West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee visited the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad and accused the BJP-led central government of "deliberately stoking communal tensions."
In a key diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with PM Modi and strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, reaffirming Russia’s support for India in its fight against terrorism.
As part of a broader economic response to the attack, the Centre has imposed a blanket ban on all imports from Pakistan, including those routed through third countries, and halted postal and parcel services linked to the neighbouring nation.
Further tightening pressure on Islamabad, India has urged the Asian Development Bank to reduce its financial aid to Pakistan during the bank’s annual meeting in Milan.
Meanwhile, in a legal update, the SC has scheduled May 15 for hearing petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 under new CJI.
Here are the top stories for the evening news wrap:
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee blames Centre, BSF for Murshidabad
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited the riot-hit areas of Murshidabad and launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of "deliberately fuelling communal tensions."
She also blamed the Border Security Force (BSF), alleging that the force’s actions, including opening fire, contributed to the unrest. Banerjee claimed the violence appeared "well planned" and could have been avoided if security forces had acted responsibly. Read full story
Putin condemns Pahalgam attack in call with PM Modi, backs India on terror
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and strongly denounced the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, according to the ministry of external affairs (MEA).
In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Putin expressed deep condolences over the loss of innocent lives and reaffirmed Russia’s full support to India in combating terrorism. He stressed the need to bring the attackers and their backers to justice. Read full story
India urges ADB to cut funding to Pakistan after Pahalgam attack
India urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to cut financial assistance to Pakistan, stepping up pressure on Islamabad following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
Speaking at the ADB's 58th annual meeting in Milan, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman raised the issue with ADB President Masato Kanda, ANI reported, citing sources. The request was part of a broader set of discussions during the meeting. Read full story
Centre imposes total import ban on Pakistan in wake of Pahalgam attack
In a significant economic move following the Pahalgam terror attack , the Centre has enforced a complete ban on imports from Pakistan, including goods routed through third countries.
The restrictions also cover postal and parcel services from Pakistan. Additionally, Pakistan-registered vessels are barred from Indian ports, and Indian ships are prohibited from docking at Pakistani harbours—marking a sharp escalation in diplomatic and trade tensions between the two nations. Read full story
Supreme Court to hear Waqf Act challenge on May 15 under new CJI
The Supreme Court scheduled the hearing of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, for May 15 before a bench led by Chief Justice-designate B R Gavai. By then, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, who currently heads the bench, will have retired on May 13.
CJI Khanna noted that even passing an interim order would require a detailed hearing. He added that the Centre had raised important issues concerning the registration of waqf properties, which need thorough examination. “I do not want to reserve any judgment, or even an interim order, at this stage,” he said. Read full story
In a key diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with PM Modi and strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, reaffirming Russia’s support for India in its fight against terrorism.
As part of a broader economic response to the attack, the Centre has imposed a blanket ban on all imports from Pakistan, including those routed through third countries, and halted postal and parcel services linked to the neighbouring nation.
Further tightening pressure on Islamabad, India has urged the Asian Development Bank to reduce its financial aid to Pakistan during the bank’s annual meeting in Milan.
Meanwhile, in a legal update, the SC has scheduled May 15 for hearing petitions challenging the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 under new CJI.
Here are the top stories for the evening news wrap:
Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee blames Centre, BSF for Murshidabad
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited the riot-hit areas of Murshidabad and launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of "deliberately fuelling communal tensions."
She also blamed the Border Security Force (BSF), alleging that the force’s actions, including opening fire, contributed to the unrest. Banerjee claimed the violence appeared "well planned" and could have been avoided if security forces had acted responsibly. Read full story
Putin condemns Pahalgam attack in call with PM Modi, backs India on terror
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and strongly denounced the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, according to the ministry of external affairs (MEA).
In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Putin expressed deep condolences over the loss of innocent lives and reaffirmed Russia’s full support to India in combating terrorism. He stressed the need to bring the attackers and their backers to justice. Read full story
India urges ADB to cut funding to Pakistan after Pahalgam attack
India urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to cut financial assistance to Pakistan, stepping up pressure on Islamabad following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
Speaking at the ADB's 58th annual meeting in Milan, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman raised the issue with ADB President Masato Kanda, ANI reported, citing sources. The request was part of a broader set of discussions during the meeting. Read full story
Centre imposes total import ban on Pakistan in wake of Pahalgam attack
In a significant economic move following the Pahalgam terror attack , the Centre has enforced a complete ban on imports from Pakistan, including goods routed through third countries.
The restrictions also cover postal and parcel services from Pakistan. Additionally, Pakistan-registered vessels are barred from Indian ports, and Indian ships are prohibited from docking at Pakistani harbours—marking a sharp escalation in diplomatic and trade tensions between the two nations. Read full story
Supreme Court to hear Waqf Act challenge on May 15 under new CJI
The Supreme Court scheduled the hearing of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, for May 15 before a bench led by Chief Justice-designate B R Gavai. By then, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, who currently heads the bench, will have retired on May 13.
CJI Khanna noted that even passing an interim order would require a detailed hearing. He added that the Centre had raised important issues concerning the registration of waqf properties, which need thorough examination. “I do not want to reserve any judgment, or even an interim order, at this stage,” he said. Read full story
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