Following Rahul Gandhi's allegations of rigging in Maharashtra polls, the Election Commission sources stated they would respond only to a direct letter from him. The EC highlighted its outreach to national parties, noting Congress's cancellation of a scheduled meeting.

The UPSC has introduced a new application portal effective May 28, 2025, streamlining the registration and application process for its various examinations. This portal replaces the old OTR module and features a universal registration system to save applicants time.

The 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) are happening in Las Vegas. Jennifer Lopez is the host. Kendrick Lamar has the most nominations. Big stars like Benson Boone and Janet Jackson are performing. Winners do not get money. They receive a trophy and recognition. Performers also do not get large payments. The exposure from the show is valuable for them.

In Jharkhand's Latehar district, security forces neutralized a CPI (Maoist) member, Manish Yadav, who had a Rs 5 lakh bounty on his head, during a gunfight. The encounter occurred in a forest within the Mauhadand Police Station limits, leading to the arrest of another Maoist, Kundan Kherwar.

Odisha experiences relief from intense heat due to pre-monsoon showers. The IMD forecasts heavy rain and thunderstorms across the state until May 30. A cyclonic circulation over north coastal Odisha is the reason for the weather. A low-pressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal around May 27. Koraput and Bhubaneswar received significant rainfall.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar criticized the West for historically supporting military dictatorships in Pakistan, hindering democracy. He highlighted terrorism as a major global challenge alongside climate change and poverty. Jaishankar also noted that India and Pakistan's ceasefire agreement was directly negotiated between their militaries, following strong Indian action against Pakistani military bases.

A joint operation unfolded in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. A CoBRA commando of the CRPF and a Naxalite died during the anti-Maoist operation. The operation occurred in Tumrel village. The 210th CoBRA battalion, DRG, and STF led the operation. Reports indicate one CoBRA commando sustained injuries. An Indian Air Force helicopter was deployed to evacuate the injured personnel from the site.

Donald Trump plans to normalize relations with Syria's new government. He will lift sanctions to give Syria a chance at peace. This move follows urging from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ahmad al-Sharaa, the new Syrian President, will meet Trump in Saudi Arabia. Al-Sharaa once led an insurgency and was imprisoned in Iraq.

Just hours after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, government sources reported violations by Pakistan in the Akhnoor sector with firing and drone sightings. The agreement, announced by US President Trump and confirmed by India, aimed to halt all military actions. Despite the understanding reached, the reported violations raise concerns about the fragile truce.

Following an agreement between India and Pakistan for an immediate ceasefire, authorities in Punjab have withdrawn the previously imposed blackout orders. District administrations, including Sangrur, Rupnagar, and Fazilka, have cancelled the restrictive measures. This decision comes after the directors general of military operations from both nations agreed to halt all military actions, facilitated by US-brokered talks.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has summoned Ullu App CEO Vibhu Agarwal and actor Ajaz Khan over the web series House Arrest, citing alleged coercive and vulgar content involving women. The NCW took suo motu cognisance of the show, condemning its content and raising concerns about consent, safety, and exploitation.

A parliamentary panel on defence strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam. The attack resulted in the death of twenty-six people. The committee observed a two-minute silence to show solidarity. Rahul Gandhi, Sanjay Singh, and Virendra Singh attended the meeting. The committee discussed resettlement policies and healthcare for ex-servicemen. Radha Mohan Singh expressed deep anguish over the Pahalgam attack.

A trial has commenced in Paris concerning the 2016 robbery of Kim Kardashian, where millions in jewelry were stolen. Ten individuals face charges of robbery and kidnapping. Kardashian recounted her terror, fearing rape and death. She will testify, with her lawyers emphasizing her respect for the French justice system.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India and Pakistan cancelled visas. Over 450 Indians returned home via the Wagah border. Among them were members of the Pakistan Super League broadcast team. Around 200 Pakistani nationals also returned from India. The Attari-Wagah border closed, and SAARC visa privileges were revoked. Some Indian-origin foreign nationals were also affected. Cross-border transit was suspended.

Iran has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi expressed Iran's readiness to facilitate understanding between the two nations. Iran condemned the attack, which killed many tourists. Araghchi highlighted the historical ties between Iran, India, and Pakistan.

Retired Karnataka DGP Om Prakash was found dead at his Bengaluru residence under suspicious circumstances, with his body discovered with injuries. His spouse, Pallavi, alerted the police, who found the body in a pool of blood. Authorities are investigating, questioning family members, and exploring possible threats to his life that Prakash had previously reported to associates.

India celebrates a monumental achievement as UNESCO includes the Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra in its Memory of the World Register. Prime Minister Modi hailed this as a proud moment, recognizing the timeless wisdom and rich cultural heritage embodied in these texts.

The government is likely to file a review petition against the Supreme Court's judgement that set a timeframe for the President and governors to decide on assenting to state bills. The government may also challenge the apex court's order allowing states to directly approach it if the President withholds assent.

Former Indian cricketer Kedar Jadhav has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mumbai. Jadhav, who retired from all forms of cricket in June 2024, expressed his admiration for PM Modi and CM Devendra Fadnavis' achievements, stating his desire to contribute to the BJP. He represented India in 73 ODIs and nine T20Is, scoring 1,389 runs and 122 runs respectively.

China accused the US of protectionism and economic bullying with new tariffs, calling on American companies to act against them. In retaliation, China imposed its own tariffs and countermeasures, while urging US businesses to stabilize global supply chains despite the economic tensions.

India and the US are keen to expedite negotiations for a proposed bilateral trade agreement aimed at promoting two-way commerce. The agreement seeks to increase market access, cut tariffs, and deepen supply chain integration, while addressing the recently imposed 27% US import duty on Indian goods.

India plans to carefully observe the impact of new US import duties on global trade rather than acting hastily. Government sources highlight that while some Indian export sectors may face challenges, others could benefit as competitors encounter higher tariffs. The commerce ministry is currently analyzing potential impacts and engaging with stakeholders.

Nithin Kamath revealed that over 2,000 crore has been lost to digital fraud arrests in India this year. Scammers pretend to be police officers and create fear to trick people into transferring money. To protect yourself, seek out experts, do not react hastily, and avoid calls or messages from unknown numbers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font began discussions on a comprehensive economic partnership to boost bilateral ties, with a focus on trade and defence. Modi highlighted areas like critical minerals, resilient supply chains, and digital infrastructure. Chile is seen as a gateway to Antarctica, and India's expertise in renewable energy, railways, and space will be shared.

Is US President Donald Trump more popular than ever? The percentage of Americans who say the country is on the right track is the highest in decades according to some measures. President shared a segment from CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten, touting his favorability ratings. In the past, Trump labelled CNN as 'fake news'.

Amid concerns over US tariffs, a report by Motilal Oswal suggests India could strengthen its domestic industries. Increased tariffs raise costs and hurt exports, but they also present an opportunity to boost local production and reduce reliance on foreign goods. Strategic use of import duties and improved trade agreements could mitigate the impact and stimulate economic growth.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman suggests that AI could reduce the need for software engineers in the future. Many companies already rely on AI for coding. Altman and other tech leaders predict that AI will eventually write most of the code. This may lead to fewer software engineering jobs. However, essential complexity will still require human expertise.

Bitcoin price among other cryptocurrencies has skyrocketed by more than 1200 per cent.

Fareed Zakaria suggests that a special trade deal between India and the US could benefit India by reducing tariffs, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and growth. He emphasizes the importance of India integrating into the global economy through broader deregulation and investing in futuristic technologies with western partners.

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, DGMO of the Indian Army, visited Manipur to assess the security along the Indo-Myanmar Border and review border infrastructure developments. Discussions with state officials emphasized improving border management and collaboration. Currently, only 10 km of the border is fenced near Moreh, with ongoing opposition to the fencing project.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella warns Nvidia of potential risks due to an oversupply of AI resources. By 2027-2028, Microsoft plans to lease computing power instead of building more, potentially driving down prices. An AI market slowdown and the trend of companies designing in-house chips could also challenge Nvidia's current dominance in AI hardware.

Analysts worry about Palantir Technologies' sustainability of its explosive growth. With AI-powered platforms and extensive government contracts, the company's high valuation may pose risks if investor excitement diminishes.

Fifteen-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi reached the semi-finals of the WTA 125 Mumbai Open, showcasing resilience and skill. Alongside her, other Indian hopefuls like 17-year-old Manas Dhamne bring fresh promise to Indian tennis. The need is for supportive development without undue pressure.

Elon Musk has not yet submitted the mandatory financial disclosure form required of high-level government officials. Nearly three weeks after his appointment, his financial details have not been made public. The White House asserted that Musk has complied with federal laws, but has not confirmed if the form has been filed.