Delhi is reeling under an intense heatwave, prompting authorities to issue a red alert after the heat index reached a dangerous 51.9°C. The India Meteorological Department warns the extreme heat will continue until June 13. Areas like Ayanagar, Palam, and Pitampura recorded temperatures above 43°C. With humidity and dry northwesterly winds worsening conditions, citizens are urged to stay indoors, avoid direct sunlight, and stay hydrated. A western disturbance expected on June 13 night may bring relief with light rain or thunderstorms.

Human rights activists in India have expressed serious concern over the deportation of Bengali Muslims to Bangladesh after branding them as 'foreigners.' According to a Reuters report, Assam authorities have deported 303 people since May. Many of those expelled were declared 'foreigners' by local tribunals, despite being long-time residents of Assam, with family ties and property in the state. The Chief Minister of Assam has warned that deportations will intensify in the coming months.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has sharply criticized the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for appointing Pakistan as Vice-Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee. “India and Pakistan gained independence at the same time, but today India is known as the mother of democracy, while Pakistan is infamous as the cradle of terrorism,” he said. Singh stressed that the global community must apply strategic, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Pakistan to root out terrorism from its soil. He also reiterated that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) will eventually become part of India despite Pakistan’s continuous attempts to derail development in the region.

India has surpassed China to become the most populous country, with a population of 1.4639 billion as of April. According to a UN report, India's fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level at 1.9 children per woman, compared to the needed 2.1 to maintain population size. This decline suggests that India's population may eventually decrease. Currently, 24% of the population is aged 0-14, 17% aged 10-19, and 26% aged 10-24, highlighting a young demographic.

An Indian student has reportedly faced police brutality at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey before being deported back to India. A video circulating online shows the young student with his hands and feet tied, as multiple police officers pin him to the ground.

Sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter), eyewitness Kunal Jain wrote, “Last night, I saw a young Indian student being deported through Newark Airport. His hands were handcuffed, and the officers treated him like a criminal. This is nothing short of a humanitarian disaster.”

The incident has sparked outrage on social media, raising questions about the treatment of deportees in the United States.

The Indian Air Force is set to receive the advanced A1 variant of the HAL Tejas fighter jet by the end of this month. Originally planned for induction a year earlier, the upgraded version is said to bring the indigenous Tejas closer to Western standards in terms of capabilities. Indian defense sources claim the A1 variant incorporates cutting-edge Israeli technologies. So far, the Indian Air Force has inducted 40 Tejas fighter jets and expects the new variant to significantly enhance its operational strength.

India’s massive $80 billion coal power expansion is under threat due to severe water shortages. Around 90% of its coal plants depend on freshwater for cooling, but rising temperatures and erratic rainfall—worsened by climate change—are depleting supplies. States like Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh are seeing shutdowns and reduced output. The government is urging efficiency improvements and alternative cooling technologies, but progress is slow. Experts warn that without urgent reforms, India’s power reliability and future energy plans could be seriously undermined by worsening water stress.

Continuous heavy rains and landslides have triggered severe floods in Northeast India, causing over 100 deaths and displacing hundreds of thousands. Assam remains the worst affected with more than 350,000 people impacted and 36,000 taking shelter in relief camps. Floodwaters have submerged large areas including parts of Kaziranga National Park. Neighboring states like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura also face rising water levels and landslides, worsening the humanitarian crisis.

COVID-19 cases, including a new Omicron variant, are increasing in India, prompting Bangladeshi health authorities to tighten screenings at all entry points. At Benapole immigration, passengers arriving from India are being checked for symptoms to prevent virus spread. Passengers reported no testing in India before travel. Health officials have instructed isolation for symptomatic individuals and emphasized strict health measures during Eid train travel. Authorities urge vigilance to stop the new variant from entering Bangladesh.

India has built the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a major engineering milestone. Central to the project’s success is Professor G. Madhavi Latha, a civil engineering expert from IISc Bengaluru, who served as the geotechnical consultant for 17 years. Her adaptive design strategies overcame extreme geological and weather challenges. Recognized nationally, she’s received several awards for her work. The bridge now connects Kashmir to mainland India and stands taller than the Eiffel Tower.

Fresh unrest has erupted in Manipur, India, with violent clashes breaking out between protesters and police in the capital, Imphal, on Saturday evening. Authorities have suspended internet services in several districts and imposed a curfew in Bishnupur to contain the violence. Public gatherings have been banned in at least five districts, including Imphal East and West. Officials warned that attempts are being made to provoke public sentiment and spread inflammatory content online. Internet services will remain suspended for five days.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent Eid-ul-Azha greetings to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In a message on Friday, Modi conveyed warm wishes on behalf of the people of India. He noted that Eid is an integral part of cultural heritage, celebrated by millions with joy. Modi emphasized the festival’s message of sacrifice, compassion, and brotherhood, which are essential for peace and inclusivity. He also wished Dr. Yunus good health and well-being.

In a heart-wrenching incident, six teenage girls drowned while bathing in the Yamuna River in the Sikandra area of Agra, Uttar Pradesh. According to reports, the girls had gone to the river to rest after working in nearby fields. Eyewitnesses said they were initially playing and filming videos near the bank but eventually drifted into deeper waters and were swept away by strong currents. Four girls died on the spot, while two others succumbed during treatment.

India is grappling with a growing superbug crisis, where antibiotic-resistant infections are becoming harder to treat. Misuse and lack of access to life-saving antibiotics are driving the problem. A global study reveals only 6.9% of patients in low- and middle-income countries, including India, receive effective treatment. High costs, poor diagnostics, and weak regulation worsen the issue. Experts warn that without better antibiotic access and control, routine treatments, surgeries, and cancer care could be jeopardized. India’s strong pharma sector could lead solutions with better data and policy.

The deadly coronavirus has once again struck South Asia, with India reporting seven deaths from the virus across multiple states.
So far, around 3,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in India, with Kerala registering the highest number of cases. Maharashtra and Delhi follow closely behind.
According to official data, Kerala has recorded 1,147 cases, Maharashtra 424, Delhi 294, and Gujarat 223. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka each have reported 148 cases, while West Bengal has confirmed 116 infections.