Morning news wrap: MHA directs states to conduct mock drills, Donald Trump administration blocks billion-dollar Harvard funding; and more

The Union home ministry has asked several states to conduct mock drills on May 7 for effective civil defence, government sources said. Meanwhile, Pakistani troops continued to breach the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, carrying out unprovoked firing in several sectors, which led to a measured and firm response from the Indian Army.
Following the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, India has initiated flushing and desilting of reservoirs on the Chenab River to improve water storage for the winter months.
Sunil Gavaskar criticized the BCCI for altering its rules to accommodate MS Dhoni as an “uncapped player” ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Here are top five stories of the morning:
MHA directs states to conduct mock drills for civil defence readiness
Amid indications of an imminent confrontation with Pakistan, the govt on Monday moved to prepare the country for any contingency, with the home ministry asking all states and Union Territories to conduct civil defence exercises or drills across the country’s 244 categorised civil defence districts on Wednesday. Read full story
India prepares dams to store more water, lines up multiple actions to choke Pakistan
The move is part of the country’s detailed roadmap, prepared after suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) following the Pahalgam terror attack last month, to prevent and regulate flow of western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab - to the Pakistan. Read full story
Trump administration blocks billion-dollar Harvard funding
The Trump administration has announced that Harvard University will be barred from receiving any new federal research grants until it complies with a set of demands laid out by the White House. Read full story
Met Gala 2025: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Indian stars dazzle on the global stage
Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan's inaugural appearance at the 2025 Met Gala was met with enthusiasm from fans worldwide. Read live updates
'Pakistan's grandstanding flops again': UNSC meet yields no outcome
Although the 15-member UNSC did not release a statement after the meeting, India said, "Pakistan’s grandstanding has flopped again today as in the past." Read full story