George Sluizer

Following the Pahalgam attack, India has banned all imports from Pakistan, including indirect routes via intermediary nations, postal services, and vessels. This action, triggered by national security concerns, aims to prevent Pakistani goods from entering India through circumvention.

The ministry of home affairs on Monday instructed several states to conduct civil defence mock drills on Wednesday, May 7, to improve readiness for potential hostile attacks amid rising India-Pakistan tensions. These drills include activating air raid sirens, training civilians in civil defence, implementing blackout protocols, camouflaging infrastructure, and updating evacuation plans.

The army chief, Gen Syed Asim Munir, who usually works behind the scenes, has been shaping Pakistan’s tone in the crisis over Kashmir with his own tough talk

Persistent rain led to the abandonment of the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals. DC, after a top-order collapse, recovered to post 133/7, thanks to Stubbs and Sharma's partnership. Cummins' impressive bowling spell put DC under early pressure. SRH are now out of the playoff race, while DC moved to fifth place.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia soon. This visit occurs amidst reports of Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine, mostly for Russia. Some fighters are returning with harrowing experiences. Ukraine accuses China of supplying Russia with war materials. China denies any state involvement. The situation poses a challenge for Xi, balancing support for Russia with avoiding direct military engagement.

Rajasthan ACB recovered ₹20 lakh bribe money from Indira Gandhi Nagar, a day after BAP MLA Jaikrishn Patel's personal assistant fled with it during an entrapment operation. The cash, allegedly from a mine operator, was buried under a lawn. Patel, arrested on Sunday, is now in ACB custody for two days.

With Bangladesh no longer a safe option for accessing Northeast, India must look at the sea-river-road project via Myanmar. But can Indian diplomacy navigate between Myanmar’s rebels/oppn and the junta?

Ray Dalio, who predicted the 2008 crisis, warns that mishandled economic policies, particularly Trump's tariffs, could push the U.S. into a recession. He likens the tariffs' disruptive implementation to destabilizing the production system. Despite a tariff pause, Goldman Sachs estimates a significant chance of a recession within the next year, highlighting growing economic uncertainty.

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted a survey report to the Allahabad High Court regarding the Jama Masjid and Harihar temple dispute in Sambhal. The court has adjourned the case for the next hearing on May 13, extending the stay on trial court proceedings. The dispute centers on claims that the mosque was built after demolishing a temple.

India and the US are in trade talks, with India proposing zero-for-zero tariff arrangements on specific items like steel and pharmaceuticals, contingent on reciprocity and import volumes.