to intimidation and repression. (PC: Siasat)

In response to escalating tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the Indian government has overhauled the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Alok Joshi has been appointed as the new Chairman of the NSAB. The reconstituted seven-member board includes retired senior officials from the military, police, and foreign services, such as Air Marshal PM Sinha, Lt Gen AK Singh, Rear Admiral Monty Khanna, Rajiv Ranjan Verma, Manmohan Singh, and B Venkatesh Varma. This strategic move aims to bolster India's national security framework and address cross-border terrorism threats. (PC: Business Today)  

The April 22 Pahalgam attack, where militants killed 25 tourists and a local pony handler, has plunged Kashmir into turmoil. India's crackdown includes mass detentions, home demolitions, and expulsion of Pakistanis, intensifying fear among Kashmiris. Tourism, a vital economic pillar, has collapsed; adventure tour operator Ashiq Nabi reports halted expeditions and widespread job losses. Taxi driver Rameez Ahmad faces days without passengers, highlighting the sector's devastation. The attack, the deadliest in 25 years, has escalated India-Pakistan tensions, with both nations exchanging accusations. Kashmiris, caught in the crossfire, grapple with uncertainty and disrupted livelihoods, yearning for peace amid the geopolitical strife. (PC: Reuters)

A Delhi court has issued notices to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other accused in the National Herald money laundering case, granting them the right to be heard before the court decides on taking cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's chargesheet. The court emphasized that under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the accused have a special right to be heard at this stage. The Enforcement Directorate did not oppose the issuance of the notice, supporting the principle of a fair trial. The case is scheduled for the next hearing on May 8, where the court will decide on taking cognisance of the chargesheet. (PC: India Today)

The Jammu Municipal Corporation's website recently experienced a significant cyberattack, resulting in the theft of critical data. This breach has raised serious concerns about the cybersecurity measures in place for municipal digital infrastructure. In response, the Jammu and Kashmir government has directed all departments to conduct security audits of their websites and applications through CERT-In empanelled agencies within a month. This move aims to bolster defenses against such cyber threats and ensure the protection of sensitive information. The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity protocols across governmental digital platforms to prevent future breaches and safeguard public data. (PC: VAR India)

India's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has requested government approval to lift the 30% investment cap on Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) in short-term sovereign debt. Introduced in 2022 to promote trade settlements in rupees and support the rupee's internationalisation, SRVAs allow foreign banks to hold rupee balances in India through domestic banks. Currently, account holders can invest only up to 30% of their balances in securities with maturity under one year. The RBI argues that this restriction hinders short-term liquidity management and discourages broader participation in the SRVA program. Removing the cap could attract more foreign interest and strengthen rupee-denominated trade. The proposal is pending approval from the finance ministry. As of December 2024, SRVAs had a collective balance of ₹134.55 billion ($1.6 billion), with 156 accounts established by 123 banks from 30 countries. Recent RBI measures include allowing foreign branches of Indian banks to hold rupee accounts and Indian exporters to maintain foreign currency accounts abroad. (PC: Reuters)

During the inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Thiruvananthapuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a veiled jab at the Opposition INDIA bloc. Highlighting the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Modi remarked their attendance would cause "sleepless nights to many." The ₹8,867 crore port, developed by Adani Ports under a Public-Private Partnership model, is India's first deep-water container transshipment hub, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign ports. Since commencing operations in July, it has handled approximately 250 container ships. Modi emphasized India's maritime growth, noting the nation ranks among the top three globally for seafarers, with port capacities doubling and turnaround times decreasing by 30% over the past decade. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kerala’s Vizhinjam International Seaport, marking a significant advancement in India's maritime infrastructure. Strategically located near international shipping routes, the port is poised to handle one million containers annually, surpassing even Singapore. This deep-water multipurpose seaport is expected to attract substantial investments and generate numerous job opportunities, bolstering the nation's economic growth. The inaugural vessel 'Zhen Hua 15' is set to dock at Vizhinjam port on October 15. With its container transshipment capabilities and proximity to major shipping lanes, Vizhinjam is envisioned as a game-changer for Kerala's infrastructure and development. The project underscores India's commitment to enhancing its maritime capabilities and global trade presence. (PC: Moneycontrol)

On April 22, 2025, Indian Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal was killed during a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, while on his honeymoon. On what would have been his 27th birthday, his wife, Himanshi Narwal, a PhD scholar, appealed for peace, urging against targeting Muslims or Kashmiris in response to the attack. She emphasized the need for justice without fostering communal hatred. Her plea comes amid reports of retaliatory violence against Muslims in states like Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, and calls for economic boycotts by political figures. The Jammu and Kashmir government has dispatched ministers to various cities to prevent hate crimes against students from the region. (PC: The Daily Guardian & The Telegraph)