Veteran social activist Medha Patkar was arrested by Delhi Police on Friday for not submitting probation bonds in a 24-year-old defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena. The arrest came after a Delhi court issued a non-bailable warrant on Wednesday due to Patkar’s repeated absence and failure to follow court orders, including submitting a ₹1 lakh fine. The case dates back to 2000, when Saxena, then head of the Gujarat-based NGO National Council of Civil Liberties, accused Patkar of defaming him in a press release from November 24, 2000.

Earlier this month, the court convicted Patkar and granted her probation, conditional on good behavior and a fine. However, her failure to appear and comply led the judge to consider revisiting the sentence. Saxena’s lawyer claimed Patkar was intentionally dodging legal obligations, while the court criticized her plea to delay proceedings as "mischievous and frivolous." The defamation case involves Patkar allegedly calling Saxena a “coward” and accusing him of hawala links and betrayal of Gujarat’s interests. A magistrate ruled last year that her statements were defamatory and aimed at damaging Saxena’s reputation.

Medha Patkar is widely known for leading the Narmada Bachao Andolan, opposing large infrastructure projects like the Sardar Sarovar Dam, which she argues displace tribal communities and harm the environment. Her activism has included peaceful protests, hunger strikes, and multiple arrests over the years.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Wikimedia commons.

Several Pakistani nationals began returning to their home country through the Attari-Wagah land route in Amritsar on Thursday, a day after the Indian government set a 48-hour deadline for their departure. On Wednesday, the Indian government introduced a series of measures in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives. These measures included expelling Pakistani military attaches, suspending the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, and immediately closing the Attari land transit post.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Pakistani nationals would no longer be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES). Any Pakistani nationals already in India under this scheme were given 48 hours to leave. The Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to shut the integrated check-post (ICP) at Attari, allowing individuals with valid documents who had crossed into Pakistan to return via that route before May 1.

On Thursday morning, several Pakistani families arrived at the ICP to return to Pakistan. One family from Karachi mentioned they had come to Delhi on April 15 to visit relatives, and while their visa was valid for 45 days, they were returning early due to the government’s decision. They expressed a desire for peace and friendship between the two nations.

Another Pakistani national, Mansoor, who arrived on a 90-day visa on April 15, condemned the Pahalgam attack and expressed his disapproval, saying such incidents should never happen. Some Indian nationals with visas to travel to Pakistan also reached the ICP, including a family from Gujarat intending to visit relatives in Karachi. Upon learning of the closure of the land-transit post, the elderly member of the family expressed readiness to return if necessary. Two men from Rajasthan, who arrived in Amritsar on Wednesday evening intending to cross into Pakistan, were unaware of the closure of the Attari transit post.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Indian intelligence agencies have uncovered crucial evidence linking the recent Pahalgam attack to Pakistan, tracing the attackers' digital footprints to safehouses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi. This revelation strongly indicates Pakistan’s involvement in orchestrating the attack, with the operation resembling the remote control-room setup used during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, according to high-ranking officials involved in the investigation. The attack, which claimed the lives of at least 26 Indian tourists, mostly Hindu men, is one of the deadliest in the Kashmir Valley in years. Preliminary forensic findings and survivor testimonies suggest that the five terrorists involved were armed with automatic weapons, including AK rifles, and used advanced communication tools. Some of them were also dressed in military-style fatigues.

Intelligence reports point to a direct connection with operatives based in Pakistan, specifically in Lashkar-e-Taiba's traditional strongholds in Muzaffarabad and Karachi, both of which have been linked to previous high-profile attacks in India, coordinated by the Pakistan army and ISI through remote control centres. There are also reports of a larger conspiracy to send skilled terrorists into India, with the ISI facilitating infiltration through the Line of Control and the International Border in recent months.

In addition to intercepts suggesting the active involvement of the ISI, intelligence agencies have confirmed that the infiltrated terrorists were being guided and supported by local overground workers, who provided them with food, shelter, and logistical aid. Investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in February and March revealed that these terrorists had spread across various districts in Jammu and Kashmir, including areas in the Kashmir Valley.

Currently, intelligence officials estimate there are between 55 and 60 highly trained foreign terrorists operating in the Valley. It is also believed that the terrorists have been equipped with the Alpine Quest navigation app, which was provided by the ISI to help them navigate and track Indian security forces' movements. Additionally, encrypted radio communication devices, with servers based in Pakistan, are being used by the terrorists to coordinate their activities. In response to the escalating threat, the Indian government has ordered a crackdown on infiltration, with the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Army intensifying efforts to secure the borders and eliminate terrorist activities in the region. 

Disclaimer: This image is taken fro Hindustan Times. 

Security agencies have unveiled photographs and sketches of the suspected terrorists involved in the recent Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. The assault, which took place on Tuesday, resulted in the tragic deaths of 26 tourists and left many others injured. The attackers have been identified as Asif Fuji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha.

Affiliated with The Resistance Front — a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — the terrorists targeted Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist site known for its scenic beauty. The incident is being regarded as one of the most devastating terror strikes in the region in recent memory. Eyewitness accounts and security sources reveal that five to six assailants, clad in camouflage and traditional kurta-pyjamas, suddenly appeared from the dense pine forests surrounding the valley. They reportedly opened fire indiscriminately using AK-47 assault rifles.

Investigative agencies have pointed to Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, a high-ranking Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, as the key planner behind the deadly assault. Following the attack, security forces launched an intensive manhunt, deploying helicopters and special forces units to comb through the forest terrain in search of the culprits. The terrorists are believed to have used the natural cover of the forest to evade capture.

Preliminary forensic investigations and statements from survivors suggest that the attackers were equipped with sophisticated, military-grade weaponry and advanced communication devices, indicating logistical and tactical support from cross-border sources. Authorities have urged the public to stay alert and cooperate with ongoing investigations as the manhunt intensifies. The tragic incident has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over the security situation in the Kashmir Valley.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

The Black Swan centers on a former master criminal who claims to have reformed and now secretly records her corrupt clients to expose them. However, doubts arise about her true intentions—is her transformation genuine, or is she still manipulating the game? At the same time, suspicions grow around the filmmaker himself, leaving viewers to wonder whether he, too, is bending the truth behind the camera. The film blurs the line between justice and deception, keeping audiences guessing until the end.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.

As Donald Trump’s tariffs evolve into a trade war with China, a wave of defiant nationalism is rising. The Chinese government, sharing Mao-era rhetoric, shows no sign of backing down. However, China’s economy remains fragile post-pandemic, and fears of a global recession are growing. Despite efforts to diversify trade and boost domestic demand, many in China worry that worsening U.S.-China tensions could lead to broader conflict.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.

The People’s Action Party (PAP) is set to introduce its largest group of new candidates in recent memory for the upcoming General Election, with over 30 fresh faces expected to be announced. As the political race intensifies, opposition parties are also unveiling more potential contenders. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the likely standout candidates for GE2025 with independent political analyst Dr Felix Tan.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA News.

Despite initially standing firm on his commitment to maintain the new tariffs, Donald Trump has introduced a 90-day delay for most countries—excluding China. So, what prompted this shift?Jonathan Freedland talks with James Bennet from The Economist to explore who may have influenced the president’s decision and what the potential consequences could be.
Disclaimer:This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.