South's seat share won't be cut, say PM and Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday told the Lok Sabha that the Bills to amend the women's reservation law and carry out a fresh delimitation exercise will keep current proportional representation of southern States intact while increasing the absolute number of seats for each State approximately by 50%.

Trump announces ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, effective from midnight.

Electors cleared by tribunals till April 21 and 27 can vote: SC

The Supreme Court has declared that electors, who were purged from the voter list during the West Bengal special intensive revision, but subsequently cleared by Appellate Tribunals by April 21 or April 27, must be allowed to vote in the Assembly election.

The institutionalised sluggishness of the legal system

For a layman, the legal process feels like a black hole where time and money disappear without a clear horizon for resolution.

India's rural models are shaping development diplomacy

In recent years, a growing number of African governments have begun exploring the Indian SHG-based livelihoods framework.

On the Sabarimala temple entry case

• Articles 25-28 under Part III (Fundamental Rights) of the Constitution guarantee the right to freedom of religion, with the Sabarimala matter focused on the interplay between Articles 25 and 26.

• The Union government argued that "constitutional morality" is subjective and not an independent ground for judicial review; that judges should not act as social reformers, with reforms instead emanating from the legislature and society; and that the judiciary is ill-equipped to determine essential religious practices.

• At its core, the issue turns to how the Constitution distinguishes between protected religious practices and those amenable to reform.

No military solution to conflicts, say Austrian Chancellor and PM Modi

The global situation is "grave and tense," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking after talks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, as both leaders asserted that current conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia could not be resolved militarily. Announcing a number of agreements of intent after talks, the two countries said they hoped to cooperate on military matters and terrorism, while launching a dialogue on cybersecurity.

India-Zambia critical minerals talks stall over mining rights

India's talks with Zambia over critical minerals mining have stalled amid a lack of assurances from Lusaka on mining rights, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. India last year received an allocation of 9,000 square kms to explore cobalt a key component in batteries for EVs and mobile phones as well as copper, widely used in power generation, electronics and construction. India dispatched a team of geologists last year, who have since returned with samples of minerals, including cobalt and copper. The exploration in Zambia was set to run.

India could limit sulphur exports as supplies tighten

India is considering a proposal to restrict sulphur exports after industry lobby groups raised concerns about soaring prices and disruption to supplies from the Gulf, three sources aware of the development said. Export restrictions could add to upward pressure on global sulphur prices, as supplies from the Middle East are disrupted by the Iran war and with China also set to restrict sulphuric acid exports from next month.

EU planning to include 180 more products under CBAM

The European Union (EU) is planning to include 180 more products under the scope of its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from January 2028, a move that could increase carbon tax costs on Indian-manufactured ex-ports to Europe.

Pak's Munir meets Iran's Ghalibaf; Sharif visits Qatar in four-day tour

Pakistan's army chief met Iran's Parliament Speaker on Thursday, Iranian state television said, after Pakistani mediators travelled to Iran to press efforts to end the war with the United States and Israel.

Why India should establish a vaccine injury compensation mechanism

• India's silence on vaccine injuries is a governance deficit that cuts to the heart of constitutional accountability and the social compact between citizens and the State.

• Existing legal remedies for vaccine injury are poorly suited to the problem. Tort law requires proof of fault that the manufacturer or state acted below the required standard of care

• India requires a Vaccine Injury Compensation Act, not a circular, which can be quietly withdrawn between elections, but a Parliamentary statute with defined rights and independent oversight.

Understanding Parkinson's disease and its symptoms

April marks Parkinson's disease Awareness Month, highlighting the need for early recognition of this progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the importance of support groups for patients and caregivers. Though awareness has improved, healthcare providers still find delayed diagnosis a major challenge as symptoms are often overlooked or misunderstood.