The Times of India

A patient advocacy group has urged the Indian government to publicly disclose the full text of the EU free trade agreement before signing. They caution that the pact's strong intellectual property provisions could compromise access to affordable medicines, impacting millions globally who rely on Indian generic production.

Bangladeshs foreign affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said that there was no reason for India to recall the family members of its diplomats from Dhaka. This comes after New Delhi cited precautionary safety concerns amid rising extremist activity ahead of the countrys general elections scheduled for February 2026.

Dust storms from western India are carrying airborne bacteria, including pathogens linked to respiratory, skin, and gastrointestinal illnesses, to Himalayan hilltops. Researchers found these microbes mix with locally sourced pollutants, altering the high-altitude atmospheric microbiome and posing new health risks to vulnerable populations.

Pallavi Aiyar is the author of eight books, including Smoke and Mirrors, Punjabi Parmesan and Babies and Bylines. Her latest work is Travels in the Other Place: Pursuing the Self in Eight Acts.

A 2024 video has resurfaced in which Ajit Pawar shared his mid-air scare experience with Devendra Fadnavis and Uday Samant. In the resurfaced video, the three ministers were flying form Nagpur to Gadchiroli to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony of a steel plant. Addressing the gathering after their arrival, Pawar narrated how the helicopter entered thick cloud cover, leaving no visibility outside.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleged a political conspiracy behind the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. She demanded a Supreme Court-supervised probe, citing reports that Pawar was planning to rejoin his uncle Sharad Pawar's party. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut criticized Banerjee's statement as petty during a time of mourning.

President Murmu, addressing Parliament, unveiled the government's vision for social justice, inclusive growth, and national security. She highlighted poverty reduction, expanded social security, and a decisive stance against terrorism, citing Operation Sindoor. The President also emphasized economic reforms, infrastructure development, and India's space achievements, including astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS visit.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar tragically died in a plane crash in Baramati, adding to a grim list of Indian leaders lost in aviation accidents. This incident follows the June 2025 crash of an Air India Dreamliner, which claimed the life of former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and over 200 others.

The Supreme Court will hear a plea challenging new UGC regulations on higher education equity. Critics argue the rules define caste discrimination too narrowly, excluding potential bias against general category students. The regulations mandate equity committees with representation from SC, ST, and OBC communities, replacing older advisory guidelines. Protests have erupted demanding the rollback of these rules.

European Council President Antonio Costa expressed pride in his Goan roots, highlighting his personal connection to India as the EU and India concluded an ambitious free trade agreement. This historic moment marks a new chapter in their relations, strengthening ties in trade, security, and people-to-people connections.

Bengaluru-based Akashlabdhi is nearing the launch of India's first inflatable space habitat, AntarikshHAB, after successful key tests in Switzerland. A scaled-down version will launch in July, demonstrating deployment, controlled re-entry, and recovery for crucial data on survivability and responsible space operations.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared Europe-India political ties are stronger than ever, highlighted by a new Free Trade Agreement and Security and Defence Partnership. This collaboration signals a commitment to dialogue and cooperation amidst global uncertainty, aiming to bolster economic growth and strategic stability for both regions. The agreements mark a significant advancement in bilateral relations.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor missed another crucial party meeting, citing a late invitation and pre-planned Dubai travel. Returning from his trip, he stated he would convey his concerns directly to the leadership. Tharoor's recent praise for Prime Minister Modi has reportedly led to him being sidelined from party activities.

India's Principal Scientific Adviser has released a white paper outlining a techno-legal framework for AI governance, emphasizing safe and trusted AI development. The paper advocates for a pro-innovation approach integrating legal safeguards, sector-specific regulations, and technical controls to foster a robust AI ecosystem.