From trade battles to political sparring, flood risks, sports diplomacy, and the war in Gaza, today’s headlines capture a wide spectrum of developments shaping India and the world. India has unveiled its first counter to Donald Trump’s tariffs with a global textile push, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reignited debate over Operation Sindoor, alleging PM Modi bowed to US pressure. On the regional front, India has issued fresh flood alerts to Pakistan amid heavy rains. Meanwhile, the Cabinet has greenlit Ahmedabad’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and in the Middle East, Israel faces global outrage after a deadly strike on a Gaza hospital, which it claims was aimed at a Hamas surveillance camera.India’s first counter to Donald Trump’s tariffs TextileIndia, in its first counter to US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariff on Indian goods, has announced dedicated outreach programmes in 40 markets, including the UK, Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, and Canada, to boost textile exports. Officials said the move aims to position India as a reliable supplier of quality, sustainable, and innovative textile products, with Export Promotion Councils and Indian missions playing a lead role. Read full storyOperation Sindoor row: Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi over Trump’s ultimatum claimCongress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of halting military action against Pakistan within five hours after a 24-hour ultimatum from Donald Trump. Quoting Trump’s remarks, Rahul said Modi “stopped everything” midway, reviving the debate over Operation Sindoor and India’s handling of the conflict.Rahul claimed that Trump dialled PM Modi and said: Sunn…yeh jo tu kar raha hai isko 24 ghante ke ander band kar aur Narendra Modi ne paanch ghante ke ander saara ka saara rok diya. (Listen… whatever you’re doing, stop it within 24 hours, and Narendra Modi stopped everything within five hours.) Read full storyIndia issues fresh flood alerts to Pakistan amid heavy rainsIndia has sent multiple flood risk alerts to Pakistan, warning of a “high probability” of flooding in the Tawi river after heavy rains forced dam water releases in the north. Officials said the alerts, shared on humanitarian grounds, follow warnings issued on Monday and Tuesday. “We issued another alert yesterday (Tuesday) and one today (Wednesday) of high probability of flooding in the Tawi river. The gates of some dams had to be opened due to excessive rains being witnessed in Indian regions,” a source said. Read full storyCabinet clears Ahmedabad’s bid for 2030 Commonwealth GamesThe Union Cabinet has approved India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The decision includes approval to sign the Host Collaboration Agreement and financial backing for Gujarat if the bid succeeds. The Games, expected to draw athletes from 72 nations, would utilise facilities including the world’s largest stadium. Read full storyGaza hospital strike: Israel says IDF was aiming for Hamas camera placed at Nasser HospitalAfter global outrage over a strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital that killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, the Israeli military said troops were aiming for a Hamas-installed surveillance camera.“From an initial inquiry, it appears that Golani Brigade troops, operating in the Khan Yunis area to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, identified a camera positioned by Hamas near the Nasser Hospital to track IDF activity and direct terrorist attacks,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote on X. Read full story