A Russian ballistic missile attack overnight on the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv killed one person and injured four others, including a nine-year-old girl. The Ukrainian military were able to shoot down six of the seven missiles and 71 drones launched by Russia, which caused several fires in the city. The Holosiivskyi, Podilskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Obolonskyi districts in Kyiv were affected. The city of Kryvyi Rih was also damaged in another Russian attack. Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned Russian actions, stating that President Putin is not preparing for peace but still destroying Ukrainian cities.

A Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, has arrived in Cairo for talks on the Gaza ceasefire. The group is meeting with Egyptian officials to discuss the ceasefire agreement and ensure Israel follows its terms. An official told AFP that the discussions will focus on ending the crisis and preventing further conflict. Tensions remain high, with concerns that the ceasefire may collapse. Egypt continues to mediate between Hamas and Israel, pushing for a lasting peace. The situation remains uncertain as both sides hold firm on their demands.

YouTubers Apoorva Mukhija and Ashish Chanchlani told police that India’s Got Latent is not scripted. They said panellists and contestants speak freely and are not given pre-written lines. This comes amid the controversy over Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks on the show. An FIR has been filed against 30 people, including the show’s host Samay Raina. The police have summoned multiple celebrities, and the National Commission for Women has also taken action. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell has asked YouTube to remove episodes with obscene content. The controversy continues to grow as more statements are recorded.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US will not send troops to Ukraine as peacekeepers. Speaking at a NATO meeting in Brussels, he also said Ukraine joining NATO is "not realistic." He stressed that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security. The US will focus on threats from China and protecting its borders. Hegseth stated that America will not tolerate an unbalanced relationship that creates dependency. His remarks signal a shift in US policy, urging European nations to lead in supporting Ukraine while the US reduces its role in European security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the ITER project in France, which aims to create a miniature Sun on Earth. ITER, the world’s largest fusion energy experiment, involves seven countries, including India. Modi inspected the reactor with French President Emmanuel Macron. India has invested ₹20,000 crore in the project and will gain full access to its technology. Scientists are working to generate clean energy by fusing atoms, similar to the Sun. The project is delayed but expected to be ready by 2035. Modi praised Indian scientists and engineers contributing to this global effort for a sustainable energy future.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement about India’s economic recovery. Gandhi questioned Sitharaman’s claim that there is no inflation or unemployment. "I don't know which planet she is living on," she said. The Trinamool Congress also attacked Sitharaman, saying she must be "living under a rock" to ignore economic struggles. Sitharaman defended the budget, stating it focuses on growth and capital expenditure. She also announced a full income tax rebate for those earning less than ₹12 lakh per year. The debate over India’s economy continues in Parliament.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted restrictions on Kotak Mahindra Bank, allowing the bank to resume onboarding new customers digitally and issuing new credit cards. The restrictions were imposed on April 24, 2024, due to supervisory concerns. Kotak Mahindra Bank has taken corrective actions and complied with the requirements needed to address the concerns raised by the RBI. The lifting of restrictions is a significant step towards the restoration of the bank's full operations in customer acquisition and credit card issuance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron of France talked about how to take India-France relations forward in defence, civil nuclear cooperation, and space. They started a roadmap for cooperation in AI and launched the 'India-France Year of Innovation 2026'. The two leaders emphasized the need for UN Security Council reforms and agreed to strengthen trade, investment, and global cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. They also discussed nuclear energy, the Jaitapur project, and signed agreements on training and education on advanced nuclear reactors. France affirmed support for India's permanent membership of the UNSC.  

Denmark topped the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) as the world’s least corrupt nation, followed by Finland and Singapore. India dropped to 96th place from 93rd last year, scoring 38/100. Transparency International’s report ranked 180 countries based on perceived public sector corruption. South Asian neighbors fared poorly, with Pakistan at 135th and Bangladesh at 149th. The US fell to 28th place, while Russia’s score dropped due to its Ukraine invasion. Transparency International warned corruption hinders economic growth and democracy. Somalia and South Sudan remained the most corrupt, scoring below 10.

Bastar district of Chhattisgarh has intensified its drive against Maoism by pursuing a combination of security and development strategies. Roads have been constructed by the government, basic services improved, and welfare schemes extended to remote villages, once under Maoist control. Security camps have been set up in Maoist strongholds like Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur, which has facilitated greater state presence. In 2024, big operations led to the deaths of 217 Maoists in encounters. The Chhattisgarh government is committed to the complete eradication of violent Maoism by March 2026, with the objective of permanent peace through military and developmental initiatives.