Muslim petitioners at the Supreme Court lawn during hearing on pleas challenging the Waqf Act amendments, in New Delhi, on May 21, 2025
| Photo Credit: PTI
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.
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”.
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.
Suryakumar, Santner steal the show as MI seals final playoff spot in style
Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir’s quickfire partnership changed the course of the virtual quarterfinal between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. Capitals didn’t recover from the deadly blows as Mumbai sealed the only remaining place in the playoffs with an emphatic 59-run win at the Wankhede Stadium.
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.
Published – May 22, 2025 06:50 am IST