Top news of the day: May 25, 2025

The Hindu

25-05-2025

Lalu Prasad expels elder son Tej Pratap Yadav from party and family for 'irresponsible behaviour'
Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Sunday expelled his eldest son and Hasanpur MLA Tej Pratap Yadav from the party for six years following his video with a girl going viral on social media on Saturday. Mr. Prasad posted a message on social media X saying, 'Ignoring moral values in personal life weakens the collective struggle for social cause. The activities, public conduct and irresponsible behaviour of the eldest son are not in accordance with our family values and traditions. Therefore, due to the above circumstances, I remove him from the party and family. From now on, he will not have any role of any kind in the party and family. He is expelled from the party for 6 years.'
BJP MP sparks row saying tourists should have fought terrorists and women lacked 'warrior spirit'
Haryana Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha member Ram Chander Jangra has courted controversy over his remarks on Pahalgam attack for saying that the women, whose husbands were killed by the terrorists, 'did not have the spirit of warriors' and that's why these women fell victim to the bullets pleading for the lives of their husbands with folded hands. He later clarified that his statement was presented in a distorted manner to create political controversy, and this mentality be shunned, adding that he still did not mind apologising for his remarks if anyone was hurt.
Operation Sindoor not just military mission, but reflection of changing India, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Operation Sindoor was not just a military mission, but 'the face of a changing India' that reflects the country's resolve, courage, and growing strength on the global stage. Addressing his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister termed Operation Sindoor as a turning point in the global fight against terror and a symbol of India's growing strength and clarity of purpose. 'Today the entire country is united against terrorism, filled with anger and determination,' Mr. Modi said.
964 children rescued so far by anti-child trafficking cell: NCPCR
About 964 children have been rescued since the formation of an Anti-Child Trafficking Cell, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) said on Sunday. The NCPCR, in a statement, said that it recently rescued 17 minor girls from an orchestra group operating in Bihar's Saran district. The rescue operation was launched after the Commission received inputs from an NGO that several minor girls were being forced to perform obscene dances by local orchestra groups in the region.
Shashi Tharoor slams Kerala Govt for aid to Turkiye in 2023, John Brittas responds
Amidst a multi-party delegation's visit across the globe as part of government's outreach in the wake of the India-Pakistan conflict, two Parliamentarians from Kerala Congress's Shashi Tharoor and CPI(M)'s John Brittas sparred over Kerala Government's financial assistance to Turkiye after it was struck by an earthquake in 2023. Mr. Tharoor in a post on 'X' on Saturday (May 24, 2025), criticised the Kerala Government's ₹10 crore aid to Turkiye two years ago, as 'misplaced generosity'. To which Mr. Brittas said Mr. Thaoor's comments show 'selective amnesia', since it does not mention Narendra Modi Government itself had launched Operation Dost to help Turkiye.
Protesters scuffle with security forces near Manipur Raj Bhavan
A scuffle broke out between protesters and security forces on Sunday while they were on their way to gherao the Raj Bhavan in Imphal against the removal of the State's name from a Government bus. The protesters responding to a call by COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity) to stage mass agitation gathered at Khwairamband and took out a rally for some 500 metres before security forces stopped them. They were demanding an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla over an alleged insult to Manipur's identity.
Playing cards for entertainment and recreation without gambling is not moral turpitude: Supreme Court
Playing cards for entertainment and recreation without an element of betting and gambling does not involve moral turpitude, the Supreme Court has said as it restored the election of a man in a cooperative society in Karnataka. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh noted that one Y.C. Hanumantharayappa, who was elected to the board of directors of Government Porcelain Factory Employees Housing Co-operative Society Ltd., was allegedly fined ₹200 without any trial when some persons, including him were caught playing cards sitting on a roadside.
Assembly bypolls to five seats in four States on June 19: Election Commission
Bypolls to five Assembly seats in four States will be held on June 19, the Election Commission said on Sunday. While two assembly bypolls will be held in Gujarat, one each will take place in Kerala, West Bengal and Punjab. The counting of votes will take place on June 23, the poll authority said. In Gujarat, the bypoll to the Kadi seat was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki. Another bypoll to the Visavadar seat in the state is taking place due to the resignation of sitting member Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai.
Overnight heavy rains threw life out of gear in Kerala; IMD issues red alerts for five districts
Heavy rains pummelled Kerala overnight, causing some disruption to everyday life, even as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the South West Monsoon will likely intensify on Sunday. The IMD has issued a red alert for five northern districts —Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Malappuram — for the next 24 hours. The rest of Kerala, including Idukki, was under orange alert. The IMD has predicted intense rainfall in the regions until Monday (May 26). The IMD will likely update its weather forecast at 10.30 a.m.
Bangladesh court begins first trial of Hasina-era officials
Bangladesh began the first trial on Sunday at a special court prosecuting former senior figures connected to the ousted government of Sheikh Hasina, the chief prosecutor said. The court in the capital, Dhaka accepted a formal charge against eight police officials in connection with the killing of six protesters on August 5 last year, the day Ms. Hasina fled the country as the protesters stormed her palace. The eight men are charged with crimes against humanity. Four are in custody and four are being tried in absentia.
Trump defends block on foreign students at Harvard
U.S. President Donald Trump defended on Sunday his administration's move to block foreign students at Harvard after a judge suspended the action, branded by the top university as unlawful. 'Why isn't Harvard saying that almost 31% of their students are from FOREIGN LANDS, and yet those countries, some not at all friendly to the United States, pay NOTHING toward their student's education, nor do they ever intend to,' Mr. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
Massive Russian drone-and-missile attack on Ukraine kills 12 people, officials say
A massive Russian drone-and-missile attack targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and other regions in the country for a second consecutive night, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens, officials said early Sunday. The scale of the onslaught was stunning — Russia hit Ukraine with 367 drones and missiles, making this the largest single attack of the more than three-years-long war, according to Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force.
IPL 2025 | Josh Hazlewood rejoins Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of IPL playoffs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have got a massive boost ahead of the Indian Premier League playoffs with Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood rejoining the side two days before their final league match in Lucknow on May 27, 2025. Hazlewood had returned home during the one-week break due to the suspension of the IPL in the wake of India-Pakistan military conflict and was also dealing with a shoulder niggle from which the right-arm pacer has recovered.
It will be a challenge for Gill to lead India in England, says Pujara
Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara on Sunday said it will be a challenge for a youngster like Shubman Gill to captain India in tough conditions in England, but a big opportunity and confidence booster for him if he achieves success as a leader in the marquee series. 'When you go abroad as a captain, whether you are young or matured, it will be challenging. To start off in England, it won't be easy for Shubman but it's a great opportunity for a young player. If he leads well in England it will boost his confidence.