TODAY NEWS ON May 04, 2025

Source: THE HINDU

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wins a second three-year term

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has become the first Australian Prime Minister to win a second consecutive three-year term in 21 years. Opposition leader Peter Dutton conceded defeat in Saturday’s election, saying, “We didn’t do well enough during this campaign, that much is obvious tonight, and I accept full responsibility for that.”

India bans direct, indirect imports from Pakistan

India has banned direct or indirect import of all goods from Pakistan with immediate effect in the interest of national security and public policy, following the Pahalgam terror attack last month in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.  India announced a freeze on imports from Pakistan on Saturday (May 3, 2025) prohibiting the “direct or indirect” import of all goods “originating in or exported by Pakistan”. The Indian government also suspended all postal links with Pakistan, and announced that ships bearing the national flag of Pakistan will not be allowed to dock in Indian ports.

India suspends mail, parcel services with Pakistan through air, surface routes

India on Saturday (May 3, 2025) suspended exchange of all categories of mail and parcels from Pakistan through air and surface routes amid escalating tensions between the two nations over the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The order suspending the services was issued by the Department of Posts that operates under the Ministry of Communication.

Stampede at Goa temple: Seven killed, 80 injured at Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao

At least seven persons were killed and 80 people injured on Saturday (May 3, 2025) in a stampede in North Goa’s Shirgao village in Bicholim taluka, where lakhs of devotees thronged to participate in the annual ‘Lairai Jatra’ at Shree Lairai Devi Temple. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry, even as he held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who assured support to the State government.

Pakistani Ranger apprehended by BSF from international border in Rajasthan

A Pakistani Ranger has been apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) from along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan, official sources said on Saturday (May 3, 2025). The development comes nearly a fortnight after a BSF jawan was apprehended by the Rangers amid rising tension between the two countries in the wake of the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.

Two Americans detained at Mizoram airport, sent back to Delhi

Two American nationals were detained at the Lengpui airport in Mizoram’s Aizawal on May 2 and were sent back to Delhi on Saturday. The two had arrived in Mizoram as they wanted to visit the refugee camps of the Bawm community, a senior government official told The Hindu on Saturday.

New Delhi’s plan to ask IMF to review Pak. loans is politically motivated: Islamabad

Ahead of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) crucial review meeting next week, Pakistan has termed “politically motivated” India’s announcement that it will request the global lender to review Islamabad’s financial support programme after the Pahalgam terror attack.

CRPF constable dismissed from service for ‘concealing marriage’ to Pakistani woman

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Saturday said that a constable has been dismissed from service for “concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national”. The CRPF said that “in a matter of serious concern”, constable Munir Ahmed of the CRPF’s 41 Battalion had been dismissed from service with immediate effect for concealing his marriage to a Pakistani national, and knowingly harbouring her in India beyond the period of validity of her visa.

One judge for 18.7 lakh people: vacancy, pendency crises plague High Courts

In a rare and candid observation, the Delhi High Court last week cited the “acute shortage of judges” as a key reason for its inability to hear all cases listed in its daily cause list. The comment serves as a sobering reminder of the systemic challenges confronting the judiciary.

At The Huddle, players from three generations to take the field for women’s cricket in India

Over the years, women’s cricket has become extremely popular in India. With pay parity, and the introduction of the Women’s Premier League, the game has been one of the major highlights of the women sports’ growth story in the country.

Rafale-M once inducted, will ensure full fighter strength on both aircraft carriers

The Rafale-M fighter jets, 26 of which were contracted last week, once inducted from the second quarter of 2028 onwards, will enable the Indian Navy to field both its aircraft carriers with the full complement of their fighters. However, the jet as well as the flight deck of the carrier would need slight modifications for the Rafale-M to be able to fit on the lifts and for optimal performance.

Modi doubles down on commitment to take ‘firm and decisive’ action against Pahalgam perpetrators

India is “committed” to take “firm and decisive action” against terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack and their supporters, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after talks with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco here on Saturday (May 3, 2025) .Mr. Modi’s comments, more than 10 days after the attacks, where the terrorists responsible for gunning down 26 men have still not been apprehended, reiterate his former statements on a strong response for the attack.

Defence pact with India to be presented in Parliament, says Sri Lankan president

Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said that the defence pact with India would be presented in Parliament soon. Mr. Dissanayake was responding to opposition criticism that his NPP government had entered a secret defence pact with India when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 and has been demanding that the MoU be revealed.

Pakistan test-fires Abdali missile amid strained ties with India over Pahalgam attack

Pakistan on Saturday announced that it has conducted a successful training launch of the Abdali Weapon System — a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 km, amid heightened tensions with India following the Pahalgam terror attack.

DU professor claims psychology syllabus faced scrutiny at standing committee meeting

A member of the Delhi University’s Academic Council has raised concerns over what she described as undue scrutiny and interference in the psychology syllabus during a meeting of the university’s Standing Committee on Academic Matters on Friday.

Shutdown in Manipur to mark two years of ethnic strife hits life

Shutdown called by various groups on Saturday (May 3, 2025) to mark two years of the ethnic strife in Manipur affected normal lives in both the Maitei-controlled Manipur’s Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts. Meitei group Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) called a shutdown in the valley districts, while the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) have imposed the shutdown in the hill districts.

Caste census: Tejashwi writes to PM Modi, demands reservation in private sector and judiciary

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and put forward several demands to be included in the caste enumeration including reservation in the private sector.