Source : The Hindu

India declares second Pakistani diplomat persona non grata in ten days

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) declared an official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi as persona non grata. This marks the second such declaration involving a Pakistani diplomat within ten days. The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours.

Supreme Court refuses to entertain plea seeking FIR against Justice Varma

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined a plea seeking a judicial order to register a criminal case against sitting High Court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, in whose official residence half-burnt currency was found after a blaze in March. A Bench headed by Justice A.S. Oka, addressing petitioner-advocate Mathews J. Nedumpara, referred to a press statement issued by the Supreme Court on May 8, informing that the in-house inquiry report, along with Justice Varma’s response to it, had been forwarded to the President and the Prime Minister for suitable action.

Central Government employees retiring day before annual pay hike date to get notional increment

“Central Government employees retiring a day before their annual pay hike date would be eligible to get notional increment for the purpose of calculating the pension admissible to them,” an official order said. The move follows a Supreme Court order in this regard. “It is advised that in pursuance of the above referred order dated 20.02.2025 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, action may be taken to allow the increment on July 1/January 1 to the Central Government employees who retired/are retiring a day before it became due, i.e., on June 30/December 31, and have rendered the requisite qualifying service as on the date of their superannuation with satisfactory work and good conduct for calculating the pension admissible to them,” the order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.

India’s economy resilient to Trump tariff uncertainty & Pakistan tensions: Moody’s Ratings

Portraying a relatively rosy picture of India’s economic resilience, Moody’s Ratings on Monday said that not only is India “well-positioned” to deal with the negative effects of potential U.S. tariffs, but it is also not likely to face any significant economic fallout of heightened tensions with Pakistan. “India is better positioned than many other emerging markets to deal with US tariffs and global trade disruptions, helped by robust internal growth drivers, a sizable domestic economy and a low dependence on goods trade,” Moody’s Ratings said in its report.

Trump yet again claims he ended India-Pakistan hostilities, suggesting it was ‘through trade’

U.S. President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, again claimed he had settled the recent hostilities between India and Pakistan following the killing of civilians in Pahalgam on April 22. Mr. Trump went on to suggest that trade was involved in the process. The remark was made in passing during a largely confrontational bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office.

Madras High Court stays amendments taking away T.N. Governor’s power to appoint Vice-Chancellors 

The Madras High Court on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) stayed the operation of a series of amendments carried out by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly to make the State government, instead of the Governor, the appointing authority for Vice-Chancellors of various State-run universities.

Basavaraju was trained by LTTE in jungle warfare, military tactics and IED use

The killing of Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju, general secretary of the banned CPI (Maoist), in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday is the biggest strike that the security forces, a combination of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG), can claim in recent times. The news was a bolt from the blue for many who sympathised with the movement. Basavaraju had been elusive since he joined the movement after completing his B.Tech. in 1980.

Creation of waqfs is not an essential religious practice of Islam: Centre

The Centre on Wednesday sought to dismantle petitioners’ argument in the Supreme Court that creating ‘waqf’ is an essential religious practice in Islam, saying charity is not an essential part of any religion. “Waqf, by its very nature, is charity, and any charity, either under Islamic law or Hindu law or Christian law, has never been considered to be an essential religious practice. Charity is a part of every religion, but not an essential religious practice of any religion. A Muslim who does not create a waqf would not be less Muslim or cease to be a Muslim,” the Centre submitted before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai.

MEA says it’s ‘second nature’ to Pakistan to blame India, denies links to Baloch blast

Rejecting Pakistan’s allegation of India’s involvement in Wednesday’s blast near Balochistan’s Khuzdar city, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that it has become “second nature” to Pakistan to blame India for its internal breakdown. “India rejects the baseless allegations made by Pakistan regarding Indian involvement in the incident in Khuzdar earlier today,” said the MEA.

U.S. Defence Department accepts Boeing 747 from Qatar for President Trump’s use

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has accepted a gifted Boeing 747 from Qatar for President Donald Trump to use as Air Force One, the Pentagon said on Wednesday. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the department will “work to ensure proper security measures” on the aircraft to make it safe for use by the president. He said the plane was accepted “in accordance with all federal rules and regulations”.

Donald Trump announces $175 billion Golden Dome missile defence shield, names project leader

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (May 20, 2025) he had selected a design for the $175 billion Golden Dome missile defence shield and named a Space Force general to lead the effort to build the ambitious defence program aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia. Mr. Trump announced at a White House press conference that U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein would be the lead program manager for what the President said would be a $175 billion project, an effort widely viewed as the keystone to Mr. Trump's military planning.

Adviser to Ukrainian ex-President Viktor Yanukovych has been shot dead in Spain

Spanish authorities said that an adviser to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was shot dead outside a school in Madrid on Wednesday. “Andrii Portnov, 52, was identified as the victim by Spain’s Interior Ministry. He was shot at 9:15 a.m.,” authorities said. “Witnesses reported that Portnov was shot ‘several times” in the head and body by more than one gunman when he was getting into a vehicle,” police said. “The assailants then fled on foot into a wooded area,” police said.

Pakistan, China agree to deepen trade, maintain close communication

Pakistan said on Wednesday it had agreed to deepen trade and investment with China, days after the end of a conflict with India that Beijing urged should be resolved through dialogue. India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, 2025, after four days of fighting, the worst in nearly three decades. “China welcomes and supports efforts by Pakistan and India to handle their differences through dialogue and to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire,” Wang Yi said. “Apart from maintaining close communication, the two countries agreed to more cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, industrialisation, and other sectors,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.

Delhi rains: 2 killed, at least 11 injured; airport sees 13 flight diversions

A 22-year-old youth and a person with disability died, while at least 11 were injured, in separate rain-related incidents in the national capital on Wednesday evening, police said. At least 13 flights were diverted at the Delhi airport on Wednesday due to heavy rain and thunderstorm.

Europa League Final | Tottenham beats Man United to win title; ends long trophy drought

Tottenham beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the Europa League final and lift its first European trophy in more than four decades on Wednesday. It is the first major title for Tottenham since it won the English League Cup in 2008, and first European triumph since it won its second UEFA Cup — the equivalent of the Europa League now — in 1984.