Here are the top headlines of today.

People of Pakistan must come forward to end terrorism, says PM at Gujarat rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that if the people of Pakistan do not choose the path of peace, they will face the wrath of the Indian Army. Speaking at a rally in Gujarat, he said that the people of Pakistan should understand that their government and Army supported terrorism for their own benefit.

He said, “Today, India is the 4th largest economy in the world. But what is your situation? Those who promoted terrorism ruined your future.” He advised Pakistanis to come forward to end terrorism.

Operation Sindoor halted only after DGMO talks, Jaishankar clears air about U.S. role at Parliament panel meet

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told a parliamentary panel that Pakistan was informed by the DGMO about Indian strikes on terror camps in their territory only after they were executed. He also told the panel that the decision to halt the military operation was taken bilaterally, after a request from the Pakistani side. The Union Minister, who chaired a meeting of the Consultative Committee of Parliament on External Affairs, said that there was no question of U.S. mediation between the two sides.

India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7, following which Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. The on-ground hostilities ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.

In a post on X, he wrote, “Discussed Op Sindoor and India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Underlined the importance of sending a strong and united message in that regard.”

Meanwhile, leaders from across parties reiterated India’s firm zero-tolerance policy against terrorism when they made representations to partners and allies in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people died, and Operation Sindoor. Seven delegations of Indian MPs are travelling to 33 capitals to reach out to the international community about India’s response to terror, especially in view of the April 22, 2025

Monsoon rains batter Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra

Heavy rains battered Kerala, causing widespread damage as houses were inundated, low-lying areas flooded, and agricultural lands ruined. People were shifted to relief camps and safer locations in many places in the northern districts of the State. The southwest monsoon has set in over Mumbai 16 days before the usual date, making it the earliest since 1950, the IMD said. Waterlogging was reported in several parts of the city and metro services were also hit in India’s financial capital.

The IMD has issued an extreme rain alert for Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka for May 27. The weather forecasting agency said that conditions are favourable for the Southwest Monsoon to advance into remaining parts of central Arabian Sea, some more parts of Maharashtra, remaining parts of Karnataka, some more parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and remaining parts Northeastern states and some parts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim during next 3 days.

Monsoon rains hit the Kerala coast on Saturday, eight days earlier than usual, marking the earliest arrival in 16 years and providing the promise of a bumper harvest and relief from a gruelling heatwave. Summer rains usually begin to lash Kerala around June 1 before spreading nationwide by mid-July.

COVID-19 in India: Active cases climb to 1,009 from 257 last week

India reported a total of 1,009 active COVID-19 cases. The number stood at 257 on May 19 with Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra reporting a spike in cases. According to the Health Ministry, COVID variants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 were found in India recently.

The Health Ministry reviewed the COVID-19 cases late last week and said that cases have been reported mainly from States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka etc. It noted that there is a robust pan-India system for surveillance of respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and ICMR’s pan India respiratory virus sentinel surveillance network. “It is observed that most of these cases are mild and under home care,’’ it said following the meeting.

Biennial polls to eight Rajya Sabha seats on June 19

With the term of eight members of the Rajya Sabha — two from Assam and six from Tamil Nadu — coming to an end in June and July, the Election Commission of India announced biennial polls to the seats on June 19. The counting of votes will take place on the same evening.

The terms of Birendra Prasad Baishya (BJP) and Mission Ranjan Das (also BJP) from Assam are coming to an end on June 14. Similarly, the terms of six members from Tamil Nadu — Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK), N. Chandrasegharan (AIADMK), M. Shanmugam (DMK), P. Wilson (DMK) and Vaiko (MDMK) ends on July 24.

The notification for the biennial exercise will be held on June 2, the ECI said.

On a visit to Vietnam, Macron urges for greater cooperation in defence and trade

French President Emmanuel Macron called for closer cooperation between Vietnam and France in an increasingly unstable global landscape as he visited Hanoi as part of a Southeast Asia tour focused on strengthening regional ties.

Macron signed more than a dozen agreements on defence, nuclear power and trade. He said France would also support Vietnam in key sectors, including critical minerals, high-speed rail, civil nuclear energy and aerospace, and focus on partnering with the Asian nation to help it transition away from dirty coal power while adding new capacity in renewable energy and civil nuclear power.

This is Macron’s first trip to Vietnam since he took office in 2017. Macron emphasised the need for “an order based on law” at a time of ”both great imbalance and a return to power-driven rhetoric and intimidation.” He next heads to Indonesia and Singapore.