A Pakistani journalist got stuck on a key factual detail when asking US War Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday for Washington’s view on India’s alleged “Agni-6 ICBM test”, a missile test which India has not officially conducted.The question came amid discussions on nuclear deterrence and long-range missile programs in South Asia.Referring to recent US concerns over Pakistan’s potential intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ambitions, the journalist asked Hegseth: “Recently Pakistan’s potential ICBM program was identified as a threat to the US. I wanted your comment on India’s Agni-6 ICBM test with a range of ~12,000 km which could potentially put the US and parts of Europe within reach.”However, India has not announced or confirmed any testing of the Agni-6 missile.

Hegseth avoids taking the bait

In his response, Hegseth refused to consider either India or Pakistan a threat to the United States.“India and Pakistan are two nuclear-capable countries. I think both sides will see understandable threats coming from each other, maybe some of them we will see differently, and countries will want to develop ICBM threats,” he said.“But we, at least from our perspective right now, are not pointing the finger at any country and calling them a threat to us, and we are grateful for the benefits they have given to peace around the world, in each of their lanes.”His remarks echo comments he made earlier at the summit, where he said the two countries would continue to view each other through the prism of security concerns.

Confusion over India’s recent missile test

The question appears to stem from speculation surrounding India’s missile launch earlier this month.Ahead of the test, there was widespread discussion that Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Chairman Sameer V Kamat said that India is preparing to conduct the flight test of Agni-6 as the organization is technically ready and is awaiting government approval.India had also issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM), leading to speculation.

For several hours after the launch, defense observers speculated that India had finally test-fired the Agni-6, a missile often described as a future intercontinental-range system with a potential strike range of more than 10,000 kilometers.However, the Defense Ministry later clarified that the test involved the advanced Agni missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology instead of Agni-6.

what did india actually test

The ministry confirmed that the missile was successfully test-fired from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast and carried multiple payloads aimed at various targets spread over a large area of ​​the Indian Ocean region.

The launch marks the second publicly known test of the MIRV-capable Agni-5 variant, also known as “Mission Divyastra”. MIRV technology enables a single ballistic missile to carry multiple warheads capable of striking different targets, significantly increasing its effectiveness.India’s officially declared Agni-5 has a range of over 5,000 kilometres, covering large parts of Asia, including China. The government has not officially disclosed the existence, specifications or testing timeline of the Agni-6 missile.

Pakistan’s focus is on Indian missile capabilities

The questioning also comes in the backdrop of Pakistan rejecting a US intelligence assessment that cited Islamabad’s missile program as among the potential long-term threats to the United States.Responding to the allegations, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry argued that its missile program was aimed solely at deterrence against India and claimed that “India’s development of missile capabilities of more than 12,000 kilometers reflects a trajectory that extends beyond regional security considerations”.The ministry’s comments came after then US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard identified Pakistan as one of the countries posing the greatest nuclear threat to the United States, along with Iran, China, Russia and North Korea.He said these countries are actively developing new missile delivery systems capable of carrying nuclear and conventional weapons, which could potentially target the US.While speculation about the Indian ICBM program has continued for years, New Delhi has not announced any testing of the missile, which has a declared range of about 12,000 kilometres.

New Delhi: India’s Digital Health Mission has crossed a major milestone with over 90 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) created across the country, reflecting the rapid expansion of the nationwide digital health ecosystem that aims to make medical records accessible with a single click.The National Health Authority (NHA) on Saturday announced that Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has crossed the 90 crore ABHA mark from 14.7 crore in 2021, becoming one of the world’s largest digital health records initiatives.ABHA is a unique 14-digit digital health identity that allows individuals to securely link, access and share their health records across hospitals, clinics, laboratories and digital health applications with their consent. It is designed to reduce reliance on physical medical records and improve continuity of care.Growth has been particularly rapid in the last five years. Cumulative ABHA creation is expected to increase from 14.7 crore in 2021 to 30.4 crore in 2022, 50.6 crore in 2023, 72.2 crore in 2024 and 84.5 crore in 2025, before crossing the 90 crore mark this year.State-wise data shows Uttar Pradesh leads the country with over 15.3 crore ABHAs, followed by Rajasthan and Maharashtra with over 7 crore, Bihar with 6.3 crore and West Bengal with 5.9 crore. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka are also among the top contributors.Many states and union territories have achieved almost universal coverage relative to their population. Andhra Pradesh recorded 98.5% ABHA saturation, while Odisha (91.9%), Chandigarh (90.8%), Rajasthan (89.7%), Himachal Pradesh (88.9%) and Chhattisgarh (86.6%) also reported high coverage levels. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have achieved full saturation.Digital health initiatives have also seen strong participation from women, who constitute 49.75% of all ABHA holders, indicating that almost half of India’s digital health identities are created by women.Dr. Sunil Kumar Baranwal, CEO of National Health Authority, said that the creation of ABHA worth more than Rs 90 crore reflects the growing involvement of citizens, states and health ecosystem partners. He said ABHA enables secure, consent-based access to health information and will help reduce reliance on physical records while improving continuity of care and transparency in health care delivery.

These decisions were taken in the cabinet meeting held here under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Cabinet on Saturday approved a roadmap to end the decades-old contract employment system and also paved the way for regularization of over 65,000 employees in 51 government departments.In another important decision, the Cabinet gave retrospective approval to the reconstitution of the Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora and Baljit Kaur to examine the issues related to pending arrears of revised pay, pension, leave encashment and dearness allowance.These decisions were taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant here. Value.Addressing the media after the meeting, Mann said that the Punjab Cabinet has taken a historic decision that we will end the contractual system in the state.He said, by eliminating the role of private contractors in government employment and creating a direct employer-employee relationship between the state and workers, the government has moved towards providing job security, respect and a clear path to permanent service for thousands of employees who have spent years serving Punjab without regular status.Sharing details, the Chief Minister’s Office said it has approved repeal of the Punjab Adhoc, Contract, Daily Wages, Temporary, Work Charged and Outsourced Employees Welfare Act, 2016.It also approved the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel (Alteration in Contractual Appointment) Bill, 2026 and the Punjab Contract Personnel (Absorption against Sanctioned Vacancies) Bill, 2026.“When we would go and meet people, we would hear from employees recruited through contractual and outsourcing systems and they would complain about their exploitation,” Mann said, adding that they would get all kinds of facilities at par with other government employees.He said, “We will send an ordinance in this regard to the Punjab Governor for approval. It (this bill) will be introduced in the state assembly.”Mann said, “More than 65,000 contractual workers of Punjab have given the best years of their lives in the service of the state. With this decision, Punjab has returned to them what is their rightful right.”Under the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel (Alteration of Contractual Appointment) Bill, 2026, outsourced Group C and Group D employees, who have completed five years of continuous service, will become contractual employees of the government. He said employees whose daily duties involve danger – such as fire service personnel, PSPCL linemen, sewer workers, sanitation workers of urban local bodies, waste management workers and field grievance staff – will be eligible for the next step after three years instead of five.He said that direct state employment would be provided after five years of continuous outsourced service.Thereafter, after completing 10 years of contractual service, the employees will be considered for absorption against regular sanctioned posts, as proposed under the Punjab Contract Personnel (Absorption against Sanctioned Vacancies) Bill, 2026.Highlighting the scale of the initiative, Mann said, “A total of 65,048 outsourced employees across 51 departments are covered under the ambit of this reform and more than 26,000 employees will be among the first beneficiaries.” He further announced that employees performing duties involving risk to life and health will get faster consideration under the policy.The reform will cover 15,753 power sector employees, including grievance redressal staff, PESCO staff, meter readers and nodal center staff; 8,436 employees of local government departments – mainly sanitation workers; 8,373 workers in sugar mills, co-operative institutions including Spinfed and Markfed; 7,704 employees in school education; 4,746 employees in the transport department; and 1,472 outsourced fire personnel, the CMO office said.Besides, 2,688 employees of health and family welfare, 1,575 employees of water supply and sanitation, 1,533 employees of agriculture, 1,311 employees of prisons, 1,251 employees of technical education, 1,570 employees of PWD (B&R), 1,322 employees of general administration and 1,231 employees of medical education departments will also benefit from the reform.Salaries will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of employees without any agency cut or commission. Employees will get statutory maternity benefits and 10 days casual leave every calendar year. They will also be covered under the biometric attendance system, Mann said.There will be transparency and protection from arbitrary action; He said that no employee will be removed without recording the reason in writing and without giving an opportunity of being heard.The implementation process will start within 45 days of Cabinet approval and eligible categories will be notified in phases by the Departments of Personnel and Finance.In another decision, the Cabinet sub-committee will consider payment of arrears arising from revised pay and pension benefits between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2021, besides examining the DA and dearness relief arrears pending from July 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024.The committee will also study issues related to DA and dearness relief for various categories of employees and pensioners.To ensure speedy disposal of corruption cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the Cabinet approved the setting up of seven special special courts across Punjab.Three courts will be set up in SAS Nagar, while one court each will be set up in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala. The Cabinet also approved the creation of 63 posts of support staff as well as seven posts of Additional District and Sessions Judges for the functioning of these courts.Speaking about BJP leader Amarinder Singh questioning his party’s decision to appoint Kewal Dhillon as Punjab BJP president, Mann said it is an internal matter of the saffron party.Mann said, “But Dhillon was considered close to Amarinder Singh. When Dhillon was a candidate from Sangrur for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections (from Congress at that time), Amarinder Singh had held rallies in his favor. Today he is saying that Dhillon is not capable.” PTI

New Delhi: The weather in Delhi was at its peak in the month of May, May was the hottest in two years, while the air quality this month was also recorded as the cleanest in almost five years.According to the data, the average maximum temperature of the city in May was 39.7 degrees Celsius, while the average minimum temperature was 25.8 degrees Celsius. The last warmest May was in 2024, when the average maximum and minimum temperatures reached 41.7 °C and 26.5 °C, respectively.The weather patterns kept changing in the capital throughout the month. Experts said frequent western disturbances and associated weather systems triggered pre-monsoon activity, leading to low temperatures during the first half of May. As these systems weakened, temperatures rose rapidly and heat wave conditions developed in parts of Delhi before another round of strong pre-monsoon activity returned towards the end of the month.As quoted by PTI, Skymet Weather’s Mahesh Palawat attributed the month’s fluctuating weather to a combination of western disturbances and cyclonic circulation induced over Rajasthan and adjoining areas and moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal.Heat wave conditions were recorded between 18 and 21 May, with maximum temperatures crossing 46 degrees Celsius in some parts of the city.Nights in Delhi also remained unusually hot, with the minimum temperature reaching 32.8 degrees Celsius on May 26 and 31.9 degrees Celsius on May 21, among the highest night temperatures recorded in the city in the last 14 years, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).The IMD defines heatwave as a situation where the maximum temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius and is 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius above normal.A hot night is declared when the maximum temperature is 40 degrees Celsius or more and the minimum temperature is also 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius above normal.Delhi received 17.61 mm rainfall during the month. Palawat noted that thunderstorms, rain and strong winds intensified in late May, causing widespread weather activity across the capital and providing relief from the scorching heat of the past few days.Rain and strong winds also helped improve the air quality. Despite high temperatures, Delhi recorded the cleanest air quality in May in nearly five years.An analysis by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) showed that the capital’s average AQI as of May 29 was 161, the lowest for the month since 2021, when it was 144.Experts said rain and intermittent strong winds played a significant role in spreading the pollutants. While the dust brought from Rajasthan gave rise to several dust storm events and affected the air quality, local intense rainfall helped flush out particulate matter and improve the overall air quality across the city.The data showed that between May 1 and May 29, Delhi recorded three satisfactory days, 20 moderate days and six poor days, with no very poor or severe air quality days. In comparison, May 2021 recorded six satisfactory days, 22 moderate days and three poor days, with the average AQI at 144. The average AQI was 170 in May 2025 and 223 in May 2024.On May 30, Delhi recorded a satisfactory AQI of 85 after widespread rainfall and strong winds. This was the cleanest air quality day in May since 2023 and the fourth satisfactory air quality day this month.Looking ahead, Palawat said no heat wave conditions are expected during the first week of June. However, temperatures are expected to rise gradually from June 1 as the current spell of rain activity will weaken and move away from the region.

New Delhi: TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee And opposition parties opened a front against this decision BJP After TMC General Secretary on Saturday Abhishek Banerjee The attack was reportedly carried out during his visit to Sonarpur in West Bengal to meet families affected by post-poll violence.These comments came after stones, shoes and eggs were thrown at the TMC MP by unidentified people who allegedly tried to attack him by raising slogans of “thief, thief” during his visit.Before reacting to the incident Chief Minister of West Bengal While sharing the video of the attack on his nephew Abhishek Banerjee, he made a scathing attack on BJP and wrote, ‘Rulers have become murderers – Shame on you BJP.’In the video of the incident, Banerjee is seen being taken away by security personnel wearing a police helmet and her shirt is seen torn in the scuffle.The TMC leader had gone to meet the family of slain party worker Sanju Karmakar and other families who, according to the party, were targeted after the assembly election results.

‘BJP supported miscreants carried out a dangerous attack’

Trinamool Congress BJP was also accused of being behind the attack. “Stick to his word, Abhishek Banerjee refuses to abandon Sanju Karmakar’s grieving family,” the party said in a post on Twitter.The party said, “Even after the horrific attack by the BJP-backed miscreants in Bengal, our National General Secretary decided not to back down. Instead, he stood by the family devastated by the unimaginable harm caused by the alleged BJP-backed goons.”“This is the difference between politics driven by compassion and politics driven by hatred,” it said.Taking aim at Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, TMC said, “Today’s events have once again exposed the kind of politics you preside over, which is rooted in intimidation, violence and vengeance.”

‘Take immediate action’: Kharge

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge strongly condemned the incident and said the attack on Abhishek is unacceptable.“I strongly condemn the shocking attack on MP Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur as he went to meet families affected by post-poll violence in the state,” Kharge posted on Twitter.“The deliberate lack of adequate police protection for a prominent opposition leader speaks volumes about the BJP’s politics of vengeance and harassment. The West Bengal government and the Central government should ensure security for all opposition leaders and take immediate steps to stop such attacks. Political differences can never justify violence of any kind.”

‘The arrangements point towards a bigger conspiracy’

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav Also criticized BJP calling the incident a conspiracy.He said, “By carrying out a deadly attack on prominent Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee in Bengal, the anarchist BJP government of Bengal has proved that the BJP is incapable of doing anything other than hateful, negative, violent politics.”“The absence of police presence even in such a sensitive environment points towards a bigger conspiracy. Highly condemnable!” Yadav added.

‘Where is the police?’: TMC

TMC leader Derek O’Brien questioned why Abhishek’s security had reportedly been withdrawn and claimed that his life was in danger.“What is happening now in Bengal. Lok Sabha leader of the second largest opposition party @AITCofficial had gone to meet the family of a person killed by BJP in post-poll violence and beaten to death by some BJP supporters. Life in danger. Where is the police? Why was security removed on the day of counting? Let the Home Minister answer,” he posted on X.

BJP denied involvement

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya denied the party’s involvement and said the incident could be the result of anger among local people who have been victims of “atrocities” over the years.“BJP is not involved in such activities. What happened is not expected in a democracy,” Bhattacharya told reporters.He said, “I will not be able to say why the police were not there; it is a matter of administration. I am from the party. What TMC has done to our party workers over so many years cannot be described. We still remember what they did to Rupa Ganguly, to our leaders in South 24 Parganas district. Today, because we are restrained, that is why TMC is still there.”Union Minister Sukant Majumdar said, “I condemn this incident.” I appeal to the public not to take law and order into their own hands… The people of Bengal are angry against TMC and Abhishek Banerjee… We need to make Bengal better… We need to make the politics of Bengal violence free…”“I appeal to the public to maintain peace and have faith in law and order,” he said.

‘They want to kill me’: Abhishek Banerjee

After the attack, Banerjee alleged that it was pre-planned and claimed that there was inadequate police presence. “Look what they did to me. This was pre-planned. There is no police in the area. They want to kill me,” he said while meeting the family of a dead victim of post-poll violence.He said, “I will not leave this place until the police send their forces and provide security to the victims’ families.”Local women gathered outside Abhishek’s residence carrying brooms and bamboo sticks and raised slogans against him.According to PTI, questioning his visit, a protestor said, “Why has he come here?” The person whose house he has come to meet is also a thief. It’s like one thief going to another thief.”Another woman asked, “Where was he (Abhishek) when the Nirbhaya incident happened? How many times did he go to meet Nirbhaya’s parents? We want answers from him.”Earlier in the day, Abhishek also met the family of another slain TMC worker Biswajit Patnaik in Beleghata. He wrote onHe said, “No family should have to endure such a loss. Yet, when I spoke to their loved ones, I saw not only grief but also a strong desire for justice. The BJP may try to protect its miscreants, but the truth cannot be buried forever.”

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday ordered framing of charges against 17 accused, including alleged swindler Sukesh Chandrashekhar and actor. Jacqueline FernandezAn alleged Rs 200 crore extortion and money laundering case is being investigated Enforcement Directorate (ED), paving the way for trial proceedings.The court said the accused “should be charged with the offense (of money laundering) under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which is punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA”.Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Prashant Sharma said that “prima facie, there is sufficient material on record based on which strong suspicion is raised against all the accused.”According to the prosecution, Chandrashekhar was running an organized criminal network from inside the jail and was impersonating senior government officials, including officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, Home Ministry and Law and Justice Ministry, PTI reported. He was arrested by Delhi Police in 2017 and by the Enforcement Directorate in 2021. Complainant Aditi Singh and her family alleged that they were induced to pay huge amounts of money through fake calls, encrypted applications and fabricated identities.The prosecution also alleged that the accused generated crime proceeds of over Rs 200 crore through extortion, fraud, impersonation and criminal intimidation. The money was later hidden, held, transferred, layered and presented as untainted assets with the help of associates.According to the ED, the proceeds of crime were used to buy properties, high-end luxury vehicles and expensive gifts. The agency also alleged that the money was sent through various bank accounts, hawala channels, cash delivery and shell entities.During the investigation, searches were conducted at several places and various incriminating materials were collected. ED said that the statements of the accused and several witnesses were recorded under Section 50 of PMLA.The agency said digital evidence including mobile phones, WhatsApp chats, Telegram communications, fake call records, forensic extraction reports, banking transactions and cash movement details were also collected.In its second supplementary complaint against Jacqueline Fernandez, the ED alleged that she was in constant touch with Chandrashekhar and had received valuable gifts from him through Pinky Irani.Apart from Sukesh Chandrashekhar alias Sukash Chandrashekhar, his wife Leena Maria Paul alias Leena Paulose, Jacqueline Fernandez, Deepak Ramnani, Pradeep Ramdani, B Mohanraj, Arun Muthu, D Kamlesh Kothari and Pinky Irani are among the accused.The other accused are Pooja Singh, Dharam Singh Meena, Mahendra Prasad Sundriyal, Sundar Bora, Komal Poddar, Jitendra Narula, Avinash Kumar and Jai Prakash Singhal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (file photo)

Being the most populous state of the country, Uttar Pradesh – With 80 Lok Sabha seats and 403 assembly constituencies – it is widely seen as the “Gateway to Delhi”. Buoyed by its landslide victory in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, which brought the party to power in the state for the first time, BJP Now our focus has been shifted to UP. When elections are held in Uttar Pradesh early next year, the saffron party will complete almost a decade in power in the state.A victory here will have far-reaching political implications, especially considering the next Lok Sabha elections to be held in 2029.

BJP’s caste mathematics before 2027

With caste dynamics expected to play a significant role, the BJP government in the state expanded its cabinet earlier this month, less than a year before the crucial elections. Chief Minister Yogi AdityanathSet to make an unprecedented bid for a third consecutive term, former state BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary and Samajwadi Party (SP) rebel Manoj Pandey were inducted as cabinet ministers. Kailash Rajput, Hansraj Vishwakarma, Krishna Paswan and Surendra Diler were inducted as ministers of state.Additionally, ministers of state Ajit Singh Pal and Somendr Tomar were made ministers of state with independent charge.Among the new entrants, Chaudhary, Vishwakarma and Rajput are from the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, while Tomar is from the influential Gujjar community, which wields influence in parts of western UP. The Pals represent the Pal community, which has a significant presence in the Kanpur-Agra belt. SP rebel Pandey belongs to the Brahmin community.The cabinet reshuffle was widely seen as an attempt by the BJP to counter its arch rival SP’s “backward, Dalit, minority” (PDA) narrative – referring to backward classes, Dalits and minorities – which has emerged as the central plank of former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s political strategy in the state. According to political observers, the SP’s PDA pitch, along with several other factors, played a key role in it winning 37 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state, while the BJP’s seats dropped to just 33 from 62 in 2019 and 71 in 2014.

A Kurmi UP BJP chief

Earlier, in December 2025, the BJP had appointed Union minister and Lok Sabha MP Pankaj Chaudhary as the president of its Uttar Pradesh unit.Chaudhary, like his predecessor Bhupendra Chaudhary, belongs to the Other Backward Class (OBC) and belongs to the Kurmi community.Within the OBCs, Kurmis are the second largest community in Uttar Pradesh after Yadavs. In the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the highest number of Kurmi candidates were on the BJP ticket with 27 wins. The SP-led alliance also had a notable presence within the community, with 13 of its 125 winning candidates being Kurmi candidates. Among the prominent Kurmi candidates from the opposition was Pallavi Patel of Apna Dal (Kameravadi). Patel defeated Deputy Chief Minister and former state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya from Sirathu assembly constituency by over 7,300 votes.

Yogi Adityanath as CM face

Recently, BJP national president Nitin Nabin had announced that the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections will be fought under the leadership of Adityanath.